Hearing Info
How Hearing Works
The ear is sort of like hearing aids: small pieces of advanced-level (organic) technology working together to produce sound. It does this by converting sound waves into sound by passing those waves through the outer ear, through to the middle and inner ear then on to the brain which interprets them…
Hearing and Balance
In the evaluation of a patient complaining of dizziness, the examiner’s initial efforts must be directed at determining the exact nature of the patient’s complaint because the pathophysiology determines the patient’s sensations. Precisely understanding the complaint determines the workup. For example, in a patient with syncope or presyncope, the cause of the sensation is probably cardiovascular and not inner ear…
Types of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can be mild, moderate, moderately-severe, severe, or profound, and it can vary across frequencies. Hearing loss can be gradual and will typically worsen over time. It is measured in terms of decibels (dB). Higher dB levels indicate worse hearing and low dB levels indicate better hearing…
About Tinnitus
Tinnitus is an abnormal perception of a sound, which is reported by patients as being unrelated to an external source of stimulation. Tinnitus is a symptom, much like a headache, pain, temperature, hearing loss, or vertigo. With tinnitus, the reported distress is usually subjective and difficult to record and appreciate by others…
