People with single-sided deafness or one ear that is not able to understand speech clearly are at a significant disadvantage when attempting to understand speech and other sounds. This type of hearing loss is called a unilateral hearing loss. This problem is increased when there is noise in the room while the desired sound is occurring. They have difficulty judging the distance a sound is from them and the location of the sound. This discrepancy in how the two ears hear sound interferes with how … [Read more...] about Rechargeable CROS Aids Improving Quality of Life
Karon Lynn
Understanding Conductive Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is described by type and degree of loss. The type of hearing loss is determined by the location of the dysfunction. The degree of loss is determined by how much power is needed to hear sound. The ear is divided into the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. In this article, I will discuss at the outer and middle sections of the ear as well as any hearing loss that may originate in these areas. Outer Ear Anatomy and Function The outer ear extends from the pinna (the area … [Read more...] about Understanding Conductive Hearing Loss
Understanding Sensorineural Hearing Loss, or Nerve Deafness
Hearing loss is described in types and degrees of loss. The type of hearing loss is determined by the location of the dysfunction. The degree of loss is determined by how much power is needed to hear sound. The ear is divided into the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. This article is an introduction to the anatomy and function of the inner ear organ and the hearing loss that may originate in this area. Inner Ear Anatomy The inner ear is made up of the cochlea and the vestibular … [Read more...] about Understanding Sensorineural Hearing Loss, or Nerve Deafness
Protecting Against Noise: How Hearing is Damaged
The most common cause of permanent hearing loss is noise exposure. That being said, unless you live in a perfectly quiet world, it is likely that you are exposing your hearing organ (cochlea) to excessive vibration. We hear through vibration and vibration is what causes the damage! It is a Catch-22. The hearing organ is fragile. The cochlea is the size of a green pea, curled like a snail and filled with fluid. Inside this tiny, sophisticated organ are rows of nerves that sit on a membrane … [Read more...] about Protecting Against Noise: How Hearing is Damaged
Recycling Used Hearing Aids
If you have an old pair of hearing aids or cochlear implant processors that someone used in the past, don’t waste the opportunity to help someone else. That device may open a new world of hearing to someone. There are a few options for you to recycle the hearing aids. All makes and models are of value and will be readily accepted. If you have a pair of hearing aids that you used and now have a new pair, ask your audiologist if the old aids would be a good back-up pair for you. If the … [Read more...] about Recycling Used Hearing Aids
Cleaning Ear Canals
One of the most common questions I hear is, “How should I clean my ears?” There are a few methods for keeping ears clean, but first, let’s learn a little about the ear canal. The Purpose of the Ear Canal The ear canal protects the eardrum, migrates dust and dirt out of the canal, funnels sound to the eardrum and, finally, modifies sound. The eardrum is the end point of the ear canal. The canal is shaped like a test tube and houses hair follicles and wax producing glands. The actual … [Read more...] about Cleaning Ear Canals
Offering Hope through the Levo Tinnitus System
As many as 50 million Americans suffer from tinnitus, a debilitating health condition commonly known as “ringing in the ears.” Musicians, factory workers, veterans and many others endure its effects, including problems with concentration, sleep, anxiety and depression. Tinnitus affects a wide range of people, including those who are exposed to continuous noise and even people who use home improvement tools. It is the leading service-related disability among U.S. veterans, according to the … [Read more...] about Offering Hope through the Levo Tinnitus System
Developing Drugs to Treat Hearing Loss and Tinnitus
There is huge opportunity for companies looking for a money maker! According to the World Health Organization, there are more than 360 million people with disabling hearing loss who need help. Currently, we work to fit these individuals with hearing aids and teach others about reducing noise exposure. But what if we could develop a way to regrow the damaged area in the hearing organ after noise exposure? What if we can use eardrops that will prevent hearing loss before it happens? Both of these … [Read more...] about Developing Drugs to Treat Hearing Loss and Tinnitus
Understanding Benefits of the Lyric Hearing Aid
The Lyric is a hearing aid that is housed inside the ear canal for extended periods of time. No need to change a battery or put the hearing aid in a recharging device at night. All you need to do is go to your audiologist and ask to try a pair of them! Discreet Amplification The most amazing consequence of wearing the Lyric is that you are a “normal” person. You do not have to be careful with your hearing aids around the house so the dog or cat does not eat them when you take them off. You … [Read more...] about Understanding Benefits of the Lyric Hearing Aid
Hearing Loss in Children
The incidence of hearing loss in children is higher than you might expect. Studies have shown that newborn hearing screenings identify from one to four out of 1,000 babies tested, depending on the research cited. Most hospitals offer newborn hearing screening and many audiologists offer the test in their office for the babies missed at birth. The babies may have hearing loss because of genetic causes, birth trauma, middle ear fluid, debris in the ear canals or even the side effect of medications … [Read more...] about Hearing Loss in Children