Mike Best of Colorado has a master’s degree in Audiology and worked in this field in Fort Collins prior to transitioning into a teaching position. In the following article Mike Best explains some of the more recent developments in hearing research that promises to help many.
Audiology is the branch of medical science dedicated to studying and treating hearing and balance disorders. Mike Best of Colorado explains that it’s a continually growing field with new discoveries being made every year and, as technologies advance and treatment techniques improve, doctors and audiologists become better able to restore hearing to the hearing impaired.
Thanks to recent advancements in computing and technology, audiology has rapidly increased the quality of care available to the hearing impaired and patients suffering from balance disorders. Here, Mike Best explores some of the most recent advancements in the field and learns how doctors are approaching more specialized and effective methods of treatment.
Improved Connectivity for Auditory Aids
Mike Best of Colorado notes that as headphones have advanced, the hardware behind hearing aids has slowly become outdated. Doctors are now working to improve the connectivity of these auditory aids with the hope of eliminating at least some part of the hardware. For example, by introducing Bluetooth connectivity to hearing aids, patients will hopefully be able to link their phones to the aids and remove the need for a remote microphone.
These efforts have been further advanced thanks to support from Apple and Google, which have both been transparent about their dedication to fighting hearing loss. Mike Best of Colorado says these companies both have the means and the technological research capacities to easily introduce Bluetooth connectivity into hearing aids and we will surely see an advancement in hearing aid hardware thanks to their sponsorship.
Infant Cochlear Implants
A cochlear implant is an advanced type of hearing aid that is implanted directly into the brain to help bypass damaged sections of the eardrum. This helps to provide the illusion of sound to a deaf person, even if their eardrum or ear canal is severely damaged.
Mike Best of Colorado explains that while cochlear implants have been around for some time, they have only recently become a viable option for young children. This is thanks to a new generation of cochlear implants, which are smaller and more delicate than their predecessors. These new implants are also able to better imitate natural hearing, which is a huge development for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
In addition to the physical improvements to cochlear implants, there have also been significant advancements in the software that is used to operate them. One example of this is the development of the Nucleus 7 sound processor, which is the world’s first cochlear implant that can be controlled using an iPhone app.
The app allows users to control the sound processor in a number of different ways, including adjusting volume, changing programs, and checking battery levels. Mike Best of Colorado notes this is a huge step forward in the treatment of deafness and hearing loss and it’s thanks to the advancements in both hardware and software that have been made in recent years.
Auditory Steady-State Response (ASSR)
The auditory steady-state response (ASSR) is a measure of how the ear responds to sound at a constant, or steady, rate. Mike Best of Colorado explains that it can be used to assess hearing thresholds in both adults and children and it’s a valuable tool for diagnosing and managing hearing loss.
Mike Best explains that recent advancements in ASSR testing have made it possible to test a wider range of frequencies, which means that it can now be used to assess high-frequency hearing loss. This is a significant development because high-frequency hearing loss is often the first sign of age-related hearing loss and it can be an early indicator of other health problems, such as diabetes.
In addition to the improved frequency range, the new generation of ASSR testing is also able to provide more detailed information about a patient’s hearing. Mike Best of Colorado says this includes the ability to map the inner ear and assess the function of the auditory nerve.
The improved accuracy and detail of ASSR testing is thanks to the advancements that have been made in both hardware and software. The newest generation of ASSR testing equipment is now more sensitive to fluctuations and the software that is used to interpret the results has improved to better analyze data and produce clearer results.
Final Thoughts
Audiology is a field that is constantly evolving and improving and, as new technologies are developed, audiologists are better able to help their patients. Mike Best of Colorado notes that the advancements that have been made in recent years have been significant and they have improved the quality of care that is available to those with hearing and balance disorders.
If you or someone you know is suffering from hearing loss, don’t hesitate to seek out the help of a qualified audiologist. With the latest advancements in technology, there’s a good chance that they will be able to help you or your loved one regain a sense of normalcy.
