Hearing Library

	Explore the Potomac Audiology Hearing Library to learn about hearing-related issues that affect our daily lives.

• Cochlear Implant Candidacy Expands
  When the U.S. Food and Drug Administration first approved cochlear implants for adults in 1985, the technology was recommended for postlingually deafened adults... [more]
  Gail Linn, Potomac Audiology
  
  
• Cochlear Implants and Meningitus
  Currently, almost 10,000 children in the United States with severe to profound hearing loss have cochlear implants... [more]
  Gail Linn, Potomac Audiology
  
  
• Pediatric Cochlear Implant Candidacy Criteria
  The criteria used to determine candidacy for cochlear implantation are constantly expanding due to technological advances and increased performance... [more]
  Gail Linn, Potomac Audiology
  
  
• What is an Audiologist?
  An audiologist is a person who has a masters or doctoral degree in audiology. Audiology is the science of hearing. In addition, they must be licensed or registered by their state... [more]
  
  
• Hearing Aids in the Presence of Background Noise
  Virtually all patients wearing hearing aids complain about background noise at one time or another... [more]
  
  
• Do I Need Two Hearing Aids?
  Basically, if you have two ears with hearing loss that could benefit from hearing aids, you need two hearing aids... [more]
  
  
• Digital Hearing Aid Technology
  The term DIGITAL is used so often today, it can be confusing. When the term "digital" is used while referring to hearing... [more]
  

• 	Real-Ear Measurements show when a hearing aid is not working.

  Taking an Impression of the Ear
  All custom made hearing aids and earmolds are made from a "cast" of the ear. The cast is referred to as an ear impression. The audiologist or hearing aid dispenser... [more]
  
  
• Hearing Aid Battery Information
  All batteries are toxic and dangerous if swallowed. Keep all batteries (and hearing aids) away from children and pets. If anyone swallows a battery it is a medical emergency... [more]
  
  
• How do I know if I have Hearing Loss?
  Hearing loss occurs to most people as they age. Hearing loss can be due to the aging process, exposure to loud noise, certain medications, infections, head or ear trauma... [more]
  
  
• Middle Ear Implants
  Middle ear implants are surgically implanted devices. The FDA has approved specific middle ear implants and the FDA is still reviewing others. The middle ear implant... [more]
  
  
• Realistic Expectations for the Hearing Aid User
  Hearing aids work very well when fit and adjusted appropriately. They amplify sound! You might find that you like one hearing aid better than the other... [more]
  
  
• Three Levels of Hearing Aid Technology
  There are essentially three levels of hearing aid technology. We refer to these as analog, digitally programmable, and digital... [more]
  
  
• What is Tinnitus?
  Tinnitus is an abnormal perception of a sound which is reported by patients that is unrelated to an external source of stimulation. Tinnitus... [more]
  
  
• Type and Degree of Hearing Loss
  Results of the audiometric evaluation are plotted on a chart called an audiogram. Loudness is plotted from top to bottom. Frequency... [more]
  
  
• Types of Hearing Aids
  There are many styles of hearing aids. The degree of the hearing loss, power and options requirements, manual dexterity abilities, cost factors, and cosmetic... [more]
  
  
• Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs)
  You may have certain communication needs that cannot be solved by the use of hearing aids alone. These situations may involve the use of the telephone, radio, television... [more]
  
  
• Candidates for ALDs
  No. People with all degrees and types of hearing loss--even people with normal hearing can benefit from assistive listening devices... [more]
  
  

• 	We provide the best possible hearing care, based upon your individual needs.

  Types of ALDs
  There are many assistive listening devices available today, from sophisticated systems used in theaters and auditoriums to small personal systems... [more]
  
  
• The Prevalence of Tinnitus
  Tinnitus is the term for the perception of sound when no external sound is present. It is often referred to as "ringing in the ears," although some people hear hissing, roaring... [more]
  
  
• What Causes Tinnitus?
  Tinnitus may originate from various lesions and from different sites. The auditory system involves highly complicated inner ear structures, many afferent and efferent nerve... [more]
  
  
• Tinnitus Treatment and Management
  Generally, most patients will not need any medical treatment for their tinnitus. For patients who are greatly bothered by tinnitus, they may use some masking techniques... [more]
  
  
• Cochlear Implants
  Generally speaking, cochlear implants are for patients with severe-to-profound, sensorineural hearing loss. There are approximately 500,000 patients in the USA... [more]
  
  
• What is an Otolaryngologis
  Otolaryngologists (also called ear-nose-and-throat, or ENT, doctors) are physicians who have advanced training in disorders of the ear, nose... [more]
  
  
• What is an Otologist?
  Otologists or neurotologists are physicians who in addition to their ENT requirements continue their specialized training for an additional year or more in the diagnosis and treatment of... [more]
  
  
• What is an ENT (ear-nose-and-throat doctor)?
  Otolaryngologists (also called ear-nose-and-throat, or ENT, doctors) are physicians who have advanced training in disorders of the ear, nose, throat and head and neck... [more]
  
  
• What is an Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)?
  Auditory Processing (also called Central Auditory Processing) refers to the means by which we make sense of what we hear. "Auditory Processing Disorders" refers to... [more]
  
  
• What is a Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD)?
  Auditory Processing (also called Central Auditory Processing) refers to the means by which we make sense of what we hear. "Auditory Processing Disorders" refers to... [more]
  
  
• Meniere's Disease
  The inner ear is a delicate membranous sense organ, which is encased in a bony shell. It is suspended within a latice-like bony framework, called the mastoid bone... [more]
  
  
• Pre-instructions for Sedated ABR Testing
  ABR testing evaluates hearing levels without the active participation of your child. It is necessary for your child to be asleep during this test... [more]
  
  

• 	Audiologists use a test box like this one to analyze hearing aid performance,

  Preparation for Balance Testing
  This guide gives you an idea of what to expect... [more]
  
  
• Acoustic Neuroma
  Acoustic tumors are fibrous growths originating from the balance nerve and are not malignant. They do not spread to other parts of the brain, other than by direct extension... [more]
  
  
• Practical Suggestions for Persons with a Hearing Impairment
  The ear is divided into three parts: an external ear, a middle ear and an inner ear. Each part performs an important function in the process of hearing... [more]
  
  
• Otosclerosis
  The diagnosis of otoclerosis has been established as the cause of your hearing impairment. Otosclerosis means hardening of one of the bones of the ear... [more]
  
  
• Hearing Problems in Children
  Five thousand children are born profoundly deaf each year in the United States alone. Another 10 to 15 percent of newborns have a partial hearing... [more]
  
  
• Eustachian Tube Problems
  The ear is comprised of three portions: an outer ear (external), a middle ear and inner ear. Each part performs an important function... [more]
  
  
• Tinnitus
  Tinnitus is an abnormal perception of a sound which is reported by patients that is unrelated to an external source of stimulation. Tinnitus... [more]
  
  
• Dizziness
  Dizziness is a symptom not a disease. It may be defined as a sensation of unsteadiness, imbalance, or disorientation in relation to an individual's surroundings... [more]
  
  
• Chronic Ear Infections
  Chronic ear infection is the result of an ear infection that has left a residual injury to the ear. This type of infection has been established as the cause of your ear problem... [more]
  
  
• Hearing, Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids: Issues and Answers
  Hearing loss occurs to most people as they age. Hearing loss can be due to the aging process, exposure to loud noise, certain medications, infections, head or ear trauma... [more]
  
  
• Aural Rehabilitation: Some Personal and Professional Reflections
  When Geoff Plant asked me to give this keynote presentation, he said to be sure that I included some of my personal experiences as a hard of hearing person... [more]
  
  
• Hearing Aids: Reasonable Expectations for the Consumer
  Since you are considering the purchase of hearing aids, it’s important for you to establish reasonable expectations from these highly sophisticated, miniature devices... [more]
  
  
• Hearing Protection: Prevention is the Answer
  Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), while irreversible and incurable (at least, at this writing), is absolutely preventable... [more]
  
  

• 	Educating students about noise exposure and its consequences may prevent uneeded hearing loss later in life.

  Why Aren’t Hearing Conservation Practices Taught in Schools?
  Hearing conservation should receive attention and resources similar to those allocated for anti-smoking, anti-drug, teen pregnancy, and sexually transmitted disease education programs... [more]
  
  
• The American Tinnitus Association: A Resource for Enhancing Tinnitus Patient Services
  The American Tinnitus Association (ATA) assists healthcare providers in serving patients who have, or are learning to cope with, tinnitus... [more]
  
  
• There IS something you can do about tinnitus!
  Nearly 50 million people in the U.S.A. have tinnitus. Tinnitus may be described as a ringing, hissing or other noise heard in the ears or head... [more]
  
  
• A Patient's Guide to Tinnitus
  Tinnitus, often described as ringing, buzzing or hissing sounds in the ears, is a symptom that can be related to almost every known hearing problem. Tinnitus... [more]
  
  
• Managing Chronic Tinnitus As Phantom Auditory Pain
  Patients experiencing severe chronic tinnitus have many characteristics in common with chronic pain patients... [more]
  
  
• Tinnitus: It Has a Certain Ring to It
  Fifty million Americans experience some form of tinnitus. Twelve million have sought professional intervention. Tinnitus is a significant and common problem across the USA... [more]