Audiology and parkinson's disease
Welcome
This website is for people with Parkinson's Disease (PD) and their caregivers who are interested in learning about hearing, balance, and how PD affects the hearing and balance systems. Click the links above or to the right to learn more!
Do I need to see an Audiologist?
Parkinson's Disease might affect your body's feeling of stability.
Parkinson's Disease can affect your eyes and vision.
There are 3 parts of your body to help you feel balanced.
Do I need to see an Audiologist?
An audiologist is a professional who tests and treats hearing and balance problems.
Audiologists also test balance
There are 3 parts of your body to help you feel balanced: your vision, your muscles, and your inner ear.
Parkinson's Disease can affect your vision.
Vertigo (feeling like your head is spinning) is caused by damage to the inner ear. If you are experiencing vertigo, an Ear-Nose-Throat doctor might order a balance test by an Audiologist.
Parkinson's Disease often affects your body's muscles, which can make you feel unstable.
Treatments
Communication strategies help you understand and communicate with those around you.
Pay attention to body language and reading lips
Try to remove background noise like fans, radios, TVs, etc.
Ask conversation partners to get your attention so that you can turn around and hear the entire message.
Hearing aids come in all shapes and sizes!
Receiver-in- the-canal
In-the-Canal
Full shell
In-the-Ear
Behind-the-Ear
In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids are the easiest to put in and take out.
Hearing aid batteries are small. Rechargeable hearing aids do not have batteries to change.
Hearing aid batteries
Your Appointment
The Audiologist will test your hearing in a sound booth. He or she will ask you to push a button or raise your hand when you hear different tones. You will also be asked to repeat some words.
The Audiologist will talk to you about rehabilitation options.
An Audiologist can work with you and your needs to help you re-enter the hearing world! Talk to your doctor about getting a referral to see an Audiologist. See below for resources on getting connected in your community.
Resources
Wisconsin Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association http://www.wichapterapda.org/
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The Hearing Loss Association of America – Wisconsin Chapter (http://www.hlaawi.org/)
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The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) ProFind website (click “Find an Audiologist” and specify where you are looking): http://www.asha.org/profind/
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The American Academy of Audiology "Find an Audiologist" https://webportal.audiology.org/Custom/FindAnAudiologist.aspx
More info from ASHA about hearing and balance: http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/
If you are a Veteran, the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System will provide you with hearing health care and hearing aids for FREE! http://www.prosthetics.va.gov/psas/Hearing_Aids.asp
References
Aarsland, D., Zaccai, J., & Brayne, C. (2005). A systematic review of prevalence studies of dementia in Parkinson’s Disease. Movement Disorders, 20(10), 1255-1263. doi: 10.1002/mds.20527
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Ferrazzoli, D., Fasano, A., Maestri, R., Bera, R., Palamara, G., Ghilardi, M. F., … Frazzitta, G. (2015). Balance Dysfunction in Parkinson’s Disease: The Role of Posturography in Developing a Rehabilitation Program. Parkinson’s Disease, 2015. doi: 10.1155/2015/520128
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Golbe, L.I., Mark, M.H., & Sage, J.I. (2007). Parkinson’s Disease Handbook.
PDF: https://www.apdaparkinson.org/uploads/files/MP51919AmParkinsonHBK-vaU.pdf
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Sauerbier, A. & Chaudhuri, K.R. (2013). Parkinson's disease and vision. Basal Ganglia, 3(3). 159-163. doi: 10.1016/j.baga.2013.05.02
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Vitale, C., Marcelli, V., Allocca, R., Santangelo, G., Riccardi, P., Erro, R., … Barone, P. (2012). Hearing impairment in Parkinson’s disease: Expanding the nonmotor phenotype. Movement Disorders, 27(12), 1530-1535. doi: 10.1002/mds.25149
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