hearing loss Archives - The New York Otolaryngology Group

Dr Kathleen Wallace, Au.D.

Dr. Kathleen Wallace graduated from Dartmouth College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music. She then received her Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) from the City University of New York’s Graduate Center. Dr. Wallace’s clinical training includes rotations at the Brooklyn VA Hospital, Strivright Auditory-Oral School of Brooklyn, the Hearing and Balance Center of Mount Sinai, and the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. Her previous work experience includes working for a major hospital in the New York City area where she performed diagnostic audiological and vestibular evaluations, and developed rehabilitative care plans. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology, holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and is a licensed audiologist and hearing aid dispenser in New York State.

Dr. Wallace is currently an assistant adjunct professor in the CUNY Graduate Center’s Doctor of Audiology program. She has been published in the Hearing Journal and Hearing Health Magazine, and has presented previous research at the American Academy of Audiology’s annual convention.

Dr. Wallace is committed to performing person-centered care for her patients, and believes in the importance of a customized care plan. She is passionate about promoting hearing healthcare, advocating for the hearing loss community, and administering auditory training.

Dr Rachel Marcus, Au.D./CCC-A/FAAA

Dr Rachel Marcus is a NY State licensed audiologist at the New York Otolaryngology Group with two locations in NYC.

Dr Rachel Marcus received her Doctorate of Audiology (Au.D.) from The Graduate Center; City University of New York (CUNY) in 2013 and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Colgate University in 2004. She completed her residency at The Ear Center of Greensboro in Greensboro, NC. She is a New York State licensed Audiologist and Hearing Aid Dispenser. Dr. Marcus is a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology (F-AAA) and currently holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) from the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA).

Dr. Marcus has worked in both hospital and private practice settings, performing audiological testing including Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) and Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs) on patients of all ages. She is also experienced in hearing aid services (evaluations, fittings, and adjustments) for all types of devices: hearing aids, cochlear implants, bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHA, Ponto, Soundbite), and alternative implantable hearing devices (Maxum™; Esteem®). Dr. Marcus is fluent in Spanish.

Her interests include unilateral hearing loss, congenital conductive hearing losses (microtia and atresia), technologically advanced hearing aids, and assistive listening devices.

Are Steroids the right treatment for Sudden Sensor Hearing Loss?

Question: Hello, my little sister who is 20 just got diagnosed with sudden sensor neural hearing loss (SSHL) and I just wanted to get some expert opinion on what she is supposed to do and what the appropriate treatment is. She has completely lost hearing in one ear. She is taking steroids, but she has not seen any improvement since she got diagnosed. Is there anything else she can do to increase her chance of recovery?

Answer:

The next step to treating sudden sensor neural hearing loss is usually an intratympanic injection of a steroid medication. This is a usually painless procedure done in the office with topical anesthesia where a liquid steroid medication is injected through the eardrum into the middle ear space.

If she is in the New York area I suggest she Dr. Neil Sperling at our practice.

Hope this clears things up,

Dr. Scott Gold

I became dizzy and have lost hearing

Question: Please help me. On Tuesday, November 4th I decided to sign up to the local gym in my neighborhood and get back in shape. I got there in the morning I had and Omlete and some fresh squeezed OJ at the Cafe, then I started my workout. I was on the elliptical for about 35mins. Then I went upstairs to the weight room. I started using the weight machines, by the time I got to the 3rd machine for Shoulder press, I started getting Dizzy, feeling very hot, and nauseous, I was extremely weak. I was so dizzy I couldn’t get up to walk. I felt close to passing out. I had to sit there for about 30 mins. When I got outside I started vomiting up breakfast. My ears felt clogged and muffled. I felt so horrible. I finally made it back to my car. I had to lay down in the backseat until the dizziness wore off. It’s now November 25th and my hearing is still not back to normal. Is this low-frequency hearing loss? I still can’t hear any Bass (lows) in my right ear.

Please help me. This is a Disaster for me because I am a musician, that’s what I do for a living.

Answer:

There are several different problems that can cause dizziness and a hearing loss. The most common may be a viral infection in the inner ear. A virus can sometimes go to the nerves in the inner ear, causing dizziness and a hearing loss. While the dizziness will resolve, often, on its own- the hearing loss may not. Meniere’s Disease is recurrent episodes of dizziness, hearing loss and a sense of fullness in the ears. This may be consistent with the first episode of Meniere’s, but generally, the dizziness will last for a much longer time.

One can have a rupture of a membrane in the inner ear. This often will be accompanied by a popping sound, but usually will be caused by trauma or certainly can occur from strenuous exercise. There are also several other less common causes of your symptoms.

However, it is really quite important that you have your ears evaluated as soon as possible. If you have had damage to the hearing nerve, then the sooner it is treated, the better chance one has of getting the hearing back to normal.

I hope this helps clear things up.

Robert Pincus MD

NY Otolaryngology Group

Is it still possible to get a stapedotomy, and what are the pros and cons of such a procedure?

Question: I am 51 years old with hereditary otosclerosis, diagnosed right after the birth of my 1st son when I was 36. In 2009, scared by the surgery (even though successful for my mom who had the procedure done by Dr Freich, you might know since you seem to give lectures in France) I opted for a hearing aid. It has now reached it’s full capacity and I need to buy a new one. But working as a School Counselor (for the French American Pre-School), listening to kids with multicultural backgrounds is a BIG challenge! And I think I still compensate with lip reading. Is it still possible to get a stapedotomy? Do you speak some French so I could consult you and understand better the pros and cons of such a procedure?

Thank you so much for your opinion/advice.

Answer:

Hi Floriane,

I would highly recommend a consultation with an experienced stapedotomy surgeon to discuss the pros and cons. In experienced hands, the surgery is highly successful with a recognized complication rate less than 1%. In France, the Clinque Causse near Beziers is a world-class facility with some of the most experienced surgeons in the world.

Best of luck.

Neil Sperling, MD
New York Otolaryngology Group
36A East 36th Street
New York, New York

Associate Professor, Dept of Otolaryngology
SUNY Downstate
Brooklyn, New York

I’m loosing my hearing again after a Stapedectomy. Is there anything new that can help me?

Question:

Hello,

I had successful bilateral stapedectomy (right ear in 1995, left ear 1996) with hearing in the normal range post op. I started losing my hearing in my right ear again after I had my son in 2001 and 2 attempts at revision, the latest in 2004. My revision surgeon in Albany NY stated that my incus bone was cracked which is why the prosthesis is not staying put. I do not want to get surgery again in Albany, and am looking for the top surgeon in this field as my hearing is at 90 decibels and my ear has been ringing loudly 24/7 for at least 10 years. Is there anything new that can help me?

Answer:

Thank you for your inquiry. It sounds like you’ve been through quite a bit with your ear. At your level of hearing loss, there may not be simple options. Are you getting any benefit from traditional hearing aids? Considering the details you’ve provided, there are some cases that can be remedied surgically, using the Malleus bone instead of the Incus. Of course, I can’t be certain that your condition would allow for this without further information, but it may be worth considering.

The next step would be careful analysis of your current audiometry, the prior surgical reports, and a detailed CT scan.

I would be happy to assist you, if you like.

best of luck and thanks for your question

Neil Sperling, MD

Associate Professor, Dept of Otolaryngology
SUNY Downstate
Brooklyn, New York

Is there any treatment for tympanosclerosis other than surgery?

Question: Is there any Tympanosclerosis treatment other than surgery? Is there any new and recent Tympanoplasty techniques (like laser or other) that are more practical and easier? What about success rates and possibilities of hearing loss restoration? And what about potential approximate costs for such surgery?

Answer:

Tympanosclerosis is an invasive form of scar tissue that follows infection(s) in the ear. At times it can cause significant hearing loss. Although not universal, many cases can be repaired surgically and hearing restored using modern techniques possibly with a laser Tympanosclerosis treatment.

If you would like further evaluation and consideration of your case, please contact us.

Neil Sperling, MD
Associate Professor, Dept of Otolaryngology

Do I need revision stapes surgery?

Question:

Many years ago I was diagnosed at Mass Eye and Ear with otosclerosis. I was operated on by Dr. Joseph Nadol. Over the past few years, my hearing has once again diminished and I wonder if its possible to do a revision? Also, my other ear was never been operated on. I am 68 years old, female, and a medical librarian, and my loss of hearing is obviously impinging on my work and life. I would prefer to not have to travel back to Boston…is this something you can help me with?

Answer:

Thank you for your inquiry regarding your hearing loss. It is often possible to regain excellent hearing with revision stapes surgery. It all depends on the nature of the hearing loss that you have. The first step would be to re-test your hearing. I would be happy to help you if you’d like. You can make an appointment online or by calling our office. Best of luck.

Neil M Sperling, MD

Associate Professor
SUNY Downstate
Brooklyn, NY

I work at a loud club and it is affecting my hearing

Question: I am a bartender at a loud club. Even though I am constantly asking the DJs to turn down the music, we have an old sound system that is not that sensitive to small adjustments, and it is a club after all and people like it loud. Not only do I have trouble hearing people ordering drinks, but I feel that working there has permanently and detrimentally affected my hearing. I wanted to see about getting earplugs that would block out the most harmful frequencies while still allowing me to hear patrons’ orders over the bar. I believe I have noise-induced hearing loss. Do you have any recommendations? Is this something insurance would cover? If not, how much would this service cost? Thank you so much! –

Answer: Noise can definitely affect the hearing. When you have a ringing in the ears after noise exposure, that is a sign of damage to the hearing nerve. Prolonged loud exposure- or even a single loud blast- can cause permanent noise-induced hearing loss. The government regulations (OSHA) limits noise to 85 dB over an 8 hour period- but even that has been shown to cause losses.

Certain things can be done- relatively easily- even at most clubs. We used to see musicians with horrible hearing losses. They typically placed the amps behind them- Today we know that the amps should be placed stage forward, and the musicians can use either small monitors- or in the ear systems to hear themselves.

Clearly, this is not what is going on at your bar- However, changing the placement of the speakers, so that they are away from the bar, or lowering the sound on speakers near the bar can help. Placing a small baffle (soundproof divider) can also significantly lower the noise exposure.

Alternatively, you can have earplugs made professionally, to help. They are molded to your ear canals and can help lower the noise level significantly. They should help further by lessening the high pitches more than the sounds used for speech. Hopefully, they will not interfere significantly with your hearing for speech.

You should probably have your hearing monitored, to make sure you are not developing a significant hearing loss from your job.

We make noise attenuating earplugs at the NY Hearing Center. These are usually not covered by insurance- (?- not sure why) and can run about $200 or so.

I hope this clears things up.

Robert Pincus MD

My child has a hearing problem in both ears

Question:

I live in India. My child is three and half year old and is having a hearing problem in both ears.
His Bera Report Says.
Right Ear -: Profound Hearing Loss
Left Ear -: Moderate Hearing Loss.
So we want to know the details for Cochlear implant in your hospital. Please let us know the procedure and costing to visit your country for this medical need.

Answer:

Thank you for your question. As you may have heard, cochlear implantation in deaf children can have a highly successful outcome, but only when careful patient selection and after care takes place. The first steps will be to accurately diagnose the hearing loss to determine if implantation is right for your child. When hearing aids are helpful, an implant is usually not recommended. Cochlear implants can help anyone with profound hearing loss from newborns to octogenarians.

While generally covered by insurance for people from the United States your total cost of care is estimated at 50 -60,000 dollars depending on the length of the after care and audiology programming. Continuity of the care close to home will be a very important factor.

I hope this clears things up.

Neil Sperling, MD

New York Otolaryngology Group

36A East 36th Street

New York, New York

Associate Professor, Dept of Otolaryngology

SUNY Downstate

Brooklyn, New York