Gay Wucher, with a BS and MA from University of Texas at Austin, 30 years experience as an audiologist in both serving and teaching, and a warm and personable demeanor, treated us to an excellent presentation on the sense of hearing. Gay began by illustrating the anatomy of the ear and how sound is caught and transmitted to the brain via the auditory nerve. WHO has estimated that some 6% of the world’s population experience hearing loss. Most are men, a few are children, and a third are over 65. There are two types of hearing loss. Sensorineural (about 90% of all cases) occurs when there is damage to the auditory nerve so that sound cannot be transmitted to the brain for interpretation. This is about 90% of all hearing loss and cannot be treated and cured. Hearing aids are the answer to this problem. Conductive is the other type of hearing loss, caused by the obstruction of earwax, an infection or fluid in the middle ear, or calcification of the small bones of the inner ear. There are various treatments which can be called upon through the aid of an ENT or Neurotologist. Gay also explained to us the use of an audiogram and the interpretation of the printout. Quite fascinating! Treatment options for hearing loss are varied compared to just a few years ago. There are aids for all levels of hearing loss and hearing needs, including those with rechargeable batteries, both in ear or over ear models, and Bluetooth and phone connectivity. The last aid to those suffering from hearing loss was emphasized as Gay gave us several suggestions on how to best communicate with a person experience hearing loss. And finally, Tinnitis was defined and addressed as a problem which cannot be cured or treated, although some factors have been associated with exacerbating the problem: caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, high sodium intake, and stress. The only “treatment” is to use other more pleasant and soothing sounds to mask it. A question from a member stimulated a discussion of vertigo.