What Is Congenital Hearing Loss & How Is it Treated?
Congenital hearing loss is partial or total loss of hearing that is present at birth. In this post, we review the types, symptoms, causes and treatments for congenital hearing loss. Types of Congenital Hearing Loss There are three types of congenital hearing loss: conductive, sensorineural and mixed. Conductive Hearing Loss Conductive hearing loss is caused…
Protect Your Hearing This Audiology Awareness Month
Not only is October Audiology Awareness Month, but it’s also National Protect Your Hearing Month as well. This makes it the perfect time to discuss some of the best ways to protect your ears and prioritize your hearing health! Quick Facts About Noise-induced Hearing Loss Noise-induced hearing loss occurs when noise causes damage to the…
Are Loggers at an Increased Risk for Hearing Loss?
Some professions, including being a logger, put you at an increased risk for noise-induced hearing loss. Let’s examine how noise from work can damage your ears as well as what to do to protect your hearing health. Job Duties Increase Hearing Loss Risk in Loggers A study published in 2017 wanted to determine the prevalence…
What Are the Benefits of Newborn Hearing Screenings?
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders reports that two to three of every 1,000 babies are born with hearing loss in one or both of their ears. If left untreated, this can majorly impact speech and language development. Below we review the benefits of newborn hearing screenings. Why Screen Every Baby? In…
The Connection Between Ear Infections and Hearing Loss
If you or your child suffers from ear infections you are probably pretty familiar with the symptoms of ear pain, fever and ear drainage. Occasionally, hearing loss can occur as well. Usually, this is temporary; however, chronic ear infections have the potential to cause permanent hearing loss. How Ear Infections Can Lead to Hearing Loss…
Selective Hearing vs. Hearing Loss: How to Tell the Difference
When the term selective hearing is used, it’s often meant to imply hearing the things we want to hear, while not hearing the things we don’t. For example, we might hear our partner say that dinner is ready, but we don’t hear them when they ask us to help with the dishes. It’s common for…
Study Finds Unexpected Brain Shrinkage in Patients with Hearing Loss
Researchers are constantly looking for more information to explain the connection between hearing loss and dementia. A new study out of the Carle Illinois College of Medicine sheds more light on just how hearing loss affects the brain. Hearing Loss Associated with More Brain Shrinkage The study compared MRIs of people with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)…
What is an Acoustic Neuroma?
An acoustic neuroma is a rare, benign tumor that develops on the vestibulocochlear nerve and can affect hearing and balance. While some are small enough that they cause no symptoms, others cause debilitating effects that require treatment. Quick Facts About Acoustic Neuromas Also referred to as vestibular schwannomas They are estimated to affect about 1…
Are You Experiencing a Full Range of Sounds?
Humans have the ability to hear a wonderful range of sounds that bring joy into our lives. These sounds can include: Live music Children laughing and playing Birds chirping outside your window Conversations with loved ones The river running through Brandywine Park People with normal hearing can perceive sounds at frequencies between 20 and 20,000…
How Music, Memory and Hearing Loss are Connected
Both music and hearing loss can have a significant effect on memory. Music can improve memories and make recollections more vivid. Hearing loss, on the other hand, can negatively affect memory and even can make a person more prone to cognitive decline and dementia. Music and Memory A 2016 study looked at how music evoked…