by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. Hearing loss is a complex issue. Thus, there is no single simple answer—so why do so many hearing health care professionals act as if hearing aids are the sole answer? Dr. Mark Ross, himself hard of hearing for as many years as I’ve been alive, is probably the foremost audiologist alive […]
Blog
Need Help To Hear Better—Hearing Aids and Assistive Devices
by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. A lady wrote: I am hard of hearing and have been so for years. I will be 69 in July. I have been told I have nerve deafness in both ears. Is there any help for people when hearing aids are between $5,000 and $6,000. Is there anything good that would […]
Ear Wax Removal Medication (Cerumenex) Found to be Ototoxic
by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. You would think that a medication to remove ear wax would not damage your ears, wouldn’t you? Don’t bet on it. A new study at The Montreal Children’s Hospital revealed a shocking truth—such preparations can be very damaging to our ears. Here’s the report. A new study, led by researchers at […]
Losing Balance from Loud Sounds and Sensitivity to Sound
by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. A veteran wrote: My hearing loss and tinnitus is service-connected. I was exposed to constant cannon fire while in the Marine corp. No hearing protection. Marines were expected to tough it out. Now I’m paying for that silly theory with my hearing problems. I am trying to explain to the VA […]
Pets and Tinnitus Reduction
by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. A lady wrote: I found a little dog and had him with me for one week before finding his grateful owners. Of course I had to walk him, and I fussed over him (a sheltie/Pomeranian mix—he is super cute). During that time, it seemed the ringing in my ears was much […]
Can Musical Ear Syndrome (MES) Be Caused by Anxiety or Depression?
by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. A lady wrote: I just discovered references to you on the Internet while I was trying to Google information about what I now know you have coined “Musical Ear Syndrome”. The MES reference fits me to a “T”, and I am so relieved to find that others experience this, too. I […]
Chances of Children Having Large Vestibular Aqueduct Syndrome (LVAS)
by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. A mother wrote, My daughter has LVAS [Large Vestibular Aqueduct Syndrome]. My husband and I have not had genetic testing done to determine whether we are carriers. Am I to assume that since my daughter has LVAS, so will my son? No—unless you both also have LVAS. The fact that your […]
Squeaking Tinnitus with each Heartbeat—What’s Going On?
by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. Recently a woman explained, I haven’t lost my hearing, but I hear my pulse as a “squeak” frequently. It is only on the left side, but it is very annoying and sounds like a heart murmur. Any suggestions? When you hear your pulse in one or both ears, this is a […]
Grapefruit Juice and Ototoxic Drugs
by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. A lady asked: Can a person drink grapefruit juice, or eat grapefruit without taking medications with it and be ok, or does grapefruit affect hearing loss period? If you are not taking any medications, eat/drink as much grapefruit as your heart desires. It doesn’t affect ears. It’s not the grapefruit that […]
Getting Captions On Your New TV—The Good, the Bad and the Downright Frustrating
by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. Right now we are in a transition between the existing analog TV transmission standard and the new digital TV standard. On February 17, 2009 here in the USA, all analog TV transmissions will cease, and we will enter the 100% digital TV transmission age. (Don’t confuse digital TV with high definition […]