Communicating with a person who has a hearing loss can be stressful for both parties. Even when hearing devices are used, proper communication strategies are essential for maximizing the experience. Try the following tips when communicating with a hearing impaired individual. Maintain eye contact with the hearing impaired individual, facing them directly. Do not attempt…
Noise exposure is a leading cause of hearing loss. It usually develops gradually and may go unnoticed until it has progressed to a point where treatment options are limited. There are steps you can take now to prevent hearing loss down the road. Causes Some types of hearing loss are unavoidable. That which occurs with…
Audiology evaluations consist of a series of tests used to determine whether a hearing loss exists and, if so, measure its type, degree and configuration. An audiologist will assess the results of each individual test in order to develop a treatment plan geared toward your unique hearing loss. Who Should Be Given an Audiology Evaluation?…
Single-sided deafness (SSD), sometimes referred to as unilateral hearing loss, is a condition in which an individual experiences hearing loss in only one ear but can hear normally out of the other ear. While the majority of patients with a hearing impairment suffer from bilateral (two-sided) hearing loss, SSD is diagnosed in approximately 60,000 people…
As the field of audiology rapidly advances, the significance of healthy hearing becomes more and more evident. Scientists are gaining a deeper understanding of audiological medicine, the underlying causes of hearing loss and the widespread effects hearing loss can have on your physical, mental and emotional health. Help keep your ears protected and your hearing…
Research by Johns Hopkins University and others has confirmed what many audiologists and physicians have long feared: there is an irrefutable link between hearing loss and cognitive decline. Initial problems such as memory loss and an inability to concentrate can worsen over time. Left untreated, this may eventually lead to dementia and other forms of…
When it comes to hearing loss, a number of myths persist that reflect either antiquated beliefs or outdated technology. The truth is, today’s hearing devices are smaller than ever and packed with features that will complement your unique lifestyle. Let’s take a look at some of those myths and set the record straight! Myth: Hearing…
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, known as sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL), is defined as a hearing reduction of 30 dB or greater over three contiguous frequencies,…
Hearing loss is one of the biggest health concerns in the U.S. It is the third most commonly reported physical condition, following arthritis and heart disease. It affects roughly 20 percent of the American population and can strike people of all ages. The most common causes of hearing loss are noise exposure and aging. What…
Today’s audiologists have a much better understanding of hearing loss than doctors did just a decade ago. Each year, hundreds of studies on hearing loss are conducted in laboratories around the world. Through these studies, scientists have gathered important information about the underlying causes of hearing loss. Eventually, audiologists hope to use this information to…