The tremor, which may worsen with stress, fatigue or temperature extremes, is not usually life-threatening; although, it can affect the ability to perform activities of daily living.

Essential tremor is thought to affect as many as 5 million Americans. Although it can affect any age group, most of those with it are 60 or older. In about half of cases, there is a history of tremor in other family members. In other cases, the cause is unknown. Essential tremor is a neurological disorder, but it is not related to Parkinson's disease.

Essential tremor patients can have non-tremor related symptoms. Those with the disorder often report a progressive decline in their sense of balance and their fine motor skills, and some researchers believe that those with essential tremor are more likely than the general population to have a progressive loss of smell and hearing sensitivity.

Researchers at the Baylor College of Medicine, who noted a high rate of hearing loss in patients with essential tremor, developed a study to evaluate the level of hearing disability in patients with essential tremor, patients with Parkinson's, and people with no known neurological involvement. They performed the Nursing Home Hearing Handicap Index, audiological testing, and an assessment of hearing aid use.

They found that only two of 127 patients with Parkinson's (1.6 percent) and one of 127 people with no neurological involvement (0.8 percent) wore hearing aids, while 42 of 250 patients with essential tremor (16.8 percent) wore hearing aids. Patients with essential tremor also reported significantly more hearing disability then patients with Parkinson's and people who had no neurological disorders, as indicated by their scores on the hearing handicap index. In general, people who had more severe tremors reported a more severe hearing disability.

While the study shows that patients with essential tremor can be fit and do benefit from hearing aids, considerations in the fitting process do need to be addressed.

Hearing aids with automatic features, like automatic volume controls, memory switching and telephone switching would be most appropriate, especially for people with severe tremors.

Larger hearing aids would allow longer battery life and less frequent battery changes. Also, rechargeable hearing aids would totally negate the need to change the battery.

People with severe tremors may need assistance from caregivers with hearing aid maintenance. Additional hearing warranties should be considered due to an increased possibility of the hearing aid being dropped or damaged.

By Danielle Tousinau
http://www.timesnews.net/communityArticle.dna?_StoryID=3601402