Hearing Loss: You Are Not Alone Hearing loss is the third most common physical impairment reported by Americans, following only arthritis and heart disease. In fact, approximately 48 million Americans, or 20% of the population, suffer from some degree of hearing loss. Because hearing loss is essentially an “invisible disorder,” meaning someone cannot see that…
View detailsWhat is Tinnitus? Tinnitus, more commonly known as “ringing in the ears”, is the presence of sound in the ears or head where no external sound source is present. It can also be described as a buzzing, hissing, or roaring noise depending on the patient’s perception. According to the American Tinnitus Association, 50 million people…
View detailsWhy do my hearing aids whistle? Many hearing aid users wonder about that high pitched whistle sound that sometimes comes from one or both of their hearing aids. What is it and why does it happen? That high pitched sound is referred to as feedback and it can occur with any sound system that involves…
View detailsReading the Graph An audiogram is a graphical representation of pure tone audiometry test results. It charts the softest sounds (threshold) that a patient can hear at each frequency tested. The frequency of the tone is displayed across the x-axis (horizontal), while the loudness of sound is displayed along the y-axis (vertical). Frequency is measured…
View detailsHyperacusis: What is it? Hyperacusis is defined as an unusual intolerance to ordinary environmental sounds. Individuals with hyperacusis usually have inappropriate responses to sounds that are not bothersome to a typical person. This differs from loudness recruitment, in which a person with hearing loss cannot tolerate moderate to loud sounds. With loudness recruitment, loud sounds…
View detailsFirst time hearing aid users Approximately 8.4 million people in America currently wear hearing aids. While some of those individuals may have been wearing hearing aids for decades, some are just starting their journey to better hearing. If you are considering hearing aids for the first time, or considering trying amplification again after a long…
View detailsLoud Noise and Hearing Loss Roughly 10 million cases of hearing loss can be attributed to noise exposure. Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) is characterized by a gradual, progressive loss of high frequency hearing sensitivity that usually presents as a “notch” that occurs at or around 4000 Hz. NIHL can occur from a one-time exposure…
View detailsWhat Is Earwax? Cerumen, more commonly known as earwax, is healthy for your ears in normal amounts. Glands in the ear canal produce earwax, which helps trap dust and dirt particles from making its way to the eardrum. It serves as a self-cleaning agent that can protect and lubricate the ear canal. Without earwax, the…
View detailsCROS and BiCROS Hearing Aids In a previous blog entry, we spoke about the benefits of two hearing aids for users with bilateral hearing loss. However, you might wonder what some options are for a person with hearing loss in only one ear or hearing loss that is worse in one ear than the other.…
View details