It can also be a combination of sounds, and for many, the sound of their tinnitus actually changes. It can be constant or intermittent and is heard in one ear, both ears or in the head. Tinnitus can originate in the middle ear (behind the eardrum) or in the sensorineural auditory system. Occasionally people with tinnitus hear music or singing. This is different from someone who has a mental illness and is experiencing hallucinations. Tinnitus is not a ‘phantom sound’. There is real neural activity in your brain that you are hearing as your tinnitus.

There are many causes of tinnitus, and often the cause is unknown. Just about anything that can cause hearing loss can also cause tinnitus. The most common causes are: Noise exposure (e.g. from shooting or machines at work), a natural part of the aging process, head injury (e.g. from a car accident or fall), as a side effect of medications (e.g. aspirin).

Tinnitus is almost always accompanied by hearing loss. If you have tinnitus, you should have your hearing tested by a hearing health professional. Some 30 million adults suffer from persistent tinnitus (it can also affect children). For 12 million, the problem is severe enough that it impacts their everyday life. Because tinnitus can be a symptom of a more serious disorder, it is important to have an appropriate health evaluation.

Nearly four in ten people experience tinnitus 80% of the time during a typical day; slightly more than one in four people describe their tinnitus as loud; and about one in five describe their tinnitus as disabling or nearly disabling. Tinnitus is sometimes accompanied by hyperacusis (when moderately loud sounds are perceived as very loud).

http://www.betterhearing.org/tinnitus/BHI_Guide_to_Tinnitus.cfm

Finding a cure for tinnitus is American Tinnitus Association’s #1 priority.  Over the last 10 years, scientists have made tremendous advances in figuring out what causes tinnitus and how to treat it.

http://www.ata.org/research#Roadmap

Saline Audiology
www.salineaudiology.com
501-778-3868 or 501-922-0053

For more information, contact Saline Audiology at 501-778-3868

are you hearing all the sounds of spring?

• the crack of the bat at a baseball game

• the sound of birds chirping

• the voice of a loved one giving a graduation speech

For some of us, familiar sounds aren’t as clear as they used to be.  If you suspect that you’re experiencing hearing loss – now is the perfect time to get more information.  May is National Better Hearing Month, and there’s never been a better time to focus on your own hearing health.

Call Saline Audiology and schedule a hearing check-up today!

501-778-3868 or 501-922-0053

 
and for voting Lisa Richey, Au.D. as
Best of the Best Audiologist!

We appreciate all our patients and will continue to strive
to serve you with care and integrity!

SALINE AUDIOLOGY
501-778-3868

The Better Hearing Institute explains why two hearing aids ( binaural hearing aids) are better than one:

1.  Better understanding of speech and conversation.
2.  Better understanding in groups and noisy situations.
3.  Better detection of the source of sounds.
4.  360 degree hearing range means better balance and sound quality.
5.  Less distoration and better reproduction of amplified sounds.
6.  Better hearing of sounds from a farther distance.
7.  More easily distinguishable sounds.
8.  The unaided ear may lose its natural ability to function.
9.  Listening is more pleasant because hearing is less tiring.
10.  Balanced reception of sound.
11.  Loud sounds are more easily tolerated.
12.  Hearing aid feedback chances are reduced.
13.  Two hearing aids help reduce ringing in the ears.
14.  Most consumers with loss in both ears chose two hearing aids.
15.  Consumers with two hearing aids express greater satisfaction.

Saline Audiology
501-778-3868 or 501-922-0053

We help you…
Listen to Life

5 Medical Park Drive, Suite 101
Benton, Arkansas 72015
501-778-3868

110 Este Way, Suite B
Hot Springs Village, Arkansas 71909
501-922-0053

www.salineaudiology.com

All newborns should be screened for hearing loss.

Make sure your newborn’s hearing is screened before leaving the hospital.

Why Screen Newborns?
Newborn hearing screenings are extremely important. When newborns have hearing loss and are diagnosed early, effective intervention is available to help them achieve normal or nearly normal speech, language, and hearing milestones.

• Approximately 3-6 of every 1,000 newborns have significant hearing problems.
• More than 95 percent of newborns who are born deaf have parents with normal hearing.
• Hearing loss is invisible; it cannot be seen by examining your newborn’s ears.
• Most newborns with hearing loss have no signs or symptoms.

What Should I Know About the Hearing Screening?

• Hearing screenings are fast, safe, and painless.
• Sometimes newborns are screened once or twice.
• Hearing screenings take about 10 minutes.
• Most babies sleep through the hearing screening.
• You will receive the hearing screening results before you leave the hospital.

What If My Newborn Does Not Pass the Hearing Screening?
Some newborns who need a follow-up hearing screening or a hearing test have normal hearing—BUT some have hearing loss.

If your newborn does not pass the screening, it is important to make an appointment with an audiologist for a complete hearing test.

What If My Newborn Passes the Hearing Screening?
Newborns who pass the screenings are usually fine. However, some newborns might hear well enough to pass a screening, even though their hearing is not perfectly normal. Some newborns may pass the screening, yet they can lose hearing from illness, medications, or genetic reasons—after leaving the hospital. Therefore, even if your newborn passes the screening, tell your audiologist or physician if you suspect hearing loss at any time.

Other Warning Signs of Hearing Loss
Your newborn might be at risk for delayed onset hearing loss if any of the following applies to your baby.

• You or another caregiver has concerns.
• Family history of childhood hearing loss.
• Neonatal intensive care stay with ECMO therapy.
• Chemotherapy.
• Some infections that occur before and after birth (including CMV, bacterial, and viral meningitis).
• Some disorders that affect the baby’s nervous system.

If one or more apply to your newborn, make an appointment with  an audiologist.

SALINE AUDIOLOGY
501-778-3868

The staff at Saline Audiology is here to help you with all you hearing and dizziness needs!  Give us a call or check out our website at www.salineaudiology.com