Sensorineural

Sensorineural hearing loss results from missing or damaged sensory cells (hair cells) in the cochlea and is usually permanent. Also known as “nerve deafness”, sensorineural hearing loss can be mild, moderate, severe or profound.

Mild to severe sensorineural hearing loss can often be helped with hearing aids or a middle ear implant.* Cochlear implants are often a solution for severe or profound hearing loss.

Some individuals have a sensorineural hearing loss only in the high frequencies, also referred to as partial deafness. In these cases, only the hair cells at the base of the cochlea are damaged. In the inner part of the cochlea, the apex, the hair cells which are responsible for processing the low tones are still intact. Combined electric and acoustic stimulation, or EAS**, was developed specifically for these cases.

Conductive

Any problem in the outer or middle ear that prevents sound from being conducted properly is known as a conductive hearing loss. Conductive hearing losses are usually mild or moderate in degree, ranging from 25 to 65 decibels.

In some cases, a conductive hearing loss can be temporary. Depending on the specific cause of the problem, medication or surgery can help. A conductive hearing loss may also be helped with hearing aids or a middle ear implant.

Mixed

A mixed hearing loss is a combination of a sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. It results from problems in both the inner and outer or middle ear. Treatment options may include medication, surgery, hearing aids or a middle ear hearing implant.

Common Ear Diseases

• External Otitis (Swimmer’s Ear) -an infection of the ear canal, typically by bacteria. Symptoms include itching, pain, discharge. Treatment is with topical drugs, including antibiotics, corticosteroids and acetic acid or combination.

• Seborrheic Dermatitis - Dermatitis of the ear canal involves itching and skin changes that are caused by exposure to allergens or are spontaneous occurrences

• Otitis Media - bacterial or viral infection of the middle ear, usually accompanying an upper respiratory infection. Symptoms include an earache, often with fever, nausea, vomiting. Treatment is with analgesics and sometimes antibiotics.

• Cholesteatoma - a type of skin cyst located in the middle ear. It can be a birth defect, but more commonly occurs as a complication of chronic ear infection. Can affect hearing, balance, and possibly facial muscles. Usually surgery is required to remove cyst

• Otosclerosis - is an abnormal bone growth in the middle ear and the most frequent cause of middle-ear hearing loss in young adults. It’s cause is unknown, however, there is evidence that it may be genetic.

• Labyrinthitis - a bacterial infection known to cause deafness and loss of balance. It can occur after an ear infection or an upper respiratory infection, and may also occur after an allergy, cholesteatoma or taking certain drugs that are dangerous to the inner ear.

Tinnitus

What is Tinnitus?

Medical term for the sensation of hearing sound in your ears when no external sound is present. In most cases, tinnitus is a subjective noise, meaning only the sufferer can hear it. Typically, sufferers describe the sound as a ‘ringing in the ears’ though others describe it as a hissing, buzzing, whistling roaring or chirping.

Effects of Tinnitus

It affects people in different ways. For some it is a minor annoyance, one they can deal with easily. For others, it can result in more serious issues, such as:

• Long term sleep disruption

• Changes in cognitive ability

• An inability to concentrate

• Stress in relationships

• Anxiety and depression

• Employment challenges

  Currently there is no known tinnitus cure. There are ways to get tinnitus relief, including counseling and sound therapy. Hearing Aids can be an effective method of sound therapy, and it may mask the tinnitus or make it less noticeable.

Balance System

Balance 101

Balance Disorders can occur at any age, balance related falls account for more than half of accidental deaths for people over 65. Good balance is necessary to perform daily activities.

Vestibular organs - the paired set of tiny organs located near the cochlea of the inner ear, are key to maintaining balance. They are filled with fluid (called endolymph) that moves when your head moves, placing pressure against tiny hairs in the inner ear

Combined with information from the eyes, nerves and muscles these tiny hairs send signals to the brain when the body’s position is changing. The brain takes in all this information and coordinated the body to respond so a fall does not occur.

Common Disorders

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BVVP) - causes brief but intense episodes of vertigo as a result of your head changing position (such as sitting up in bed). Causes of BPPV vary, from migraines and viruses to reactions to drugs (ototoxicity), but treatment is available.

Meniere’s Disease - A chronic treatable vestibular disorder caused by abnormally large amounts of endolymph fluid collecting in the ear. Typically occurs in adults between 40 and 60 years of age and may eventually lead to hearing loss. way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Receiver in the Canal

Discreet and adaptable to every hearing loss.

Available in all price ranges and various styles and sizes, the RIC is the most popular hearing aid fit on patients today.

Rechargeable or battery use, gives you many solutions to your daily lifestyle. Adaptable to various hearing environments; quiet, speech in noise, restaurants, auditoriums, church, boardrooms, family gatherings.

Wireless Connectivity

One of the biggest challenges people with hearing loss have is hearing clearly in noisy places like restaurants or at social gatherings. The best of today’s hearing aids remedy that with directional technology that zeros in on companions voices while suppressing the cacophony around you.

With wireless hearing devices, sound from your TV, Computer, MP3 player or phone is streamed right into your ears at the volume you choose and control. This direct connection results in more immersive, enhanced sound, as you’re now able to listen at the volume you want without having to turn the volume up loud in the room.

Custom Solutions

Custom fit hearing aids for a discreet solution to your hearing treatment needs. Digital technology has enabled all these new features and benefits to fit in advanced hearing solutions that are getting smaller and smaller all the time - with some so tiny they rest completely in your ear canal, virtually undetectable when worn.

Custom aids are a useful solution for dexterity issues and ease of use overall.