The Multiple Functions Of Digital Earplugs

November 29, 2014 By Leave a Comment

With all of the latest technology that is flooding the market, it seems that people are finally beginning to take their hearing health much more seriously than before. One of the devices that has arrived on the market and shows just how dedicated people are to saving their hearing is the digital ear plug. This device uses a variety of novel technology to help people save their hearing and make every job environment safe for hearing. Here we will take a look at the digital ear plugs in terms of how they work, the specific functions that they can perform, and where they are most useful.

How Does A Digital Ear Plug Work?

Digital ear plugs still provide one of the most important functions of any earplug- being able to prevent sounds from entering into the ear canal. While this is valuable, it is the technological integration that makes this device so noteworthy. For example, digital ear plugs can change the amount of sound that is let into the ear based upon the level of frequency that is being put out in the area. Also, they can shut down completely in the event of a sudden, loud blast of noise. Many digital ear plugs are also fitted with devices that make understanding conversations in loud environments possible.

How Do They Make This Possible?

These digital ear plugs make use of several forms of technology to ensure that the ear remains safe at all times. As far as preventing all sound from entering into the ear, these devices can be molded to fit a specific person’s ear, meaning that sound will not get past the device. In terms of technology, these devices use stop-gate effects to prevent high frequencies and damaging amounts of decibels through the device. While they are blocking out loud and harmful sounds, these devices can also boost the ability to hear soft or spoken sounds by using hearing aid technology, which is incredibly useful in many areas of work.

Where Can They Be Most Useful?

For the most part, digital ear plugs were designed with emergencies and heavy industrial jobs in mind. For first responders and soldiers, the ability to shut out all sound from occurring is very valuable, allowing for focus while preventing physical damage and pain. In terms of blocking out loud frequencies and blasts of sound, this is also very useful in emergencies, on battlefields, and even in industrial areas. Even in daily life, such as in construction industries, the ability to protect hearing and filter in conversations is incredibly valuable. Being able to effectively communicate with hearing protection means jobs getting done faster and with a lower risk to the workers involved.

Filed Under: Articles, Hearing, Hearing Aid Technology, Hearing Aids, Hearing Loss

Diabetes and Hearing Loss

November 22, 2014 By Leave a Comment

While it may be interesting to note that 30 million people have diabetes and 34.5 million people have hearing loss in this country, there’s actually been a link proven between the two. Researchers just completed some studies of 20,000 people from the United States, Asia, Brazil and Australia to determine whether diabetes and hearing loss are intertwined. The answer is yes; however no one really knows why yet. You may have heard that you have twice the chance of having some degree of hearing loss than someone who is not diabetic. This is an alarming finding. This puts diabetes and hearing loss at the top in terms of two health concerns in the United States, points out the American Diabetes Association.

Correlation Between Diabetes and Hearing Loss

Although one solution to curbing this correlation is to do a better job of controlling blood sugar levels in diabetics so hearing impairment doesn’t happen, not enough is known about the causes yet for this to be a an office suggestion. Because diabetics ingest many medications and diuretics related to lowering their blood pressure, no one knows if this could actually be causing the hearing loss. While the link between diabetes and hearing loss is not in question, the exact reason why is still unknown. The high blood glucose levels that are associated with diabetes can harm your inner ear’s sensitive blood vessels. This is one of the factors being explored but conclusive evidence is still yet to come. Hearing loss occur in diabetics just like they can suffer from problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. But to learn more about the connection between the two conditions, more research must be undertaken. Old age and a noisy working environment, according to researchers – well known to cause hearing loss – don’t seem to play into the scenario of diabetes and hearing problems.

Signs and Symptoms of Hearing Loss

You may have difficulty picking up on background noise when there’s a crowd of people around. This is one big sign of hearing loss. Perhaps you only hear muffled sounds instead of clear words when people are talking to you. This too can lead to hearing loss as it relates to diabetes. Other signs of hearing loss include the failure to adequately keep track of conversations involving multiple participants, inability to distinguish the voices of small children or women, and the tendency to crank the volume to high on the TV or car radio. We know this can be embarrassing; however, it’s also dangerous. Driving a car or walking along a busy street, for instance, can pose a dangerous threat if you can’t hear what’s going on around you. You may also avoid parties so you don’t have to be embarrassed about not hearing anyone. This is why you should see an audiologist for diagnosis and treatment.

Testing for Diabetes

All diabetics should get routine testing for hearing loss. When you next see your doctor, ask for a hearing exam so you can get treated by a specialist right away. This should be part and parcel of any doctor visit for diabetics, yet it’s not – even though doctors check many other components of a diabetic’s health at checkups. Be an advocate for your ears and ask for an audiologist referral.

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

Hearing Loops: What They Are And How They Work

November 15, 2014 By Leave a Comment

Hearing loop technology is now being implemented in more places than ever before. This incredible re-purposing of telephone technology has allowed people to hear better inside of public spaces. Since there is a growing community that is looking to get more adaptations in place for hearing impaired individuals, this inexpensive and easily-implemented technology is looked upon rather favorably. Since there are still so many who are unfamiliar with this tech, we will take a close look at what hearing loops are, where they are implemented, and how they work.

What Is A Hearing Loop?

The term “Hearing Loop” tends to throw many people off from discovering what this technology actually consists of. The loop refers to a cable that is run throughout a room so that it can pick up and transmits electromagnetic signals. The second part of the hearing loop is a hearing aid that is fitted with technology to pick up and translate electromagnetic signals. Together, these two parts make up the hearing loop and increase the hearing abilities of people in public spaces around the world.

Where Are They Used?

Currently, there is a push to have hearing loops implemented in just about every public building that is capable of affording them. Some lawmakers are even looking at a way to get federal funding for these hearing loops because they have shown such early success. Right now, you can mainly find hearing loops in meeting rooms, conventions centers and even in some parts of public transportation. These hearing loops allow people to hear all different manner of sounds without having to worry so much about signal interference and frequencies not working properly. Overall, there is a continuing push to see more buildings outfitted with hearing loops in the near future.

How Do They Work?

The process behind a hearing loop is not terribly difficult to understand. A hearing loop uses a microphone to pick up the sound and transform it into an electromagnetic signal. This signal travels through the cable of the hearing loop, and then transmits it into the open air in the same way that a radio works. From there, the sound needs to be picked up by a telecoil, a specific receiver that was initially used as a way to boost the transmitting power of a hand held telephone.
Most modern hearing aids have a telecoil built into them in the form of a t-switch. These can be manually turned on by the hearing device’s user. After it is activated, it can receive the signals put out by the hearing loop and translate them into sound that is able to be heard without as much background noise that ambient sound holds. This allows hearing impaired individuals to listen to speakers and clients in building settings much more effectively.

Filed Under: Articles, Choosing a Hearing Aid, Hearing, Hearing Aid Technology, Hearing Aids

The Evolution Of Hearing Aids

November 8, 2014 By Leave a Comment

Hearing aids have proven themselves to be some of the very best items ever created for hearing health. They allow people to live a life that is as close to normal as possible, and have even brought hearing to people who would not have had it otherwise. Looking forward, it appears that we are going to continue to develop new and wonderful additions to hearing aid devices as technology continues to improve. Let us take a brief look at the forms of hearing aids that we would have seen in the past, so that we can better appreciate this bright future.

Ear Trumpets

The first and most primitive type of hearing aid was the hearing trumpet. These devices were used by people for at least a thousand years prior to the invention of digital hearing aids and had a very simple premise. Essentially, the listener would put a tapered piece of metal or wood in their ear and have the larger end open to the world to gather sound. This would bring more sound waves directly into the ear where it would have a better chance of being understood. The limitations to this device made it necessary to use burgeoning technology for improvements.

Vacuum Type Hearing Aids

Vacuum tube hearing aids were an invention in the middle of the 20th century. They featured a vacuum tube that would be used in conjunction with telephone technology in order to produce sound that was amplified and much more clear than before. This used a phone transmitter and receiver to pick up sound, turn it into electrical impulses, and then make it come through to the individual in a loud and concise manner. With the magnified sound, the individual could hear many more ambient noises, and came with the bonus of being portable. It also helped to convince the public at large to use technology for medical purposes for hearing loss.

Carbon Microphone Hearing Aids

While these hearing aids predated the vacuum tube hearing aids, they were still very valuable due to their integration of novel technology in their design. The hearing aids used a carbon microphone as well as a battery and magnetic receiver. When sound hit this diaphragm, it would propel the carbon across the magnetic receiver, causing sound waves to make louder noises than what was originally put out. This allowed people to listen better than before, but came with many restrictions. First, the sound quality was extremely low because of the moving carbon pieces. It was also much too bulky to be moved around the room successfully, so the user had to remain rather immobile. Yet, it was still a better option than the ear trumpet in many respects.

Filed Under: Choosing a Hearing Aid, Hearing Aid Technology, Hearing Aids

Costco vs an Audiologist – Hearing Aid Quality and Service Comparison

October 31, 2014 By Leave a Comment

One of the most difficult choices that face people who go to a doctor for their hearing health is whether to go to a big box store or a professional audiologist. Too often, people are being enticed by the promise of low prices and a form of healthcare that resembles a fast food restaurant. However convenient it may be, the simple fact of the matter is that Costco and any other major retailer will not be able to offer the same form of health coverage that is extended by an audiologist. Here we will look at three reasons why you should only go to an audiologist.

Lowest Costs

Many people will go into the big box stores and see the low prices on the signs, deciding to pay the kiosk a visit. However, what they do not know is that there are a variety of different back end prices that will raise the overall costs to a much higher level than you would see at an audiologist.

Another aspect of this low costs is that an audiologist is more likely to take your insurance, keeping your out of pocket costs to a minimum. Also, they will not hit you with fees as you are walking out of the door for fitting and adjusting the device.

Great Products

Another reason that you should only go to a hearing specialist like an audiologist for your hearing needs is the fact that they have access to all of the best medical equipment. Not only are the hearing aids that are offered by box stores inferior, but the people working at the kiosks are not trained to tune them like an audiologist. In essence, they can fit you for one, but it takes someone with a deeper knowledge of the product to successfully maintain one for you.

Professional Care

An audiologist is a doctor that has been trained to identify ailments of the inner and middle ear in order to help people claim the best possible hearing outcome. This involves many different facets such as being dedicated to the person, and not seeing them as a source of income. That is the mistake that many of the box stores make, they want to see you so that they can generate income, and not so that they can help you hear well.

Most importantly, an audiologist can diagnose the reason for your hearing loss, and then suggest other methods of treatment that may or may not include a hearing aid after all. They are always looking out for your best interests, and you should take the time to do that as well.

Filed Under: Articles

3D Printing Revolutionizes the Hearing Aid Market

October 24, 2014 By Leave a Comment

With 35 million people in the U.S. suffering from hearing loss, many are touting the relatively new technology of 3D printing for hearing aids to be a savior of the industry. While it’s not a brand new approach, it allows for a more efficient process of making and fitting hearing aids to each person. It’s also referred to as additive manufacturing and it’s called 3D printing. This process is pretty cool and more and more people are standing up to take notice due to the customization factor. It’s called additive manufacturing because it involves adding to the finished product rather than taking away, as in the case of specialized tools like lathes. 3D printing, used in many industries such as manufacturing and art, has been utilized in the manufacture of hearing aids for several years now. It’s’ gaining momentum as a revolutionary way to construct custom hearing devices.

Operation

Did you know that 10 million 3D printed hearing devices are being used by deaf or hearing impaired individuals right now? It’s true. While you may think that science has taken over what was once considered to be an art form, you simply can’t dismiss the accuracy, speed and efficiency that this technology has afforded the hearing device industry lately. Thanks to the highly customized nature of these devices to each person’s ear, 3D printing represents a big step forward in the industry. That’s because they’re made using a process called additive manufacturing, ensuring a snugger overall fit and a higher comfort level for users. When used with 3D laser scanning, the process can incredibly take only one day – something that used to take weeks. First, an audiologist creates a digital image of the ear canal using a special laser scanner to develop what’s known as a pointcloud, then he quality checks everything. When the model is ready to be made, the printer spits out a shell or mold of the hearing aid in a resin form. Then, it’s possible to add the right acoustic vents, electronics and other components, with 150,000 points of reference created through digital cameras to apply the template to the mold. Amazingly, countless geometric patterns and combinations are put through testing prior to printing the final product. This product, which boasts efficiency and quality, features  complicated circuitry that acts as the hearing aid’s road map to project the sound.

Why 3D Printed Hearing Aids?

Thanks to the many benefits of 3D printed hearing aids, customization is at the forefront of the many benefits, which is imperative because no two ear canals are the same. As such, each and every hearing aid made in this manner is truly a custom fit. If you were to go with traditional manufacturing processes to create hearing devices, it would be extremely difficult to achieve that perfect fit across the board. The high-impact effect of this technology on the hearing impaired and medical communities has turned a formerly labor-intensive process into a more efficient, automated one.

Filed Under: Articles, Hearing Aid Technology

Foods that can Prevent Hearing Loss – and Hearing Aids

October 20, 2014 By Leave a Comment

As you age, there are many different ways that your health can decline. One of the most concerning types of health failures is hearing loss, which affects a great deal of adults every year. However, there are many ways that you can preserve your hearing health throughout your life. Whether it is avoiding certain loud environments or eating the right foods to preserve your hearing, there are steps to take so that you can hear well into your senior years. We will take a look at the best foods that you can eat to help your hearing health.

Eat Some Chocolate

One of the most thrilling discoveries for chocolate lovers is that dark chocolate is a food that can help many people keep their hearing loss strong throughout their lives. This comes from the fact that there is an abundance of zinc and other antioxidants in the chocolate. In essence, this can protect you from loud noise induced damage while giving you an excuse to eat delicious foods.

Citrus Fruits

Another one of the foods that you can eat that are great for your hearing health are citrus fruits. These fruits are packed with many vitamins like E and C, both of which are great for giving your immune system a boost. This can be helpful because a lot of damage to your hearing occurs due to repeated infections in your inner ear. With fewer infections, there is a much lower incidence of hearing loss.

Vegetables

There are many health benefits to eating a good amount of vegetables throughout the day. Whether you are eating some cauliflower or broccoli, there are many different vitamins and other parts that can eliminate free radicals from your body. This means that you will have a healthier body, immune system, and a lower risk of cancer.

Fish

When it comes to eating fish, there are many hearing benefits that come with it. These benefits can be obtained by eating salmon and even tuna. The protective qualities come from the fact that they are full of omega-3 fatty acids. These acids encourage good heart health, which leads to improved circulation throughout your body. The end result of this is your ears are given the proper blood supply to stay healthy throughout your life.

Bananas

Citrus are not the only fruits that can help you remain hearing healthy. Bananas are full of magnesium and are an easy snack to take with you. The magnesium can help prevent damage to the cells of your inner ear, allowing them to remain strong despite many years of aural assaults by games, sports, and other loud noises.

Filed Under: Articles, Preventative Care

Untreated Hearing Loss Linked to Depression

October 20, 2014 By Leave a Comment

One of the most devastating illnesses that a person can suffer from throughout their life is hearing loss. Not only does it present a great deal of functional problems, but it can also cause problems in other areas of your health. Recent studies have shown that there is a very interesting link between depression and hearing loss. In this article we will examine the different ways that hearing loss can affect depression and the steps that can be taken to alleviate this problem.

Interesting Study Results

The first major test that was completed regarding hearing loss and depression in nearly a decade shows that there was a positive correlation between people who exhibited symptoms of hearing loss and depression. There were many individuals in the 70 and above age group that are affected by this, but the fact is that depression greatly affects people younger than this.

It has been seen as a result of increased rates of brain damage coming from hearing loss and other facts, but also that people have a diminished ability to communicate when they have hearing loss. This inability to interact socially with one another leads many people to become sullen and withdrawn; which manifests with symptoms of depression.

Who Does It Affect?

While researchers have thought about the people that are greatly affected by hearing loss, they assumed that greater prevalence would occur in older individuals. They also thought that the inability to hear was the greatest limit imposed upon people with hearing impairment. However, the initial testing by the U.S. National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders also showed the fact that depression was a complication of hearing loss, and that it was affecting people at younger ages than ever before.

The group that was studied had 18,000 individuals that had various ages between 18 and 80. Everyone under 70 self reported their hearing loss and those above took a test; both groups took a test to determine if there were depression symptoms, resulting in the findings listed above.

Is There Any Way To Help?

One of the biggest questions that have come about as a result of the test results is what can be done. Fortunately, there is help in the form of hearing aids that can improve the quality of life of people with diminished hearing. These hearing devices can help alleviate some of the symptoms of depression, but are not effective in every case. Aside from these devices, though, there is no permanent cure for hearing loss that exists on the market right now.

Filed Under: Articles, Hearing Loss

Earwax Removal – How you’re doing it wrong

October 8, 2014 By Leave a Comment

Many people do it without even thinking: taking a cotton swab or paper implement and cleaning their ears to see if they can get the itching feeling to go away for a while. Some people develop too much earwax that does not flake out as they would like, and others just feel compelled to have clean ears. Yet, this results in many people taking the wrong measures to have clean ears. This article will look at three ways that people incorrectly clean their ears as well as the only proper way to have them cleaned.

Go To A Professional Audiologist

The best and only way that you should have your ears cleared of wax is by using a trained professional. They will be able to figure out the reason that you want to clean your ears, whether it is just a habit or if your body is producing too much ear wax. Then they can use their tools and technology to clean your ears without doing any damage to your eardrums. They can also establish a routine that will keep your ears clean between visits.

Ear Candles

Perhaps the very worst way to go about cleaning your ears is using an ear candle. This implement resembles a hollow candle that is supposed to heat up using a wick, and then form a suction action in your ear. This will make the earwax drain out with very little effort. Aside from the fact that the suction required has never been observed in studies, there is an inherent danger involving one’s hair and fire. Avoid this method at all costs.

By Using Cotton Swabs

Many people have used this method to clean their ears. People either use peroxide or water to wet the end of the swab and then swishing it through their ear in an attempt to clean out the wax. While this may look effective by the amount of wax that you can see on the swab, the simple fact is that most people do not know when to stop pushing into their eardrum. This can further compact the earwax or even perforate the eardrum, causing permanent damage.

Using Ear Drops

Another method of cleaning your ears of ear wax that is somewhat effective is using ear drops. These drops are placed into the ear and then sit until you turn your head over and allow the loosened wax to flow out. While this has a limited function, most of the time you will be disappointed with the results and the sensation that it leaves inside of your ear. This prompts many people to start using a cotton swab, which can take you back to the beginning of the process.

Filed Under: Articles, Preventative Care

How Noisy Workplaces are Causing Hearing Loss

October 8, 2014 By Leave a Comment

Perhaps you love going off to your job each day, as it provides many fulfilling experiences in your life. You probably don’t think of the effect your work environment has on your hearing, though. Certain occupations carry with them the potential for hearing loss over time due to the loud noises that occur on a daily basis. This is a growing concern as a common form of workplace injury for those immersed in a noisy environment consistently. Let’s take a look at the dangers these jobs pose to the health of your ears. You can avoid permanent damage by taking a few simple precautions.

Construction

Contractors immerse themselves in loud environments every day, thanks to all the hammering, sawing, machines and trucks that are part and parcel of a construction site. Construction workers expose themselves to acute noise trauma daily without even knowing it, so it would be wise for them to put on ear plugs or noise dampening headphones for safety.

Farming

While easily one of the most gratifying jobs to have, farming requires the daily use of loud machines and equipment that typically meet at least 85 decibels of sound – enough to cause hearing loss. Even though farmers get immense satisfaction knowing they are helping people by growing healthy crops, they often set themselves up for hearing loss.

Mining

Mining, a dangerous job any way you slice it, provides real value to everyone. Miners not only provide us with important raw materials, they also provide us with the fuel we need to heat our homes and drive our cars. Unfortunately, the loud noises coming from the heavy equipment underground, compounded by the confined space, can trigger hearing damage in workers.

Military

Offering some of the noisiest work environments around, the military features loud noises in the form of construction, explosives, tanks and artillery. This can lead to high rates of hearing loss in those within the armed forces. You up this risk when you add in the sounds of daily weapons training and exposure to heavy machines. Unfortunately, a high number of returning veterans come home with acoustic trauma, a type of hearing impairment.

Ground Workers at Airports

Airports are loud even for those in the building. Ground workers have to direct planes and jets out on the runway, and therefore must wear protective ear wear to guard again severe hearing damage. The jumbo jet noise on the runway can get up to about 160 decibels, which is double the accepted rate of 85. Over 85, and hearing loss starts to occur. Those in the commercial and military plane services industries are at an even higher risk.

Club Employee

You may not think about it much, but the individuals who work in nightclubs aren’t having nearly as much fun as the patrons are. First off, they’re there to do a job, and second, that job happens to have a lot of loud noises attached to it, from yelling to ear-splitting music. DJs, bouncers, bartenders and waitresses in particular suffer from an increased risk of hearing damage.

Filed Under: Articles, Hearing Loss
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