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updates from the world of hearing
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Do You Live in a Noisy Neighborhood?

6/30/2021

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If you’re a city dweller, you are probably used to the bustling sounds in the streets. All traffic that occurs throughout the day and into the night can put your hearing health at risk. Whether the noises come from nearby airports, sports arenas, highways, or construction zones, neighborhoods in the city produce a lot of noise pollution that impacts a vast amount of people. 

The Noisiest Neighborhoods

Los Angeles, New York City, and Chicago are some of the loudest cities in the U.S. Residents are exposed to at least 80 decibels (dB) of noise from transportation per day! There are even heavily traversed areas that emit more than 90 dB. You should wear earplugs or earmuffs to protect your hearing in those areas, especially if these are places you travel through daily.

You can look at this map to get a better picture of what we’re talking about.    

Is there a Negative Impact on Property Value for Noisy Neighborhoods?

It’s difficult to avoid loud areas, especially in a big city or suburban area with highways or an airport nearby. It’s important to spread awareness about potential hearing loss, so that others may take preventative measures. Realtor.com has reflected on noise levels vs. property value. They have indicated that more people prefer quieter environments, so the prices of homes will reflect that. 

Noise in the Workplace

Exposure to dangerous noise levels while on the job should concern you. If you do not currently protect your hearing health, you should talk to your manager about being provided with earplugs or industrial ear muffs. Check the noise levels in your work environment by using a decibel meter app. Anything over 85 dBs is considered to be a dangerous level of noise exposure. 

Talk to family, coworkers, and friends about their exposure to noise in heavy traffic, construction, and concerts while working with power tools, operating heavy machinery, using common electric appliances around the home, etc. All of these interactions could lead to hearing loss. To be safe, always carry around a pair of foam earplugs with you. They can easily be stored in your pocket or handbag. Get your hearing tested at least once a year.

How Would You Know If You Had Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss happens very slowly over time. Most people won’t catch it early. This is especially true if you are constantly exposed to loud noises, whether it’s in a workplace environment or if you live in a bustling city. If you find yourself turning up the volume on your devices, moving closer to people to hear them better, asking others to speak up, or it's challenging to hear others in noisy environments, you might have hearing loss.

If you need a hearing test, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing to schedule an appointment at one of our office locations in Lititz, Elizabethtown, Mt. Joy, or Strasburg.  
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When Should Earplugs be Worn by Children?

6/25/2021

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It’s summertime, which for many means it’s time for a swim! Children who have problems with their ears would normally be recommended with wearing earplugs. Does your child need them? Which ones work the best?

Determining whether Your Child needs Earplugs  

The ears are prone to getting water stuck inside the canals, so it’s important to wear earplugs:

  • after your child has recently experienced swimmer’s ear
  • after your child has recently experienced middle ear infections 
  • if your child has a history of several ear infections 
  • if your child wears ear tubes (small cylindrical pieces that have been inserted in the ear to help prevent middle ear infections from recurring)

Other children may be advised to regularly use earplugs while diving or swimming in untreated water, like lakes, rivers, and oceans. Wearing plugs can help prevent bacteria from going into the ear canals.  

Should Earplugs be Worn in Chlorinated Water?

Generally, earplugs are unnecessary for most children when going into treated water, like a public swimming pool. Although, there is one exception. If you have a child, or grandchild, who wears tubes in their ears and prefers swimming in the deep end, they should wear earplugs. When diving and swimming in deeper water, the pressure intensifies in your ears and water could seep into them. 

If you, or any children in your family, are on a swim team and often get water stuck in the ears, it’s always a good idea to wear earplugs for preventative measures.

If a child wears ear tubes, earplugs should also be worn whenever the ears become submerged in soapy water during baths. Soap acts as a lubricant, which lessens surface tension and allows water to enter the tubes. 

Is it Safe to Swim when You have an Ear Infection?  

Swimming underwater can lead to pressure changes that cause pain for any child with an ear infection. If an ear infection with a ruptured eardrum (A.K.A. ruptured acute otitis media) occurs, DO NOT swim or submerge yourself underwater until the infection goes away. 

Swim Earplug Styles

You can choose between two styles of earplugs: custom-fit plugs and one-size-fits-all swim plugs. They are both capable of keeping your ears dry, but based on your personal preferences there are advantages and disadvantages. A hearing healthcare provider can help you get the right kind for you and your child. 

Customized Earplugs for Swimming

A custom-fit earplug used for swimming would need to be ordered through a hearing instrument specialist. The great things about these customized earplugs are the excellent comfort, quality, and durability compared to cheap drugstore earplugs. You can wash and reuse them, which is more hygienic, cuts down on waste, and saves you money. 

These earplugs are a little pricier. They are sometimes easy to misplace and cost more to replace as opposed to a pair from your local drugstore. You may wear a swim ear band to help prevent them from falling out and losing them.

Plugs that are One-Size-Fits All

There is the option of purchasing a one-size-fits-all earplug that can be purchased from any drugstore, online, and even at a local hearing aid business like Pure Sound Hearing. These can be made from foam, silicon, or putty material. It’s convenient to find them and cheaper than a custom swim earplug. If you lose them, it’s easy and less costly to replace. A custom fitting is unnecessary for these plugs, and they are available in bright colors so that they are easy to find in just about any environment. Kids can put them in on their own.

These earplugs are generally not washable, which makes them unhygienic. They tend to get disposed of after one or two uses, due to debris and earwax buildup. If you use swimming earplugs that are made out of putty, there’s a chance that small pieces of putty could get stuck to your ears after removing the earplugs. One-size-fits-all silicone plugs are washable, so you can feel safer about preventing ear infections.  

If you, or a loved one, need hearing aids or other hearing care solutions, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for guidance towards better and safer hearing. 
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Hearing Health Tips to Help You Enjoy Summertime Fun

6/22/2021

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It’s time to look forward to sunny weather and summer holiday gatherings! And with these get-togethers, you’ll want to make sure you can still enjoy conversations by hearing your best. Here are some tips on how to protect your hearing health and, if you are a hearing aid user, get the most out of your hearing aids.   

Noise Protection

According to the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), one in three Americans between 20 to 69 years old, experience noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). 

NIHL is the only preventable type of hearing loss, so you should always carry a pair of foam earplugs with you. 

Inserting the earplugs into your ears, while being in loud environments - such as watching a fireworks display or going to a sporting event - can reduce the noises and the chance of permanent damage to your ears. 

Be aware of Swimmer’s Ear

This condition can be painful and may cause temporary hearing loss. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise that you should:

  • Make sure your ears remain dry. Wear a bathing cap, earplugs, or customized earmolds if you are going to swim. 
  • Thoroughly dry your ears after swimming or showering. 
  • DO NOT insert foreign objects into your ear canal to clean it, i.e. cotton swabs (Q-Tips) or your fingers. 
  • Earwax is a healthy protective layer that staves off infections. Do not remove it. Your ears are self-cleaning, and the earwax will naturally fall out. If the earwax becomes impacted, and affects your hearing abilities, see a healthcare provider. 
  • Do you know what you should do if water gets stuck in your ears? Find out from this article: How to Remove Water from Your Ears.   

Hearing Aid Users

If you are a hearing aid user, be aware that you will probably come in contact with more humidity and moisture caused by sweat and hotter temperatures this summer. As with any electronic device, water can damage your hearing aids.

This is why it’s so important to keep your hearing aids dry. You may get a hearing aid dehumidifier, which has desiccant and place the devices inside to extract moisture due to condensation, humidity, or sweat. 

If you or a loved one are a Lancaster County resident who experiences hearing loss, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a hearing test and consultation. 
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Prevent Hearing Loss by Using Ear Protection when You Swim

5/14/2021

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Have your ears ever felt like they were blocked up with water after taking a swim? It’s a frustrating feeling when you still feel the obstruction for the following days. This symptom is caused by a bacterial infection known as acute otitis externa A.K.A. swimmer’s ear. Generally speaking, it’s harmless, but you should still get it checked out by a hearing healthcare provider. If it goes untreated, it could affect your ability to hear. 

How Swimmer’s Ear Affects Your Hearing 

Swimmer’s ear can occur after being in any body of water, although it typically develops after spending time in hot tubs, lakes, oceans, and rivers. Due to the greater amounts of bacteria that are found in these areas, water that becomes trapped inside the ear is more likely to lead to painful infections on the skin. Your inner ear is the ideal place for bacteria or fungi to grow and thrive. Skin irritations caused by some hair products can worsen the condition when there is an infection.  

If this condition spreads throughout the body, it can cause harm to other areas, not just your ears. Most people who have swimmer’s ear also experienced pressure and pain in their ear, along with redness in their skin, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and pus or fluid drainage. Under more serious instances, temporary or permanent hearing loss could occur when sensitive organs located in the inner ear are compromised and the infection begins to develop in the brain and base of the skull.

Your inner ear has tiny hair cells, which are called cilia. These hair cells collect the quality of sounds. The hearing nerve cells are delicate and cannot regrow. When infection damages the cilia, it causes some permanent hearing loss - depending on how many of the hair cells are destroyed. 

When Should You Get Treatment?     

If you have any concerns about your ears or hearing, please consult a hearing care professional as soon as possible. Early treatment can help to slow down and prevent further damage.

Here are some ways to know if your inner ear is infected due to trapped water:


  • Your ear hurts or itches when chewing or if the earlobes are tugged.
  • You hear things at a lower volume, or noises sound more muffled than usual due to a full or blocked feeling in the ears. 

It’s advised that you do not swim, fly in an airplane or drive up to elevated areas like the mountains, to prevent the chances of your ears popping.  Your ears will need time to heal.  If you get proper treatment, the symptoms of swimmer’s ear should go away in 14 days or less.

Preventing Swimmer’s Ear
    
Here’s what you can do to make sure your ears are safe when you swim:

Use earplugs or custom-molded ear protection to prevent water from penetrating your ear canal.

Before dipping into a pool, the water should be chlorinated or filtered to avoid high levels of bacteria. If you are going to be in a natural body of water, do not go to stagnant locations and find out whether the water’s sanitation levels are available for the public to view before heading out there.

After your swim, you should try to remove excess water from your ears in your own home. The safest method is to lay your head on its side, move your jaw around by chewing or yawning to pop your ears and release the pressure, you may also try to place a warm compress on your ear, or place your ear over a bowl of warm steaming water. Do not use a hairdryer or hand dryer to make the water evaporate. The loud noises from those appliances could worsen your hearing.

If you or a loved one have been experiencing sudden hearing loss after being in the water, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation.  ​
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How is Your Hearing?

4/30/2021

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Hearing loss is only impacted by aging.

This is false. 

It’s common for people to believe this. While this is only partially true, there are other factors. Your body changes and your health conditions tend to worsen as you age. These changes and worsening conditions to your body are what impact your poor hearing health. 

You may wonder whether your hearing abilities are normal for your age. No matter what age you are, you must hear over 25 dB to hear the normal speech sounds. This standard range of sound does not change when you age. When someone begins to lose their hearing, they don’t consider it to be a big deal. Instead of addressing the problem immediately, they avoid seeking treatment until it turns into a bigger problem.  

Hearing loss can occur due to ruptured eardrums caused by autoimmune diseases, ear infections, abnormal bone growths, tumors, or exposure to loud noises. 

Any hearing loss which negatively impacts your ability to understand others when they speak is a major issue. The longer you wait to get treatment, the worse your hearing will get. This delay will make it more difficult to adjust to your hearing aids.  

Heart Disease 

Audiometric pattern as a predictor of cardiovascular status: Development of a model for assessment of risk, a study by David R. Friedland MD, Ph.D., Christopher Cederberg MD, and Sergey Tarmia Ph.D., suggests that 85% of patients who were diagnosed with strokes, also had some range of hearing loss. The inner ear is very sensitive to blood flow. This study indicates that vascular problems may negatively impact auditory and cardiovascular systems.  

Diabetes 

In the study Diabetes and risk of hearing impairment in adults: A meta-analysis, test subjects with diabetes were twice as likely to have hearing loss. This link between hearing loss and diabetes was more prevalent in people under 60 years of age. Analysts hypothesize that high levels of blood sugar might deteriorate the inner ears’ vessels, which can lead to hearing loss. 

Ototoxic Medications

More than 200 prescriptions and over-the-counter medications that are considered ototoxic - “poisonous to the ears”, are currently sold to the public. As mentioned before in this blog, common ototoxic drugs include aspirin, antibiotics, some anesthetics, loop diuretics, anti-cancer drugs, and quinine. 

When someone has heart disease or diabetes, they don’t think that this it’s normal for someone their age and then wait to seek treatment. No matter how old you are, if you experience heart disease, diabetes, or hearing loss you should immediately get help. 

Other Causes of Hearing Loss 

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) has been mentioned frequently in this blog. NIHL is caused by hearing sounds that are too loud. It can be caused by one extremely loud blast, or occur over time due to listening to loud music on a regular basis. 

Learn more about NIHL here.

What can you do to protect your hearing health?

Think about your habits, and whether they are culpable to cause hearing loss.

  1. Turn the volume down when listening to music or any other form of audio.
  2. If you work in a loud environment, wear hearing protection. Your employer is required by law to provide hearing protection if you are going to work in a noisy setting for hours at a time. 
  3. Get your hearing tested. An annual hearing test is recommended, but if you notice a shift in your ability to hear, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test. 
  4. Wear hearing aids, if necessary. Hearing aid technology has improved so much in the past few years. Receiving a hearing aid that is fitted by a professional can significantly improve your hearing health, social life, and overall health.      
  5. Get in the habit of regular checkups. Whether it’s with your hearing instrument specialist or your primary care provider, listen to their recommendations to reduce your risks of developing other health issues that are linked to hearing loss.

Did you know…
​
  • 1 in 3 people who are at least 60 years old experience hearing loss.
  • 1 in 5 millennials has some form of hearing loss.
  • 1 in 6 baby boomers (born between 1946-1964) experiences hearing loss.
  • 1 in 14 generation Xers ( born between 1965-1980) already have hearing loss.
 
If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer free trials on a wide variety of hearing aids, as well as listening devices like Phonak's Roger Select ™.      
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What Are Decibels and How are they Related to Hearing Loss?

2/26/2021

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The sound of someone whispering a secret, the music from a rock concert, or a car horn that beeps are all measured in decibels.   

Decibels are a measurement of ratios between power, sound pressure, and voltage. 

Sound intensity is measured in Decibels

Sound is the energy that moves in the form of waves.  Frequencies and amplitude are measured.  

Frequencies are recorded in Hertz (Hz) and measure the number of vibrations in one second. Amplitudes, which are on the decibel (dB) scale, measure the pressure or forcefulness. If a sound has more amplitude, it will be louder.

Decibels and Hearing Loss

High decibel levels can immediately destroy or even slowly deteriorate your ability to hear. It can happen from just one quick exposure during a loud blast, or it can gradually occur over time due to daily noise exposures. This is known as noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), everyone exposed to loud noises is at risk of hearing loss. About 15 percent of Americans between 20 and 69 years of age experience hearing loss. This loss may have been induced by loud noise exposure while on the job or during recreational activities. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey from 2010 reported 16 percent of teens (ages 12-19) had some hearing loss that may have been caused by loud noise exposure.  

Researchers studied the effects of NIHL. According to the sound levels of our environment, strong recommendations have been established for safe listening. You may ask yourself, “How do I know if a noise is too loud?” Generally, if you need to speak up louder than your normal speaking voice when talking to someone close-by, it means your environment is too loud. Remember that the louder the sound is, the shorter amount of time it takes to deteriorate your ability to hear. Being repeatedly exposed, or prolonging the exposure (over 8 hours per day) to noise that exceeds 85 dB, can result in permanent hearing loss. 

Here are some examples of sounds that measure up to 85 dB:

  • The average conversation: 60 dB
  • Heavy traffic in a large city: 85 dB
  • Gas-powered lawn mower: 90 dB
  • Audio from your smartphone: 105 dB
  • Sirens: 120 dB
  • Concerts: 120 dB
  • Sports arenas: 105 - 130 dB (depends on what type of stadium you are in)
  • Guns: 150 dB
  
The good news is that NIHL prevention is possible as long as you prepare. Be aware of your surroundings and make sure you always carry hearing protection (earplugs or earmuffs) if you plan to go to a concert, sports event (in a bar or arena), use power tools, ride a motorcycle or use lawn equipment. Under these circumstances, you risk exposure to noise levels that exceed 85 dB. We advise that you invest in proper hearing protection. 

  • Earplugs are not expensive. Most drug stores carry them, but they might not be appropriate for severely noisy environments. Foam ear plugs are disposable and instantly mold into the shape of your ear canals. Earplugs made of rubber or silicon are washable and reusable. 
  • Musicians can use custom earmolds when playing instruments, or they can be worn if you practice a loud hobby, such as woodworking. These molds can be customized and ordered through a hearing instrument specialist. 
  • You can wear earmuffs over your outer ear. It will stifle or completely block noise. Most are adjustable for a comfortable fit. You can find them in sporting goods stores and online. 
  • Noise-canceling headphones or headsets, block or muffle sounds. These are generally worn by people who need to communicate - for example, pilots, military staff - as they intercept background noise. 

If you are unsure what type of hearing protection you should use, talk to a hearing healthcare provider. 

Decibels for the Hearing Loss World

Anyone who has hearing loss should be aware of the decibel levels in their surroundings. Make sure that you reduce further hearing loss by protecting the hearing abilities that you still have.

Untreated hearing loss - If you have mild hearing loss, preserve your residual hearing by wearing the proper hearing protection. Hearing loss that goes untreated can cause additional health problems like dementia, depression, and lower-income due to the inability to accurately accomplish tasks on the job. Take action in preserving your hearing. Get a hearing test and treatment before your hearing gets worse.

Hearing aid wearers - Anyone who wears hearing aids should measure the decibel levels in their surroundings. Hearing aids can make sounds louder and clearer, whereas assistive listening devices make sounds louder.  

The hearing that you still have left has a chance of deteriorating due to NIHL. You may be tempted to switch off your devices because you think that you’ll protect yourself from hearing harmful noises, but that will not work. If the hearing aids are not securely fit to the ear canal, they will not filter out dangerous noise levels.  If you switched-off your devices, this can stop you from hearing sounds that want or need to hear. These sounds can include concerts or emergency vehicles. It’s important to work with a hearing instrument specialist to find out what the best hearing protection would be useful in your activities and lifestyle. The proper hearing protection lets you wear your hearing aids and still hear important alarms in your environment to be safe.   

If you, or a loved one, are in need of a hearing test and consultation, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids.

Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs, and re-fittings. We ask that you wait in your car while wearing your mask and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. We will come to you to get them. If you are having any issues with your devices or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  
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New Year's Resolutions: For Hearing Health

12/15/2020

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Have you made your New Year’s resolution yet?  Before you ring in the new year, consider these solutions for your hearing health.

1. Protect Your Hearing Health

One out of three people living in the U.S. experience noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Damaged sensory cells (hair cells) located in the inner ear (cochlea), lead to NIHL. Exposure to loud noise causes permanent damage to the hair cells and they are eventually destroyed. Hair cells cannot regrow after they die. Noise can harm your hearing if it is too loud and if you are exposed to it for an extensive period of time. Here are three ways to protect your hearing health:

  • Move away from the sound source. 
  • Lower the volume to your personal listening device, car stereo, radio, TV, speakers, or surround system. 
  • Wear protection for your hearing. This can include earplugs or earmuffs.          

2. Stop Smoking

Smokers are nearly two times more likely to experience hearing loss than non-smokers. If you are a non-smoker who lives with a smoker, you are also more likely to develop hearing loss. Smoking affects a person’s hearing when the nicotine and carbon monoxide found in cigarettes restrict the amount of blood flow, which prevents the circulation of oxygen to your inner ear. Insufficient blood flow could lead to lasting damage to your ear's sensory cells  

3. Regular Exercise

Your overall health is vital to healthy hearing. Engaging in regular exercises can reduce the risks of chronic illnesses and additional risks to your hearing. Anyone who is overweight is more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Those with diabetes are two times more likely to experience hearing loss. Being overweight makes the heart work harder to sufficiently circulate blood to the rest of the body. This includes the ears. High blood glucose levels can lead to damaged blood vessels in the inner ear. 

4. Get a Hearing Test

Getting a hearing test is the first step to identifying whether you have hearing loss. Just like any health concern, getting your hearing loss treated early can improve your overall quality of life. This includes:

  • Feelings of optimism and engaging in daily life. People who use hearing aids are more prone to have a strong and supportive social network. 
  • Reducing cognitive decline. The brain becomes more stimulated when you can hear and effectively communicate with others. Dementia is five times more likely to occur when hearing loss goes untreated. Hearing aids have been proven to significantly lower the risks of cognitive decline. 
  • Lower the risks of falling. Those with untreated hearing loss are three times more likely to fall. Hearing aids have been shown to reduce vertigo. Irregularities in the inner ear can cause the sensation of floating or other false sensations of motion.
  • An impact on your income. Individuals with hearing loss could lose up to $30,000 of their income each year due to poor work performance related to their hearing loss and the lack of proper accommodations. Using hearing aids and having adequate accommodations can lower the risks of losing more income. 

    Make your New Year resolutions to prioritize your hearing health by contacting us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. 
    ​
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Protect the Hearing Abilities that You Still Have

12/1/2020

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If you experience hearing loss, the remaining natural hearing abilities - also known as residual hearing - refers to how sufficiently you can hear without a hearing aid device. It’s very important to protect the hearing that you still have because that is all your hearing aids will work with, in order to give you an optimal listening experience. 

The Importance of Residual Hearing

Hearing aids are not a cure for hearing loss but are used to amplify and make sounds clearer to hear while drowning out background noises. You need to use your residual hearing to hear those sounds. Hearing aids are specifically programmed for your individual hearing needs. You may suffer from high-frequency hearing loss, low-frequency hearing loss, or sensorineural hearing loss. A hearing instrument specialist will patiently work with you so that you can get the most use out of your hearing aids. 

The more residual hearing abilities that you still have, means the more useful your hearing aids will be for you. This is why it’s important to protect residual hearing.

How can You Protect Your Residual Hearing? 

Wear hearing aids to protect your residual hearing. Most people wait several years until they decide to get fitted for hearing aids. Even after receiving a fitting, some people still don’t wear them. Hearing aids are used to help you relearn sounds that you haven’t heard in years. They stimulate your auditory nerves and help your brain from feeling fatigued due to over-concentrating on sounds that you are struggling to comprehend. 

It is normal for new hearing aid users to go back to their hearing instrument specialists and get their hearing aids adjusted after a few times.

It’s important to be honest with your hearing instrument specialist if something doesn’t feel right with your hearing aids. They will make the adjustments to make sure that the devices function properly for you.  

When the settings are programmed at their best, it’s important to use your hearing aids as often as possible. Try to wear them whenever you are awake. Remember that adapting to hearing aids takes time and patience. Choosing not to wear your hearing aids is a waste of time, money, and benefits that you’ve invested in. As a result, your hearing will get worse.

Why Should You Wear Two Hearing Aids?

Even though you may have different ranges of hearing loss in each ear, it is recommended that you wear two devices:


  • Wearing two hearing aids guarantees that you will be able to hear sounds in every direction so that you will have a more natural hearing perception.
  • Two hearing aids ensure that you can preserve your residual hearing in the ear that you can still hear out of. Wearing only one device will leave the unaided ear out of most conversations. The lower stimulation for the auditory nerve will weaken the hearing that you still have in that ear at a faster rate. 

Decrease Your Exposure to Noise 

While wearing hearing aids, protect the hearing that you still have by reducing your exposure to loud noises. This will help to prevent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Blaring noises can permanently damage your inner hair cells, and your hearing loss will get worse.
​
When you are in your home, keep music, podcasts, and TV at a low volume. Use Bluetooth
® technology to stream these sounds directly through your hearing aids, at a safe volume level. 

Remember, your hearing can be damaged from using power tools such as a lawnmower, power saw, or wood chipper. If you need to use these devices, always wear earplugs or earmuffs. Wear hearing protection if you go to a concert, sports arena, or even a movie theater. 

If you take medications, mention your hearing loss to your doctor. Some drugs can affect your hearing or induce tinnitus. 
 
Maintain a Healthy Diet and Exercise

A diet that is full of vitamins and minerals, along with exercise, can induce blood flow to the entire body, including the inner ears, lessen the number of free radicals and stop or slow the loss of inner hair cells located inside the ears. 

Brain Stimulation and Function

Learning something new, like an instrument or another subject matter that you are interested in can improve your hearing. According to researchers, practicing a musical instrument helps you concentrate on auditory skills, improves auditory memory, and increases the ability to hear speech in busy settings. But be careful not to engage in practicing music for too long.

How we spend our time and stimulate our senses and way of thinking shapes the people we become - thus affecting how our senses function. 

If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss, don’t wait any longer to get help. Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. 

Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require repairs, re-fittings, and new hearing aid fittings. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please contact us before visiting one of our offices. ​
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What is Surfer’s Ear?

7/9/2020

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Just about every surfer has shared stories about the injuries they got while surfing gnarly waves. It may have been a head bunt with their board, a hand cut on a fin, or even a dislocated joint from a huge wave. While these are rare injuries, they do help paint a more interesting narrative.

Surfer’s Ear: How it happens and who can get it

This blog has frequently discussed swimmer's ear, but there’s a syndrome of surfing that is more prevalent, yet rarely acknowledged. It could actually be more dangerous. This syndrome is known as surfer’s ear (exostosis). Surfer’s ear occurs when the ear(s) become(s) irritated from cold water. This normally happens as a result of long exposure to cold water. Surfers, old and young, can experience it. 

What happens is, over time, the ear canal becomes irritated and as a result bone will start to grow in that area. This causes the canal to become more and more narrow, which leads to hearing loss.

Ultimately, the bone growth becomes very obvious because a person with this problem can experience complete hearing loss. The only treatment for this issue is cutting off or shaving the bone growth. This procedure would need a recovery period of six to eight weeks. 

Surfer’s ear doesn’t just lead to hearing loss, but the bone growths will trap water which leads to frequent infections. This leads to high risks for people who spend a lot of time in the water to surf. Wetsuits are providing surfers with the opportunity to go into the water almost year round, raising the risks for surfers of all ages. 

About one in three surfers experience this problem, and if left untreated it can lead to pain and severe hearing loss.  

Are there Treatments for Surfer’s Ear?

The only real cure for surfer’s ear is surgery.  It’s best to take preventative measures, like wearing earplugs, prior to going into the water. You can also try these Swedish company's earplugs
that are specially designed for surfers. Sound waves can be heard, while the real waves stay out.  


If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss, for any reason, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aid brands including HANSATON, Oticon, Phonak, ReSound, Rexton, Signia, Starkey, Unitron and Widex.  

Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs and re-fittings. If you need a hearing aid repair, we ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. We will come to your car to get them. If you are having any issues with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices. 
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How can You Remove Water from Your Ears?

7/2/2020

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Swimming or running through a sprinkler is a great way to spend a hot summer day. There’s a chance that all of the contact with water could raise the risk of water becoming trapped inside your ears. Some symptoms of water being trapped in your ears are sensations of fullness inside your ear canals, and/or feelings of water moving around in your ears. It can occur in just one or both ears.

If the water doesn’t drain out on its own, this could cause otitis externa, which is more commonly known as swimmer’s ear.

The reason behind Water becoming Trapped inside the Ears

There are several reasons why water can stay stuck inside of your ears. One reason is if a person has narrow ear canals. Another reason could be that there is something that is obstructing the ear canal, like too much earwax or a foreign substance. 

Some People are more likely to Experience this than Others

Children and adults who spend a lot of their time in the water are at a higher risk than others.  Water can get stuck in your ears anytime you submerge yourself in water. If you turn yourself upside down, for example during a flip or handstand, water can become trapped in your ears. 

7 Tips to Remove Water from Your Ears


  1. Tilt your head towards the ear that is affected, then lightly tug your earlobe.
  2. Move your jaw around by chewing gum or yawning. Afterwards, tip the ear that is affected to the ground and lightly tug your earlobe.
  3. Deeply inhale, clamp your nose with your fingers, close your mouth and slowly exhale. This will open your Eustachian tubes and release the water.
  4. Lie down on your side for a few minutes. Make sure your affected ear is resting on a towel or pillow. 
  5. Securly cup the palm of your hand over your ear. Tip your head to the ground, while gently pushing and releasing the palm of your hand. This will create a suction that will hopefully drain your affected ear.
  6. Rest your affected ear on a warm compress or use a hair dryer’s warm air (on the lowest setting) and blow air into the ear canal. Be careful when using heat, and only use this method for a couple of minutes to reduce chances of hearing loss from the noise that the hair dryer produces. 
  7. You may use hydrogen peroxide ear drops, which are available in most drug stores. Please be aware that this option should only be used if you do NOT have an ear infection, perforated ear drums, or eardrum tubes.

DO NOT insert any objects in your ear, like cotton swabs, hair pins, or other small objects. This can damage your ears. 

Are there Risks to having Water Trapped in Your Ears?

In some cases there are risks to having water trapped in your ears. Everyone’s ears produce earwax (cerumen), which is waxy and water repellent. In most cases, water will gently fall out on its own. If it doesn’t, this can be a breeding ground for bacteria, which could cause swimmer’s ear. 

Bacteria thrive in a wet and humid environment, with an ear canal that is full of scratches and abrasions, or reacting to allergies and other skin diseases.   
 
What are Early Symptoms of Swimmer’s Ear?


The following could be mild symptoms swimmer’s ear:

  • Clear, odorless fluids draining from the ear
  • Itching and redness in the inner ear canal
  • Feelings of mild discomfort

Contact your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms, or if water has been trapped inside your ears for days or weeks.

Preventative Measures

Wear earplugs that are specially designed to use in water. They might be pricier than the average ear plugs that you get from the drugstore, but they can be customized to fit your ears and they are reusable and washable.

Monitor the Health of Your Ears

If you notice any changes in your hearing, keep a record of it and talk to a hearing healthcare provider. A hearing test can be conducted in order to determine whether or not you are experiencing hearing loss and how severe the loss is. Getting early treatment, with hearing aids or other listening devices, will help you keep the hearing abilities that you still have. Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation.  

Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs and re-fittings. If you need a hearing aid repair, we ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag.  We will come to your car to get them. If you are having any issues with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  
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A 2020 Earplug Guide for Musicians

5/1/2020

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Musicians, Protect Your Hearing

If you are a musician, your ears are needed to keep your instruments in tune and get inspired by your surroundings. Without the ability to hear, it would cause musicians to struggle with doing what they love.   


Your hearing abilities shift over time, especially if you play an instrument. About one in eight Americans - of any age - experiences some range of hearing loss, so it’s very important for musicians to properly protect their ears.

Modern technology has significantly advanced earplugs. You no longer need to wear over-sized foam plugs, because today’s earplugs are more discreet.  

Here are Some of the Best Earplugs for Musicians that are Available Now:

  1. Earos One: These silicone earplugs are unobtrusive and allow users to hear accurate frequencies at any volume level. It takes time to properly seal them for the maximum protection. They reduce noise by 17 - 25 dB. They deliver excellent noise reduction and retain clarity, while providing a wide frequency range response.
  2. Earasers: These silicone earplugs are very useful for stage and studio performances. They are comfortable, and the attenuation is not as high as others. They reduce noise by 19 dB. These are specifically designed for musicians. Each frequency is accurately heard through these earbuds, while reducing noise volume as necessary. 
  3. Vibes High Fidelity: These silicone earplugs are very discreet. They have special filters to fine-tune some frequencies. They can reduce noises by 22 dB without muffling the sound that you would get with foam plugs. These earplugs are available for all ear sizes, and are mainly used in loud environments.  
  4. Hearprotek High Fidelity: These silicone earplugs can reduce noises by 20 dB. They feature two ear tip sizes, but may not feel comfortable after an hour or two. It’s best to try out a few different kinds to see what feels most comfortable to you. Hearprotek earplugs are inexpensive. They are not meant to be used extensively, throughout an entire show, but you can wear them during the opening sets. 
  5. Decibullz: These are customized earplugs made of thermoplastic. They reduce noise by 31 dB. It features a moldable plug and they are affordable. The downside is that they are almost too quiet in some settings.
  6. Eargasm High Fidelity: These silicone earplugs can reduce noises by 21 dB, by filtering the sound instead of obstructing it. They are available in multiple sizes, discreet and easy to clean. These plugs are used at concerts or sporting events. These can be used in any situation - whether there is music involved or not. 
  7. Vic Firth High Fidelity: These silicone earplugs can reduce noises by 20 dB. For drummers, there is still good clarity while striking cymbals or kick drums. You may use a neck cord with these earplugs. They are inexpensive. 

If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. 

Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require repairs, re-fittings and new hearing aid fittings. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.
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