The Apple Watch has a feature that lets users measure the decibel levels in their surroundings. This lets you keep clear of loud environments or gives you a chance to learn about the importance of wearing ear protection to avoid hearing loss or additional hearing loss. But what is considered too loud?
The Hearing Health Foundation considers normal conversations to be about 60 decibels (dB). These noises do not have a maximum time limit in regard to hearing loss. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), it is not recommended to be exposed to noises that reach at least 70 dB for a prolonged period of time. Examples of noises that are 70 dB or more: A vacuum cleaner or a home washing machine reaches 70 dB. Heavy traffic reaches 80-90 dB. Electric power tools or gas-powered lawnmowers reach 90 dB. A motorcycle engine that’s running can reach 100 dB. Playing music at the highest volume through earbuds or headphones can reach up to 105 dB. Live rock concerts can reach up to 110 dB. An emergency vehicle siren can reach up to 120 dB. A jet engine when it’s taking off from a runway or fireworks can reach up to 140 dB. If you are not sure if a noise level is dangerous, you can open the app to measure your surroundings and see what it picks up. The Noise app allows users to set a decibel threshold and get a notification if their surroundings reach or go past that threshold. If you plan to stay in a loud area for an extended period of time, wear earplugs before entering these environments. Take breaks away from these locations, if necessary. Those who are experiencing hearing loss can contact Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation with one of our hearing aid providers. Nearly all home appliances, and entertainment systems, can be connected to a smartphone app in the modern age. Hearing aids are also part of that club.
Apps can make new appliances and devices, like hearing aids, easier to use. You can customize how your hearing aids work based on personal listening experiences. Some hearing aids feature AI, so based on the room or area you go in, your hearing aids will make optimal adjustments to the acoustics in that environment. A person’s hearing loss, hearing aid, and communication needs are unique. In other words, programmed settings on a person’s hearing aids must be tailored to that user’s specific requirements. Instead of amplifying all sounds, only some sounds get picked up by the microphone within a certain range while blocking out distracting background noises. This is the primary difference between basic amplifiers and hearing aids. Hearing Aid Apps Just about all hearing aids feature Bluetooth® technology. With Bluetooth®, you can connect your hearing aids with various smartphone features. Some hearing aid apps available include decibel-measuring apps, captioning apps, translations, and more. Adjustments Hearing aid adjustments can be made manually and automatically. Using AI technology, hearing aids can detect the soundscapes in an environment and automatically adjust the room’s noise levels through the hearing aids. If you want more control of the volume, bass, and treble, the app lets you discreetly access that using your smartphone. Personal programs Personal programmed settings can be stored and then easily accessed when you are in a particular environment. If you are in a noisy restaurant adjustments can be made on your hearing aids through an app. These settings can be saved when you go back to that restaurant. Some hearing aids may have pre-programmed settings made by your provider, based on your hearing test results, in addition to a tinnitus masking program. There are many customized settings that your hearing instrument specialist can create for a better listening experience. Status update Apps let you check on your hearing aid’s battery life, so you’ll know when they need to be replaced or recharged. Apps will also show how many hours you wore your hearing aids each day/week/month. Locating misplaced hearing aids A find my hearing aid app can locate the device if you lose both or either hearing aid. The caveat is that the hearing aid (s) still need to have enough battery life to be located. Direct connection to audio Using apps, you can directly connect and stream your music, TV, and phone calls through your hearing aids. Keeping Notes on Your Hearing Aid Experience You should keep a hearing journal and a journal about your hearing aid experience. When you go back for a follow-up appointment, or even before that follow-up appointment, you can let your hearing instrument specialist know what problems came up with your hearing aids; for example what you liked about them, what you didn’t like about them, etc. Some apps let you get a snapshot so you can figure out when you could not hear in a certain situation. This information can be passed on to your hearing aid provider. Instead of verbally articulating what you heard, this lets them better understand the soundscape. If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss and need hearing aids, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation. Generally, symptoms of tinnitus are fleeting, but some people do have symptoms that are so relentless that they can affect their sleep, which can lead to poor mood and difficulty with concentration.
Tinnitus is more of an annoyance than a life-threatening condition. It is the symptom of an underlying problem. Anyone who constantly experiences symptoms of tinnitus may find navigating life a little more challenging than someone who does not have it. Even though there’s no cure, there are ways to find relief. The Cause If you notice symptoms of tinnitus, contact a hearing healthcare provider immediately. The sooner you receive help, the easier it is to control symptoms. Narrowing down the underlying cause will help them determine your best treatment option. 1. White Noise Machines A silent space is the worst environment for anyone with tinnitus. Your brain must redirect its attention to other noise and force the tinnitus into the background. White noise machines or apps can help with this problem. A constant, low-frequency sound will muffle the tinnitus and teach your brain to disregard the noise. Air conditioners, air purifiers, or refrigerators can conveniently be used instead of a white noise machine. 2. Do Not use Ototoxic Medicines If you notice tinnitus after taking a new medication, the pills may be the culprit. Some prescriptions or over-the-counter medications are ototoxic, indicating they can harm your hearing abilities. 3. Treatment Options There is currently no cure for tinnitus, but training your brain to ignore it is possible. If this training, the white noise machines, or changing your medication does not work, find a specialist who focuses on tinnitus treatment. Hearing aids or apps that connect to your hearing aids can drown out tinnitus symptoms. Some hearing aids feature a white noise generator which must be programmed into the device by a hearing instrument specialist. Are you or a loved one experiencing symptoms of tinnitus and hearing loss? Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation. |
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