People with unilateral hearing loss now have the opportunity to hear out of both ears. In July, the FDA approved the use of cochlear implants for single-sided deafness and asymmetric hearing loss for patients 5 years of age and older based on data from a clinical trial conducted by Margaret Dillon, AuD, and the UNC [...]
New patients often ask us why we recommend a comprehensive audiological evaluation (CAE) for any problem related to the ear. This is because a CAE is the only objective measure of your inner ear health and is the cornerstone of an ear examination. Just as an eye doctor measures visual acuity at each of your [...]
Close to 40 million American adults have hearing loss, making it one of the most common health concerns people face, according to the NIH. Hearing loss can creep up on you gradually, stealing your hearing in such small increments you suddenly find yourself straining to understand conversation and missing some of your favorite sounds. In many cases, [...]
According to a large study published in JAMA Network Open this past July, hearing loss in middle age was found to be associated with higher odds of cognitive decline and dementia later in life. Using data from more than 16,000 men and women, researchers found that a new diagnosis of hearing loss between ages 45 [...]
Some risk factors for hearing loss are understandable—think aging, excessive noise exposure, or traumatic brain injury—but other risks aren’t always so obvious. Here are seven unexpected risk factors for hearing loss that may surprise you: 1. Sleep apnea Several studies published in the last few years have strongly linked sleep apnea to hearing loss. Medical professionals aren’t entirely [...]
If you or a loved one has suddenly developed hearing loss, see your doctor right away. While often downplayed as not serious, any new or sudden hearing loss should be taken seriously by both you and your healthcare providers. Why? The sooner you get a thorough audiological workup, the better your chances are for a [...]
Hand dryers are ubiquitous in public restrooms, but according to research recently published in the Canadian journal Paediatrics & Child Health, the noise they make may be harmful to children's ears. And the study's author can speak from personal experience. "Sometimes after using hand dryers my ears would start ringing," 13-year-old Nora Keegan from Calgary, Canada, told [...]
Thanks to recent advancements in hearing device technology, millions of people with hearing loss are now able to hear their favorite sounds and enjoy conversing with their favorite people. One perk this new technology affords users is compatibility with other personal electronic devices, such as smartphones and televisions. Sometimes, as in the case of headphones and [...]
Every day, millions of people around the world suffer from noises that no one else can hear. Some people hear a high-pitched ringing sound while others hear something else entirely, from whooshing to static, chirps, beeps, roaring, or one of many other noises. Despite a lack of awareness in the general public, tinnitus (the medical [...]
When summer rolls around, many families head to the beach or the pool for a day of fun in the water or relief on a hot day. An afternoon of swimming or splashing around in the backyard or community pool or nearest beach is a major part of summer fun. But it's important to protect [...]