Some risks that may be related to the cause of Meniere’s disease include:

Head injury

Middle or inner ear infection

Allergies

Alcohol use

Family history

Fatigue

Recent viral illness

Respiratory infection

Smoking

Stress

Use of certain medications

To test for Meniere’s disease several different procedures are performed.  A hearing evaluation or audiogram will show hearing loss that occurs with Meniere’s disease which typically will show up in low frequencies first.  Schedule an appointment with us today for a complete assessment of your hearing.  A vestibular evaluation will include caloric stimulation, electrocochleography (EcochG) and electronystagmography (ENG) or videonystagmography (VNG).  A head MRI scan may be included in the evaluation of Meniere’s disease as well.

There is currently no known cure for Meniere’s disease, however lifestyle changes and a few different treatments may be recommended based on each individual person and his/her needs.  These include:

Diuretics (water pills)

A low sodium diet

Not over eating

Exercising regularly

Getting enough sleep

Practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation

Limiting caffeine and alcohol

Avoiding sudden movements during episodes

Avoiding bright lights, TV and reading during episodes

Avoiding driving and operating heavy machinery during episodes and after 1 week after the episode subsides

Your health care provider may prescribe medication for nausea, vomiting and vertigo

Surgery may be needed if the symptoms are severe and other forms of treatment do not help

Hearing aids are usually needed after a person has experienced several episodes in which the hearing has decreased and does not return to normal or close to normal hearing sensitivity – if you think you have hearing loss and are interested in the possible options for treatment schedule a hearing aid evaluation with us

Currently there is no way to prevent the occurrence of Meniere’s disease, however prompt treatment can help reduce the frequency of and the damage caused by each episode.  Seek medical attention if you experience symptoms of Meniere’s disease such as hearing loss, ringing in the ears and dizziness.  Schedule an appointment to have a complete evaluation of your hearing.

Signs of Hearing Loss:

Asking others to repeat often

Difficulty hearing in groups and/or noisy environments such as a restaurant

Hearing others but they sound muffled or as if they are mumbling

Difficulty understanding certain people such as women or children

Trouble hearing while using the telephone

Having the television volume turned up

Struggling to follow a conversation without visual cues

Having the feeling that your ears are plugged up

Tinnitus (a sensation of noise such as ringing or roaring in the ears)

Having a history of noise exposure such as gun fire, musician, construction, military, etc.

Having a family history of hearing loss

Having diabetes, heart, circulation or thyroid problems

Feeling stressed from straining to hear what others are saying

Feeling embarrassed from misunderstanding what others are saying

Withdrawing from social situations that you once enjoyed because of difficulty hearing

If you have any questions about hearing loss, a hearing evaluation or hearing aids please contact Good Sound Audiology for more information and to schedule an appointment with one of our audiologists for a consultation.

Wave I – generated by the peripheral portion of cranial nerve VIII with normal absolute latency occurring around 1.6 +/- 0.2 msec

Wave II – generated by the central portion of cranial nerve VIII with normal absolute latency occurring around 2.7 +/- 0.2 msec

Wave III – generated by the cochlear nucleus with normal absolute latency occurring around 3.8 +/- 0.2 msec

Wave IV – generated mostly by the superior olivary complex with additional contributions from the lateral lemniscus with normal absolute latency occurring around 4.9 +/- 0.2 msec

Wave V – generated by the inferior colliculus/ lateral lemniscus with normal absolute latency occurring around 5.7 +/- 0.2 msec; wave most analyzed in clinical application

Normal Interwave Latencies

I-III = 2 +/- 0.2 msec

III-V = 2 +/- 0.2 msec

I-V = 4 +/- 0.2 msec

The ABR provides information in regards to auditory function and hearing sensitivity, however it is not a true test of hearing and not a substitute for a formal hearing evaluation; when possible behavioral audiometry should be performed in combination with the ABR.  To have a complete audiological evaluation of your hearing schedule an appointment with us.

The ABR audiometry is an effective tool in the evaluation of suspected retrocochlear pathology such as an acoustic neuroma/ vestibular schwannoma.  Findings that are suggestive of retrocochlear pathology include prolonged absolute latency interaural difference wave V, prolonged I-V interpeak interval difference, prolonged absolute latency of wave V, prolonged absolute latencies and interpeak intervals latencies (I-III, I-V, III-V) and absent ABR in the affected ear.  However an abnormal ABR finding that is suggestive of retrocochlear pathology indicates the need for a MRI of the cerebellopontine angle.  Clinical symptoms of retrocochlear pathology include but are not limited to:

Asymmetrical or unilateral sensorineural hearing loss

Unilateral tinnitus

Unilateral or bilateral poor word recognition scores as compared with the degree of sensorineural hearing loss

Perceived distortion of sounds when peripheral hearing is essentially within normal limits

The ABR has been used in newborn hearing screenings for the past 15 years.  A threshold measure for normal hearing is screened at intensity levels of 35-40 dBnHL and each ear can be evaluated independently.  Generally, for newborn hearing screenings a click-evoked ABR is used which is highly correlated with hearing sensitivity in the frequency range of 1000 to 4000 Hz.  The presence or absence of wave V will be looked for at soft stimulus levels.  If a child does not pass the newborn hearing screening and further testing is required a tone-burst ABR may be used to get more frequency specific information in regards to the child’s hearing sensitivity.

In children, ABRs may also be used to detect auditory neuropathy or neural conduction disorders.  Children with auditory neuropathy can have normal peripheral hearing, but because the ABR is reflective of the auditory nerve and brainstem function these children can have abnormal ABR results.

ABR is also used for intraoperative monitoring along with eletrocochleography (EcochG), another type of auditory evoked potential test.  During intraoperative monitoring it provides early identification of changes in the neurophysiologic status of the peripheral and central nervous systems.  This is helpful in the prevention of neurologic dysfunction and the preservation of postoperative hearing loss.

The auditory brainstem response can be used in an array of different clinical applications to gather the necessary and valuable information needed to make appropriate decisions.  The ABR is used on newborn infants, people with cognitive impairments, patients in comas and many more.  It is used as a screening tool for hearing and for tumors as well as diagnostics and monitoring.

Hearing aid batteries are poisonous if swallowed and they are harmful to the environment if disposed of in the trash.  If you, a child or even a pet were to swallow a hearing aid battery seek medical attention immediately and call the ingested battery hotline number at (202) 625-3333.  Since batteries are harmful to the environment, there are several places that will recycle the batteries for you.  Good Sound Audiology located in Gilbert and Sun Lakes, Arizona will recycle hearing aid batteries and all Radio Shack stores will recycle all batteries including hearing aid batteries.

Some hearing aids have rechargeable batteries.  Rechargeable batteries work about the same as disposable hearing aid batteries, however have a few negative characteristics.  Rechargeable batteries will only have one day before needing to be recharged.  Over time and continued use of the rechargeable batteries they start to lose their ability to hold a charge for very long, so you will eventually only get a few hours out of them before the batteries need to be recharged which can be inconvenient.  Eventually, the set of rechargeable batteries will need to be replaced which will typically cost the same or even more than disposable batteries will cost you.  Finally, rechargeable hearing aid batteries can also only be purchased through someone who works with hearing aids.  Disposable hearing aids can be purchased at many different locations such as an audiologist’s office like Good Sound Audiology, a pharmacy, grocery stores, Costco’s and Wal-Mart just make sure you always check the expiration date on the back of the batteries.

Hearing aid batteries come in many different sizes.  Each size is paired up with a color, so there are two ways to remember which battery size will fit in your hearing aids.  Size 675 color blue is the largest hearing aid battery, followed by size 13 color orange, then size 312 color brown and the smallest hearing aid battery is size 10 color yellow.  If you have any questions related to hearing aid batteries, hearing aids or hearing loss please contact us for more information.

Media Contact: Alaina McCormick
480-497-0780
AMcCormick@goodsoundaudiology.com

FREE Educational Lunch and Learn Seminar on Hearing Aids

Gilbert, AZ, April 1, 2013— Tina Jessee, Au.D and Anna Bzdok, Au.D., Doctors of Audiology at Good Sound Audiology, will conduct a seminar on May 9th from 11:30 to 12:30 pm to help the public understand the myths and misconceptions surrounding hearing loss and the available corrective options. No hearing aids will be sold during the seminar and the Lunch and Learn is designed to inform and educate the public.

“If you notice voices sound muffled or difficulty hearing specific sounds we urge you to get a baseline hearing evaluation,” noted Dr. Jessee. Thirty-six million Americans have hearing loss. Although hearing problems are commonly associated with the normal aging process, more than half of all hearing-impaired persons are younger than 65. This free seminar is designed to educate people as to the types of hearing loss and what can be done using the latest technology. The presentation will leave ample time for questions and to hear honest, direct answers from the doctors.

This seminar, including lunch, will be held at the Southeast Regional Library at 775 N. Greenfield Road, Gilbert. The seminar will be open to the public, although RSVP’s are required by calling 480-497-0780. Seating is limited.

About Good Sound Audiology
Doctors Tina Jessee, Au.D. and Anna Bzdok, Au.D. of Good Sound Audiology are in private practice with offices in Gilbert and Sun Lakes, Arizona. Good Sound Audiology is a full service audiology practice, and provides hearing evaluations for all ages; hearing aids, fittings, and complete hearing aid services; assistive listening devices; custom ear molds for hearing aids, iPods or Bluetooth.

The Sun Lakes office located at 10450 E Riggs Rd. Suite 116 in Sun Lakes, AZ 85248 is on the Northeast corner of Alma School and Riggs roads. The Gilbert location is at 201 W Guadalupe Rd. Suite 315 in Gilbert. Both offices are staffed full time and available for patient appointments Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm. For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Alaina McCormick at (480) 497-0780 or visit www.goodsoundaudiology.com .

# # #

Those with diabetes are twice as likely to suffer from hearing loss. This hearing loss is sensorineural which is permanent and may be in the low or high frequencies. Whereas, the medical community has been very diligent in addressing the side effects in the forms of podiatry, and ophthalmology, the conversation regarding impact on the auditory system has remained a very small one.

I know from meeting with some of you in your offices that you have begun to see this correlation. I will refer you to http://www.ncqa.org/Programs/Recognition/DiabetesRecognitionProgramDRP.aspx for further information. Hopefully, making this part of your assessment will alleviate the difficulty of broaching this conversation with your patient.

My goal and the goal of the American Academy of Audiology is that a complete hearing evaluation become part of the screening and maintenance protocols in place for the treatment and monitoring of your diabetes patients. Remember the earlier I can diagnose and treat your patient with sensorineural hearing loss the less audiotory deprivation occurs and the more successful I can be for your patient.

Please allow for Audiology to become part of your routine care when addressing your diabetes patients. I look forward to this continued conversation as more research becomes available. Dr. Bzdok and I appreciate you allowing us to participate in the care of your patient. Our goal is to bring people together through better hearing. For your patient convenience we now offer two locations!

Sincerely,

Tina Jessee, Au.D.
Doctor of Audiology

GSA Spring 2013 final

If you use q-tips to clean your ears you should stop now!  Q-tips tend to cause more problems.  When you put a q-tip in your ear you get a little bit of wax on the end of the q-tip and think you got it out, but what you really did is push most of the ear wax further down your ear canal.  Over time this can lead to impacted ear wax in your ear canal.  You will plug up your ears and you can cause a temporary hearing loss, not to mention at this point the only way the impacted ear wax will come out of your ear is to have it removed by an audiologist or your primary care physician.  Not only can q-tips cause impacted wax, but they rip the delicate skin of your ear canal causing red, dry, itchy, irritated skin which in turn make people use more q-tips to itch their irritated ear canals.  If you have been using q-tips schedule an appointment with us to have the status of your ears evaluated. Besides q-tips, people try putting other items in their ears to clean or itch them.  Some of these items include bobby pins, safety pins, keys and pens.  Putting items into your ears is dangerous because if you go too far into the ear you can puncture your eardrum!  Puncturing your eardrum is extremely painful and will cause hearing loss.  If this were to ever happen to you, you should seek medical attention and in the best case scenario the eardrum will heal, however depending on the amount of damage caused the eardrum may never heal completely.  If you have put something in your ears and hearing loss has occurred schedule an appointment today to have a complete hearing evaluation performed.

So what do you do about ear wax, how do you clean it out?

If you leave your ears alone they will push the wax out by themselves.  If you are a person who produces a lot of ear wax or it has become impacted you can purchase wax removal kits from an audiologist or from a pharmacy.  Good Sound Audiology has wax removal kits available for purchase and our staff will be more than happy to provide you with personal instructions for proper use.  If purchase elsewhere, follow the instructions on the kit, after the designated time of use the wax may be gone completely or mostly gone in which you would no longer need to continue to use the kit.  If a significant amount of ear wax remains in the ear or you are unsure if it came out, have an audiologist or your primary care physician take a look in your ears because they can confirm if it is still in your ears or remove the remaining ear wax.  If you need to have wax removed schedule an appointment with one of our audiologists.

There are two big culprits that cause hearing aids to not work well causing them to sound weak, muffled, intermittent or even dead are debris and moisture.  Ear wax, skin, body oil, perspiration and even humidity in the environment can get inside the aids and cause problems.

The first step in caring for them is to wipe down the hearing aids with a cleaning cloth such as one you would use for your eye glasses.  Even if visually there appears to be nothing on the device it is important to wipe them down especially the piece that goes into your ear canal.  Skin and body oil that you cannot see on the device will get into the aid and over time clog the small openings that let sound in and out of the hearing aid making the aid not function well.  If you do not have a cleaning cloth you can use a tissue, however tissues leave lint and again over time that lint can cause the openings to be clogged.  The good news is that if your hearing aid is not working well or may even appear to be dead sometimes all it needs is a good cleaning at an audiologist’s office.  Audiologists have the equipment and tools to thoroughly clean hearing aids that you cannot do at home.  Even if you keep your aids clean it is a good idea and recommended to visit an audiologist every three months to have your hearing aids professionally cleaned.

Everyone that owns hearing aids should use a hearing aid dryer.  Hearing aid dryers are devices that dry up any moisture, ear wax and body oil that may have gotten on or in the device throughout the day while it was being worn.  Older hearing aid dryers were small containers that contained moisture absorbing beads.  Today the hearing aid dryers are much more effective and work like a night light.  The small dryer plugs into the wall, turns on with a switch and the spot where you place your hearing aids heats up drying all the oils and moisture that has gotten into your aids throughout the day.  Your hearing aids should be placed in the dryer every night and in the morning you would wipe down your hearing aids before putting them on.  Using a hearing aid dryer helps keep them clean, working properly, reduces repair issues and extends the life of your hearing aids.  Hearing aid dryers can only be purchased through someone who works with hearing aids.  If you are interested in purchasing a hearing aid dryer you can pick one up today at either of our locations (Gilbert or Sun Lakes).

If your hearing aids were to accidentally end up in water first remove the battery which if left in the hearing aid will corrode, then dry the aid off, place in your hearing aid dryer and finally if the aid is not working properly bring the hearing aid into the audiologist’s office to have it professionally cleaned.  At our audiology office we can replace certain electronic pieces and thoroughly clean the aid.  If it is damaged beyond our capabilities we can send the aid back to the manufacturer will it will be fix or replaced (note: if your hearing aids are no longer under warranty there will be a repair cost).

If you answered yes to any of these questions you are at risk for losing your hearing, acquiring tinnitus (a sensation of noise such as ringing or roaring) and having significant communication difficulties.  You can protect your hearing by using hearing protection ear plugs or ear muffs when in loud noise.  Foam ear plugs and ear muffs can be purchased at most drug stores, sport stores and grocery stores.  Foam ear plugs can work great, but only if use properly.  When using the foam ear plugs make sure you roll them up as small as they can get, place far into your ear canal and hold in place until the foam expands to fill your ear canal up.  If you see the ear plug sticking out of your ear then it is not in the correct placement and will not offer you the hearing protection you need.  If you are exposed to loud noise often then it is worth the investment to get custom hearing protection ear molds made specifically to fit your ears.  If you are interested in custom hearing protection ear molds schedule an appointment with an audiologist.