Newborn Hearing Screenings at Columbus Speech & Hearing
The Columbus Speech & Hearing Audiology department is pleased to announce the purchase of new Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) equipment. ABR equipment provides diagnostic testing, which allows our audiology team to measure the hearing sensitivity of children from newborns and older. This purchase was made possible with funding from a grant from Ohio’s Medicaid managed…
What You Should Know About Asymmetrical Hearing Loss
If you’ve never heard the term “asymmetrical hearing loss,” it means hearing loss that affects one ear more than the other. We review the signs, causes and treatments of asymmetrical hearing loss below. What Are the Signs of Asymmetrical Hearing Loss? People with asymmetrical hearing loss find themselves relying on their “good ear,” and often…
Kayla’s Story
Meet Kayla Kayla had numerous ear infections as a child, but it wasn’t until she displayed difficulties in school that led her parents to have her hearing tested. At seven years old, Kayla was diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss caused by damage to the inner ear and needed to wear hearing aids. However, the stigma…
Flying with Hearing Aids
The holiday season will soon be upon us. Crowds of travelers eagerly rush to John Glenn Airport in anticipation of seeing loved ones. However, for individuals with hearing loss, airplane travel can be quite difficult. It can be hard to hear overhead announcements for gate changes, boarding information, and hearing in-flight notifications when on the…
How Severe Is Your Hearing Loss?
According to an article published in the American Journal of Public Health, “An estimated 25.4 million, 10.7 million, 1.8 million, and 0.4 million US residents aged 12 years or older, respectively, have mild, moderate, severe, and profound better-ear hearing loss.” But what exactly do these classifications mean? We answer this question below. Normal Hearing If…
Audiologist and Hearing Aid Dispenser – What’s the Difference?
Audiologists and Hearing Aid Dispensers are very different regarding training and scope of practice. A hearing aid dispenser must have a high school diploma and be licensed by the state. A hearing aid dispenser is only allowed to test hearing for dispensing hearing aids and can only fit adult patients. They cannot treat you for…
What Are the Different Parts of a Hearing Aid?
Modern hearing aids are essentially tiny computers that boast incredible features, allowing you to hear well when conversing with friends at The Pearl. In order to accomplish this, there are several essential parts that work together. We review these below. Microphone The amplification process starts with the microphone. The microphone picks up sounds from your…
Staff Spotlight: Emily Kirkendall
This month we feature Audiologist, Dr. Emily Kirkendall. Dr. Emily joined Columbus Speech & Hearing 15 years ago because she liked the idea of working for a non-profit organization and having the unique ability to work with adults and children every work day. A Northeast Ohio Au.D. Consortium graduate, Dr. Emily says the best part…
Protect Your Hearing During These Fall Activities
Fall is a favorite time of year for many, whether it’s the cooling temperatures, changing leaves or the various fun activities that are special to this time of year. However, it’s important to keep in mind that some fall activities may expose you to loud volumes that have the potential to damage your hearing. Noise…
Over the Counter Hearing Aids (OTCs)
By: Jennifer Thomson, Au.D, M.S. In August 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved regulations for a class of over-the-counter hearing aids in response to demands by consumers and other agencies. These devices will likely be available for purchase by mid-October 2022. Prescriptive hearing aids are very different from OTCs. Before looking into hearing…