Hearing Library

What is an Audiologist?

An audiologist is a person who has a masters or doctoral degree in audiology. Most Audiologists today have a clinical doctorate. This has been the entry level degree for the past 5 years. Doctors of Audiology (Au.D.) have extensive training academically and clinically. Audiology is the science of hearing. In addition, the audiologist must be licensed or registered by their state to practice audiology, after obtaining over 2000 supervised hours of clinical experience.

Hearing Aids in the Presence of Background Noise

Virtually all patients wearing hearing aids complain about background noise at one time or another. There is no way to completely eliminate background noise.

What is Digital Technology?

The term digital is used so often today, it can be confusing. When a hearing aid is termed digital, it generally means the hearing aid uses 100% digital processing. In other words, the hearing aid is indeed a complete computer.

Taking an Impression of the Ear

All custom made hearing aids and earmolds are made from a “cast” of the ear. The cast is referred to as an ear impression. The hearing aid specialist makes the ear impression in the office. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes.

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.

How do I know if I have Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss occurs to most people as they age. 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.

Middle Ear Implants

Middle ear implants are surgically implanted devices. The FDA has approved specific middle ear implants and the FDA is still reviewing others. The middle ear implant is a useful hearing instrument and is quite different from traditional hearing aids.

Realistic Expectations for the Hearing Aid User

Hearing aids work very well when fit and adjusted appropriately. They are designed to make words and the conversations easier to understand in all situations, without making sounds appear to be too loud.

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.

Medical Science Shows Insight into Noisy Eyeballs and Tinnitus

Tinnitus is an abnormal perception of a sound which is reported by patients that is unrelated to an external source of stimulation. Tinnitus is a very common disorder.

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.

Types of Hearing Aids

There are many styles of hearing aids. The degree of the hearing loss, power and options required, manual dexterity abilities, cost factors, and cosmetic concerns are some of the factors that will determine the style the patient will use.

Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs)

ALDs can increase the loudness of desired sounds, such as a radio, television, or a public speaker, without increasing the loudness of the background noises.

Candidates for ALDs

People with all degrees and types of hearing loss — even people with normal hearing can benefit from assistive listening devices.

Types of ALDs

There are many assistive listening devices available today, from sophisticated systems used in theaters and auditoriums to small personal systems.

The Prevalence of Tinnitus

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.

What Causes Tinnitus?

Tinnitus may originate from various lesions and from different sites. The auditory system involves highly complicated inner ear structures, many afferent and efferent nerve pathways and a great amount of nuclei that form a complex meshwork.

Cochlear Implants

Cochlear implants are a means of surgical amplification for patients with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss. There is an internal and external device as part of the implant. Appropriately-identified adults and children with severe to profound hearing loss can be implanted starting as early as 12 months of age.

What is a Neurotologist?

Otologists or neurotologists are physicians who in addition to their ENT requirements continue their specialized training for an additional year or more in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the ear.

Different Types of Ear Physician Specialists

Otolaryngologists (also called ear-nose-and-throat, or ENT, doctors) are physicians who have advanced training in disorders of the ear, nose, throat and head and neck.

What is an Otologist?

What is an Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)?

Auditory Processing (also called Central Auditory Processing) refers to the means by which we make sense of what we hear. Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is a term for the variety of disorders that affect the way the brain processes information.

What is a Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD)?

Auditory Processing (also called Central Auditory Processing) refers to the means by which we make sense of what we hear. “Auditory Processing Disorders” refers to the abnormal interaction of hearing, neural transmission and the brain’s ability to make sense of sound.

A Discussion of Meniere's Disease

The inner ear is a delicate membraneous sense organ, which is encased in a bony shell. It is suspended within a latice-like bony framework, called the mastoid bone, which is located behind the outer ear.

Pre-instructions for Sedated ABR Testing

ABR testing evaluates hearing levels without the active participation of your child. It is necessary for your child to be asleep during this test.

Preparation for Balance Testing

This guide gives you an idea of what to expect on your test

A Discussion of Acoustic Neuroma

Acoustic tumors are fibrous growths originating from the balance nerve and are not malignant. They do not spread to other parts of the brain, other than by direct extension.

Practical Suggestions for Persons with a Hearing Impairment

The ear is divided into three parts: an external ear, a middle ear and an inner ear. Each part performs an important function in the process of hearing.

A Discussion of Hearing Problems in Children

Five thousand children are born profoundly deaf each year in the United States alone. Another 10 to 15 percent of newborns have a partial hearing handicap.

A Discussion of Facial Nerve Problems

Spasm, weakness or paralysis of the face is a symptom of some disorder involving the facial nerve. It is not a disease in itself.

A Discussion of Eustachian Tube Problems

The ear is comprised of three portions: an outer ear (external), a middle ear and inner ear. Each part performs an important function in the process of hearing.

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is an abnormal perception of a sound which is reported by patients that is unrelated to an external source of stimulation. Tinnitus is a very common disorder.

A Discussion of Dizziness

Dizziness is a symptom not a disease. It may be defined as a sensation of unsteadiness, imbalance, or disorientation in relation to an individual’s surroundings.

A Discussion of Chronic Ear Infections

Chronic ear infection is the result of an ear infection that has left a residual injury to the ear. This type of infection has been established as the cause of your ear problem.

What is a 'Hearing Instrument Specialist'?

The hearing aid specialist has training in the assessment of patients who specifically seek rehabilitation for hearing loss.

Who will I see about my Ear and Hearing Problems?

An audiologist is a person who has a masters or doctoral degree in audiology. Audiology is the science of hearing. In addition, the audiologist must be licensed or registered by their state (in 47 states) to practice audiology.

Audioprosthologist - Hearing Instrument Specialist

The hearing instrument specialist is trained in the assessment of patients who specifically seek rehabilitation for hearing loss. In New Jersey, the State Board of Medical Examiners, Hearing Aid Dispensers Examining Committee, will grant a hearing aid dis