Tips for Cleaning Your Own Ears and Dissolving Ear Wax the Right Way

Having trouble hearing? Probably the most common cause of short-term hearing loss is an accumulation of ear wax within the ear canal. If you’re reasonably certain that ear wax is the resource for your short-term hearing loss, you most likely want to clean your ears. The question is how to do this safely, and without causing damage to the delicate tissues of your ear or your ability to hear.

It is best to get started with a few reminders on what not to do when cleaning your ears. Never stick any physical objects in your ear. Whether it’s a cotton swab or other tool, you’re more likely to make the problem worse by further compressing the ear wax if you go poking around in your ear. One more thing you should never do is attempt to use any product that shoots water under pressure directly into your ears; to do this risks rupturing your eardrums. Last but not least, if you know that you have a ruptured eardrum, leave cleaning your ears to a hearing specialist. The same holds true if you think you have an ear infection. Indications of ear infections include ear pain, fever, fluid draining from the ears and vomiting or diarrhea.

To clean your own ears safely and gently in your own home, all you need is a syringe or bulb, available from any drug store, and a rinse solution. You can buy a carbamide peroxide solution at the local drugstore, or make your own solution by combining equal measures of 3-4%, mineral oil and glycerin.

To make use of the carbamide peroxide solution, carefully squeeze the solution into the ear with the bulb or syringe. It works best to lay on your side and have a towel readily available to catch drips. Try to avoid touching the ear with the syringe or bulb if you can. Keep the solution in each ear for a few minutes allowing it time to work on dissolving the wax.

After this rinse solution has softened and loosened the ear wax, flush your ears with lukewarm water, and then dry your ears thoroughly with a towel, being careful not to stick it into the ear canal. You can repeat this procedure twice daily for 2-3 days if your ears still feel obstructed. If the situation continues, speak with an audiologist or hearing specialist for assistance.

Treatment Protocols for People with Central Auditory Processing Disorder/CAPD

There are many good reasons why Central Auditory Processing Disorder, or CAPD, is hard to diagnose accurately. The problem is not because the children cannot hear words and phrases being spoken to them, but because their brains have an inability to interpret the words and grasp their meaning, which implies that conventional hearing tests do not always identify CAPD. One more reason it is difficult to diagnose is because kids often acquire complex coping behaviors. These children can be experts at using expressions or reading lips to hide their problem.

These particular characteristics of CAPD also make treatment of the disorder tricky, because any individual wanting to enhance the child’s speech comprehension must constantly be aware of them and look for ways to work around them. Unfortunately there is no definitive cure or therapy for CAPD that works consistently well across all kids. Each therapy plan is highly individualized and crafted based on the patients’ limitations. With that being said, there are a variety of treatment protocols that may greatly enhance the developmental abilities of children with Central Auditory Processing Disorder.

CAPD therapy falls into 3 broad categories: direct treatment, environmental change and compensatory strategies.

  • Direct Treatment – Direct treatment refers to the use of computer-assisted learning and 1-on-1 sessions to make the most of the brain’s natural plasticity, its capacity to transform itself, and establish new ways of processing and thinking. These kinds of techniques include the use of the “Fast ForWord” educational software from Scientific Education or Hasbro’s “Simon” game to improve kids’ capacity to discriminate, order, and process the sounds they hear. Some therapists use dichotic training to cultivate the childrens’ ability to hear multiple sounds in different ears and process them the right way, while others use the “Earobics” program by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt to improve phonological awareness.
  • Environmental Change – In the category of environmental change one strategy is lowering the quantity of ambient noise via soundproofing and putting in acoustic tiles, wall hangings or curtains because background noise is proven to make it more difficult for an individual with CAPD to comprehend speech. Increasing the volume of selective voices in the classroom is also helpful; the instructor wears a microphone and the CAPD pupil wears a tiny receiver that enhances the instructor’s voice to make it more distinguishable from other sounds or speakers. One more environmental modification is better lighting. A well lit face is a lot easier for a person with Central Auditory Processing Disorder to “read” for cues.
  • Compensatory Strategies – Approaches that focus on helping the CAPD learners to improve their attention, memory, language and problem-solving skills are commonly called compensatory strategies. These strategies give pupils enhanced coping skills and techniques that enable them to succeed at learning, and also make them learn to take responsibility for their own academic progress. Techniques and strategies of this type consist of drills in solving word problems and active listening.

The overall message is that treatments are available if your child is diagnosed with CAPD, but remember that step one is properly diagnosing the condition, and doing this as early as possible. Keep in mind that our skilled hearing expertshearing experts are here to assist you in any way possible and to point you to other trusted area experts for the best CAPD diagnostic and therapy choices.

What Size of Battery Does My Hearing Aid Require?

Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to the question “What kind of battery does my hearing aid need?” because hearing aid models and the batteries that power them common in many varieties. The simplest scenario to deal with is if you currently own a hearing aid; if that’s the case, read the owner’s manual that was included with the device or get in touch with the professionals who fit it for you to verify the correct battery type. In the event that you don’t use a hearing aid yet and are looking to decide which type and model is best for you, do a little research to help you decide. Hearing aid batteries vary greatly in price, and in battery life, so your selection of hearing aid can affect the amount of money you spend over time to use it.

To make things easier for consumers, hearing aid producers and those who make the batteries for them have developed a standardized color coding system to make them easier to find. No matter who the maker is, hearing aid batteries of a specific type and size will always have the identical color code on their packages.

The primary battery sizes and types to be aware of are:

Size 13 / Orange – Hearing aid batteries with a color code of orange are Size 13, and fit Behind-the-Ear (BTE) and In-the-Ear (ITE) types of hearing aids; their battery life is normally around 240 hours.

Size 312 / Brown – A brown color code indicates a Size 312 battery, generally used in In-The-Ear (ITE) and In-The-Canal (ITC) styles of hearing aids; because of their smaller size they generally have battery life of 175 hours.

Size 10 / Yellow – Yellow indicates Size 10 batteries. Size 10 are the smallest and most abundant type of hearing aid battery with a typical battery life of 80 hours. This size of battery is commonplace in Completely-In-Canal (CIC) and In-The-Canal (ITC) hearing aids.

Size 675 / Blue – The blue color code always identifies Size 675 batteries, which are often used in cochlear implants and larger Behind-The-Ear (BTE) style hearing aids; the 675 batteries have an average life of 300 hours.

These are the most popular types and sizes of hearing aid batteries, but there are hearing aids that call for alternative ones. If yours need one of these alternate types, most merchants that sell batteries can order them for you.

Be sure to read your owner’s manual carefully before purchasing bulk quantities of hearing aid batteries. If your unit uses rechargeable batteries, you will only need disposable batteries for emergencies. Furthermore, remember to always store your hearing aid batteries at room temperature in their sealed packages to make sure that they keep their full charge.

An Overview of Ruptured Eardrums: Prevention, Symptoms and Treatment

Eardrums are important, playing two vitally important roles in hearing. First they vibrate in response to sound waves. Second they create a barrier that safeguards the inner ear from infection. If your eardrum is fully intact, your inner ear is a safe and sterile environment; but once it has been punctured or torn, microbes can enter and cause a serious infection generally known as otitis media.

The terms ruptured eardrum and perforated eardrum mean the same thing. They both reference a condition whose technical name is a tympanic membrane perforation where there is a puncture or tear in the very thin membrane we know as the ear drum. There a variety of ways that an eardrum may become perforated, the most common of which is an ear infection where the resulting buildup of fluid pushes against the eardrum until it tears. Some people perforate their own eardrums by inserting foreign objects into the ears, for example the use of cotton swabs to remove ear wax. Barotrauma is yet another potential cause of a punctured ear drum. When the pressure inside the ear is very different than the pressure outside the ear – lower or higher – the eardrum may not be able to withstand the pressure difference and ruptures. Flying and scuba diving are a couple of occasions where this is prone to occur. Loud noises and explosions can also cause perforated ear drums. This phenomenon is known as acoustic trauma.

Indications of perforated eardrums include:

  • Pain in the ear
  • Loss of hearing in the affected ear
  • Vertigo or dizziness
  • Fluid draining from the ear

If you encounter any of these signs and symptoms, see a hearing health provider, because if the eardrum is ruptured, immediate and correct treatment is important to prevent hearing damage and infection. Untreated, a ruptured eardrum can result in middle and inner ear infections, middle ear cysts (cholesteatoma), and permanent hearing loss.

At your appointment the specialist will view the eardrum with an instrument called an otoscope. Because of its internal light, the otoscope gives the doctor a clear look at the eardrum. Perforated eardrums generally heal on their own in 8 to 12 weeks. During this time period, your healthcare provider will most likely advise you to avoid diving and swimming and to refrain from blowing your nose as much as possible. It’s also advisable to avoid any non-essential medications. If the puncture or tear is close to the edge of the eardrum, the health care provider can help the healing process by placing a temporary dam or patch to help reduce the risk of infection, or even propose surgery.

Any remaining pain or discomfort can be handled using over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Not every perforated eardrum can be prevented, but there are things you can do to reduce your risk. Always get immediate treatment for any ear infections and never put any foreign objects into your ear (even for cleaning).

On-the-Job Noise-Induced Hearing Impairment: Professions With Greater than Average Risk

Could your job be contributing to your hearing impairments? Extreme noise levels are one of the most common causes of hearing damage. Worrying about your ability to hear is a natural response for anyone working at a high-noise profession.Approximately 30 million employees are at risk of hazardous noise exposure on the job according to the Centers for Disease Control.Workers in high-noise job areas must equip themselves with the specifics of occupational hearing safety and keep an open conversation with their companies.

All employees should assess their own work surroundings for high-noise levels, especially anyone in the following jobs.

  • Manufacturing – The largest number of permanent hearing losses suffered in the workplace are in manufacturing. Manufacturing industries routinely expose workers to machinery and equipment which generates upwards of 90 decibels of noise for extended period of time.
  • Construction – Construction workers rank next to the highest for permanent hearing loss disabilities suffered in the workplace. Construction equipment routinely exposes staff to heavy machinery that produces over 90 decibels. A Washington State study of construction workers discovered that in spite of being exposed to noises exceeding 85 decibels during 70 percent of their shifts, construction workers only wore ear protectors 20% of the time (or less).
  • Chemicals Industry – Exposure to certain substances (especially those that contain n-butyl alcohol, toluene, lead and carbon monoxide) has been connected to increased hearing loss by itself. These particular chemicals now known to combine with noise to cause increased hearing loss.
  • Miners – According to the Center for Disease Control, 49 percent of male miners are expected to have a hearing impairment before age 50 – versus 9 percent of the general population – rising to 70% by age 60.
  • Motorcycle Courier – Research into motorcycle noise – with and without helmets – under various driving conditions at speeds between 45 mph to 65 noted that the noise measured ranged from 70 decibels to 128 decibels.
  • DJs and Nightclub Staff – Everyone that works in a nightclub – security, wait staff, bartenders – is at risk, not just the musicians. In a controlled research study, noise levels of up to 108 decibels were recorded in the nightclubs. The average noise level for a typical nightclub outing was 96 decibels which is over the noise level at which the provision of hearing protection is required for employers in industry. The study concluded that Disc Jockeys are at substantial risk of developing noise-induced hearing loss and sound exposure in nightclubs frequently exceeds safe levels.
  • Musicians – Across practices, studio recording and performances, musicians are constantly engulfed in sound. The list of famed music artists with permanent hearing problems or tinnitus keeps growing each and every year. Well known artists on the current list include Ozzy Osbourne, Neil Young, Phil Collins, George Martin, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and Ludwig van Beethoven.
  • Band & Orchestra – A study on the noise exposures of classical musicians experienced during both performances and rehearsals found that the brass section averaged 95 decibels while the strings and brass section averaged 90 decibels. Top volumes were 130 decibels in the percussion and brass sections. A different Swedish research project showed that 59 out of 139 orchestra musicians had hearing losses greater than that normal for their ages.
  • Airport Staff – The noise of an airplane engine is one of the loudest auditory occupational hazards, with noise levels at a shocking 140 decibels.
  • Firefighters and Paramedics – All those sirens squealing add up over time. Several research studies have examined the frequency of hearing disabilities in firefighters and emergency vehicle drivers with most concluding that firefighters suffer increased hearing loss relative to the general public of the same age.
  • Military – Noise-induced hearing loss is the number one disability among US military personnel. According to the Deafness Research Foundation, over 65 percent of combat troops returning from Afghanistan are afflicted by noise-induced hearing loss.
  • Plumbers – The CDC website states that 48% of plumbers reported that they had a perceived hearing loss.

Essential List of Hearing Aid Types and Acronyms

Shopping for hearing aids can be difficult if you are not familiar with the many abbreviations used to describe common styles. This collection includes the majority of the acronyms you’ll come across when looking for hearing aids and presents a short explanation of each. The ideal approach to truly understand the differences is to see them in real life, therefore if some of these descriptions are not clear, you should contact us to visit and check out the various types.

What follows is a list from smallest to largest of standard hearing aid styles

  • Invisible in Canal (IIC) – The IIC type of hearing aid fits fully inside the ear canal and is fully invisible from the outside. Invisible-in-Canal types are generally not suggested for the elderly, yet are an excellent choice in middle age.
  • Completely in Canal (CIC) – Appropriate for mild to moderate hearing losses, the CIC design fits inside the ear canal making it nearly invisible. Because of its small size, the CIC design may have fewer features. For example, the Completely in Canal style doesn’t have space for directional microphones.
  • In the Canal (ITC) – Appropriate for mild to moderately-severe hearing losses, the ITC design is a compact hearing aid which fits inside the ear canal and is visible from the outside. Because it is slightly larger than the models which fit deeper in the ear canal, directional microphones are possible with the In-the-Canal style.
  • In the Ear (ITE) – Suitable for mild to severe hearing losses, the ITE design of hearing aid is a good choice for numerous hearing losses and is very easy to handle. The ITE is visible inside the ear, but its greater size offers more features, additional power and a superior battery life.
  • Half Shell (HS) – Appropriate for mild to severe hearing losses, the Half Shell is a custom molded hearing aid that fits inside the ear canal and is partially visiblefrom the outside. Being somewhat larger than the styles which fit further into in the ear canal, added benefits such as directional microphones are feasible with the Half Shell style.
  • Receiver In the Ear (RITE) or (RIE) – Appropriate for mild to moderately-severe hearing losses, the Receiver In the Ear design is the smallest among the hearing aids work externally. The Receiver In the Ear type combines a tiny case that fits behind the ear and a receiver placed inside the ear connected by a flexible tube. The ear canal stays open for natural sound quality.
  • Open Ear / Open Fit – Appropriate for mild to moderately-severe hearing losses, the Open Ear (also called Open Fit) model combines an exterior hearing aid case that rests behind the ear and a clear tube inserted into the ear. The Open Ear/Open Fit design leaves the ear canal open for natural sound quality and is available in various colors.
  • Behind the Ear (BTE) – Appropriate for mild to severe hearing losses, the BTE hearing aid’s larger case allows for many advanced features and is a superior choice for anybody with poor finger dexeterity. All of the component parts are inside the external case which is worn behind the ear. BTE hearing aids come in many colors. This design is often chosen for young children for growth and safety reasons.

What Is It and How Is It Treated

Vertigo – a perception of movement in which the individual or the individual’s surroundings seem to spin and move – is, generally an unpleasant event. The feelings of vertigo occasionally include dizziness, spinning or falling. Any time vertigo impacts balance, it can lead to falls and accidental injuries – especially in older adults. More serious cases may also trigger nausea, vomiting, migraine headaches, fainting and visual irregularities called nystagmus.

There can be many causes for vertigo, but one kind of it – benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV – relates to hearing. BPPV occurs from calcium crystals that form naturally known as otoliths or otoconia, which in most people cause no problems. In benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, the crystals travel from their normal locations into the semicircular canals of the inner ear. When this occurs, and the individual with BPPV changes the orientation of their head relative to gravity, these crystals move around, resulting in an abnormal displacement of endolymph fluid, which leads to vertigo.

Everyday actions such as tilting your head, looking up and down or rolling over in bed can bring about the benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. The vertigo sensation comes on very suddenly and has a short duration. These symptoms can be made worse by lack of sleep, anxiety, or changes in barometric pressure, such as occur before rain or snow. The condition can manifest itself at any age, but it most commonly appears in people over age 60. The initial trigger for the benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is typically difficult to determine. A sudden blow to the head (for example in an automobile accident) is among the more well-known causes.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is different from other forms of dizziness or vertigo because the episodes are transient (typically under a minute), and because it is always triggered by head movements. Vertigo specialists may diagnose it by having the patient rest on their back and then tilt their head to one side or over the edge of the examination table. Additional tests which can be used to diagnose benign paroxysmal positional vertigo include videonystagmography or electronystagmography, which test for abnormal eye movement, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), whose primary role is to eliminate other potential causes, such as brain abnormalities or tumors.

There is no full cure for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, but it can be effectively treated using canalith repositioning (either the Semont maneuver or the Epley maneuver), both of which use bodily movements to shift the crystals to a position in which they no longer cause trouble.Surgical treatment is an option in the exceptional cases in which these treatments are ineffective. See your health care provider if you have felt symptoms which sound as if they could be related to BPPV, especially if they persist for more than a week.

Curious about the Speech Banana? Discover What It Is and Why It Is Important

“Speech bananas” are not mid-day snacks for hearing specialists.The thing that the term “speech banana” represents is a particular pattern found in the results of an audiogram, which is a graphical chart used to measure someone’s hearing proficiency within a set range of frequencies and volume levels. Audiograms are typically charted with the frequency level ( in Hertz) on one the x axis and loudness level (measured in Decibels) on the other axis.

When the standard sounds of human speech – or phonemes – are plotted on this kind of audiogram, they tend to all cluster inside an region of the graph that is shaped like a banana. The spoken sounds of nearly all letters of the alphabet plus the letter combinations th, ch, sh, and ng all cluster within this area.

For those who have normal hearing, you can hear sounds inside this area, but can also hear higher-frequency sounds such as a mosquito or leaves rustling and lower-frequency sounds such as tubas or machinery. However the sounds that are most critical to our communications with other individuals are the sounds we generate when speaking. Hearing loss often strikes this speech banana area, which results in people having trouble hearing or understanding the letter combinations ch, sh, th and ng.

As a result, audiologists are most focused on hearing loss that happens within the region of the speech banana. Whether the individual is old or young, if they are having difficulty hearing sounds within that frequency and volume range, they are almost by definition having trouble hearing speech, and thus have problems communicating properly with other people.

The range of spoken sounds captured by the speech banana is so critical to communications, that many school districts mandate hearing checks using audiograms to identify hearing impairments in this region. Since this range of sounds is so essential to human communications it is the range that most hearing aids are tuned and programmed for. Irrespective of whether you presently wear hearing aids or not, contact us if you have questions about your hearing ability in the speech banana frequency and volume range.

How Can Shooters Safeguard Their Ears and Hearing?

America’s passion for guns is almost unique in the world; we were raised with movies and TV about police and cowboys and heroes who were all totin’ guns and firing them all the time. The impression from these images was definitely powerful, because America continues to have millions of gun owners who shoot them on a regular basis, at firing ranges or while hunting. The downside not fully conveyed to these millions of gun owners is that the folks firing guns on TV and in motion pictures probably ended up deaf, or battling with serious hearing disabilities.

Hearing loss from noise exposure, named noise-induced hearing loss or NIHL, is among the most widespread types of hearing disability. The damage done to the ears by loud sounds has two primary types – damage caused by sustained high noise levels (e.g. heavy machinery sounds) and damage caused by transient high noise levels (e.g. explosions or gunfire).

Noise levels are measured on the decibel scale. Zero decibels is complete silence. A library is around 40 decibels. A normal conversation measures around 50 to 60 decibels. The logarithmic nature of the decibels scale is tough for many people. A value of 50 is twice as loud as 40, 60 is four times as loud as 40, and 70 is eight times as loud as 40 decibels. Prolonged exposure to sounds over 90 decibels (for example a motorcycle) can cause permanent hearing loss within weeks. Hearing damage can also arise in a much shorter time (minutes) from exposure to higher decibel noise levels, for instance the 120 decibels you experience around close to a jet engine or rock concert.

A typical gunshot measures 140 decibels.

One topic that most gun owners and hearing specialists agree about is that nobody should be firing a gun without using some form of ear protection. Finding the best suited ear protection depends upon the form of shooting you plan to do.

With regard to outdoor or indoor firing ranges, a “muff” type headphone that fits over the ear is recommended. The muff-type headphone has the ability to shield your inner ear and also the cochlear bones from the gunfire sounds. Numerous shooters augment the over-the-ear muffs by also using in-the-ear foam plugs with a NRR (Noise Reduction Rating) of 30 or higher. For even greater protection, go with headphones with electronic noise-cancelling technology. They are the costliest choice, but also provide maximum level of protection. Electronic noise-cancelling headphones have the additional advantage of permitting you to hear normal-volume conversations while blocking out the transient gunshots.

If you like shooting guns, before your next outing to the range, talk to a hearing care specialist about hearing protection. Then stick to the advice they give, while you can still hear them saying it.

Can Lower Cost Personal Sound Amplifiers Substitute for Hearing Aids?

Have you noticed advertisements for inexpensive personal sound amplifiers (PSAs) on television or in magazines lately? These advertisements are contributing to confusion about the difference between hearing aids and personal sound amplifiers. The reason you don’t see very many ads for hearing aids is because they are medical devices, supervised by the Food & Drug Administration, and therefore not available for purchase without a prescription from a properly licensed doctor, hearing instrument specialist or audiologist. Hearing aids are for individuals with hearing loss ranging from modest to extensive. They are adjusted for each individual to precisely address their distinctive hearing loss as determined by the audiologist or hearing aid dispenser.

Personal sound amplifiers also increase the volume of the sounds you hear, but they are intended to do this for individuals with normal hearing. Some personal sound amplifiers look very much like hearing aids, but they aren’t; the only thing that they do is take in sound and increase its volume. PSAs are not capable of correcting the subtle types of problems that hearing-impaired individuals have.

The low price of personal sound amplifiers (under $100, in contrast to thousands of dollars for hearing aids) may make them sound appealing to people on a tight budget. The vast variation in price is one good reason the Food & Drug Administration has gotten involved developing information campaigns and websites to make sure that buyers understand the distinction. Their guidance is straightforward: if you’re having trouble hearing sounds at what other people consider normal volumes, have your hearing tested by a professional audiologist or hearing instrument specialist before you think about buying a personal sound amplifier. Using a PSA when you actually need a hearing aid has many disadvantages. First it might delay proper evaluation and management of your hearing condition. Second, it may further hurt your hearing if the PSA is used at very high volumes.

So, before you make any final decision about buying a device to help your hearing, see your audiologist. Some hearing problems (say for example a blockage of the ear canals caused by a ear wax accumulation) can be corrected in one office visit. Other varieties of hearing impairment may be more serious or even permanent, but they too can be effectively treated using good quality hearing aids that have been correctly prescribed and adjusted. A hearing instrument specialist or audiologist can pinpoint the root cause of your problem. In certain scenarios you won’t need a hearing aid or a PSA.

After a hearing exam, if your hearing is determined to be normal, you may choose a PSA if you still have trouble with particular sounds. When looking for one, read the device’s specifications, and only consider those that satisfactorily amplify sounds in the range of human speech (between 1000 to 2000 Hz). Additionally, don’t purchase any PSAs that don’t include volume controls and electronically-enforced volume limits that don’t allow their volume levels to surpass 135 decibels. There is a place for PSAs in the marketplace when used by the right individuals. They can be helpful for individuals with normal hearing to hear faraway or faint sounds better. They simply should not be confused with genuine hearing aids, or be used as an alternative to them by people with true hearing loss.

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