Audiologists perform any of the following functions prescribe and fit hearing aids assist in cochlear implant programs perform ear or hearingrelated surgical monitoring design and implement hearing conservation programs and newborn hearing screening programs ID: 774651
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Slide1
Slide2An Audiologist is…
A state licensed health-care professional who holds either a doctoral degree or a master’s degree in audiology from an accredited university.
Audiologists perform any of the following functions:
prescribe and fit hearing aids
assist in cochlear implant programs
perform ear or hearing-related surgical monitoring
design and implement hearing conservation programs and newborn hearing screening programs
provide hearing rehabilitation training such as
auditory training
speech reading
listening skills improvement
Slide3People with untreated hearing loss (people with hearing loss who do not wear hearing aids) can experience a decreased quality of life. SadnessDepressionAnxietyParanoiaPoor social relationships
Slide4That is over 4 times the amount of people living in New York City!New York City!
Over 36 million Americans Suffer from Hearing Loss!
Over 18 million are under the age of 65.
Slide5The outermost part of the ear is called the pinna. The pinna acts like a funnel directing sound waves into the ear canal.The sound waves then travel through the ear canal to the ear drum.The sound waves vibrate the ear drum and those vibrations are transmitted to the middle ear.
How We Hear: Outer Ear
Slide6How We Hear: Middle Ear
The middle ear is made up of the hammer, anvil, and stirrup bones.These three bones are the smallest in the body and are collectively known as the ossicles. The ossicles amplify and transfer the sound vibrations from the ear drum to the inner ear.
hammer
anvil
stirrup
Slide7How We Hear: Inner Ear
The inner ear is made up of the semicircular canals and the cochlea.Each part of the inner ear is very different in form and function to the human body.
semicircular canals
cochlea
Slide8Inner Ear: Semicircular Canals
The semicircular canals are the portion of the ear that helps detect movement and maintain balance.The semicircular canals are filled with fluid, and as we move, it is that fluid that allows us to detect the movement and maintain our balance.
semicircular canals
Slide9Inner Ear: The Cochlea
The cochlea houses the organ of Corti.As sound vibrations move through the cochlea, they vibrate the microscopic hair cells found within the organ of Corti. The vibrations of these hair cells trigger the electrical impulses sent to the brain from the auditory nerve, allowing us to hear.
cochlea
auditory nerve
Slide10Types of Hearing Loss
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Conductive Hearing Loss
Mixed Hearing Loss
The safest way to determine if you have a hearing loss is to visit your audiologist for a hearing evaluation. An audiologist can then work with you to determine the best treatment option for your hearing loss.
Slide12Slide13Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Is permanent and sometimes preventable.
Is the most common form of hearing loss.
Can affect people of all ages.
Is a high-frequency hearing loss, that can occur from aging and/or
noise exposure
(noise-induced hearing loss).
Does not have any medical or surgical treatment options, in most cases.
Hearing aids are the primary treatment (an audiologist should be your primary health-care provider for testing and fitting hearing aids). A cochlear implant may be considered for patients with severe or profound cases of this form of hearing loss.
Slide14Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when the microscopic hair cells within the organ of Corti are damaged.Once the hair cells are damaged, they do not regenerate.
From David J. Lim. Functional Structure of the Organ of Corti: A Review. Hearing Research, 22 (1986) 117-146 Elsevier
Slide15KNOW THE SIGNS: Trouble hearing conversation in a noisy environment such as restaurants.Difficulty or inability to hear people talking to you without looking at them.A constant buzzing or ringing in your ears (tinnitus).
Do You HaveDo You Have Sensorineural Hearing Loss?Sensorineural Hearing Loss?
High-frequency hearing loss may be difficult to
“self-diagnose” because it occurs slowly over time.
People with this form of hearing loss often can still
hear, but they cannot hear clearly.
Tinnitus
Is an internal sound often accompanying hearing loss that is often described as a:
Ringing, buzzing, hissing, crickets, roaring, shower-like noise, ‘shhhh’ sound, or humming.
It can be constant or intermittent.
Many people who suffer from tinnitus report that it is bothersome and say that it causes a decrease in quality of
life.
Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive losses occur when sound waves are prevented from reaching the inner ear.
Possible Causes:Blockage in the ear canal from:A foreign object.Ear wax (cerumen) build-up. Fluid occupying the middle ear space (due to ear infections, otitis media)Poor movement of the ossicles resulting from:Otosclerosis.Trauma separating the ossicles from one anotherAtresia or StenosisA condition where people are born with very small ear canals or a malformed/absent pinna and ear canal.
Slide19Mixed Hearing Loss
Hearing loss that involves both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss components
.
Slide20Degrees of Hearing Loss
Audiologists use general terms to characterize the degree of hearing loss.
Normal
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Profound
The category of hearing loss represents the softest level of sound (decibels) you can hear at different pitches.
Slide21The Hearing Evaluation
Audiologists perform a hearing evaluation to determine the type and severity of the hearing problem.
There are three parts to a hearing evaluation:
Review of your medical and hearing history.
Visual examination of the eardrums and ear canals.
The hearing test.
Slide22The Hearing Test
An audiologist will place you in a sound booth to test your hearing at different pitches (frequency) and decibel levels.You will be asked to listen to a series of specific sounds and indicate which ones you hear. The results are noted on an audiogram that your audiologist will review with you.
Slide23Slide24People with untreated hearing loss (people with hearing loss who do not wear hearing aids) can experience a decreased quality of life.
Sadness
Depression
Anxiety
Paranoia
Poor social relationships
Slide25If you think you or someone
you know might have a hearing problem, visit
www.HowsYourHearing.org
to find an audiologist near you.
Questions???
Slide26