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While some forms of hearing loss fall into the “sensorineural” category (involving damage to the inner ear), “conductive” hearing loss is associated with a problem in the middle or outer ear that impedes sound waves from reaching the inner ear. Most common among this type of hearing loss are blockages caused by earwax (cerumen), which is the yellowish, waxy substance secreted by glands in the outer portion of the ear canal. Normally, as the skin of the ear canal grows outward from the eardrum, it carries wax to the ear opening as if it were on a conveyer belt. While proper,

Many tinnitus sufferers have found a way to live with the constant ringing in their ears; others are not so fortunate, as the buzzing sound in their ears is so pronounced that it is difficult to concentrate during the day or sleep at night. In either case, tinnitus sufferers can benefit from an evaluation from an audiologist. On the basis of that exam, either a hearing instrument or a sound generator may be recommended. While the former makes sound so clear that the buzzing noise may recede, the latter drowns out the buzzing sound with a sound of a specific frequency.

There are a number of studies that suggest a link between sensory impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. For instance, one study found that people suffering from hearing loss had a 30% to 40% greater chance per year of experiencing cognitive decline than people with normal hearing. The rates of cognitive decline were directly related to the level of study participants’ hearing loss. However, it remains unclear whether the sensory problems precede Alzheimer’s disease or the other way around. Some researchers believe that Alzheimer’s disease may affect nerve pathways to the brain that transmit auditory information, while others think that hearing impairment may

The biggest news involving hearing instruments in recent years revolves around the introduction and widespread popular acceptance of “open-fit” hearing instruments. What makes these instruments so special is their design, which places miniature digital components completely behind the ear, which eliminates the need for a mould. From there, a small plastic tube attached to the business end of the instrument brings sound to the ear canal. Popular excitement with this type of hearing instrument stems primarily from the fact that it is so comfortable. There is no mould to insert in the ear, and the ear canal remains open, so there