Breakthroughs
HOW THE EARS WORK.
Your ear is divided into three major components: the inner ear, the middle ear, and the outer ear.
The outer ear is what is physically seen in our bodies. The ear canal is the path where the sound waves pass through. It is also seen from the outside. The ear canal acts like a funnel catching the sound waves and lead them to the eardrum.
The middle ear is where the eardrum is located. It is actually a small space inside the ear filled with air.
In the middle ear, there are three tiny bones. Collectively, they are called the ossicles. Individually, there are the hammer, the anvil, and the stirrup. From the outer ear, sound is directed to the eardrum. Now on the eardrum, these bones move in tune with the sound that passes on the vibration toward a much smaller part of the ear, the cochlea.
The cochlea is already part of the inner ear. It has fluid in it, which, in turn, moves the hairs on the outside of the cells. Several of these hair cells create an electrical impulse that is send with the auditory nerve directly to the brain. The brain then processes the information and you are able to hear the sounds. All these processes are done in a matter of microseconds.
If one or more of these processes fail, then you get hearing loss. In general, there are three types of hearing loss.
These are:
The conductive hearing loss,
The sensor neural hearing loss,
The mixed hearing loss.
Conductive hearing loss is a disorder if either the outer ear or the middle ear prevents the sound from getting into the inner part of the ear. If you have this problem, the sounds you hear are faint and distorted. This is mainly due to ear canal infection, wax build-up or the presence of a foreign object in the ear canal.
Sensor neural hearing loss happens if the nerves in the inner ear become damaged. They cannot transmit the signals to the brain. People with this illness say that they hear speech as mumbles or they are able to hear that you are saying something but can't understand it at all. This is common to old people. Other than age, the factors that contribute to this type of hearing loss are injury, diabetes, meningitis, or even heredity, among others.
Mixed hearing loss comes about when these two are combined. This means the patient has problems with all the components of the ear. He has acquired both conductive and sensor neural hearing loss.
Hearing tests are conducted with an individual that is believed to have hearing problems. In a hearing test, the attending physician will be able to determine the degree of hearing loss one has. It also determines if only one ear has a problem or both. The doctor will also know exactly where the problem lies, if it is in the inner ear, the outer ear, or the middle ear, so that it can be treated as necessary.
The graphs of the audiogram, which is the chart where the hearing test results are recorded, would also show the loudness and the pitch that the person can hear, in contrast to what he can't. It will show the sound frequencies that you hear the best and the frequencies you hear the worst.
If you think you have hearing problems, consult with an audiologist right away, so that the problem be corrected quickly. The audiologist is an ear expert, and they can attend to your problem and address your health questions accordingly. You just have to make an appointment with their office.
The ears are such an important part of the body. Take care of your hearing accordingly. Do everything that you can to preserve the way it works.
Losing your sense of hearing is unthinkable. You will miss a lot of things around you. You won't be able to appreciate good music. You won't be able to communicate with other people even. The ears have such an important role in our body. Do not take your hearing for granted, especially as you grow old.
WHAT CAUSES HEARING LOSS?
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Our sense of hearing is one of the wonderful gifts that are bestowed upon human beings. Hearing gives us the ability to perceive sound and listen to the world around us. Hearing allows us to enjoy music. Hearing makes us appreciate the calm sound of nature. And most of all, it gives us the ability to communicate with one another.
Hearing loss can be caused by many factors. Some factors are so evident we can actually prevent it while others could be something that we do not have control of. In order for you to understand what causes hearing loss with the aim to avoid it, follow the information below:
1. Ear infection. An ear infection could be characterized in many ways. It can affect the inner ear, the middle ear, or the outer ear. Ear infection could also arise due to poor hygienic practices.
2. Wax build-up. The ears have fluid in them. That fluid comes in contact with the dirt around us. Once that happens, wax is formed in the ears. If not cleaned regularly, it could build up to the extent that it would cause the person not to hear well.
3. Foreign objects in the ear canal. Anything inside the ear, no matter how small it is, would cause a person not to hear properly. It may also lead to ear infection if not removed right away.
4. Tumors. Tumors, if it grows inside the ear, would definitely cause hearing loss. Tumors are unusual growths. Once you see a tumor growing in your ear or in any part of your body, you should consult to the physician right away to check it, as it may grow so big it affects the rest of your body.
5. Injuries. Injuries to the ear would surely cause hearing loss. There are also injuries that are not directed to the ears but cause hearing problems. Common injuries, mostly to the head would contribute to the state.
6. Excessive exposure to noise. People who are always in a place where there is loud music or sound will gradually have hearing problems. This is also go true with people that are fond of using headphones and playing the songs too loud through those headphones.
7. Viral infections. In children, hearing loss can occur if and when they contracted viral diseases such as measles or mumps. These illnesses are known to affect the sense of hearing in children and they would continue to have problems with it until they are full-grown adults. It is then advisable for parents to consult a pediatrician when symptoms of these diseases show.
8. Ototoxic drugs. There are medicines that can cause hearing problems. These medicines are for an entirely different disease, but the side effects are causing hearing loss. It is very important to ask your doctor of all the possible side effects of the drugs you take in so that you can be informed accordingly.
9. Certain Diseases. There are a lot of diseases that can directly cause hearing loss. Some of these are meningitis, diabetes, high fever, stroke, or Meniere's disease. If you have contracted these diseases sometime before, it could be the reason why you are having hearing problems now.
10. Heredity. There are cases that everything in your body checks well but you are having hearing problems apparently for no reason at all. It may be because you have this problem in your blood. Your DNA causes the problem. Somebody in your lineage may have the same hearing loss problem and it was passed on to you.
These are the common reasons why a person has hearing problems.
There are still other causes not stated here. At the first signs of a hearing problem, go to your doctor right away. It is not good to wait because hearing loss, if ignored, may lead to deafness.
Your ears are very important. Hearing allows you to appreciate all the sounds around you. It enables you to communicate properly. It is a must to take care of your ears because without them, you won't be able to live your life to the fullest.
HEARING LOSS AND QUALITY OF LIFE
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The loss of hearing has such a huge impact on a person and how he relates to other people. The loss of hearing is apparent in older individuals. But it could also happen due to an unfortunate accident that damages the sense of hearing. In either case, it is a problem that has to be dealt with accordingly.
People who are experiencing the loss of their hearing need support and attention. This is a life shattering ordeal they are going through. The suffering is going to be more bearable if they feel they are not alone in the battle.
The quality of life for an individual suffering from hearing loss is definitely affected in many ways. Here are just few things a person could feel amidst hearing loss:
1. People with hearing problems tend to be socially isolated. Because these people feel they are less understood and less wanted they are likely to confine themselves inside their own comfort zones. They talk less and less each day, even to the people they love. They are usually seen inside their rooms, mostly doing nothing. They do not want to attend social gatherings any longer. They always prefer to be alone.
2. People with hearing problems are more prone to psychological problems. Studies show that people who are losing their hearing are in a higher risk of contracting psychological problems. This is because as they tend to experience isolation, they begin to think negative thoughts changing their perceptions of the world around them. They begin falling into a state of self pity for because they can no longer do the things they usually do.
3. People with hearing problems become lonely. If you compare the emotional status of the person before he contracted hearing problems, you will notice that he is sadder and more forlorn now than before. It is hard for a person who is feeling difficulties within his bodily system to be happy.
4. People with hearing problems tend to change their overall behavior. There are some people who become ill-tempered as they begin to lose their hearing. Some begin to withdraw into a web of depression. Others may cast their families and friends away.
These are just some of the common reactions of people who are feeling the weight of hearing loss. Not everyone may have a similar reaction. But the main thing is that these people tend to change their everyday way of living, usually for the worse. These are their personal responses to the problem they are facing.
5. People with problems in hearing have problems in talking too. As people begin to feel the difficulty to hear, they are also finding it harder to communicate. They feel less comfortable talking because they do not know for sure that they are being understood.
Further, those with a higher degree of hearing loss may not be confident enough that they are speaking the right words, because they cannot hear themselves anymore. Our lives involve a daily face-to-face communication. That is the reality. We cannot go through the rest of our days without feeling the need to communicate.
6. People with hearing loss could have problems with their jobs and other similar aspects. The people who are losing their sense of hearing may find it difficult to perform their jobs and their daily tasks. As a result, they perform less and they begin to make errors. Their work performance is affected thus making them lose their job altogether or settle for an early retirement instead.
Some degree of hearing loss is almost a certainty. Not everyone will experience it just because we age, but many will as they get older. It cannot be helped, no matter how we wish it not to happen. It is inevitable and we just have to accept that.
That is also the reason why we should all be more tolerant and supportive of people who are in a stage of losing their hearing abilities. Science is always coming up with ways to counter the problem.
We can help through that. Hearing aids are an option. Support groups are organized. We will discuss more on this in upcoming chapters.
HOW ARE DIZZINESS AND VERTIGO RELATED
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Vertigo is the sensation of whirling or spinning, which occurs as a direct result of disturbance to one's balance or equilibrium. Dizziness is the term most widely used to describe this feeling.
There are two kinds of vertigo, the subjective vertigo, which means a person senses a movement, or the objective vertigo, wherein the person has a perception that the things around him are moving.
Vertigo is actually a symptom, and not a disease in itself. Usually, it is a result of a disorder in the vestibular system. The vestibular system is the structure, which consists of the inner ear, the vestibular nerve, the brainstem, and the cerebellum. It is also the system responsible for integrating the sensory stimuli, as well as your movements. It also keeps the object you see in visual focus, even if your body is moving.
In reality, vertigo and dizziness are the symptoms of Meniere's Disease. The disease is characterized by a very disturbing illness. It presents the patients with hearing loss, as well as pressure in the ear. People who have this disease also have what is called tinnitus and a severe imbalance.
The four full symptoms of Meniere's disease are periodic episodes of rotatory vertigo or simply dizziness; a progressively fluctuating hearing loss with sounds of low frequency; tinnitus; and a sensation of fullness in the ear.
Vertigo or dizziness is actually the most dramatic of the disruptive symptoms of a patient with Meniere's disease. A vertigo attack, especially when it becomes very common is usually enough to make the patient go to a doctor and seek medical treatment. Vertigo usually attacks in a series over a period of several weeks or even months.
The person having a vertigo attack would just suddenly feel unsteady and will usually see all the things surrounding him spinning. It may even produce the beating of the eyes from one side to another. Plus, the person feels nausea, vomiting, and sweating. It is just like he is feeling extreme motion sickness.
Studies show that before vertigo attacks, one feels a sensation in his ear. He feels his ear becomes full, or there is some sort of pressure in it. In line with that, he feels as if his hearing is lost for the time being and tinnitus as well. A vertigo attack reaches its peak intensity within minutes. But it can last for an hour or so before it subsides. And the feeling of unsteadiness could go on for several hours or even days.
Tinnitus is referred to as the loud ringing in the ears. It is usually a long, sustained sound. There are instances of a brief episode of tinnitus, which usually last a few seconds. They would usually hear a long ping. Tinnitus in patients with Meniere's disease does not last for a few seconds. It lasts in considerable period of time.
The Meniere's disease is what binds vertigo and dizziness to the actual loss of hearing of an individual.
Research shows that there is an average of 1 to 7 people for every 1000 who acquire this disease. It is most common to people within the range of 40 to 50 years old. People 20 years old and above have the possibility of contracting the disease, although it can very rare. Children with this disease are also uncommon.
Most of the time, surgery is going to be needed to cure Meniere's Disease and the onset of vertigo. Spontaneous recovery is not really the thing here. But if it is treated properly, in two years, the incidence of vertigo will relatively be lesser to almost nothing.
There are different tests to determine if a person does have Meniere's disease. An audiogram is one thing. It determines the certain frequency of sound a person can't hear. Additional tests include balance test, electrocochleography, and brainstem evoked response audiometry.
If you feel the symptoms of Menieres disease, do not waste time and consult a physician. Vertigo is so disturbing it will be hard to ignore. Meniere's disease can be cured easily so do not be afraid.
HOW HEARING LOSS AFFECTS YOU PROFESSIONALLY
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Losing your sense of hearing is going to be a big problem, both personally and professionally. You'll know you have hearing problems if you often ask people to repeat what they say. Or you cannot hear the doorbell or the telephone any longer. It is also apparent if others complain that you play the radio or the TV too loudly.
Hearing can definitely affect your personal life because the way you communicate with your family and friends is going to be harder. It goes with your professional career too. Especially if you have the need to converse every time you do your job.
To give you a better overview of how the loss of hearing affects you professionally, here is a list of the most common things.
The aim here is to let you know that this problem has to be addressed as soon as possible if you want to continue in your career.
1. If you have hearing loss, you will experience difficulty understanding company presentations. A person with hearing problems will find it hard to comprehend what has gone on in a meeting or a presentation. You might have a good idea of what was talked about, but you might have missed some important details.
2. If you have hearing loss, you cannot lead a meeting yourself. Hearing loss will be a problem if you preside an assembly. More often than not, your tendency is to keep talking even if somebody is trying to interrupt you. It is because you hear yourself more than you hear others talk. And, more importantly, you might not give the correct answers to the questions presented to you because you were not able to figure out what exactly the person is trying to say.
3. If you have hearing problems, you won't do well in your regular evaluation. Performance evaluation could differ from one company to another. Some companies do regular interviews with their employees, even on an informal basis. And this will definitely add to your assessment. A person with hearing loss may not perform well in an interview because he might continually ask his interviewee to repeat the questions.
4. If you have hearing loss, you might not be promoted. Although this is discriminatory and could be illegal, if the company feels you are not competent enough to head a department because you have a problem with your hearing and are not doing anything about it, they could put your name at the bottom of the most eligible persons list.
5. If you have hearing loss, your overall performance is going to be affected. You may not perform well in your job in general. For one thing, you will not be able to follow instructions correctly because you were not able to fully understand what your superior would like you to do. The result, you will be redoing tasks because you did not understand the work before beginning.
6. If you have hearing loss, you might even lose your job entirely. If it has been apparent to the company that you have problems with hearing and it directly affects your job and performance, at first they might offer you some medication for it, as required by law. But if that still does not work, you might be given a temporary leave of absence, with their approval valid until after you are completely healed. And if you still continue with the problem for some reason, the company might offer you an early retirement instead.
These are just a few examples of the negative impact undiagnosed hearing loss can have on your career.
So as a piece of advice, at the first signs of hearing loss, consult a physician right away. You do not want to worsen the situation that could eventually lead to these instances if you do not deal with your hearing problem accordingly.
If you don’t, you might just lose the career you have worked so hard to achieve.
WHO IS AT RISK FOR HEARING LOSS?
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Hearing Loss – Are You At Risk?
Our modern world is filled with hundreds of different sounds that we experience in our daily lives. Take, for example, a normal working adult. He is greeted in the morning by the shrill sound of the alarm clock. The loud voices of the reporters on the morning news program on the television or radio coming out of the speakers.
Out on the road, there is the shrill cutting volume of the music on the car radio or CD player accompanying the honking horns of the automobiles during rush hour traffic.
Various sounds emanate from an assortment of technological devices inside the office building, such as copier machines, computer speakers, raised voices in meetings, the clicking of the keyboards, and a whole lot more. You go through this routine for a significant amount of time per day, five days a week. For the weekends, one might watch a football game at the stadium, with 80,000 people screaming together, or go to an amusement park with the family and hear the noises the rides make.
Keep in mind that this is just one small example of what a typical individual goes through each day. After several years of going through this routine, he/she might experience gradual hearing loss due to the accumulated volume of different sounds and noises over the years. You can be that same person, so it would benefit you if you find out now if you are at risk for hearing loss.
Among those at risk, particularly in today’s generation, are the ones who frequently listen to their MP3 players, and/or iPods. Research has suggested that there is an increase in hearing loss in the youth of today, many of whom can be seen with earphones wedged inside their ears.
The earphones (or headphones, in some cases) are the bridge between the music from the device to the ear canal. Since the sounds go directly into the ears, outside noise can be drowned out by simply increasing the volume, thereby allowing the user to enjoy the music without interruption – but at a costly price.
Obviously, increasing the volume means exposing the ears to greater levels of strain, which in the future could diminish and cost that person his hearing.
Of course, the duration of the exposure to high decibel levels is also a major factor.
If you tend to listen to music at around 85 decibels only (as opposed to 100 or above), but for over eight hours a day, it could potentially lead to hearing loss as you grow older.
If you’re a person that doesn’t use any MP3 players, iPods, or the like, it does not mean that you are exempted from possible hearing loss. In fact, every individual is at risk if he or she does not take the proper precautions in protecting their ears.
Factory workers are at risk because of the excessive noise levels most, if not all, of the machines make.
Beauticians and those who work in the salon are at a similar risk – this is because of those noisy hair dryers and blowers. Gardeners have their lawn mowers to worry about, since they too make a lot of noise.
Law enforcement officials and protection agencies have their sirens and guns as cause for concern in terms of decibel levels – they are over 120 db, which could hurt the ears a lot, particularly for continuous periods of time.
Whatever the case, a person is almost always at risk, depending on his/her lifestyle and the various occupational hazards they occur. What is important is to try and protect yourself from these possible dangers.
There are several ways to reduce the risk of future hearing loss. You may choose to wear ear protectors, such as earplugs and earmuffs. Earplugs are usually worn by musicians in order to preserve their ears, due to the noise level they create while performing music.
Ordinary people can follow their example by using earplugs while knowingly passing through in high-decibel level areas, such as construction sites. Earmuffs are usually seen in firing ranges and can help those who are exposed to excessive decibel levels constantly.
Limiting noise exposure will go a long way in helping you. If you know you have to pass through a noisy place, avoiding it will be beneficial. Even simply going to a quiet and tranquil place can help give your ears the rest they need. This is a good alternative to spending your weekends.
Avoid potential loss of hearing. Start taking precautions now.
IDENTIFYING HEARING LOSS IN CHILDREN
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Hearing loss, considered to be one very prevalent birth defect in infants, affects approximately 4 in every 1,000 American newborns.
According to a recent research, about 7 million American children undergo some type and level of hearing loss, 15 percent of which experience “aural impairment” in just one or even both ears.
Hearing loss may have a huge effect on your child’s life. Because communication and language rapidly develop during your child’s first three years, an unrecognized hearing loss will interfere with your child’s language, communication and speech.
Furthermore, your child’s hearing loss can cause learning problems and consequently affect your child’s school performance.
The objective of early detection, screening, diagnosis and ultimately treatment of hearing loss, is to aid children in cultivating academic skills and language equal to your child’s normal hearing peers.
Cause of hearing loss.
Hearing loss may be inherited or caused by injury or illness. And in a few cases, cause is not unknown; nearly 3 in every 1 thousand American children are born with hearing difficulty or deafness. Note that 9 in every 10 American children that are born with hearing difficulties or deafness in fact have parents who have no problems in hearing.
Genetic factors are also established to cause nearly 50% of congenital (inborn) hearing loss cases. Approximately 25 genes playing a part in a child’s hearing loss are already identified.
Illnesses during pregnancy like cytomegalovirus, rubella, syphilis, toxoplasmosis or herpes also may cause hearing loss.
Hearing loss signs
Identifying hearing loss especially in children and infants necessitates meticulous observation, systematic medical examination as well as audiological testing.
• You need to raise your voice consistently in order to get your child's attention.
• Your child frequently asks "huh?" or "what?" when you are talking to him.
• Your child’s response to sounds is inconsistent, at times hearing it while other times may not.
• Your child had suffered some sort of ear infection.
• Your child complains that his ears are painful.
• Your watches T.V. with very high volume level.
• Your child's speech very poor compared to other his age.
• Your child seldom uses verbal language.
• Your child asks frequently that you repeat what you have said.
Undergoing tests
When you notice a hearing problem, have your child undergo a “hearing test” and other hearing evaluations. Behavioral testing
Behavioral hearing assessments are employed with children that can already respond well to sounds through head turning their or through playing some sort of a game.
Behavioral tests offer 3 main parts of information:
• Measure the amount or degree of a child’s hearing loss.
• locate the problem
• provide data about how hearing loss can impact your child's ability to communicate.
“Auditory Brainstem Response” Testing
When behavioral testing does not provide accurate results in some children and infants, an “Auditory Brainstem Response Test” or ABR is recommended.
ABR provides useful information regarding the amount and type of “hearing loss”, its effect on the child’s communication skills as well as the hearing nerve’s functioning.
Otoacoustic Emissions
This measures “otoacoustic emissions-sound” generally sent out by the child’s inner ear.
Some kind of tiny microphone is usually placed into the “ear canal” then the sounds therein are analyzed through a computer.
Medical evaluations
1. Otolaryngology. Here, an otolaryngologist finalizes the medical evaluation of your child’s hearing system then obtains a complete medical history.
If there is a problem, the otolaryngologist is able to establish if surgical or medical treatment can make it better.
2. Medical genetics. Its main purpose is to, if possible, establish the hearing loss cause.
This evaluation includes your family’s medical history, physical examination, review and evaluation of birth records as well as hearing tests.
3. Ophthalmology. Because in some cases children can have visual difficulties other than hearing loss, an investigation by your ophthalmologist may be recommended.
This is done because often, children suffering from hearing loss depend more on “visual” cues compared to children of normal hearing.
It is a fact that hearing loss or difficulty can greatly slow down or delay your child’s development. When your child cannot clearly hear, this limits his capability to learn and communicate well.
However, an important note to keep in mind is that if hearing loss or difficulty is recognized as early as possible, most children progress with normal intellect and lead productive lives. As a parent, never ignore the signs; never wait until it’s too late.
WHAT IS OTITIS?
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Understanding Otitis in Children
Otitis media, being the leading common infection affecting children, is the principal cause of doctor visits by children. Also, it is the most recurrent reason children obtain antibiotic treatments or even undergo surgery.
Approximately 3 to 4 billion dollars are spent on patients diagnosed of severe Otitis media as well as related complications each year.
Ear infections in fact affect all ages; however they are significantly common among children especially between 6 months up to 3 years old. This is due to the fact that the infants’ immune systems are still developing.
Short and immature, somewhat horizontal and easily blocked “eustachian tubes” can be responsible for ear infections.
Fluid can persist in your child’s “middle ear” for weeks and even months, resulting at some level short-term hearing loss but at a curtail time for cognitive and language development.
AOM or “acute otitis media” usually is associated with an upper respiratory viral infection.
The infection may be attributed to a bacteria or virus along with enlarged adenoids, allergies, or colds that result in eustachian tube blockage.
OME or “otitis media with effusion” refers generally to the existence of fluid in your child’s middle ear. Generally, it is asymptomatic and usually is detected during “well-child” examinations, the infection normally is caused by constant scratching, moisture like during swimming in the pool or placing objects in the “ear canal”.
How otitis media occurs
Compared to adults.
It is difficult for kids to fight infection leading to ear infections. Otitis media generally occurs when bacteria or viruses get inside your child’s ear then cause infection. Usually this is an outcome of another ailment like cold or flu.
Researchers affirm that being around smoke from cigarette can also play a part to otitis ear infections.
Treatment
“Acute otitis media” or AOM is generally treated with antibiotics taken orally; amoxicillin generally is the “first-line” antibiotic “acute otitis media” treatment.
Children with AOE or “otitis media with effusion” typically do not require antibiotics because the fluid normally does not disturb children and it virtually disappears after 3-6 weeks. However, when the fluid in the ear still exists even after months and causing hearing difficulties, antibiotics will help.
Unnecessary antibiotics in fact may be harmful because after every sequence of antibiotics, more likely children can bear resistant or already immune bacteria. And these are not typically killed or destroyed by common antibiotics, so that when kids get resistant bacteria infections; it can be hard to cure or treat the infection and will require high-priced antibiotics or antibiotics through injections.
Therefore, because “otitis media with effusion” AOE does bother children, you should wait and only give antibiotics when needed.
Otitis media effects
An untreated otitis media infection can move from the “middle ear” throughout the neighboring head parts, counting the brain as well and can result to hearing impairment permanently when left untreated.
Hearing loss happens when fluid build-up impedes the eardrum’s ability and causes the “middle ear bones” to freely move. Excessive fluid also can put much weight on your child’s eardrum and eventually tear it.
Likewise, persistent fluid in your child’s middle ear can lessen your child’s hearing capability at a critical time for language and speech development.
Diagnosis
Otitis media generally is diagnosed on the basis of one in two tests so as to verify the fluid’s presence behind your child’s eardrum.
In the pneumatic otoscopy test, your physician employs an otoscope so to search for fluid, examine eardrum appearance and observe how well does the eardrum move.
In a tympanography testing, your physician utilizes a typanogram in order to establish the state of the eustachian tube as well as the eardrum’s movement.
Your child may have “acute otitis media” if:
• There is fluid present behind your child’s eardrum
• Your child complains of ear pain
• Fever
• Your child’s eardrum is either yellow or bulging red
Your child may have “otitis media with effusion” if:
• There is fluid present behind your child’s eardrum
• The eardrum can not move freely
• The child does not feel pain and has no fever as well as no yellow or bulging red eardrum
When observing anything abnormal or unusual that you notice with your children, never ignore it; take notice and consult your pediatrician at once. It is always better to be safe now, than to be sorry later.
HEARING LOSS AND SPEECH IN CHILDREN
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The Effects of hearing Loss on Your Child’s Speech
Nearly 28 million Americans including about 1 million children have some level of “reduced hearing”, varying from severely deaf to several stages of “progressive hearing loss”.
Hearing loss generally is determined by how much sound volume your child can hear without amplification. Normally, it is categorized as slight or borderline, moderate, mild, profound or severe. The word "deaf" applies usually to a child whose loss of hearing is so massive that your child cannot effectively communicate with others using his or her voice only.
Hearing loss is not often detected until your child is between two to four years 4 years old because the vital stage for language or speech development is generally from birth up to three years of age; failure to recognize hearing loss when your child is still young can have major implications for your child's speech.
How distinctly your child can understand speech relies on the configuration and degree of “hearing loss”.
It is already well distinguished that a child’s hearing capability is critical to language and speech development, learning and communication.
Children having difficulties in listening due to loss of hearing or auditory processing defects remain to be an under acknowledged as well as underserved population.
It is important to note that the earlier loss of hearing occurs in your child's life, so the more severe its effects on your child's speech development. Likewise, the earlier your child’s problem is recognized and intervention is started, the less severe is the ultimate impact.
Here are four major effects of hearing loss in children:
• It is the cause of expressive and receptive expressive communication delay.
• The language shortage causes learning difficulties that produces less academic achievement.
• Communication difficulties lead often to poor self-concept and social isolation.
• It can have an influence on career choices.
On speech
1. Children who suffer from hearing loss often cannot hear “silent” speech sounds like "sh," "s," "t," "k," and "f" and consequently do not incorporate these sounds in their “speech”; therefore their speech can be affected and is hard to understand.
2. Children who suffer from hearing loss can not usually hear their “own voices” when they are talking. They either may talk too loud or too softly. They usually have a too high pitch speaking sound. They often mumble due to poor inflection, poor stress or poor speaking rate.
On sentence structure
1. Children having hearing difficulties or loss grasp and create simpler and shorter sentences compared to other children without hearing difficulties.
2. They generally have a hard time writing and understanding complex sentences.
3. They usually cannot hear words ending in “ed” or “s”, most often leading to miscommunications and misusage of pluralization, verb tense, non-agreement of verb and subject as well as possessives.
It is significant to diagnose hearing loss in children as soon as possible so as to lessen speech deficiencies. Early awareness of the symptoms and signs of childhood hearing loss leads to early detection as well as treatment.
Consult your doctor if:
• Even loud noises never frighten or alarm your baby at the age of 4 months or when your child never turns towards the sound source.
• Your child only notices you when he sees you.
• Your child never experiments with sounds but only gargles.
• At one year old, your child’s speech is either difficult to understand or delayed. Single words like "mama" or “dad” are not yet spoken.
• Your child always never responds when called.
• Your child has difficulty holding steady his head.
• Your child can not sit up without support or walking progress is considerably slow.
• Your child listens to the radio or T.V. very higher volume.
• Your child often sits too closely to the T.V. even when the there is enough volume can be heard by others in the same room.
• Your child asks often to repeat what you have said.
• Your child has a hard time dealing with school works.
• Being inattentive.
• Your child often complains of blocked ears or difficulty hearing.
Recent studies indicate that children diagnosed with hearing loss and who start services or therapy early are capable of developing language, be it signed or spoken on a similar level with their normal hearing peers.
Your audiologist as one of your interdisciplinary team or panel of professionals will assess your child then recommend the most suitable audiologic program of intervention.
WHAT ARE COCHLEAR IMPLANTS?
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Cool Cochlear Implants
Not hearing anything is a thing of the past. Availability of every single type of hearing device and technology is at hand. One of the well awarded technologies is cochlear implants. This implants change the way you look to technology for the hearing impaired. In fact it does not only change the way you look at the technology accessible, it also changes the life of the patient.
Unlike the typical hearing aids this implant allows music to be heard and enjoyed. Although it may sound a little different from the actual sound making it sound a little more mechanical, in time the brain will adapt to the different sounds presented and will soon normalize.
Cochlear implants are devices that allow sound perceptions aiding with lip reading by giving sound detection and speech recognition to the patient. It is implanted for people who do not benefit from hearing aids that are placed in the ears.
For the patients with severe hearing loss this implant may not suffice to process the sounds no matter how loud it is.
It does better than normal hearing aids since it circumvents the dead cochlea that is important in processing the sound and goes straight to the auditory nerve. Surgically these minuscule electrodes are implanted and inserted in the cochlea. These implants will then convert the sound it receives into electrical impulses and will pass through the auditory nerve.
Anybody can benefit from these implants, young and old.
It is best that the device be implanted while the patient is young but it can also be given to people with long term hearing loss. Cochlear does not cure deafness rather it helps and aids in the detection and understanding of the sounds. These devices are meant for patients with sensor neural hearing loss. This type of hearing loss is any oddity in the ear especially the auditory nerve blocking the transport of signals to the nucleus or the main center in our sense of hearing. Patients with total loss of auditory nerve fibers though may not be ideal candidate for implants as there is nothing to stimulate.
In order to know if you are an ideal candidate go to a professional. A team of specialist will attend to you and tell you if you are a candidate.
Patients with implants have a high probability to classify and categorize pitch and loudness. It can even understand speech without having to lip read! You can even use the telephone with no problems at all and best of all you can enjoy music!
There are certain risks involved in the implantation due to the surgery involved: infection, bleeding, dizziness, or problems and potential damage to the facial nerves.
Since there are more technologies being gathered and presented, risks like the one stated is less likely to occur.
These implants have two pieces: the internal and the external. The internal piece is surgically inserted in your ear. In it is a receiver plus small electrodes that is inserted in the cochlea. The external involves a speech processor with a head piece. This piece will send an indication sign from the processor to the internal device.
These two pieces combine and work side by side in order to understand the sounds gathered. Electrodes transmitted pass through the dead parts of the cochlea then send tiny signals to the auditory nerve. After all that traveling it will send a signal to the brain which analyzes the sound gathered by the microphone. This traveling is lighting fast there are no chances for interruption and is not noticeable for the patient’s conversation partner.
Different manufacturers make this kind of device so it is best to seek the help of a professional as to what manufacturers create the finest piece.
Music and words are important for the development of relationships with other people in our environment.
Using this implant you can not only enjoy what other people have to say but learn and understand the world around you without having to rely on others.
IS SIGN LANGUAGE AN OPTION FOR YOU?
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Should Your Child Learn Sign Languages:
Strong Reasons to Teach Your Child the Language?
As we discussed previously, having a child with a hearing disability can be quite difficult on a family. Aside from the stress related to the physical inability of the child to communicate, one also has to deal with the emotional stress this type of situation presents.
The problem becomes evident and frustration sets in especially during times when communication has become cumbersome.
A hearing impairment makes communication difficult for those who have not been able to cope with the problem.
This may make the child feel socially isolated from the rest of the family when he or she isn't able to communicate properly with siblings or with parents. These are some of the factors that make learning sign language the ideal course of action on for families with members that have hearing disabilities.
Hearing disabilities
Hearing disabilities are not limited to deafness or a total lack of hearing. Hearing disabilities also include partial deafness or even temporary deafness. The disability may be treatable or not. Any hearing related problem that prevents good communication between members of the family can be considered and hearing impairment that should be dealt with at the family level.
Should you consider teaching your child sign language?
If a child has a hearing disability, and is having a hard time understanding, hearing of communicating with others, he or she may feel alienated from the rest of the family. This could cause a whole deal of emotional stress which will surely result in difficult behavior for other social problems.
It is very important that the family is able to recognize this problem and deal with it early on in the child's life. This is especially true if the child is born deaf or hard of hearing. Remember that throughout the early years, much of the child's social, emotional, and physical growth occurs.
The child learns during this age how to relate to other people.
Communication is a big part of this development, and with the disability he or she may have, being able to relate with other people through meaningful communication becomes doubly hard.
Immediate consultation with the physicians is important to assess whether the impairment can be corrected or treated. In the meantime it is important that the child is able to express him or herself and is able to understand what other people are trying to tell them.
This can be accomplished through the help of sign language. If your child has a hearing impairment, no matter what type of impairment it may be, as long as it impedes his or her communication with other people, he or she should be taught sign language.
Baby sign
Some experts even recommend that babies be communicated with using a special type of touch language. This is called baby sign. This is not a language that is thought exclusively alone. It is typically taught in conjunction with normal spoken language.
The rationale behind this movement is that babies are receptive to communication via touch more so than communication via sound during the early years. The combination of both develops social bonds faster than by sound alone.
Home sign
Aside from typical sign language, you will probably develop what is called home sign. Home sign is a set of signs that are exclusive to a family. Whenever you start a sign language program for your child make sure that the whole family is included. Everyone in the family should be encouraged to learn sign language and to speak sign language in the home.
This is to make sure that the child never feels out of place even in his or her own home. Children are very sensitive to this sort of social bonding. They should always feel like they are a part of any conversation in the house. If this does not happen, then they may develop feelings of suspicion, or paranoia, and other negative emotional trauma.
Where to get help
A speech professional may be able to help a family with a member that has a speech disability. A deaf person may be taught to speak even if he or she cannot hear. There are numerous sign language programs that can be availed of so that the whole family can learn the language. Also, there are special schools that can help the specific problems of a family with a hearing disability.
OVERCOMING EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS
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Understanding the Emotional Problems of Hearing-Impaired Children
It is hard to imagine how hard it is for those children that have hearing disabilities to blend in with normal society. Just the fact that they are usually unable to participate in normal conversations is already a big impediment to their social development.
And when social development lags behind, a child may develop a host of issues and emotional trauma that should be recognized and dealt with while still young.
These emotional problems could lead to bigger and more destructive issues that would impair the normal development of the child.
The child, due to the disability, could feel out of place, lowly, lonely, outcast, resentful, and moody. It is very important that the parent works hand-in-hand with a guidance specialist on helping the child cope with this situation. The parent should exercise a great deal of patience and understanding when dealing with the child. This is the only way that children can deal with the social problems they are faced with when out on their own.
Here are some of the problems children experience due to their hearing impairment.
1. Inability to make new friends. Children, especially at an early age, are wont to make fun of, or fear the unknown. This also goes for things that are different. Children can be cruel and since your child, because of the hearing impairment, is different he or she becomes a target for all sorts of pranks and jokes.
This could push them farther away from making friends thus perpetrating the heightened feelings of exclusion and loneliness. And usually, kids that are different are the butt of everyone's jokes and are treated as anathema. Also, being unable to understand what other people are talking about me arise in them a feeling of paranoia. They may feel that everyone is talking about them-especially when people give them odd looks.
Although they may be able to learn how to read lips, this ability may also turn out to be the butt of jokes. Some children make fun of those who try hard to read lips, and try to hide what they are saying behind their hands. Again, it may sound cruel, but for some young children this is just schoolyard fun.
2. Frustration at not being able to express themselves. The hearing-impaired know they cannot communicate properly with other people. This makes them feel like no one can understand them. This may arise from an inability to understand other people properly.
This could cause a heightened sense of estrangement - being different and being unable to blend in with the crowd may cause all sorts of behavioral problems. And since not everyone understands sign language, they may feel that the people they can relate to are limited.
This can be alleviated somewhat by strong family support and affiliation with other people who can communicate in sign language. This could also be a good reason for one with a hearing impairment to seek education in a special school for the hearing-impaired.
3. Suspicion. Most people feel awful when people talk behind their backs. It could increase one's sense of suspicion. This is doubly so for those with hearing impairments. This is because people tend to say bad things about them even when in their presence, thinking that since they are hearing-impaired they would not understand a single word of what they are saying.
However, even those with hearing impairments can learn to understand body language much better than those that can hear properly. So when they see people talking to each other in hush-hush matters, they can read body language and see that they are being talked about.
This can be a very frustrating experience for those trying to get along with other people. This could cause the children to withdraw into themselves.
Teaching others to understand these feelings people with hearing impairments experience could do much to help them react properly to them.
Being able to understand what people with hearing impairments go through will help us be able to deal with them in a better manner. Also it will help us educate people who associate with them to understand how what they do affects them.
Knowing how what we do affects other can help us understand their way of thinking better, leading us to be able to understand and communicate with them effectively. Also, being aware of the issues and problems these people go through will help their guardians to recognize and anticipate potential problems their loved ones are experiencing.
HEARING IN THE CLASSROOM
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Choosing a Special School for Your Child
If your child is hearing-impaired, you may be considering sending him or her to a special school for those with hearing problems. However, this is not an easy decision especially when you consider the fact that most parents want their children to grow up normally, and this usually involves sending them to a typical school.
Having your child grow up in a normal school environment helps them experience with most other children of their age experience. However, a hearing impairment definitively hinders their chances of being able to blend in properly.
Studies show that students with hearing impairments go through a lot of stress and emotional trauma whenever they are made to fit in with a social group that has difficulty understanding them. School children, specifically, have a tendency to treat those with hearing impairments differently.
Some may treat them well, although patronizingly. However many will treat them with disrespect.
It is this kind of attitude that could cause serious emotional scars to your child. Remember, that the home environment is different from the school environment.
If at home, your child is treated equal with everyone else, and they are shown love and understanding, you will have to make sure that he or she experiences the same thing in their school environment. Although you cannot expect other children to understand your child's situation, you can at least make sure that both your child and the school can prepare for each other.
Here are a few tips when deciding whether to send your child to a special school or not and the various things you will need to know when making the move.
1. Special schools are for special needs - the good thing about special schools for hearing-impaired children is the fact to that they are tailor made to address your child's special needs. Lessons here are in a sign language your child can understand. The curriculum is also made so that those with hearing impairments can easily participate and fit in.
Also, the educational materials that they provide should be able to help your child reach their potential earlier. The educators in such institutions are specially trained to help children with special needs. This makes special schools a good choice for those with advanced hearing impairments. In fact, they would even make a good choice for those with moderate hearing impairments.
2. It is easier for them to fit in. Being in the presence of other hearing impaired children is a good thing for your child. It is easier for them to get along with those in the same situation. Also it lessens the chance of bullying among the children.
Being among people with the same circumstances can dramatically improve one's social and mental development. This is because they do not have to feel out of place or estranged from the system that is educating them. They will be able to form meaningful relationships without anyone condescending or patronizing them.
Being with peers gives the child a sense of home. And although bullying is not exclusive to those who can hear properly, at least being in the presence of those who cannot gives them better leverage against it.
3. Normality. Some parents will wonder if such special schools would prepare their children for the real world. This question naturally arises from the assumption that special schools tend to create a separate world for themselves.
While it is true that there is sort of an alternate world in special schools, it is not very different from the real world. If you really want your child to have a normal education, special school might be the best chance.
Sending your child to a normal school when he or she cannot fit in or understand whatever's going on around them might give them a skewed version of reality. Your child must be made to understand that they have a special situation that gives them specific problems in the real world. A special school can help them understand this and adjust accordingly.
The choice to send your child to special school will be a very important one. However, it may be best if you consider your child's needs for making it.
If your child can make it through normal school even with their disability, then well and good; however, if your child truly has special needs that can only be addressed by a special school, then by all means, a special school is the only solution.
ABOUT HEARING AIDS
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Know the types and styles of hearing aids and learn which will best suite you and you will be on your way to a more improved audible range (of course you must not forget to seek assistance from your audiologist).
Different styles are now available depending on your need, level of hearing impairment, visibility of the device and most importantly what you can afford.
Let’s take a look at what is available.
BTEs (behind the ear)
This is the most common style since it can be used for every type and level of hearing loss. This fashion slings behind the ear and is very visible. BTEs are the most frequently utilized aids especially for certain medical conditions that disallow the use of other devices.
ITCs (in the canal)
It is a little bigger than CICs but smaller than ITEs. Appropriate for people with the normal sized ear canal and for people with minimal hearing loss. It is less visible than BTEs and ITEs but a little more costly. If you are prone to skin irritations and moisture retention this is not advisable for you.
ITEs (in the ear)
It is customized to fit a specific ear and is placed in the concha (this is your outer part of your ear canal) and a small portion of the inner canal. Basically any level of hearing loss can use this kind of device. It also allows people with minimal vision and poor agility to also operate and control it with ease.
CICs (completely in the canal)
If appearance is a major factor for you CICs are the way to go. This style is very undersized it’s barely seen when you wear it since it is nestled deeply inside your ear. Aside from its size this style was said to experience less feedback when the hearing aid user utilizes a telephone. One of the main drawbacks for this style is its cost. It is a little more than regular hearing aids due to its compact size; the technology used was more advanced.
Bone conduction
Different from the rest, this device sends out vibrations or sensations in the skull for people whose hearing loss are conductive and are not permitted to wear the typical hearing aids available.
Aside from the styles you also need to look in the technology that comes along with the device below are types of hearing aids available on the market today.
Analog hearing aid
If the price tag is one of your major concerns, analogs are easier on the pocket. Just ask your audiologist to adjust the device according to your needs. Of course there is a limitation to the degree and quantity of the adjustment.
Programmable hearing aid
If remote controls are your thing then this is the device for you. When purchased the audiologist simply sets different programs in a computer chip inside the device that contains all the important programs. The programs are based on the loudness or noisiness of specific environments and your reaction to specific levels of sounds.
Digital hearing aids
No fuss device. It simply adjusts by itself. It is the best invention made so far. Adjustments are made precisely for your needs and can process sounds that are complex for the common hearing aids. Any type of hearing loss patient can use this kind of device since it will adjust to your needs. Every single type of sound is automatically filtered specially the unwanted noises. The most state of the art can even hear muffles. This device is pricey but worth it. This can be seen from its popularity and pieces sold by manufacturers.
Choosing a specific hearing aid that works right for you entails a lot of work but in the long run your auditory problems will be eased. Care and proper handling of these devices will ensure longer life and better hearing quality so always remember to clean and use only the cleaning materials specified by the manufacturers.
Choose the best device with outmost care and seek help from the professional and you will be on your way to better hearing and better living.
BREAKTHROUGHS
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On the Edge:
Hearing Impairment Treatments
For those that are hearing-impaired.
Aside from learning sign language, the most important thing is to find treatments that may alleviate their condition or open up the possibility for a total recovery to hearing. In the past, the only known types of treatment were the use of hearing aids, or other corrective surgery.
Thankfully, research on hearing disabilities has not gone dry. Today scientists are still working on new ways of helping people regain their sense of hearing. Although many of the treatments that have been developed so far are still a few years away from total completion-or meaningful use, it is so exciting to know that many new treatments are on the way.
Not all hearing impairments are irreversible. Some cases of hearing loss are temporary or even reversible. There are even cases of severe hearing loss that can be given treatments to allow some sort of hearing. As technology marches on, you force a treatment have become available-and some of them are promising enough to make even the most jaded spectator hopeful.
Of course, the treatment for “temporary” hearing loss depends on the cause of the problem in the first place. In the case of hearing loss due to ototoxic medicines, hearing usually comes back after discontinuation of the medicine.
Here are a few of the new treatments that are being developed, and some of the other treatments that are now available to help those with hearing impairments. While not all of the treatments listed here have been approved for use, they do show how bright and exciting the field of medicine has become for those with hearing impairments.
At the risk of sounding repetitive, we have discussed some of these methods previously, but we include them here as a refresher.
1. Hearing aids. Fortunately, the technology used in these devices has not grown stagnant. Today, you are technology has made these devices a lot more reliable than they were a few years ago.
You may want to consult with your ear specialist on the newest models readable, as the newfangled hearing aids nowadays are able to project sound better, more efficiently, and with better results.
2. Cochlear implants. Cochlear implants have become popular in people with severe hearing loss. Cochlear implants are devices that are inserted deep inside the ear to assist in the sound making process of the body. These devices take place of missing cells in the year and help generate sounds to be relayed to the brain.
This has become one of the best choices for those with age-related or noise induced hearing loss. It has even become a popular treatment for children who have been just diagnosed with having hearing loss or hearing disabilities.
3. Ear cell regeneration-in a promising development, scientists have been able to engineer ear cells in the laboratory. These ear cells can be implanted alongside cochlear implants to help regenerate lost nerve cells in this ear.
The technology is promising because it raises hopes about being able to cure even severe hearing loss. However, this technology is three to five years from completion. It has, however, generated a great deal of excitement among those watching for developments in hearing treatment.
If this technology is truly able to regenerate nerve cells in the year it could open up a whole new world of opportunity for those with moderate to advanced hearing loss. These cells will make the contact between the cochlear implant and the brain is not more effective and efficient -dramatically increasing how the cochlear implant works.
It would be good to keep a critical eye out for any new treatment that comes on the market. Many notable treatments have come out in the past only to disappoint. Your cell regeneration, for example, is new and exciting. However, it still remains to be seen if this treatment can actually be of any use.
Thankfully, it seems like this treatment can actually live up to its billing. For many people looking for better treatment of hearing impairments, this could be very good news.
It does pay to keep track of the newest developments in hearing technology.
Aside from implants, there are new and improved medical treatments and therapies available for those seeking to alleviate their hearing disabilities. Please do consult with your ear specialist to learn about the latest treatments available for your hearing condition.
