Monday, February 27, 2012

Where to go to purchase hearing aids?

Recently, there seems to be a great deal of advertising, both in the paper and mailers, about hearing aids.  If you are ready for them, where do you go?  Jane and I can see how this can be sooo confusing.  We'll try to make some sense of this puzzle for you.

Audiologists, ENT physicians and hearing aid dealers all dispense hearing aids.
  • Audiologists are uniquely trained to assess and treat the non-medical aspects of hearing loss, recommend and dispense hearing aids
  • Ears, nose and throat physicians (ENT's) deal with medical disorders of the head and neck, which include the ears, hearing and balance.  It is important that you see an ENT specialist if you have a history of ear disease or ear problems
  • Hearing aid dealers must have a high school education and pass a test on hearing aids prior to becoming licensed
As you can see, there is a large difference in the training and scope of practice of an audiologist, physician and hearing aid dealer.  It is highly recommended that you see an Audiologist.  Choose someone who is readily available, as it is important to have your questions and needs answered quickly and efficiently.

A complete Hearing Evaluation is the first step in the process of considering the purchase of hearing aids. Why wait?  Life Sounds Great!  Enjoy Every moment!

Jane M. Kukula, AuD
Paula G. Webster, MA
Advanced Audiology Concepts, Inc.
8897 Mentor Avenue
Mentor, OH  44060
440-205-8848
http://www.aachear.org/

Thursday, February 23, 2012

How the Ear Works

The ear is an amazing organ. Yes, it’s an organ just like the heart and lungs. The ear is able to detect very small amounts of sound pressure, transfer the information from sound into electrical impulses and sends the impulses along the nerves to the brain. It is actually the brain that does the hearing.  Here is a short explanation of how the ear works.
The ear is divided into three parts, the outer ear middle ear and inner ear.  The outer ear consists of the auricle (the part of the ear on the side of the head) and the ear canal or auditory canal. The middle ear consists of the eardrum and three small bones called the maleus, incus and teh stapes. The inner ear houses the hearing nerve endings in the area called the cochlea. The balance part of the ear includes the semicircular canals.
The auricle collects sound and funnels through the ear canal down to the eardrum. Sound hits the eardrum and sets into motion which in turn sets the middle ear bones in motion. The middle ear bones set fluid in motion, which stimulates the nerve endings. Once the nerve endings are stimulated, the sound travels along the nerves to the brain.
Here is a link to a short video demonstrating how the ear works. Click here 
qrcodeLife Sounds Great! Enjoy Every Moment!
Jane Kukula, AuD
Paula Webster, MA
Advanced Audiology Concepts8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
1-440-205-8848
http://www.aachear.org/


Friday, February 17, 2012

Causes of Conductive Hearing Loss

The second most common type of hearing loss is conductive hearing loss. It is called conductive because there is a problem that interfers with the conduction sound through the ear to the hearing nerves called haircells. Typically, the haircells are healthy and working properly but somthing prevents the sound from reaching the nerves. Problems in the outer and middle ear cause conductive hearing loss.   
Common causes of conductive hearing loss include:
  • Ear wax build up in the ear canal
  • Perforated eardrum (tympanic membrane)
  • Fluid behind the eardrum
  • Middle ear infections
  • Problems with the bones in the middle ear
  • Other middle ear diseases such as otosclerosis
  • A blockage of the Eustachian Tube used to ventilate the middle ear. (The Eustachian Tube can block when flying. Swallowing or yawning can open the tube and allow the middle ear to ventilate.)
Often these types of problems can be resolved.  For example, removing the ear wax opens the canal and allows sound to travel to the eardrum.  Other causes of conductive hearing loss are often treated with medicine and others with surgery. When treament options are not available and conductive hearing loss is permanent, hearing aids are very successful!


Did you know that a middle ear infection is one of the most common diseases in children? Let us know if you or your children have had middle ear infections.

Life Sounds Great!  Enjoy Every Moment!

Jane Kukula, AuD
Paula Webster, MA
Advanced Audiology Concepts

8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060

1-440-205-8848
http://www.aachear.org/
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Monday, February 13, 2012

Causes of Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Healthy Haircells
More than 90 % of all hearing loss is sensorineural.  Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by damage to the fine hearing nerves call haircells. We have hundreds of thousands of haircells located deep in the inner ear.  Once damaged, there is no way to repair them.  As more and more of the haircelss become damaged, hearing loss increases. Sensorineural hearing loss is almost always permenant. 

Causes of sensorineural hearing loss inlcude:
          • Exposure to loud sounds (this is preventable)
          • Diseases such as Meniere's Disease,
          • Genetics (it can run in families)
          • Heart Disease
          • Aging
          • Certain medications including some chemotherapy drugs
 Damaged Haircelss
 Do you use hearing protection when participating in loud activities such as lawn mowing, car races and concerts?  Let us know.

Life Sounds Great! Enjoy Every Moment!




Jane Kukula, AuD
Paula Webster, MA

Advanced Audiology Concepts
8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
1-440-205-8848
Web Address: http://www.aachear.org/

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Friday, February 10, 2012

One or two?

If you are considering being fit with hearing aids, the next question is:
                                     Do I really need two instruments?
This is a very common question.  If you have a hearing loss in both ears, it is recommended that you be fit with a hearing aid in both ears.  The advantages of this include:

  • better understanding of speech in both quiet and noisy settings
  • better sound and tonal quality
  • improved ability to localize sound
  • a wider range of hearing
Like a stereo system, two hearing aids allow the smoothest, sharpest, most natural sound quality.  This greater range provides a better sense of balance, making listening more enjoyable and relaxing. The goal is a pleasant listening experience, better understanding in small and large group settings, with improved localization and less strain.

With these facts in mind, what is the answer to the question:  Do I really need to use two hearing aids?

Life Sounds Great! Enjoy Every Moment!


Jane M. Kukula, AuD
Paula G. Webster, MA
Advanced Audiology Concepts, Inc.
8897 Mentor Avenue
Mentor, OH  44060
440-205-8848
www.aacHEAR.org

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Hearing Aids and Sensorineural Hearing Loss


Sensorineural hearing loss reduces the volume for sound and distorts words, making them difficult to understand.  Those with sensorineural hearing loss report that it sounds as if people speak softly and/or mumble.  Hearing aids are the first step to successfully treating sensorineural hearing loss.  Hearing aids can restore normal volume and improve word understanding. 
Act now.  Left untreated, word understanding can remain mumbled. Make an appointment for a hearing aid consult.  You will be surprised by how small and inconspicuous hearing aids are and they work better than ever! 

Life Sounds Great! Enjoy Every Moment!
Jane Kukula, AuD
Paula Webster, MA

Advanced Audiology Concepts
8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
1-440-205-8848
Web Address: http://www.aachear.org/


Thursday, February 2, 2012

Heart Disease and Hearing Loss Are Related

In 2005 Harvard University established a staggering relation between heart disease and hearing loss.  The researchers found hearing loss occurred 54% more often in people with heart disease then in the general population. 
Cardiovascular disease reduces blood flow through veins, arties and organs of the body. The reduction in blood flow decreases oxygen to the body’s systems and organs. The lack of oxygen results in damage to the heart and other organs including the hearing nerves deep in the inner ear.  Researchers believe the hearing nerves are so fragile that the ear, is likely the first organ damaged from cardiovascular disease.  There are those who believe hearing loss may one a day predict heart disease.

Do you take care of your heart and your hearing by eating right and exercising? Let us know.
Life Sounds Great! Enjoy Every Moment!

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Dr. Jane Kukula, AuD
Paula Webster, MA
Advanced Audiology Concepts
8897 Mentor, Ohio 44060
1-440-205-8848