 Getting Ready for Your Follow-up Appointments
Between now and your follow-up appointment with your hearing instrument specialist, keep notes or even a journal on your progress or any problems that you had with your hearing aids. Questions to consider:
Jot down any of your questions or concerns with the devices, and bring these notes to your follow-up appointments so that your hearing instrument specialists can address the issue. Discussing Your Progress, and any Bumps Along the Way These are helpful meetings that are meant to let your hearing instrument specialist ask questions about your progress and any problems that you’ve encountered. Of course, if you are noticing issues with your hearing aids before the appointment, contact your hearing aid provider’s office to ask questions and voice concerns. The more detailed your questions are, the better help your hearing instrument specialist can provide. All of the challenging environments that you frequent give your hearing instrument specialist the information that is needed to make adjustments to the programming/settings. Adjustments can also be made if you find it difficult to communicate with loved ones. Let your hearing instrument specialist know the pros and cons that you experience while wearing them. Did something exceed your expectations? Were there any shortcomings? Give as much detailed feedback as possible, so that you can get the most out of wearing your hearing aids. Reviewing Hearing Aid Care and Maintenance Practices You should have been given a lot of information on care and maintenance for your hearing aids. Your follow-up appointment will focus on reviewing these practices and clarifying any uncertainty about them. You’ll probably get a reminder on the function of each program/channel, how to access them, and if applicable, how to use your smartphone app. Finely Tuning Your Hearing Aids With the observations, questions, and concerns that you expressed, your hearing instrument specialist will use that information to make readjustments to the hearing aids. They may add other programs, tweak existing programs, or maybe give you different domes or tubing. If some of your concerns suggest that your ears and brain are not smoothly working in conjunction with one another, after too many years of untreated hearing loss, some brain exercises may be suggested to help create a stronger bond between the ear and the brain. A listening app or auditory training can be useful in these cases. What Happens Next? If you purchase a pair of hearing aids from Pure Sound, towards the end of your trial period, contact us to schedule your follow-up. Depending on the adjustments that need to be made, you may need to schedule a follow-up sooner. The earlier any problems are addressed, the easier it will be to transition to a full-time hearing aid user. Get the most out of your hearing aids by contacting us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.
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 Severe/profound hearing loss (SPHL) can be more than just a worsened state of mild/moderate hearing loss.
Anyone who has mild/moderate hearing loss can experience frustrations while communicating. This can lead to socially withdrawing from others because it becomes too challenging and requires too much effort. As we’ve all been made well aware of, we know that becoming too isolated can cause depression. The strain of trying to hear others, or read their facial expressions can cause a person with hearing loss to become fatigued. When others communicate with you, they may not be accommodating to your listening needs. SPHL is Apparent on a Daily Basis Anyone who has SPHL has difficulty with communication in every conversational situation. It doesn’t matter if the room is loud or quiet. This obstacle hinders your capacity to form and maintain relationships that are crucial to functioning in society. It’s how we understand ourselves and know where we fit in. Not only does SPHL cause a hindrance in communication, but you may also experience other negative circumstances:
SPHL influences Mental Health Any roadblocks that interfere with relationships that you have with others will affect the way you see yourself. This can lead to mental health issues, i.e. anxiety and depression. These two factors escalate social isolation, which is already compounded by poor communication skills. It’s important to point out that very high levels of depression and anxiety can even be found in those with healthy hearing, who regularly communicate with people who have SPHL. In other words, the main concern isn’t necessarily hearing loss, but the interruption of a natural flow of communication between two or more people. Getting Help for SPHL Patients with SPHL need the best intervention immediately. Providing the proper hearing aids, along with auditory training, can guide them to their best hearing. Getting in touch with others, in a safe manner, who are going through the same problems can be of help. Peer support for any dilemma, including hearing loss, can be effective. Knowing that others have gone through the same or similar experiences can give you hope. If you are noticing any range of difficulty with hearing, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.  It can feel scary and isolating when you lose your hearing. The subject isn’t always easy to broach. You may feel self-conscious about your hearing loss, or even from wearing hearing aids.
You can feel less alone knowing that people who have hearing problems are more common than you’d think. If you think that you are losing your hearing, here are three steps you can take to guide your way toward a healthy hearing journey. Do some research on Different Technology that’s Available You may think that hearing aids are big, ugly, clunky devices that sometimes make a squealing noise. That’s no longer the case today. Modern hearing aids have a sleek design, and many are so discreet that they can’t be seen by the untrained eye. Schedule a Hearing Test In some cases, hearing loss won’t become a major issue if you seek immediate help. Get your hearing tested as soon as you begin to notice trouble with your hearing. They are free in most cases. A hearing test that is conducted by a professional can detect whether you have hearing loss, along with answers and suggestions on how to treat it. Discuss Your Hearing Loss with Family or Close Friends Hearing loss can lead to isolation, which can turn into depression. It can change the way you navigate through your day. It’s always a good idea to talk to family and friends so they can better understand what you are dealing with. You might even want to ask one of them to tag along with you to any hearing care appointments that you may have. If you have any concerns about the process or feel like you need to speak with someone who has similar experiences to your own, check out the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA). Book an appointment for a complimentary hearing test and consultation at Pure Sound Hearing. We have offices located in Elizabethtown, Lititz, and Strasburg.  Hearing aids can help make hearing and communication easier. But understanding speech and background noises might still make it difficult to hear. If that’s the case, Signia’s hearing aid may benefit you.
Signia Hearing Aid Options Signia features devices for those with mild to profound hearing loss, along with Contralateral Routing of Signals (CROS) hearing aids for those who suffer from single-sided deafness (SSD). Signia hearing aids use Augmented Xperience and Signia Xperience, which help enhance speech recognition and suppress background noises. You can see more of the styles from Signia by following this page. Scroll over the Products drop-down menu and click on a hearing aid product that you’d like to learn more about. Valuable Features
A Closer Look at Signia Hearing Aids There are six primary hearing aid lines with different models. Here’s an overview of each. Signia Insio Charge&Go AX
Signia Motion X Charge&Go X
Signia Pure 312 AX
Signia Active Pro
Signia Silk X
Signia Styletto X
Customizations and Features Based on which hearing aids you select, you may receive customized options on these devices: Augmented Xperience (AX): Two different processors are used: one for honing in on speech sounds and blocking out background noises. This is known as Augmented Focus and may allow users to better understand speech by 25% in busy environments compared to other hearing aids. This technology can be accessed through Insio Charge&Go AX, Pure Charge&Go AX and T AX, and CROS Pure Charge&Go AX models. For a free trial of any of these hearing aids, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.  As we’ve mentioned before in this blog, hearing loss often coincides with social isolation, which can lead to anxiety and depression. As the winter season continues, this feeling becomes more and more apparent. If you need a little guidance and support for your mental health, here are some suggestions.
Appreciate the Good Things in Life Having gratitude towards what you have can improve happiness, mental health, overall health, and your well-being. It’s been shown that writing in a “gratitude journal” once or twice each week can create a better mindset for you. Simply reflect on one act or person that you are grateful for, and write about the details in your journal. You’ll start to focus on the positive things - instead of the negative things. Creating a log about it lets you truly cherish that positive emotion. Have a Workout Routine When you exercise, not only do you give your whole body a much-needed activity, but you are also releasing endorphins. This helps relieve stress, which significantly boosts your mood. If you normally don’t work out, try easing your way into it by doing simple things that increase your physical activity. If you can, take the stairs when walking from one building level to another. You could even do chores around your home that require you to walk to different rooms or floors. When/if it is safe, shovel snow and clean the exterior of your home. Limit your activities to 30 minutes each day. Before heading to a gym, working out from home, or going out for a walk, take a look at our article: Are You a Hearing Aid User with an Active Lifestyle? Here are some Tips for Keeping Your Hearing Aids and Hearing Health in Shape. Indulge Your Senses Your senses of smell, taste, touch, sight, and hearing are not just meant for practical use and safety. Maybe you enjoy hearing a certain song or piece of music. The smell of a nice scented candle, flowers, or cup of tea is always soothing. And the taste of your favorite foods can uplift you. In some cases, a stress ball might be helpful. Everyone has a unique way of satisfying their senses, so reexamine the things you enjoy. Practice Your Favorite Hobbies Relieve stress by immersing yourself in something that you love. You can just let go and focus on the things that you enjoy. Get a Pet Interacting with a pet can lower cortisol levels - the stress hormone - and boost oxytocin levels - the love hormone. It can reduce blood pressure and alleviate loneliness and depression. If you don’t have a pet you can volunteer to walk a friend’s dog, cat-sit for the cat-owner in your life, or volunteer at a local animal shelter. If you, or a loved one, are noticing hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.  Do you know that there have been numerous studies on the link between heart health and hearing health?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the number one cause of death in America. One in four deaths is caused by heart disease. This is our reminder to you: having a healthy heart is crucial to maintaining healthy hearing. How is heart function related to your ear health? Blood circulation throughout the body impacts your ear health. The microscopic hair cells in the cochlea (inner ear) only thrive when there’s a healthy amount of oxygen that goes into the blood. Heart disease may reduce the amount of blood that comes in contact with the cochlea, which can deteriorate them and impair the way they function when sounds enter the ears. When these delicate cells become weak and damaged, they cannot regrow - this is what leads to permanent hearing loss, especially low-frequency hearing loss. The Heart and Hearing Health Connection According to this study, having a personal history of heart problems in addition to obesity, smoking, and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) contributed to both low and high-frequency hearing loss. In a different study conducted by analysts from Miami University in Ohio, the test subjects who were more physically fit and healthy had better scores on their hearing screenings, particularly among people who were over 50 years old. More exercise to boost heart health along with other lifestyle changes, like diet or smoking habits, can affect heart and hearing health for the better. Improve the way you eat by following a heart-healthy diet. Eat fruits, whole grains, and vegetables instead of foods that are high in saturated fats, trans fats, and sodium. Quit smoking. We are all well aware of the health risks when it comes to smoking. In addition to damaging your lungs, smoking can increase your risk of getting heart disease. If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss, tinnitus, or can no longer hear clearly, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a hearing test and consultation with one of our hearing healthcare providers. We offer hearing aids and assistive listening devices that can get you back on track towards healthy hearing.  If you have a child or grandchild who struggles with focus and completing tasks, you may want to consider getting them tested for both attention-deficit disorder (ADD), and hearing loss. The symptoms of these two conditions are similar, and a child can have both.
Learn more about ADD You have probably heard of ADD at least once in your life. It’s defined as a set of behaviors, which do not have any known cause and no definitive physical tests. Symptoms of ADD can imitate other health problems like hearing loss. Children who have ADD may be prone to impulsive behavior, grapple with concentrating during class, substandard skills in organization, may not attempt tasks that demand prolonged periods of mental exertion, and become quickly distracted more than their classmates. Children with a similar disorder known as attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) - may also appear to be restless, and attempt to take on multiple tasks at the same time. Adults and children grapple with these skills, but if they have conduct that is worse than their peers, this could mean that they have ADD or ADHD. Is it Hearing Loss, Is it ADD or ADHD, or Is it a Learning Disorder There has been a rise in the number of people who were diagnosed with ADHD within the past few decades. This could imply that there are some misdiagnoses or possible overlap with hearing loss that also increases. About 3 out of 1,000 children in the U.S. are born with measurable hearing loss in one or both ears. Hearing loss, whether mild or severe, can lead to learning difficulties. A child with any range of hearing loss can miss at least 50 percent of conversations and lectures that occur in school. Here are some examples of how hearing loss may be mistaken for ADHD:
Children who have ADHD typically only have normal language development in speech that is at the same level as their peers. On the other hand, children with untreated hearing loss may lag in these areas. There’s a chance that a child could have both conditions, but an accurate assessment is needed to avoid unneeded medication and find the best methods to help the child achieve in the classroom. Getting treatment for hearing loss will significantly make a positive difference in a child’s life, whether or not they have ADHD. It can be tricky to distinguish the difference between hearing loss and ADHD. Hearing loss can feel like not being able to hear someone in a conversation where entire words or parts of words are spliced out. It can be difficult to sustain your attention when most of the information is unclear. This is why hearing loss can sometimes be mistaken for ADHD. ADHD Diagnosis can Help A proper diagnosis for ADHD can help determine the right course of action for a child. Children who have hearing loss and ADHD, generally get their hearing tested first. ADHD is diagnosed through behavioral and psychological symptoms while answering a series of questions that can be subjective. A Delay in Language Acquisition Some children who have hearing loss may also experience a setback in their development of speech. Unless there is an early diagnosis, intervention, and treatment with hearing aids and speech therapy sessions, there’s a high chance that they will fall behind their peers in this realm. If your child is struggling in school and you suspect that hearing loss may be the problem, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.  Maybe you know a thing or two about what it’s like to have hearing loss, but here are 16 facts that you may not know about.
If you or a loved one are noticing hearing loss, get your hearing checked immediately. A hearing test and proper treatment can help save hearing loss or slow it down from getting worse. Get in touch with us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.  Do have hearing loss and experienced the frustrations of communicating with people at a hospital? Here are some tips for managing your hearing loss during a hospital visit.
Hearing loss can be equally as important to address as the healthcare emergency that landed you in the hospital. Not being able to completely understand the medical professionals who are taking care of you can be just as scary as your health emergency. Hospitals can be busy and noisy. People rush in, there are loud machines or announcements over the intercoms, and all sorts of people - from personnel to other patients and their loved ones - are around you and talking all at once. From masked staff members to healthcare workers with unfamiliar accents, it can be overwhelming. It’s important not to guess or tell people who are helping you that you understand what they are saying when you don’t. An incorrect response could put your entire health at risk. A lot of people, particularly the older population, go to the hospital without hearing aids. Many people with hearing loss don’t even have hearing aids due to financial reasons, or denial about their hearing loss. When you are in a noisy and busy environment, like a hospital, your hearing loss can lead to more problems. People who have Hearing Loss are More Prone to Hospitalizations Approximately 40 million adults in the U.S. have some range of hearing loss and are more likely to require hospital care. According to research from Johns Hopkins, of these 40 million adults, untreated hearing loss has a 17 percent higher risk of visits to the emergency room. They are also more likely to stay in the hospital, spend more days in the hospital, and have a 44 percent risk of being readmitted within 30 days. Practices the Hospitals can Implement Hospitals can help patients with hearing loss by:
Make sure to Advocate for Yourself, or Get Help from a Loved One Let staff, personnel, and other medical professionals know that you have hearing loss. If necessary, caregivers may need to take on this role. It is very important that you speak up about your hearing loss, and ask for accommodations. Hearing loss is an invisible disability. On rare occasions, patients have been sent to the “behavioral health” unit where individuals with mental health issues go after misunderstanding or mishearing a question, or even misspeaking. Wearing Hearing Aids in the Hospital Even though it is recommended to wear hearing aids from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to sleep, some people leave them at home because they are afraid of losing them. If you decided to do this, alert the hospital staff about your hearing loss. Ask for a hearing amplifier. Plan ahead of time and practice using captioning apps. Otter is a great choice. With this app, conversations can be transcribed in real-time on your smartphone. For legal reasons, hospitals cannot provide this for you, but you may use it yourself. If you choose to bring your hearing aids, and they need to be recharged, bring your charger along. The hospital that you go to might be able to track down a charger for you. Remember to carry extra batteries. You can always ask staff members if they have hearing aid batteries available for you. Hearing is Important to make Proper Medical Decisions Making medical decisions can happen at any stage during your hospital visit, especially if you arrived for an emergency. Whether you can hear or have trouble with hearing, it can be difficult to understand complicated or unfamiliar medical terms/procedures. Whenever possible, have a friend or family member with good hearing and concentration involved in your decision. You may also use a transcriber on your phone. Make sure it’s accurate, and get help from the medical staff to verify its accuracy. If you find it too distracting to listen and watch at the same time, record the conversation and read the transcript at a later time. Remind doctors, nurses, and other staff members that you are hard of hearing and ask them to speak up or repeat themselves when necessary. What if Your loved one won’t Admit They Have Hearing Loss? You cannot assume medical staff members will notice that your loved one has hearing loss. On average, only about half of the staff employees will be able to recognize this. Make sure that you inform staff members during the initial admittance and when seeing new medical staff members that your loved one has difficulty with hearing. This is especially important in hospice care and nursing homes. If you or a loved one, experiences hearing loss and want an easier experience interacting with medical staff, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing. We offer assistive listening devices that can help make your emergency visits pan out better, or we can show you how to use transcription apps. Receiving Services from a Hearing Care Provider can Improve Overall Experience with Hearing Aids1/18/2022  We have mentioned the reasons why it’s best to receive services from a local hearing aid provider.
Hearing care services are usually included with the cost of hearing aids. Learn more about hearing care plans offered by Pure Sound by visiting our Unbundled Pricing page. This includes cleanings, re-fittings, re-programmings, and any other issues that may arise during your adjustment period. You will not receive these same services if you purchase them online or over-the-counter (OTC). Adapting to hearing aids takes time and patience. Additional tuning and adjustments are necessary in order to get the most out of your journey towards better hearing. Hearing Aid/Care Services are Generally NOT included with the Purchase of Cheap Hearing Aids Cheaper hearing aids usually do not feature these services to care for the devices. This is why they are cheaper. It’s also why many customers leave feeling unhappy with their purchase. It’s a waste of money. In fact, you will need more care and maintenance because the cheaper hearing aids are not carefully fit or programmed by a hearing aid specialist. The investment that you make with your hearing aids is important for your hearing health, which can impact your overall health. Make sure that you are happy with your hearing aids by ensuring that you will have access to extra services when they are necessary. If you are in need of hearing aids with professional care and services, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing to set up an appointment with one of our hearing instrument specialists.  If this is the year you plan to travel, take a much-needed vacation, or have a long-awaited family reunion, you’ll want to cherish those moments by being able to hear as best as you can.
A few ways that you can prepare for this are by receiving a hearing test, a new hearing aid upgrade, a professional hearing aid cleaning, or maybe a repair. After extensive periods of isolation and communication with masks, you’re probably anticipating a reconnection with loved ones through conversations, laughter, and the simple joy of each other’s company in person. Our hearing instrument specialists are ready to help you with the professional care that you deserve.  If you currently experience hearing loss, protect your hearing from getting worse and discover what helps you hear better.
How to Stop Your Hearing from getting Worse Medication and surgery are not treatment options for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Hair cells that are damaged cause permanent hearing loss, so it’s very important to protect your hearing. If you experience hearing loss, here are some tips to stop or slow down the additional loss.
Consider a Device to Help You Hear Hearing Aids
Assistive Listening Devices (ALD)
If you or a loved one notices a change in hearing abilities, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.  Purchasing new hearing aids is a crucial decision that can make positive changes in your life. Your hearing health and overall body and mental health can have significant improvements. Take your time and seek guidance from a professional hearing instrument specialist who will discuss your hearing needs and concerns that you may have.
Hearing Aids usage in Society People of all ages wear hearing aids. Some are visible with bright colors, while others are more discreet and practically invisible. Technological advancements allow them to not only help with your hearing and brain health, but they also help you stay social with others on their own or with the help of Bluetooth®-connected devices, like your smartphone. Some people who need hearing aids, do not wear them for various reasons including:
Early inaction can be devastating to your future hearing health. When the signs of hearing loss become more noticeable by yourself, your family, friends, co-workers, or others with whom you interact, it’s important to act as soon as possible. Common Misconceptions about Hearing Aids ‘They don’t help.’ While this may be true with the earliest models, hearing aid technology has advanced quickly - especially within the past few years. The earlier models were bulky, aesthetically unappealing, and didn’t improve people’s hearing. One of the most common complaints about them was loud feedback noises. These are the loud squeaking noises that hearing aids sometimes make when embracing another person. A simple fix to that would be to see a hearing instrument specialist who can fine-tune the hearing aids so that the feedback noises stop. Some have claimed that using a hearing aid can ruin their natural sense of hearing, by making them dependent on the devices. But once your hearing is gone, it does not come back. What hearing aids do is help to keep the hearing abilities that you still have, or slow down the hearing loss and early onset of dementia. Remember, they’re called hearing aids and not hearing restorers. Many people have found them very helpful for healthy brain function. Steps to Take towards Better Hearing Hearing is a very important sense. Hearing loss can lead to anxiety, depression, lower-income, and personal safety issues. Here are some things you can do to avoid or better manage these issues.
What should You know about before buying Hearing Aids? Visit an experienced hearing aid instrument specialist. They will help you find the right solution that will benefit your hearing needs.
Additional Accessories There are so many accessories that can be paired with your hearing aids to make watching TV, making phone calls or talking to others easier for you. Downloadable apps (decibel meters, captioning, etc.) can also be used to help. Available accessories will depend on the hearing aid manufacturer, model, and price. The more specific you are about your listening needs, the more effective your provider will be in advising the best choices for you. Hearing aids feature artificial intelligence (AI), so they can adapt to different environments and block out distracting background noises to make your listening experience easier. Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing if you, or a loved one, would be interested in a complimentary hearing aid trial.  Two National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) publications have recommendations on the best practices in preventing hearing loss. The first is Criteria For a Recommended Standard: Occupational Noise Exposure and the other is Preventing Occupational Hearing Loss – A Practical Guide.
In 1983, a hearing conservation program was required to be implemented if a worker’s noise exposure was equivalent to or greater than an 8 hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 dBA. The NIOSH recommended exposure limit (REL) for job-related noise exposure (85 dBA, decibels A-weighted, as an 8-hour time-weighted average). An updated risk assessment reconfirms this level and time of exposure for 85-dBA REL. In regards to hearing protection, NIOSH noted that the noise reduction rating (NRR), a single-number according to a laboratory-approved rating, that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires to be displayed on labels of every form of hearing protection that is sold in the U.S. is insufficient. NIOSH recommends calculating the noise exposure to the person who uses hearing protection in a work environment. The NRR should be derated by subtracting from the NRR 25%, 50%, and 70% for industrial-strength earmuffs, formable earplugs, and all other styles of earplugs. A Guide to Preventing Hearing Loss on the Job NIOSH published Preventing Occupational Hearing Loss - A Practical Guide in 1996. Practical modifications can be made as followed:
The most successful programs for hearing loss prevention all feature the following eight elements:
Learn about accommodations that can be made by your employer, so that you and your company get the most out of your workspace. If you are noticing hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation from one of our hearing aid providers.  Pay Attention to Hearing Loss
In some cases, hearing loss is immediately noticeable. In other instances hearing loss can start to occur before you realize that you can no longer to hear certain sounds or comprehend speech. Loss of hearing can happen due to nerve damage in the ear, which results in your brain not being able to interpret speech the same way that healthy ears can. Hearing loss can be temporary or become permanent. Either way, seek help as soon as you notice there’s something wrong with how well you can hear. Temporary hearing loss can become permanent when essential parts of the ear are damaged and cannot be restored. Hearing Loss caused by Loud Noise Loud noise is incredibly detrimental to the inner ear (cochlea). It only takes one very loud exposure to noise or listening to loud sounds for a lengthy amount of time, to induce hearing loss. Cells and membranes found in the cochlea can become damaged from loud noise. Over-stimulation from listening to loud noises for an extensive amount of time can exhaust hair cells, which can cause them to die off. They cannot regrow. This is what causes permanent hearing loss. Hearing loss can become progressive if the exposure to loud noise continues. Additional harm can affect hearing health after the noise exposure ends. Any damage to the inner ear or auditory neural system is usually permanent. The Harm that is done to Hair Cells can Accelerate Hearing Loss On average, each person is born with approximately 16,000 hair cells which are located in their cochlea. These cells let your brain identify sounds. Nearly 30% to 50% of hair cells can be harmed or destroyed before shifts in your hearing become measurable through a hearing test. When you start to notice hearing loss, numerous hair cells are already destroyed and beyond repair. After attending a loud event like a concert, you may have a hard time hearing. Quiet voices may sound muffled or you might experience tinnitus. If no damage was done, your hearing will usually return within a couple of hours or a few days. Like blades of grass, hair cells will curve a little more if the sound is louder. They will straighten out after it recovers from being in contact with the sounds. In other instances, if loud noise destroys too many hair cells, some will die. Recurring exposure to loud noise can eventually damage a lot of hair cells. You may slowly have a harder time understanding others when they speak, especially if there’s background noise. If hearing loss progresses, it could become more challenging to comprehend speech in quiet environments. Noise Exposure can Harm Nerves in the Ears Noise can also harm the auditory nerve that transfers information about sounds to the brain. Early damage may not appear on your hearing test, but it can cause ‘hidden hearing loss’. This can make it challenging to understand speech in noisy settings. Loud noise exposure can impact your ability to hear as you age. It also impacts how quickly you might develop hearing loss, even when you are not exposed to noises. If you or a loved one are noticing any changes in the ability to hear, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.  Signia's CROS Pure 312 AX in silver. Get the sounds you need with the small rechargeable RIC.
Signia’s CROS Pure 312 AX features Signia’s Augmented Xperience. It provides amazing speech clarity in any situation. Key Features:
If you or a loved one would be interested in a free trial of Signia’s CROS Pure 312 AX hearing aid, or any of our other hearing aid options, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation with one of our providers.  Signia Active Pro in black and silver, featuring standard domes. Hearing aid domes are paired with receiver-in-ear (RIC) hearing aids. They are inserted in the ear’s canals to secure the amplifier, clench the hearing aid’s tube in place and form a seal over the canals. There are many sizes and styles, and it’s important to get a proper fitting from a hearing instrument specialist to ensure a correct fit for optimum comfort and hearing.
A proper fitting also guarantees that you are getting the most out of your hearing aids, otherwise sounds can leak out and the devices will wind up being ineffective. Wearing the right dome with the correct shape and size ensures that the hearing aids are functioning as they were meant to while feeling comfortable throughout your day. Hearing aid domes, on average, should be replaced every two to three months - depending on how worn they are. You can consult your hearing aid provider about how often you should change out your domes and best practices to take care of them. It's important to be cautious when inserting and removing the domes from your ears. They could get stuck. Selecting the Proper Shape Domes are available in three fundamental shapes: Open Dome This style receives some natural sounds, which provide improved quality of sound with better sharpness. Unfortunately, it also weakens the amplification of bass sounds, and hearing aids with open domes usually need more power because some sound leaks out from the vents. This style prevents occlusion, where your own voice sounds echoed as though you’re in a barrel. It’s best for users with mild to moderate hearing loss. Feedback noises might also be a problem for anyone with moderate hearing loss. If that’s the case, talk to your hearing instrument specialist for different options or a refitting. Closed Dome These are also known as vented or tulip domes. This style features less venting than an open dome, which is useful to amplify sounds if you have difficulty with hearing lower frequencies. It decreases the intensity of higher frequencies but is generally more helpful for anyone with moderate hearing loss. Power Dome If you have severe hearing loss, power domes should be used with your hearing aids. These domes completely seal the ear canal, which provides the best amplification with very few sound leaks. It’s important to note that these significantly increase bass and lower the sharpness of sounds. Power domes also cancel feedback noises. Selecting the Proper Size Generally, the hearing instrument specialist who fits the hearing aids will pick the right dome size and make sure it’s the correct fit. The dome should be slightly larger than the patient’s ear canal to seal the ear canal, but there shouldn’t be too much pressure on the ear’s skin. This will cause discomfort and redness to the ear. A dome that fits perfectly should make a light rustling noise when it’s inserted or removed. There should be some resistance. What if it’s too small? Hearing aid domes are considered too small if they show little resistance when inserted or removed. Very small domes might not make a noise when inserted or removed. If the domes are too small they won’t be very effective, and they will not securely fit the hearing aids in the ear. What if it’s too big? You’ll know if a dome is too big if your ears immediately feel uncomfortable within moments of contact. Open domes may cause more pressure in the canals when the vents deform, and other people’s voices might sound deeper and less clear. Power domes could become very uncomfortable, and soreness or swelling could occur due to the pressure in the canal walls. If the sizes are too far off, the dome could fall out of the ear or deeper into the ear. This might result in a trip to get it removed by a professional. You should not attempt to take the domes out of your ears on your own. It could result in pushing the domes even further into the canals, which could damage the eardrum. The best domes for you, are ones that fit comfortably, securely and provide the best sounds with your hearing aids. There are different dome styles and sizes for different brands of hearing aids, so you may need a few trials before settling for the right pair. If you, or a loved one, need hearing aids and a proper hearing aid fitting, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing. Our hearing aid providers are ready to help you.  In a survey conducted by the British Irish Hearing Instrument Manufacturers Association, the topic of tinnitus awareness was discussed.
Tinnitus Statistics Approximately 82% of hearing aid providers from the panel revealed that their patients are informed about the connection between hearing loss and tinnitus, leaving 18% who said that their patients are not aware of this association. One out of 8 people experiences tinnitus. Two-thirds of individuals who have tinnitus, also experience hearing loss. In most instances, hearing loss may be the source of the tinnitus. There are numerous people who, unfortunately, are unaware that they have both symptoms. The Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Combo Finding out that you have tinnitus is similar to finding out that you have hearing loss. If you have difficulty hearing high frequencies, the tinnitus usually sounds like a high-pitched beeping, ringing, or hissing sound. Some individuals who have hearing loss may be able to recognize tinnitus more easily. This is due to their inability to hear as many sounds in their environment that could mask the noises. Wearing a hearing aid might help with hearing loss and tinnitus. Many digital hearing aids can be programmed to cover up tinnitus by making other sounds slightly louder. People frequently mistake their tinnitus as the main problem, when it’s the hearing loss that’s causing their frustration. So it’s important to educate and raise awareness about the affiliation between hearing loss and tinnitus. This will help to prevent some of the hardships that may arise and provide the proper resources to help them. If you or a loved one believe you may be experiencing tinnitus and hearing loss, or only hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.  Exercise is an important part of maintaining your overall health. If you’re a hearing aid user who practices physical exercises regularly, it’s advised that you wear your devices during workout sessions.
3 Reasons why Hearing Aids should be used during Exercise Routines
Be prepared by bringing Hearing Aid Gear during Workouts To get the most out of your workout, reduce distractions and feel confident while wearing your hearing aids by being prepared. Here’s a suggestion of supplies you should keep with you.
How to take care of Your Hearing Aids after Your Workout If you frequently work out, be cautious about wear and tear. This will help your hearing aids last longer, after each workout session.
Keep up an Active Lifestyle According to the Hear the World Foundation, 70 percent of hearing aid users have said that they wear their hearing aids while participating in sports and did not experience any problems. About 37 percent of users said they enjoy participating in sports more when wearing them. So if you aren’t already wearing hearing aids while playing sports, try it out. Be aware of Dangerous Noise Levels in the Gym Gyms are well-known for blasting music too loudly during workout sessions. This can lead to hearing loss and tinnitus. If you lift very heavy weights, while holding your breath, this can also cause hearing loss and tinnitus. It’s important to protect your ears from lesser-known risks to hearing health. Special settings can be programmed into your hearing aids for all sorts of environments, like gyms. Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing and talk to one of our hearing instrument specialists about programming a customized setting in your hearing aids before your next visit to the gym, or workout session from home.  Bluetooth® has allowed the design and function of hearing aids to provide more for its users than ever before. In addition to better hearing, now you can stream audio from your TV, smartphone, or any other Bluetooth®-enabled device directly through your hearing aids.
Your regular usage of smartphones and other devices has become just as important as using the hearing aids themselves, so it’s important to find a hearing instrument specialist who knows the technology. What is Bluetooth®? In simple terms, Bluetooth® is a technology that can wirelessly connect at least two devices. For nearly every app, Bluetooth® is used to link the devices - similar to how the ‘USB’ has become the universal plug and outlet for cables and ports. Bluetooth® devices connect by using a very high frequency of 2.4 GHz (24,000,000,000 Hz). This puts Bluetooth® in the level of radio frequencies. This means that it is prone to become intercepted by walls, or any other physical barrier and can be absorbed by bodies of water (the human body). Wi-Fi can also be transmitted at this frequency. Therefore, wireless phones in your home, personal computer accessories such as a wireless mouse, and a keyboard can be used with Bluetooth®. So it’s important to remember that distance from your internet source and interference can impact your device’s ability to function. What does it mean to pair something with Bluetooth®? Connections for your Bluetooth® devices are loaded up through a ‘pairing’. In this process, the two devices become acquainted with one another. They will share device addresses, connection information, and passwords to make a secure process. They will also be able to reconnect when it is necessary. Practice and Play Around with Your Hearing Aids If you are feeling overwhelmed by your hearing aids and Bluetooth® technology, play around with your devices to get a better understanding of them. It will take time to get used to. Remember, you can always contact your hearing aid provider for questions and concerns that may arise. If you, or a loved one, would like to learn more about Bluetooth® and hearing aids, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary consultation.  Do you have older family members who lost their hearing when they were younger, or have experienced difficulties with their balance or even dizziness? Talk to them and learn more about their health issues, it could be genetic.
Hearing Loss within the Family Types of hearing loss, like presbycusis (age-related hearing loss), can be affected by genetic factors. Essentially, you can acquire an increased risk of hearing loss as you age. More research is required, but in a study on 376 Caucasian families, genetic influences are a part of presbycusis. The study also noted that even though men generally have more instances of hearing loss, mainly due to noise exposure in traditionally male-dominated jobs, women’s hearing loss was mainly caused by genetic factors. It is difficult to sift through other components that may impact these studies - such as people’s behaviors that can lead to hearing loss. Families may share the same occupations and habits, so it’s unknown as to whether it’s their genes or the similar behaviors that are connected to hearing loss. It may be a combination of the two. Be Curious About Your Family‘s Health History The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have stressed the importance of learning about your family’s health history and helping you reduce the risks of developing any potentially avoidable health issues. It is recommended that you create a list of immediate family members, and ask if they have any chronic or severe illnesses and what age they developed them. Share this information with family members and your family doctor. This information can help your doctor determine the proper tests and what age you should start these screenings. Otosclerosis Otosclerosis occurs when there is abnormal bone growth in the middle ear and affects the stapes bone. Some symptoms of otosclerosis include a gradual loss of hearing, usually struggling to hear low-pitched sounds. Other symptoms may include dizziness, tinnitus, or problems with balance. The risks of developing otosclerosis are based on your family’s history with the disease. It is usually a genetic problem that is passed from parent to child. A child who has one parent that was diagnosed with otosclerosis has a 25 percent chance of developing the disease. There’s a 50 percent chance if both parents have the disease. The demographic that is at most risk are middle-aged white women. Conductive hearing loss can be the result of the disease. Surgery can usually fix this problem. In rare instances, otosclerosis can damage sensory cells and nerve fibers located in the inner ear, which can induce sensorineural hearing loss. If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss or difficulty with hearing for any reason, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.  Hearing loss can happen to anyone, and be caused by anything. Sometimes it’s impossible to avoid it. You can reduce those chances by being aware of possible symptoms. The obvious factors, like a loud blast or repeated exposure to intense noises, are obvious causes of hearing loss, but one lesser-known cause is weight gain.
The holidays have ended, and you may have noticed some weight gain after eating all of those delicious foods. How Obesity Impacts Hearing Health Obesity can be a heated topic for many people, but some things are undeniable about it: cholesterol that builds in the arteries can lead to blood clots and inhibit proper blood flow. Like every functioning organ in the body, blood flow is needed to make sure that your ears function properly. Bad cholesterol levels that obstruct your arteries cause strain, and as a result, your ear health can be permanently damaged. Obesity is not a direct cause of hearing problems, but there is a higher risk of experiencing hearing loss due to other health factors and obesity can worsen these issues. What Changes Can You Make to Lower Your Risks? You can avoid hearing loss by:
You can have high cholesterol whether you are obese or not, so it’s still important to monitor your diet. If you, or a loved one, are noticing hearing loss contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.  Temporary hearing loss can be caused by so many different factors, including infections, impacted earwax, or exposure to loud noises. In many instances, this type of hearing loss is mild and it goes away very quickly. In other cases, consistent or severe hearing loss that suddenly progresses should always be addressed by your hearing healthcare provider. Here’s a list of the most common causes of temporary hearing loss.
5 causes of Temporary Hearing Loss 1. Middle Ear Infections If the region behind the eardrum fills up with bacterial fluid, there’s a good chance that an infection will develop. It’s important to note that the middle ear has a passageway that leads to the back of the throat, so an ear infection can spread due to the flu or virus. These infections are usually found in children, and they may briefly affect their hearing abilities. Typically, only one ear is affected. An infection in the middle ear can cause fluid build-up as the body tries to fight against the infection. Ear pressure caused by the fluids can affect the middle ear bones, which are used in hearing. In some instances, these fluids create a lot of pressure to the point where the eardrum can become punctured and discharge blood and pus from the ear. A ruptured eardrum can be painful, but it can usually heal itself when the infection is gone. You can use antibiotics to treat these infections. If you are given an antibiotic for your ear infection, do not stop taking them because you are feeling better. It’s important to continue taking the medication until the infection is gone to make sure the infection is completely gone. Please be aware that some antibiotics can cause hearing loss. Talk to a hearing healthcare provider when considering treatment options. 2. Swimmer’s Ear If you have recently gone swimming and now have itchy ears, pain, or feelings of fullness in the ears, you might have swimmer’s ear. This is an outer ear infection that occurs in the outer canal when water stays in your ear after being submerged in a body of water. It can infect one or both ears, and it can cause ear pain. Did you scratch your ears and can’t hear? Swimmer’s ear can also occur as a result of an abrasion or a scratch on your ear canal from using cotton swabs, hairpins, or your finger to clean your ear canal. Please refrain from placing anything small inside your ear canal. This can damage your eardrum. Again, you can use antibiotics to treat this infection. Your hearing can go back to normal with the proper treatment. Take preventative measures by making sure you get rid of any water that gets trapped inside your ear canal. 3. Loud Noises Any exposure to very loud noises - whether you’re at a concert, or using power tools without ear protection - can cause temporary hearing loss. What causes this to happen? The inner ears feature tiny hair cells that gather and transmit sound waves to the brain. These hair cells can become damaged due to very loud noise exposure. It normally affects both ears, although the severity of hearing damage can be worse in the ear that was exposed to more noise. There is usually no pain. Noise-induced hearing loss is sometimes permanent. As soon as you realize your ears have been damaged, rest your ears immediately. If possible, refrain from being exposed to any more noise by using earplugs or covering your ears with your hands. In most cases involving exposure to loud noises, the hearing should return in a short amount of time. There may be some permanent damage to the ear’s hair cells. If your hearing does not get better in a day or so, seek professional help. Remember to carry earbuds or earmuffs that help block out loud noises, if you’re going to be in a loud environment. A combination of continuous muffled hearing and ringing ears is a sign of tinnitus, which can be caused by exposure to loud noises. Be mindful of the volume, and turn it down on your devices. Where hearing protection. 4. Earwax Buildup Earwax helps trap dust and other tiny particles that enter your ears before they reach your eardrums. Earwax naturally falls out of your ear canals, but sometimes the wax becomes impacted and obstructs the ear canals. This blockage can lead to sudden hearing loss in one or both ears, which can interfere with sound waves as they make their way through the ear canal and towards the eardrum. A malfunctioning eardrum can lead to poor hearing. It can affect one or both ears and usually doesn’t cause pain. 5. Side Effects from Medication Some easily accessible drugs, like aspirin, have been connected to hearing loss and tinnitus in both ears. If you notice anything different about your hearing after taking a new medication, inform your healthcare provider. You may be advised to switch medications. This form of hearing loss is typically temporary, but there are some instances - particularly if another medication isn’t available for serious conditions - when hearing loss can become permanent. Don’t ignore hearing loss, whether it’s temporary or you have been experiencing it for a while now. Untreated hearing loss can worsen and cause additional problems other than the inability to hear. Get in touch with us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation with one of our hearing aid providers.  Did you know that three out of five older Americans who experience hearing loss do not wear hearing aids? Six out of seven middle-aged Americans who have hearing loss, also do not wear hearing aids.
Why Should You Take Action if You Experience Hearing Loss? As you may already know, hearing loss is very common, and the chances of having it greatly increase as we age. Unfortunately, most people with hearing impairment do nothing about it. It could be due to social stigma, or simply being in denial. There are negative consequences to untreated hearing loss including higher rates of cognitive decline, dementia, social isolation - which leads to depression, and a decrease in wages due to the inability to perform efficiently at your job. If you have hearing loss, the last two years have probably highlighted the difficulties you have with communicating, staying connected to others, remaining informed, and having control over your overall well-being. Modern hearing aid technology can help with social isolation, reduce cognitive decline, and help you perform better at your job. It also helps to increase your health and safety when you are out in different environments, especially areas that you don’t regularly go to. If you or a loved one are noticing a decline in the ability to hear, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation. Our hearing instrument specialists will patiently work with you to find the right solutions for you or your loved one. |
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