How to Improve Your Hearing

Nearly 10 percent of the entire population suffers from some form of hearing or balance problem. For those over 65, this increases to 60 percent. According to the National Institutes of Health, 90 million Americans will complain of dizziness and imbalance to their doctors at least once in their lifetime. Balance disorders increase in frequency in the older age groups. At least 50 percent of falls by elderly are the result of vestibular problems.

What's the First Step?
Have your hearing and balance evaluated by a professional. With a medical referral, a doctoral level audiologist will perform a series of evaluations to differentiate the exact cause of your problem. He will work with your physician and other medical and para-medical specialists, such as an otolarnygologist, neurologist or physical therapist, to determine cause and treatment options.

Do Hearing Aids Really Help?
There is no replacement for the hearing you were likely born with, but modern hearing devices are tremendously helpful. Units now are smaller, utilize digital sound processing, many function automatically without the necessity of a volume control., and they help more in noisy environments thanks to the advent of directional microphones. More advanced systems offer sophisticated methods of shaping sound quality, multiple programs for different listening environments, and improved ways to control loud sounds and squealing.

How Does My Balance System Work?
Three sensory systems keep people balanced. They are the visual, somatosensory and vestibular systems. The vestibular system comprises the inner ear, including the semicircular canals, otolith organs and sacules. The semicircular canals are filled with fluid and are lined with tiny hairs that sense movement of the fluid. These tiny hairs send messages to the brain that give information about the position of the head.

What Are the Symptoms of Vestibular Dysfunction?
Have you ever spun around as a kid until you were so dizzy you fell down? This type of dizziness sensation called Vertigo is caused by a dysfunction in the inner ear canals. Individuals may report a room turning or self turning sensation that is often accompanied by light headedness and nausea. Sometimes, however, symptoms may be unsteadiness or the tendency to fall to one side.

What is BPPV?
The most common form of dizziness is benign positional paroxysmal vertigo (BPPV). This is caused by unwanted debris deposited in the semicircular canals of the inner ear.

Are Two Hearing Aids Better Than One?
For most patients, the answer is a resounding ?yes.? There are circumstances where one ear is unaidable, but this is unusual. Hearing tends to be louder and clearer when both are utilized, and you have an enhanced ability to locate where a sound is coming from. Some patients report that they feel off balance when only hearing from one side. For many people it would be the equivalent of wearing a pair of glasses with only one lens.

What is an ENG Test for Vestibular Problems?
The electronystagmography (ENG) test is used to determine whether or not dizziness may be due to inner ear disease. It consists of measuring involuntary eye movement (nystagmus) while the subject?s balance system is stimulated. The ENG test is the ?gold standard? for diagnosis of ear disorders affecting one ear at a time. The ENG is excellent for the diagnosis of acoustic neuroma and vestibular neuritis.

Is There Help For That Ringing In My Ears?
There are a variety of treatment options for tinnitus, and these will be discussed in detail following a comprehensive audiological evaluation. Dr. Richard Wright is trained to perform Tinnitus Retraining Therapy, a treatment originated by Dr. Pawel Jastreboff at Emory University. Often counseling and use of coping strategies can eliminate most concerns without the advent of more extensive procedures.

Will Insurance Pay For the Treatment?
With medical referral, most evaluation procedures are covered by insurance up to your deductible and co-pay. Hearing devices and Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) typically are not covered by insurance.