 The manufacturer Starkey has different hearing aid styles. They are:
If you would like to know more about Starkey hearing aids, please contact your hearing instrument specialist at Pure Sound Hearing Aids.
0 Comments
 According to an author for the Harvard Business Review, 70 decibels of background noise may actually enhance our creative thinking ability. Moderation is the key with listening--but at 70 decibels, everything seems right.
The author explains that a coffee shop, for example, might be more conducive to creativity than an office. David Burkas examined how background noise levels affect creativity. Noise that is not too loud but not too soft, either, seems to be the best. The study concluded that between silence and a range of decibel levels that everything was statistically insignificant, except for 70 decibels. At 70 decibels, these groups outperformed other groups with creativity. Noise can be good, but watch out for anything 85 decibels and louder. If you think you might have hearing loss, contact your hearing instrument specialist at Pure Sound Hearing Aids in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  We have been hearing a lot about Over the Counter (OTC) Hearing Aid scams recently. Many of these scams are in everyday TV, Newspaper, Direct Mail, and Internet ads right here in Lancaster County, PA. The following statement was posted on the FDA's website a few days ago.
There are no products that can claim to address hearing loss that are, or can claim to be OTC hearing aids within the meaning of section 520(q) of the FD&C Act as amended by FDARA." The statement goes on to say: Hearing aids continue to be restricted devices, for which sales must follow applicable federal and state requirements. When shopping for hearing aids, use caution and always use a professional who is licensed to fit hearing aids. Our hearing aid specialists are licensed and trained to fit most of the brand named products on the market today. If you are noticing hearing difficulties, please contact Pure Sound Hearing Aids to have your hearing professionally amplified.  There are Seeing Eye service dogs for their blind or low-seeing partners, but you might not know that there are also Hearing Ear service dogs to assist the deaf or hard of hearing.
What can Hearing Ear dogs do? Hearing Ear dogs can alert their partners about various sounds, such as someone calling their owner’s name, alarms, a baby crying, or the doorbell. The Hearing Ear dog can wake up the owner at night during a fire alarm and get him or her to safety. Even if a certain sound has not been part of training, the dog looking in a certain direction can help alert the owner of trouble, such as a traffic accident. The world of sound is vastly varied and a Hearing Ear dog can be vital in the process. How are Hearing Ear dogs trained? Hearing Ear dogs can be gotten from breeders or animal shelters. The main thing is that they need to be friendly, energetic, and ready to work. Dedicated professionals train the dogs. Basic obedience training, plus acclimation to everyday public situations, comes first. Public situations can consist of everything from riding an elevator to navigating busy streets. Then, they receive audio response training. They learn to respond to specific sounds and subsequently physically alert their handler. Training takes a few months to a year. Sometimes the trainer will work with the dog in the owner’s home to recognize other sounds, such as the washing machine buzzing or microwave beeping. Recognizing a Hearing Ear dog You will see a special brightly-colored leash and collar or a cape or jacket. They can access any public area by law and are protected in housing developments that don’t allow pets. They offer love and protect their partners well in the world of sound. If you would like to know more about Hearing Ear dogs, please contact your hearing instrument specialist at Pure Sound Hearing Aids.  If you have just five friends, one of them is guaranteed to experience hearing loss. It’s the case that 20 percent (one in five) of Americans have hearing loss, according to the Hearing Loss Association of America. The thing is, hearing loss is common. As you age, the more common it becomes. It’s a major public health issue, and it is the third most common physical condition for adults. More statistics are below:
The good thing is that hearing loss can be treated. The Better Hearing Institute reports that 90 to 95 percent of people with hearing loss can be treated with hearing aids. If you need to find out more about hearing loss, please contact your hearing instrument specialist at Pure Sound Hearing Aids.  Researchers at the Ohio State University have determined that young people with subtle hearing loss have altered brain functions in ways generally only seen in older adults. This research is new and disturbing. The result is that dementia could come down the road for these young people.
Researcher Yune Lee and his group studied the brain activity of subjects 18 to 41 years of age. Participants listened to increasingly complex sentences. The objective was to know if our brains work measurably harder to comprehend more complex language data. Everyone had a hearing test before the monitoring took place. However, they unexpectedly discovered that people with subtle hearing loss had activity in the brain’s right frontal cortex, a part not typically used to process language until much later in life. Such finding could be cause for worry. And it could be happening due to increased use of headphones. The link between hearing loss and dementia Hearing loss and dementia have been linked, according to studies. If all your energy goes into hearing, there may be little leftover for for cognitive use in other areas. For instance, memory and attention could suffer. Regular hearing checks are important at any age as a measure of prevention. Early detection is the key to hearing and brain health. If you would like a free hearing test, please contact a hearing instrument specialist at Pure Sound Hearing Aids.  According to experts, a third of people will have enough irreversible damage to the hair cells in their inner ear to experience hearing loss by age 65. It has been said that we are likely to experience an increase in hearing loss as we age. Age-related hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss. The tiny hair cells in our ears, which are critical to hearing, wear out over time. Everything weakens with age. But we can protect our hearing by using hearing protection over the course of life, plus hearing loss can be treated with hearing aids. In this way, the quality of life can be preserved.
To get more hearing information, contact your hearing instrument specialist at Pure Sound Hearing Aids.  When you get hearing aids, it requires an adjustment period to get used to them. Unusual or different sounds, such as hissing, are sometimes reported by wearers. Let’s identify the three most common sources of hissing and how you can reduce these unusual sounds.
Hissing and sounds in the environment If you are in a quiet place, you may hear a soft hissing sound in your hearing aids, due to the fact that your environment is never without some sound. With hearing loss, it’s easy to forget there is always noise in the surrounding environment. The world is a noisy place, so there is always some hint of sound. For instance, when hearing goes, the soft sounds go first, like the refrigerator running, the fan on the computer humming, or the air conditioning or furnace running. Once these sounds can be heard again, they may seem annoying at first. But something can be done; a process called “IFF-it” can help:
The hissing of feedback You may be hearing feedback if you hear a hissing sound when your mouth is moving or something gets close to your ear. A hearing aid fit adjustment may be needed or the feedback can be reduced with special features your hearing aids may have. Hissing with speech sounds When people are talking the hissing sound may actually be speech sounds, like the “s” sound, which may sound hissy at first because the brain forgets such a sound when there is hearing loss. With time, you will adjust. Hearing and understanding: the difference Your brain will adjust to what sounds like hissing. After all, you got hearing aids to hear the sounds you couldn’t hear before. These sounds are the difference between hearing and understanding. One remedy is to read aloud to yourself so that you can see and hear each word, so your brain is given more information to connect sound to speech. Half an hour a day for two weeks should help reduce the hissing sound. With time, it does diminish. If you are having any trouble with your hearing aids, contact your hearing instrument specialist at Pure Sound Hearing Aids.  Today’s hearing aids have revolutionized the lives of people with hearing loss. These high-tech devices allow for better hearing in any situation. Conversely, there are many apps created for additional help. Apps help you get the most from your hearing aids, guard your hearing health, and offer new ways to connect with others.
The 5 best hearing apps are:
If you have any questions about apps, please contact your hearing instrument specialist at Pure Sound Hearing Aids.  Does using your earbuds excessively, sharing them, or putting them everywhere harm your ears? On flights, for example, earbuds can end up being contaminated by being everywhere from your carry-on bag to your tray table. They can even be contaminated by being on your desk from home. How clean are earbuds and can they be shared?
Earwax Your own earwax is good; it helps clean, protect, and lubricate your ears. It also helps keep debris out of your ears. But someone else’s earwax can introduce new bacteria and infection into your ears, even though the chances are slim. If you have to share earbuds, disinfect them with rubbing alcohol or disinfecting spray. Use a dampened cotton ball to get rid of any waxy residue and invisible bacteria or get disposable earbud covers. Sharing earbuds Offering protection against bacteria, earwax is good. But not with sharing earbuds. It introduces new bad bacteria into the ears and can even cause a yeast infection, according to studies. Even though most of the bacteria is harmless, sharing does increase the chances for fungus, middle ear infections, and swimmer’s ear. So, avoid sharing if possible. Also, simply wearing your own earbuds can trap moisture and heat in the ear canal, breeding bacteria. Excessive earwax Use a cloth to wipe the outer ear canal or use a few drops of ear-cleaning drops to soften or remove wax in your ears, so you can hear better and prevent build-up on your earbuds. You can see a professional about earwax buildup if your ears feel blocked. Stress increases earwax, but jaw movements from eating or talking move the earwax to the outer ear. For more information, contact your hearing instrument specialist at Pure Sound Hearing Aids.  The United States has been helped by the Starkey Hearing Foundation more than any other country. The Foundation provides hearing help to low-income Americans. An application-based program, the initiative is to provide and fit qualified people with new, top-of-the-line hearing aids that are customized to their hearing loss. If you know someone who is in need, contact the Hear Now program at 800-328-8602.
Thousands of generous providers around the country donate their time and services to the cause. They do hearing aid fittings and follow-up care. New providers are always welcome to further the cause. If you need hearing aid assistance outside of the United States, please call the international team at 866-354-3254. Please contact Pure Sound Hearing Aids for more hearing information.  Welcoming former Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Tony Blair, early in May 2016, the Starkey Hearing Foundation gained a new friend. Blair visited a mission in Kenya. Blair’s own work supports Africa, so they make a good team.
The co-founder of the Starkey Hearing Foundation, Tani Austin, said that the result of the mission is that it inspires a person to achieve his or her potential. The efforts of the Foundation and Blair together help make success possible. Although the Starkey Hearing Foundation helps other countries, like Kenya, they help the U.S. more than any other country in the world. If you’d like more assistance on hearing better, contact your hearing instrument specialist at Pure Sound Hearing Aids.  Tony Hawk, a professional skateboarder, has a message about hearing. He says, Life is loud. Listen carefully.” He loves the crowd's noise best about skateboarding, but adds, “It can take 10 seconds to permanently damage your hearing.”
According to statistics, one in six teens have permanent hearing loss due to loud listening. If you are concerned about your or someone else’s hearing loss, please contact Pure Sound Hearing Aids.  The Starkey Hearing Foundation gives the gift of hearing so that the world may hear. Their hearing mission is phenomenal. They’ve help in so many ways, and there are a multitude of stories to tell.
The hearing aid manufacturer Starkey believes that “Life is made up of sharing ideas, dreams and goals. It’s imperative for hearing.” The founder goes on to say, “Giving one person the gift of hearing may seem like a small act of kindness, but it has a compounding effect on the future of our world.” Starkey has provided more than 30 years of giving. They bring the gift of hearing to those who live in a silent world. Their core philosophy is that hearing is a vehicle to reflect caring to improve the lives of individuals, their families, and communities. Their story starts with William F. Austin, founder of the Starkey Hearing Foundation. He wanted to help people hear and change the world. Having started the Starkey Hearing foundation in 1984, Austin says, “Alone we can’t do much. Together we can change the world.” This statement is his premise for the mission. He began the Foundation’s reach in Minnesota, then across the United States to around the world. He accomplished this with the help of thousands of volunteers and supporters. His purpose is to give the gift of hearing to those in need, empowering them to achieve their potential. Starkey Hearing Foundation pledged a promise in 2010 to give one million hearing aids this decade. They have given the gift of hearing in more than 100 countries. They change lives through hearing. Their initiatives include preventing hearing loss through their Listen Carefully campaign, which helps low-income Americans get the hearing aids needed. For instance, their Hear Now program gives new life to hearing aids through their recycling program. Starkey’s Hearing Foundation blog has touched the lives of millions around the world with the stories they have to tell. If you have hearing loss, please contact your hearing instrument specialist at Pure Sound Hearing Aids.  Exposure to ear infections, loud noises, and certain illnesses are common causes of hearing loss. But hearing loss can be present at birth, due to genetic traits passed down from the parents. Birth defects in the head and face can precipitate hearing loss. These conditions are known as craniofacial syndromes. They affect the development of the ear and often lead to hearing loss.
Did you know July is National Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month? This action is dedicated to understanding how to prevent these conditions, raising awareness about these conditions, ensuring patients receive proper care, and removing the associated stigmas. Facial syndromes and the ears These syndromes can involve deformities of the ears and eliminate normal hearing. You can have underdeveloped or small ear canals or other parts of the middle or inner ear. Other syndromes heighten the possibility of middle ear effusion--the buildup of fluid--which can cause ear infections or other diseases--leading to hearing loss. Cleft palate, which is not connected to a syndrome, can even cause hearing loss--due to a greater risk of ear infections. Treachers Collins syndrome, which is well known, can cause both hearing loss and cleft palate. Pierre Robin syndrome can trigger difficulty hearing, too. This condition causes malformation of the jaw and mouth, but ear effusion can occur and happens in about 83 percent of patients. Hemifacial macrosomia, Apert syndrome, Saethre-Chotzen syndrome, Crouzon syndrome, and velocardiofacial syndrome are craniofacial syndromes also affecting hearing. Prevention and treatment Women treated for thyroid disease or diabetes while pregnant, women given certain fertility drugs like clomiphene citrate, or women who smoke are at risk for having a baby with craniofacial disorder. Speak to your doctor about prevention and the possibilities for manifestation of such conditions. Treatment for the syndromes can involve many doctors, depending upon the severity of the condition. The types of doctors involved might be speech pathologists, hearing care professionals, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and ophthalmologists. Among the things that would need to be addressed are social, physical, and developmental challenges. Hearing loss can be devastating, especially when it is accompanied by other problems, but awareness is key to understanding and treating such conditions. For more information on hearing loss, please contact your hearing instrument specialist at Pure Sound Hearing Aids.  Generating billions in annual health care costs, falls are some of the most frightening injuries experienced by older adults. The reasons seniors are more prone to falls are that they might have a reaction to medications, experience weakness, possess slower reflexes, or develop vision problems.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine say people with mild hearing loss are three times more likely to have a history of falling than people with normal hearing. In their 2012 study, they determined that untreated hearing loss can increase the risk of falling. Less awareness of the overall environment is why people without hearing aids may be more prone to falling. If you don’t want to risk tripping and falling anymore, please contact your hearing instrument specialist at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for the best quotes on hearing aids.  This is a beautiful bouquet of flowers sent by an appreciative patient to Jen for the extra effort she put in to help him with his insurance.
 Hearing is a complex process, which involves various neurological pathways to the brain, sound waves, tiny nerve cells, and tiny bones. They work together so we can hear all types of sounds. However, some people hear in color, which is called synesthesia.
What does it mean to hear in color? Psychology Today says that hearing in color (synesthesia) is a condition of the brain in which the stimulation of one sensory pathway--like hearing--leads to stimulation of another sensory pathway--like vision. Synesthesia can occur in different ways, but one of the most common ways is to hear in color. For instance, musical notes bring about flashes of color, specific to each unique noise. Other occurrences, although less common, constitute people experiencing physical sensations when hearing sounds or even having distinct tastes in their mouths when hearing sounds. The link between synesthesia and hearing loss People with hearing loss or deafness heavily use other senses to comprehend the world around them. With music, for example, your brain bypasses your ears so you can experience it if you can’t hear. Vibrations are experienced in the auditory cortex, which shows activity, and that doesn’t happen with those who have normal hearing. The auditory cortex processes sound but vibrations of music can strongly be experienced there in those who are deaf or have hearing loss. Essentially, your brain fills in the soundscape gaps with your other senses. If you want to know more about synesthesia, please contact your hearing instrument specialist at Pure Sound Hearing Aids.  Tinnitus--ringing in the ears--affects approximately 50 million Americans, according to the American Tinnitus Association (ATA). That’s almost one in every six Americans, they say. So, you probably know someone with this annoying condition.
It has also been determined that 40 percent of people with tinnitus experience it during 80 percent of their day, experts say. The experience of it differs from person to person. It can be infrequent and hardly noticeable. Or, it can be constant and consuming. If you think you have tinnitus or some level of hearing loss, please contact your hearing instrument specialist at Pure Sound Hearing Aids.  Hearing snippets of recorded conversations is easy with the TruLink app. In a few simple steps, you have access to information on your iPhone and the app’s Remote Microphone feature. You can record and replay the information or share via email. It’s a benefit you won’t want to miss out on.
You might, for example, want to record your doctor’s instructions and listen to them later or send them to your spouse for his or her information. Fore more information on hearing apps, please contact a hearing instrument specialist at Pure Sound Hearing Aids.  The crack of the bat at a baseball game, an ice cream truck driving up the street, or kids laughing in a pool are just some of the sounds people look forward to in the summertime. But untreated hearing loss can make you miss out on such sounds. Missing out on others’ voices can be especially depressing. Untreated hearing loss can certainly, at some point, lead to depression and feelings of isolation.
The sound of others’ voices In the summer, people often have barbecues at neighbors’ houses, reunions at parks, or meetings with friends at a restaurant. In these settings, it can be difficult to follow conversations. But the good news is that modern hearing aids have advanced noise suppression technology. The sounds of nature When you go hiking, it is wonderful to hear birds chirping, insects buzzing, and the sound of leaves rustling in a breeze. But you can’t appreciate those sounds if you can’t hear them due to untreated hearing loss. Hearing aids can pick up such soft sounds for you again. Traveling about You might want to go to the movies on a rainy day or to a museum on a steamy, hot day. Many public venues broadcast sound over a loop system. The sound is transmitted directly into the ears via telecoils in the hearing aids. Many concert halls, stadiums, and arena also have such an inductive loop system. Subways, airplanes, and trains most often have them, too, so you can hear public announcements. No matter what your summertime activities, you are going to want to enjoy the sights, as well as the sounds. Rather than missing out on the activities you love, you can schedule an appointment. Contact a hearing instrument specialist at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and to learn more about hearing aids.  Finding a professional to trust for your hearing care needs can be challenging. Hearing is important to your well-being, just like having good health, vision, and dental care. Your quality of life and peace of mind are conducive to finding the most dependable hearing professional. Here’s how to find who’s right for you:
They don’t just fit hearing aids Hearing care professionals do a lot to ensure your hearing health. They do evaluations and treatment recommendations, as well as hearing aid services and follow-up care. You will need to find a hearing instrument specialist you feel comfortable with and who will take good care of you. For the best help with hearing needs, please contact a hearing instrument specialist at Pure Sound Hearing Aids in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  The World Health Organization (WHO) states that 360 million people worldwide have disabling hearing loss. That’s 5 percent of the world’s population. If you subtract the word “disabling” from the equation, there are 750 million adults with hearing loss, they say. That’s 10 percent of the adult population. However, hearing loss doesn’t have to be disabling to disrupt the quality of someone’s life.
Treating hearing loss is a wonderful thing indeed. You can experience life’s precious moments again. You will want to embrace life, not hide from it, because you won’t be missing out on special times. Also, treating hearing loss minimizes or negates negative consequences, such as related health problems. If you would like to seek treatment for hearing loss, please contact your hearing instrument specialist at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for help.  Hearing loss is a common occurrence, being the third most frequent health problem in the U.S. But it is treatable and more successful when started early. If you think you have hearing loss, there are 10 reasons you should get a hearing test:
If you suspect you have hearing loss, contact your hearing instrument specialist at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for the best free test.  Don’t worry; hearing tests don’t hurt at all, so there’s no reason not to get regular checks on your hearing.
The overall process A hearing test is only part of the process. You will be given a hearing evaluation, which includes a hearing test. In a hearing evaluation, you will provide your case history, and your ears will be examined painlessly with an otoscope. The otoscope allows for a clear view of the ear canal and eardrum to see if there are any problems. Also, there will be a check for debris in the ear canal--any debris, like excessive earwax, would interfere with the hearing test results. If earwax has to be removed, that won’t hurt either--it just may be a little uncomfortable. The hearing test None of the steps in a hearing test are painful. You will sit in a soundproof booth or quiet area. The hearing specialist will have you wear headphones or ear inserts. A series of tones of changing frequencies will occur in each ear separately. You will respond to each tone by raising your hand or pushing a button. It’s called a Pure Tone test. What follows the hearing test is a speech test. You will have to repeat words spoken into the headphones. This test doesn’t hurt either. Afterward, a tympanometry test may be done to check the movement of the eardrum. This is done by placing an insert into the ear. The insert releases a puff of air to quantify movement of the eardrum. It’s also painless. It’s just to assess your middle ear health and to determine if there is fluid behind your eardrum. Once everything is done, the specialist will review the results with you. And then he or she will make any needed recommendations for consideration. If you would like to schedule a hearing test, please contact your hearing instrument specialist at Pure Sound Hearing Aids. |
RSS Feed
Proudly powered by Weebly