Category — Educational Series

As long as there have people roaming the Earth, they have encountered the problem of hearing loss in one form or another. Due to the fact hearing loss prevents people from communicating and interacting with one another, semi-modern man developed crude forms of hearing aids in order to help those having trouble hearing.

Civilized man invented the “ear trumpet” to amplify sound and force it into the ear canal of the user in order to aid those with hearing difficulties. Despite the fact this form of ancient hearing aid funneled the sound directly into the ear canal of the user; they did not work very well. They were not very attractive, either, although some were decorated with intricate carving and made out of ivory, brass and cast iron. Prior to the advent of electrically assisted hearing aids, this was the option of choice for those suffering from hearing loss.  Read more... (445 words, estimated 1:47 mins reading time)

One of the most important human senses is the ability to hear. Humans’ ability to hear allows us to interact with the world and others who live in it. When someone experiences hearing loss, it can be a devastating disconnection from the rest of world and can even lead to major physical illnesses such as depression. Many people ignore the first signs and symptoms of hearing loss out of fear or the need to stay away from hearing aids they think will make them look elderly. Fortunately, today’s modern technology allows audiologists and other hearing professionals to accurately measure a patient’s hearing loss and prescribe hearing aids that are so small, many times others will not even notice them.  Read more... (418 words, estimated 1:40 mins reading time)

Unfortunately for aging Americans, the Archives of Otolaryngology has recently reported that 21 percent of adults aged 48 to 59 years-old experience some form of mild to moderate hearing loss. An even worse view for aging Americans is the idea that close to 90 percent of American adults aged 80 or older have some form of hearing loss.

A good number of adults who are entering into middle age are living with undiagnosed hearing loss. Those adults are having difficulty hearing their loved ones with clarity and may not realize their interpersonal relationships are beginning to decline. Scientists and researchers have also identified undiagnosed, and untreated hearing loss as an agitating factor in the onset of senility and dementia.  Read more... (352 words, estimated 1:24 mins reading time)

If you are among the growing number of baby boomers with hearing loss you may realize that you need a hearing aid, but with so many brands & styles of hearing aids available, how can you make the best choice? Here is the information you need to make an informed decision. Please feel free to contact us for answers to your questions about hearing aids and which HearPod hearing aid might be the right solution for you.

What a hearing aid does: A hearing aid reproduces sound in a predetermined range to restore your hearing to normal, or near normal levels.  Read more... (589 words, estimated 2:21 mins reading time)

There is a difference between a hearing screening and a hearing evaluation, but the details can sometimes be confusing. A hearing screening is usually a preliminary step in which an individual’s hearing is checked to see if further evaluation is required, while a hearing evaluation is an in-depth assessment of an individual’s hearing by an audiologist. Read more and learn who should seek screening vs testing in the “Difference Between Hearing Screening and Hearing Evaluation” courtesy of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Technorati Tags: hearing test

Do you see if this happening many times a day, every day, how anyone would be affected?  No wonder a person with a hearing loss just doesn’t want to go out to be with friends; it can become such an emotional ride.  You want to be with others; however, when balancing out the very possible emotional consequences, it’s easier to eliminate that risk by staying home and turning up the TV.  Or remembering how the last time you were out and you commented during a conversation and everyone’s eyes rolled. Your comment came from what you thought was being said, but unfortunately it wasn’t even close. It got a laugh at least the first few times, but after that it became more embarrassing then funny.  My friends thought I was funny but after awhile even I didn’t think I was funny anymore.  Read more... (327 words, estimated 1:18 mins reading time)

Another conclusion of this study was the fact both age and estradiol levels in the post-menopausal subjects had significant influence on the level of hearing loss diagnosed. This could be a valid argument for the continued study of estradiol replacement therapy for the treatment of hearing loss.

Along with age, estradiol levels in women have been found to have a significant effect on bone density in the cervical, neck, and lumbar, or lower spine. This loss of bone mass in the neck area of the spine can also have an effect on the density of the skull and inner ear bones. If the bones of the inner ear are not formed correctly, or lose their mass, they can no longer effectively conduct sound through the auditory system.  Read more... (207 words, estimated 50 secs reading time)

The authors of the Swedish study may hold new hope for future treatments of hearing loss in humans, both male and female. As with any medication, estradiol treatment can have side effects in humans; however, the side effects may be minimal in relation to the benefits found in treating hearing loss.

An additional study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology, May 2002, made a significant discovery in post-menopausal women and their level of hearing sensitivity. Using scientific measurements of estradiol levels and audiograms to test hearing sensitivity, this study concluded a lower level of estradiol in menopausal women may negatively affect their hearing sensitivity.  Read more... (298 words, estimated 1:12 mins reading time)

A Female Sex Hormone has been linked to Hearing Loss. The Hearing Loss Prevention hormone Estradiol is the predominant gender related hormone present in females. It can also be found, at significantly lower levels, in males. Estradiol is a hormone that has effects on many parts of the body, including bones, liver, brain and blood vessels.

One of the newest studies of hormone reactions in humans has also indicated Estradiol can have an effect on the human auditory system. This study was conducted at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden.

Researchers in Sweden, including Barbara Canlon, investigated the effects estrogen receptors, estradiol binding proteins, may have on the auditory system in mammals. The study specifically examined hearing loss recovery in mice with estradiol deficiencies.  Read more... (221 words, estimated 53 secs reading time)

The human ear is a complicated and delicate instrument that makes hearing possible.  The human ear is made up of three main parts, the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear.  Within each of these main portions of the ear are smaller parts that are essential to normal hearing and balance.

The outer ear is made up of the part of the ear that can be seen, anatomically named the pinna.  The external ear canal is also part of the outer ear and focuses sound into the middle and inner ear.  The ear drum, or tympanic membrane, is the final part of the outer ear and receives sound external ear canal.  The tympanic membrane vibrates when sound waves pass through this structure to the middle ear.  Read more... (406 words, estimated 1:37 mins reading time)