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Wednesday, December 4, 2002 How the ear works to help hearing By Andrew Waits 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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