What is an Audiologist?
Audiologists are health-care professionals who evaluate, diagnose, treat and manage hearing loss, tinnitus and balance disorders. An Audiologist must hold a minimum of a master’s degree in audiology; many receive doctoral degrees in audiology.
How do I know if I have hearing hoss?
Hearing loss is a natural part of the aging process. Hearing challenges can begin to present themselves based upon your hearing health history, including exposure to loud noise, certain medications, infections, head or ear trauma, congenital (birth or prenatal) or hereditary factors, as well as a number of other causes.
How do you measure the types and degrees of hearing loss?
There are three types of hearing loss: conductive, sensorineural and mixed. An audiogram will be performed to determine both the type and degree. Results of the audiometric evaluation are plotted on a chart called an audiogram. Loudness is plotted from top to bottom. Frequency, from low to high, is plotted from left to right.
Are there different types of hearing aids?
There are many styles of hearing aids. The degree of the hearing loss, power and options required, manual dexterity abilities, cost factors, and cosmetic concerns are some of the factors that will determine the style the patient will use.
What is an Assistive Listening Device (ALD)?
An ALD is essentially a personal amplifier that can increase the loudness of desired sounds, such as a radio, television, or a public speaker, without increasing the loudness of the background noises.
Who is a good candidate for ALDs?
People with all degrees and types of hearing loss—even people with normal hearing—can benefit from assistive listening devices.
Are there different types of ALDs?
There are many assistive listening devices available today, from sophisticated systems used in theaters and auditoriums to small personal systems.
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is an abnormal perception of a sound which is reported by patients that is unrelated to an external source of stimulation. Tinnitus is a very common symptom.
What is the cause of tinnitus?
Tinnitus may originate from from a number of causes. The auditory system involves highly complicated inner ear structures, many afferent and efferent nerve pathways and a great amount of nuclei that form a complex meshwork. Damage to any structure can lead to tinnitus.
How is tinnitus treated?
Generally, most patients will not need any medical treatment for their tinnitus. Patients who are greatly bothered by tinnitus may use masking techniques such as listening to a fan or radio to cover up some of their tinnitus.