What is presbycusis?

Presbycusis (prez-bee-KU-sis) is hearing difficulty related to aging. It commonly starts in people in their 50’s.  Over time the hearing nerves (haircells) in the inner ear, begin to collapse causing gradual decrease in hearing ability.  We have about 15, 000 haircells in each ear.  These nerve fibers are pitch sensitive.  They're responsible for transmitting sound from the ear to the brain.  When they collapse, the ear no longer transmits sound correctly.  At first, high pitched sounds are affected resulting in a decrease in high frequency hearing.  Good high frequency hearing gives clarity or sharpness to words, allowing easy understanding of speech.

Over time more and more haircells collapse, causing greater and greater difficulty understanding speech. This slow gradual decrease in hearing ability creates the sense that it’s not you, it’s the way other’s talk.  You may feel people mumble which is one of the symptoms of presbycusis.  Others are: difficulty hearing soft talkers and understanding in noisy places. 

Hearing instruments can and do help.  They are tuned to match your hearing ability providing help specific to your needs. New hearing instrument technology has natural sound quality, separates words from background noise, cancels out room echo, improves hearing in a car, and much more.  Most hearing devices are small and sleek, and some are invisible!  People are very pleased with these devices.

Presbycusis typically runs in families.  If your parents had hearing difficulty later in life, you may also.  When you notice yourself making excuses for mishearing, such as people mumble or talk softly, it’s time for a hearing evaluation. Call to make an appointment.  You will be glad you did.  

Life sounds great!  Enjoy every moment!

Jane Kukula, Au.D.Paula Webster, M.A.

Advanced Audiology Concepts

 

8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848Fax: 440-205-9818
http://aacHEAR.org

What's new in hearing research?

Audiology is a young science and there is still much to learn about the ears and hearing. Here are few things hearing scientists have been working on recently.

At the University of Connecticut they have been investigating how humans judge the distance of a sound. We are good at figuring out which direction a sound is coming from, whether it's hearing where the keys fell or a baby crying. How we judge the distance of a sound has been a mystery. Researchers found that echoes and fluctuations in volume are the cues we use to figure the distance between us and the source of a noise.

The Australian National University (ANU) has shed new light on synesthesia -- the effect of hearing colors, seeing sounds and other cross-sensory phenomena.  These findings provide a better understand of synesthesia.  Those with synesthesia have stronger connections between different brain areas, particularly between what we think of as the language part of the brain and the color part of the brain. Those connections have a triggering effect, where a stimulus in one part of the brain causes activity in the other.

The University of Southern California, Health Sciences Department, has been looking into ways to help children born without a cochlea or hair cells (hearing nerve fibers).  Individuals who do not have a cochlea cannot be helped with hearing aids or cochlear implants.  These children are unable to hear sound, no matter how loud. The Auditory brainstem implant (ABI) is considered revolutionary because it stimulates nerves directly in the brainstem, completely bypassing the inner ear.

Life sounds great!  Enjoy every moment!

Jane Kukula, Au.D.Paula Webster, M.A.

Advanced Audiology Concepts

 

8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848Fax: 440-205-9818
http:/aacHEAR.org

Does every one experience a positive change with hearing aids?

Yes, everyone who needs hearing aids will benefit.  Often times, people experience life changing results when fit with hearing instruments. I applaud you for taking the steps to improve your life.  When you recognize hearing problems and address them, life can be more fulfilling.  Studies show that those who use hearing instruments are active, productive, effective, joyful, successful and social. 

Almost 40 million Americans have difficulty hearing.  They are pushing the hearing industry forward.  Technology is advancing quickly.  Even over the past year there have been tremendous developments in hearing devices.  People with hearing trouble can do the things they love with the people they love.  

Today’s hearing devices allow you to hear from all directions and in all sorts of listening situations. This means people hear better in the situations they need to hear.  The instruments are digital, wireless and virtually invisible.  There are even extended wear devices that are 100% invisible, hassle free and are worn 24 hours a day 7 days a week for up to 4 months at a time.

The secret is taking that first step, acknowledging your hearing is changing. Then have a hearing evaluation.  Just like you, the sooner someone gets started, the sooner their life is improved. 

Life sounds great!  Enjoy every moment!

Jane Kukula, Au.D.Paula Webster, M.A.

Advanced Audiology Concepts

8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848

Fax: 440-205-9818
http://aacHEAR.org

Interesting facts about the ears

There is much more to ears than the part you can see on the side of our head.  Our ears help us detect sound.  Ears convert sound waves into nerve impulses that are sent to the brain.  While our ears pick up the sound, it is the brain that does the hard work of making sense of it all.  Here are few interesting things about the ears and hearing.

• The middle ear contains the Eustachian tube which helps equalize pressure and drain mucus.
• Ear infections are more common in children because of their developing immune systems and differences between their Eustachian tubes and those of adults.
• The inner ear is found inside the temporal bone, the hardest bone in the human body.
• The inner ear contains the spiral shaped hearing organ called the cochlea as well as the balance part of the ear.
• Sounds waves are passed from air to liquid in the inner air. The inner air also contains tiny hair cells which react to sound waves, triggering chemicals that are sent to the brain as nerve impulses.
• Abnormalities in the inner ear of humans can cause deafness.
• Skin glands in the ear canal produce ear wax which helps protect the ear by lubricating it and cleaning it of dirt and dust.
• Excessive ear wax can impair hearing, especially if it is pressed hard against the eardrum.
• Ear wax normally comes out of your ear naturally so it’s not a good idea to try and remove it yourself unless it is causing health problems (best to see your doctor first).

I hope you find this helpful.  And Good luck with the paper.  

Life sounds great!  Enjoy every moment!

Jane Kukula, Au.D.Paula Webster, M.A.

Advanced Audiology Concepts

 

8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848

Fax: 440-205-9818

http://www.AdvancedAudiologyConcepts.com

What is an extended wear hearing aid?

Yes, Lyric is the only extended wear hearing aid available.  There are several things that make it unique.  It’s 100% invisible, provides effortless hearing and has natural sound quality.

100% Invisible

Lyric is placed deep in the ear canal, approximately 4 millimeters from the ear drum.  This allows for both the microphone and receiver (speaker) to fit in the ear canal.  It cannot be seen from any angle, at any time.  The programmable device is comfortably placed during a routine office visit.  It is not an implant and it can be removed with a special tool. 

Effortless Hearing

Lyric is the only hearing aid that can be worn without daily insertion or removal and there is no need to change the batteries.  It can be safely worn through daily activities such as showering, exercising, sleeping and talking on the phone.

Natural Sound Quality;

Lyric uses the natural anatomy of the outer ear to direct sound to the microphone, where it is then amplified at the ear drum.  Because Lyric takes advantage of the ear’s anatomy, users experience natural sound quality and improved directionality and localization (the ability to hear where sounds come from).  Eighty six percent Lyric users agree that the sound quality is very good.

To learn more or to see if you are a candidate for Lyric call 440-205-8848 for a complimentary consultation and 30 day trial.  

Life sounds great!  Enjoy every moment!

Jane Kukula, Au.D.Paula Webster, M.A.

Advanced Audiology Concepts

 

8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848

Fax: 440-205-9818

http://www.aacHEAR.org

Will my son with hearing loss have a normal life?

Every year thousands of children are diagnosed with hearing loss setting families on an unknown journey.  And every day these children go on to live happy and productive lives.  Let me reassure you, your son can and will experience the fun of childhood and enjoy growing up.  He will go to school, learn, make friends, skin his knees, learn to ride a bike and have his share of fights on the playground.  He will grow and reach his potential.  Early identification and intervention, technology and the professionals you work with, will help you and your family through this time. 

There is much that can be done to help children with hearing difficulties including your son.  The key is getting started.  You will want to maximize his hearing ability through the use of hearing instruments.  Your audiologist will help you find the best devices for him.  He/she will work with you in understanding the instruments, and how use and maintain them. 

Working with a speech pathologist is also key.  It is important for your son to develop strong speech and language skills. He will need support through school and may have an IEP (Individual Education Plan) to outline the necessary support.  This will give him the best chance to succeed in school.
If your son has a severe to profound loss of hearing you may decide to send him to one of the local schools that specialize in teaching children with hearing problems. Working with professionals trained in hearing can be very helpful.  Plus, being with other children who have hearing loss will help him to feel “just like one of the kids”.


All of this will give him the best opportunity to achieve success.  Treatment for pediatric hearing loss is an important tool in helping your son enjoy an active life.  Ongoing care, and regular visits to the audiologist will ensure that his hearing ability is always at its best.  It’s a process and you will be his most important advocate.  Life Sounds Great!  He too will enjoy every moment.

What is the ringing in my ears?

Ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus, can be very annoying.  For many who experience tinnitus, it can be intermittent or constant.   Tinnitus generally accompanies hearing loss, but in rare cases may be a symptom of a more serious health issue. 

There are several things you can do to minimize tinnitus:

• Avoid exposure to loud sound and noise
• If you have high blood pressure, seek a physician’s help to control it
• Decrease your intake of salt
• Avoid stimulants such as coffee, tea, cola and tobacco
• Exercise daily to improve circulation
• Get adequate rest and avoid fatigue

Hearing aids can help to manage tinnitus.  Amplifying sound and producing ambient noise, hearing aids are believed to reduce the loudness and prominence of tinnitus.  Often, hearing aids are recommended to manage this annoying phenomenon.

The first step you should take is to receive a complete Audiological Evaluation by an audiologist.  This will provide information regarding the nature and degree of your hearing loss and determine if you are gaining benefit from your present hearing aids.  Current technology allows the hearing instruments to somewhat compensate for the tinnitus.  These steps may assist you in dealing with this very anxiety provoking problem.

May is Better Hearing Month!  Schedule a baseline hearing test today. Call and schedule an appointment with an audiologist.

Life sounds great!  Enjoy every moment!

Jane Kukula, Au.D.Paula Webster, M.A.

Advanced Audiology Concepts

 

8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848440-205-8848Fax: 440-205-9818http://www.aacHEAR.org

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