Dr. Robyn Shapiro | (631) 231-2800

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Another resource to provide you with access to many helpful hearing related articles.

What is an Audiologist?

An audiologist is a person who has a masters or doctoral degree in audiology. Audiology is the science of hearing. In addition, the audiologist must be licensed or registered by their state (in 47 states) to practice audiology.

A Discussion of Acoustic Neuroma

Acoustic tumors are fibrous growths originating from the balance nerve and are not malignant. They do not spread to other parts of the brain, other than by direct extension.

A Discussion of Chronic Ear Infections

Chronic ear infection is the result of an ear infection that has left a residual injury to the ear. This type of infection has been established as the cause of your ear problem.

What is an Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)?

Auditory Processing (also called Central Auditory Processing) refers to the means by which we make sense of what we hear. “Auditory Processing Disorders” refers to the abnormal interaction of hearing, neural transmission and the brain’s ability to m…

A Discussion of Meniere's Disease

The inner ear is a delicate membraneous sense organ, which is encased in a bony shell. It is suspended within a latice-like bony framework, called the mastoid bone, which is located behind the outer ear.

What Causes Tinnitus?

Tinnitus may originate from various lesions and from different sites. The auditory system involves highly complicated inner ear structures, many afferent and efferent nerve pathways and a great amount of nuclei that form a complex meshwork.

A Discussion of Dizziness

Dizziness is a symptom not a disease. It may be defined as a sensation of unsteadiness, imbalance, or disorientation in relation to an individual’s surroundings.

What is an ENT (ear-nose-and-throat doctor)?

Otolaryngologists (also called ear-nose-and-throat, or ENT, doctors) are physicians who have advanced training in disorders of the ear, nose, throat and head and neck.

A Discussion of Eustachian Tube Problems

The ear is comprised of three portions: an outer ear (external), a middle ear and inner ear. Each part performs an important function in the process of hearing.

A Discussion of Hearing Problems in Children

Five thousand children are born profoundly deaf each year in the United States alone. Another 10 to 15 percent of newborns have a partial hearing handicap.

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is an abnormal perception of a sound which is reported by patients that is unrelated to an external source of stimulation. Tinnitus is a very common disorder.

A Patient's Guide to Tinnitus

Tinnitus, often described as ringing, buzzing or hissing sounds in the ears, is a symptom that can be related to almost every known hearing problem. Tinnitus can be temporary (acute) or permanent (chronic).

A Discussion of Tinnitus

Tinnitus is an abnormal perception of a sound which is reported by patients that is unrelated to an external source of stimulation. Tinnitus is a very common disorder.

Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs)

You may have certain communication needs that cannot be solved by the use of hearing aids alone. These situations may involve the use of the telephone, radio, television, and the inability to hear the door chime, telephone bell, and alarm clock.

Candidates for ALDs

No. People with all degrees and types of hearing loss — even people with normal hearing can benefit from assistive listening devices.

Digital Hearing Aid Technology

The term DIGITAL is used so often today, it can be confusing. When the term “digital” is used while referring to hearing aids, it generally means the hearing aid is 100% digital. In other words, the hearing aid is indeed a “complete computer”.

Do I Need Two Hearing Aids?

Basically, if you have two ears with hearing loss that could benefit from hearing aids, you need two hearing aids. It is important to realize there are no “normal” animals born with only one ear. Simply stated, you have two ears because you need two…

Hearing Aid Battery Information

All batteries are toxic and dangerous if swallowed. Keep all batteries (and hearing aids) away from children and pets. If anyone swallows a battery it is a medical emergency and the individual needs to see a physician immediately.

Hearing Protection: Prevention is the Answer

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), while irreversible and incurable (at least, at this writing), is absolutely preventable.

Type and Degree of Hearing Loss

Results of the audiometric evaluation are plotted on a chart called an audiogram. Loudness is plotted from top to bottom. Frequency, from low to high, is plotted from left to right.

Types of Hearing Aids

There are many styles of hearing aids. The degree of the hearing loss, power and options requirements, manual dexterity abilities, cost factors, and cosmetic concerns are some of the factors that will determine the style the patient will use.

How do I know if I have Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss occurs to most people as they age. Hearing loss can be due to the aging process, exposure to loud noise, certain medications, infections, head or ear trauma, congenital (birth or prenatal) or hereditary factors, diseases, as well as a n…

'Summers Here and the Time Is Right For Dancin In the Street'

~Martha and the VandellasYou betcha summers here. Cookouts, sunny days at the beach, sun block, surfs up come on, its the most fun time of the entire year. What a bummer the i…

Siemens Takes the Larger View: Hearing Aids for People, Not Just Ears

Siemens is recognized as one of the premier designers and makers of quality hearing aids so it was more than a little surprising when the company let fly a press release…

Usher Syndrome: A Debilitating Disease Impacts Hearing and Vision

Last year, Bill Barkeley, a 45-year-old Michigan native, accomplished a truly awe-inspiring feat he climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, an inactive volcano in northeastern Hundre…

Wanted: Active Lifestyle - Seeking Durability + High Tech

In 2003 a new hearing aid was launched that began a new era in hearing care. SeboTek Hearing Systems introduced the Pac Voice-Q, the first receiver-in-the-canal hearing aid. This…

Patients with Communication Problems are at Risk of Hospital Complications

The prospect of hospitalization is scary. Nobody likes being sick, and even less so having to undergo medical treatment in a hospital. But for people who have communication…

Actress Marlee Matlin: Danced Like a Star

Marlee Matlin is a remarkable person. She proved her acting chops in her film debut in Children of a Lesser God in 1986. The role won her a Golden Globe for Best Actress and an…

Do Snakes Have Ears? How Do Snakes Hear Ssssssounds?

Whats the connection between nautical physics and snakes?According to the Discovery web site, researchers in the U.S. and Germany employed the physics of bobbing boats to…

Sleep Your Way to Better Hearing

There is no scientific evidence to suggest that missing an occasional nights sleep is going to have a lasting adverse effect on our physical and emotional well-being.But things…

Oticon Seeks Nominees for Its Focus On People Awards

On June 1, 2008, premium hearing aid manufacturer, Oticon, Inc. announced it was seeking nominees for this years Focus on People Awards.This award is in its 11th year and honors…

Actor Richard Thomas: John Boy Lives With Hearing Loss

Time sure does fly. It seems only a few years back that we all enjoyed the extremely successful TV series, The Waltons. The stories were heartwarming, the characters real and the…

Who Says, 'It Isnt Easy Being Green?' Rayovac Introduces Mercury-Free Hearing Aid Battery

Its the power plant in your hearing device, the brawn behind the brains. Hearing aid batteries have become smaller, more powerful and longer-lasting through industry research and…

Wind Farms: Good for the Environment, Bad for the Ears?

Here is the good news: wind energy is clean and renewable. It doesnt produce toxic waste that causes environmental damage, or deplete natural resources such as coal, oil or gas….

The Blast in the Ears: Good Hearing Among War's Casualties

Most of us wear helmets to protect our heads from injury while biking or playing football. In the historical context, however, helmets were thought of as military, not sports…

The Siemens Vibe Experience: You Can Never Be Too Cool

You can never be too cool. Even if youre 80, who cares? You can still show off, stand out and throw a little attitude around with the introduction of the Siemens Vibe…

Improved Hearing? The Answer May Be In Your Aquarium

Who knew fish had ears?Well, theyre not exactly ears in the way we usually think of them a couple of projections sticking out of the head of a human or other higher life (L…