With the Thanksgiving holiday coming we want to say thank you to all who have made the past 7 years at Blue Ribbon Hearing & Tinnitus Center a success.  We are grateful to members of the community who have used our services and continue to refer friends and family. Thank you for supporting our family and our locally owned and operated small business. 

Check Sudden Onset Hearing Loss Immediately!

After receiving a call from a friend regarding sudden-onset hearing loss, I decided it is time for another reminder on the topic. Sudden-onset hearing loss can have numerous causes, some of which are easily remedied and others which require immediate medical attention to prevent permanent loss of hearing. If you or someone you know experiences sudden onset hearing loss, be aware that it should be checked immediately to determine the cause and expedite treatment. 

Disfunction of any part of the auditory system can contribute to a sudden hearing loss. This includes a blockage of the outer ear canal, pressure from fluid or air in the middle ear, inflammation of the inner ear, or damage to the part of the brain that processes sound. The most common cause of a blocked ear canal that I see is impacted wax from using cotton swabs. Concerning middle ear issues, in recent years, I have seen more cases than ever before of otitis media (middle ear infections) where fluid in the middle ear prevents the eardrum from functioning properly. Most outer and middle ear issues can be fairly easily resolved. However, damage to the cochlea or inner ear from a viral infection is much more serious and can easily become permanent if not treated immediately. 

The only way to determine the cause of the hearing loss is to first do a visual inspection of the ear canal (using a video otoscope so the patient can also see inside the canal) followed by a hearing screening or air conduction test, then a bone conduction test if necessary to determine the type of hearing loss. Tympanometry can also be performed to check the pressure in the middle ear. Once the cause of the loss is determined, a recommendation for the next step in the process will be given. Again, any sudden onset hearing loss should be addressed immediately!

New Technology!

Last week I received a call from a patient who had watched a video about the new EDGE AI hearing aids and wanted to know if they would work for him. At that time, I could not give him a clear answer because the technology was so new that I had not yet learned enough about it. I had been caught off guard because the manufacturer had kept its release a secret. Since that time, I have attended a training meeting (everyone else in attendance was also surprised by the release) on the new technology and I am excited for both new and existing patients to try the new hearing devices. 

The EDGE AI technology is available in nearly every style to be able to accommodate nearly every hearing loss from mild to profound. While there are many technical terms and numerous features and benefits I could write about, the things I am most excited about are the new tools for treating tinnitus, the processing that improves overall speech clarity and hearing in noise, and the new Bluetooth connectivity options. Please call to set up an appointment to find out if it will help you or a loved one hear and understand better.