From the Desk of Dr. Ruffin

This video features Chris who traveled internationally in 2021 to get a bilateral cochlear implant from Dr. Ruffin. It explains the activation process of a cochlear implant. We discuss how bilateral implants improve hearing in noise, sound direction, and overall ease of hearing. Chris shares his personal experiences with his implant in music appreciation, relationships, and work.

For severe hearing loss, hearing aids aren't the best option. For many, a cochlear implant has a greater chance of improving hearing. Read on to hear the perspective of a cochlear implant surgeon who also has cochlear implants.

There's simple and highly effective treatment for stuffy noses, allergies, and chronic sinus problems. And it's all over the counter!

It is no longer true that cochlear implants destroy residual hearing. Soft surgery results in atraumatic electrode insertion. This can preserve residual hearing. This hearing is useful whether the hearing is "usable" or not. Preserved hearing means less scar inside the cochlea so the cochlear implant can work better. If you have usable hearing, you may wear a cochlear implant and a hearing aid in the same ear. Atraumatic insertion also improves balance outcome. With less scar inside the cochlea, you may be able to adopt new and upcoming technologies for improved hearing.

Cochlear implants can cost over $100,000. Read more to learn how to understand insurance, minimize your costs, and start your journey to hearing better.

Facial shields may be a way around masks. They seem to decrease the amount of inhaled flu virus. Flu is another respiratory virus like COVID-19 that has similar transmission dynamics. In addition, shields may keep hands from faces better than masks. They also protect virus from landing inside the eyes.

Most tinnitus isn’t curable, but there are still things you can do to make it quieter. The key for most types of tinnitus is to cover it up with masking noise. Check out this article from Hearingtracker.com.

Remote work. Zoom fatigue. Economic uncertainty. Anxiety? Sure, but this is the time for the deaf and hard of hearing to change work culture. Join us to learn how to take this opportunity to build better remote culture for better collaboration and less videoconferencing and meetings.

In the hospital, COVID-19 creates unique challenges for those with hearing loss. COVID-19 patients are separated from other other patients into “respiratory isolation.” This means that masks and noisy air purifiers are widely used. Masks that muffle the voice and prevent lipreading. Unlike other medical settings, masks will not be lowered so that you can lipread.