Strategies for Hearing Better in Noise
Directional Microphones The first method of noise reduction is the use of directional microphones. These were available prior to the advent of the digital technology, but digital technology allows us to do more with directional technology. Some hearing aids are able to automatically identify and prioritize sounds coming from the front. This does not eliminate…
Do I Have Hearing Loss?
Answering “Yes” to any one of the questions below may indicate that you have a hearing loss: Do you feel like your hearing is muffled? Do you have to ask people to repeat what they have said? Do you listen to the television or radio at a higher volume than others around you? Do you have trouble…
Otosclerosis and Stapedectomy
Otosclerosis is a disease that causes progressive hearing loss and affects the bone of middle and inner ear. It is often surgically reversible. Otosclerosis causes abnormal bone to deposit around the stapes and sometimes cochlea. As this bony deposit accumulates, it restricts the normal movement of the third bone of hearing (the stapes “stay-peas”). This…
Otitis Media and PE Tubes
Otitis media means inflammation of the middle ear usually caused by infections. Otitis media can affect one or both ears and may lead to pain, hearing loss, speech and language delay. How Does the Ear Work? The outer ear collects sounds. The middle ear consists of the ear drum and three small ear bones. It…
What is Unilateral Hearing Loss?
What is Single Sided Deafness? Sometimes referred to as unilateral hearing loss, single sided deafness is a condition in which an individual experiences hearing loss in only one ear but can hear normally out of the other ear. While most patients with a hearing impairment suffer from bilateral (two-sided) hearing loss, SSD affects approximately 60,000…
What is Sudden Hearing Loss?
For most people who experience hearing loss, the condition comes on gradually over a period of years. In rare cases, an abrupt loss of hearing occurs with little or no warning. This condition is known as sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL). What is Sudden Deafness? Sudden deafness is an unexplained and rapid hearing loss that…
What is Noise Induced Hearing Loss?
How Can Sounds Hurt Your Ears? Background sound is a constant in our busy lives. Normally, background noises are at safe levels that do not negatively impact our hearing. But repeated exposure to noise above 85 decibels (dB) can cause noise induced hearing loss. The louder the sound, the less amount of time it takes…