Hyperacusis and Tinnitus

It is estimated that 40% of tinnitus sufferers also suffer from hyperacusis. The reason for this is not completely known. However, it is theorized that the central nervous system does not respond properly to an incoming signal, miscuing the amplifying or dampening actions of the cochlea and middle ear resulting or contributing to the presence of both conditions. For more information on the correlation between hyperacusis and tinnitus, click here.         Image provided courtesy Ambro

The Origin of Hyperacusis

Hyperacusis occurs because the protective mechanisms a normal ear employs are malfunctioning. In fact, even with hearing protection, noises can still seem too loud to a person suffering from hyperacusis. It can come on suddenly or develop over time. Causes of hyperacusis include: Exposure to Loud Noise Head Injury Ototoxic Medications Meniere's Disease TMJ Lyme Disease Autism Central Auditory Processing Disorders For more information on hyperacusis, visit our website!

What is Hyperacusis?

Hyperacusis is an abnormal sensitivity to ordinarily tolerable sounds. Sounds at normal volume levels seem intolerably loud to a person suffering from hyperacusis. It can range from a person who is mildly uncomfortable in a social setting like a restaurant to a person who has a painful level of discomfort from many of the sounds encountered in daily life like page turning or television volume. To a person suffering with this condition, all sounds seem too loud. Click here to read The American Speech and Hearing Association's definition of hyperacusis. Image provided courtesty of Ambro

Frequently Asked Questions About Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids

• How do I know when it's time to have my hearing tested? 
• How often should I have my hearing evaluated?
• How long does a hearing test take?
• What is the difference between an audiologist and a hearing aid dealer?
• How much does a hearing test cost? Why do hearing aid dealers give "free" hearing tests while audiologists usually bill insurance?
• If I purchase hearing aids, how long will it be until they become obsolete?
• Don't hearing aids just make everything louder?

For answers to these questions and more, click on the following links:
FAQs and Audiologists and Hearing Aid Dealers

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How to Buy A Hearing Aid Without Getting Snookered!

How do I select the right hearing aid for my particular type of hearing loss without spending too much? 
How much should hearing aids cost?
How do I know what accessories and features I really need?
How can I avoid buying more than what I need?

Dr. Jan Dungan, Clinical Audiologist of Appalachian Audiology, will answer these questions and more at a community lecture on November 8th at 10:00 at the Chota Recreational Center in Loudon, TN.  Everyone is welcome to attend!  Bring a friend and plenty of questions!

Treating Dizziness and Vertigo

Advances in hearing healthcare make eliminating or severely limiting the occurence of dizziness or vertigo possible. Audiologists perform audiologic and balance tests to determine the potential causes of these ailments. Often, an individualized treatment plan will include: Balance retraining exercises Low sodium diet Restricted use of caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco Medicines for nausea prescribed by a medical doctor Vestibular rehabilitation For more information on dizziness or vertigo, visit our website!

Causes of Dizziness or Vertigo

There are several potential causes of inner ear dysfunctions that lead to dizziness/vertigo including: . Bacterial ear infections Hole in the inner ear Inner ear inflammation Foreign objects in the ear canal Meneire Disease Medicines that damage or poison the inner ear (ototoxic medications) Acoustic Neuroma (a non-cancerous growth on the vestibular nerve which connects the inner ear to the brain) Click here for more information on the causes of dizziness/vertigo from the Mayo Clinic.