In a study

of 1,200 men, those with significant high blood pressure were 74 percent

more likely to have hearing loss.

Sonar is used

to measure tympanic membrane flexibility. Tympanometry sends sound waves

down the ear canal and measures how much sound energy is reflected by

the eardrum.

On average,

33 babies with severe hearing loss are born in the United States each

day. Thirty-eight states now have legislation requiring or supporting

the hearing testing of newborns before discharge from the hospital.

A person with

perfect hearing can hear a twig snap up to a mile away (if there is no

other noise) and this causes the eardrum to vibrate 1/10 the diameter

of a hydrogen molecule. Aside from the loudness level perceived, a person

can also register the nuance of pitch.

No matter how

good a shape the outer ear and middle ear are in, if the inner ear (cochlea)

is damaged or deteriorated due to age, noise exposure, heredity, ototoxic

medicines, viruses, etc., a person will only be able to hear at the level

of the cochlea.

Hearing loss

can cause:

Interpersonal

problems with the family.

A person to

compensate (read lips, getting closer to person speaking).

Anger and

frustration.

Depression.

Emotional

instability.

Introverted

behavior.

Loss of control.

Paranoid feelings.

Reduced social

activity.

Hearing aids

can dramatically reverse these symptoms in most persons with hearing loss.

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