About Harriet Jacobster, Au.D. Expertise I can answer questions regarding non-medical treatment of hearing loss such as hearing aids and aural rehabilitation. I am also able to answer your questions regarding hearing testing, what types of tests are appropriate, what information a hearing test gives you and what it doesn't give you. As a classically trained musician, I can also answer issues dealing with hearing loss specific to musicians.
Experience I am a Board Certified Doctor of Audiology with over 25 years' of experience working with both children and adults. I have given lectures on Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids to several state chapters of national organizations for the deaf and hard of hearing. I also taught Speech Reading and Aural Rehabilitation both privately and for the Florida Deaf Service Center.
Organizations American Academy of Audiology
American Speech Language Hearing Association
Education/Credentials Au.D. Doctor of Audiology, Nova Southeastern University 2000
Question I had my upper and partial lower teeth extracted for new dentures in June. Since then I have had severe hearing loss (80%/60%). There was a complication where my sinus cavity leaked due to a whole from an extraction and I am wondering if this could have lead to my hearing loss. I have been to specialist and now wear hearing aids in both ears. The worst part of the problem is that I hear loud music in one ear. No one can explain this. My hearing did get better temporarily (60%/40%) and the hearing aids really helped. Now not so much. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Answer Hi Timothy,
There are reported cases of hearing loss following dental surgery. Most of these cases have some link to neurotoxicity from the use of anaethesia. Sometimes it can be linked to blood clots that enter the system from the extractions themselves. The sinus cavity may have contributed to some of the loss; hence, when the hole recovered, so did some of your hearing. The music you hear is called tinnitus and is a result of damage to the inner ear. Is it actual "music" or is it just tones? As far as the hearing aids not helping so much, there could be several reasons. First, your hearing may have become worse. Next, you may have adapted to the hearing aids and your perception is that they are not helping as much as they did. There is also the chance that the hearing aids are just not working properly. You need to have both your hearing and the hearing aids checked.
Hope this helps.
Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified in Audiology
