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YOUR HEARING
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Can A Traumatic Brain Injury and Hearing Impairment
Be Linked?
By Dr. Nicole Schott, Au.D., CCC-A
T
here are approximately three new cases
of traumatic brain injury (TBI) every
minute in the United States. A TBI is an
injury to the head that disrupts or damages
the brain. We often hear about changes in
memory, headaches and poor coordination,
but sensory deficits after a brain injury can
be just as life changing. Are you one of the
almost five million Americans living with a
long-term effect of a TBI? Have you noticed
a change in your hearing or balance? If so,
you should consider an audiologic evaluation
from Swift Audiology.
With 1.7 million new cases of TBI every
year in the United States, the causes are
varied. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention identified the leading causes of
TBI to be: falls, motor vehicle accidents, and
sports related injuries. A TBI can change the
way a person behaves, thinks and performs
daily tasks. Many traumatic brain injuries
involve the ear and result in immediate
changes in hearing and balance. In cases
where the ear itself is not damaged, hearing
loss can be caused by the way sound is
processed within the brain. Untreated
hearing loss can increase the social and
cognitive effects of TBI.
Post-traumatic hearing loss can be
conductive or sensorineural. Conductive
hearing loss occurs in the outer or middle
ear and leads to a reduction in the ability to
hear faint sounds. In most cases, this type of
hearing loss can be medically or surgically
corrected. Usually, conductive hearing loss
occurs when the ear drum is perforated or
the ossicles (tiny bones in the middle ear) are
disrupted.
Special
Offer
Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by
damage to the inner ear or the nerve from
the ear to the brain. This type of hearing loss
cannot be cured, but is effectively managed
through the use of hearing aids and FM
systems. Individuals with post-traumatic
sensorineural hearing loss may notice:
• Ear pain or fullness
• Difficulty understanding speech
• Difficulty communicating in noisy
environments
• Inability to localize sounds
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Hyperacusis (everyday noises may seem
painfully loud)
• Dizziness or imbalance
If you experience any of these symptoms
it is important to receive appropriate
hearing care. The management of hearing
loss will aid in the diagnosis and treatment
of other symptoms of TBI. Additionally,
having a strong family support system is
essential to your recovery. Hearing care
professionals are able to provide education
and communication strategies for real-world
listening success.
At Swift Audiology, we provide a
complimentary audiologic evaluation to
assess hearing, speech understanding
in background noise, and tinnitus. When
selecting a hearing device, you want to
consider your degree of hearing loss, lifestyle,
and cosmetic needs. Schedule your free
appointment with Swift Audiology and let us
help you find the right hearing device! Call
412.307.4153 today, we can help.
400
off
$
Your Swift Audiology
Hearing Healthcare
Professionals
Dr. Schott, Au.D., CCC-A - North Hills,
Dr. Megan Myers, Au.D., CCC-A - South Hills,
Kellie Tankersley, PA Certified H.I.S. - Butler,
Debra Swift, B.C.-H.I.S., Founder and CEO, and
Tammy Swift, PA Certified, H.I.S. - Washington
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY!
412.347.5336
INRFEB16
When you schedule your FREE
hearing evaluation at Swift
Audiology, you are eligible
to receive $400 OFF a pair of
Advanced Digital hearing aids
(or $200 OFF one).
Not good with prior purchases or additional
discounts. Offer valid until February 29, 2016.
North Hills | South Hills | Washington | Butler
Ross Township | Spring 2016 | icmags.com 11