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NewsletterJuly 2007 |
Hello, everyone! |
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Happy July 4th!
We're so thankful to live in this great country of ours, and always look forward to this time of year.
Nice to have allergy season over with, too! | |
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Sudden Hearing Loss
Hopefully none of you folks will have to deal with sudden hearing loss. It can be scary to all of a sudden find that you cannot hear out of one of your ears! Sudden hearing loss is defined as the loss of at least 30 dB of hearing over at least three test frequencies which occurs within three days. Five to twenty of every 100,000 people are afflicted with sudden hearing loss every year.
Reasons for sudden hearing loss
There are several reasons for this kind of a loss to occur. Vascular occlusion can cause this kind of a loss, when the blood supply to the inner ear is suddenly cut off. Sometimes a virus in the inner ear will cause this. And, in rare cases, a fast-growing tumor called an acoustic neuroma can cause this condition.
When vascular occlusion occurs, one's ear usually feels plugged up. A virus will bring on a host of symptoms, among them, pain, tinnitus, vertigo, a congested feeling in the ear.
Treatments used
A variety of treatments are used, with steroids being the most common. Antiviral medications, herbs, vitamins, minerals, hyperbaric oxygen and agents that dilute the blood are also sometimes used to treat sudden hearing loss. However, there are some otolaryngologists who choose not to treat this condition at all, citing spontaneous recovery rates of 32-70%.
Are they effective?
The June issue of Archives of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery discusses the fact that there is little scientific evidence that indicates any particular method of treatment for sudden hearing loss is helpful, even though the use of steroids has traditionally been the most common treatment. According to this study, "No difference existed between patients treated with antiviral plus steroid therapy vs. placebo plus steroid therapy. Finally, there was no difference between subjects treated with steroids vs. subjects treated with any other active treatment."
What makes sudden hearing loss difficult to treat is not knowing the cause. Without knowing the cause, it's a stab in the dark to treat it! Hence, the ambiguity regarding treatment protocols.
In the case of vascular occlusion, it is important to see an ENT immediately because one only has hours in which to remedy this situation. Remember, this is when the blood supply to the inner ear is stopped, so time is of the essence. It would make sense in this situation that steroids would be helpful, and there is usually a much higher success rate when treatment occurs soon after. For those who wait weeks and months to see the doctor, the recovery rate is poor. However, when sudden hearing loss has other causes, steroids may not be effective.
Therefore, the results of this study show a lack of evidence for any preferred treatment for this condition.
Conclusion
As this study concluded, "At present, sudden sensorineural hearing loss remains a medical emergency without a scientific understanding of its cause or a rational approach to its treatment."
Hearing loss and dangerous sounds
Cool web site! Here is a website that teaches about hearing and hearing loss using games and demos, including simulations of what common sounds are like for a person with a hearing loss, and a lot more. This site answers these questions: What are the sources of dangerous sounds? What are the effects of listening to dangerous sounds? How do I protect myself from dangerous sounds? This Virtual Exhibit is based on the Dangerous Decibels exhibit at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in Portland, OR. Check it out and have some fun!
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We welcome comments and suggestions
If you would like to comment or offer suggestions for topics to be covered in our Newsletter, please feel free to contact me. I'd love to hear from you! Also, if our Newsletter has been helpful to you, please forward your friends and loved ones to our web site address: www.advancedhearingplus.com .
Beth Bell |
Quote of the Month
"Always remember that you are unique; just like everyone else."
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Reminders |
| If you last had your hearing instruments cleaned in January, it is time to get them cleaned this month! |
Assisted Listening Devices |
| For Assisted Listening Devices, please visit our online store. We offer many products, including TV Ears, at competitive prices and shipped directly to your door. Satisfaction guaranteed. |
Referrals |
If you know someone who has been thinking about getting some new hearing aids and benefiting from newer technology, please send them our way. If they purchase a set of premium digital instruments, we will gladly supply you with 2 free boxes of batteries. If they purchase a set of basic or advanced digital hearing instruments, we will supply you with 1 free box of batteries.
We appreciate your referrals! As you know, we do not use telemarketing to acquire new customers. We rely upon word-of-mouth and media advertising. Not only will they receive the best care, but we can save them money, too! |
Questions? Comments? |
| Do you have a question, comment, or concern? Do you have a testimonial that you would like us to include in a future newsletter? Please don't hesitate to contact Jim or contact me. |
How to receive our newsletter |
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How to contact us
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Office Hours
Monday thru Friday 9-5
Saturday by appointment only
Address and Phone
816 Beltline Rd
Springfield, OR 97477
Telephone: 541-746-7671
Toll Free: 800-230-1953
Before or after hours, you are welcome to
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