Hearing Loss

Hearing Loss: Causes, Prevention, and Treatment covers hearing loss, causes and prevention, treatments, and future directions in the field, also looking at the cognitive problems that can develop.

To avoid the “silent epidemic” of hearing loss, it is necessary to promote early screening, use hearing protection, and change public attitudes toward noise. Successful treatments of hearing loss deal with restoring hearing sensitivity via hearing aids, including cochlear, brainstem, or midbrain implants. Both the technical aspects and effects on the quality of life of these devices are discussed.

The integration of all aspects of hearing, hearing loss, prevention, and treatment make this a perfect one-volume course in audiology at the graduate student level. However, it is also a great reference for established audiologists, ear surgeons, neurologists, and pediatric and geriatric professionals.

• Presents an in-depth overview of hearing loss, causes and prevention, treatments, and future directions in the field
• Written for researchers and clinicians, such as auditory neuroscientists, audiologists, neurologists, speech pathologists, pediatricians, and geriatricians
• Presents the benefits and problems with hearing aids and cochlear implants
• Includes important quality of life issues

Researchers and clinical practitioners such as auditory neuroscientists, audiologists, neurologists, speech pathologists, pediatricians, and geriatricians

Part I: The Basics

Chapter 1. Hearing Basics

• Abstract
• 1.1 Hearing Sensitivity in the Animal Kingdom
• 1.2 The Mammalian Middle Ear
• 1.3 The Mammalian Inner Ear
• 1.4 The Auditory Nerve
• 1.5 Ribbon Synapses
• 1.6 The Central Afferent System
• 1.7 The Efferent System
• 1.8 Sound Localization
• 1.9 Summary
• References

Chapter 2. Brain Plasticity and Perceptual Learning

• Abstract
• 2.1 The External Environment
• 2.2 Learning Paradigms
• 2.3 Perceptual Learning
• 2.4 Auditory Training
• 2.5 AV Training
• 2.6 Music Training
• 2.7 Training by Playing Action Video Games
• 2.8 Summary
• References

Chapter 3. Multisensory Processing

• Abstract
• 3.1 Multimodal Auditory Cortical Areas
• 3.2 AV Interaction in Humans
• 3.3 Auditory–Somatosensory Interaction
• 3.4 Summary
• References

Part II: The Problem

Chapter 4. Hearing Problems

• Abstract
• 4.1 The Various Consequences of Noise Exposure
• 4.2 Sound Localization Problems
• 4.3 The Cocktail Party, Where Identification and Localization Come Together
• 4.4 Other Consequences of Hearing Loss
• 4.5 Neurological Disorders with Hearing Problems
• 4.6 Hearing Disorders Without Hearing Sensitivity Loss
• 4.7 Nonauditory Effects of Hearing Loss
• 4.8 Summary
• References

Chapter 5. Types of Hearing Loss

• Abstract
• 5.1 Site of Lesion Testing
• 5.2 Conductive Hearing Loss
• 5.3 Use of Tympanometry in Detecting Conductive Hearing Loss
• 5.4 Sensorineural Hearing Loss
• 5.5 Loudness Recruitment
• 5.6 Auditory Neuropathy
• 5.7 Vestibular Schwannoma
• 5.8 Ménière’s Disease
• 5.9 Age-Related Hearing Impairment (Presbycusis)
• 5.10 Summary
• References

Part III: The Causes

Chapter 6. Causes of Acquired Hearing Loss

• Abstract
• 6.1 Occupational Noise Exposure in General
• 6.2 Recreational Noise and Music
• 6.3 Animal Research into Effects of Noise Exposure on the Brain
• 6.4 Ototoxicity
• 6.5 Long-Term Effects of Conductive Hearing Loss in Infancy
• 6.6 Vestibular Schwannoma
• 6.7 Ménière’s Disease
• 6.8 Diabetes
• 6.9 Summary
• References

Chapter 7. Epidemiology and Genetics of Hearing Loss and Tinnitus

• Abstract
• 7.1 Epidemiology of Sensorineural Hearing Loss
• 7.2 Epidemiology of Age-Related Hearing Loss
• 7.3 Epidemiology of Tinnitus
• 7.4 Epidemiology of Smoking and Alcohol Consumption
• 7.5 Epidemiology of Diabetes
• 7.6 Epidemiology of Otitis Media
• 7.7 Epidemiology of Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder
• 7.8 Genetics of Sensorineural Hearing Loss
• 7.9 Genetics of Otosclerosis
• 7.10 Genetics of Auditory Neuropathy
• 7.11 Gene Networks
• 7.12 Hereditary Versus Acquired Hearing Loss
• 7.13 Summary
• References

Chapter 8. Early Diagnosis and Prevention of Hearing Loss

• Abstract
• 8.1 Normal Human Auditory Development
• 8.2 Effects of Early Hearing Loss on Speech Production
• 8.3 Early Detection
• 8.4 Noise Exposure During Adolescence and Young Adulthood
• 8.5 Physical Hearing Protection
• 8.6 Education
• 8.7 Drug Protection Against Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
• 8.8 Summary
• References

Part IV: The Treatments

Chapter 9. Hearing Aids

• Abstract
• 9.1 Effects of Hearing Loss
• 9.2 Acclimatization and Plasticity
• 9.3 Satisfaction and Quality of Life
• 9.4 Types of Hearing Aids
• 9.5 Processing
• 9.6 High-Frequency Hearing Loss, Loudness Recruitment, and Reduced SNR
• 9.7 Hearing Aids and Music Perception
• 9.8 Hearing Aids and Tinnitus
• 9.9 Summary
• References

Chapter 10. Implantable Hearing Aids

• Abstract
• 10.1 Bone Conduction Mechanisms
• 10.2 Bone-Anchored Hearing Aids
• 10.3 Implantable Active Middle Ear Devices
• 10.4 Summary
• References

Chapter 11. Cochlear Implants

• Abstract
• 11.1 Basics of Cochlear Implants
• 11.2 A Little History
• 11.3 Sound Processing Strategies
• 11.4 Temporal Processing With a Cochlear Implant
• 11.5 Effects of Age on Implantation
• 11.6 Cochlear Implants and Music Perception
• 11.7 One-Sided or Bilateral Implantation?
• 11.8 Cochlear Implantation and Tinnitus
• 11.9 Modeling Studies
• 11.10 Summary
• References

Part V: The Future

Chapter 12. Auditory Brainstem and Midbrain Implants

• Abstract
• 12.1 Auditory Brainstem Implants
• 12.2 Auditory Midbrain Implants
• 12.3 Summary
• References

Chapter 13. Repairing and Building New Ears

• Abstract
• 13.1 Gene Therapy for Hereditary Hearing Loss
• 13.2 Regenerating Hair Cells
• 13.3 Birds Can Do It
• 13.4 Trials in Mammals
• 13.5 Outlook
• References

Appendix A. Electrocochleography From the Promontory and via a Cochlear Implant

• A.1 Introduction
• A.2 Methods
• A.3 Receptor Potentials
• A.4 The Compound Action Potential
• A.5 Comparing the CAP and the eCAP
• References