Although half of all deafness and hearing impairment is avoidable, an estimated 278 million people worldwide are living with disabling hearing impairment (moderate or worse level of hearing loss in the better hearing ear). Many more have mild hearing loss and/or ear diseases. One quarter of hearing impairment begins during childhood, and 80% of all deaf and hearing impaired people live in low and middle income countries. These problems can be life-long and sometimes life-threatening; they may have profound effects on: inter-personal communication, education, employment prospects, social relationships and through stigmatization. They produce substantial economic burdens on countries. Some of the most effective and cost-effective interventions against ear and hearing problems can be implemented at the primary level by trained primary ear and hearing care (PEHC) workers or primary health care (PHC) workers or their equivalents. Used on a large scale, these interventions will have a major impact on the burden of ear disease and hearing loss. However most developing countries do not have PEHC workers and the topic is hardly addressed in the training of PHC workers. The Primary Ear and Hearing Care Training Resource manuals provide practical information and guidance and can be used as part of a training course, stand-alone training module or in a self-taught manner. They are designed to be useful to a wide range of primary health care personnel. The manuals can also be used to help communities understand common causes of deafness and hearing impairment and ways to prevent and/or treat the conditions.

Millions of Americans experience some degree of hearing loss. The Social Security Administration (SSA) operates programs that provide cash disability benefits to people with permanent impairments like hearing loss, if they can show that their impairments meet stringent SSA criteria and their earnings are below an SSA threshold. The National Research Council convened an expert committee at the request of the SSA to study the issues related to disability determination for people with hearing loss. This volume is the product of that study. Hearing Loss: Determining Eligibility for Social Security Benefits reviews current knowledge about hearing loss and its measurement and treatment, and provides an evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the current processes and criteria. It recommends changes to strengthen the disability determination process and ensure its reliability and fairness. The book addresses criteria for selection of pure tone and speech tests, guidelines for test administration, testing of hearing in noise, special issues related to testing children, and the difficulty of predicting work capacity from clinical hearing test results. It should be useful to audiologists, otolaryngologists, disability advocates, and others who are concerned with people who have hearing loss.

Remarkable progress in the development of new concepts and techniques used in reconstructive surgery of microtia/atresia of the external auditory canal (EAC) has been made since the beginning of the 21st century. Helical computed tomography has made a three-dimensional reconstruction of the soft tissue of the temporal bone surface and the cranium possible, and has laid the groundwork for a collaboration between plastic surgeons and otologists. This book presents the latest findings on reconstructive surgery performed jointly by plastic surgeons and otologists. Based on this concept, information on diagnosis, surgical procedures, outcomes, long-term results and psychology is discussed. Collaborative surgery offers advantages not only in terms of a better reconstruction of morphology and function, but also in terms of the lower number of surgical procedures required which reduces the psychological pressure and economic burden on patients.

The World report on hearing was developed with the key purpose of promoting global action for equitable access to ear and hearing care in all settings across the world. The report provides clear evidence to target hearing loss as a global public health priority and outlines the H.E.A.R.I.N.G. package of interventions that countries should prioritize, taking into account their national circumstances. The many challenges facing countries in these endeavours are outlined in the report.

For many individuals afflicted with tinnitus, the condition causes substantial distress. While there is no known cure for tinnitus, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can offer an effective strategy for managing the symptoms and side effects of chronic tinnitus. Cognitive Behaviorial Therapy for Tinnitus is the first book to provide comprehensive CBT counseling materials specifically developed for the management of tinnitus. This valuable professional book has two primary purposes: to provide clinical guidelines for audiologists who are offering CBT-based counseling for tinnitus and to provide self-help materials for individuals with tinnitus. In addition, these materials may be of interest to researchers developing evidence-based therapies for tinnitus. The book is structured into three sections. Section A provides background information about the theoretical aspects of CBT and some practical tips on how to use this book. Section B provides the CBT counseling, or self-help materials, which can be used by both audiologists and those with tinnitus. Finally, Section C provides some supplementary materials for clinicians that can aid monitoring and engagement of individuals experiencing tinnitus during the course of intervention. Key Features: * The CBT materials contained in this text have been tested in numerous clinical trials across the globe (Australia, Germany, Sweden, United Kingdom, and the United States) both as self-help book chapters and self-help materials delivered via the Internet. * The counseling materials are presented at minimum reading grade level (U.S. 6th grade level) to maximize reader engagement. * The authors of this book have extensive experience in the management of tinnitus, offering useful insights for clinicians and those with tinnitus. * Includes expert advice videos for each chapter to facilitate its adoption to clinical practice.

“Everything you ever wanted to know about ears from two outstanding physician scientists. I loved this book!” —Donna Shalala, Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services In The Ear Book, Drs. Thomas J. Balkany and Kevin D. Brown, recognized experts on ears and hearing, explain how the anatomy of the ear facilitates hearing and balance and then examine the causes, symptoms, and treatment of common problems of the outer, middle, and inner ear. Their explanations take the mystery out of hearing aids, the proper care of ears, and how the pressurized conditions of scuba diving and air travel affect the ears. And they debunk ear-related myths—from the notion that exposure to loud noise strengthens the ear to the idea that tinnitus can be cured with nutrients—and urge readers to stop using ear candling or Q-tips to get rid of wax. Drs. Balkany and Brown address such common questions as: Can dizziness be cured? How loud is too loud? Why do my ears ring? Do cochlear implants work for nerve deafness? What promise do innovations in gene therapy and stem cell therapy hold for the future? Fully illustrated and including helpful tables, hearing preservation tips, a glossary of terms, lists of ear medications and resources, and suggestions for further reading, The Ear Book is sure to be a welcome family guide. “This book is gem for everyone with questions about their ears. I highly recommend it—especially the chapter on Myths of the Ear!” —D. Bradley Welling, MD, PhD, Harvard University Department of Otolaryngology