Audiology & Hearing Aids

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Another resource to provide you with access to many helpful hearing related articles.

What is an Audiologist?

An audiologist is a person who has a masters or doctoral degree in audiology. Audiology is the science of hearing. In addition, the audiologist must be licensed or registered by their state (in 47 states) to practice audiology.

A Discussion of Acoustic Neuroma

Acoustic tumors are fibrous growths originating from the balance nerve and are not malignant. They do not spread to other parts of the brain, other than by direct extension.

A Discussion of Chronic Ear Infections

Chronic ear infection is the result of an ear infection that has left a residual injury to the ear. This type of infection has been established as the cause of your ear problem.

What is an Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)?

Auditory Processing (also called Central Auditory Processing) refers to the means by which we make sense of what we hear. “Auditory Processing Disorders” refers to the abnormal interaction of hearing, neural transmission and the brain’s ability to m…

A Discussion of Meniere's Disease

The inner ear is a delicate membraneous sense organ, which is encased in a bony shell. It is suspended within a latice-like bony framework, called the mastoid bone, which is located behind the outer ear.

What Causes Tinnitus?

Tinnitus may originate from various lesions and from different sites. The auditory system involves highly complicated inner ear structures, many afferent and efferent nerve pathways and a great amount of nuclei that form a complex meshwork.

A Discussion of Dizziness

Dizziness is a symptom not a disease. It may be defined as a sensation of unsteadiness, imbalance, or disorientation in relation to an individual’s surroundings.

What is an ENT (ear-nose-and-throat doctor)?

Otolaryngologists (also called ear-nose-and-throat, or ENT, doctors) are physicians who have advanced training in disorders of the ear, nose, throat and head and neck.

A Discussion of Eustachian Tube Problems

The ear is comprised of three portions: an outer ear (external), a middle ear and inner ear. Each part performs an important function in the process of hearing.

A Discussion of Hearing Problems in Children

Five thousand children are born profoundly deaf each year in the United States alone. Another 10 to 15 percent of newborns have a partial hearing handicap.

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is an abnormal perception of a sound which is reported by patients that is unrelated to an external source of stimulation. Tinnitus is a very common disorder.

A Patient's Guide to Tinnitus

Tinnitus, often described as ringing, buzzing or hissing sounds in the ears, is a symptom that can be related to almost every known hearing problem. Tinnitus can be temporary (acute) or permanent (chronic).

A Discussion of Tinnitus

Tinnitus is an abnormal perception of a sound which is reported by patients that is unrelated to an external source of stimulation. Tinnitus is a very common disorder.

Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs)

You may have certain communication needs that cannot be solved by the use of hearing aids alone. These situations may involve the use of the telephone, radio, television, and the inability to hear the door chime, telephone bell, and alarm clock.

Candidates for ALDs

No. People with all degrees and types of hearing loss — even people with normal hearing can benefit from assistive listening devices.

Digital Hearing Aid Technology

The term DIGITAL is used so often today, it can be confusing. When the term “digital” is used while referring to hearing aids, it generally means the hearing aid is 100% digital. In other words, the hearing aid is indeed a “complete computer”.

Do I Need Two Hearing Aids?

Basically, if you have two ears with hearing loss that could benefit from hearing aids, you need two hearing aids. It is important to realize there are no “normal” animals born with only one ear. Simply stated, you have two ears because you need two…

Hearing Aid Battery Information

All batteries are toxic and dangerous if swallowed. Keep all batteries (and hearing aids) away from children and pets. If anyone swallows a battery it is a medical emergency and the individual needs to see a physician immediately.

Hearing Protection: Prevention is the Answer

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), while irreversible and incurable (at least, at this writing), is absolutely preventable.

Type and Degree of Hearing Loss

Results of the audiometric evaluation are plotted on a chart called an audiogram. Loudness is plotted from top to bottom. Frequency, from low to high, is plotted from left to right.

Types of Hearing Aids

There are many styles of hearing aids. The degree of the hearing loss, power and options requirements, manual dexterity abilities, cost factors, and cosmetic concerns are some of the factors that will determine the style the patient will use.

How do I know if I have Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss occurs to most people as they age. Hearing loss can be due to the aging process, exposure to loud noise, certain medications, infections, head or ear trauma, congenital (birth or prenatal) or hereditary factors, diseases, as well as a n…

Patients with Communication Problems are at Risk of Hospital Complications

The prospect of hospitalization is scary. Nobody likes being sick, and even less so having to undergo medical treatment in a hospital. But for people who have communication…

Sleep Your Way to Better Hearing

There is no scientific evidence to suggest that missing an occasional nights sleep is going to have a lasting adverse effect on our physical and emotional well-being.But things…

Actor Richard Thomas: John Boy Lives With Hearing Loss

Time sure does fly. It seems only a few years back that we all enjoyed the extremely successful TV series, The Waltons. The stories were heartwarming, the characters real and the…

Wind Farms: Good for the Environment, Bad for the Ears?

Here is the good news: wind energy is clean and renewable. It doesnt produce toxic waste that causes environmental damage, or deplete natural resources such as coal, oil or gas….

The Blast in the Ears: Good Hearing Among War's Casualties

Most of us wear helmets to protect our heads from injury while biking or playing football. In the historical context, however, helmets were thought of as military, not sports…

Improved Hearing? The Answer May Be In Your Aquarium

Who knew fish had ears?Well, theyre not exactly ears in the way we usually think of them a couple of projections sticking out of the head of a human or other higher life (L…

Lions Club Launches Affordable Hearing Aid Drive: Largest Service Club Takes on Hearing Loss

The Lions Club is known globally for its good works especially its drive for used eye glasses that can be refitted and donated to those who otherwise couldnt afford Octobe…

Earbud Ear: Fast Track to Hearing Loss

MP3 Players and Hearing LossThe next time you drop off the kids at school, notice how many youngsters have those ubiquitous white wires draped over their shoulders. These kids…

Cocktail Party Ear: 'Please Pass the Pigs in a Blanket.'

The brain is an amazing mechanism.Youre at a crowded do with lots of noise, the band is playing and the noise level keeps going up with each round of drinks. Been there? Youre…

MAY IS BETTER HEARING AND SPEECH MONTH. Did You Hear That?

Come on. Admit it. If you remember where you were the day the music died, (February 3, 1959), chances are the old hearing just aint what it used to be.May is Better Hearing and…

War Vets and Hearing Loss: Heroes and Hearing

Hearing loss is the number one war-related injury on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan. With the extensive use of improvised explosive devices, insurgents are creating…

Bilateral

In many ways, Michelle Tjelmeland and her 10-year-old daughter, Ellie, are hearing miracles. With the help of modern technology, they went from the world of total silence to…

Bilateral Cochlear Implants: A Fitting Choice for Mother and Daughter

In many ways, Michelle Tjelmeland and her 10-year-old daughter, Ellie, are hearing miracles. With the help of modern technology, they went from the world of total silence to…

Ventriloquism: Fooling the Brain

Theres nothing funnier than a good ventriloquist, called vents in the show business world. Using a variety of dummies, these professional entertainers keep audiences in stitches….

Law Enforcement and Hard-of Hearing: Can Justice Prevail?

You suddenly find yourself charged with a crime. Or, you find yourself a litigant in a civil suit. Our various systems of law enforcement, including policing agencies and our…