DOCSLIB.ORG

Life's Worth Hearing

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

Life’s worth hearing Exploring a Cochlear™ Bone Conduction Solution Opening up a new world of sound When you live with hearing loss, you’re not simply missing out on sounds, you could be missing out on life. It’s time to get back what you’ve been missing. If you struggle to hear because of conditions such as draining ears, chronic ear infections, acoustic neuroma or Microtia and Atresia, a bone conduction solution may be what you have been waiting for. 2 “ My hearing loss no longer slows me down. The Baha System keeps up with me and my active lifestyle.” Tiff any – Baha recipient 3 Hope when you need it most Every hearing loss is different and the causes vary from person to person. Your hearing loss may affect one ear or both ears and it may stem from a problem in the inner, middle or outer ear. Depending on the degree of hearing loss and which part of the ear is damaged, a bone conduction solution can help you regain access to the sounds you have been missing. Cochlear™ bone conduction solutions are clinically proven medical treatment options for those with single-sided deafness, conductive hearing loss or mixed hearing loss. Single-sided deafness Conductive hearing loss Mixed hearing loss Sensorineural hearing loss in one When your outer or middle ear is Refers to a combination of ear where you have little or no damaged and prevents sound from conductive and sensorineural hearing in that ear, but normal reaching your inner ear. hearing loss. This means there hearing in the other ear. may be damage in both the outer Possible causes: or middle ear and the inner ear. Possible causes: • Malformations at birth Any of the causes of • Sudden deafness • Microtia and/or Atresia conductive hearing loss • Acoustic neuroma • Draining ears plus any of the following: • Birth defects • Chronic ear infections • Aging • Genetics • Previous ear surgeries • Exposure to loud noise • Head trauma • Chronic mastoiditis or middle ear • Head trauma infections • Meniere’s disease • Genetics • Skin growth or cyst • Adverse reactions to drugs • Meniere’s disease (cholesteatoma) • Malformation at birth or missing inner ear or cochlea • Syndromes such as Down, Goldenhar and Treacher Collins 4 Outer ear Middle ear Inner ear Cochlea Ossicles Ear canal Eardrum Auditory nerve Anatomy of the ear 5 6 Understanding treatment options for your hearing loss Today there are a variety of hearing solutions to treat different types of hearing loss. Depending on the type of hearing loss you have, some hearing solutions may be more effective than others. Your hearing implant specialist will recommend the best solution for your hearing loss. Possible solutions for Possible solutions for conductive single-sided deafness and mixed hearing loss • CROS hearing aids • Medications • Bone conduction solutions • Surgery - Cochlear™ Osia® System • Hearing aids - Cochlear™ Baha® System • Bone conduction solutions - Cochlear™ Osia® System - Cochlear™ Baha® System How bone conduction solutions are different Than CROS and traditional hearing aids: Than middle ear surgery: • Our portfolio of bone conduction solutions • If you have had an unsuccessful middle ear offers discreet wearing options that you surgery or surgeries to help restore natural only need to wear on the hearing impaired hearing, a bone conduction solution might ear(s), while CROS hearing aids require be for you. users to wear devices on both the normal • There is risk of damaging your inner ear or and the hearing impaired ear. cochlea during middle ear surgery, which can leave you with hearing loss. • Studies show that bone conduction solutions provide better speech understanding in noise • With a bone conduction solution, there is than CROS hearing aids.1 no risk of damaging residual hearing or the cochlea. • While wearing conventional bone conduction hearing aids, volume and sound quality can be limited because the skin acts as a barrier. • Some hearing aids require users to wear an earmold, which can aggravate existing conditions, such as draining ears. 7 Could a bone conduction solution help you? Ask yourself the following questions and if you answer “yes” to any of them, then a bone conduction solution might be right for you: □ Can you only hear from one ear? □ Do you suffer from sore or irritated ears due to your hearing aids? □ Do you have trouble getting sufficient loudness when using hearing aids? □ Do you suffer from chronic ear infections? □ Do you have draining ears? □ Do you battle feedback such as whistling hearing aids or distorted sound? □ Do you have malformed ears or ear canals? Benefits of hearing through bone conduction Research and decades of experience demonstrate the benefits of a bone conduction solution compared to leaving your hearing loss untreated.2-4 With a bone conduction solution you my be able to: • Hear better, even in noisy situations. • Enjoy a clean, more natural sound because bypassing the damaged part of your ear may reduce the amount of amplification needed to help you hear better. • Hear sounds as if they are coming from both sides. • Become more aware of your surroundings, increasing your ability to hear important sounds. 8 Insurance coverage for a bone conduction solution Unlike hearing aids, bone conduction solutions are covered by Medicare. They are also covered by many insurance plans and typically Medicaid.* Contact a Hearing Implant Specialist to determine if you are a candidate. For additional insurance information and resources visit www.cochlear.com/us/insurance Private Insurance Medicaid Medicare Bone Conduction Covered by most Typically covered.** Covered.† Solutions insurance plans.* Hearing Aids Typically Typically covered.** By law are not covered. not covered. For candidates residing in Canada, you should contact your local hearing implant center to determine coverage. The cost of a hearing implant may be covered by your provincial and territory health insurance plan. Every health insurance plan is diff erent. Coverage varies by each province and territory, the type of hearing implant you may need and your hearing loss. * Contact your insurance company or local Hearing Implant Specialist to determine your eligibility for coverage. ** Coverage for adult Medicaid recipients varies according to state-specifi c guidelines. † Covered for Medicare benefi ciaries who meet CMS criteria for coverage. 9 Adrian – Osia recipient 10 Cochlear bone conduction solutions The Cochlear portfolio of bone conduction solutions off ers implantable and non-surgical options that are designed to meet your individual needs and provide unparalleled hearing performance. All of our bone conduction solutions are scientifi cally proven to treat conductive and mixed hearing loss and single-sided sensorineural deafness. 11 Cochlear bone ® conduction solution Osia System The Osia System is the world’s fi rst active osseointegrated steady-state implant.* It uses piezoelectric stimulation to bypass the damaged areas of the middle and outer ear to send vibrations directly to the inner ear. This type of stimulation is novel for bone conduction solutions. The Osia System is made up of two parts: the implant and transducer (the part that creates the vibrations) that are located under the skin, and the sound processor which is placed externally off the ear. 1 3 2 External sound processor 4 Internal implant How the Osia System works 1 The sound processor captures sound 3 The Piezo Power™ transducer vibrates, sending in the air and digitally analyzes the signal. vibrations through the implant to the bone. 2 The processed signal and power are sent 4 The vibrations travel to the inner ear where through to the implant. they are converted into electrical impulses and sent to the brain to be interpreted as sound. * In the United States, the Osia System is cleared for children ages 12 and older. In Canada, the Osia System is indicated for children ages 5 and older. 12 Osia® 2 Sound Processor The slim, off -the-ear Osia Sound Processor is light and comfortable to wear. As a one-piece unit that includes the magnet and battery, you can simply place it on your head and you’re ready to go. It’s that easy. Its small size is designed to allow you to wear it all day. In fact, you may even forget it’s there. • For those with hearing loss up to 55 dB SNHL* • Off ers direct streaming with compatible Apple® devices** • Dust and moisture resistant† and has been thoroughly drop tested for durability • Can easily become waterproof with the Aqua+ accessory† • Control your hearing experience conveniently from your smartphone with the Osia Smart App • LED light to confi rm that the sound processor is on and connected Osia 2 Sound Processor Color options: Sandy Chocolate Slate Silver Black Blonde Brown Grey Grey * SNHL means sensorineural hearing level. ** For compatibility information, visit www.cochlear.com/compatibility. † The Osia 2 Sound Processor with Aqua+ is waterproof down to three meters for a maximum of 2 hours and dust tight corresponding with a level IP68 of the International Standard IEC60529. 13 Cochlear bone ® conduction solution Baha System The Baha System uses a small abutment to provide a direct connection between the implant and sound processor, which may maximize your hearing performance.* External sound processor 1 2 3 How the Baha Connect System works 1 The Baha® 6 Max Sound Processor picks up sound 3 The sound vibrations are then sent directly through vibrations from the environment. the bone to the inner ear (cochlea) where they are converted into electrical impulses by tiny hair cells 2 The sound vibrations are transferred through an inside the cochlea. These impulses travel to the abutment to a small titanium implant inserted brain, allowing you to perceive sound naturally. in the bone behind the ear. * In the United States and Canada, the placement of a bone conduction implant is contraindicated in children under the age of 5.
Recommended publications
  • Hearing Loss in Patients with Extracranial Complications of Chronic Otitis Media

    Hearing Loss in Patients with Extracranial Complications of Chronic Otitis Media

    ORIGINAL ARTICLE Hearing loss in patients with extracranial complications of chronic otitis media Authors’ Contribution: BCDE AF A – Study Design Tomasz Przewoźny , Jerzy Kuczkowski B – Data Collection C – Statistical Analysis D – Data Interpretation Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland E – Manuscript Preparation F – Literature Search G – Funds Collection Article history: Received: 13.04.2017 Accepted: 10.04.2017 Published: 15.06.2017 ABSTRACT: Objective: A pure tone audiomety analysis of patients with extracranial complications of chronic suppurative otitis media (ECCSOM). Material and methods: We retrospectively analyzed audiometric data performed before treatment from 63 pa- tients with ECCSOM (56 single, 7 multiple complications) including groups of frequencies. Results: The greatest levels of hearing loss were noted for 6 and 8 kHz (79.0 and 75.7 dBHL) and for the frequency groups high tone average (76.1 dBHL). As regards the severity of hearing impairment in pure tone average the prev- alence of complications was as follows: labyrinthitis (77.8±33.6 dBHL), facial palsy (57.1±14.3 dBHL), perilymphatic fistula (53.9±19.9 dBHL) and mastoiditis (42.2±9.5 dBHL) (p=0.023). Conclusions: Hearing loss in ECCSOM is dominated by mixed, high-tone, moderate type of hearing loss, most pro- found in labyrinthitis. In 11% of patients the complication causes total deafness. KEYWORDS: chronic suppurative otitis media, complications extracranial, hearing loss INTRODUCTION ing discharge from the ear and mixed or conductive hearing loss can be observed [4-5]. Labyrinthitis is associated with Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is a destructive slowly progressive high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss disease of the ear.
  • Thresholds of Audibility for Bone-Conduction Headsets

    Thresholds of Audibility for Bone-Conduction Headsets

    Proceedings of ICAD 05-Eleventh Meeting of the International Conference on Auditory Display, Limerick, Ireland, July 6-9, 2005 THRESHOLDS OF AUDIBILITY FOR BONE-CONDUCTION HEADSETS Bruce N. Walker and Raymond M. Stanley Sonification Lab, School of Psychology Georgia Institute of Technology 654 Cherry Street Atlanta, Georgia USA 30332. [email protected], [email protected] ABSTRACT input jack, these newer “bonephones” are now suitable for implementation in auditory displays. The transducers of the Despite advantages of using headphones, including privacy and bonephones rest on the mastoid, which is the raised portion of portability, headphones have one essential drawback: they cover the temporal bone located directly behind the ear. The mastoid the ears of the listener, thus deteriorating detection and is a preferable transducer location relative to the forehead or localization of ambient sounds. Bone-conduction headsets leave temple because it contains the inner ear, is relatively immune to the ears uncovered, yet maintain portability and privacy. An the interference associated with muscle tissue operating the jaw, initial step in establishing guidelines for using these and allows stereo presentation of sounds. “bonephones” is taken in the present research. The input into the bonephones necessary to reach a 71% detection threshold is measured at critical band centers ranging from 150 Hz to 13500 1.2. The Need For Bone-conduction Research Hz. These thresholds were measured with an open ear canal, a plugged ear canal, and a masking noise. Results were consistent Most of psychoacoustics research and all of the human factors with other bone-conduction threshold measurements. The utility research on auditory displays that the authors are aware of has of this information in the context of equalization for the audio focused on the conduction of sound through air, and thus has presented through the bonephones is discussed.
  • Use of High-Frequency and Muscle Vibration in the Treatment of Tinnitus

    Use of High-Frequency and Muscle Vibration in the Treatment of Tinnitus

    International Tinnitus Journal, Vol. 9, No.1, 32-36 (2003) Use of High-Frequency and Muscle Vibration in the Treatment of Tinnitus Martin L. Lenhardt,1,2 Barbara A. Goldstein,2,3 Abraham Shulman,2,3 and Robert Guinta2,3 IProgram in Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA; 2Sound Technique Systems, LLC; and 3Martha Entenmann Tinnitus Research Center, State University of New York, Brooklyn, NY Abstract: Although tinnitus is defined as an internal auditory sensation, external auditory stimuli can mask tinnitus under some circumstances. High-frequency vibration delivered as bone conduction stimulation is effective in masking high-pitched tinnitus. In this preliminary report, somatosensory stimulation in the form of low-frequency muscle vibration can also mask high-frequency tinnitus. Somatosensory stimulation provides fast, immediate relief, whereas high-frequency vibration provides longer-lasting benefit. Either modality can stand alone or can be used in conjunction for tinnitus treatment. A clinically feasible technique has been iden­ tified for more wide-scale evaluation. Key Words: hallucinations; high-frequency vibration; somatosensory; tinnitus; tinnitus model n a we\l-known experiment, von Bekesy [1] can­ only partially overlap with their tinnitus pitch , appar­ I celed the perception of an air-conducted pure tone ently masking can be effective regardless of whether with a second tone of the same frequency pre­ the masker contains the tinnitus frequencies [9]. sented simultaneously to the ear by bone conduction. This outcome is just the opposite in cochlear mask­ The trick was to alter the phase, canceling the stimula­ ing. The more a masker is frequency-separated from tion in the cochlea.
  • Bone Conduction Hearing: a Natural Pathway to Hearing

    Bone Conduction Hearing: a Natural Pathway to Hearing

    BoneBone ConductionConduction Hearing:Hearing: A Natural Pathway to Hearing George Cire, Au.D [email protected] Donna Sorkin, M.A. [email protected] GeorgeGeorge Cire,Cire, Au.D.Au.D. • Fellow, American Academy of Audiology • Member and CCC/A, ASHA • Clinical Manager, Bone Anchored Solutions, Cochlear Americas • Award for Continuing Education, ASHA • Previously, Member of TX Board of Examiners in Speech Pathology & Audiology • Thirty years serving as an Audiologist in both private practice and industry DonnaDonna Sorkin,Sorkin, M.A.M.A. • Vice President, Consumer Affairs, Cochlear Americas • Manage Cochlear Americas HOPE program • Address public policy issues impacting our recipient community • Previously, Executive Director of HLAA and AG Bell • Advocate for consumers and families PresentationPresentation topicstopics z How the Ear works z Types of Hearing Loss z Audiogram Patterns z Possible causes for each type of Hearing loss z Treatment Options z Bone Conduction Hearing Devices z Case Studies z How Early Intervention can help a child who may be a candidate for bone conduction hearing MajorMajor DivisionsDivisions ofof thethe EarEar z Outer Ear (Pinna and Ear Canal) z Middle Ear (Eardrum, Ossicular Chain) z Inner Ear (Cochlea) TheThe EarEar TypesTypes ofof HearingHearing lossloss z Conductive z Sensorineural z Mixed TheThe EarEar TheThe HearingHearing EvaluationEvaluation z A primary goal of the clinical evaluation of hearing is to identify the type and severity of the hearing loss z Done by testing both the air conduction and
  • ICD-9 Diseases of the Ear and Mastoid Process 380-389

    ICD-9 Diseases of the Ear and Mastoid Process 380-389

    DISEASES OF THE EAR AND MASTOID PROCESS (380-389) 380 Disorders of external ear 380.0 Perichondritis of pinna Perichondritis of auricle 380.00 Perichondritis of pinna, unspecified 380.01 Acute perichondritis of pinna 380.02 Chronic perichondritis of pinna 380.1 Infective otitis externa 380.10 Infective otitis externa, unspecified Otitis externa (acute): NOS circumscribed diffuse hemorrhagica infective NOS 380.11 Acute infection of pinna Excludes: furuncular otitis externa (680.0) 380.12 Acute swimmers' ear Beach ear Tank ear 380.13 Other acute infections of external ear Code first underlying disease, as: erysipelas (035) impetigo (684) seborrheic dermatitis (690.10-690.18) Excludes: herpes simplex (054.73) herpes zoster (053.71) 380.14 Malignant otitis externa 380.15 Chronic mycotic otitis externa Code first underlying disease, as: aspergillosis (117.3) otomycosis NOS (111.9) Excludes: candidal otitis externa (112.82) 380.16 Other chronic infective otitis externa Chronic infective otitis externa NOS 380.2 Other otitis externa 380.21 Cholesteatoma of external ear Keratosis obturans of external ear (canal) Excludes: cholesteatoma NOS (385.30-385.35) postmastoidectomy (383.32) 380.22 Other acute otitis externa Excerpted from “Dtab04.RTF” downloaded from website regarding ICD-9-CM 1 of 11 Acute otitis externa: actinic chemical contact eczematoid reactive 380.23 Other chronic otitis externa Chronic otitis externa NOS 380.3 Noninfectious disorders of pinna 380.30 Disorder of pinna, unspecified 380.31 Hematoma of auricle or pinna 380.32 Acquired
  • Speech Reception Via Bone Conduction

    Speech Reception Via Bone Conduction

    Portland State University PDXScholar Dissertations and Theses Dissertations and Theses 1989 Speech reception via bone conduction Sherry G. Morris Portland State University Follow this and additional works at: https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds Part of the Speech and Hearing Science Commons Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Morris, Sherry G., "Speech reception via bone conduction" (1989). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 3908. https://doi.org/10.15760/etd.5792 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of PDXScholar. Please contact us if we can make this document more accessible: [email protected]. AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF Sherry G. Morris for the Master of Science in Speech Communication presented May 5, 1989. Title: Speech Reception via Bone Conduction. APPROVED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE THESIS COMMITTEE: Tb6mas D~n, Chair _/ ~ '!'he purpose of this investigation was to determine if the performance-intensity function for spondees deli- vere~ via bone conduction (using the Radioear E-72 and Pracitronic KH-70) differed from the performance-intensity function for air conduction (using TDH-39 earphones). A secondary consideration addressed in this study was the comparison ~= the discrimination sccrcs using the three transdu;::ers. Performance-intensity funC"tions for spondee thresho:ds were calculated on 12 normal hearing subjects 2 using two bone conduction vibrators, the Radioear B-72 and Pracitronic KH-70, and TDH-39 earphones. Results indicated that there was no significant difference between the performance-intensity function of speech via bone conduction as compared to speech via air conduction.
  • Cochlear Implants and Osseointegrated Bone Conduction Devices Policy

    Cochlear Implants and Osseointegrated Bone Conduction Devices Policy

    Manual: IU Health Plans Department: Utilization Management Policy # UMPA030.1 Effective Date: 12/19/2019 Supersedes Policy # UMPA030.0/or Last update or issue date: 05/01/2018 Page(s) Including attachments: 8 Medicare Advantage X Commercial Cochlear Implants and Osseointegrated Bone Conduction Devices Policy I. Purpose Indiana University Health Plans (IU Health Plans) considers clinical indications when making a medical necessity determination for Cochlear Implants and Osseointegrated Bone Conduction Devices. II. Scope All Utilization Management (UM) staff conducting physical and behavioral health UM review. III. Exceptions Variations A. Those with cochlear implants may be at a particularly increased risk for pneumococcal meningitis. Cochlear implant recipients and all potential implant recipients must be up-to-date with age appropriate recommended vaccinations according to the CDC/Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to prevent pneumoccocal infections. B. Cochlear implantation may be covered for treatment of bilateral pre- or post-linguistic, sensorineural, moderate-to-profound hearing loss in individuals who demonstrate limited benefit from amplification. C. The replacement of existing external components with upgraded components when done solely to improve appearance or to treat psychological symptomatology or complaints because it is considered not medically necessary and will not covered. IV. Definitions None V. Policy Statements A. IU Health Plans considers Cochlear implants and Osseointegrated Bone Conduction Devices medically necessary for one or more of the following indications: 1. Coverage is provided only for those patients who meet all of the following selection guidelines based on their appropriate age bracket: a. One or more of the following based on the member’s age bracket: 1) Adults (ages 18 and over) must meet all of the following: a) Diagnosis of bilateral moderate-to-profound sensorineural hearing impairment with limited benefit from appropriate hearing (or vibrotactile) aids.
  • Tinnitus What Is Tinnitus? Tinnitus Is Defined As the Perception of Sound When No External Sound Is Present

    Tinnitus What Is Tinnitus? Tinnitus Is Defined As the Perception of Sound When No External Sound Is Present

    Tinnitus What is tinnitus? Tinnitus is defined as the perception of sound when no external sound is present. The common vernacular is "ringing in the ears"; however, the quality of the tinnitus can range from roaring to hissing and chirping to clicking. Tinnitus can pulsate or be constant. It can be a single tone or multiple tones, and it's amplitude can vary from background noise to an excruciating experience. What causes tinnitus? Tinnitus has a variety of causes. The most common causes include wax in the ear canal, noise trauma or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. It can also be caused by Meniere's disease, endolymphatic hydrops, allergies, destruction of the middle ear bones, infection, nutritional deficiency, cardiovascular disease, thyroid disorders, certain medications, head injury and cervical disorders. Recently, migraine disorders have also been listed as a culprit. Regardless of the inciting etiology, it has been shown that the it is within the brain that the sound resides, persists, evolves and propagates. Tinnitus may begin with damage to the peripheral auditory system (the cochlea and auditory nerve), but its persistence is a function of the attention that it receives parietal cortex and frontal cortex), the importance that it is given (cingulate cortex, anterior insula) and it maintaining residence in the limbic system (the amygdala, hippocampus and thalamus). Ongoing research is being aggressively pursued to stop this feed-forward cycle in its tracks. Medications that may exacerbate tinnitus (adapted from Bailey's Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery 4th ed.) include aspirin and aspirin-containing compounds, aminoglycoside antibiotics, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and heterocycline antidepressants.
  • Cochlear Implants, Bone Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHA), Auditory Brainstem Implants, and Other Hearing Assistive Devices Medical Policy

    Cochlear Implants, Bone Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHA), Auditory Brainstem Implants, and Other Hearing Assistive Devices Medical Policy

    Cochlear Implants, Bone Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHA), Auditory Brainstem Implants, and Other Hearing Assistive Devices Medical Policy Service: Cochlear Implants, Bone Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHA), Auditory Brainstem Implants, and Other Hearing Assistive Devices PUM 250-0014 Medical Policy Committee Approval 07/29/2021 Effective Date 12/01/2021 Prior Authorization Needed Yes Description: Sensorineural hearing loss occurs with damage to the inner ear/cochlea or in the pathways of the nerves from the inner ear to the brain. Conductive hearing loss occurs due to dampening of sound before it reaches the cochlea and may be caused by blockage or damage along the outer ear, ear canal, or middle ear. Mixed hearing loss is a combination of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. Conventional hearing aids amplify the sound output into the ear canal. These may be “an exclusion of the health plan”. A cochlear implant is an implantable prosthetic device that processes sounds electronically then transmits electronic stimulation to the cochlea (auditory part of the inner ear) resulting in a sense of sound to individuals with hearing loss. All cochlear implant devices consist of internal and external hardware. External components are worn either behind the ear or on the body. They include a microphone, a sound processor, batteries, and a transmitter that send coded electrical information and power to the internal parts. The internal components are placed surgically underneath the skin and include a receiver and an electrode array within the cochlea. A bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) is a type of hearing aid that provides sound conduction through a titanium implant in one of the bones of the skull.
  • Audition CLINICAL VIGNETTE Case History Sabina Ketter Is a 51 Year

    Audition CLINICAL VIGNETTE Case History Sabina Ketter Is a 51 Year

    721 Audition Clinical Vignette CLINICAL VIGNETTE Case History Sabina Ketter is a 51 year-old female who complains of decreased hearing in her right ear. She says it has been getting progressively worse over the past two years so that she now has to use her left ear when talking on the telephone. She also notes an occasional high pitched ringing (tinnitus) in her ear. For several years, she has suffered from headaches, which had recently become worse and which occasionally awaken her from sleep. Her speech is normal, and she denies problems with dizziness, swallowing or vision. She had no recollection of ever having an ear infection. Past Medical History There are no previous neurologic problems or serious illnesses. She is not taking any medications other than an occasional aspirin or ibuprofen for pain. She has no allergies. Social History Mrs. Ketter is married and works with her husband and 3 children on the family farm. She does not smoke and drinks moderate amounts of alcohol. Family History There is no family history of hearing loss. A brother was diagnosed recently with Parkinson’s disease. Her father and a maternal aunt have glaucoma. Physical Examination General: This is an alert person in no distress. Vital signs: Temperature = 97.8°F Blood Pressure = 125/77 Pulse = 67 and regular Respiration = 13 Height = 5’6” Weight = 152 lbs. Neurologic: Fundoscopy revealed normal optic nerves. Visual acuity and visual fields, determined by confrontation, are normal. There was no response in either eye when the right cornea was stimulated. Both eyes blinked upon stimulation of the left cornea.
  • Review of Bone Conduction Hearing Devices

    Review of Bone Conduction Hearing Devices

    Review Review of Bone Conduction Hearing Devices Susan E. Ellsperman *, Emily M. Nairn and Emily Z. Stucken Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; [email protected] (E.M.N.); [email protected] (E.Z.S.) * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: Bone conduction is an efficient pathway of sound transmission which can be harnessed to provide hearing amplification. Bone conduction hearing devices may be indicated when ear canal pathology precludes the use of a conventional hearing aid, as well as in cases of single-sided deafness. Several different technologies exist which transmit sound via bone conduction. Here, we will review the physiology of bone conduction, the indications for bone conduction amplification, and the specifics of currently available devices. Keywords: bone conduction; bone-anchored hearing aid; osseointegrated implant; transcutaneous bone conduction; percutaneous bone conduction 1. Introduction The concept of bone conduction hearing, the phenomenon through which a vibrating object can transmit sound, was first described in writing in the 1500s and credited to Girolamo Cardano [1]. Rudimentary devices such as a rod or spear were initially utilized as assistive devices for those with hearing loss by providing a route for vibrations to reach the listener. As technology advanced and the carbon microphone was developed in the early Citation: Ellsperman, S.E.; Nairn, 1900s, bone conduction devices designed to convert sounds into mechanical signals that E.M.; Stucken, E.Z. Review of Bone vibrate the mastoid bone were created. Early devices were held in place with a headband Conduction Hearing Devices.
  • Lyric 24/7 Hearing: Could It Help Those with Tinnitus?

    Lyric 24/7 Hearing: Could It Help Those with Tinnitus?

    Lyric 24/7 hearing: could it help those with tinnitus? Jacob Johnson, Medical Director, Lyric, Phonak Silicone Valley; Associate Clinical About Lyric Hearing The tinnitus dilemma Professor, Department Since its launch in 2008, Lyric represents Subjective tinnitus, the phantom percep- of Otolaryngology, the first and only device of its kind estab- tion of sound with no identifiable sound Head & Neck Surgery, University of California – lishing a new category of hearing solution: source, significantly reduces an individual’s San Francisco; 24/7 extended wear. Lyric is placed several quality of life [1]. The tinnitus patient lives President, San Francisco millimetres within the ear canal, near the with a complex constellation of symptoms Audiology; Physician Partner tympanic membrane, so it is 100% invisible, including challenges to sleep, concentra- (Otolaryngologist), and worn 24 hours a day for months at a tion, and cognition that, over time, can San Francisco Otolaryngology Medical time. Lyric is worn during all daily activities include anxiety, anger, depression, and loss Group. including showering, sleeping and exer- of control [2]. Additionally, these patients cising. This frees the wearer from typical have well-characterised alterations in neur- Correspondence hassles presented by traditional hearing onal activity in auditory and non-auditory E: Jacob.Johnson@ phonak.com aids, including multiple daily device inser- pathways [3]. tions or removals, battery changes, and For the practitioner, evaluation and Declaration of cleaning. Moreover, the placement of care of tinnitus is complicated by the competing interests JJ is a Consultant with the device near the tympanic membrane diversity of clinical presentations, the lack Phonak. enables the anatomy of the ear to naturally of a single underlying cause (Table 1), transform sound before it enters the Lyric patient co-morbidities, wide promotion Article was first published in microphone for amplification (Figure 1).