Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a major risk factor for stroke and heart disease, which affects nearly 70 million adults in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This adds up to one in three adults! In addition to people with hypertension, the CDC states that one in three adults is living with elevated blood pressure or prehypertension. Prehypertension is not hypertension, but the blood pressure levels are above what is considered normal. What … [Read more...] about Understanding the Connection Between High Blood Pressure and Hearing Loss
Au.D.
Rechargeable CROS Aids Improving Quality of Life
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
Hearing in a Noisy Place
Many people say to their audiologist that they are able to hear fine in a quiet room but the minute there is background noise they are not able to hear well. Sometimes it happens while watching a TV program and the background music suddenly gets louder. Difficulty may arise if a conversation is being held in a large room with an echo or reverberation. This comment is true for people who hear normally or people with a hearing loss. The Physiology of Hearing All hearing situations are not … [Read more...] about Hearing in a Noisy Place
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
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
Understanding Brain Controlled Hearing Aids
One of the most difficult situations in which to hear well is to hear one person in a group of loud-spoken people. Not hearing well in the company of friends and family is a quality of life issue. Without the ability to hear what is going on, you tend to withdraw and become isolated. Rather than giving up on social interaction, I recommend that you try a pair of hearing aids. Hearing aids are outfitted with directional microphones to help you focus in a direction you choose. For instance, if you … [Read more...] about Understanding Brain Controlled Hearing Aids
Keeping Your Hearing Aids Safe
The most common call to my office for lost hearing aids is that the individual was in the hospital or rehabilitation facility when the hearing aids were lost. Another common place to lose hearing aids is in a test situation, such as having an MRI, an outpatient procedure or other situation that requires you to remove hearing aids at a facility. You need to wear the hearing aids prior to testing because you want to hear what is being said. Decisions are being made creating an element of stress … [Read more...] about Keeping Your Hearing Aids Safe
Exploring Extended Wear Hearing Aids
Have you seen the ads about the extended wear hearing aids? One of my patients asked me to discuss them in my next month’s column, so here we go! The name of the extended wear hearing aid is Lyric3. The company that initially invented the product was recently purchased by the company Phonak. Now, Phonak is investing in the development of this hearing aid that can be worn full-time without the need to take it out even when you sleep! What Does Extended Wear Mean? An extended wear … [Read more...] about Exploring Extended Wear Hearing Aids