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 As we’ve mentioned before, adapting to hearing aids takes time. Wearing your hearing aids every day, for as long as you can, will help you adjust to them and the sounds that you've missed out on. Eventually, there may be moments when you forget that you’re even wearing hearing aids.
Learn as much as possible about your hearing aids from your hearing instrument specialist. They are professionals when it comes to the hearing aid’s technology and understanding how the devices work. With your hearing instrument specialist present, practice placing your hearing aids in and removing them. They can give you tips on how to do it safely so that you don’t snap the receiver’s wires. Cleaning tips, replacing the batteries, and identifying the left hearing aid from the right hearing aid will be crucial so that you can get the most out of your hearing aids. Ask how to test them in different environments where you have a difficult time hearing. Some hearing aids automatically adjust the volume and settings, while others require manual adjustments that can be made through your smartphone. Work with your hearing instrument specialist until you are satisfied with them. They will be available when you need help. Common Problems that Arise Do the hearing aids feel uncomfortable? Wearing a new pair of hearing aids can feel like breaking in a new pair of shoes. They may initially feel too tight and uncomfortable. Talk to your hearing instrument specialist to find out how often you should wear your hearing aids each day during your adjustment period. Most would say to wear them from the moment you wake up, until the moment when you are getting ready for bed. But it might depend on your comfort level. Are you hearing feedback noises? Loud whistling sounds can come from your hearing aids if they don’t fit properly, or if it’s obstructed by earwax or fluid. Does your voice sound too loud? The occlusion effect is the blocked-up feeling you hear that makes your voice sound louder. This can seem startling to new hearing aid users. A correction may need to be made by your hearing instrument specialist. Most people get used to the sound as they adapt. Are background noises too loud or distracting? If you are hearing background noises or other people’s conversations, instead of the individuals who you are speaking with, your hearing aids will need additional adjustments. Is there a buzzing sound when using your smartphone? Hearing aid users may notice interferences from frequencies that are caused by smartphones or cellphones. There are more improvements in digital hearing aids and smartphones, so these problems do not occur as often as they used to. If you are experiencing any problems with your hearing aids and need an adjustment, repair, or new hearing aids, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary consultation. Are Your Hearing Aids Constantly Falling Out? Here are 6 Tips to Keep Them Securely in Your Ears.7/1/2022  Hearing aids are amazing pieces of technology that help you hear better and communicate with people easier. One of the downsides is that they sometimes fall out of your ears. This can create some anxiety, especially if you are outside of your home. Here’s some advice on how to keep your hearing aids from falling out.
6 Tips to Keep Your Hearing Aids Fitting Securely in Your Ears 1. Test whether your hearing aids tend to fall out during certain activities. Do you notice that your hearing aids usually fall out of your ears during a certain time of day? Maybe it’s when you’re eating, speaking, or working out - sweat from your ears can loosen hearing aids and cause them to fall out. This indicates that your hearing aids are poorly fit, and you’ll either need a different size hearing aid dome or a customized earmold. If you have other dome sizes, try those out before seeking help from your hearing aid provider. If you need different hearing aid domes or would like a customized earmold, get in touch with us at Pure Sound Hearing. 2. Examine the inserts that you are placing in your ears. If your hearing aids keep falling out of your ears, it may be due to the size of the removable foam or silicone earpiece. If the earpiece is too big, it will be challenging to insert them into your ear canals and they’ll slide out. If the earpiece is too small, rapidly moving your head or even leaning forward will cause it to fall out. The foam tips should be switched out every 2-3 weeks; silicon tips should be replaced every 4-6 months. If they have not been replaced for a long time, this might be the problem. If the ear molds were customized to fit your ears, you may need to be re-fit. As you age, the size of your ears changes so it’s not an unusual request. 3. Pay attention to the way you insert your hearing aids. In some instances, hearing aids may loosen from your ears because you are not inserting them properly. Be sure to insert hearing aids properly and in the correct ears for customized-fit devices. The hearing aid should fit evenly, and right up against the ear canals, or against the outer ear lobe if the hearing aids are larger. If they don’t slide in comfortably, use a mirror to look and check to make sure they are going in properly. Read through the owner’s manual, or ask your hearing instrument specialist for advice. 4. Clear out earwax. If you don’t find any problems with your hearing aids, maybe earwax build-up is causing your hearing aids to fall out. Earwax build-up can push your hearing aids out of your ears. Safely clean your ears. Do NOT use Q-Tips or anything small that can be inserted into the ear. The irrigation and suction methods or a curette tool may be used by a professional to clean your ears out. With the irrigation method, a syringe containing warm water is held to your ear and the water flows behind the obstruction and pushes it out of the ear. The suction method uses a suction machine to clear the wax from the ears. A curette tool is a thin metal hook that is gently scraped in the ear canal to scoop out the earwax. 5. Use hearing aid accessories. If you have an active lifestyle, you may have a challenging time keeping your hearing aids on after exercising or engaging in a long activity. This is particularly true if you end up sweating during the exercise/activity. Try using an accessory such as a clip, headband, or strap. 6. Maybe you need new hearing aids. If you’ve had your hearing aids for more than five years, they may not fit anymore because the shape of your ears has changed. Everyone’s ears tend to become larger and stretched out as they age. The ear molds on your hearing aids should be replaced every 5-7 years. These are just some of the most common causes as to why hearing aids slip out of the ears. If none of these reasons apply to you - or you are still having difficulties after figuring out the cause of your hearing aids falling out of your ears - schedule an appointment with one of our hearing instrument specialists at Pure Sound Hearing.  Are you ever roused from your sleep by the sound of tinnitus? For 1 out of 5 adults, it’s a common problem that interferes with a restful night.
A research team from the University of Oxford hypothesized the reason for this phenomenon, which may also hold the key to improving treatment options for tinnitus. Why does Tinnitus Stir You from Your Sleep? Researchers came up with a new model for how tinnitus interferes with sleep using current evidence. When a person falls asleep, the brain obstructs noises that are occurring in the room. For example, this is how people can fall asleep to certain music or a TV that’s playing something. It’s uncertain how this occurs. It is also unknown how a person’s sleep patterns change when responding to internal experiences of pain or tinnitus. There are five stages that your brain repeatedly goes through when you sleep. Non-REM sleep falls under stages 1, 2, 3, and 4. The fifth stage is REM sleep. The stages where you do not dream make up about 75% of your total sleep time. The brain produces different kinds of wave activity that gradually disperse throughout the brain during that time. Initially, the wave activity might repress the brain signals that cause tinnitus. When the wave is less severe, tinnitus symptoms might worsen and then wake you up or interfere with a deeper rest. Tinnitus might cause the Brain to Stay Awake This can cause wakefulness in a resting brain, which can stop you from starting the dreaming stage known as REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Night terrors, which have been connected to adults with tinnitus, also occur during this transition stage. Sleep patterns are connected to the way tinnitus develops. This information will help researchers figure out a moment when providing tinnitus treatment will be the most effective before it becomes permanent. The research will also help them find out how the quality of sleep is affected by tinnitus. This may evolve into other research about whether better rest can help repair irregular activity in the brain that is connected to tinnitus. Tinnitus and Poor Rest Those with tinnitus tend to be light sleepers. In a survey of over 14,000 Japanese residents between the ages of 45 and 79, roaring tinnitus nearly tripled the risk of insomnia. Even a mild case of tinnitus made it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or feel rested. Sleep apnea was another condition connected with tinnitus. It can cause snoring, sleepiness during the daytime, high blood pressure, stroke, and other health issues. Difficulties with sleep are different for each age group. Night terrors, which are common in young boys, are connected to adults (age 20-44) with tinnitus. Poor rest can lead to difficulty in managing tinnitus symptoms or any other chronic conditions. Women with tinnitus and bad rest are more likely to experience headaches, neck pain, or feelings of anxiousness, whereas men are more likely to experience depression. Even though there’s no cure for tinnitus, counseling and different therapies - including sound therapy - can reduce the severity of the problem and make sleeping easier. Tips for Better Rest First of all, stop looking at your phone, computer, and TV screens. The blue light from your devices causes your brain to remain active. Try listening to restful music for two hours. It’s important to only listen for two hours - after that period of time, the white noise may over-stimulate the brain. This technique was tested on 30 patients with tinnitus by an audiology and speech specialist at Gaziantep University in Turkey. Some patients claimed they stopped noticing their tinnitus, and others heard quieter tinnitus noises after six months. These patients’ symptoms of depression also felt eased. The objective was to help patients “fall asleep with less exposure to the disturbing effects of tinnitus”, instead of stopping them from waking up. On average the length of the first non-REM sleep cycle is 70 to 100 minutes, therefore it should only take about two hours to cover up your tinnitus. If these techniques did not prove to be effective, try hearing aids. Hearing aids feature a tinnitus masking technology, so the symptoms won’t be noticeable as long as you are wearing them. Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a hearing test and consultation from one of our providers.  If you’re looking to extend the life of your hearing aids, good maintenance is crucial. Here are six tips that you may not have considered:
If you are having any problems with your hearing aids and need help, make an appointment with one of our hearing instrument specialists at Pure Sound Hearing. Improve Hearing Care and its Services by Inviting a Family Member to Your Hearing Appointments7/1/2022  When you notice difficulties with hearing, it’s not just your hearing that you’ve lost. It’s also a loss of good communication. The family member with whom you communicate regularly needs to be a part of your journey to better hearing. That means bringing them along to your hearing health care appointments.
Do You and Your Family Members Feel Frustrated when Trying to Communicate? Hearing aids or assistive listening devices (ALDs) may be recommended if your hearing healthcare provider determines that you have hearing loss. Understanding how you usually communicate with your family and finding effective ways to communicate will benefit everyone. Inviting a family member to your appointments will help them get involved in the entire process, making your relationship easier to manage. The Complexities of Hearing Aids Hearing aids can be complex, so having another family member at the appointment who can easily listen and follow instructions is always helpful. It can also help a non-hearing impaired person learn and be more aware of the intricate workings of hearing aids/hearing loss. Patients and Family Members can Learn About the Unique Problems that come with Their Hearing Loss Self-assessments from the patient, and the way family members respond to them is an important step toward a journey to better hearing. Maybe the family member will recall moments when they noticed their loved one wasn’t totally engaged or responded awkwardly to a question. Does Having a Family Member at Appointments Make the Time Spent at the Office Longer? This is not true. Most of the appointments are quicker and easier because there is another person learning the information that’s being discussed. Other Recommendations when Bringing a Family Member to Your Appointment The patient’s well-being is of utmost importance. Being able to discuss how the patient and their loved one are feeling about their hearing loss and finding a solution to improve communication, can also improve their relationship. If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.  Whether you engage in a vigorous workout routine, spend time outdoors on a sunny and humid day this summer, or store your hearing aids in a bathroom while taking a hot shower, it’s important to take care of your hearing aids when they come in contact with moisture.
Hearing aids are electronic devices that feature a microphone, speaker, volume amplifier, and plastic tubing that connects the hearing aid receiver dome with the body of the devices (the hard plastic casing that holds the battery, microphone, speaker, and amplifier). Just like with any electronic, too much moisture can damage hearing aids. There’s no such thing as a waterproof hearing aid. It is recommended that you remove your hearing aids when taking a shower, a bath, or dipping into a body of water. Hearing aids can last for nearly six years if you keep up with daily cleaning routines, and professional cleanings every six months or less depending on how much debris builds up on the hearing aids. These devices rest inside the ear canals while trapping moisture, earwax, and heat. It’s a breeding ground for bacteria. Feedback noises can occur if the hearing aids are not properly fit, and cleaned. You can also reduce the risk of ear infections and the cost of hearing aid repairs by practicing daily cleanings yourself. Humid Environments Humidity can cause moisture to build up in your hearing aids, which is inevitable if you are outdoors in scorching temperatures or working out. Humidity is one of the top complaints from hearing aid users. Not only can it damage the hearing aids, but the battery life can also deplete quicker, making the devices less effective. Getting Rid of Moisture in Your Hearing Aids One of the ways to reduce the amount of moisture buildup in your hearing aids is by using a dehumidifier. These are boxes or kits that you can purchase from Pure Sound Hearing. Simply take the hearing aids and place them in the box or kit when they become damp. They can also be placed in the box overnight to dry out. You may also use the beads from silica gel packets/desiccants or dry, uncooked rice that’s placed in a bowl or jar, and then place the damp hearing aid in the desiccant or uncooked rice. If you wear your hearing aids during a workout or while doing chores outdoors, wear a sweatband/headband to prevent sweat from dripping onto your hearing aids. Pure Sound Hearing offers professional-strength cleaning wipes and a loop brush cleaning tool for your hearing aids. Stop by at one of our office locations to purchase them. If you need a professional cleaning for your hearing aids, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing to schedule an appointment.  Canadian-born singer/songwriter, Justin Bieber, recently announced that he was diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. This is a rare neurological disorder that causes paralysis in the facial nerves, a rash that can affect the ear or mouth, tinnitus, and hearing loss.
Bieber posted an Instagram video that showed the 28-year-old with a partially paralyzed face. He mentioned difficulty with eating. The right side of his face remained still as he smiled and moved his nostrils. He also struggled to blink his right eye. According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, about 5 in 100,000 Americans are affected by Ramsay Hunt syndrome. The cause of this disorder is the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which causes chickenpox in children and shingles in adults. It is also known as “herpes zoster oticus” because of the physical characteristics of the ear rash. “Herpes zoster oticus” mainly refers to the ear rash, and it’s called “Ramsay Hunt Syndrome” if facial paralysis occurs in addition to the ear rash. Ramsay Hunt Syndrome Treatment There are no preventative care measures for Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Patients can recover from it within a few weeks to several months. Early treatment is better for the best recovery outcome if it is treated within three days after noticing symptoms. Treatment options include antiviral medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, and pain killers. Please find out from family members or ask your healthcare provider if you are susceptible to hearing loss before taking these medications. They can be ototoxic, and impact your hearing health. If symptoms of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome are left untreated, patients may experience permanent weakness of facial muscles or hearing loss. Ramsay Hunt Syndrome and its Impact on Hearing A rash on the outer ear and external ear canal can form if you have Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. Tinnitus is also a common symptom. Some patients may develop sensorineural hearing loss if the nerve that’s affected can no longer transmit vibrations to the brain. There is currently no clear relation between the severity of facial weakness in patients with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome and hearing loss, but one study from the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry reported nearly 19% of patients had an irregular audiogram. In a study in the journal “Medicine”, hearing loss was more severe in high-frequency ranges than in the low-frequency ranges for patients who had the Herpes zoster oticus virus. Hearing problems were worse in patients who had vertigo than in patients without vertigo in high and low frequencies. The range of hearing loss was not substantially different between patients who had and did not have facial paralysis from Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. Another study from Japan showed complete recovery in 85 out of 173 (49%) adults and 33 out of 42 (78%) patients who were under the age of 16. Complete recovery was shown in audiograms of 66% of children with audiometry documented hearing loss compared to 37.7% of adults. Healthcare and Recovery Ramsay Hunt Syndrome is not contagious. It can still develop in people who have had chickenpox, but those who have not had chickenpox should get their chickenpox vaccine and their shingles vaccine. If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss and/or tinnitus that was caused by any reason, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.  If you own a dog who you believe has trouble hearing, you may have wondered whether dogs could wear hearing aids.
In the Starkey Sound Bites podcast, you can listen to a conversation with Dr. Peter ‘Skip’ Scheifele, the executive producer of FETCHLAB, which is the University of Cincinnati’s internationally distinguished animal hearing and bioacoustics laboratory. The podcast features a story about Dr. Scheifele fitting his dog with hearing aids. When Dr. Scheifele began testing at FETCHLAB, his dog was making several TV appearances, notably on Animal Planet. When the dog turned 12 or 13, he started to lose his hearing. Dr. Scheifele and others realized the dog was confused when given verbal commands off-camera. He discussed this with a colleague and decided that they should try to fit the dog for a hearing aid. They used behind-the-ear hearing aids. A cape was customized for the dog so that the hearing aids could be easily attached to it with Velcro, and the tubes were placed in. The dog received excellent training from Dr. Scheifele’s wife, so it made fitting and accepting the hearing aid easy. A lot of people have asked whether hearing aids can be fitted for dogs. It is possible, but it also involves a lot of commitment to train the dog to keep the hearing aid in their ear. It’s also good to note that even if a dog is trained to wear and keep the hearing aid in their ear, they may never acknowledge that there’s a hearing aid in their ear or that it’s benefitting them in any way. If you, or another human in your life, are experiencing hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation for a free hearing aid trial.  The power of a noise signal can be portrayed through color, just like how the brightness of a light can be described with a color spectrum. The two existing colors on this spectrum are pink and white. Research has shown that these colors have many helpful properties, like helping to create a restful night’s sleep and being more productive. More research is needed to conclude this theory.
A noise color can be distinguished by the energy of the sound signal. The color will coincide with the signal’s distribution of energy throughout different frequencies. Pink and white noise include every audible frequency, but vary in how they disburse energy over these frequencies. Noise spectrum, or colors of noise, are known as sonic hues. This is a characterization of “naming different noises after colors” The color of noise correlates with the power spectrum of a noise signal, in other words, the frequencies of the noise. White noise was the first noise named after a color. Researchers selected this type of noise classification because it’s just like how light is measured through the electromagnetic spectrum. For instance, white light refers to every visible form of light, and white noise refers to all audible frequencies. In reference to noise, most colors get their name from a color of light with similar spectra. Other colors within the spectrum are blue, gray, purple, and red. Categories of Sonic Hues White noise refers to noise that has all frequencies in the audible sound spectrum. They range between 20-and 20,000 Hertz (Hz). Within white noise, there is an equal distribution of all frequencies. Some may call white noise broadband or wideband noise due to the fact that it contains numerous bands of sound. Examples of white noise:
Pink noise is like white noise, in the sense that they are both broadband noises. They have all frequencies between 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. Pink noise sounds deeper than white noise because of a decreased power at higher frequencies and a rise in power at lower frequencies. Examples of pink noise:
White Noise Researchers studied the possible advantages of white noise over other noise colors. One covered the use of white noise to help with sleep. In a 2021 study, participants slept while using a white noise machine. It showed significant improvement in their ability to sleep. A study from 2017 discovered that broadband noise lowered the amount of time participants spent falling asleep by 38%, compared to the average environmental noise. Researchers indicated that broadband noise may help subside symptoms of insomnia for some people. A review from 2021 points out that the evidence still needs more research to prove this study. Additional benefits of white noise include:
Pink Noise Research has been done to determine whether pink noise can help people sleep better. A study from 2017 discovered that participants who heard quick sounds of pink noises on a loop while they slept had improvements in memory and recall during a cognitive task. The researchers observed that exposure to pink noise did not alter participants’ alertness, mood, or quality of sleep. Another study conducted in 2020 showed that pink noise was useful in getting participants to fall asleep and go into a deep sleep at a faster rate. A smaller study from 2020 suggested that pink noise might enhance a person’s efficiency while working, their continuous performance, and working memory. It’s crucial to mention that most of these studies had a small number of participants. Studies on a larger group of people are needed to confirm the benefits of pink noise. Using White and Pink Noise These noises can be used to improve sleep. A person with a white or pink noise machine can have a steady stream of background noise in their bedroom. There is not a lot of research, but most theories imply that these noise colors may help with sleep because they create a calm atmosphere, help you form a better routine around bedtime, or mask noises that are loud and distracting. You may use a machine or download an app on your smartphone. These apps can play white or pink noise, so you can decide which sounds work best for you. Practice Better Sleep Habits Even though there are benefits to using white and pink noise to help with sleep, everyone has a different reaction. Practice good sleep habits that can improve your quality of rest. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend at least 7 hours of rest each night. Try to incorporate these routines:
A Summary of Pink Noise and White Noise Pink noise and white noise are a range of frequencies, like a color spectrum. Both of these noises cover every frequency of noise that can be heard by a healthy human ear. White noise encompasses all frequencies and is evenly distributed. On the other hand, pink noise is more powerful in lower frequencies and less powerful in higher frequencies, which makes them deeper. If you or a loved one are having trouble with hearing, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.  Most new hearing aid users are unprepared for the amount of time it will take to get used to their hearing aids. In addition to learning how they work, you will probably be overwhelmed by noises that you haven’t heard for a long time. Your brain needs time to adjust. Your hearing instrument specialist will be an integral part of this process, so don’t hesitate to contact them in between appointments if you have questions or concerns.
Your Own Voice may Sound Different Hearing aids are not going to restore your hearing back to normal. Your voice is going to sound different when you hear it while wearing your hearing aids. Initially, your voice will sound strange. Some have described that it’s similar to an echo sound or like you’re in a barrel. It may sound louder than usual. The noises you make from chewing and swallowing may also be more prominent. They’ll be irritating, but eventually, you’ll acclimate to the sounds and won’t notice them as much as long as you wear your hearing aids from the moment you wake up to the moment when you go to bed. Obviously, you should not wear them if you are going to take a shower or go into any body of water. If you are still noticing these noises, contact our hearing instrument specialists at Pure Sound for help. How to Adjust to Your Hearing Aids 1. Wear Your Hearing Aids in Your Home Begin wearing the devices around your house or in other quiet places. Have one-on-one conversations. Inform family, friends, and colleagues about your hearing aids so they can support you and help keep you on track as you work towards healthier hearing. Practice listening while wearing them by reading out loud or talking to someone. This will help you adjust to your own voice. 2. Practice Wearing Your Hearing Aids To help you get used to the devices, try to find out where different sounds in your environment are coming from. Have a conversation with a loved one. When you are alone, listen to an audiobook or a podcast. 3. Take Breaks from Your Hearing Aids They should be worn for a few hours during the first day of using them, then gradually add a few more hours each day onwards. After you’ve adjusted to them, they should be worn all day, from the moment when you wake up to the moment when you get ready to sleep. 4. Schedule Follow-up Appointments You should visit your hearing instrument specialist whenever necessary so they can make adjustments as needed. This could include changes to the programs on the hearing aids, or the way they fit in your ears. Discuss any problems that you are having with the devices with your provider. Most people schedule an appointment with their hearing instrument specialist about two weeks after their first fitting to get the hearing aids tuned or fix the volume. 5. Attend a Hearing aid Demo Event In addition to one-on-one appointments with our hearing instruments specialists, Pure Sound occasionally offers demo events for new hearing aid users. They are very helpful demonstrations that can make transitioning into a hearing aid user easier, and so you can get the most out of your hearing aids. 6. Be aware that Adapting to Hearing Aids Takes Time There will be moments of frustration or feeling overwhelmed by noises that you haven’t heard in a while. The sound of a refrigerator or any other background noise that most people don’t notice may suddenly seem distracting. This is due to the fact that your brain forgot the process of blocking out background noises and prioritizes some sounds more than the less important sounds. Adapting to new hearing aids requires relearning how to block out background noise. As you get used to the hearing aids, programs within the devices can be set up to block out the background noise. Just ask your hearing instrument specialist for this adjustment. 7. If You feel Pain while Wearing Hearing Aids Notify Your Provider Based on your personal hearing requirements, you might wear hearing aids with customized earmolds. This means they should rest snugly against your ears. When you first put them on, the devices may slightly hurt your ears. If it’s very painful, inform your provider and schedule an appointment immediately so that they may correct the problem. Generally, hearing aids that have the receiver-in-ear with domes are easier to become accustomed to because they don’t make your ear canals feel plugged the way earmolds can. They also don’t hurt the ear canals. If you or a loved one are noticing hearing loss and may need hearing aids, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.  If you are new to hearing aids, figuring out how to use them can be a learning curve. Like all technology, once you get the hang of it, will be easy.
Linking up Hearing Aids with Your Smartphone Just about every modern digital hearing aid can be paired with a smartphone. Audio files from your phone, computer, or tablet can be streamed through your hearing aids. They can basically be used like wireless Bluetooth® headphones. Not every hearing aid that features Bluetooth® is compatible with every smartphone brand. Android and iPhone are the only two smartphone brands that pair with hearing aids. It’s simple to set up because the technology automatically pairs them. Switch on the Bluetooth® Feature Through your smartphone, select the Settings app. Search for Bluetooth®, select it and switch it on. Find Your Hearing Aids Listed in the Settings app Through the iPhone, go to the Settings app. Find and select the “Accessibility” feature. Then find “Hearing Devices”, and select it. Your hearing aids should be shown. Through the Android phone, after the Bluetooth® is switched on, your phone should have started searching for other Bluetooth®-enabled devices to link up to. It should only take a few seconds for your hearing aids to show up on the list. For either one of these smartphone brands, if your hearing aids do not show up on your phone, the battery doors might need to be opened and closed, or you might need to place them back in the recharger. This switches them off and on again so that your phone can detect them. When your hearing aids are listed as an option on your phone, select them. They will start their connection, which may take 30 seconds or more. Pairing Additional Devices to Your Hearing Aids Smartphone Streaming Systems Even if your hearing aids are not Made for iPhone or Made for Android, wireless streaming is still available between your smartphone and hearing aids. You’ll just need a small, separate device known as a streamer. It can clip onto your shirt collar, or hang around your neck and be covered by your clothes. Alternative Streamers Different circumstances - even those with smartphone-compatible hearing accessories - need a streaming device if you want audio transferred to your hearing aids. TV streamers, mini-microphones, and other devices can help you hear clearly. There are different styles of streamers that are unique to every hearing aid manufacturer. They are just as simple or, in some cases, more simple than connecting hearing aids to your smartphone. If you or a loved one need hearing aids and/or an assistive streaming device for listening, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary consultation.  Have you noticed a cold or flu can also make your ears feel stuffy? Your ears, nose, and throat are interconnected, so when you have a problem in one area, it can cause problems in the other areas. Congestion in the ear(s) is just one of numerous symptoms that can occur when there’s an issue with the nose, sinuses, or throat.
The Cause of Ear Pressure The small passageway that links your middle ear to your throat is known as the Eustachian tube. This tube helps to balance the pressure in your middle ear by opening up whenever you sneeze, swallow, or yawn. This system stops air pressure and fluid from accumulating inside your ear canal, behind the eardrum. When there’s an obstruction in the Eustachian tube, noises can sound muffled. It’s normal to feel pressure, pain, and fullness in your ears. Your Eustachian tubes can become partially blocked due to allergies, colds, flus, or sinus infections. Inflamed tissues and mucus discharge are primary reasons for dysfunction in the Eustachian tube. Air travel or traveling up high altitudes can also change the way your Eustachian tubes are not functioning properly. Tips to Relieve Ear Pressure In order to use the best remedy, you must identify the cause. Primary Causes of Sinus Congestion:
Remedies:
Managing Fluid Buildup If there are drainage issues in your ears, fluid can build up. As a result, fluid can become trapped behind the eardrum. Here are some symptoms that you may notice:
Core Causes
If the problem is not resolved, the fluid build-up behind the ear can lead to a rupture. Remedies to remove fluid from the ear canals:
Earwax Buildup Earwax, or cerumen, can build up when it becomes pushed deeper into the ear canal or obstructs the ear canal. This blockage can lead to hearing loss, dizziness, pain/fullness in the ears, pressure, and tinnitus. Q-tips should not be used to clean the ears. This will push the earwax further in the canals. Wearing hearing aids or earplugs can also cause cerumen buildup. The best way to remove earwax is by running warm water in the ear canal (during a shower) for a couple of minutes. You may use an irrigation kit for this. When the water softens the wax, it will drain through the outer ear. Allergies Ear congestion can be caused by allergies. Antihistamines and decongestants can relieve allergy-related ear pressure, along with other symptoms. Be aware that some medications can cause hearing loss, so discuss this with your hearing healthcare provider. Traveling by Air or High Altitudes When you are on a plane that’s about to take off or land, a sudden pressure change can occur in your environment and the middle ear. This imbalance stops your eardrum from vibrating the way it should. Ear pain, full feelings in the ear, and pressure can cause “airplane ears”. Remedies to reduce pressure:
Infections in the Middle and Outer Ears Otitis media, or more commonly middle ear infections, can cause symptoms of dizziness, hearing loss, and pain in the ears. The culprit is usually viruses from respiratory infections. Swimmer’s ear, or outer ear infections (otitis externa), is usually caused by water that’s left in your ear after it is exposed to moisture. Water that becomes trapped after swimming or bathing is the perfect environment for bacteria to grow and thrive. Usually, ear infections will resolve themselves. Ear drops and pain medications can help relieve symptoms. There are various causes of ear pressure. It’s important to find the cause of it and treat it appropriately. There’s generally a simple home remedy. If symptoms worsen, seek professional help. If you are noticing hearing loss as a result of ear pressure, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.  You may have experienced hearing a wide range of noises from the softness of a loved one’s voice to the sirens on a fire truck, or a more soothing sound of your favorite music. These sounds are measured using a decibel. This is a ratio between power, sound pressure, and voltage.
Measuring the Intensity of Sound Sound moves in the form of energy waves. It is measured via frequency and amplitude.
The Increase in Decibels is Exponential A 10 dB increase indicates that the sound is 10 times louder, and a 20 dB increase indicates that the sound is 100 times louder. A List of Decibels for Common Sounds Simply being told a number for a decibel measurement probably doesn’t mean anything, unless you are a hearing healthcare professional or someone who frequently uses a decibel meter app. Hearing loss can occur with decibels as low as 70 (that’s after frequent or prolonged exposure). These noises can lead to immediate and permanent hearing loss after one exposure at close-range: 150-160 dB - A shotgun/firearm 140 dB - A jet engine as it departs a runway/fireworks 120 dB - An emergency vehicle siren/concerts These noises can lead to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) after regular, prolonged exposure: 110 dB - A rock concert 105-130 dB - Sports events (based on the size and style of the arena/stadium) 105 dB - Playing music through earbuds or headphones at the highest volume 100 dB - A motorcycle 90 dB - Power tools/lawn mower 80-90 dB - Heavy traffic Anyone with untreated mild-to-moderate hearing loss tends to struggle with hearing these softer sounds: 70 dB - Vacuum cleaner 60 dB - Normal conversation with one other person 50 dB - A conversation among a group of people 20 dB - Rustling leaves 10 dB - Breathing How are Decibels Measured? Hearing loss is measured according to the lowest range of decibels that you can hear. A person with normal hearing can hear leaves rustling or water dripping into the sink or on the ground (~10 dB), but someone with mild hearing loss would not be able to hear that sound. Frequency and pitch are other parts of hearing loss. Loss of hearing in higher frequencies is more common than in lower frequencies. There are different combinations of decibel and frequency loss. Normal hearing ability: 10-20 dB Mild hearing loss: 25-40 dB Moderate hearing loss: 40-55 dB Moderately severe hearing loss: 55-69 dB Severe hearing loss: 70-89 dB Profound hearing loss: 90-120 dB How can You tell if an Environment is too Loud? If you are in a noisy area and concerned that you could lose your hearing, here are a few things you can do:
Be Cautious, especially if You Have Hearing Loss. If you wear hearing aids, you need to be aware of the noise levels in your environment. Hearing aids amplify sounds, so you are still at risk of hearing loss just like everyone else. You can ask your hearing instrument specialist to program a special setting for these occasions. Do not turn off your hearing aids as a way to try and protect your hearing. If they are not snugly fit in your ear canal, they will not be able to block out harmful sounds when switched off. Instead, you won’t be able to hear the sounds that you want/need to hear. Work with a professional hearing instrument specialist to establish the correct hearing protection for the event that you will attend or the activity that you will be participating in. If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.  Work plays a significant role in your social status. A general sense of achievement and self-worth is felt in us when we work. Tinnitus Hub, a group of people with tinnitus who work for the tinnitus patient community, focus on patient support and education, promote research, and raise awareness, gathered data indicating that over a third (38 percent) of employees have expressed that their symptoms had a negative impact on their work.
This doesn’t just disrupt the workflow of the employee, but it can affect their income and the economy in general. Tinnitus Talk is a worldwide online community for tinnitus patients. Volunteers who run this organization are pushing to raise awareness so that it’s taken more seriously as a problem that can impact work environments. Tinnitus Hub Statistics from 2018 A survey with 1,800 participants asked, “Has tinnitus affected your job or work prospects?”
Difficulty with Concentration The main effect of tinnitus on the job is the inability to focus. There’s a spectrum of how patients with tinnitus struggle. According to the survey, tinnitus affected concentration mildly (41 percent), moderately (33 percent), or severely (20 percent). Only a small percentage reported a lack of problems with concentration. This is significantly different from the “concentration/listening fatigue” that individuals with hearing loss may encounter. In some cases, their brain needs to make an extra effort to interpret what they heard. It’s due to constantly hearing the tinnitus in their head while refocusing it to the background in order to concentrate on something else. Anyone who struggles with tinnitus can find coping mechanisms from sound machines or hearing aids, to meditation. Patients with severe forms of tinnitus generally experience anxiety and/or insomnia, which can affect their performance at work. Most people cannot grasp the daily stress of constantly hearing a high-pitched sound. Difficult Work Environments There are certain jobs that frequently expose people to loud noises that can damage hearing or induce tinnitus. These include construction, manufacturing, military service, and the music industry. Low-level exposure to sounds on a regular basis for hours at a time, like in a call center, school, or restaurant can cause some harm to a person’s hearing health. Anyone with tinnitus may notice more sensitivity to sound (hyperacusis). As a result, normal office work environments can lead to ear pain or loud instances of tinnitus. Commuting to work can be a struggle for someone with hyperacusis. Traffic noises can spike tinnitus symptoms. Potential Negative Reactions from Employers and Coworkers Many people with tinnitus have pointed out the ignorance of employers or colleagues, along with how unwilling they are to make changes that would benefit a person with tinnitus. Some are hesitant to reveal this information for fear of discrimination. How to Help Every employee should be accommodated. If the tinnitus is stress-induced, the anxiety tends to pass for most people. It can take weeks, months, or even years to obtain habituation. Others may turn to permanently adjust their situation by working a less demanding job. If you’d like to consider using hearing aids to mask tinnitus symptoms, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.  The Hearing Aid Dome
Domes are tiny, malleable, bell or mushroom-shaped silicone parts that are connected to the end of hearing aid tubing and rest deep inside the ear canal. These are also known as tips. After the domes on hearing aids are inserted inside the ear, once the hearing aids are on, they transfer sounds from the microphone, into your ears. The dome is meant to secure the small speakers that transfer sounds to the ears. They are available in various standard sizes to fit a person’s unique ear shape. Domes are generally paired with behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids, which are also called receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) or receiver in the ear (RITE). Domes are attached to the hearing aids through a wire surrounded by a thin tube. These are available in various sizes. Your hearing instrument specialist can find the right dome and tubing that’s customized for your ears. These hearing aid styles place the speaker inside the ear canal, while the processor and microphone rest over the top of the ear. Should You use a Hearing Aid Dome? Hearing aids that feature domes are primarily used by patients with mild-to-moderate hearing loss, particularly those who have high-frequency hearing loss. These hearing aid styles are usually small. They feature a microphone and processor inside a small case and sit behind the ear. The speaker is connected to the processor through a thin tube or wire that sits behind the ear. This hearing aid style should not be worn by anyone with severe-to-profound hearing loss. A behind-the-ear (BTE) device that has an earmold would be more appropriate. A customized earmold has powerful amplification and is less likely to become damaged from moisture in the ear canal. Everyone is different, so personal preferences will vary from person to person. What are the Positive and Negative Characteristics of Hearing Aid Domes? The Positives An advantage of using hearing aid domes is the way it fits in your ear canals. Low-frequency sounds can still be heard through an “open fit”. Hearing aids need to be vented so that ears don’t become occluded. Natural sounds and airflow must travel through the ear in order for sounds to be pleasant and comprehensible. Cleaning domes is a breeze. Simply use a soft cloth to wipe them off at the end of the day. If there’s debris or earwax on them, you can use a loop brush or professional strength hearing aid cleaning wipes. These can be purchased at our Pure Sound Hearing offices. Hearing aid manufacturers have the same sizes and styles of domes, so replacing them is inexpensive. The Negatives Hearing aid domes need to be changed at least every two to three months due to wear and tear. It is possible to get a dome stuck in your ear, so it’s important to be aware of this and be careful. Discuss the frequency of changing out the domes and maintenance. DO NOT wear old domes with new hearing aids. They may not be compatible and could get stuck in your ears if they cannot remain fastened to the receiver. Domes are also prone to damage caused by earwax or moisture in the ear. They may also be tricky to handle due to their size and a person’s dexterity problems. Work with a Professional Hearing Instrument Specialist Get help from a hearing instrument specialist (HIS). They are highly trained to address a patient’s hearing aid needs. A poor fit can impact your ability to hear clearly, and comfort levels while wearing the hearing aids. Feedback noises can also occur due to a poor fit hearing aid. Everyone has a unique ear shape and range of hearing loss, so a HIS will be able to tweak and program an individual’s device to correspond with their particular listening needs. If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss and need a hearing test, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.  If you wear hearing aids and plan to attend a concert this summer, consider some of these issues that may come up.
Whether you wear your hearing aids to a concert depends on your preferences. Some would recommend removing your hearing aids and wearing earplugs instead to protect your hearing. Depending on the music genre, the sounds will generally be loud enough for you to hear. If you choose to wear your hearing aids during a concert, you can turn down the volume on the devices. Additional protection like noise-canceling earmuffs can be helpful. These are better at canceling out sounds than earplugs while shielding the sound-transmitting bones that make up your ears. Encourage others who arrived at the concert with you to protect their hearing health. Concerts run for about 60-90 minutes, so bring your hearing aids along. After the event is over you’ll need them to hear your friends. Ask the Venue about Accessibility Services Prior to your visit, contact the music venue to ask about accessibility options. Most concert halls and venues feature systems to help audience members who can’t hear clearly, have mobility issues, or have any other problem that can interfere with how they enjoy their time at the concert. The T-Mobile Arena accessibility guide features different accommodation options. Captioning services can be provided to make sure you don’t miss anything. Make sure that the services which are listed on the venue’s website, will be available during your visit. The majority of venues need a warning beforehand so that they may accurately accommodate your needs. Get Recommendations from Your Hearing Instrument Specialist All hearing aids are different with a variety of features, so talk to your hearing instrument specialist for recommendations. For example, some hearing aids feature telecoils or t-coils. T-coils can connect with loop systems within buildings. The loop system focuses on the music at the concert, while blocking out background noises like echoes. If your hearing aids feature a telecoil, your hearing instrument specialist will demonstrate how it works. Hearing aids can also be programmed by your hearing instrument specialist so that you can have the best listening experience during the concert. Preparing for a Live Concert To make sure you have a great concert experience, here are some tips. Don’t go alone Not only is going with a friend more fun, but if your friend has stronger hearing abilities, they’ll be able to guide you through the area if the volume on your hearing aids needs to be turned down. Stand or sit near the stage If possible, be closer to the stage or a speaker. There will be less interference from other audience members. If you depend on an ASL interpreter, you’ll be more likely to see them if you are near the stage. Be prepared when making purchases Whether you are buying drinks, food, or merch, it can be overwhelming to choose when there’s too much background noise. Instead of making decisions on the spot, look online for merch or at a menu before selecting. Switch off hearing aids if necessary If sounds become overwhelming, turn off your hearing aids or wear hearing protection. Make your friends aware of this before the show so they know the best way to get your attention. Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing if you need your hearing aids programmed before your next concert.  Men who have hearing loss are at a 69% higher risk of developing dementia than men who do not have hearing loss.
Several studies over the years have traced hearing loss that is untreated to a rise in risks of dementia. The reasons why hearing loss tends to increase the risks of dementia are still being researched, but there’s an unequivocal link between the two. Men who experience hearing loss are more likely to have dementia. An Australian study revealed that men with hearing loss were 69 percent more likely to develop dementia than individuals without a hearing problem. The good news is that getting hearing loss treated early can help prevent or delay the onset of dementia. If you or a loved one are noticing hearing loss, or if it’s been a long time since you received a hearing test, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation. If hearing aids are recommended, our providers will patiently work with you to find the best solution.  June 12 is designated as Family Health and Fitness Day. As mentioned in our blog, in addition to making hearing healthcare a priority in your life, your overall health is also as important and can impact your hearing. Keeping yourself physically active and healthy can help reduce the risks of common health problems, and make chronic conditions like hearing loss more manageable. Healthy blood cells help pump your blood throughout the entire body so that it can function properly. This includes your ears.
Fitness and nutrition are challenging to maintain as an individual, and most parents know how difficult it is to deal with picky eaters, each family member’s schedule, and sometimes working overtime. It’s all very exhausting! Families Should Prioritize Health and Fitness Together Have a little family meeting and come up with a plan together, commit to that plan together by holding each other accountable, do them together, and support each other along the way. The more involvement you have in your family’s well-being, the healthier they will be. 8 Tips to Stay Fit with Your Family
What are you waiting for? Get moving! Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing if you or anyone in your family is experiencing hearing loss and needs a hearing test.  We’ve covered the hearing abilities of cats, dolphins, elephants, and katydids. Now we’re moving on to moths, pigeons, tarantulas, whales, and common pet birds.
Moths and Pigeons Did you know that moths and pigeons are the animals with the best hearing abilities? Moths have the best high-frequency hearing abilities. They can detect sounds reaching up to 300,000 Hz. To get a better idea, the average healthy human’s hearing abilities can only reach 20,000 Hz. Moths and bats are each evolving at a fast pace, developing better hearing abilities with each new generation. Pigeons have amazing abilities when it comes to navigation, because of their exceptional hearing. Pigeons can detect infrasound, which has frequencies that are too quiet for the human ear to recognize. The earth’s electromagnetic field produces infrasound, which provide pigeons with a 360-degree sonic view of their environment and lets them efficiently evaluate the area. Tarantulas Tarantulas do not have ears or an auditory system, so they do not hear as humans do. Instead, they feel sound waves in order to guide themselves through their environment. The hairs on their legs are very sensitive, so they can feel air passing through them whenever sounds occur. Smaller spiders, such as jumping spiders and ogre-faced spiders, feature nerve cells on their forelegs that transmit signals to the brain when it detects various frequencies. These sound waves can assist spiders in locating prey up to six feet away. Whales The hearing abilities of sea mammals like dolphins and whales have stunned researchers. The animals can hear well underwater, but for a while, researchers were unsure how since they did not have external ears. It turns out that a whale’s skull makes sounds louder via bone conduction. Blue whales and humpback whales can communicate sounds that reach more than tens of thousands of miles. In other words, a whale that swims in Ireland can communicate with a whale swimming in the Caribbean. Growing research has shown that human activity (commercial fishing, noise pollution, and oil drilling) have interfered with the whales’ ability to communicate with each other. There hasn’t been conclusive evidence about this interference, but scientists hypothesized that because it’s so dark in the water, especially in the deeper areas or at night, whales depend on their hearing abilities more than their visual abilities. This could disturb their mating and migration patterns. Domestic Birds and Music If you have a cockatoo, finch, or parakeet, playing music for them can improve their mood. Birds process sounds very similar to humans, and just like humans, they have their own taste. Some pet owners noticed their parrots loved music genres that they dislike. Male birds usually end up repeating songs they like. Most birds prefer soft, relaxing music, like classical and smooth jazz, no matter what they personally enjoy. If you’re a bird owner, try creating a playlist that you can enjoy together. If you are a human, or know of another human who needs a hearing test and hearing aids, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.  June is National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month.
Hearing loss isn’t a symptom of migraines, but tinnitus and other problems with the ears can be connected to migraines. A migraine attack can induce a change in your vision, but a lot of people are not familiar with hearing problems or complaints about the ear. Nearly 40 percent of patients with migraines also have bouts of vertigo and dizziness. These symptoms can develop due to an illness within the vestibular system - including the areas of the inner ears. It is common for anyone who gets a migraine to experience more sensitivity to sound when they have a migraine attack. This is known as sonophobia or phonophobia. Do Migraines induce Hearing Complications? Hearing loss and problems with hearing are uncommon symptoms of migraines. Migraines do not cause hearing loss. Some general hearing loss issues are linked to migraines, but the exact connection is unknown. It is not evident whether one condition drives the other or if they coexist. There are cases that suggest those who have hearing loss are more prone to migraine attacks, but there aren’t enough studies for this to be conclusive. Vestibular Migraines This type of migraine stems from the inner ear and the area of the brain that helps with balance. Vestibular migraines can cause motion sickness, dizziness, and possible changes in hearing during an attack. These changes may include hypersensitivity, a loss in hearing, and tinnitus. A Fluctuation in Hearing and Headaches Can be Caused by Pressure in the Brain There’s a different kind of headache linked to tinnitus known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension. It is caused by an overproduction of cerebrospinal fluid, which is fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension can lead to a severe headache and loss of vision. Some have described their tinnitus as a “gushing sensation in the ear” as if they were by the ocean while waves are crashing onto the shore. It’s a rare condition that affects 1 in 100,000 people. It’s common in women within the age range of 20 to 45, who are also obese. According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, there have been 20 out of 100,000 incidents. Migraines and Sudden Hearing Loss If sudden hearing loss occurs in a person, migraines are usually not a primary reason for the underlying cause. It can, however, be considered something to examine. The sign of a potentially serious health problem is sudden sensorineural hearing loss. A healthcare provider would rule out other conditions like Ménière's disease, or even a clot in the veins draining from the brain that can lead to problems with hearing. Ménière's disease occurs due to fluid buildup in the inner ears. It normally affects one ear. Migraine headaches may occur with Ménière's disease, in addition to changes in hearing, tinnitus, and hearing loss; in rare instances, it can cause sudden hearing loss. There are variations in the symptoms of Ménière's disease. You may feel better for several months at a time, and then you may notice that your ears are feeling full again or the hearing loss has returned. It’s rare to have sudden deafness, but the Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology revealed that people with migraines had a higher risk of sudden sensorineural hearing loss than those who did not have migraines. If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss for any reason, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.  It’s Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. What does that have to do with hearing health?
You Hear with Your Brain, not with Your Ears Did you know that hearing health and brain function are intertwined? Arthur Wingfield, Ph.D., of Brandeis University, is a Professor of Neuroscience who found that people who have untreated hearing loss have problems with remembering and processing that information. It gets harder and harder for a person’s brain to process information when they have hearing loss. This includes comprehending quick and complex speech. A Decline in Brain Health and Alzheimer’s Disease Poor hearing abilities lead to poor brain function. Untreated hearing loss negatively impacts a person’s ability to accurately hear sounds and their cognitive function. It’s not simply the inability to hear, but it’s also not being able to think, remember, or process information quickly or efficiently. Alzheimer’s and dementia can impact the mind, personal relationships, and how you function as a human being. The disease can become progressive. Get Your Hearing Tested Receiving a hearing test is an easy way to protect the connection between your brain and your ears. It’s a simple way to keep track of your hearing health so that you can intervene and slow down the process. Get in touch with us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.  Summertime has arrived! If you are experiencing difficulties with hearing while having fun in the sun, find out how hearing aids can help.
Participate in Group Conversations Outside Digital hearing aids can be programmed to focus on the conversations that you are participating in, rather than hearing background noises and other conversations going on around you. Directional microphones were created to pick up sounds that you are facing toward. When you or others speak, you typically face each other. Some directional microphones will change positions based on where speech sounds are emanating from. Background noises like the crackling from a campfire or other people talking can be filtered out, so you can concentrate on the conversation at hand or sing-alongs instead of struggling to hear through the other chatter and sounds. Listening fatigue is a common problem among people with hearing loss, so the less energy you need to use in order to hold a conversation, the better. Your smartphone or an assistive listening device can also be used as a microphone. You can place the smartphone or assistive listening device onto a table, and while everyone is talking near it, the audio will stream directly into your hearing aids. You can also download speech-to-text apps on your smartphone, if necessary. Muffle Sounds of Fireworks Modern hearing aids feature noise suppression. It will automatically or you can manually, lower the volume that you hear if there’s a sudden, brief noise - like a crashing sound if something falls over. Fireworks can still be enjoyed at a safe noise level. Ask one of our hearing instrument specialists about this feature for your hearing aids. Instantly Switch Hearing Aid Settings All digital hearing aids are paired with a smartphone and apps. You can use them to control the volume, change your hearing aid settings, and more. Geotagging is another application that you can use. It makes a geographical “bookmark” for your favorite locations. Just optimize your hearing aids for a specific location, like a park or restaurant, and add a geotag. When you go back to that environment, your settings will automatically switch to those settings so that you can have an optimal listening experience. Wind Blocking Technology Would you rather enjoy the feel of an ocean breeze than hear how loud it is through your hearing aids? With behind-the-ear (BTE) style hearing aids, the microphones rest over the back of your ears. As a result, they can harness lots of noise from gentle breezes to gusty winds. You can ask our hearing instrument specialists to create a special program so that you may switch to a channel on your hearing aids, so the sounds of wind are obstructed. If you or a loved one are looking forward to an easy, laid-back summer that’s not hindered by your hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation for a free hearing aid trial.  The creators of Barbie, an American doll manufacturer that has been producing these figures for 63 years, have released a new set of dolls in an effort to promote diversity and inclusivity.
There will be a number of new dolls in this diverse collection. A Barbie with hearing aids and a Ken doll with the skin condition vitiligo will be among these new additions. In the past, there have been other Barbie dolls in a wheelchair or with a prosthetic leg. Mattel’s Global Head of Barbie Dolls, Lisa McKnight, stated in a press release that more children will be able to “see themselves reflected” through these figures. McKnight also believes that children should be encouraged to play with dolls that do not look like them so that they can better “understand and celebrate the importance of inclusion.” The Barbie with hearing aids wears hot pink hearing aids in each ear. If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss and may need hearing aids, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation. |
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