Author - Audiology by Accent

Smartphone App Delivers Effective Tinnitus Relief Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Study Finds

A recent publication in Frontiers in Audiology and Otology reveals a groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, which demonstrates the efficacy of a new smartphone app in reducing the distress of tinnitus. This condition, characterized by hearing sound when no external sound is present, often leads to significant psychological strain, including anxiety and depression. The application, named MindEar, utilizes a chatbot to deliver cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), making therapeutic support more accessible to those...

Exploring Hearing Aids: Key Insights Before You Dive In

Living with hearing loss can significantly impact your daily life, making you feel disconnected during conversations, strained at social gatherings, and challenged by activities like watching TV that once brought joy. This can lead to feelings of exhaustion, anxiety, and in severe cases, isolation and depression. However, hearing aids offer a beacon of hope, addressing many of these issues and enhancing life quality. Yet, embarking on the journey of using them can seem overwhelming, and it's common for individuals to...

Enhancing Hearing Aid Experience for Older Adults: Challenges, Solutions, and Expert Advice

This article, which originates from KFF Health News, delves into the critical yet sometimes challenging world of hearing aids for the elderly. While these devices are indispensable for better communication and engagement, many older adults encounter difficulties in their usage, ranging from inserting the aids to dealing with their maintenance, and still struggling with auditory clarity. The necessity of hearing aids grows with age, as evidenced by a comprehensive study in JAMA Open Network revealing that hearing impairment is significantly more...

Unlock the Shocking Truth: How Krakatoa’s Roar Reveals Secrets to Safeguarding Your Hearing

The eruption of Krakatoa on May 20, 1883, stands as a monumental event in natural history, particularly in the study of sound and its impact on hearing health. This Indonesian volcano's eruption was not only a powerful geological phenomenon but also an extraordinary acoustic event. Recorded at an astonishing 310 dB SPL, the sound of Krakatoa's eruption traveled incredibly vast distances, being detected as far as 1,300 miles away in the Bay of Bengal and even on islands nearly 3,000 miles...

Caught Up in the Codes: Benefits of Unbundled Pricing

Have you ever gotten a medical bill that was far more than you expected to pay, and you couldn’t even figure out what services it actually covered? This is an all too common occurrence in the medical field where complicated codes must correspond with each and every service provided. Current Procedural Terminology, or CPT, codes are set forth by the American Medical Association. These unique codes are designed to cover medical, surgical and diagnostic services. However, if a service does not...

Celebrating Better Hearing Month: A Step Towards Better Hearing Health

Every May, we observe Better Hearing Month, an annual campaign organized by the audiology community with the aim of spreading awareness about the importance of hearing health. This month-long event emphasizes the significance of regular hearing check-ups, preventative measures, and the potential treatment options for hearing impairments. Understanding the Importance of Hearing Health Hearing is a vital sense that enables us to communicate, socialize, and navigate the world around us. It plays a critical role in our lives, from our safety to...

Tinnitus: Discover the Surprising Reasons Behind Your Annoying Ear Ringing

What is tinnitus? Tinnitus (“TIN-a-tus” or “Tin-EYE-tus”) is the perception of sound in the ears or head where no external source of sound is present. Tinnitus is commonly described as “ringing in the ears.” Facts about tinnitus 1 in 5 adults have tinnitus 50 million people in the United States experience tinnitus 2 million of them suffer with more severe ringing of the ears #1 service-connected disability for veterans Common causes of it Severe head injury Exposure to noise Meniere’s disease Hearing loss ...

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids—What to Know

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved over-the-counter hearing aids for consumers with mild to moderate hearing loss. While this might make hearing aids more accessible to millions of Americans, it is still important for people to consult a professional audiologist before purchasing these devices. Pros of Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids There are a couple of pros of over-the-counter hearing aids. Some people fail to get hearing aids because they are concerned about cost, so their hearing loss can become progressively worse...