Recently, Dr. Layne Garrett of Timpanogos Audiology was certified as part of the American Institute of Balance Worldwide Network of Vestibular and Equilibrium Specialists. This network is comprised of Audiologists, Physicians and Physical and Occupational Therapists who specialize in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with balance disorders.
According to the National Institutes Health, 90 million Americans will experience dizziness, vertigo or imbalance sometime in their lives. As the U.S. population continutes to age, with 78 million baby boomers on the horizon, increasing falls with aging and the dangers of fractures and loss of mobility and independence is of great concern. Dizziness is the number one complaint of adults over age 70. The good news is that research now clearly shows that with early evaluation and treatment, many cases of dizziness can be treated quickly and easily.
If you or someone that you love suffers from dizziness or balance issues, please call our office at 801-770-0801 for a free screening appointment.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
General Practicioners Often Miss Hearing Loss
A new Austrailian study has recently found that hearing loss-- especially age-based hearing loss-- is often missed by general practicioners.
One adult in five and over half of those 80 and older experience hearing loss that should be treated. Some reasons suggested by the study for the missed diagnosis or referral include: time constraints, inadequate remuneration or lack of awareness of simple tools to identify hearing loss. Prof Mitchell, the head of the study, said internet-based education programs could be used to educate GPs about the importance of early identification of age-related hearing loss.
As with most chronic problems, patients need to advocate for themselves. This means asking your physician about any hearing problems that you experience at your appointment.
One adult in five and over half of those 80 and older experience hearing loss that should be treated. Some reasons suggested by the study for the missed diagnosis or referral include: time constraints, inadequate remuneration or lack of awareness of simple tools to identify hearing loss. Prof Mitchell, the head of the study, said internet-based education programs could be used to educate GPs about the importance of early identification of age-related hearing loss.
As with most chronic problems, patients need to advocate for themselves. This means asking your physician about any hearing problems that you experience at your appointment.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
The 60 / 60 Rule
Most of us like to listen to music. iPods and MP3 players have made this much easier to listen to just what we want to hear.
The problem is, most of us are listening too loud.
Did you know that earphones turned up to maximum can actually exceed the noise level that you would hear at a rock concert? In fact, recent studies at Boston University have shown that when you use earphones other than those that come with the mp3 player (unfortunately, these are the ones that usually sound the best!), sound levels can reach as high as 139 dB-- about the noise of a jet airplane on take off! It only takes a few minutes of exposure to those levels of sound to start hearing loss.
The recommended rule of thumb is no more than 60 minutes at no louder than 60% of maximum output. Keep that in mind and your more likely to keep your hearing!
The problem is, most of us are listening too loud.
Did you know that earphones turned up to maximum can actually exceed the noise level that you would hear at a rock concert? In fact, recent studies at Boston University have shown that when you use earphones other than those that come with the mp3 player (unfortunately, these are the ones that usually sound the best!), sound levels can reach as high as 139 dB-- about the noise of a jet airplane on take off! It only takes a few minutes of exposure to those levels of sound to start hearing loss.
The recommended rule of thumb is no more than 60 minutes at no louder than 60% of maximum output. Keep that in mind and your more likely to keep your hearing!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Types of Balance Disorders
The following information was obtained from the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders. If you experience any of these symptoms, please call our office to schedule a balance evaluation at 801-770-0801.
There are more than a dozen different balance disorders. Some of the most common are:
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) or positional vertigo is a brief, intense episode of vertigo that occurs because of a specific change in the position of the head. If you have BPPV, you might feel as if you're spinning when you look for an object on a high or low shelf or turn your head to look over your shoulder (such as when you back up your car). You also may experience BPPV when you roll over in bed. BPPV is caused when otoconia tumble from the utricle into one of the semicircular canals and weigh on the cupula. The cupula can't tilt properly and sends conflicting messages to the brain about the position of the head, causing vertigo. BPPV sometimes may result from a head injury or just from getting older.
Labyrinthitis is an infection or inflammation of the inner ear that causes dizziness and loss of balance. It frequently is associated with an upper respiratory infection such as the flu.
Ménière's disease is associated with a change in fluid volume within parts of the labyrinth. Ménière's disease causes episodes of vertigo, irregular hearing loss, tinnitus (a ringing or buzzing in the ear), and a feeling of fullness in the ear. The cause of this disease is unknown. For more information, read the NIDCD fact sheet Ménière's Disease.
Vestibular neuronitis is an inflammation of the vestibular nerve and may be caused by a virus. Its primary symptom is vertigo.
Perilymph fistula is a leakage of inner ear fluid into the middle ear. It can occur after a head injury, drastic changes in atmospheric pressure (such as when scuba diving), physical exertion, ear surgery, or chronic ear infections. Its most notable symptom, besides dizziness and nausea, is unsteadiness when walking or standing that increases with activity and decreases with rest. Some babies may be born with perilymph fistula, usually in association with hearing loss that is present at birth.
Mal de debarquement syndrome (MdDS) is a balance disorder in which you feel as if you're continuously rocking or bobbing. It generally happens after an ocean cruise or other sea travel. Usually, the symptoms will go away in a matter of hours or days after you reach land. However, severe cases can last months or even years.
Next installment: How balance orders are diagnosed.
There are more than a dozen different balance disorders. Some of the most common are:
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) or positional vertigo is a brief, intense episode of vertigo that occurs because of a specific change in the position of the head. If you have BPPV, you might feel as if you're spinning when you look for an object on a high or low shelf or turn your head to look over your shoulder (such as when you back up your car). You also may experience BPPV when you roll over in bed. BPPV is caused when otoconia tumble from the utricle into one of the semicircular canals and weigh on the cupula. The cupula can't tilt properly and sends conflicting messages to the brain about the position of the head, causing vertigo. BPPV sometimes may result from a head injury or just from getting older.
Labyrinthitis is an infection or inflammation of the inner ear that causes dizziness and loss of balance. It frequently is associated with an upper respiratory infection such as the flu.
Ménière's disease is associated with a change in fluid volume within parts of the labyrinth. Ménière's disease causes episodes of vertigo, irregular hearing loss, tinnitus (a ringing or buzzing in the ear), and a feeling of fullness in the ear. The cause of this disease is unknown. For more information, read the NIDCD fact sheet Ménière's Disease.
Vestibular neuronitis is an inflammation of the vestibular nerve and may be caused by a virus. Its primary symptom is vertigo.
Perilymph fistula is a leakage of inner ear fluid into the middle ear. It can occur after a head injury, drastic changes in atmospheric pressure (such as when scuba diving), physical exertion, ear surgery, or chronic ear infections. Its most notable symptom, besides dizziness and nausea, is unsteadiness when walking or standing that increases with activity and decreases with rest. Some babies may be born with perilymph fistula, usually in association with hearing loss that is present at birth.
Mal de debarquement syndrome (MdDS) is a balance disorder in which you feel as if you're continuously rocking or bobbing. It generally happens after an ocean cruise or other sea travel. Usually, the symptoms will go away in a matter of hours or days after you reach land. However, severe cases can last months or even years.
Next installment: How balance orders are diagnosed.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Out of Balance?
We have recently purchased new state-of-the-art balance equipment. For the next few posts, we will be focusing on the balance system, including symptoms, causes, diagnoses and treatment.
What are the symptoms of a balance disorder?
If your balance is impaired, you may feel as if the room is spinning. You may stagger when you try to walk or teeter or fall when you try to stand up. Some of the symptoms you might experience are:
If your balance is impaired, you may feel as if the room is spinning. You may stagger when you try to walk or teeter or fall when you try to stand up. Some of the symptoms you might experience are:
- Dizziness or vertigo (a spinning sensation)
- Falling or feeling as if you are going to fall
- Lightheadedness, faintness, or a floating sensation
- Blurred vision
- Confusion or disorientation
- Other symptoms are nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, changes in heart rate and blood pressure, and fear, anxiety, or panic.
Some people also feel tired, depressed, or unable to concentrate. Symptoms may come and go over short time periods or last for longer periods of time.
What causes a balance disorder?
A balance disorder may be caused by viral or bacterial infections in the ear, a head injury, or blood circulation disorders that affect the inner ear or brain. Many people experience problems with their sense of balance as they get older. Balance problems and dizziness also can result from taking certain medications.
In addition, problems in the visual and skeletal systems and the nervous and circulatory systems can be the source of some posture and balance problems. A circulatory system disorder, such as low blood pressure, can lead to a feeling of dizziness when we suddenly stand up. Problems in the skeletal or visual systems, such as arthritis or eye muscle imbalance, also may cause balance problems. However, many balance disorders can begin all of a sudden and with no obvious cause.
Next post: Types of balance disorders and how they are diagnosed.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Choose the Right (Ear, That Is)
Having a hard time hearing in noisy situations? Try positioning your head so that the speaker you are trying to hear is aimed at your right ear.
Recent Italian and British studies have proved that people understand 58% better when spoken to in the right ear.
Professor Sophie Scott, of the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London, agreed.
"Most people process speech and language on the left-hand side of the brain and while it is not cut-and-dry a lot of what goes in our right ear will be dealt with by the left-side of the brain.
"The other side of the brain is more involved in things such as interpreting emotion and that is why we have these kind of findings.
"We can also see this tendency when people use the phone, most will naturally hold it to their right ear."
Recent Italian and British studies have proved that people understand 58% better when spoken to in the right ear.
Professor Sophie Scott, of the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London, agreed.
"Most people process speech and language on the left-hand side of the brain and while it is not cut-and-dry a lot of what goes in our right ear will be dealt with by the left-side of the brain.
"The other side of the brain is more involved in things such as interpreting emotion and that is why we have these kind of findings.
"We can also see this tendency when people use the phone, most will naturally hold it to their right ear."
Monday, May 17, 2010
The Real Cost of Hearing Loss
We've all been told that hearing loss affects our relationships and our mental health. Studies show that it also affects our wallets.
An American study "The societal costs of severe to profound hearing loss in the US", found that the societal cost of hearing impairment totals an average of US$300,000 over the lifetime of a hearing-impaired person.
The researchers estimated that 67 per cent, or $200,000 per individual, of these costs are due to lost work productivity.
The Better Hearing Institute in the U.S. made a similar estimate of the societal costs. BHI estimated the annual cost of untreated hearing loss to be US$56 billion in the United States and 92 billion euro in the EU, mainly due to lost productivity. According to the study, the estimated societal costs of not treating hearing loss in Europe in the years 2001 to 2005 amounted to a staggering 400 billion euro.
Compared to those costs, it is relatively inexpensive to treat hearing loss. The best technology available today costs around 3% of what you can expect to lose if you leave hearing loss untreated. Furthermore, the earlier you treat the hearing loss, the less likely that you are to suffer any financial loss from the condition.
Kind of puts the costs in perspective, huh?
An American study "The societal costs of severe to profound hearing loss in the US", found that the societal cost of hearing impairment totals an average of US$300,000 over the lifetime of a hearing-impaired person.
The researchers estimated that 67 per cent, or $200,000 per individual, of these costs are due to lost work productivity.
The Better Hearing Institute in the U.S. made a similar estimate of the societal costs. BHI estimated the annual cost of untreated hearing loss to be US$56 billion in the United States and 92 billion euro in the EU, mainly due to lost productivity. According to the study, the estimated societal costs of not treating hearing loss in Europe in the years 2001 to 2005 amounted to a staggering 400 billion euro.
Compared to those costs, it is relatively inexpensive to treat hearing loss. The best technology available today costs around 3% of what you can expect to lose if you leave hearing loss untreated. Furthermore, the earlier you treat the hearing loss, the less likely that you are to suffer any financial loss from the condition.
Kind of puts the costs in perspective, huh?
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