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updates from the world of hearing
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Improve Hearing Care and its Services by Inviting a Family Member to Your Hearing Appointments

7/1/2022

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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. ​
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Can Dogs Wear Hearing Aids?

6/10/2022

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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.  
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Are You Struggling to Adjust to Your New Hearing Aids? Here are 7 Tips.

6/10/2022

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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
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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.      
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Hearing The Sounds of Summer

6/3/2022

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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.  
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Celebrate Senior Health and Fitness Day!

5/24/2022

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National Senior Health and Fitness Day is celebrated annually on the last Wednesday of May. This year it is being recognized on May 25th. This day promotes the betterment of health for seniors. The overall objective is to help seniors maintain fitness and health routines. A number of organizations across the country create events to raise awareness about the significance of eldercare and suggestions on how to accomplish it in a productive way.     

National Senior Health and Fitness Day is celebrated as part of the Older Americans Month activities. It is the biggest health and wellness campaign for American seniors.

It’s important to look for a variety of selections when it comes to physical activities that seniors can participate in, and highlight the values of good nutrition and exercise to prevent poor health. Healthy diets improve energy and immunity. Whether it's a an easy walk outdoors or more rigorous workout routine, exercising on a regular basis retains bone mass while reducing the risks of fractures along with other diseases or conditions. 

In the U.S., assisted-living facilities provide transitional care for the elderly who do not need to be in a nursing home but can no longer live independently. 

More than 1,200 locations which include health clubs, health departments, hospitals, retirement communities recreation centers, and senior centers celebrate National Senior Health and Fitness Day. Local organizations for health and seniors coordinate, sponsor, and host events. Popular programs like health fairs, group exercises, walking tours, and more are implemented at these events. 

Here’s how you can observe National Senior Health and Fitness Day.     

1. Spend some time with the elderly people in your life. Make them feel special and loved. 

2. Host an event. Set up an event in your neighborhood or through an online event for seniors. Discuss the importance of good health and spread the message on social media with the hashtags #SeniorHealthDay, #SeniorHealthAndFitnessDay, and ​#NationalSeniorHealthAndFitnessDay. You can add more localized hashtags based on the area where you live.

3. Volunteer. Raise awareness by volunteering at health fairs or working with local non-profits to send emails about offering to help the elderly in your community.  

Hearing health has a direct impact on your overall health and the ability to accomplish fitness routines. Being able to hear important directions from healthcare professionals or follow instructions during a fitness routine is vital to making progress in your overall health and wellness. 

If you or a loved one are experiencing difficulties with hearing, improve your health by getting your hearing tested, and sign up for a free hearing aid trial at Pure Sound Hearing.
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Part I: 4 Hearing Facts about Animals

5/17/2022

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Animals, like humans, use their hearing in order to sense impending danger. Let’s learn some fun facts about animals and their hearing abilities! 

Do Cats Enjoy Music?

Any cat owner may tell you that their feline friend may exude grumpy, disinterested, or just plain bad behavior. Can music make an impact on, or even improve, a cat’s behavior? Three researchers hypothesized this and came up with the theory that cats naturally communicate with distinct ranges of frequencies and tempos. So if you put on some music that’s composed of certain frequencies and tempos, the cats will probably enjoy it.    

The researchers produced two cat songs, then found cats to play the songs for. They entered 47 households that had cats and played the two cat songs, along with two classical songs. The cats appeared to enjoy the cat songs by moving toward or rubbing against the speaker while these songs played.

The young and old cats were more enthusiastic about the songs, whereas the middle-aged cats seemed indifferent to them. 

Dolphins Hear Underwater with their Jawbones 

Dolphins hear underwater sounds by using echolocation. The cavity beneath their blowhole allows them to create clicks and whistling sounds, as well as other noises. These sounds echo back and the dolphins will use that information from the echo to learn about the ocean floor, depth of water, obstructions, predators, prey, and other dolphins. 

Here’s one uncommon fact: The sound waves that echo back produce pulses in the dolphin’s teeth and jawbone. The fat that surrounds these areas creates pulses that travel to the middle ear. Essentially, their teeth, jawbone, and fatty tissue function the same way that a human’s outer ear, ear canal, and eardrum function. 

Elephants Communicate with Each Other when They are 6 Miles Apart

Anyone with normal hearing abilities knows what an elephant sounds like. It sounds like a loud trombone. Did you know that they predominately communicate using a low-frequency sound that cannot be heard by the human ear? 

This is known as infrasound. Elephants can hear these low-pitched sounds from at least 6 miles away. Infrasound is used for many things from leading a herd’s migration to warning competing males during mating season, or keeping track of calves who have been separated from the herd.     

In 2012, researchers figured out how they did this. Instead of tensing and releasing the muscles in their vocal box, they create a noise that’s similar to purring, and force air through the voice box, the same way humans do when they talk or sing.  

Ears Located on the Knees? That’s what Katydids Have.

Katydids, or long-horn grasshoppers, have “ears” that are similar to humans.

Human ears feature an internal eardrum that harnesses sound frequencies, which leads to slight vibrations. Three tiny bones in the inner ears give off a strong vibration. This then causes waves in the cochlea’s fluid, and the waves turn into neural impulses and which are interpreted by the brain as sound.

For the katydid, the outer eardrum gathers sound frequencies that cause light vibrations. This makes a small plate strongly vibrate. The after-effect is waves in the fluids or something like the cochlea, and these waves are translated into neural impulses and interpreted as sound.   

If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation.
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20 Tips for Active Listening

5/17/2022

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If you have hearing loss, you may feel isolated because you don’t feel comfortable, or have too much difficulty, with communication. Try out some of these active listening techniques to help with how you communicate with others. 

It’s also important to emphasize this message if you are someone who regularly communicates with a person who has hearing loss: Please be patient. Remind yourself that the person you are talking to cannot hear the same way you do.

  1. Let the people who you are communicating with know that you have difficulties with hearing. Being open about this will allow most reasonable people to accommodate you as necessary. 
  2. Face the speaker, or make sure the speaker is facing you. Place yourself in a position so that you can see a person’s entire face. Use good lighting. Seeing people’s facial expressions, reading lips, and noticing gestures and body language can help put conversations into perspective.     
  3. Make sure you know what topic is being discussed to help you make an educated guess about the conversation. You can ask friends or colleagues to give you a lead about the subject at hand. 
  4. If you need eyeglasses or contact lenses to see clearly, make sure you’re wearing them.
  5. If you have single-sided deafness (SSD), face your better ear towards the speaker.
  6. Sit as close as possible to the person who is speaking. The best distance is three to five feet.
  7. Make sure you are in a quiet space that doesn’t have any distractions.
  8. Focus on the ideas that the speaker is trying to convey, instead of every individual word that’s being said. Don’t feel discouraged if you miss some information. You can always ask someone to repeat themselves.  
  9. Study the way that each person expresses themselves. Maybe some people use a lot of facial expressions, a particular type of vocabulary, or sentence structure. Perhaps they have a particular accent or dialect. 
  10. Keep up with current events. Knowing about local, national, and international news, along with news from personal relationships will give you an easier time while following conversations. 
  11. Do not fake your hearing abilities. If you don’t understand something, just ask questions.
  12. Ask for clarification as necessary. To reduce some of the confusion or frustration from both parties, be very specific about what you missed so the entire message doesn’t need to be repeated. If you still have trouble understanding, ask the person to rephrase it in simpler terms that are easier to hear. 
  13. Practice listening. Don’t fall into the habit of letting others listen to you. Listening fatigue is a real problem, so if you feel overwhelmed and exhausted take a break. 
  14. A conversation requires listening and talking. Don’t try to control a discussion. 
  15. Let others know what helps you communicate better. Whether it’s speaking at a pace that is comfortable for you to follow, making sure you can see their face, and using gestures or facial expressions to get their point across. A lot of people are unaware of how to talk to someone with hearing loss, and the best communication methods aren’t the same for everyone. Let them know that natural, simple ways of speaking are the easiest to understand. If necessary, use a talk-to-text app.
  16. Make sure they are specific when giving directions or providing medical information, in written form.
  17. If you wear hearing aids, you have the option of using some with different microphone settings so that you can hear all around you, or if you want to block out some of the background noise so that you can focus on the conversations in front of you. 
  18. If the acoustics are not ideal in a specific room that you are in, maybe carpet, drapes, padded furniture or acoustic ceilings need to be installed so that sounds aren’t bouncing off of surfaces, and making it harder to hear. Think about these settings when choosing a restaurant to eat at.
  19. Take time for yourself to relax. Stress can make hearing problems like tinnitus, or concentrating on listening worse. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a break. 
  20. Relive tension with some humor, exercise, or meditation. Tension can hinder your ability to interpret speech and depletes energy. Sometimes, you need to laugh at yourself once in a while to lighten the mood. 

If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss and/or tinnitus, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.  
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Get the Most out of Your Hearing Aids with these 8 Tips

5/3/2022

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If you, or someone in your life, are a hearing aid user, making sure that the devices are working at their ideal function is crucial for healthy hearing, great communication, and good quality of life. Here are some tips that you may not be aware of when taking care of hearing aids.

1. Before Inserting and Removing Your Hearing Aids, Clean Your Hands.

Avoid bacteria from infecting your ears by regularly cleaning your hearing aids. Dirt buildup might not allow your hearing aids to function at their best. Clean your hands before inserting them and removing them.   

2. The Battery Door should Always be Closed

Unless you use hearing aids with rechargeable batteries, make sure that the battery door is firmly closed after the disposable batteries are placed in the hearing aids. If the door is opened, the hearing aids may not work or the sound amplification may be lowered.

If the battery door won’t shut completely, try flipping the battery around. Check if there’s any damage on the battery door, it may need to be fixed. 

3.  If a Friend or Family Member Hears Feedback Noises from Your Hearing Aids

Sometimes hearing aids might make a high pitches noise. This is known as feedback noise. It can happen for two different reasons: poorly fit hearing aids or the feedback loop is too close to a speaker/another device that makes a sound. Someone that you are with will probably hear this, but you may not be able to hear it as clearly.  

If this happens, remove the hearing aid(s) and cup it/ them in your hand. This will decrease the high-pitched noise and remove the hearing aid(s) away from whatever may be causing the noise. When the noise subsides, place the hearing aids back in your ears. The microphones and receiver should work correctly.  

4. Keep Hearing Aids Protected from Extreme Weather

Conditions that are too hot and humid or too cold can damage your hearing aids. The best place to store them is in a cool, dark, dry place. Use a special case for the devices when you are not wearing them. 

If they get wet, you can soak them in silica gel or even place them in a bowl of dry, uncooked rice.

5. Daily Cleanings

Hearing aids need to be lightly cleaned each day. Use alcohol-free cleaning wipes and cleaning tools to help remove dirt and debris. Every six months, we recommend getting a professional deep cleaning. You can get these cleaning wipes, tools, and services from our offices at Pure Sound Hearing. 

6. Use a Dryer

Hearing aids retain moisture from the body and other external elements like rainy weather. Like any electronics, moisture can damage the hearing aids, resulting in subpar efficiency. Get a hearing aid dryer to prevent this from happening. A dryer removes moisture from the devices so that they can work at optimum levels. 

7. Dome Replacements

The part of the receiver that goes into your ear canal is the dome. These should be replaced every four to six weeks. Hearing aids with domes that are not properly cleaned or replaced after four to six weeks, will not have the best possible sound quality. This is caused by clogged debris and bacteria. 

Your hearing aid provider can replace the dome for you, or you can change them on your own. Make sure that they are properly placed on the receiver or other problems may arise, like feedback noise or the dome might get stuck in the ear. 

8. Wax on Hearing Aids, Wax off Hearing Aids

Earwax can impede a hearing aid’s performance. Cleaning your ears and hearing aids regularly from earwax can help your hearing aids work at their optimal level.

Simply use a soft dry cloth or cleaning wipes to get the wax off from your hearing aids each night when you take them out before going to bed. Do not use cotton swabs to clean out the ears. They can worsen your hearing loss by pushing earwax further into your ears. Instead, clean them out with a washcloth dipped in warm water. 
  
Check out these additional tips. 

If you need a hearing test and maybe even hearing aids, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation. 
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Are You a Young Adult with Hearing Loss?

5/3/2022

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Hearing loss crosses all age groups. We’ve gone over hearing loss among older adults, and the risks associated with hearing loss as you age. 

It’s important to raise awareness that more and more young adults are experiencing hearing loss for a number of different reasons. Young adults who have hearing loss face a unique set of challenges as they go through college, dating, employment, growing relationships, and parenting. 

How prevalent is Hearing Loss in Young Adults? 

According to the CDC, around 12% of adults between the ages of 18-39 report struggling with following along during conversations when there is too much background noise. Nearly 6% have tinnitus. These numbers are higher in older age groups. 

People who have hearing loss are more likely to experience low rates of employment, lower work productivity, and higher healthcare costs compared to their peers.

Causes of Hearing Loss for Young Adults

Noise exposure is one of the most widespread causes of hearing loss for young adults, as well as older adults. This can lead to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Across the U.S. millions of Gen Xers, millennials, and Gen Y have been exposed to hazardous levels of noise, including hobbies like woodworking, music, city noises, and workplace environments. 

Additional risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure, taking ototoxic medications, viruses, bacterial infections, genetics, or they were born with it. 

Young Adults with Otosclerosis  

Otosclerosis is one of the other most common medical causes of hearing loss in people of this age group and middle-aged adults. This is when there is abnormal bone growth in the middle ear section. Nearly 3 million Americans are affected by it - the people with the highest risk being middle-aged women.  

The Affect of Hearing Loss on Young Adults  

The different causes of hearing loss for young adults differ greatly from the older generation but wearing hearing aids when you are in your 20s, 30s, or 40s can look and feel different than wearing them when you are older. Occupation, family, relationships, and activities are - for the most part - different than older people. 
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Career-related Distress

Working with hearing loss, while NOT impossible, can be tricky at times. People in their 20s are fresh out of college and looking for their first job. They have the choice of when they should inform their potential employer that they wear hearing aids. Depending on where your job path takes you, you may need special equipment - like a telephone with amplification or captions. Your employer is required by law, via the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), to accommodate you for your hearing needs. You can apply for any job that you want, but there are some careers that may be easier to navigate through if you have hearing loss. Take a look at our article “Careers for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing”.

Working Remotely with Hearing Loss

If you have hearing loss, depending on the job, working from home can have its ups and downs. You can raise the volume on your computer as much as you want, without bothering coworkers. The technology for virtual meetings doesn’t always work smoothly, so it can hamper communication. Read up on some tips on how to prepare for video conferences or virtual meetings. 

Parents or Guardians Raising Children and Young Adults

Taking care of a child as a hearing aid user has its challenges. Hearing aids are needed for better communication and safety, but using them requires consideration from those who are communicating with the hearing aid users. A parent may need a baby monitor that flashes, vibrates, and has a video monitor. Making sure your hearing aids are always in good condition is also important, especially if there’s a sudden emergency. 

Attending College or Higher Education

Another concern that differs among generations is that young adults are deciding whether to attend college or higher education. People in this age group might not receive the support that is needed to thrive in school. Young adults may be learning how to be their own advocates for the first time.    

Hearing Aids can help You Maintain or even Raise Your Income and Improve Overall Health

The ability to hear in a work environment can impact your household income, which is a common concern for people who are in their prime age of employment. According to a survey that was done through Better Hearing Institute 40,000 households in the U.S. indicated that using hearing aids and assistive listening devices was beneficial to one’s earning potential. There was also a 90 to 100 percent reduced risk of income loss for anyone with mild hearing loss, and a 65 to 77 percent reduced risk for anyone with moderate to severe hearing loss.

Hearing aid usage has a more obvious asset to mental health for younger people. A study from 2014 indicated that hearing loss is linked to depression in adults of every age, but it's more common in young adults. Even though hearing aids help people of all ages, younger users appear to gain the most out of them when it comes to depression. Socializing leads to a healthy overall quality of life. 

Hearing Aid usage is becoming Less Stigmatized   

In regards to hearing aid usage, there are major distinctions between the older generation and the younger generation. Most people of the younger generation are more accepting of wearing hearing aids. Today, just about everyone wears something in their ears, whether they are earbuds, headphones, or hearing aids; therefore hearing devices draw less attention. The stigma of hearing aid usage is dwindling and the younger generation is noticing that their untreated hearing loss is more noticeable than the hearing aids themselves. 

If you are a young adult or middle-aged with hearing loss, you have the chance to seek treatment and engage in practices that protect and slow down the hearing abilities that you still have.   

For a complimentary hearing test and consultation, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing to set up an appointment.
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Raising Awareness on Better Hearing and Speech Throughout the Month of May

4/29/2022

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We’re raising awareness about potential hearing loss caused by loud noises. The inablity to hear can affect your speaking abilities. Not being able to hear after many years can impact your ability to remember the way speech sounds. 

Better Hearing and Speech Month (BHSM) started in 1927. Every May, hearing health and speech issues are given a platform to remind people to take care of their hearing health and get it tested.

Identifying and intervening immediately when hearing loss is suspected is crucial for a better outcome. Most people live with hearing loss, but are often unaware that there’s a problem. Getting your hearing checked annually, or if you suspect you have hearing loss is crucial for proper care and treatment.

The first World Report on Hearing from the World Health Organization  

  • Noise is being recognized as an essential issue for public health and a major environmental risk that is currently faced by the world. 
  • Protect your hearing by keeping the volume lower than 60%.
  • More than 50% of individuals between 12 and 35 years of age listen to music and other audio through earbuds, headphones, and other personal devices at volumes that can risk your hearing. 
  • If you regularly use personal audio devices to drown out loud sounds, instead of raising the volume, try wearing noise-canceling earphones or headphones. 
  • Time spent listening to music or media via personal audio devices should not surpass 80 dB in adults, 75 dB in children, or those with sensitive hearing for 40 hours per week.
  • Listeners who frequently use portable audio devices can be exposed to the same level of sound during 15 minutes of music at 100 dB that an industrial worker would be exposed to during an 8-hour day at 85 dB.   

Hearing Health Facts

On average, a person is born with nearly 16,000 hair cells in their inner ear. These cells pick up sounds and transfer them to the brain so that they can be interpreted into something that makes sense. Often, when people notice hearing loss that indicates that most of the hair cells are damaged. Between 30% to 50% of hair cells can be lost before a difference in your hearing can be measured through a hearing test. Once the hair cells in the inner ear are damaged, it’s permanent and they cannot regrow. 

Noise not only harms hair cells but also damages auditory nerves that transfer information regarding sounds to the brain. Early stages of damage may not appear on your hearing test results. 

There is no way to restore hearing that’s been lost. Preventative measures are the key. Wear earplugs or earmuffs if you are going to be in a loud environment or use loud tools. If you already have hearing loss, tinnitus, or experience pain/discomfort, be aware of your surroundings and protect your hearing so that it does not worsen. 

For better hearing and communication, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.  
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Better Hearing and Speech Month 2022: Connecting People

4/29/2022

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Every May, Better Hearing & Speech Month (BHSM) gives everyone who has hearing and speech difficulties and those who regularly interact with anyone who has hearing and speech challenges a chance to raise awareness about communication disorders. 

The theme for this year is “Connecting People.”

Hearing loss is experienced by about five percent of the world’s population. Five percent of this population also has problems with speech.

Communication is a crucial part of our daily lives. BHSM raises awareness about the obstacles that those with hearing loss or speech challenges have with it.

We’ll go over a brief history of Better Hearing and Speech Month.

In 1927 BHSM was founded by the Federation of Organizations for the Hard of Hearing as part of National Hearing Week. In 1958, the event eventually became Better Hearing Month and then evolved into Better Hearing and Speech Month in 1972.   

Previous themes for Better Hearing and Speech Month included: “Communication for All”, “Communication Across the Lifespan”, and “Communication at Work”.

Easy Ways to Observe Better Hearing and Speech Month

  1. Raising awareness
  2. Informing friends and family, and inviting them to participate.
  3. Get your hearing tested
  4. Learn about and follow tips on how to prevent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL)

Spread the word by sharing a link to this article. Our blog also has a lot of helpful information. 

If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss and need a free hearing test, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.
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14 Tips: A Practical Guide for Effective Communication with Someone who is Deaf or has Hearing Loss

4/12/2022

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If you or someone that you know struggles with communication due to hearing loss, here’s a practical guide to follow:

  1. Only one person should speak at a time.
  2. Before you speak, get the person’s attention by waving or tapping them on the shoulder.
  3. Face the person. Do not turn away when you speak.
  4. Talk in a well-lit setting.
  5. Do not cover your mouth or chew anything while talking.
  6. Speak in short, decisive sentences.
  7. If the person you are speaking to wears a hearing aid, do not assume that they can hear everything you say. Hearing aids help with the hearing that a person still has, it doesn’t restore hearing loss.   
  8. Communicate in a quiet area, without too much background noise or other distractions. Go off to a quiet place if you’re in a loud environment.
  9. When speaking, ask whether it’s okay to speak at a slow or regular pace. Some prefer people who slowly speak to them, others prefer a regular pace because they read lips. Use gestures and facial expressions to emphasize your message. 
  10. When possible, use visual aids. You may point to printed information, or use images to get your ideas across during a business meeting or a healthcare provider’s visit. 
  11. Only about one-third of spoken words can be understood by speech reading. 
  12. When communicating through writing, remember that some who use sign language may not have good reading or writing skills.   
  13. If someone with hearing loss cannot understand you, write a note and ask what the best way to communicate with them would be. 
  14. If someone with hearing loss uses an interpreter, look at the person with hearing loss and not at the interpreter. 

If you, or a loved one, are noticing hearing loss please get in touch with us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation.
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8 Famous Musicians with Hearing Loss

4/12/2022

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Pictured: Dave Grohl
We’ve discussed many work environments that can contribute to hearing loss from construction zones to gyms. Well, it should be no surprise that musicians, especially rock musicians, are also vulnerable to hearing loss. Lots of famous musicians have hearing loss, tinnitus, or both. Research suggests that they are four times more likely to have hearing problems than the general population. 

1. The former Nirvana and current Foo Fighters band member, Dave Grohl, recently revealed that he has had hearing loss for years. He cannot hear out of his left ear and crowded restaurants are the worst spots for him to visit. Masks make things worse for him. He read lips for 20 years, and has to remind people that he is a rock musician, he’s deaf, and he cannot hear what others are saying.   

2. Pete Townshend of The Who has been open about his hearing loss for many years. He pinpointed the problem to studio headphones, not from playing live music.

3. Another member of The Who, Roger Daltry, said that he is “very, very deaf”.

4. Danny Elfman, who scored Edward Scissorhands, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Batman Returns, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and numerous other films, lost his hearing and developed tinnitus after playing frontman in his band Oingo Boingo.   

5. Alice Cooper dons hearing aids after losing his hearing from being around loud rock music for 55 years. 

6. Huey Lewis talked about how hearing loss and Menière’s disease cut his singing career short and recommended hearing aids. 

7. Sting admitted that he has hearing loss, but still refused to get hearing aids.

8. Mick Fleetwood revealed that he has hearing loss, and played a “quiet” rock concert to raise awareness about hearing loss. The concert took place at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with 100 people in attendance. There were mixed responses. The band Eagles of Death Metal played two songs without amps. The audience listened with miniature radio receivers. Most just smiled. Later the band played three songs that were amplified through speakers, and the crowd jumped and danced around while waving their arms. The unamplified sound reached 62 decibels (dB) - which is normal - and the amplified sound reached 124 dB, which is the same noise level of a jet engine.   

Fortunately, there’s more awareness about this issue today. Musicians can even wear customized earplugs that are specially designed to wear while performing at concerts. 

If you are a musician, or someone who you know is a musician, with hearing loss please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation. 
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Why Should Golfers be Concerned with Hearing Health?

4/8/2022

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If you’re a regular golfer, you know that swinging the club and hitting the ball with just the right amount of force and at the right angle is an intricate skill.   

Golfers may not realize how much their hearing is used in the game. Here are five ways that better hearing can help you while playing golf. 

1. Hearing the Clubhead Hit the Ball 

Every experienced golfer knows that perfect hit. It’s when you hear the sound of your clubhead striking the ball at just the right spot. The scope and precision are usually guaranteed when you hear that sound.    

Being able to hear that strike is also necessary when you don’t hit the ball correctly. Learning from that mistake lets you make adjustments for the next shot. This is critical in order to chip and put, where you want to focus on skill rather than the force of the strike. 
 
2. Socializing during the Game

Playing the game with others is a huge part of golf culture. Coming up with a strategy, heckling, and mingling with each other is part of the fun. You may even run into other people that you know, or meet new people, in other parts of the course.

All of these instances require communication, so it’s important to have good hearing.

3. Would You be able to Hear a Warning?

Being on a golf course can pose a danger at times.  

The common, and most obvious, one is the possibility of being hit by a golf ball. The person who strikes that ball will hopefully shout a warning if the ball is headed towards anyone. 

Then there are the less common risks of encounters with animals - like bears or rattlesnakes. 

4. Walking the Course and Balance

Hearing loss can affect a person’s balance, and golfing requires good balance. Poor balance can lead to missed shots, falling from throwing your club, or an accident involving the golf cart.  

5. Focusing on the Game

It takes a lot of concentration to play golf. That’s why brain health is so important. We’ve mentioned many times how poor hearing can impact cognitive abilities. One study reported that seniors with hearing loss had a 30% to 40% higher rate of cognitive problems than peers who did not have hearing loss. Wearing a hearing aid can significantly reduce cognitive decline by nearly 75%.    
  
Thin-faced titanium drivers started becoming more popular in 2009. The sound of some clubs hitting a ball has been known to cause a very loud noise, so if you prefer using these clubs you should probably also wear hearing protection. Earplugs are a simple and discreet way to do this. 

If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.
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Wear Hearing Aids for Better Cognitive Health

4/1/2022

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If you have hearing loss, wearing a hearing aid can help reduce the risks of dementia that are associated with poor communication and isolation.  

Hearing loss that goes untreated can raise the risk of dementia by nearly 50%. 

Studies have suggested that for people with hearing loss, treating hearing loss could significantly reduce the likelihood of potential cognitive problems. A recent study from the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that those with hearing loss, who then received hearing aids within three years of the diagnosis had reduced rates of dementia than individuals without hearing aids. 

Another study from that same journal showed that hearing aids lowered the risk of cognitive decline that is linked to hearing loss. 

If you are noticing hearing loss, it’s important to get treatment immediately. Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation. 
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What are Some Tips for Parents and Guardians of Children with Hearing Loss?

4/1/2022

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If your child or grandchild has hearing loss, it’s important to know that everyone’s situation will be different. As soon as you find out that the child is experiencing problems with hearing loss, intervene immediately. Observe the issues they are having, follow up with their healthcare provider, and adjust any changes that need to be made. There is a network of support for you and your child/grandchild.  

Children’s Hearing Loss Treatments and Interventions

1. Consult with a professional (or a network of people in the field) who can facilitate better communication between the child and their family.

2. Get hearing devices, like hearing aids or an assistive listening device. 

3. Find and join a support group.

4. Use resources that are available for children with hearing loss and their families.

Seek Professional Help Immediately and Enroll in Special Education 

Intervention

This can start from 0-3 years of age. Hearing loss can negatively impact a developing child’s acquisition of speech, language, and social skills. A child with hearing problems must receive services as early as possible so that they can reach their full potential. 

Studies have shown that early intervention programs help young children with hearing loss learn language and other crucial skills. These programs can significantly improve a child’s progress in education.  

Infants with hearing loss should receive intervention services as soon as possible, but no later than 6 months of age.

You can receive services through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act 2004 (IDEA 2004). Whether your child has formally been diagnosed with hearing loss or not, they might be eligible to receive early intervention services and treatment. 
 
Special Education

Special education can begin when a child is 3-22 years of age. This form of education was created to focus on the educational and related developmental needs of older who have disabilities, or experience developmental problems. Public schools provide services for these children.

Hearing Technology     

Some individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing can still hear at certain ranges. The amount of hearing that someone who is deaf or hard-of-hearing has is known as “residual hearing”. No technology or surgery can cure hearing loss, but hearing aids can help with the hearing that they still have. 

Hearing Aids: Hearing aids help amplify sounds. People of any age can wear them. Infants with hearing loss may be able to hear better with the help of hearing aids. This might allow them to learn and acquire speech while they are young.

Support Services for Families

For most parents with normal and healthy hearing, finding out that their child has hearing loss can be startling. Parents may need time to take in that information, a support system, and learn how to help their child as best as they can.   

Receiving advice and information, connecting with other parents that have children with hearing loss, finding a deaf mentor, getting childcare or transportation services, having time for themselves to rest and relax, or having a supportive listener are all helpful ways to take care of your child. 

If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss, get in touch with us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation. 
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Do You have Hearing Loss? Here are 5 Apps that will Help You Improve with Communication.

3/25/2022

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Are you frustrated about communicating with the people in your life, or even with short interactions with strangers? 
​
Get use apps as tools for connecting with people in real-time. 

1. Live Transcribe

This app, which is used with Android smartphones/smartwatches, transcribes face-to-face conversations in real-time. Gallaudet University - the American school for deaf and hard-of-hearing students - developed a program that translates speech from over 70 languages and dialects to text that you read on your phone in just a few seconds. Bilingual conversations can be facilitated, and you can type your responses or prompts instead of saying them aloud. The app can also alert you if your smoke alarm, or any other alarm system you have set up, goes off.

2. SoundWatch

Did you know that artificial intelligence (AI) can be conveniently accessed through a wristwatch? This smartwatch-based application can alert you when there are sounds around you. This app was specifically created for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. It learns to alert users to types of sounds that can be preselected - a car horn’s honk, a baby’s cry, running water, etc. It is not for emergencies or high-risk situations but provides a general awareness of your surroundings.  

3. Sound Level Meter from NIOSH 

This app utilizes a compatible smartphone device with a built-in microphone to measure the ranges of sound in your environment. Across the globe, researchers stated that approximately 16 to 24 percent of hearing loss occurs on the job. Excess noise exposure is one of the most preventable causes of hearing loss, so it’s important to be aware of sound levels in the environments that you frequent. 

4. Marlee Signs

This app can be used by children and adults to learn basic American Sign Language (ASL). Oscar award-winning actor, Marlee Matlin, who is deaf teaches the language. ASL, which is used in the U.S. and Canada, provides a connection with others no matter what range of hearing they may have. The app can be very helpful for anyone who has hearing loss or if you have friends or family members with hearing loss. There are a number of different kinds of ASL instructional apps, so explore forms of communication with finger-spelling, conversational signing, helping babies communicate, building vocabulary, and more.    

5. SoundPrint

This app features a decibel meter that is paired with the ability to upload results to a user community through a searchable database. Users can discover gyms, restaurants, subways, and other areas that are designated as “quiet”, “moderate”, “loud”, or “very loud”.  

If you are noticing any changes in your hearing and need a hearing test, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.  
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CODA Movie Review

3/8/2022

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​“CODA”, an independent coming-of-age story about a teenager with deaf parents and a deaf sibling, made its way to the Sundance Film Festival and won four awards in the American dramatic competition. Has an Oscar nomination for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor, along with many other nominations ranging from the Screen Actors Guild to the Independent Spirit Awards. It is an American remake of the 2014 French film “La Famille Belier”. 

The title of the movie “CODA” is an acronym for child of deaf adults. Emilia Jones plays a teenager named Ruby who is the only hearing member of her family. They manage a fishing business in Massachusetts where Ruby helps her family on the water while being their interpreter. Marlee Matlin plays Jackie, Ruby’s mother, Troy Kotsur plays Frank, Ruby’s father, and Daniel Durant plays Ruby’s brother. 

Ruby is also a gifted singer and wants to attend music school. She is concerned that her family won’t be able to get things done without her help. They also don’t understand her passion for music. 

There were mixed reviews, ranging from sweet and sentimental to bland. Some were pleased with the inclusion of deaf characters but reprimanded for having a hearing character as the lead.   

CODA is currently playing in theaters and streaming on Apple TV+. For more entertainment, check out these other recommendations!

If you or a loved one are experiencing any range of hearing loss and need a hearing test, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation. 
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What are 5 things that will be Discussed during Your first Hearing Test Appointment?

3/4/2022

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After you schedule an appointment for your hearing test, it is always nice to prepare yourself for what’s next. 

The process will be a little different based on which facility you go to, but the basic things to know is that you will undergo a hearing evaluation, the results will be discussed with you, and the person who provides the hearing test will go over your treatment options.

1. Intake forms

Like most healthcare appointments, there will be some paperwork to complete when you arrive at your initial appointment. Hearing healthcare providers are trained to evaluate your hearing and find out if your hearing problems are the result of a medical condition. If it is caused by a medical condition, you may be referred to the appropriate medical professional.

You may be asked about insurance information, medical history, a list of medications that you take, and ear-related symptoms/history.

2. You will talk about Your Hearing Health Concerns and Communication Issues

The hearing professional will learn about the range of hearing loss from your test results. This is why a consultation is crucial. Most of the questions will be about your hearing, your lifestyle, and what you are hoping to get out of heathier hearing abilities.   
 
This is when you describe the problems that you have with hearing, environments/situations that you find challenging to hear in, and what you would like to be able to hear clearer. It’s also a moment when you can ask questions about your hearing loss.

3. There will be a Visual Inspection of Your Ears 

Your hearing healthcare provider will examine your ear canals with an otoscope. They will check for anything unusual or possible medical conditions that may be causing your hearing problems. 

Or, you may have impacted earwax which can obstruct your ability to hear or prevent an accurate assessment of your hearing. If this is the issue, they can safely remove whatever is obstructing your canal(s).    

4. The Hearing Test

The process of testing your hearing may be different based on the clinic, your specific hearing problems, and concerns. This might include:

  • A pressure test is used to determine the flexibility of your eardrum, along with its ability to transmit sounds.
  • A pure-tone audiometry test measures how soft tones in different pitches can be heard. It is then recorded on an audiogram. 
  • A speech test is when you are asked to repeat the words and/or sentences that are heard at different volume levels.

5. Go over the results

After the test, the hearing care provider will talk about your results and recommend treatment options based on the test and your concerns that were discussed during the consultation. 

You may be referred to your primary care physician, or an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist (ENT). You may be recommended to schedule another hearing test in a few months, a year, or as soon as you start to notice more hearing loss/problems. 

If hearing loss or tinnitus is the result of your test, you may be recommended hearing aids, an assistive listening device, or using sound therapy if you have tinnitus. 

Getting an annual hearing test should be standard at every yearly health exam, but they normally are not. Most general healthcare providers will not bring up hearing health concerns, so if you have a concern or want a hearing test you need to let your healthcare provider know.

You can always contact the Pure Sound Hearing office to schedule an appointment for a free hearing test and consultation. We have offices located in Elizabethtown, Lititz, and Strasburg. 
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What Should You Take into Consideration when choosing Apps for Your Hearing Aids?

3/4/2022

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There are so many useful apps that can be paired with your hearing aids. A remote control for your home security system, washing machine, lights, and various reminders are just a few we can name.  

Hearing aids are devices that you wear to hone in on noises and conversations that you want to hear while reducing background noises that you don’t want to hear. Using hearing aids also provides the benefits of changing and managing features and settings based on your specific needs. App selections should be based on:

  • Your preferences
  • Your severity of hearing loss
  • Your hearing instrument specialist’s recommendations
  • Your lifestyle needs, which include environmental factors 

The Ability to Adjust Your Hearing Aids

Your hearing aid provider should have explained how to adjust your hearing aids when you move from one type of environment to the next. The volume levels may change, noise filtering features may be used, and adjusting the bass, treble, and other sound features to your preference may be implemented. 

When pairing an app with your hearing aids, the app’s features and settings are controlled via smartphone or tablet. 

Get an App that Streams Your Favorite Sound Files 

Since hearing loss is a gradual process, it can lead to problems with comprehending speech sounds, specifically when there’s too much background noise. This is why it's crucial to have sound files that assist you so that you can hear someone speaking, even if you’re in a busy environment.  

You can Monitor Your Hearing Aids’ Status

You don’t always need to take your hearing aids to your hearing instrument specialist. You will quickly be able to determine the appropriate situations when they are due for service, when the batteries need to be recharged or replaced, and other important problems. 

Maintenances, such as cleanings, replenishing batteries/recharging the hearing aids, or replacing domes and keeping the devices in an overall good condition will lower risks of any glitches, which can negatively impact your hearing. Apps are also useful so that you can get advice from the manufacturer’s recommendations. 

Hearing aid apps are a great help to hearing aid users, their family members, and caregivers to keep them organized and up to date. They can access notifications in regards to new features,  updates, appointment reminders/rescheduling. 

An App for Easy Access to Audio Sources

Apps allow you to directly link to music and other audio files. Stream your favorite music, videos, or podcasts through your hearing aids. While these sounds are streaming through your hearing aids, other people who are with you in your home can listen along on other devices. 

Before selecting your apps, take your hearing aid needs into consideration. Think about the style of your hearing aids, and then look for apps that pair best with them. Use your hearing instrument specialist’s recommendations. Learn more about the different hearing aid styles from our article “What are Hearing Aids, and How do they Work?”

Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation. 
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Who is Committed to Providing The Best Hearing Aid Solutions?

3/4/2022

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The sale of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids is meant to lower the cost of hearing aids, which sounds like a good way to make sure that everyone who needs hearing aids will be able to afford them. But a salesperson who is promoting OTC hearing devices does not have the knowledge and expertise of a hearing instrument specialist. Receiving a proper fitting, professional experience, and long-term care for the devices is crucial in getting the most out of your hearing aids. Investing in a local business, like Pure Sound Hearing, ensures quality service. Here are six reasons why you should work with a hearing instrument specialist.

1. Tech-savvy

Hearing instrument specialists are licensed to sell hearing aids. They know the technology, are versed in proper care, repairs, and maintenance. Problems regarding feedback noise, corroded batteries, or anything else can be resolved with their help. 

2. The Fit

Comfort and performance are important factors in hearing aid usage. Standard hearing aid domes or a customized hearing aid that fits the contours of your ear ensures that you are not only hearing at your best but are also wearing devices that are securely fit. A secure fitting also ensures that feedback noises (the whistling sounds) are not blaring from the hearing aids. Customized programming for the hearing aids is also done by a hearing instrument specialist. They will base the programming on your preferences, lifestyle, and the environments that you frequent.   

Monitoring your progress, while making adjustments as needed can ensure that you’ll get the most out of your hearing aids. After receiving a new pair of hearing aids, you may notice discomfort, or feel like the hearing aids aren’t working. It’s important to remember this: adapting to hearing aids takes time. 

3. Your Relationship with Your Provider

Hearing loss is complicated. There are many types and causes, along with comorbidities that are connected to hearing loss. It can initially be difficult to become accustomed to hearing aids. Our providers at Pure Sound will be here to guide you and answer your questions along the way. 

4. Tinnitus 

Hearing loss and tinnitus (the constant ringing, clicking, or whistling sound) often, but not always, go hand in hand. Ongoing research is helping professionals in the hearing healthcare world understand more about it. Providing support and solutions through hearing aids can help patients make their tinnitus symptoms more manageable. 

5. Reliability
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Other than receiving the best support from a hearing instrument specialist, there is evidence that programming hearing aids on your own, or selecting a one-size-fits-all device (basically an amplifier) can cause more damage to your hearing. At Pure Sound Hearing, a series of tests will be performed to assess your hearing loss and make sure that the hearing aids provided will be tailored for your range of hearing loss. Too much amplification can do more damage to your hearing, and a poorly-fit hearing aid can lead to earwax build-up.

6. Hearing Aids are an Investment

Even though OTC hearing aids may save you money at first, over time, the poor quality of the technology and services (or lack thereof) will become evident. A hearing instrument specialist will provide warranty protection, professional hearing aid cleanings, advice on upgrades, and any advice you need on hearing aid care and maintenance. 
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If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation. 
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How Can Art Therapy Help Patients with Chronic Conditions like Hearing Loss and Other Comorbidities?

3/4/2022

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Anyone with hearing loss can relay instances of anxiety-induced episodes that were caused by their inability to hear or clearly communicate with others. Sometimes it can feel like you’re in the eye of a hurricane. It’s important to always remember to slow down and breathe. Hearing loss is the third most common chronic physical condition in the U.S.

Art therapy can be healing for all chronic conditions.  

What is Art Therapy?

The American Art Therapy Association describes art therapy as “an integrative mental health and human services profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship.”

Patients should focus more on the process of getting to a healthier mental state, rather than the result.

Art therapy can happen in so many forms including dancing, drawing, music/singing, cooking, knitting, painting, sculpting, meditation, writing, and any other creative outlet that you can think of. No previous artistic experience is necessary, but the devotion towards exploring your creative side can be helpful when selecting how you want to interpret your inspiration.

The Benefits of Art for Chronic Conditions in Patients

There are so many complexities when it comes to a patient’s physical and mental health. Taking care of chronic conditions for a lifetime will take its toll. Anxiety, depression, isolation, and mental health can worsen the physical symptoms of these health issues.

Various studies that were reviewed by the American Journal of Public Health indicate that art therapy helps patients manage their chronic conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic pain, cancer, and other chronic illnesses for extended periods of time. This includes:

  • Improving relief from stress and emotional resilience
  • Supports cognitive function and motor skills
  • Alleviates feelings of anxiety, depression, or pain
  • Advocates the expression of oneself creatively through nonverbal communication
  • Influences bonds with other people and self-discovery
  • Improves independence and confidence in one’s own abilities

The great thing about art therapy is that anyone can be creative. It is crucial for each individual to find the proper medium, which takes time and experimentation with various mediums.   

If you have hearing loss and want to improve your life with art therapy that includes music and listening, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation. 
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Do you have Hearing Loss and Anxiety?

3/1/2022

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If you’ve recently been informed that you have hearing loss - or if your hearing loss has deteriorated - you might be feeling anxious.

Anxiety is an unrelenting and intense state of alertness. It’s normal to feel anxious when you encounter stressful situations but in some cases, it becomes unmanageable to the point where it’s a disorder that needs professional help.

Hearing loss may induce or worsen feelings of anxiousness, but the connection between these two symptoms has not been fully researched. Anxiety and overthinking things may not always focus on hearing, but that can sometimes make its way into the thoughts that a person is having.

The Worries that may come with Hearing Loss

Once hearing loss gets worse and you actually worry about it, some thoughts could come to mind:

  • What would happen if I can’t hear important information or warning signals?
  • What if I can’t hear a loved one who is trying to get my attention?
  • What would happen if I misunderstood someone and made an embarrassing response?
  • What if my hearing aid batteries run out?
  • What if I get passed up for a promotion because of my hearing loss?
  • What if my tinnitus worsens?

Anxiety in Physical Form
    
Physical symptoms can be triggered as a result of anxiety. This includes:

  • Aching muscles
  • Difficulty with concentrating
  • Dizziness
  • Insomnia
  • Nausea

You might feel more vulnerable because you can’t hear or think you’re hearing other sounds. If these thoughts and physical sensations continue, interrupt your daily life, and your quality of life, you should probably see a professional to treat your hearing loss and another professional to treat your anxiety.

Where is the Anxiety coming From? 

Anxiety can be designated into five categories: obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). If you suffered a head injury, you may experience hearing loss and symptoms of PTSD. 

Patients with hearing loss may also have symptoms of tinnitus or vertigo, which can also induce anxiety.

Do You Have Social Anxiety or are You feeling Discouraged from the Inability to Hear?

Presbycusis (age-related hearing loss), occurs gradually over time. You may subconsciously experience presbycusis but insist that it’s for another reason besides hearing loss. 

Sadness and loneliness can slowly increase as well, and lead to anxiety. 

Those who have social anxiety are fearful of situations where they feel judged.

Hearing loss can be frustrating, not just for the person with hearing loss, but also for people with whom you are communicating. Not being able to hear clearly can lead you to miss the social cues that indicate when someone is going to talk or has not finished talking. Faking the ability to hear is common for someone with hearing loss. Maybe you missed a joke or an important medical recommendation. Hearing loss can make you feel out of place or lead to other serious health issues.    

Helpful Tips

It's important to find a way to manage anxiety in a way that works for you. Here are some suggestions that you can try out. 


  • Keep up with a daily routine
  • Get enough sleep
  • Follow a healthy and balanced diet
  • Go outside for a walk or exercise
  • Talk to someone who you can confide in
  • Meditate
  • Take up a hobby
  • If you are open to caring for a pet, get one. Pets can offer therapeutic companionship and they can alert you if someone knocks at your door or rings the doorbell. 

New Means of Communication

If you have trouble in crowded social gatherings, take the person or people that you want to talk to into a quiet space. You can even use talk-to-text apps, which transcribe what people are saying.

Hearing aids can be helpful, but it’s important to remember that adapting to the hearing aids takes time, and hearing aids only help keep the hearing that you still have and slows down loss. 

If you or a loved one are tired of feeling anxiety and loneliness due to hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.  
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Observing World Hearing Day 2022: To hear for life, listen with care.

3/1/2022

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It’s World Hearing Day and this year’s theme from the World Health Organization highlights the significance of safe listening in order to protect healthy hearing as you age. A World report on hearing was introduced by the WHO in 2021. It emphasized the growing number of individuals who live with and are at risk of hearing loss. It focused on controlling noise levels as one of the seven main H.E.A.R.I.N.G. interventions and underscored the importance of alleviating loud sound exposure.

This year’s theme “To hear for life, listen with care” will concentrate on preventative measures for hearing loss via safe listening, along with the following messages:  
​
  • Good hearing throughout the course of life is possible with ear and hearing care.
  • Most common causes of hearing loss are preventable, including hearing loss that is caused by loud noise exposure.
  • Safe listening levels can lower the risks of hearing loss that is linked to recreational noise exposure.
  • WHO encourages governments, industry partners, and the general population to raise awareness and carry out evidence-based standards that advocate safe listening.

Target groups: 

  • Decision-makers
  • Venue supervisors, and proprietors of entertainment venues
  • The general population, particularly young adults

What will be launched on World Hearing Day?

  • A global standard for safe listening entertainment venues
  • mSafeListening handbook
  • A journalist’s media toolkit

If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss and/or tinnitus, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation. 
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Are You Experiencing Mild Hearing Loss? Learn More About It.

2/15/2022

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Hearing Loss can range from being mild to profound. If you experience mild hearing loss, there’s a high chance that you haven’t sought help and have forced yourself to fake your ability to hear in many circumstances. 

Mild hearing loss can be serious, especially when it’s not treated early or at all. It can negatively impact the way you communicate with others - like your family members - to understand important information during a healthcare visit. The mild symptoms may be too subtle to immediately notice.    

Mild Hearing Loss Defined

Symptoms of mild hearing loss are characterized as the inability to hear noises that are under 25 decibels (dB) for adults and 15 dB for children. These noises include whispered conversations, water droplets, rustling leaves, and birds singing. Low and high-pitched sound frequencies may also be challenging to hear. Most people lose their ability to hear high-pitched sounds (children and some women’s voices) first.  

The degrees of hearing loss include normal, mild, moderate, moderately severe, severe, and profound. These ranges will be identified during a hearing test in the form of an audiogram. For the average adult, a normal range of hearing is between 0-25 dB. The normal range of hearing for children is between 0-15 dB.  

Common Symptom of Mild Hearing Loss

You have the ability to hear but cannot comprehend conversations - especially when there’s too much background noise. 

Mild Hearing Loss and Communication

If you have mild hearing loss, you are probably most comfortable in quiet settings where the conversation is limited to you and one other person. A noisy environment, if a person is facing away from you, or if they are standing too far from you can also cause communication problems.
 
The primary complaint about many people with mild hearing loss is that they can hear, but cannot clearly understand conversations. 

Causes of Mild Hearing Loss

There are a number of possible causes for mild hearing loss. Some cases can be restored with prompt and proper treatment.

  • Exposure to noise and aging are the top two common causes of mild hearing loss. 
  • Excessive production of earwax. 
  • Ear infections. 
  • Abnormal bone growth in the middle ear. If the small bones in your middle ear are not functioning properly, your inner ear won’t receive signals that are needed to transmit sounds to the brain. This is what happens during otosclerosis. 
  • Other conditions that can cause hearing loss include acoustic neuroma, head traumas, and Ménière's disease.

Treatment Options

If medications or surgery cannot treat mild hearing loss, you should get fitted for hearing aids.

Digital hearing aid technology has changed so much since the earliest styles and they perform better in just about any environment. A proper hearing aid fitting and proper hearing aid programming will help you hear as best as you can. 

Preventing Mild Hearing Loss

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the only preventable type of hearing loss. Use protective hearing equipment, such as:

  • Foam earplugs
  • Filtered earplugs
  • Customized earplugs
  • Safety earmuffs 

The only preventative measure that you can take is immediately seeking treatment. Whether it’s an ear infection or noise-induced, get help as soon as possible. 

If you wear hearing aids and have mild hearing loss, you’ll have more options available than someone whose hearing has worsened to severe or profound loss. You might also be able to select more discreet styles that go in the ear canal if that’s the style that you want.

The Importance of Getting Treatment

As mentioned in this blog, untreated hearing loss can increase the risk of cognitive decline This can lead to higher risks of dementia and Alzheimer’s, compared to people without hearing problems. Isolation, depression, difficulty with communication, and falls can also be symptoms of untreated hearing loss. 

Most people wait at least seven to 10 years before getting help. In the time frame, your hearing will worsen, and your brain will forget how to hear or will have difficulty identifying sounds. The ability to comprehend speech sounds also deteriorates over time.     

Mild hearing loss that is noticed and treated immediately can give you better hearing and a better overall quality of life. 

Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation. Our providers will guide you toward better hearing health so that you can live your best life.  ​
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