5 Reasons Why People Deny Hearing Loss

April 5, 2015 By Leave a Comment

It takes the average person with hearing loss 5 to 7 years before pursuing a qualified professional diagnosis, in spite of the fact that the signs and symptoms of hearing loss are crystal clear to other people. But are those with hearing loss simply too stubborn to get help? No, actually, and for a few different reasons.

Perhaps you know someone with hearing loss who either denies the problem or refuses to seek out professional help, and even though this is undoubtedly frustrating, it is very conceivable that the indications of hearing loss are much more apparent to you than they are to them.

Here are the reasons why:

1. Hearing loss is gradual

In most occurrences, hearing loss takes place so gradually over time that the affected individual simply doesn’t notice the change. While you would recognize an instant change from normal hearing to a 25 decibel hearing loss (specified as moderate hearing loss), you wouldn’t perceive the modest change of a 1-2 decibel loss.

So a gradual loss of 1-2 decibels over 10-20 years, while producing a 20-40 total decibel loss, is not going to be noticeable at any given moment in time for those impacted. That’s why friends and family are almost always the first to detect hearing loss.

2. Hearing loss is often partial (high-frequency only)

The majority of hearing loss examples are categorized as high-frequency hearing loss, indicating that the afflicted person can still hear low-frequency background sounds normally. Even though speech, which is a high-frequency sound, is challenging for those with hearing loss to understand, other sounds can usually be heard normally. This is why it’s typical for those with hearing loss to assert, “my hearing is fine, everyone else mumbles.”

3. Hearing loss is not addressed by the family doctor

People suffering with hearing loss can obtain a mistaken sense of well-being following their annual physical. It’s quite common to hear people say “if I had hearing loss, my doctor would have told me.”

This is of course not true because only 14% of physicians regularly screen for hearing loss during the yearly checkup. Not to mention that the prime symptom for most cases of hearing loss — trouble comprehending speech in the presence of background noise — will not present itself in a silent office environment.

4. The burden of hearing loss can be shared or passed on to others

How do you treat hearing loss when there’s no cure? The solution is easy: amplify sounds. The issue is, although hearing aids are the most effective at amplifying sounds, they are not the only way to accomplish it — which individuals with hearing loss promptly find out.

Those with hearing loss oftentimes crank up the volume on everything, to the detriment of those around them. TVs and radios are played exceptionally loud and people are made to either shout or repeat themselves. The person with hearing loss can manage just fine with this strategy, but only by passing on the burden to friends, family members, and co-workers.

5. Hearing loss is pain-free and invisible

Hearing loss is mainly subjective: it cannot be diagnosed by visible examination and it generally is not accompanied by any pain or discomfort. If people with hearing loss do not recognize a problem, mainly due to the reasons above, then they probably won’t take action.

The only method to properly diagnose hearing loss is through audiometry, which will measure the precise decibel level hearing loss at multiple sound frequencies. This is the only way to objectively say whether hearing loss is present, but the tricky part is needless to say getting to that point.

How to approach those with hearing loss

Hopefully, this entry has manufactured some empathy. It is always exasperating when someone with hearing loss refuses to admit the problem, but keep in mind, they may legitimately not fully grasp the severity of the problem. Rather than demanding that they get their hearing tested, a more effective approach may be to educate them on the components of hearing loss that make the condition essentially invisible.

Filed Under: Articles, Featured, Hearing, Hearing Loss, Preventative Care

Exploring a Career in the Hearing Care Profession

March 19, 2015 By Leave a Comment

Although the majority of us stay current with our annual physical, dental cleaning, and eye examination, we notoriously fail to consider the health of our hearing. And when our hearing does start to diminish, it happens so slowly and gradually that we barely notice and fail to take action. It’s this lack of interaction with hearing care professionals that makes people wonder what the career actually involves.

And that’s a shame, because hearing care professionals serve as an important segment of the healthcare system. It’s through the hearing care professional that the correct performance of one of our key senses — one in which we often tend to take for granted — is maintained or restored.

Due to the fact that we take hearing for granted, we often fail to fully grasp just how invaluable hearing is. With precise hearing, we can increase focus, enjoy the details of sound, converse better, and strengthen working relationships. And the hearing care professionals are the ones who make certain that this essential sense is working properly.

If you’d like to learn more about this crucial but little-known healthcare field — or if you’re thinking about joining the field yourself — read on.

Attraction to the hearing care field

Hearing care professionals are attracted to the field for a number of reasons, but a few main motivating factors are habitually present. First of all, many practitioners have experienced, and continue to suffer from, hearing complications themselves. Seeing as they were themselves helped by a hearing care professional, the need to repay the favor for other individuals is strong.

For example, Zoe Williams, a hearing care professional practicing in Australia, has moderate to profound hearing loss in both ears. This could have caused an inability to communicate, but thanks to cochlear implants and hearing aids, Zoe is now able to communicate normally. Understanding first-hand how enhanced hearing leads to a better life, Zoe was motivated to enter the field and to assist others in the same way.

Other individuals are enticed into the hearing care field thanks to its unique combination of counseling, problem solving, science, and engineering. Alongside studying the science of hearing and the design of hearing technology, practitioners also learn how to work with individuals in the role of a counselor. Dealing with hearing loss is a delicate situation, and people present a number of emotions and personalities. Practitioners must be able to employ the “soft skills” required to manage these challenges and must work with patients on a personalized level to defeat hearing loss.

Training and preparation

Part of the overall appeal of working in the hearing care profession is the fascinating combination of topics included as part of the education and training. Those pursuing a career in the field master interesting topics in assorted fields such as:

  • Biology – topics include the anatomy and physiology of hearing, balance, the ear, and the brain, in addition to instruction in hearing and balance disorders and pharmacology.
  • Physics – topics include the physics of sound, acoustics, and psychoacoustics (how the brain processes sound).
  • Engineering – topics include the production and operation of hearing technology such as assistive listening devices, hearing aids, and cochlear implants, as well as the programming of digital hearing aids.
  • Counseling – topics include how to interview patients, how to teach coping skills, and how to train on the use of hearing aids, as well as other interesting topics in psychology and counseling.
  • Professional practice – topics include diagnosing hearing problems, performing and interpreting hearing tests, carrying out hearing treatments, fitting and programming hearing aids, professional ethics, and running a business.

Job functions

Hearing care professionals work in a wide range of settings (schools, hospitals, private practices) performing diverse tasks such as research, teaching, and diagnosing and treating hearing and balance conditions.

Regular responsibilities include performing diagnostic tests, interpreting hearing tests, and working with patients on identifying the best hearing treatment, often times including the use of hearing aids. Hearing care professionals custom-fit and program hearing aids to best fit the individual and will coach the patient on how to use and maintain them. Hearing care professionals also work with organizations and businesses to protect against hearing injuries in loud work environments.

Benefits

The benefits cited most frequently by people in the hearing care profession revolve around the opportunity to positively impact people’s lives on a very personalized level. Lifelong friendships between patients and hearing specialists are also common as a consequence of the personal nature of care.

When patients declare that they can hear again for the first time in a very long time, the emotions can be intense. Patients commonly describe a feeling of reconnection to the world and to family, in addition to strengthened relationships and an enhanced overall quality of life.

How many occupations can claim that kind of personal impact?

Filed Under: Articles, Hearing, Hearing Loss, Preventative Care

Avoiding the Biggest Mistake in Treating Your Hearing Loss

March 12, 2015 By Leave a Comment

Do you remember the Q-Ray Bracelets? You know, the magnetic bracelets that promised to grant immediate and substantial pain relief from arthritis and other chronic conditions?

Well, you won’t find much of that advertising anymore; in 2008, the producers of the Q-Ray Bracelets were legally obligated to reimburse customers a maximum of $87 million as a consequence of deceitful and fraudulent advertising.1

The issue had to do with rendering health claims that were not backed by any scientific confirmation. For that matter, powerful evidence existed to show that the magnetized wristbands had NO influence on pain reduction, which did not bode well for the producer but did wonders to win the court case for the Federal Trade Commission.2

The wishful thinking fallacy

Fine, so the Q-Ray bracelets didn’t function (besides the placebo effect), yet they ended up selling amazingly well. What gives?

Without diving into the depths of human psychology, the straight forward reply is that we have a powerful inclination to believe in the things that seem to make our lives better and quite a bit easier.

On an emotional level, you’d love to believe that using a $50 bracelet will eradicate your pain and that you don’t have to bother with high price medical and surgical treatments.

If, for instance, you happen to suffer from chronic arthritis in your knee, which approach seems more desirable?

        a. Scheduling surgery for a complete knee replacement

        b. Going to the mall to pick up a magnetic bracelet

Your instinct is to give the bracelet a try. You already wish to trust that the bracelet will deliver the results, so now all you need is a little push from the marketers and some social confirmation from having seen other people donning them.

But it is specifically this natural instinct, combined with the inclination to seek out confirming evidence, that will get you into the most trouble.

If it sounds too good to be true…

Keeping in mind the Q-Ray bracelets, let’s say you’re suffering from hearing loss; which solution sounds more appealing?

       a. Scheduling an appointment with a hearing specialist and obtaining professionally programmed hearing aids

       b. Purchasing an off-the-shelf personal sound amplifier online for 20 bucks

Just as the magnetic bracelet seems much more appealing than a visit to the physician or surgeon, the personal sound amplifier seems to be much more appealing than a trip to the audiologist or hearing instrument specialist.

Nevertheless, as with the magnetic wristbands, personal sound amplifiers won’t cure anything, either.

The difference between hearing aids and personal sound amplifiers

Before you get the wrong impression, I’m not saying that personal sound amplifiers, also referred to as PSAPs, are fraudulent — or even that they don’t function.

On the contrary, personal sound amplifiers often do deliver results. Just like hearing aids, personal sound amplifiers consist of a receiver, a microphone, and an amplifier that receive sound and make it louder. Thought of on that level, personal sound amplifiers work fine — and for that matter, so does the act of cupping your hands behind your ears.

However when you ask if PSAPs work, you’re asking the wrong question. The questions you should be asking are:

  1. How well do they deliver the results?
  2. For which type of person do they work best?

These are precisely the questions that the FDA answered when it produced its guidance on the difference between hearing aids and personal sound amplifiers.

As reported by the FDA, hearing aids are classified as “any wearable instrument or device designed for, offered for the purpose of, or represented as aiding persons with or compensating for, impaired hearing.” (21 CFR 801.420)3

Quite the opposite, personal sound amplifiers are “intended to amplify environmental sound for non-hearing impaired consumers. They are not intended to compensate for hearing impairment.”

Although the distinction is transparent, it’s simple for PSAP producers and sellers to get around the distinction by simply not pointing it out. For instance, on a PSAP package, you might find the tagline “turning ordinary hearing into extraordinary hearing.” This promise is unclear enough to skirt the issue entirely without having to define exactly what the catch phrase “turning ordinary hearing into extraordinary hearing” even means.

You get what you pay for

As outlined by by the FDA, PSAPs are basic amplification devices ideal for individuals with normal hearing. So if you have normal hearing, and you desire to hear better while hunting, bird watching, or tuning in to far off conversations, then a $20 PSAP is perfect for you.

If you suffer from hearing loss, however, then you’ll require professionally programmed hearing aids. Although more expensive, hearing aids offer the power and features needed to address hearing loss. Listed below are some of the reasons why hearing aids are superior to PSAPs:

  • Hearing aids amplify only the frequencies that you have trouble hearing, while PSAPs amplify all sound indiscriminately. By amplifying all frequencies, PSAPs won’t permit you to hear conversations in the presence of background noise, like when you’re at a party or restaurant.
  • Hearing aids come with integrated noise reduction and canceling functions, while PSAPs do not.
  • Hearing aids are programmable and can be perfected for maximum hearing; PSAPs are not programmable.
  • Hearing aids contain various features and functions that block out background noise, provide for phone use, and provide for wireless connectivity, for example. PSAPs do not typically come with any of these features.
  • Hearing aids come in diverse styles and are custom-molded for maximal comfort and aesthetic appeal. PSAPs are typically one-size-fits-all.

Seek the help of a hearing professional

If you think you have hearing loss, don’t be enticed by the low-cost PSAPs; rather, set up a consultation with a hearing specialist. They will be able to precisely measure your hearing loss and will make sure that you receive the most effective hearing aid for your lifestyle and needs. So although the low-cost PSAPs are tempting, in this circumstance you should listen to your better judgment and seek expert assistance. Your hearing is well worth the work.

Sources

  1. Federal Trade Commission: Appeals Court Affirms Ruling in FTCs Favor in Q-Ray Bracelet Case
  2. National Center for Biotechnology Information: Effect of “ionized” wrist bracelets on musculoskeletal pain: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
  3. Food and Drug Administration: Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff: Regulatory Requirements for Hearing Aid Devices and Personal Sound Amplification Products
Filed Under: Articles, Hearing, Hearing Loss, Preventative Care

8 Reasons Hearing Loss is More Dangerous Than You Think

March 5, 2015 By Leave a Comment

warning sign

Hearing damage is hazardously sneaky. It creeps up on you through the years so little by little you scarcely become aware of it , making it all too easy to deny it’s even there. And then, when you finally recognize the signs and symptoms, you shrug it off as troublesome and frustrating due to the fact that its most harmful effects are hidden.

For around 48 million American citizens that claim some extent of hearing loss, the consequences are substantially greater than only inconvenience and frustration.1 Here are 8 reasons why untreated hearing loss is much more dangerous than you might think:

1. Link to Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease

A report from Johns Hopkins University and the National Institute on Aging indicates that individuals with hearing loss are considerably more susceptible to suffer from dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, when compared with individuals who preserve their hearing.2

While the explanation for the connection is ultimately unknown, scientists suspect that hearing loss and dementia could possibly share a shared pathology, or that years and years of straining the brain to hear could bring on harm. An additional explanation is that hearing loss many times results in social solitude — a main risk factor for dementia.

Irrespective of the cause, restoring hearing may very well be the optimum prevention, which includes the use of hearing aids.

2. Depression and social isolation

Investigators from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), part of the National Institutes of Health, have detected a strong relation between hearing loss and depression among U.S. adults of all ages and races.3

3. Not hearing alerts to danger

Car horns, ambulance and police sirens, and fire alarms all are specifically created to notify you to potential dangers. If you miss out on these alerts, you put yourself at an higher risk of injury.

4. Memory impairment and mental decline

Investigations reveal that adults with hearing loss suffer from a 40% larger rate of decline in cognitive function in comparison to individuals with normal hearing.4 The lead author of the study, Frank R. Lin, MD, PhD, of Johns Hopkins University, stated that “going forward for the next 30 or 40 years that from a public health perspective, there’s nothing more important than cognitive decline and dementia as the population ages.” That’s why growing awareness as to the connection between hearing loss and cognitive decline is Dr. Lin’s foremost concern.

5. Reduced household income

In a study of more than 40,000 households conducted by the Better Hearing Institute, hearing loss was revealed to adversely influence household income up to $12,000 annually, depending on the amount of hearing loss.5 individuals who used hearing aids, however, minimized this impact by 50%.

The ability to communicate on the job is essential to job performance and promotion. The fact is, communication skills are consistently ranked as the top job-related skill-set requested by managers and the leading factor for promotion.

6. Auditory deprivation – use it or lose it

In regard to the human body, “use it or lose it” is a slogan to live by. For instance, if we don’t make use of our muscles, they atrophy or shrink with time, and we end up losing strength. It’s only through exercise and repeated use that we can recoup our physical strength.

The the exact same phenomenon applies to hearing: as our hearing degrades, we get ensnared in a descending spiral that only gets worse. This is known as auditory deprivation, and a expanding body of research is confirming the “hearing atrophy” that can appear with hearing loss.

7. Underlying medical conditions

Despite the fact that the most common cause of hearing loss is connected to age and repeated exposure to loud noise, hearing loss is at times the symptom of a more significant, underlying medical condition. Potential conditions include:

  • Cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes
  • Otosclerosis – the solidifying of the middle ear bones
  • Ménière’s disease – a disease of the inner ear affecting hearing and balance
  • Traumatic injuries
  • Infections, earwax buildup, or obstructions from foreign objects
  • Tumors
  • Medications – there are more than 200 medications and chemicals that are known to cause hearing and balance issues

Due to the seriousness of some of the ailments, it is imperative that any hearing loss is immediately evaluated.

8. Greater risk of falls

Research has unveiled a number connections between hearing loss and serious disorders like dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and anxiety. A further study conducted by scientists at Johns Hopkins University has found yet another disheartening link: the link between hearing loss and the risk of falls.6

The research shows that individuals with a 25-decibel hearing loss, classified as mild, were almost three times more likely to have a record of falling. And for every added 10-decibels of hearing loss, the likelihood of falling increased by 1.4 times.

Don’t wait to get your hearing tested

The encouraging part to all of this negative research is the suggestion that retaining or restoring your hearing can help to minimize or eliminate these risks completely. For individuals that now have normal hearing, it is more crucial than ever to take care of it. And for all those suffering with hearing loss, it’s crucial to seek the help of a hearing specialist immediately.

Sources

  1. Hearing Loss Association of America: Basic Facts About Hearing Loss
  2. Johns Hopkins Medicine: Hearing Loss and Dementia Linked in Study
  3. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: NIDCD Researchers Find Strong Link between Hearing Loss and Depression in Adults
  4. Medscape: Hearing Loss Linked to Cognitive Decline, Impairment
  5. Better Hearing Institute: The Impact of Untreated Hearing Loss on Household Income
  6. Johns Hopkins Medicine: Hearing Loss Linked to Three-Fold Risk of Falling
Filed Under: Articles, Hearing, Hearing Loss, Preventative Care

Professional musicians at greater risk of developing hearing loss

February 28, 2015 By Leave a Comment

Continuous exposure to loud music: that’s what can damage your hearing. Hearing loss starts with recurrent exposure to sounds at or above 85 decibels (decibels being a unit used to measure loudness). This means musicians are at a very high risk, considering the high decibels found at a concert.

Check out these common activities:

Whisper at 6 feet: 30 decibels (dB)
Regular dialogue at 3 feet: 60 – 65 (dB)
Motorcycle: 100 dB
Front row at a rock show: 120 to 150 dB

A musician’s hearing is what is most predisposed to damage from the performance of their craft. Fame, wealth, and screaming fans — these are a couple of the terms and phrases you’d pick in order to summarize the everyday life of a professional musician. The terms “hearing loss” or “tinnitus,” signify the negative side-effects of all that glory, wealth, and screaming.
The culprit of all that hearing loss is recurring subjection to deafening noise. In the long run, loud noise will irreparably destroy the hair cells of the inner ear, which are the sensory receptors responsible for sending sound to the brain. Like an ample patch of grass worn out from frequent trampling, the hair cells can in a similar fashion be wiped out from repeated overexposure to loud noise – the dissimilarity, of course, being that you can’t grow brand new hair cells.

Signs of Hearing Loss

In reality, musicians are close to four times more likely to acquire noise-induced hearing loss in contrast with the average person, according to scientists at the Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology. The scientific study also discovered that professional musicians are about 57% more likely to suffer from tinnitus — a disorder connected with a repeated ringing in the ears.

Unfortunately, musicians don’t see an audiologist until it’s too late and they experience:

A ringing or buzzing sound in the ears
Any pain or discomfort in the ears
Difficulty comprehending speech
Trouble following discussions in the presence of background noise

The trouble is, when these symptoms are present, the damage has already been done. So, the leading thing a musician can do to deter long-term, permanent hearing loss is to schedule an appointment with an audiologist before symptoms are present.
If you’re a musician, an audiologist can recommend custom made musicians’ plugs or in-ear-monitors that will give protection to your hearing without limiting your musical performance. As a musician, you have unique needs for hearing and hearing protection, and audiologists or hearing specialists are the professionals specifically trained to provide this custom protection.
Considering the unique requirements of musicians — as well as the significance of protecting the details of sound — the best road to take is to schedule an appointment with an audiologist.

How musicians, and fans, can protect their ears

Rock shows are literally ear-splittingly loud, and continued unprotected exposure can cause some considerable harm, which several popular musicians know all too well.
Chris Martin, the lead vocalist for the band Coldplay, has dealt with with Tinnitus for a decade. According to Martin:
“Looking after your ears is unfortunately something you don’t think about until there’s a problem. I’ve had tinnitus for about 10 years, and since I started protecting my ears it hasn’t got any worse (touch wood). But I wish I’d thought about it earlier. Now we always use moulded filter plugs, or in-ear monitors, to try and protect our ears. You CAN use industrial headphones, but that looks strange at a party.”
Other significant musicians that suffer from hearing loss or tinnitus include Neil Young, Ozzy Osbourne, Phil Collins, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Pete Townshend, Bono, Sting, Ryan Adams, and more, many of which indicate regret that they hadn’t done more to take care of their ears all through their careers. Lars Ulrich from Metallica points out:
“If you get a scratch on your nose, in a week that’ll be gone. When you scratch your hearing or damage your hearing, it doesn’t come back. I try to point out to younger kids … once your hearing is gone, it’s gone, and there’s no real remedy.”

Even though musicians are at greater risk for acquiring hearing loss or tinnitus, they can slash their risk by taking protective measures. Plus, everyday folks who are subjected to loud environments should also seek protection.

Filed Under: Anatomy and Physiology, Articles, Choosing a Hearing Aid, Common Conditions of the Ear, Hearing, Hearing Aid Technology, Hearing Aids, Hearing Loss, Preventative Care, Tinnitus

Preventing work related hearing loss with high fidelity, custom-fit ear plugs

February 21, 2015 By Leave a Comment

Everyday work-related activities have high decibel levels associated with them – not just for people who work in loud environments. For example, a power saw can reach 110 decibels, a newspaper press 97, a chain saw 120, a sporting event 105, and a jet takeoff 150. Musicians, production line workers, construction workers, airport staff, emergency workers, plumbers, and craftsmen are all likely to develop extreme hearing loss and tinnitus.
Did you know that 85 decibels is the noise intensity at which repetitive exposure can cause significant hearing damage?
Did you know that 100 decibels is the sound degree reached by a rock concert? Bad news for anyone who plays in a band or who likes to go see one.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) says an amazing 30 million people in the U.S. are subjected to dangerous sound levels, representing one of the biggest occupational threats over the previous 25 years.

Work-related hearing loss impacts countless numbers

This is a story that’s been around the block a time or two, and it happens more than you think. Just take in the fact that in 2009 alone, there were 21,000 incidents of occupational hearing loss reported.
Kevin Twigg of Stockport, England understands all too well about the occupational hazards of loudness. That’s because he worked on evaluating and repairing law enforcement car sirens — which get to between 106 to 118 decibels — for more than 30 years.
After retirement, severe tinnitus set in along with severe hearing loss that mandated the use of hearing aids. Having failed to adopt the safety actions that would alleviate the noise levels, Twigg’s employer was found liable in court, losing a case in which Twigg won big.

4 reasons why you should choose custom-fit ear plugs over the off-the-shelf foam variety

Why are custom-fit ear plugs so much better than those cheap foam ear plugs? We explore the reasons:

1. avoidance of the “Occlusion Effect”
With foam ear plugs, the user will perceive a hollowed out or boomy sound in their voice when speaking, singing, or playing an musical instrument. This bothersome noise is referred as the “occlusion effect.”
Custom-fit ear plugs are molded to the ear, forming a deep seal that helps prevent this distracting sound.

2. conservation of sound quality
Common foam ear plugs muffle speech and music. By reducing noise mainly in the high frequency range, rather than in the mid-to-low frequency range, music and voices appear to be unnatural and indecipherable. Foam ear plugs also decrease sound by 30-40 decibels, which is excessive for the prevention of hearing damage.
Custom-fit ear plugs will minimize sound more evenly across frequencies while lowering sound volume by a lower decibel level, thereby maintaining the all natural quality of speech and music.

3. price & convenience
Custom ear plugs can last up to four years, almost always at a price tag of well under $100.
Let’s do some math on the disposable foam plugs:
$3.99 for 10 pairs equals $0.39 per pair
$0.39 per pair X 5 days per week X 52 weeks per year X 4 years = $405.60
With custom-fit ear plugs, you will certainly save cash in the long run and will avert all of those outings to the store. No one likes shopping for ear plugs, so while the initial visit to the audiologist seems like a pain, in the long run you will also conserve time.

4. preserving the environment
Throw-away ear plugs produce a lot of waste:
5 days per week X 52 weeks per year = 260 pairs of foam ear plugs tossed out every single year.

How to protect your ears while at work

The ideal method at work requires the use of custom-fit ear plugs, sometimes referred to as musicians plugs. You just have to be fitted for them by your hearing consultant, who can tailor specifically to you, your job, and your needs.
This is much better than picking up disposabless at the community store, and it’s cheaper and better on the environment in the long run, too.

Schedule an appointment today

The benefits of custom-fit ear plugs speak can be seen in many facets of life. Particularly if you undergo exposure to loud noises at work, or attend several concerts, be sure to schedule a consultation with a hearing expert today. Custom-fit ear plugs will protect your ears the best.

Filed Under: Articles, Choosing a Hearing Aid, Common Conditions of the Ear, Hearing, Hearing Aid Technology, Hearing Aids, Hearing Loss, Preventative Care, Tinnitus

A Brief History of Hearing Aids

February 14, 2015 By Leave a Comment

Approximately 35 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss. In perspective, very few of them are prescribed a hearing aid. They can be quite costly, but their advantages are unparalleled and well worth it. On average, a hearing aid costs about $1500. They have come a long way from the primitive ear trumpets of 200 years ago. As a result of research over the years as well as growth in technology, these devices now come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and even colors. Plus, they only weigh a few ounces, providing an unmatched versatility to the user. They used to weigh tens of pounds! With connections to Bluetooth and filtering capabilities inherent in today’s models, there has been quite an evolution in terms of these devices.

On the Ear

It wasn’t till the late 1930s that hearing aids that could be worn on the ear with relative comfort got popular. These devices were made by a Chicago electronics manufacturer, featuring a thin wire connected to an earpiece and receiver. A battery pack which attached to the user’s leg made it hard to get around easily, though. More compact models emerged during World War II for more reliable service to the user thanks to the invention of printed circuit boards.

Precursors to Hearing Aids

Ear trumpets were crafted for the very wealthy, such as the Reynolds Trumpet, personally made for Joshua Reynolds, a famous painter of his time. The ear trumpet is a horn-shaped instrument that is designed to direct sound into the inner ear. It was invented back in the 17th century, which were beneficial only to those who suffered from a partial hearing impairment. These were large, cumbersome devices that only served to amplify sound within the immediate environment. Just think of an old phonograph with the conical sphere and you’ll get a good mental picture of what these resembled. As the 18th century approached, they came even further.

How can Phones Improve Hearing?

When the 19th century came about, electrical technologies emerged spurred on by the invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876. This invention was a catalyst for advancement leading to electrical transmission of speech. Thomas Edison was inspired by this invention and came up with the carbon transmitter for the telephone in 1878. This was designed to boost the basics of the telephone as well as the electrical signal to improve hearing. The 17th and 18th centuries brought with them devices that offered only limited amplification qualities.

Modern Models

Behind-the-ear models, invented in 1964 by Zenith Radio, boasted digital signal-processing chips. Then along came hybrid analog-digital models and then fully digital models by 1996. By the year 2000, programmable hearing aids were on the scene that gave users increased flexibility, customization and comfort. Today, most — about 90 percent — of all hearing aids are digital in nature.

Vacuum Tubes Were Revolutionary Yet Cumbersome

Vacuum tubes, put out by Western Electric Co., came next in New York City in 1920. Manufactures built upon the technology that came from Lee De Forest’s finding of the three-component tube years earlier. They offered not only better amplification but also better frequency. However, they were huge and impractical. They got to the size of a small box eventually, but they were still quite inconvenient.
Today’s hearing aids are light years ahead in terms of size, weight, functionality and adaptability.

Filed Under: Articles, Choosing a Hearing Aid, Common Conditions of the Ear, Hearing, Hearing Aid Technology, Hearing Aids, Hearing Loss, Preventative Care, Tinnitus

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Hearing Aids

February 5, 2015 By Leave a Comment

Hearing aids have went through a large number of iterations in their 200-plus year history. The technology that is implemented in hearing aids has historically been developed by means of a devoted scientist who is either affected by hearing loss or has a friend or family member affected by hearing loss. As an example, Alexander Graham Bell’s mother had substantial hearing loss and his wife was deaf.

Here are 10 other little-known facts about hearing aids:

1. Hearing aids can be synced up with wireless devices through state of the art technology like Bluetooth, so users are able to enjoy direct signals from their smart phone, MP3 player, TV, and other gadgets.

2. Hearing aids are not one size fits all – in fact, they can and should be programmable. This means they have the capability to recall the most comfortable settings for the user, often readjusting in real time to the surrounding environment.

3. Digital hearing aids – a recent advancement — have drastically diminished the occurrence of pestering feedback, echoes, and background noises. These were par for the course as part of earlier technologies, and they made concentrating much harder.

4. In addition to the amplification of sound, modern hearing aids can also enhance and clarify sound.

5. When used in combination with special induction or hearing loops, hearing aid users can more clearly hear notices in public areas, meetings, airports, arenas, and other congested areas. This technology enhances sounds and minimizes all the background noise.

6. It used to be that hearing aids were only manufactured in beige and related colors to match people’s skin color, so that they were not easily recognizable. Today, users are welcoming their hearing aid technology, exhibiting a range of colors and patterns to show off their devices and stick out in a crowd.

7. Similarly, hearing aids are smaller in size than ever before. They used to be large, cumbersome gadgets that weighed several pounds and barely amplified sound. Today, they only weigh a few ounces and provide remarkably better sound quality.

8. Today, you can purchase water resistant and waterproof hearing aids to better fit in with your lifestyle. Water resistant hearing aids can tolerate low levels of humidity and moisture, while waterproof hearing aids can withstand higher levels of moisture during showering and even swimming.

9. Instead of having to frequently replace the batteries in hearing aids, many are now made with rechargeable technology to cut down on upkeep costs.

10. Hearing aids do much more than amplify sound – they can also contain special tinnitus therapy components that provide the user with relief when it comes to constant ringing in the ear.

Now that you learned some interesting facts about hearing aids and their accompanying technology, you can better understand what they have to offer the young and the old alike.

Filed Under: Articles, Choosing a Hearing Aid, Common Conditions of the Ear, Hearing, Hearing Aid Technology, Hearing Aids, Hearing Loss, Preventative Care, Tinnitus

How Ibuprofen Can Lead To Hearing Loss

January 28, 2015 By Leave a Comment

It’s true what they say about age leading to hearing loss, but you may feel like there’s not much you can do to help that aside from avoiding very loud situations. Now there is concrete evidence that ibuprofen, a common pain relief medication, has been connected to increased incidents of hearing loss in people as they age. This translates to the avoidance of certain medications in an effort to protect your hearing health. This is all prompted by a new study that emerged to back up this finding.

Causes

Even though researchers have done studies on ibuprofen and hearing loss occurring in men, no studies up till now had been done on women. Now we know. Do your part to improve hearing by refraining from taking certain medications. You should talk with your doctor to find out what’s best for your unique situation. You may wonder how pain relievers such as ibuprofen can bring on hearing loss. This, then, can reduce the flow of blood to the cochlear located in the inner ear. This makes it not work as it should normally. When you ingest acetaminophen, especially, you can harm the ear structures that are in place to protect your cochlea. Tinnitus, dizziness and vertigo can all be brought on through the ingestion of ibuprofen. Plus, some analgesics can damage your kidneys as well as your ears, characterized by ototoxicity.

Conclusive Findings

A study, conducted by the American Journal of Advanced Epidemiology, followed about 60,000 women over 14 years to conclusively determine that pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can bring on hearing loss in women. It showed that a quarter of those women who ingested ibuprofen and acetaminophen more than twice in one week found a lessening of hearing ability.

More Research

The need for more research is important. That’s why the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is studying 150,000 women across the nation to determine all the many factors that can contribute to hearing loss. These factors impacting hearing loss can include hormones, diet and alcohol consumption, along with exposure to loud noises over a long period of time.

What to Do

Secure your doctor’s approval before taking ibuprofen, so you know how it can potentially incur hearing loss. Also, be sure to inspect all labels on cold and sinus medications found over the counter, because ibuprofen can be in them without you knowing. You may still ingest non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen muscle pain or headaches hit but if hearing loss is an issue with you, refrain from taking this medication to be safe. One alternative for you is to take naproxen instead, which is fine for your hearing.

Filed Under: Articles, Hearing, Hearing Loss, Preventative Care

Brain Hearing Restores Optimal, Natural Hearing

January 7, 2015 By Leave a Comment

In stark contrast to their bulky and expensive ancestors, modern hearing aids work much better thanks to technology and they are super sleek. They’re also pretty much invisible! The last 10 to 15 years have seen many advancements in this realm. Where hearing aids used to be bulky, expensive, and ineffective, today’s versions are much more discreet, affordable. They can also easily mimic subtleties of natural sound.

A fundamental change in the overall approach to research and design of hearing aids is now on the horizon. It’s called “brain hearing.” Unfortunately, hearing aid technology is being held by its reputation because many believe hearing aids are still ugly, massive contraptions of the past.

So what is brain hearing, exactly?

Because sound actually occurs in the brain, not in the ears, brain hearing is based on this premise. Traditional hearing aids are designed with the ears in mind. Thus, they amplify any and all sounds, pushing through lots of noise directly to the brain. The resulting sound quality is negative and just serves to tire out the brain.

The good news is that researchers have revealed they know that the processing of sound within the brain, and quality of the signal the brain receives, are just as important as the amplification of sound in the ear. By considering the entire hearing process, brain hearing research is leading to the emergence of some incredible hearing aids.

How do brain-focused hearing aids work?

Quite simply, brain hearing makes for better hearing aid performance. By modifying only the sounds that the inner ear cannot already hear well, the natural quality of sound is preserved, and the brain is not fatigued by amplification that is not necessary. By preserving a natural, clear signal, brain-focused hearing aids work with the brain’s four key functions that interpret the sound it gets:

1. Speech recognition – brain hearing preserves the natural characteristics of speech, making it easier to focus on conversations and switch between speakers.

2. Spatial recognition – brain hearing preserves the difference in sound between the two ears, allowing for the ability to accurately locate sounds.

3. Sound filtering – brain hearing preserves the ability to identify and separate relevant information from background noise.

4. Sound focusing – brain hearing preserves the ability to focus on relevant sounds and speech, even in noisy environments with abrupt changes in background noise.

How you can benefit from brain hearing

An appointment with a board-certified audiologist is your best bet. Next, your audiologist will precisely measure your hearing loss, using that information in the custom programming of your new state-of-the-art hearing aid.

Ask about how you can incorporate brain hearing technology into your hearing aid. While hearing aids need to be professionally fitted and programmed, the process is probably easier than you think. The best part is, you can start enjoying the sounds of life again, lacking the burdens of hearing loss courtesy of brain hearing.

Consumers love brain-focused hearing aids

Many companies are now producing brain-focused hearing aids, with very positive results. Oticon, for example, reports that while average hearing instrument user satisfaction is 79%, user satisfaction associated with one of its brain-focused hearing aids is 96%.

“Brain Hearing is a natural evolution of Oticon’s long-standing commitment to putting the needs of People First,” says Søren Nielsen, President of Oticon. “This comes back to our research from our Eriksholm research facility, where we have understood that treating hearing loss is much more than presenting sound through amplification. We have known for some years that the brain has a unique ability to process sound if it receives a robust signal that is full of detail.”

Filed Under: Articles, Hearing, Hearing Loss, Preventative Care
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