-
What is Hidden Hearing Loss?
Hidden hearing loss refers to individuals with normal audiograms who experience difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments. This condition may result from damage to the auditory pathway beyond the cochlea, such as synaptopathy or nerve fiber damage, caused by noise exposure, aging, ototoxic medications, or other factors. Unlike traditional hearing tests, diagnosing hidden hearing loss requires specialized assessments like speech-in-noise testing and objective measures such as ABR or DP...
-
High Blood Pressure-Induced Tinnitus
Tinnitus, a condition characterized by the perception of ringing or pulsing sounds in the ears without an external source, can be caused by various factors, including high blood pressure. Pulsatile tinnitus, which involves a rhythmic sound that may align with heartbeats, can result from increased blood flow force through arteries and veins near the head, sinuses, and ears due to hypertension. Managing high blood pressure through lifestyle changes such as reducing sodium intake, exercising regular...
-
High-Frequency Hearing Loss | Causes, Treatments, Prevention
High-frequency hearing loss, a common form of hearing impairment, occurs when the inner ear struggles to interpret high-pitched sounds due to damage or dysfunction in hair cells. This condition often results from noise exposure, aging, or ototoxic medications and can lead to symptoms like difficulty understanding speech clarity, trouble hearing women's and children's voices, challenges in noisy environments, and tinnitus. Testing involves an audiogram to assess hearing at different frequencies, w...
-
The Surprising History of Hearing Aids in Photos
The history of hearing aids spans centuries, beginning with the ear trumpet in the 17th century and evolving through significant technological advancements. Electric hearing aids emerged in the late 19th century, followed by vacuum tube models in the 1920s, which became more compact over time. The invention of transistors in 1948 marked a turning point, enabling smaller, more efficient devices. Digital processing for speech signals was introduced in the 1960s, setting the stage for modern hearing...
-
What Part of Your Brain Controls Your Hearing?
Hearing is a complex process involving the outer, middle, and inner ear, which work together to convert sound waves into electrical signals that travel to the brain. The auditory cortex in the temporal lobe processes these signals, enabling us to interpret sounds, understand speech, and determine their source. The brain uses two pathways: the "what" pathway (dorsal) identifies the nature of a sound, while the "where" pathway (ventral) locates its origin. Higher-level processing helps distinguish ...
-
How Hearing Aids Actually Work
Hearing aids are sophisticated devices that combine advanced technology to help individuals with hearing loss. They consist of key components such as microphones, which capture and convert sound into electrical signals; a computer processor, which analyzes and optimizes the sounds by prioritizing speech over noise; an amplifier, which adjusts the volume according to the user's needs; and a receiver (or speaker), which delivers the processed sound to the ear. Additionally, hearing aids may include...