Is It Autism or Hearing Loss?
The best treatment for any disorder or medical condition is contingent on an accurate diagnosis. Due to many overlapping symptoms, children with autism are often misdiagnosed with severe hearing loss or deafness. Being able to recognize the signs of hearing loss and autism spectrum disorder is key to ensuring your child is getting the early intervention they…
Machine Learning Enhances Speech Recognition
Researchers are constantly working to improve hearing aids and make it easier for users to understand sounds and speech in any environment. A recent study out of Germany created a human speech recognition model based on machine learning that produced some exciting results. What is Machine Learning and How Does it Help Hearing Aids? Machine…
Study Finds Unexpected Brain Shrinkage in Patients with Hearing Loss
Previous research has shown a link between hearing loss and an increased risk of dementia. A new study may offer additional insight into the structural brain changes hearing loss may cause. Brain Changes in People with Alzheimer’s and Hearing Loss The study from researchers at The Carle Illinois College of Medicine analyzed data from the…
Habits You Should Quit for Your Hearing Health
You probably already know that old age and noise exposure can contribute to hearing loss. But did you also know that some of your bad habits are linked to hearing loss too? Below we review three habits to quit for your hearing health. Smoking The inner ears rely on oxygen from a healthy supply of…
Hearing Loss Signs for Musicians
If you’re a musician, loud nights at venues like The Marquee are a regular part of life. Unfortunately, too many of these nights without proper protection leaves you at a higher risk of developing hearing loss. A 2017 study examined 125 musicians with at least five years of professional experience and had them undergo audiometric…
What is Unilateral Hearing Loss?
What is Single Sided Deafness? Sometimes referred to as unilateral hearing loss, single sided deafness is a condition in which an individual experiences hearing loss in only one ear but can hear normally out of the other ear. While most patients with a hearing impairment suffer from bilateral (two-sided) hearing loss, SSD affects approximately 60,000…
What is Sudden Hearing Loss?
For most people who experience hearing loss, the condition comes on gradually over a period of years. In rare cases, an abrupt loss of hearing occurs with little or no warning. This condition is known as sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL). What is Sudden Deafness? Sudden deafness is an unexplained and rapid hearing loss that…
What is Noise Induced Hearing Loss?
How Can Sounds Hurt Your Ears? Background sound is a constant in our busy lives. Normally, background noises are at safe levels that do not negatively impact our hearing. But repeated exposure to noise above 85 decibels (dB) can cause noise induced hearing loss. The louder the sound, the less amount of time it takes…
What You Don’t Know Can Hurt Your Hearing
You may already be familiar with the two most common causes of hearing loss: aging and exposure to loud noise. But there are other causes you may not know about. Below we review four surprising risk factors for hearing loss. 1. Sleep Apnea Recent studies have found a strong link between sleep apnea and hearing…
Reasons to Reach Out For Audiology Awareness Month
Did you know that October has been Audiology Awareness Month? That means there’s no better time to reach out to an audiologist to have your hearing checked. Below we review the reasons you should schedule a hearing test. Falls & Accidental Injuries Untreated hearing loss is associated with a risk of falls and accidental injuries….