Hearing Resources

Hearing Resources

Another resource to provide you with access to many helpful hearing related articles.

• Addiction Treatment Centers

  If you or your loved one are struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, you have come to the right place. Division On Addictions is an organization that was created for the sole purpose of helping those who are affected by an alcohol or drug addiction problem to locate a local rehab center near them.

• Miami-Dade County Covid-19 Resources

  These are unprecedented times that we find ourselves in, and so, I want to do everything I can to help my patients and community while our office is closed. I have collated a whole bunch of useful information and links below to help you access the essential services and support you need during the Covid-19 crisis in Monroe County.

• What is an Audiologist?

  Audiologists are health-care professionals who evaluate, diagnose, treat, and manage hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance disorders. An Audiologist is a person who holds a minimum of a Masters degree in Audiology.

• Hearing Aids in the Presence of Background Noise

  Virtually all patients wearing hearing aids complain about background noise at one time or another. There is no way to completely eliminate background noise.

• What is Digital Technology?

  The term digital is used so often today, it can be confusing. When a hearing aid is termed digital, it generally means the hearing aid uses 100% digital processing. In other words, the hearing aid is indeed a complete computer.

• Taking an Impression of the Ear

  All custom made hearing aids and earmolds are made from a “cast” of the ear. The cast is referred to as an ear impression. The hearing aid specialist makes the ear impression in the office. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes.

• Hearing Aid Battery Information

  All batteries are toxic and dangerous if swallowed. Keep all batteries (and hearing aids) away from children and pets. If anyone swallows a battery it is a medical emergency and the individual needs to see a physician immediately.

• How do I know if I have Hearing Loss?

  Hearing loss is a natural part of the aging process. Hearing challenges can begin to present themselves based upon your hearing health history, including exposure to loud noise, certain medications, infections, head or ear trauma, congenital (birth or prenatal) or hereditary factors, as well as a number of other causes.

• Middle Ear Implants

  Middle ear implants are surgically implanted devices. The FDA has approved specific middle ear implants and the FDA is still reviewing others. The middle ear implant is a useful hearing instrument and is quite different from traditional hearing aids.

• Realistic Expectations for the Hearing Aid User

  Hearing aids work very well when fit and adjusted appropriately. They are designed to make words and the conversations easier to understand in all situations, without making sounds appear to be too loud.

• Three Levels of Hearing Aid Technology

  There are essentially three levels of hearing aid technology. We refer to these as analog, digitally programmable, and digital.

• Medical Science Shows Insight into Noisy Eyeballs and Tinnitus

  Tinnitus is an abnormal perception of a sound which is reported by patients that is unrelated to an external source of stimulation. Tinnitus is a very common disorder.

• Type and Degree of Hearing Loss

  Results of the audiometric evaluation are plotted on a chart called an audiogram. Loudness is plotted from top to bottom. Frequency, from low to high, is plotted from left to right.

• Types of Hearing Aids

  There are many styles of hearing aids. The degree of the hearing loss, power and options required, manual dexterity abilities, cost factors, and cosmetic concerns are some of the factors that will determine the style the patient will use.

• Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs)

  ALDs can increase the loudness of desired sounds, such as a radio, television, or a public speaker, without increasing the loudness of the background noises.

• Candidates for ALDs

  People with all degrees and types of hearing loss — even people with normal hearing can benefit from assistive listening devices.

• Types of ALDs

  There are many assistive listening devices available today, from sophisticated systems used in theaters and auditoriums to small personal systems.

• The Prevalence of Tinnitus

  Tinnitus is the term for the perception of sound when no external sound is present. It is often referred to as “ringing in the ears,” although some people hear hissing, roaring, whistling, chirping, or clicking.

• Cause of Tinnitus

  Tinnitus may originate from various lesions and from different sites. The auditory system involves highly complicated inner ear structures, many afferent and efferent nerve pathways and a great amount of nuclei that form a complex meshwork.

• Tinnitus Treatment and Management

  Generally, most patients will not need any medical treatment for their tinnitus. For patients who are greatly bothered by tinnitus, they may use some masking techniques such as listening to a fan or radio which would mask some of their tinnitus.

• Cochlear Implants

  Cochlear implants are a means of surgical amplification for patients with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss. There is an internal and external device as part of the implant. Appropriately-identified adults and children with severe to profound hearing loss can be implanted starting as early as 12 months of age.

• What is a Neurotologist?

  Otologists or neurotologists are physicians who in addition to their ENT requirements continue their specialized training for an additional year or more in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the ear.

• Different Types of Ear Physician Specialists

  Otolaryngologists (also called ear-nose-and-throat, or ENT, doctors) are physicians who have advanced training in disorders of the ear, nose, throat and head and neck.

• What is an Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)?

  Auditory Processing (also called Central Auditory Processing) refers to the means by which we make sense of what we hear. Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is a term for the variety of disorders that affect the way the brain processes information.

• A Discussion of Acoustic Neuroma

  Acoustic tumors are fibrous growths originating from the auditory nerve and are usually not malignant. They do not spread to other parts of the brain, other than by direct extension.

• A Discussion of Hearing Problems in Children

  Five thousand children are born profoundly deaf each year in the United States alone. Another 10 to 15 percent of newborns have a partial hearing handicap.

• A Discussion of Facial Nerve Problems

  Spasm, weakness or paralysis of the face is a symptom of some disorder involving the facial nerve. It is not a disease in itself.

• A Discussion of Dizziness

  Dizziness is a symptom not a disease. It may be defined as a sensation of unsteadiness, imbalance, or disorientation in relation to an individual’s surroundings.

• A Discussion of Chronic Ear Infections

  Chronic ear infection is the result of an ear infection that has left a residual injury to the ear.

• What is a 'Hearing Instrument Specialist'?

  The hearing aid specialist has training in the assessment of patients who specifically seek rehabilitation for hearing loss.

• Who will I see about my Ear and Hearing Problems?

  An audiologist is a person who has a masters or doctoral degree in audiology. Audiology is the science of hearing. In addition, the audiologist must be licensed or registered by their state (in 47 states) to practice audiology.