The University of Arizona
Department of Surgery
 


Otolaryngology

Bone-Anchored Hearing Solutions

Bone-anchored hearing solutions are indicated for patients that are unable to receive benefit from a conventional air conduction hearing aid due to conductive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss, or single-sided deafness.  Sound is transmitted in two ways: air conduction and bone conduction. In air conduction, sound passes through the ear canal, vibrating the eardrum and ossicles (3 hearing bones behind the eardrum), before being sent to the cochlea. Bone conduction bypasses the outer and middle ear completely by sending vibrations to the cochlea via the skull and jaw.

Cochlear Implants

Cochlear implants are indicated for patients with sensorineural hearing loss that receive little to no benefit from conventional air conduction hearing aids. Sensorineural hearing loss originates in the cochlea (inner ear) or auditory nerve. Most cases of sensorineural hearing loss result from damage to the hair cells in the inner ear. Cochlear implants bypass the damaged hair cells in the inner ear by stimulating the auditory nerve directly. Conversely, conventional hearing aids just amplify the sound and pass it through the entire auditory system, including the damaged parts.

Conditions We Treat: Otolaryngology

Envoy Esteem (Totally Implantable Hearing Aid)

The Envoy Esteem is the world's first FDA-approved totally implantable hearing device. Implanted under the skin behind the ear and in the middle ear space, the Esteem is completely invisible. This allows the Esteem to overcome many of the limitations of conventional hearing aids, including the discomfort of wearing something in the ear, wax buildup, infection and acoustic feedback. Because there are no external components to remove, the Esteem can be worn 24/7, including in the shower and at night.

Grand Rounds Schedule

Grand Rounds are held the first Wednesday of every month from 7:00 - 8:15 am in the Arizona Cancer Center, Room 2920, except where otherwise noted.

Next Grand Rounds

May 1, 2013:  Mark Prince, MD, Associate Professor of Otolaryngology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, "Stem Cell Research in Head and Neck Cancer"

Upcoming Grand Rounds

No Grand Rounds scheduled for June or July.  Fall schedule will be posted later this summer.

Implantable Hearing Technologies

The UA Ear Institute offers the most up-to-date and comprehensive treatment options in Tucson for all types of hearing loss. We strive to offer every type of solution so that patients can choose a treatment that best fits their individual needs. An experienced team of surgeons, audiologists, nurses, and clinical coordinators provides our patients medical and audiological consultation, surgical care and aural rehabilitation. Abraham Jacob, MD, the Southwest's only board-certified, fellowship-trained Neurotologist, is the region's most recognized expert in both medical and surgical management of complex ear disease. Stephanie Adamovich, PhD, CCC-A, our highly qualified clinical audiologist, leads the audiology clinic and has specific expertise in cochlear implants, implantable hearing aids, pediatric audiology and geriatric hearing aid management.

National Resources

Ear Histology (Anatomy and Physiology)

Detailed overview from Southern Illinois University

Meniere's Disease

Meniere's Diet (Low salt recommendations)

What Exacerbates Meniere's Disease?

Migraine

Migraine Diet (from National Headache Foundation)

National Organizations

Alexander Graham Bell Association for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Patient Information