Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Current Information Problems...

So I am just worried because I don't know too much about the mechanics of ears. I fear that my research will use a lot of and become like old anatomy and medical textbooks. I don't want to end up studying how to conduct ear surgery. And I don't want this project to be boring!
I am also wondering if if my topic is still too broad. I am not exactly sure how to define "hearing loss". Should I focus just on hearing loss due to aging or diseases or both? I may have to figure out how much information I have on each and decide from there.
Also I'm hoping that I can find good, interesting information on this topic and not just those old uninformative brochures that titled "What To Do If You Cannot Hear" that give advice like "Go to the doctor" and "Tell your family to speak up". That would stink and give me nothing to work with.

Prospectus Draft 1

Hearing is an integral part of human communication. The ability to listen and convey thoughts and ideas is not to be taken for granted with many people having trouble hearing. I am interested in understanding how health professionals diagnosis and treat ear problems. How do audiologists test hearing and know what is wrong with one’s ear? What are the options for treatment? Can hearing ever be fully restored? I hope to answer these important questions.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Where to start?

How can hearing loss be diagnosed and treated?

Without functioning hearing, people can not communicate their ideas and thoughts. This lack of interaction is a bleak way to live, and with the population aging and constant electronic streams, the problem is only getting worse. Therefore an important research question that must be asked is how hearing loss be diagnosed and treated.

Diagnosis- Audiologist, other health professional

Evaluate type, degree, and configuration of hearing loss

Treatment- Aids, Surgery

I am interested in this question because I have hearing trouble and know the annoyance of not being able to hear. I am also considering becoming an audiologist.


Other questions I am considering:

What types of alternative medicine are reliable and which are not? How do they work?

What are the common characteristics of different religions?