Mayo Clinic Releases ''Mayo Clinic on Hearing''

Rochester, Minnesota. October, 2003 -- Hearing impairment is the third most common chronic condition in the United States. An estimated one-third of Americans older than age 65 and one-half of those older than age 75 have hearing impairment.

Mayo Clinic on Hearing (Kensington, soft cover ISBN: 1-893005-29-1, $16.95) provides basic and patient-oriented discussions. Illustrations, drawings and photographs enhance the text. A useful glossary and listing of additional resources are included at the back of the book.

Wayne Olsen, Ph. D., audiologist and professor emeritus of audiology at Mayo Medical School is the editor-in-chief of Mayo Clinic on Hearing. Dr. Olsen has authored numerous articles and chapters in audiology texts, lectured extensively and served as an editorial consultant for various scientific journals. He is a recipient of the Mayo Fellows Association's Teacher of the Year in Otorhinolaryngology award and has been named a fellow of both the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the Acoustical Society of America. Dr. Olsen has been recognized with distinguished career awards from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation, the American Academy of Audiology, and the American Auditory Society.

Dr. Douglas L. Beck, audiologist and editor-in-chief of www.healthyhearing.com and www.audiologyonline.com stated "Mayo Clinic on Hearing is a useful and comprehensive text written for patients. Often times, patients want to learn more about their ears, hearing and balance systems, but unfortunately, there are very few authoritative texts available for the patient!" Dr. Beck stated, "The book is easy to read, avoids jargon and difficult words, and goes into more depth than the normal professional-patient discussion or consultation allows."

For the interested or curious patient, Mayo Clinic on Hearing offers a comprehensive yet basic discussion on many aspects of hearing, hearing loss, hearing aids, cochlear implants, tinnitus, ALDs, management of hearing loss, anatomy and physiology of the ear, and other issues.

Dr. Beck noted, "I recommend that hearing professionals keep a few copies on the shelf, along with hearing aid batteries and other accessories where patients can easily see and acquire them." Beck concluded, "Dr. Olson has done an admirable job assembling and disseminating this information."

Revenues from the sale of this book help support Mayo Clinic's medical research and education programs. Mayo Clinic on Hearing is available by calling 800-291-1128. Mention order code HEAR.