The thirteenth addition to Mayo's On Health series, Mayo Clinic on Hearing, provides readers with clear explanations of the hearing exam and many common hearing problems, such as middle ear infections, perforated eardrums, acoustic trauma, and tinnitus. Separate chapters are devoted to hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other communication aids such as assistive listening devices (ALDs). The book also includes considerable detail on dizziness and vestibular disorders associated with the inner ear. This includes Meniere's disease, labyrinthitis, and acoustic neuroma. Hearing impairment is the third most common chronic condition in the United States, ahead of heart disease and diabetes. An estimated one-third of Americans older than age 65 and one-half of those older than age 75 are living with a hearing impairment. Over time, the steady wear and tear of noise contributes to hearing loss by damaging your inner ear. Doctors believe that other factors, such as heredity, can prevent your ears from conducting sounds as well as they should. Although you can't reverse damage to your inner ear, you don't have to live in a world of soft, less distinct sounds. Steps you and your doctor or hearing specialist can take may improve what you hear. Doctors and researchers have put great effort into in to creating better solutions for hearing loss. It only makes sense to learn how they may help you.