Tinnitus is the term for the perception of sound when no external sound is present. It is often referred to as “ringing in the ears,” although some people hear hissing, roaring, whistling, chirping, or clicking. Tinnitus can be intermittent or constant, with single or multiple tones. Its' perceived volume can range from very soft to extremely loud.
HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TINNITUS?
50 million Americans experience tinnitus to some degree. Of these, about 12 million have tinnitus which is severe enough to seek medical attention. Of those, about two million patients are so seriously debilitated by their tinnitus that they cannot function on a “normal,” day-to-day basis.
Types of ALDs
There are many assistive listening devices available today, from sophisticated systems used in theaters and auditoriums to small personal systems.
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Candidates for ALDs
Are ALDs Only for People Using Hearing Aids?
No. People with all degrees and types of hearing loss — even people with normal hearing can benefit from assistive listening devices. Some assistive listening devices are used with hearing aids; some are used without hearing aids.
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Types of Hearing Aids
There are many types of hearing aids today and the type of hearing aid is dependent upon both the style chosen and technology chosen.
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Type and Degree of Hearing Loss
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. Hearing loss (HL) is measured in decibels (dB) and is described in general categories. Hearing loss is not measured in percentages. The general hearing loss categories used by most hearing professionals are as follows:
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What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is an abnormal perception of a sound reported by a patient but is unrelated to an external source of stimulation. Tinnitus is a very common disorder affecting over 50 million people in the United States. It may be intermittent, constant or fluctuant, mild or severe, and may vary from a low roaring sensation to a high pitched type of sound. It may or may not be associated with a hearing loss.
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Three Levels of Hearing Aid Technology
There are essentially three levels of hearing aid technology. We refer to these as analog, digitally programmable, and digital. At Bieri Hearing Specialists, we dispense only the highest level of technology, that being digital hearing instruments.
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Realistic Expectations for the Hearing Aid User
Hearing aids work very well when fit and adjusted appropriately. They amplify sound! You might find that you like one hearing aid better than the other. The left and right hearing aids will probably not fit exactly the same and they probably won’t sound exactly the same. Nonetheless, hearing aids should be comfortable with respect to the physical fit and sound quality.
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Middle Ear Implants
In order to be fit with a MEI (or a binaural fitting), one requires a purely sensori-neural hearing loss. Since MEIs are better at generating mid- and high-frequency gain than low-frequency gain, the optimal hearing loss should be sloping. Many MEIs can be digitally programmed or are in fact digital.
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How do I know if I have Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss can be due to the aging process, exposure to loud noise, certain medications, infections, head or ear trauma, congenital (birth or prenatal) or hereditary factors, diseases, as well as a number of other causes. Recent data suggests there are over 34 million Americans with some degree of hearing loss.
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Hearing Aid Battery Information
All batteries are toxic and dangerous if swallowed. Keep all batteries (and hearing aids) away from children and pets. If anyone swallows a battery it is a medical emergency and the individual needs to see a physician immediately.
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