The Origin of Dizziness and Vertigo

Dizziness or vertigo often occur due to inner ear dysfunctions.  Dr. Ben Wedro, Clinical Professor with The Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, details the origin of vertigo:

 

The inner ear has two parts, the semicircular canals and the vestibule, that helps the body know where it is in relationship to gravity. There are three semicircular canals that are aligned at right angles to each other and act as the gyroscope for the body. The canals are filled

with fluid and are lined with a nerve filled, crystal encrusted membrane that transmits information to the cerebellum, the part of the brain that deals with balance and coordination. The cerebellum adds information from sight and from nerve endings in muscles that deal with the perception of movement to help the brain know where it is in relationship to gravity and the world.

 

Normally, when the head moves, fluid in the semicircular canals shifts and that information is relayed to the brain. When the head stops moving, the fluid stops as well. There may be a slight delay, providing the basis for the vertigo experienced after people participate in many children's games and carnival rides. When a person goes on a merry-go-round or spins quickly around in circles, the fluid in the canals develops momentum and even though the head stops spinning, the fluid may continue to move. This causes vertigo or a spinning sensation and may cause the person to fall or stumble in a crooked line.

In patients with vertigo, inflammation of the fluid or irritation of the crystals on the nerve membrane that lines the walls of the semicircular canals may cause the spinning sensation even without much head movement. Often, only one canal is involved and the person may be symptom free if they don't move.

To read Dr. Wedro's article on vertigo, click here. 

Get the Maximum Benefit From Your Hearing Aids!

The Better Hearing Institute recently released a study showing the benefit received from wearing hearing aids is highly related to the quality of care provided by the hearing healthcare professional.  Hearing aids are primarily returned because the wearer does not feel they receive enough benefit to justify the expense.  For this reason, Appalachian Audiology offers no-charge follow up care and adjustments for the life of any hearing aid purchased through us! 

As you wear your hearing aid, make note of the following questions:

• Am I understanding speech more clearly in the presence of  noise?
• Are my hearing aids amplifying my hearing preferences?
• What environments do I seem to have trouble hearing in?
• Am I asking people to repeat themselves frequently?

We follow the American Academy of Audiology's preferred practice patterns.  In other words, we follow the steps that have the highest success rate in guaranteeing a hearing aid wearer will derive the maximum benefit from their hearing instruments.  To properly adjust hearing aids, studies have shown the audiologist should:

• Test hearing in an enclosed sound booth to accurately determine the type, degree, and location of hearing loss
• Perform "Loudness Discomfort" Measurements to accurately detail the full range of hearing
• Perform "Objective Benefit" Measurements to give real information on the actual benefit a hearing aid wearer is deriving from the use of the instruments
• Perform "Real Ear Measurement" Verification to accurately determine how the hearing aid is benefiting the wearer

For more information about these procedures, read this brochure created by the Better Hearing Institute.

Each part of this process helps the audiologist know how to adjust a patient's hearing instruments properly.  This, too, is a critical component of helping restore a hearing loss sufferer's quality of life!

Can Hearing Aids Improve Our Quality of Life?

In spite of the advances in digital hearing aids, many people remain hesitant to purchase them as a real pathway to re-connecting with loved ones, eliminating barriers to social interaction, and restoring a rich quality of life.  A recent study from the Better Hearing Institute involving over 2000 hearing aid wearers discovered that nearly 90% of hearing aid users are satisified with the benefit they derive from wearing them.  Over 90% of hearing aid users surveyed report a satisfactory improvement in their communication, social interactions, television viewing, outdoor activities, and phone conversations.  Most importantly, 8 out of 10 hearing aid users say they are satisifed with the changes that have occurred in their lives specifically due to their hearing aids.  Hearing aid wearers reported the following areas of

improvement in their lives, ranked in order:

• Effectiveness of communication
• Sense of safety
• Relationships at home
• Self confidence
• Social life
• Feelings about self
• Ability to join in groups
• Sense of independence
• Work relationships
• Sense of humor

Perhaps sharing how hearing aids can truly enhance a person's life is a critical component of helping  others seek real solutions to their hearing healthcare.

For more information, visit our website!

The Most Common Type of Hearing Loss

The most common type of hearing loss is known as Sensorineural Hearing Loss or SNHL.  Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) occurs when the inner ear (cochlea) or nerve pathways from the inner ear to the brain are damaged.  It is usually caused by exposure to loud noises or aging and on rare occassions can be repaired surgically.  In a vast majority of cases, however, the only way to treat SNHL is to find a device that will enhance the ear's remaining hearing capacity.  This involves amplifying the ear's existing ability to hear, which is what hearing aids are created to do.

 

Read what the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association says about SNHL.

How We Hear

Our ears are extraordinary organs. They pick up all the sounds around us and then translate this information into a form our brain can understand. One of the most remarkable things about this process is that it is completely mechanical. Our sense of smell, taste and vision all involve chemical reactions, but our hearing system is based solely on physical movement.

Discover how we hear!

How Better Hearing Impacts Our Quality of Life

 

Research conducted by the National Council on Aging has discovered that the treatment of hearing loss improves intimacy in relationships, ease of communication among peers, and participation in group social activities.  Dr. Sergei Kochkin states, "People with hearing loss delay a decision to get hearing help because they are unaware of the fact that receiving early treatment for hearing loss has the potential to literally transform their lives."

 

Read more about how better hearing impacts our quality of life 

When a Loved One Has Difficulty Recognizing Hearing Loss

Over time, we become acutely aware of loved ones who have difficulty hearing.  It takes an average of seven years for someone experiencing hearing loss to seek help.  How can we encourage them to get the help they need?  Dr. Richard Carmen, a Clinical Audiologist in Arizona, says, "When we think of helping a loved one with hearing loss, we often think of how important it is to repeat ourselves, speak clearly, speak louder or interpret what others say if they cannot hear the message. But when we do these good deeds for loved ones with a hearing loss, what we don't realize is that we're assisting in their failure to seek help.  Many people with a hearing loss never realize how much communication they actually fail to understand or miss completely because you have become their ears. However, it takes only a short time for them to realize that without your help, they're in trouble. It is through this realization that one becomes inspired to take positive action to solve their problem."  

Find out how you can help a loved one deal with hearing loss