Hearing aids

This book fills up an important gap that existed in the post graduate learning resource. Otolaryngologist had a poor insight as far as this topic is concerned. The author feels that all practicing otolaryngologist should have a basic understanding of hearing aid, how it functions, and how to prescribe them. More than anything else they should also be aware about the limitations of the hearing aid. This book should enlighten the students of otolaryngology on this vital topic. This topic is a little bit boring because of the physics involved. The author wishes to allay the fears of the student that prior knowledge of acoustic and electro-physics is not needed. All the basic stuff have been explained on a need to know basis with clear illustrations. Standard text books in otolaryngology don’t cover this topic with clarity leaving the otolaryngologist to fend for themselves when it comes to hearing aids. The author feels a practicing otologist should have a clear understanding of the concept of hearing aids and the development that have been taking place in this field. Clear idea of this topic will ensure that the otologist to whom the patient first lands up give proper guidance to the patient. Otologist should also be in a position to offer alternate non invasive options of improving the patient’s hearing. The author is of the opinion that proper motivation of the patient to use hearing aids will help them to avoid risky surgical procedures to improve hearing in otosclerosis. As far as sensorineural hearing loss hearing aid happens to be the only viable solution that is available to the patient. The author also wishes to stress on the importance of using bilateral hearing aids in patients with bilateral hearing loss (be it conductive or sensorineural hearing loss). This book attempts to impart vital knowledge on this topic using below upwards concept, making it easy for a novice to understand the topic. The author hopes that this book will be useful to the students of otolaryngology as well as the practitioners of otolaryngology