 Our patient care coordinator, Martha, is ready to offer you curbside services in our Lititz office.
This is a friendly reminder that our offices are only open by appointment and for essential visits at this time. We kindly ask that you wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. We will come to your car to retrieve them.
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 We are now aware that infectious diseases - such as COVID-19 - may be transmitted from person to person via coughing and sneezing. But it can also be passed between people who are simply talking to each other.
According to the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the average speech droplets produce thousands of respiratory droplets that could linger in the air for nearly 14 minutes. Each time humans speak, we scatter thousands of tiny droplets through our mouths that can remain in the air for 8 to 14 minutes. These droplets may transfer infectious pathogens - like COVID-19 - and spread viral molecules between individuals when the other person breathes in the infected droplets, or comes in physical contact with something that the droplets settled on. More Respiratory Droplets are Created when Speaking Louder The same research from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences discovered that talking loudly created more droplets than the average speaking tone. This research supports the use of masks, and is another justification for getting hearing loss treated. Hearing is essential, especially during these uncertain times. Wearing hearing aids can reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19. Those who have COVID-19 are the most infectious. If your friends or family members are infected (but are unaware of it) and speaking up so that you will be able to hear them, they will be producing more respiratory droplets and transmitting them in the air. This raises the risks of being exposed to the virus, which increases risks to everyone in the same space. Reduce the Need to Speak too Loudly, by Using Hearing Aids Wearing hearing aids lets you actively, and safely, engage in discussions with others. Instead of yelling at each other, you can all talk at a normal tone and lower the risk of infection. Hearing aids can also make listening to people with masks on easier. If someone is not wearing a clear mask, it removes the lip-reading cues that you depend on. The additional amplification and clarity in speech can be beneficial during these times. COVID-19 and social distancing restrictions are going to be around for longer than anticipated. If you have hearing loss, wearing hearing aids lowers the risks of social distancing becoming social isolation, which can lead to depression. If you, or a loved one, are in need of hearing aids, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and a hearing aid trial. We offer a variety of brands for a wide range of hearing loss. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs and re-fittings. We ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. We will come to your car to get them. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  Some of today’s hearing aid users have been excited by the option of having small, discreet hearing aids. But those who have dexterity or vision problems feel as though they are having a harder time placing their hearing aids in their ears, using the device and switching out the batteries.
Struggles with Dexterity can Affect People of Any Age Dexterity challenges can be linked to a multitude of health problems, such as arthritis, cerebral palsy and Parkinson’s disease. Hand/wrist injuries, and fine motor skills can affect anyone at any age. Also, peripheral neuropathy - which is related to diabetes - osteoarthritis and other bone-related concerns, in addition to visual sharpness can make it more challenging to wear hearing aids. Smaller hearing aids can cause those who have dexterity issues to have an even more difficult time with using the devices at their full potential. These are concerns that make people less likely to seek help if they have hearing loss. It’s important to let these individuals know about the advancements in hearing aid technology and professionals - like the specialists at Pure Sound - who are more than willing to help. Use Rechargeable Hearing Aids Rechargeable hearing aids can help ease dexterity issues, by eliminating the need to frequently change out batteries. Phonak’s Audeo Marvel hearing aids are rechargeable and automatically switch on. There’s no button to press. It also has a feature known as AutoSense OS™ 3.0. This will automatically adjust to your surroundings, so you do not need to search for a tiny dial or button in order to control the volume level and get the correct setting. If you’d like to have some control of the volume, you can download the myPhonak app, which lets you control the volume from your smartphone. Invisible Hearing Aids Invisible, or completely-in-canal, hearing aids like the Phonak Lyric, can be inserted and removed by your hearing aid fitter. On average, these hearing aids can last for approximately six weeks and have a battery that is already installed in the device. Regular appointments are needed so that you do not have to touch or remove the hearing aid. It uses a sound link wand, where you simply hold the wand to your hearing aid, and you can adjust the volume or switch the device to sleep mode. Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids. Our hearing instrument specialists will patiently work with you to make sure that you are getting the most out of your hearing aids. We offer the options of both battery and rechargeable hearing aids, like Phonak’s Audeo Marvel, to fit your hearing needs and lifestyle. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require repairs, re-fittings and new hearing aid fittings. We ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. We will come to your car to get them. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  Oticon's Siya Hearing Aids are available in different styles. Everybody’s ears are different. There have been so many technological advancements in hearing aids, where smaller devices have not only become more discreet, but also very effective. A dome and an earmold are very different when it comes to transmitting sounds to your ears.
Earmolds are made out of plastic or silicon. They are customized for a comfortable and snug fit in the ear canal. Normally, they are made with small vents in order to allow airflow in the mold. Based on the type and range of hearing loss you have, and the structure of your ear, the earmold can be the size of your canal (small), half-shell size (medium) or full-shell size (large). The type of earmold that you wear should also be based on what works best for you, the shape and texture of your ear, and the hearing aid itself. Earmolds Earmolds work best for those who have difficulty hearing all frequencies, but especially at low frequencies. Earmolds provide better quality in sound because they rest closely and comfortably in the ear. This close fit stops amplified noises from moving back out of the canal and producing the high-pitched whistling noise created from loud sounds that leak out and become reamplified. This is known as a feedback loop. Earmolds are useful for any range of hearing. Those who have grown accustomed to wearing hearing aids might favor an earmold style. If it’s your first time wearing a hearing aid, domes might be better due to comfort level, less blockage, and they are easier to change. A Proper fit is Crucial Ears are unique in shape and size, so in order to get the most out of your hearing aids, a hearing instrument specialist should customize your earmold to the contours of your ears. As previously mentioned, the device must rest closely and tightly in order to restrict sound from seeping out and causing feedback noises - but they should not fit too tightly to the point where it feels painful and uncomfortable. At Pure Sound Hearing Aids, our hearing instrument specialists can customize your hearing aid by creating an impression of your ear canal and the outer section of your ear. It is a painless method that uses a soft molding compound, similar to how a dentist would create an impression of your teeth. Some Issues that may Arise As time passes, the shape of your ears and your hearing aid molds can change, so it’s best to get regular check ups from your hearing instrument specialist to make sure you are getting the most usage out of your hearing aids. Here are some typical problems that some hearing aid users noticed:
Domes Hearing aid domes are small, bell-shaped silicone pieces that connect to the end of your hearing aid tubing. It rests deep inside your ear canal. They are available in many different shapes and sizes to fit just about anyone’s ears. Domes are typically used with behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid styles, known as receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) or receiver-in-the-ear (RITE). A hearing instrument specialist will help you select the best dome size, and tubing length that works for your comfort level and specific hearing needs. Hearing aid domes are helpful for those who have mild-to-moderate hearing loss, notably for individuals who suffer from high frequency hearing loss. High frequency hearing loss is the most prevalent type of age-related hearing loss, which is also known as presbycusis. RIC or RITE hearing aids are normally small, and feature a microphone and processor that is housed in a sleek housing case that rests behind your ears. The speaker is connected to the processor with a thin tube or wire, and it rests securely inside the ear canal. Pros and Cons for wearing Domes Pros
Cons
Work with a Hearing Instrument Specialist A hearing instrument specialist will be able to help you find the best hearing aid device for your individual needs. A proper fit is needed to get the best benefits from your hearing aid. Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids to schedule a free hearing test and consultation with one of our hearing instrument specialists. Please note that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require repairs, re-fittings and new hearing aid fittings. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  Do you feel like you’re missing out on your favorite TV shows and movies? Is heavily relying on captions just not cutting it?
Some research indicates that 95% of American adults watch TV on a daily basis. The 2019 Nielsen Total Audience Report showed that adults (18 and over) used their TVs for more than 36 hours per week. This includes watching live TV, recorded shows, movies, using Blu-ray or DVD players, game consoles and smart TV apps. Why is it difficult for people with hearing loss to listen to TV? Whether you have hearing loss and you wear hearing aids or you have hearing loss and you do not wear hearing aids, watching TV can be tough. You can learn about what factors play a role in your TV’s quality of sound and which tools you can use to improve the way you enjoy viewing your television. Hearing loss and your ears Anyone who has hearing loss tends to have problems with clarity and volume levels when it comes to watching TV. Hearing aids that are fit correctly, can greatly improve hearing loss and guarantee that the sounds are audible. In some cases, there are people who grapple with both clarity and speech comprehension and reveal that the TV signal is loud, but not completely clear. Technology to use for your TV A TV’s sound quality is based on the accuracy of sound that is reproduced, compared to the original arrangement. All TV shows, movies and video games are mixed in a studio, therefore there is a distinct sound that is created before the public views them. Some of these sounds may align with our personal preferences, but others may not. There are some programs that are designed to have more bass or treble sounds. Also, the frequency response, TV distortion and audio format (analog, bitrate, compression, digital, etc.) may each be used to create the sound quality of your TV. Your environment and visuals The amount of distance from your TV, reverberation and background noise also poorly affects the quality of sound. Whether you realize it, or not, everyone uses lip-reading to help with speech comprehension. You are not always going to be able to see people’s faces when they talk. How to improve your ability to hear the TV In addition to using closed captions, the soundbar, or recording programs to re-watch them, Starkey’s Livio AI hearing aids and TV accessories provide dual-radio wireless technology, twin compressors that enhance audibility for quality in speech and sound. You can also use the Thrive Hearing app, which lets users customize their personal TV viewing settings to control sound levels and microphone settings. You can stream TV sounds directly into the device and reduce background noise in order to experience TV at its best. Binge-watch and hear your favorite shows The ability to watch TV allows us to escape, learn new information, play games, etc. If you are experiencing hearing loss, stop missing out. Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids and get a free hearing aid trial of Starkey’s Livio AI, or choose for a wide selection of other hearing aids that we have readily available. Please note that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require repairs, re-fittings and new hearing aid fittings. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  Even though you are staying home more often these days, it’s crucial to keep an active brain in order to continue processing sound. A study from John Hopkins indicated that having mild hearing loss doubled the risks of dementia. Individuals who suffered from severe hearing loss were five times more likely to be diagnosed with dementia if they did not get treatment for their hearing loss.
Your brain is activated when you can hear Hearing incidental sounds, even if there is no direct communication, is crucial to keeping the brain engaged and processing sound waves. Studies on children have shown that incidental sounds and incidental learning are important in their early development. Noise management features are switched off in order to provide children with an introduction to as many sounds as possible. Due to the pandemic, even though you may not currently be using your hearing aids as a means of direct communication with other people, it’s vital for your brain to hear incidental sounds. Hearing aids alert you of surrounding danger or other important signals To keep yourself and others safe, wearing hearing aids will allow you to hear any alarms or sirens that may go off close by. If you are new to wearing hearing aids, you’re going to hear lots of sounds that you haven’t heard in years. You may not realize how loud the refrigerator hum is or that there’s a strange sound coming from your car that needs to be fixed. It’s necessary to hear sounds throughout your day in order to acclimate your brain, so that you can feel more secure in your health and safety. Hearing aids connect you to others Today’s hearing aids help you stay connected to the people in your life. These devices can be hooked up to your smartphone, tablet and TV, which allow users to remain informed about the news and other information that is important to you. Hearing aids with Bluetooth®, like Starkey’s Livio AI, can engage in FaceTime calls, regular phone calls and Zoom video chats. Being away from family and friends during this time may be difficult, but being able to hear incidental sounds can make you more aware of your surroundings and safer, in addition to staying connected to loved ones. If you, or a loved one, are in need of hearing aids, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aids from name brands including HANSATON, Oticon, Phonak, ReSound, Rexton, Signia, Starkey, Unitron and Widex. Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require repairs, re-fittings and new hearing aid fittings. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  Feelings of a stuffy nose combined with sneezing can raise a problem for those with hearing loss. On the worst days of your allergy season, you may feel as though you are roaming through fog. Sounds may seem muffled and your ears may be popping more frequently in order to clear out the additional pressure.
When your head moves, you might experience the feeling of fluid moving in your ears. This may induce dizziness or vertigo. Symptoms of tinnitus may occur more regularly. Generally, allergies are irritating. If you have hearing loss, they can affect how you communicate. Why is your hearing affected by seasonal allergies? Seasonal allergies may create fluid that builds up in your middle ear. As a result, you might feel pressure and sounds may be obstructed from traveling to your eardrum. This makes it more difficult for you to hear. This is known as conductive hearing loss. It is the result of “conducting” the sound from its source to where it is heard. This can almost be compared to what those with hearing loss experience when they have a head cold. It’s important to note that hearing loss that is caused by seasonal allergies is typically short-lived. Getting the right medication and treatment can diminish its impact. How to take care of your allergies
If you notice that you are still experiencing hearing loss, after your allergy season is over, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require repairs, re-fittings and new hearing aid fittings. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  Swallowing Hearing Aid Batteries can cause Chemical and Electrical Burns
Children are very curious people, so when they encounter something like a coin, small plastic toys, or a hearing aid battery, one of their first reactions is to place it in their mouth, and then possibly swallow it. While kids are spending more time at home, please remember that those button/disc batteries - which are smaller than a U.S. dime - can potentially be deadly if swallowed. Children can sustain chemical and electrical burns from swallowing batteries, so please keep them out of a child's reach. The same goes for your household pets, who you know are constantly on the lookout for food on your floors. They will probably mistake a battery for a snack, and they can also be subject to chemical and electrical burns from swallowing a battery. Doctors, or veterinarians, would normally tell parents and pet owners to simply wait for the object to pass through and naturally make its way out of the child or pet, but if it’s a hearing aid battery, you need to get it removed immediately. Here are 5 Symptoms of a Hearing Aid Battery Ingestion:
When you become aware that your child or pet has swallowed a battery, notify your child’s doctor or your pet’s veterinarian and take the child to your local emergency room or your pet to an emergency veterinary hospital. Pennsylvania residents may also call The Poison Control Center at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (215)-590-2003, which services 23 counties in Eastern Pennsylvania and the state of Delaware. What type of damage can occur from ingesting a hearing aid battery? The electrical abilities of a typical hearing aid battery are not severe enough to induce a physical heat when the battery shorts out. When a battery is ingested, the heat is not the issue. Even though damage can be caused by alkaline material in the battery as it leaks, the primary risk would come from the electrical current, which can cause an internal chemical burn to body tissue when the battery gets stuck. The greatest, and most severe, danger would be if a larger lithium cell battery becomes lodged in the esophagus. While the battery pushes up against the esophageal tissue, the residual current in the battery can generate serious reactions to the esophagus. Hydroxide will form and then an alkaline burn will occur. It can take place in approximately two hours. If the esophagus gets burned, it could lead to perforations, connections into the trachea, and months or years of damage that affects feeding. 6 Preventative Tips
Make the switch to rechargeable hearing aids If possible, wear rechargeable hearing aids. This will take away all of these worries. Our hearing instrument specialists can go over the rechargeable hearing aids options that are available at Pure Sound Hearing Aids. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require repairs, re-fittings and new hearing aid fittings. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies - such as batteries - for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices. 20+ Ways to Handle Communication Challenges and Wearing a Face Mask with Your Hearing Aids5/22/2020  To aid in the prevention of the coronavirus, it is now a requirement for everyone to wear a face mask in public. This can be complicated for anyone with hearing loss.
Face Masks make Communication more Challenging for People who are Hard of Hearing People's voices are muffled - making it very difficult to understand them, and their faces are covered - making it impossible to read facial expressions or lip read. For hearing aid users, the ear loops on your face mask could pull on your hearing aids and cause some issues. 3 Tips for Hearing Aid Users when Wearing and Removing Your Face Mask:
8 ways to Communicate while Wearing a Face Mask:
How to Wear Your Face Mask with Hearing Aids For anyone who wears behind-the-ear hearing aids, you will probably come across some issues when donning a standard face mask that has elastic ear loops. These ear loops could pull at the tubing that connects the hearing aid and the domes that rest in your ears. You may accidentally yank your hearing aids out and drop them while taking your mask off. If you happen to be looking for new hearing aids, now would be a good time to ask your hearing instrument specialist for a trial of in-the-ear (ITE) or receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) hearing aids. These hearing aids do not rest behind your ears. Instead, they rest inside your ear canal. Alternative Face Mask Options:
Many who are hard of hearing have been advocating for the public to wear clear face shields, but this has not been adopted yet. How to Speak to those with Hearing Loss when Wearing a Face Mask Anyone with hearing loss can tell you the new set of challenges they face when interacting with a person who is wearing a face mask. This is especially true in medical settings, where there is high stress, and communication is almost equally as frustrating for both the healthcare provider and patient. There are two evident dilemmas. The patient cannot gain any facial or lip reading cues, and the healthcare provider’s voice is distorted and muffled. 9 Ways to make Your Office, or Exam Room, more welcoming for those with Hearing Loss:
Speakers may try to communicate with the hard of hearing by projecting their voice, but it’s actually more effective to speak clearly, at a normal volume and enunciate their words. When You are out in Public When going out to go grocery shopping, or picking up a prescription, those previously mentioned tips may be impossible to follow. If you and your spouse are wearing masks, be sure that your spouse is aware that they need to speak clearly and at a steady pace when addressing you. Advocate for yourself when speaking to strangers. Tell them that you cannot hear very well, and let them know that they need to speak very clearly. If you are speaking to someone with hearing loss, instead of repeating yourself, utilize body language by making eye contact, using hand gestures to reflect your facial reactions and speaking a little slower. If they read lips, speak at a normal, steady pace. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require repairs, re-fittings and new hearing aid fittings. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  Take Control in Managing Your Stress
As we navigate through COVID-19, you may be feeling even more stressed these days. This can be related to your own health, the health of a loved one, your finances or job, any necessary outings you may need to make, or concerns about the future. These feelings are valid. News media and healthcare practitioners have touched on these subject matters. Perhaps you have mentioned these feelings to your doctor, a family member or friend. Even though you have confided in others about these feelings, you may still feel alone and isolated. You can’t control our current environment, but you can control how you react to it. Having a positive reaction to stressful surroundings can help to improve physical health and well-being, lower depression, and strengthen your immune system. To manage your stress here’s what you can do: Exercise You can simply walk. Take 10,000 steps each day in order to boost your cardiovascular system. Engaging in physical activities can decrease feelings of anxiety, anger, frustration, and improve your distress. If you use Starkey’s Livio AI hearing aids, the device will track how many steps you take. Using this tracking system will drive you to achieve your exercise goals. Research and Use Tools that will Help You Relax Use resources that will help you take a moment to lower your stress levels in the middle of or after a chaotic day. Meditate. Go to a beach, a quiet spot outside, or somewhere in your home. Find a place where you feel most comfortable. You can stream calming music from your own collection, or find a YouTube video that features calming sounds through the Livio AI hearing aids. Concentrate on your breathing as you listen. If you, or a loved one, are in need of a hearing test and hearing aids, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for an appointment. We offer a variety of name brand hearing aids, including Starkey’s Livio AI. Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require repairs, re-fittings and new hearing aid fittings. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  When one person has hearing loss, their entire family is affected by it. Talking over a game plan to handle it, can improve communication and make the experience of hearing loss much less frustrating and problematic for everyone who is involved. Let your needs be known to your family.
1. Disclose Your Hearing Loss It’s important to tell your immediate family that you are having trouble with hearing. Be transparent about what you grapple with on a daily basis. This will let them know what you need, repeat things if necessary and explain anything that was misheard. Be honest and accepting in order to foster a healthy relationship with each other. 2. Describe Your Hearing Loss Experience to Others It is complicated to fully understand what hearing loss is like if you’ve never experienced it. You might need to explain what your hearing loss experience is like, many times, in a number of different environments in order to give an accurate depiction. Maybe you can suggest that your family members wear earplugs next time they all sit and talk during a family meal. Although it won’t be a completely accurate portrayal of what hearing loss is like (the distortion won’t be replicated), it will give them a general understanding of how some people experience hearing loss. 3. Bring Your Family to Your next Appointment Learning about the results of your hearing test and how severe your hearing loss is from an expert, could help them better understand your hearing loss and the challenges you endure. Your family will also help your hearing healthcare provider get a better understanding of how you communicate with one another and what environments are most problematic for you. This will help with treatment and how your hearing aid is programmed by your provider. 4. Be open about how You are feeling in regards to Your Hearing Loss Do not continue to carry one as usual and ignore how you are feeling about your hearing loss. If you disclose how dissatisfied or depressed you are about your hearing loss, your family can grow closer. Being vulnerable is a step in the right direction. Feelings of fatigue are a common result of hearing loss. Your brain is trying to comprehend and piece together what is being said in conversations. Let your family members know when you are feeling too tired. 5. Get rid of the Stigma If you show how comfortable you are with your hearing difficulties, those around you will be comfortable too. You may be living with someone who has hearing loss, but nobody discusses it. Turning this into a taboo subject prevents that person from getting help, while making their disability a normal part of your family’s life. 6. For Family Members, Practice Good Communication Techniques It can be as simple as getting your hearing impaired family member’s attention prior to speaking to them. Always keep your mouth uncovered, and face the person with hearing loss. They may rely on lip-reading, facial cues, or hand gestures in order to get a fuller idea of the message that is being conveyed. Ask your family member with hearing loss what they need in order to help them hear you at an optimal level. Be very specific so that they understand what you need and don’t wind up shouting or talking directly into your ear when they speak. 7. Ask Family Members to Advocate for You You’ll feel a strong support and bond with your family when they find a movie theater that offers captions or a theatre that offers telecoil technology. Their help will allow you to preserve your energy to enjoy your outing or use it to advocate for other things that you may encounter. 8. Use a Signal if You were Unable to Hear Something A visual signal can be just as useful as saying “What?”, and this won’t stop the flow of the discussion. It can also reduce the amount of frustration that others feel when you ask them to repeat themselves. 9. Try out Different Technology Have your family test out new assistive listening devices with you, in order to find out if they make it easier to communicate with each other. This could be entertaining for anyone in the family who is tech-savvy. 10. Get You Family Involved with the Hearing Loss Community Have them walk or volunteer alongside you at a Walk4Hearing event, or any other hearing loss related fundraiser. When they educate themselves about hearing loss, they can have a better understanding about your experience and help you with whatever challenges may arise. 11. Have a Sense of Humor About Things You will mishear words, so don’t take it too seriously when it happens. Some of it can be very funny. Crack some jokes, and keep things light throughout your journey of creating a family support system. Your family can help you create a strong foundation of support and strengthen your relationships with each other. Remember to be honest with them, ask them to repeat or clarify when necessary, and involve them in your self-advocacy efforts. If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require repairs, re-fittings and new hearing aid fittings. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  Signia's Pure 10 Nx Sounds are Quieter and Clearer With Digital Hearing Aids
Analog hearing aids are very different from digital hearing aids. Analog hearing aids will amplify every sound you hear at the same volume, which makes it challenging for users to hear the person they are talking to if there is too much background noise. Digital hearing aids are more sophisticated with advanced technology. These devices can block out most of the background noise, which makes it easier for users to hear when other people are talking to them. A digital hearing aid’s reduction of background noise will have new users notice sounds that appeared to be loud with their amplifiers, are now subdued. You might think that the hearing aids aren’t functioning properly, or the volume isn’t loud enough. Remain calm. Carefully listen to someone as they speak in a noisy environment. As long as the digital hearing devices are properly programmed, and you have them on the right setting, you should be able to hear that person better than when you wore the analog hearing aids. People’s Voices and Other Noises will not Sound the Same When you make the change from analog to digital hearing aids, be ready to hear things differently. This is especially true if you wear an earlier model of analog hearing aids. With digital hearing aids, voices - your own and other people’s - will sound different. They may be higher-pitched, but easier to comprehend. It might be different from how you heard things before, and it will take time to adjust to this new way of hearing. Get a Professional to Program the Digital Hearing Aids When your hearing aid provider receives your hearing aids, they will program the devices based on the results of your hearing test. After wearing them for a few months, you may need a few re-programming adjustments that work for you in order to get the most use out of them. If you, or a loved one, are currently using analog hearing aids and want to make the switch to digital hearing aids, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of brands, which include: HANSATON, Oticon, Phonak, ReSound, Rexton, Signia, Starkey, Unitron and Widex. Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require repairs, re-fittings and new hearing aid fittings. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  Our patient care coordinator, Sandy, is ready to schedule your appointments and help with all of your hearing aid needs from our Elizabethtown office!
This is a friendly reminder that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require repairs, re-fittings and new hearing aid fittings. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  There has been so much research on the topic of cognition and hearing loss. There is a lot more to learn about it, but here’s what we know so far:
Theories that are verified by science:
Hearing aid benefits:
Benefits of Starkey's Livio AI Hearing Aids Starkey’s Livio AI uses sensors and artificial intelligence to provide feedback on your cognitive health through the Brain Score feature. The score has three categories: Use Time, Engagement, and Active Listening. Use Time: This measures the amount of time the hearing aids are worn. This is essential because studies have shown that wearing hearing aids lowers the risks of cognitive decline that is linked to hearing loss. Engagement: This measures the amount of time that is spent in settings where the user has conversations with other people, and streams phone calls. The majority of people who wear hearing aids claim that it helps them to participate in activities. Active Listening: This measures the different environments and social situations that are encountered throughout the day. The more variety of environments that you are in, the more developed your brain will be from each environment’s stimulation. The combined efforts of these goals will lead to a maximum Brain Score of 100. The Thrive Hearing app will keep the Brain Score history in order to show how you have progressed through time. If you, or a loved one, would be interested in a hearing aid trial of Starkey’s Livio AI, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a consultation. Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require repairs, re-fittings and new hearing aid fittings. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  All of the sudden, your entire life requires you to hear people who are 6 feet away, with a mask, versus being right in front of you. Hearing loss takes on a greater challenge in a time like this. For many folks, isolation can lead to all sort of other problems. At Pure Sound we have Hearing Aid Technology built for this time.
WE'RE OPEN. In preparation for your visit, we are:
YOUR HEALTH & WELL-BEING IS OUR TOP PRIORITY! Call 717-945-1477 for a FREE hearing test at any office! Strasburg 100 Historic Dr. #113 Elizabethtown 99 Masonic Dr. #103 Sycamore Square Lititz 1170 Erbs Quarry Rd. #2-2 Brighton Shoppes Mount Joy 1013 W. Main St. #5 Florin Shoppes, Rear Appointment Requirements:
 Chrissy is working hard to make sure we can safely take care of your hearing healthcare needs. She will be offering curbside service for her patients at the Elizabethtown office. Rain or shine we are 'hear' for you at Pure Sound Hearing Aids.
If you need hearing aid service, please call us at 717-945-1477. Our offices are currently open by appointment. We ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. We will come to your car to get them. If you, or a loved one, are in need of new hearing aids, hearing aid maintenance, or hearing aid supplies, please contact us at Pure Sound!  Musicians, Protect Your Hearing
If you are a musician, your ears are needed to keep your instruments in tune and get inspired by your surroundings. Without the ability to hear, it would cause musicians to struggle with doing what they love. Your hearing abilities shift over time, especially if you play an instrument. About one in eight Americans - of any age - experiences some range of hearing loss, so it’s very important for musicians to properly protect their ears. Modern technology has significantly advanced earplugs. You no longer need to wear over-sized foam plugs, because today’s earplugs are more discreet. Here are Some of the Best Earplugs for Musicians that are Available Now:
If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require repairs, re-fittings and new hearing aid fittings. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  Prime Ages of Hearing Loss vs. Age-related Hearing Loss
Did you know that people between the ages of 18 and 25 are at the prime ages for human hearing? When we reach our 50s, age-related hearing loss will be a main health concern. Hearing loss begins to worsen after age 25, but it usually goes unnoticed. Presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss, is the most common form of hearing loss. It is also the third most prevalent physical condition that affects humans. Hearing loss conditions double during each decade of a person’s life. If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require repairs, re-fittings and new hearing aid fittings. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  Those occasional squeaks or whistles that emanate from your hearing aids are known as feedback. They used to happen more frequently in earlier hearing aid models.
What exactly is feedback noise? An acoustic feedback takes place when amplified sound from a receiver re-enters the hearing aid via microphone and gets amplified again. Overall, feedback sounds like a whistling noise. The sounds can fluctuate from a low hum to a high-pitched screech. How can feedback noises be managed? Most modern hearing aids have a feedback management feature that makes the whistling stop. There is usually a run through of this feature during your initial hearing aid fitting, or when there is a repair or modification. Some cases may still cause feedback. These include:
Our hearing instrument specialists at Pure Sound can make changes to your hearing aids’ output and gain (amplification), which can prevent feedback. If you are experiencing feedback noises that you can no longer manage, please contact us to schedule an appointment. Pure Sound will only be open by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require repairs, re-fittings and new hearing aid fittings. If you are having any issues with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before stopping in at one of our office locations.  Main Facts
Approximately 5% of the world’s population - that’s 466 million people - have a disabling form of hearing loss (432 million adults and 34 million children). It is being estimated that in 2050, more than 900 million people - that’s 1 in 10 people - will experience a disabling hearing loss. A disabling hearing loss is defined as hearing loss that is over 40 decibels (dB) in the healthier hearing ear for adults and hearing loss that is over 30 dB in the healthier hearing ear in children. Most people with disabling hearing loss live in low or middle-income countries. About one third of those aged 65 or older, have a disabling hearing loss. Most of these people live in South Asia, Asia Pacific and sub-Saharan Africa. Hearing loss vs deafness A person with hearing loss is someone who cannot hear as well as someone with normal hearing loss (that’s a hearing threshold of 25 dB or more in each ear). Hearing loss is categorized as mild, moderate, severe or profound. One or both ears can be affected, which can cause difficulty in hearing casual speech or loud sounds. Someone who is ‘hard of hearing’ has hearing loss that varies between mild to severe. Those who are hard of hearing can communicate with others by verbally speaking and may benefit from using hearing aids, other assistive listening devices and captions. Those with more severe hearing loss may benefit from cochlear implants. A person who is deaf has profound hearing loss. They have little or no hearing abilities. They use sign language or lip reading to communicate and understand people. What causes hearing loss and deafness? Hearing loss and deafness may be congenital (present at birth) or acquired. Congenital causes could lead to hearing loss that is present at or acquired right after birth. Hearing loss can be caused by genetic factors that may or may not be hereditary, or by pregnancy/birth complications. These include:
Acquired causes can lead to hearing loss at any age. These include:
A common cause of hearing loss in children is suffering from a chronic form of otitis media. What are the Impacts of hearing loss? Hearing loss impacts the practical means of communication with others. Development of spoken language is delayed in children who have hearing loss that is not addressed and treated. Hearing loss that goes unaddressed, or ear diseases like otitis media, will most likely have a negative effect on how children perform academically. These children tend to have higher rates of failure and the need for additional assistance in learning. It would be crucial to have access to the appropriate tools in order for them to have the best learning experience, but those means are not always accessible. Social and emotional repercussions Being excluded from interacting with others due to an inability to communicate can create feelings of isolation, loneliness, and frustration. This is especially true with older people who have hearing loss. Economic repercussions According to the World Health Organization, hearing loss that goes untreated can cost $750 billion in health sector costs, costs in educational support, loss in productivity, and societal costs. In most developing countries, children who have hearing loss rarely receive any education. Adults who have hearing loss are more likely to be unemployed. Among the employed, there is a greater percentage of people with hearing loss who are in the lower levels of employment in comparison to the general workforce. In order to lower the rate of unemployment for those with hearing loss, it’s important to create access to education and vocational rehabilitation services, particularly for employers. Prevention measures There has been some suggestion that half of all cases of hearing loss can be prevented through public health measures. About 60% of children under 15 years old, have hearing loss cases that were due to preventable causes. Here are most of the preventable causes of childhood hearing loss:
Easy ways to prevent hearing loss
Identify and manage hearing loss It is very important to detect hearing loss as early as possible in order to intervene. This will help to reduce the impact of hearing loss during a child’s development and education. Early detection and intervention will improve language acquisition and overall education outcomes. Children who are deaf or hard of hearing, and their family members, should have the opportunity to learn sign language. Hearing screenings that take place at schools are an effective way to detect ear diseases and hearing loss at an early age. Pure Sound Hearing Aids offers a free hearing test and consultation. Those with hearing loss can benefit from wearing hearing aids. The global production of hearing aids only fulfills less than 10% of worldwide needs. There is an overall lack of availability of services for fitting and maintaining hearing aid devices, but our hearing instrument specialists at Pure Sound are readily available for your hearing aid needs. Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require repairs, re-fittings and new hearing aid fittings. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  Hearing Aids Misplaced More Frequently
For most people, we are currently living through unprecedented times. New safety measures have become the new norm. These extra precautions, including social distancing and wearing a face mask, are being practiced for the safety of your health and the health of those around you. As a result, those who wear hearing aids may now be losing their devices more frequently after putting on or removing their face mask. Misplacing your hearing aids is just as scary as misplacing your keys or wallet. Your hearing aids are a big investment, so it’s alarming to lose something that you wear in order to function in your daily life. If you are frequently misplacing your hearing aids, there’s a solution for you. Starkey’s Halo and Halo 2 hearing aids feature the “Find My Hearing Aids” in the TruLink Hearing Control app for your smartphone. Simply download the app onto your smartphone and this function can help you locate recently lost hearing aids. It will show a map of where they were last detected or a search signal can be used to help you recover lost devices if you believe they are nearby. How to use the “Find My Hearing Aids” tool In the TruLink Hearing Control app, the “Find My Hearing Aids” feature:
It’s important to mention that this will only work as long as the hearing aids’ batteries still have power, or if there is enough power in them from a recharge if you have rechargeable hearing aids. So make sure that you always carry around extra batteries, or your hearing aids have been fully charged before leaving your home. If you, or a loved one, have lost your hearing aids and need a replacement, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require repairs, re-fittings and new hearing aid fittings. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  Cases of early childhood hearing loss has proven that changes occur in how the brain processes sounds, but current research indicates that mild to moderate hearing loss may also result in these changes.
Studies Conducted on Children Researchers at the University of Cambridge, in the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, conducted a study on the late auditory stimulated responses and mismatch responses to speech and non-speech noises for 46 children who suffer from mild to moderate hearing loss (MMHL). Younger children (between 8 and 12 years old) who had hearing loss exhibited, to some extent, normal brain responses that were close to children with healthy hearing abilities. The brain responses of 12 to 16 year olds who have hearing loss were smaller than others. Some of the younger children were tested again six years later. Researchers discovered that as the children who have hearing loss aged, the way their brain responded changed. The responses that existed when the children were younger were either no longer present or became smaller when the children grew older. There was no indication of worsening hearing loss in children during that time, but it was suggested that a functional reorganization was developing. When children respond to sounds, their brains further develop. It is important to diagnose and treat these issues when they are in their early stages. If you have a child, or grandchild, who shows signs of hearing loss, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids. We offer a vast selection of hearing aid solutions at discount prices. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require repairs, re-fittings and new hearing aid fittings. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices. |
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