hearing loss

Can Hearing Loss Be Fixed?

January 28, 2024 By quadcities Leave a Comment

As stated previously, research is always being done on hearing loss.

After being diagnosed with hearing loss, many patients ask, “Can it be fixed?” While the question is simple, the answer can be quite complicated. It depends on multiple factors. For the majority of patients, the answer is, unfortunately, no. However, there are certain situations when medical intervention can help. Being aware of when a hearing loss may or may not be medically treatable, and why, can help you take better care of your auditory system.

Conductive Hearing Loss

The ear can be divided into three sections: outer, middle and inner. The outer ear consists of the pinna, ear canal and eardrum, while the middle ear is comprised of the middle ear cavity and ossicles (bones). Soundwaves are captured by the pinna and filtered to through the ear canal to the eardrum. The eardrum vibrates, stimulating the ossicles, which in turn act like pistons that conduct the vibrations to the cochlea. If a breakdown occurs anywhere along this pathway, it is referred to as a conductive hearing loss. Certain types of conductive losses can be treated.

Perhaps the simplest version of a conductive hearing loss is one caused by an ear infection. The soundwave travels down the ear canal, but meets resistance from the fluid in the middle ear cavity. Thus, the signal becomes weaker and more difficult to hear. A doctor can prescribe medication that clears up the fluid and hearing returns to normal. Chronic ear infections can be addressed with pressure equalization tubes.

In other situations, the ossicles may be affected. They can become weak or fused in certain areas. For these patients, surgery is an option. A surgeon can replace the affected bones with prostheses. Once the bones are moving normally again, the soundwave can resume normal transition. However, it should be noted that some surgeries may not be successful, and that even successful surgeries do not guarantee normal hearing. But they can offer improvement.

In some cases, patients can have a mixed hearing loss. This means the hearing loss affects both the middle and inner ear. Again, there is a chance that the middle ear condition can be treated, but the inner ear condition remains. Thus, there would still be residual hearing loss after treatment of the middle ear, but it would not be as severe.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

The inner ear consists of the cochlea and the auditory nerve. The cochlear is filled with fluid, which vibrates when stimulated by the ossicles. This fluid then causes stereocilia, or hair cells, to sway back and forth. Swaying releases chemicals that are converted into electrical impulses, which travel up the auditory nerve to the brain. Hearing losses in this area are classified as sensorineural (sensory cells or the nerve). Sensorineural hearing loss is generally untreatable and is managed with a hearing aid or cochlear implant.

Why is it untreatable? Stereocilia can become damaged or die due to natural aging, noise exposure or strong medications. Genetics or syndromic conditions can also be a cause. At any rate, once the stereocilia are gone, they cannot regenerate. Thus, while the soundwave travels along the auditory pathway appropriately, it is not able to be transduced into a nerve signal. In essence, the signal hits a dead end.

While research is always being done, scientists have yet to successfully restore hearing in humans. One issue is sustainability. The stereocilia can be artificially grown, but then die off again. Another difficulty is that the auditory system is very intricately designed. The new stereocilia are unable to properly communicate with the auditory nerve, rendering them ineffective.

However, there is a small subset of sensorineural hearing losses that can sometimes be medically treated: sudden losses. Sudden losses happen very immediately (rather than over time). Studies show that steroid treatment can help to reverse the effects of a sudden loss. However, it is only about a 33% chance. And to have the best chance of working, the medication should be administered within 72 hours. If you experience a sudden loss, call an ENT immediately.

Hope on the Horizon
As stated previously, research is always being done on hearing loss. Researchers recently developed a test that can detect whether babies have a genetic change that makes them more susceptible to hearing loss if treated with the antibiotic Gentamicin. To be clear, they are preventing damage, not repairing it. Still, it offers hope for greater developments in the future. QCBN

By Jeff Lane, Au.D.

Trinity Hearing Center is located at 1330 N. Rim Dr., Suite B in Flagstaff. For more information, visit the website at TrinityHearing.net. Jeff Lane is a doctor of audiology with a passion for improving the lives of others. Dr. Lane may be reached at 928-522-0500 or at audio@trinityhearing.net.

How Viruses May Cause Hearing Loss

July 2, 2022 By quadcities Leave a Comment

Viral infections can impact the auditory nerve, the blood vessels in the ear or other parts of the body that contribute to hearing well.

Hearing loss, including its causes, has been a topic of study since before the birth of audiology as a profession just after WWII. Hearing loss has been documented in Egyptian literature as early as 1550 B.C. An ancient medical journal describes a remedy for “ear that hears badly,” which included injecting olive oil, red lead, ant eggs and bat wings, among other substances into the ears! In Ancient Greece, there are mentions of hearing loss as early as the 10th century. Today, we understand more of what causes hearing loss and have come a long way in treating it.

Why Do Some Viruses Cause Hearing Loss?

Viral infections can impact the auditory nerve, the blood vessels in the ear or other parts of the body that contribute to hearing well. Each virus has its own path of destruction. Some viruses lay dormant until the body is not able to ward it off any longer because of other health issues. A virus can cause increased susceptibility to bacterial or fungal infection, which may cause hearing loss. As with most viral damage to our bodies, note the use of the words “may” and “can” when reading about viruses.

What Kind of Hearing Loss Can Be Caused By a Virus?

The majority of viruses cause sensorineural hearing loss. This means that the hearing nerve or hearing organ are compromised. However, conductive and mixed hearing loss can also occur. This means that the mechanical pathway of hearing is compromised. These hearing losses can range from mild to profound and can be in both ears or only one. I have always found that unilateral hearing loss (hearing loss in one ear) from an invasion of a virus to be odd. You would think that if a virus gets into your system that affects hearing, it would damage both ears, but that is not the case.

Some hearing loss from viruses can be mitigated by antiviral therapy. We do not understand enough about the viral process to provide a definite outcome to a person suffering with a virus. There are so many variables, including an obvious one: how healthy the individual is. Is the body able to fight off the invasion and how successfully can it stay on top of it? Viruses are sneaky and may hang out for a bit before triggering the immune system.

Congenital Hearing Loss

There are viruses transmitted from a mother to her baby during pregnancy or during the birth process. The viruses known to cause congenital hearing loss are CMV, Rubella, HIV, HSV1 and HSV2. Many times, the newborn will have normal hearing but slowly acquire a hearing loss that will be evident around six to 12 months.

Rubella or German measles is thought to cause 32% of deafness. Rubella is a viral infection that causes a skin rash and joint pain that is usually mild in the person. However, it can be detrimental to an unborn baby if a pregnant woman contracts this virus. Rubella causes direct damage to the hearing organ (cochlea) in an unborn baby. There is a vaccination for Rubella with 97% effectiveness at preventing the virus. I have seen many children with hearing loss from Rubella. When I first started practicing audiology, I saw more cases, but now because of the increased use of the vaccine, the numbers have been reduced significantly.

CMV (cytomegalovirus) causes inflammation in the cochlea in the unborn baby. This virus primarily hangs out in small children and goes home to the rest of the family members, including a pregnant mom. There is no vaccine for this virus.

The Use of Vaccines in the Mitigation of Diseases

I have seen first-hand the devastation caused by viral and bacterial diseases. Telling a parent that their beautiful child will have a permeant hearing loss is the most difficult part of my job. Discussing a sudden hearing loss secondary to a virus in a child or adult is extremely difficult. I documented a progressive hearing loss in a 5-year-old many years ago. We never figured out what was causing it and were helpless while we watched her lose her hearing.

There are vaccines for viruses such as Polio, measles and mumps, which used to infect more than 90% of susceptible children. The chicken pox and shingles virus caused by Varicella-Zoster is another cause for hearing loss in some people. Meningitis can be viral or bacterial; both strains are big culprits of hearing impairment and other permeant physical dysfunction. There are new vaccinations available for some of the meningitis variants.

I always recommend vaccinations to people on the fence about taking them. Scientifically, they are studied and documented to reduce or eliminate the targeted virus (have you seen a person with the physical deformities of Polio recently?). We have to keep up with the mutations, but that is a small price to pay for our health and lifestyle. QCBN

By Karon Lynn, Au.D.

Trinity Hearing Center is located at 1330 N. Rim Dr., Suite B in Flagstaff. For more information, visit TrinityHearing.net.

Karon Lynn, Au.D., is a doctor of audiology with 30 years of experience working with hearing impaired individuals. She may be reached at 928-522-0500 or at audio@trinityhearing.net.

What Happens When Hearing Loss Occurs in One Ear?

March 30, 2022 By quadcities Leave a Comment

Our auditory systems are highly tuned to these slight discrepancies.

Hearing loss presents itself in a unique manner in each individual. Barring hereditary losses, each occurrence will be slightly varied. Some people will have a sensory loss, while others are conductive. Some will occur at birth, while others do not appear until late in life. One aspect that is sometimes glossed over is whether the hearing loss is bilateral or unilateral. Bilateral means the loss occurs in both ears, whereas unilateral is just one ear. Since the majority of hearing losses are bilateral, this tends to be the default assumption. But unilateral hearing losses can occur and present their own unique challenges and treatment options.

Causes and Symptoms

An estimated 7% of adults in the United States have a unilateral hearing loss. The causes can include anatomical abnormalities, acoustic or physical trauma, chronic ear infections and viral infections. Similar to bilateral losses, they can be sensorineural or conductive, and can have different degrees of severity. That second part is important, as it will influence the language that is used. A unilateral hearing loss, as mentioned, is a loss that occurs in one ear, but wherein some degree of useable hearing remains. The term single-sided deafness refers specifically to a profound hearing loss in one ear and normal hearing in the other. That is, the affected ear is dead.

All hearing losses affect quality of life and communication ability. Unilateral losses unfortunately add even more challenges. Namely, they reduce the capacity to hear in background noise and localize sounds. When we hear normally, our brains are able to filter out the noise we don’t want to hear and focus our attention on a specific talker. This is called the cocktail party effect. It’s not that our ears don’t hear all the other commotion; our brains are just able to ignore it all so that we can carry on a conversation.

Localization refers to the ability to know where sounds are coming from in relation to your position (e.g., behind, to the left). To do this, our brains take advantage of something called the head shadow effect. If a sound is coming from the right, it will arrive slightly sooner and louder to our right ear than our left because our heads create a barrier around which the soundwave must travel. Our auditory systems are highly tuned to these slight discrepancies. They compare and contrast the signals from each ear to determine the origin of the sound. However, this system relies on the signals on each side being even, which is obviously not the case if one ear has a hearing loss. The lopsided signal throws us off, making it significantly harder to know where sounds are coming from. The same is true for hearing in noise. In short, there is auditory chaos.

Managing Unilateral Hearing Loss

Fortunately, there are ways to help manage unilateral hearing losses. One, of course, is to put a hearing aid on the affected ear. This will improve sound awareness on that particular side and balance out the ears, which will benefit hearing in noise and localization. However, this is not always an option. In such cases, we look to specialty devices.

CROS

If the hearing loss is too significant, or speech understanding it too poor, putting a hearing aid on the affected ear won’t help. In this case, a CROS could be used. A CROS looks like a normal hearing aid, but instead of delivering the sound to the bad ear, it transfers it to the good ear. That way, the good ear does all the listening, but the user still gets the benefit of improved sound awareness on the bad side.

Baha

A Baha, or bone-anchored hearing aid, is a surgical implant that vibrates the skull. The sound then travels across the head and stimulates the good ear. A Baha is typically used in cases where a hearing aid is not possible, such as an undeveloped ear or chronic infections. It also can be used in cases of single-sided deafness, but again, this would require the bad ear to be completely dead.

Cochlear Implant

A cochlear implant as also surgically inserted and works by skipping past the ear altogether and stimulating the auditory nerve directly. They were recently approved by the FDA for cases of single-sided deafness. Cochlear implants have the most prerequisites, but are a wonderful option for those who qualify.

Unilateral hearing can be frustrating and disorientating, but there is always hope. Reach out to your local audiologist to start your journey toward better communication. QCBN

By Jeff Lane, Au.D.

Common Questions for Your Audiologist

January 1, 2022 By quadcities Leave a Comment

Here are some of the most common questions I hear during appointments.

Going to a heath care professional can be a stressful situation. You have chosen to ask for a professional opinion about your health and want to get the best possible information during the appointment. Treatment for a physical issue you are having is a very personal subject and you want to feel that you are receiving individualized recommendations.

When you go to any health care professional, it is important to be prepared before the appointment. Write down possible questions you have. They might focus on treatment, length of treatment and possible outcomes. Having questions with you will help you stay organized during the appointment and help to make certain you don’t forget to ask something you planned to find out. Next, be prepared to write down the answers. It is difficult to remember what someone is telling you, especially if you are stressed or not feeling well. If you don’t want to write down what is said, take a friend or family member who is willing to do it for you. Two heads listening during an appointment is much better than just one!

As an audiologist, I hear many questions about hearing and balance. I am pleasantly surprised when someone comes to an appointment with pen and paper in hand. It shows me that the individual is prepared and attentive and, usually, the appointment has a better outcome. I am able to explain more and I know that the individual will review what was said during the appointment. That reduces confusion.

Here are some of the most common questions I hear during appointments.

Do I have a hearing loss?

Once a hearing evaluation is completed, the audiologist will help you understand the results of the test. Most of us understand that the lingo used will be foreign, so we try to use language that is more commonly heard. We expect a person to ask for clarification if they need it. Don’t be shy! You are paying to have someone who has extensive training in a subject bring the information to you in a way you can use. You will be told if the hearing loss is in one or both ears and what amount of decrease in hearing you have compared to a standardized norm.

Is the hearing loss permanent?

This is a wonderful question to ask. The audiologist will be able to tell you if the hearing loss is from permanent damage to your hearing nerve or if it is caused by a temporary issue with the middle ear. The testing process is designed to do just that. In addition to hearing test results, we need a list of current medications to note if any might be compounding your hearing difficulty. If you have had a previous hearing evaluation, it is good to bring a copy of the test to compare to the current results. We will help you understand if the hearing difficulty is progressive or something that will resolve on its own, or needs the intervention of medication or surgery. We need to understand your family history of hearing loss, noise exposure, significant illnesses or chronic illnesses, when the hearing difficulty began and how the hearing issue affects you.

Do I need hearing aids?

To answer this question, the audiologist will use the test results and the answers to questions about the difficulty you have hearing friends and family, music or TV, etc. The audiologist will explain to you if your hearing loss can be treated medically or make a recommendation to see an ear surgeon. If medical intervention is not recommended, then hearing aids are an option.

Do I have to get hearing aids?

During the visit you will be offered a variety of treatments. Hearing aids are one option. The decision to wear hearing aids is based on the difficulty you have hearing the things that are important to you. If you are not ready to do anything about the hearing loss, explain that to the audiologist. We will give you a list of things to watch for and recommend a yearly hearing examination to document the progression of the loss. The brain likes to be stimulated with sound to maintain proper skills, so to speak. Because of this, it is important to continue exposing yourself to sound, so if later you decide to try out hearing aids, your brain will jump on board. Hearing is not just an ear thing; it is a brain and ear thing! QCBN

By Karon Lynn, Au.D.

Trinity Hearing Center is located at 1330 N. Rim Dr., Suite B in Flagstaff. For more information, visit TrinityHearing.net.

Karon Lynn, Au.D., is a doctor of audiology with 30 years of experience working with hearing impaired individuals. She may be reached at 928-522-0500 or at audio@trinityhearing.net.

Accessorize Your Hearing

October 1, 2021 By quadcities Leave a Comment

To be clear, accessories are not required to use hearing aids. But for those who need or want a bit more assistance, they are worthwhile.

Technology is constantly evolving, often at a rapid pace, with the goal of improving and simplifying the experience for the user. If you buy a new phone, you get a pair of wireless earbuds. Hearing aids are similar. While modern hearing aids can significantly improve a wearer’s quality of life, some situations could still be improved with the addition of an accessory – situations such as listening to someone behind you while hiking or catching all the information at a meeting. Fortunately, there is a wide range of accessories compatible with current hearing aid models.

Remote Microphones

Remote microphones are a wonderful solution for improving communication between individuals. Let’s say that a hearing aid user is going on a tour. The tour guide will likely be at a distance from the user, or often turned away. Obviously, this makes hearing the tour guide much more difficult for the person with hearing loss. Remote microphones eliminate this frustration by delivering the speaker’s voice directly to the hearing aids. The talker can be far away (typically 60 to 80 feet) or even turned away, and the user will still hear them perfectly clear. Plus, it is all done wirelessly! And the microphones are small, meaning they are convenient to wear.

Also, they are fairly versatile. They can be used in the car, while hiking, in a restaurant, or at home with the two individuals in different rooms. They’re also great for loved ones with very soft voices. Typically, remote microphones are designed for listening to a single talker, meaning they are not ideal for group situations. However, this also means that remote microphones are very affordable.

Roger Technology

Before proceeding, it should be noted that Roger technology is specific to Phonak hearing aids. However, it is unique and beneficial enough that I felt it warranted inclusion. Roger technology is similar to a remote microphone, but far more advanced. First, it can be used in virtually any situation. It can be worn by an individual, or it can be placed on a table to hear multiple talkers. When listening to multiple talkers, it can either be automatic or manual. When automatic, it will adjust its directionality to amplify whoever is currently speaking. Or, the user can select which directions it wants the device to focus upon. (If you only want to hear in front and to the left, you can designate that and the device will ignore everything else.)

Another advantage is that Roger technology can actively cancel out background noise and increase the volume of the desired signal. Thus, you would have a much more favorable signal-to-noise ratio than with a regular remote microphone. Studies actually show that individuals with hearing loss can hear better than those with normal hearing in noisy situations when wearing hearing aids and Roger. While it does cost more, it is a wonderful solution for those who struggle to hear in noise.

Television Streamers

One of the first things patients tell me during a hearing test is that they have to blast the TV in order to understand what is being said. Having properly fitting hearing aids will automatically help. But, TV streamers can make it sound even better! Again, because the signal is being beamed straight to the aids, it eliminates the need for the sound to travel over distance and through other aural clutter. Another nice feature is that the actual TV volume isn’t affected, so other people can still hear the TV at a volume that is comfortable for them. Unfortunately, TV streamers can’t improve the sound mixing of a program.

Remote Controls

All hearing aids have buttons that allow you to adjust programs. However, this may not be the best option for some wearers. Those who have arthritis or neuropathy may not be able to press the button. A person with memory loss may not be able to remember where the button is or its purpose. In these situations, a remote control can be very handy. It is easy to handle and very clear on its operation. For those who want to be more discreet, there are applications for the phone that can act as a remote control as well.

To be clear, accessories are not required to use hearing aids. But for those who need or want a bit more assistance, they are worthwhile. As always, let your hearing care professional be your guide. QCBN

By Jeff Lane, Au.D.

Exploring Hearing Loss, Dementia, Social Isolation, Loneliness

August 26, 2021 By quadcities Leave a Comment

Hearing loss may create an invisible barrier to building a relationship with family and friends.

Hearing loss occurs in all age groups. According to the National Institutes of Health, hearing loss is found in three out of 1,000 children in one or both ears. In adults, the number of people reporting trouble hearing is one in eight people, or 13%, in the United States.

The Link Between Hearing and Dementia

According to a recent Johns Hopkins study that tracked more than 600 adults for 12 years, it was evident that even a mild hearing loss doubled dementia risk. Moderate hearing loss tripled the risk of developing dementia and a person with a severe hearing loss was five times more likely to develop dementia. They found via brain scans that hearing loss may contribute to a faster rate of atrophy in the brain. If a person has a hearing loss, they tend to reduce the number of interactions with others. They may not want to be around groups of people or engage in conversations as much. These factors contribute to escalating dementia.

Common symptoms of dementia and hearing loss are confusion during a conversation, difficulty completing everyday tasks, difficulty communicating when stressed or in a noisy environment. If an individual struggles to understand what is being said, they are less likely to store new information in their brain. They spend so much energy and focus on getting the information that there is no time to store the comment or information before the conversation progresses. Most conversations are fast and require quick moment-to-moment storage of information. So, if you are trying to figure out what the third word was in the first sentence and the other person continues to talk, the following sentences will be missed. Sometimes, it is just too much trouble to keep up, so you give up.

Hearing Loss and Social Isolation

In the previous example, you can see how difficult it is to maintain a social connection with other people. If the hearing-impaired person asks to have something repeated, the normal hearing person will sometimes repeat but may not talk slower to help facilitate understanding. More likely, they will repeat part of the dialogue and expect the other person to keep up. These types of exchanges contribute to social isolation. The hearing impaired will not want to engage in conversations that are too stressful to keep up or conversations that make them feel less than adequate. I have heard patients say, “It is easier to pretend that I understood what was said so they don’t think I am mentally slow.” I have heard comments like, “My family gets mad at me if I don’t understand what is being said,” or they will be told, “You were sitting right there, why didn’t you listen?”

If you are sitting with a hearing-impaired person talking only to them, facing them and speaking slower than normal, you will probably be understood. However, if there are three or more people talking, people no longer look directly at the person with hearing loss when speaking. They assume everyone is able to keep up with the various speakers. But the hearing-impaired person is dealing with different voice pitches, different rates of speech, perhaps someone is laughing at the same time someone is talking. This all makes being with other people more stressful and less enjoyable. It is easier to sit and read a book or watch TV than be with other people.

Hearing Loss and Loneliness

Loneliness is a state of mind in which what someone wants and what they are experiencing is not aligned. Another description of loneliness is the feeling we get when our needs for rewarding social contact and relationships are not met. You might feel misunderstood or not cared for by the people around you. You do not have to be alone to be lonely. People can experience loneliness in a group of people.

If you have difficulty interacting with people, you might feel lonely. Hearing loss may create an invisible barrier to building a relationship with family and friends. It is hard to maintain relationships if you don’t understand what is being said or feel the conversations are not interesting.

Feeling lonely can trigger dejection and depression. It is important to address the hearing loss before attempting to change social activities. If you try new activities with the hearing loss, you may feel overwhelmed and misunderstood. Work with an audiologist to find the best amplification for your particular needs. The noise reduction and assistive technology will be important features to discuss. Your desired lifestyle needs and the price point of the hearing aids will be important information in a discussion with your audiologist. QCBN

By Karon Lynn, Au.D.

Trinity Hearing Center is located at 1330 N. Rim Dr., Suite B in Flagstaff. For more information, visit TrinityHearing.net.

Karon Lynn, Au.D., is a doctor of audiology with 30 years of experience working with hearing impaired individuals. Dr. Lynn may be reached at 928-522-0500 or at audio@trinityhearing.net.

Phonak Offers Hearing Aids that Respond to Motion

June 28, 2021 By quadcities Leave a Comment

The hearing aid industry is changing to meet the needs of more people than ever before.

Phonak has a new hearing aid that is able to adjust sound input based on your motion! When you are walking, your hearing needs are not the same as when you are sitting in a chair talking to a friend. Speech sound while walking the dog with someone or hiking on a trail present unique challenges, which are now finally addressed. It is all based on your motion read by a chip in the hearing aid that is able to change the noise cancellation and the microphone settings in the hearing aids without any assistance from the person wearing the hearing aid. It is all automatically changed.

Traditional Hearing Instruments

Hearing aids are designed to pick up sound with a microphone. The microphone converts the sound waves into electrical signals. The microphone may have the ability to switch between directional or omnidirectional function, depending on the needs of the wearer. In some situations, the microphones may switch to directional to help reduce background noise. In other environments, it is important to hear sound from all directions, so the microphone switches to omnidirectional. A hearing aid with the ability to automatically switch back and forth between directional and omnidirectional microphone pick up is important to create the most natural sound.

The electrical signal is then sent to an amplifier, also called a processor, or the computer, of the hearing aid. The job of the amplifier is to change the electrical signal from the microphone and convert it into digital sounds. This is the part of the hearing aid that the audiologist programs to respond to particular pitches and situations based on the results from hearing evaluation. After the adjustments to the sound have been completed, the amplifier converts the sound back to an analog signal.

The receiver of the hearing aid takes the sound from the processor and enhances the sound to meet the hearing loss of the wearer of the aids. Receivers are made to provide mild, moderate, power or extra power to the listener, depending on the hearing loss. The receiver converts the analog signal back into sound waves that the hearing aid wearer hears. All of these components complete this process in a fraction of a second!

The New Paradise Motion Detect Hearing Aid

Now, let’s imagine you are sitting and talking to some friends over lunch. You are able to look at the person you want to hear. You will typically look left or right as each person speaks to you. You are focused only on the voices and not the surrounding sounds. Ideally, your brain will help to focus your attention on the desired voice and ignore the competitive sound in the environment. Directional microphones are used in this scenario. The microphones facing behind you are turned off or turned down and the forward-facing microphones are picking up the speech. It is important to remember that you will have the least amount of auditory distraction if you sit with your back to the room noise. You don’t want to face your friends with loud noise going on behind them, because that noise will sneak into your hearing aids.

However, if you go on a walk or hike with your friends, it is more difficult to look at the person talking. They might be off to your side or behind you. If you are walking on the side of a road and a car passes while you are listening to your friend, it would be difficult to hear. This new hearing aid feature in the Phonak Paradise hearing aid employs a unique algorithm when motion is detected. It changes the microphone focus and deactivates the spatial noise cancellation. A study in August 2020 demonstrated improved sound quality, speech understanding and environmental awareness of sound when out walking while wearing the Phonak Paradise model hearing aids. I find this feature amazing and the fact that this all happens automatically is a winner! No need to push a button or change a setting in the hearing aid app in your phone.

The hearing aid industry is changing to meet the needs of more people than ever before. The special features are just part of the advantages. Battery life, water resistant hearing aids and programming to the specific desires of an individual are now at our fingertips. Be mindful of offers that seem too good to be true, your hearing is your connection to the people you love and it is important that you explore the best fit for your lifestyle. QCBN

By Karon Lynn, Au.D.

Trinity Hearing Center is located at 1330 N. Rim Dr., Suite B in Flagstaff. For more information, visit TrinityHearing.net.

Karon Lynn, Au.D., is a doctor of audiology with 30 years of experience working with hearing impaired individuals. Dr. Lynn may be reached at 928-522-0500 or at audio@trinityhearing.net.

Answering Frequently Asked Questions About Hearing

May 29, 2021 By quadcities Leave a Comment

No question is ever too silly to ask an audiologist. If you want to know, ask.

Although hearing loss is a common disability, most people are taught very little about it. Thus, new patients always have a myriad of questions during the initial phases of diagnosis and management. Some questions are more unique or specific to the individual, but most are the same. And for good reason. Hearing loss has a steep learning curve and patients want to ensure they are making informed decisions. My goals are to always make sure patients feel comfortable and secure, and to answer their questions to the best of my ability. Here are some of the most common.

Does My Hearing Loss Look Normal for My Age?

This is a more complicated question than it appears. Yes, it is true that hearing loss becomes more prevalent as we mature. One-third of adults 65 and older have hearing loss, while that number increases to 50% at age 75. However, there is no “average” degree of hearing loss for different age groups. A 90-year-old patient may only have a mild hearing loss, while for a 67-year-old, it may be severe. The hearing loss depends on genetics and previous noise exposure. Hearing loss is hearing loss and should be addressed if it is negatively affecting your quality of life.

Does My Loss Require Hearing Aids?

The recommendation depends on two factors. First, what is the degree and configuration of the loss? If only one or two frequencies are affected, or the loss is very mild, the audiologist may choose to wait and simply monitor the loss. But it also depends on how the patient feels he or she is communicating. Two patients with the same hearing loss can have polar opposite responses. One may hardly notice having trouble, while the other feels the loss is impacting the ability to communicate properly.

It makes sense for the first patient to wait. Because this individual lacks a strong motivating force, the aids won’t impact him as much and will either be returned or end up in a drawer. Waiting until the person feels ready will increase the chances of success.

The second patient should absolutely try hearing aids. Hearing aids will improve his access to sound and have a positive impact on his quality of life. This holds true, even if on paper, the loss is less severe than other people’s hearing loss.

Can I Wear Just One Aid?

Obviously, if only one ear has a loss or financial considerations are significant, one aid is a viable solution. Anything is going to be better than nothing. But, if possible, it is always best to fit a bilateral loss with a two hearing aids. First, there is a phenomenon called binaural summation whereby the combined amplification boosts the perceived loudness of the sound even further. As a comparison, imagine that you have vision loss in both eyes. A monocle will help improve your perception to a certain degree, but glasses will make the image sharper than it could have ever been with the monocle alone. This is equivalent to aiding both ears.

Additionally, a person will be able to localize sounds better and have better speech understanding in noise when both ears are aided. This is because our brains are wired to perform these tasks by comparing and contrasting the signals from each ear. In the case of localizing sounds, your brain knows that a sound came from your right because it reached your right ear first and was louder on that side. If a person has a bilateral hearing loss and a single hearing aid, those important signals will always be lopsided and impair your brain’s ability to compare the sound.

Will the Aid Worsen My Hearing or Become a Crutch?

No, hearing aids will not make your hearing worse, nor will they “fix” it. Hearing aids are just that. They help to increase your access to sound and filter out excess noise. But your hearing itself remains unaffected. It is true that hearing loss tends to worsen over time, but it is typically a slow and gradual process. And it will change, regardless of hearing aid use. Actually, wearing hearing aids has been shown to help maintain good word recognition ability and memory function. And the aids will not become a crutch. People with hearing aids use them consistently because they enjoy not having to work as hard to communicate. But they can still function without the hearing aids if needed.

No question is ever too silly to ask an audiologist. If you want to know, ask. Hearing health is a collaborative process and works best when all parties are on the same page. QCBN

By Jeff Lane, Au.D.

Trinity Hearing Center is located at 1330 N. Rim Dr., Suite B in Flagstaff. For more information, visit the website at TrinityHearing.net.

Jeff Lane is a doctor of audiology with a passion for improving the lives of others. Dr. Lane may be reached at 928-522-0500 or at audio@trinityhearing.net.

Treating Hearing Loss in Children

February 26, 2021 By quadcities Leave a Comment

The secret to having the best outcome for the child is early hearing aid use. The earlier the better.

We all know intuitively that you need hearing to learn traditional speech and language. If a child has a hearing loss, especially one that is not detected, the world is confusing and distorted. Imagine a mom telling her young child that it is bath time. If she does not have a bath towel in her hand or is not walking or pointing toward the bathroom, the little one may not understand what is going on. Or, think about parents sitting in the living room talking about going to the park and going out to lunch. When they stand up to get ready, they wonder why their little one is not excited to go when the other kids are getting their coats on.

What are the symptoms of hearing loss in children?

Undetected hearing loss may show up as confusion, stubbornness, moodiness, speech delay and difficulty learning. The child may be inattentive to activities unless they are expressly directed at them. They may get angry and frustrated with activities that require significant interaction with others. Put yourself in the child’s shoes: imagine playing with your toys and suddenly someone is yelling that you aren’t playing with the others the way you should. What just happened? I am in trouble? All I was doing was playing with my toys! Social skills in the hearing impaired child do not develop the same as a normal hearing child.

Hearing loss is not as evident as deafness; however, hearing loss is much more common than deafness. It is reported that two in 1,000 well babies are born with hearing loss and 24% to 46% of babies from the NICU (newborn intensive care unit) have hearing loss. Based on these figures, you can see that hearing loss is a significant issue facing children.

Causes of Hearing Loss According to the American Speech and Hearing Association, some of the common causes of hearing loss in babies are:

Infections, such as rubella or
herpes simplex virus

Premature birth

Low birth weight

Birth injuries

Drug and alcohol use while
pregnant

Jaundice and Rh factor problems

Maternal diabetes

High blood pressure while
pregnant

Reduced oxygen to the baby during pregnancy

Genetics

Causes for hearing loss in children are commonly from:

Ear infections

Ototoxic drugs (medicine that damages the auditory system)

Meningitis

Measles

Encephalitis

Chickenpox

Influenza

Mumps

Head injury

Noise exposure

Testing for hearing loss

Today, most babies get a hearing test prior to leaving the hospital when they are born. For home births, a hearing test can be scheduled as an outpatient with an audiologist. A screening test is completed first; then, if there is any question about the hearing, a diagnostic test is ordered. The test is quick and completely painless. For young children, the test is completed in a small room while the child sits in the caregiver’s lap. The sound comes from special speakers in the room that mimic wearing headphones. The child does not even know they are being tested. It is just a little room with cartoon videos playing.

Treatment for hearing loss

If a hearing loss is confirmed, the baby or child will be sent to an ENT to rule out hearing loss caused from middle ear fluid. If the hearing loss is determined to be caused by damage to the hearing nerves, then hearing aids are ordered. Today, hearing aids are much more comfortable and have a more natural sound than in years past. The secret to having the best outcome for the child is early hearing aid use. The earlier the better. The more exposure to sound at the earliest possible age gives the child the best chance of learning speech, language and the necessary social skills to keep up with their peers. I have fit hearing aids on babies as young as four weeks.

In addition to hearing aids, it is important to enroll the child in speech therapy as quickly as possible. Again, we are racing against the clock and need to expose that beautiful little brain to as much sound and learning opportunity as possible, as young as possible. The brain learns speech easiest prior to the age of two. You would be amazed at the amount of learning a child does when playing around the house. We want to take advantage of every single opportunity to learn. A speech pathologist will teach the caregivers how to expose the child to the best speech opportunities and will work with the child so they understand how to produce sounds.

A team approach with an audiologist, speech pathologist and the caregivers is imperative to ensure the best opportunity for a successful outcome. QCBN

By Karon Lynn, Au.D.

Trinity Hearing Center is located at 1330 N. Rim Dr., Suite B in Flagstaff. For more information, visit TrinityHearing.net.

Karon Lynn, Au.D., is a doctor of audiology with 30 years of experience working with hearing impaired individuals. Dr. Lynn may be reached at 928-522-0500 or at audio@trinityhearing.net.

Understanding One-Sided Hearing Loss

October 6, 2017 By quadcities Leave a Comment

Do you or someone you know have a hearing loss in one ear and were told nothing could be done about it? That was the common misconception many years ago. With this type of hearing loss, a person will experience difficulty understanding speech in a noisy room and locating the source of a sound. Many times significant emotional strain is created because others feel that you should hear just fine with one ear. They can’t understand why you hear some of the time and not all the time. The good news is that technology is now ready for you!

What Causes One-Sided Deafness?

One-sided deafness or unilateral hearing loss may have many causes. Some people are born with the hearing loss and others acquire a hearing loss by being exposed to an extremely loud sound or other type of hearing trauma. Head injury can cause hearing loss. An interruption in blood flow to the hearing organ (cochlea) or a virus may attack this part of the body, causing permanent hearing loss. A benign growth on the hearing nerve will also cause hearing loss in only one ear.

How Many Ears Do You Really Need to Hear People Talk?

This seems like an easy question, but the answer is really quite complicated. One ear hearing difference causes unique difficulty understanding speech. The individual will also experience more confusion and difficulty identifying with situations occurring around them more than someone with two equally hearing ears. The brain likes to hear from both sides to stimulate the understanding areas of the brain. When you do get a signal from both sides of the head, the brain does a much better job of separating the speech from the background noise. This being said, it is not that you need two ears to hear people talk, you need two ears to figure out what is being said. Hearing and understanding speech are very different tasks.

What Can Be Done About This Type of Permanent Hearing Loss?

The hearing organ cannot be surgically repaired. However, there is a technology ready for you to try! The new CROS (contralateral routing of signal) hearing aid is able to send a quality signal to your better ear. The concept of a CROS hearing aid is not new, but the ability of this newer digital technology to send a comfortable and more natural sound to your other ear is. The signal is sent to the better ear real time! There is no delay making it sound natural. People are amazed how they suddenly feel connected to the situations going on around them. Understanding speech is greatly enhanced. Many times this will reduce the feeling of being anxious when engaged in group activities. The emotional stress and frustration that a unilateral hearing loss causes may be significantly reduced. Suddenly you can feel that you are part of a conversation rather than needing to act like you are enjoying the conversation that you really are unable to hear adequately.

I Have a Hearing Loss in My Good Ear Too. What Can I Do?

There is technology advancement for you, too. A BiCROS hearing aid is for the person with a hearing loss in the better ear and has a dead or unusable ear on the other side. This hearing aid combination has also been extremely successful. The audiologist is able to adjust the overall gain from each side of the head. It is amazing to see the expression on someone’s face who has not heard “surround sound” since they can remember. This may open up an entire world for the person who has been avoiding social interactions because they felt that others saw them as mentally slow as they could not keep up with the conversation going on around them.

Sudden Change in Hearing or Balance.

If you have experienced a sudden change in hearing or balance, it is extremely important to see your primary care physician as quickly as possible. The treatments are time sensitive; the longer you wait the hearing and balance organ may not respond to therapy. They will send you to an audiologist for a hearing evaluation then to an ENT to rule out a growth on the hearing nerve or any of the other medical causes for unilateral hearing loss listed above. After your physicians have said that there is no further medical treatment, then try the CROS or BiCROS hearing aid. It may just change your life! QCBN

By Karon Lynn, Au.D.

hearing loss

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