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Want to learn more about hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), the anatomy of the ear or how hearing evaluations are performed? Browse through our Video Demonstrations below. If you would like to learn more, contact us and we can show you this in person. We also have additional information in our Hearing Evaluations Helpful Answers section.

• Video of Dr. David Citron Talking About Audiology and Hearing Aid Technology
  
• Video of Dr. David Citron Talking About the Anatomy of the Ear
  
• Ear Wax Production
  
• What is Frequency?
  
• What is Loudness?
  
• What is Hair Cell Damage in Hearing Loss - Animation
  
• Overview of Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids from Better Hearing Institute
  
• Live Speech Mapping - Animation

Video of Dr. David Citron Talking About Audiology and Hearing Aid Technology
This video was produced as a supplement to a textbook on hearing and hearing disorders. It features Dr. David Citron talking about various aspects of Audiology and other hearing topics.
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Video of Dr. David Citron Talking About the Anatomy of the Ear
This video was produced as a part of a local medical health show for television. It features Dr. David Citron talking about the anatomy and physiology of the ear.
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Ear Wax Production
Many people wonder if ear wax is the cause of their hearing loss. Ear wax is a naturally occurring substance that is used to keep the ear clean. It consists of the oils and sweat from your skin, including dead skin cells. The skin in the ear grows in layers and is shed by the body in the direction from the ear drum heading out of the ear. The skin in your ear canal acts as a sort of conveyor belt with the ear wax on top of it. Any dirt or other foreign particles are hopefully trapped by the sticky ear wax and then transported out of the ear by way of the action of the skin. Some wax is good, but too much wax can cause hearing aids to fail or become clogged. Before you view this animation, please view the video where Dr. Citron talks about the anatomy of the ear. This animation will show an example of wax accumulation.
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What is Frequency?
Let’s talk about how we measure hearing. Hearing is measured in frequency (pitch) and loudness. Like the piano keys, sound occurs as different pitches. You can have hearing loss for different pitches. Most commonly, hearing loss occurs the most in the high frequencies and less in the low frequencies. This is part of the reason that people will most often say, I can hear you, but I cannot understand you. The high frequencies are critical for speech understanding.
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What is Loudness?
Let’s talk about how we measure hearing. Hearing is measured in frequency (pitch) and loudness. We also hear sounds at different levels. We measure these intensity levels in decibels. The higher the decibel levels the louder the sound. The more decibel level of hearing loss that you have, the more severe your hearing loss is as the sound has to be louder and louder before you can hear it.
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What is Hair Cell Damage in Hearing Loss
When sound travels through the middle ear to the hair cells or nerve endings in the inner ear, an impulse is sent to the brain. Exposure to very loud sounds or prolonged exposure to noise can result in damage that cannot be corrected. Note in this animation how the microscopic hair cells are shaken until they are eliminated or broken, this is part of the problem with hearing loss, the hearing organ is physically damaged. Hearing aids “AID” the damage and can help, but do not fix the problem. We can only work with the hearing you have left.
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Overview of Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids from Better Hearing Institute
This 9.5 minute PBS documentary "Spotlight on Hearing Loss", which is introduced by Internet co-founder Dr. Vinton Cerf, discusses the value of hearing as well as the hearing healthcare process and the making of hearing aids.
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Live Speech Mapping
Visible or Live Speech Mapping (LSM) is a new technique used to verify the accuracy of the hearing aid fit, and is the "gold standard" for measurement in hearing aid care. In this procedure, a small microphone is threaded into the ear canal and located near the eardrum. Patients experience a "tickle" or "bump" sensation when the microphone is properly in place. At that point, the hearing aid is connected and "turned on" using a programming computer. Speech, music and other sounds are then presented to the listener's hearing aid and the results are measured at the eardrum.



These results are displayed in real time on a video monitor which also displays the patient's hearing thresholds, uncomfortable listening levels and the amount of sound necessary to make vowels and consonants audible. If needed, the hearing aid is adjusted while results of those adjustments are monitored on the video screen.

If the patient reports difficulty hearing a specific voice (ie, their spouse), that person's voice can be measured and adjusted directly at the eardrum to make sure that the hearing aid system is properly programmed (within the limits of the hearing loss).

LIVE SPEECH MAPPING has become an important part of our first-class hearing care and South Shore Hearing Center. Ask at your next office visit to have a demonstration of the LSM technology and how it can help you hear better!

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