Some people who suffer from thyroid disease also have hearing loss. There are always ongoing studies about more and more correlations between the two, but here are the most recent discoveries.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in your neck. The main function is to discharge hormones that control your metabolism. 

Approximately 20 millions Americans have a form of thyroid disease. A symptom of the disease is hearing loss. Medication used to treat a patient’s thyroid could lead to hearing loss. 

The Association Between Hearing Loss and Thyroid Disease

Prescribed medication for Graves’ disease has been tied to loss of hearing. Graves’ disease is a syndrome when there is an overproduction of hormones in the thyroid. Propylthiouracil, a frequently used medication to treat Graves’ disease, is known to cause blood vessels to swell in the ears and ultimately cause hearing loss.

A Low Consumption of Iodine may cause Hearing Loss

A healthy thyroid needs iodine. A deficiency in iodine can cause hypothyroidism, where the gland doesn’t produce enough hormones. A recent study showed that a low consumption of iodine, and how it affects the thyroid, is associated to hearing loss in teens.  

Hearing Loss in infants could be caused by Thyroid Imbalance  
Recent studies have indicated that a lack of thyroid hormones as a fetus develops in the womb could result in complete loss of hearing at birth. This could be the result of each parent possessing a mutated gene that blocks thyroid hormones - which are fundamental to the ear’s development - from reaching the inner ear of the fetus.     
  
Researchers concluded that if each parent possesses the mutated gene, a synthetic thyroid hormone could be given to the mother to help the fetus develop healthy hearing.
​
If you suffer from thyroid disease and have concerns regarding your hearing loss, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation from one of our hearing instrument specialists. Our specialist will evaluate your level of hearing loss, and recommend the best hearing aid options for you.  ​

Sean Mark, BC-HIS, our Director at Pure Sound Hearing Aids, and Martha, our patient care coordinator at our Lititz office, discuss matters regarding a patient.

Contact us to schedule a free hearing test!  We offer a wide variety of hearing aids to suit your auditory needs. ​

Dizziness that is caused by Meniere’s disease

First, let’s define Meniere’s disease. This is a syndrome where membranes and structures in the inner ear hold too much fluid and become swollen. Although the cause of the disease has not been thoroughly explained, Meniere’s disease has a three symptoms:​
​

1. Shifting loss of hearing in one ear
2. Vertigo
3. Tinnitus    

​
In some instances, patients encounter feelings of fullness in the affected ear. Typical cases if vertigo with Meniere’s disease are not linked to how the head is positioned, like with BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo - a prevalent type of vertigo related to the ears.). The attacks can happen with no warning, and may last over 20 minutes on each occasion. Each attack may cause serious bouts of nausea and vomiting.

Dizziness that is caused by BPPV

Vertigo associated with BPPV occurs when lying your head down, turning your head in a specific direction, or hanging your head upside down. Small crystals of calcium become loose inside your inner ear, and when you get in or stand up out of bed, or even if you slant your head, you may feel those crystals becoming loose. It is common among those who are over 60 years of age. This problem can be relieved by engaging in special exercises for the head and neck. These exercises include the Epley Maneuver, the Semont Maneuver, the Half-Somersault or Foster Maneuver, and the Brandt-Daroff Exercise.

Treatments for Meniere’s disease and BPPV

The Epley maneuver is a treatment where the head is moved in a particular set of positions in order to attempt to force the displaced crystals out from the semicircular canals.
​
Those who suffer from Meniere’s disease can find relief through a pressure pulse generator known as a Menniett Device, or even prescribed anti-dizziness medication. Patients are also encouraged to lower their consumption of salt and take diuretics to lessen the amount of fluid stored in the inner ear. Hearing loss that is linked to Meniere’s disease can be improved by wearing a hearing aid in the ear that is affected.    

So the answer as to whether there is a link with Meniere’s disease and BPPV is, no. There is a possibility that someone can have both afflictions occurring at the same time, but there isn't necessarily a correlation between the two.

Studies have found that in Meniere’s disease, hearing loss may become progressive and could result in permanent hearing loss, tinnitus, or uneven pressure in one ear. Some individuals who suffer from these symptoms found that wearing hearing aids, which balances hearing in each ear, can diminish problems with vertigo. Hearing aids can also alleviate the effects of hearing loss that are linked to the disease.

According to a 2018 study from Finland, children who wear cochlear implants may be able to clarify their hearing abilities, especially in noisy surroundings.

An analysis of “speech-in-noise” abilities in children who had cochlear implants was conducted. For over a year, two different groups of children (aged 4 to 13) who wore cochlear implants were tested on how well they were able to comprehend speech under noisy circumstances. A study was conducted for a controlled group of children who had normal hearing.

The children were categorized into groups which depended on their daily singing routines. The researchers followed up on accounts of informal singing, which included singing along with songs from movies, nursery rhymes, YouTube, or the radio.

During the tests, the subjects were asked to point at images that depicted the words and phrases that they heard through a loudspeaker over a consistent stream of background noise. The children who had normal hearing displayed an improved understanding of speech than those who had cochlear implants. Each group showed improvement during the second round of testing. The children who sang and had cochlear implants performed better, and also had better concentration abilities than children who did not sing. They were also better at catching on to rhythms in songs, which imply that they were better at comprehending speech patterns.

Difficulties of background noises

The team from Finland discovered that children with cochlear implants, who frequently sang, had parents who sang to them early in their life. Parents typically sing facing their children, which allows the children to see lip and mouth movements. Children who wear cochlear implants use the visual cues of lip reading. According to their study, singing to these children may provide similar advantages.  

Users of cochlear implants have difficulty deciphering speech in loud environments. This is due to the fact that the implants cannot support the audio range needed in order to hear noises that occur simultaneously.

This makes situations more challenging for implant users who are very young, because background noise is a part of everyday life in daycare, schools, and homes.

The inability to hear can lead to problems with hearing conversations, or hearing speech aimed at children (especially instructions from teachers or parents) can undermine how they learn.

Children are unable to fully comprehend speech noise until they reach the ages between 11 and 15. The loss of education and interaction could have lasting damage of confidence in addition to their relationships with others. 

Background noises could also make it difficult to hear sounds of vehicles or people approaching, which can lead to potentially dangerous situations.

What is the Connection between Music and Speech?

The study shows that playing or singing music may help enhance a person’s vocal pitch and intensity, along with their speech rhythms. Singing has the ability to reinforce the link between speech and hearing. Because songs have a small amount of words, and lots of repetition, those who are listening have a longer amount of time to process what they’re hearing.

Clear and regular rhythms, slow tempos, singing alone, face-to-face singing with parents, a lot of repetition, and finding some enjoyment in singing are all elements that help bolster the link between music and speech.

To no surprise, musicians have been shown to have better speech and hearing perceptions than those who are not musicians.  A small study conducted on adults who have hearing loss showed that it supported brain stem response in sound processing.

Music is Important for all Children

The results indicated that singing and music are valuable for children who suffer from hearing conditions. Schools, day cares, and families should incorporate music into a child’s education and every day learning situations.  This especially rings true for children who wear cochlear implants or have difficulties with hearing.

Regardless of age, hearing loss can affect your life and health. If you, or a loved one, have concerns about hearing loss, contact one of our hearing instrument specialists at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation.  ​

It’s important to be prepared for an unexpected disaster, especially if you suffer from hearing loss. Here are tips to stay safe during and in the aftermath of these circumstances.

If there is a disaster - be it man-made, natural, or if there’s an emergency at home - you need to be prepared. Those who have hearing loss may not be able to hear alarms or announcements that will help you during a disaster, and you need to take care of your hearing for your overall health.
​
Follow these tips to make sure you - and your hearing aids - stay protected during a disaster.

Pack an Emergency Kit

Instead of rushing to find what you need during an emergency, keep an emergency kit with a flashlight, batteries, water, food, and other important items that are necessary.

Those with hearing loss should also keep extra hearing aid batteries, a container that is waterproof to store your hearing aids, a pen and paper if you need to communicate with anyone and you can’t hear, and the names and phone numbers of your hearing aid manufacturer and hearing care provider if you need a repair for your hearing aids.

Set up Special Alarm Systems specifically for the Hearing Impaired

You, or a loved one, may not be able to hear a standard smoke alarm. There are special alarms for those with varying degrees of hearing loss. These alarms may use very loud noises, vibrations, or even a bright strobe light to get your attention. These accessories might be available for free at your local fire department.

Make sure You’re Connected

Those who are hearing impaired can still stay informed during an emergency using the proper devices. For example, a TTY, or text-based telephone, translates phone messages sent from your local police department into a text display. The NOAA Weather Radio services supply telecommunication devices for those who have hearing loss.      
    
Make it Easier for Responders to Locate You

Register your phone with smart911. This is a service where you give important information about yourself to 911 emergency operators, whether it’s your medical needs or the layout of your home. If you ever call them for an emergency, they will have that information and be able to reach you, while making sure your medical needs are cared for. You can also wear a medical alert pendant or bracelet to let first responders know that you need special services.

Store Your Hearing Aids in a Safe Place

Be sure to keep your hearing aids in a place that is easy to access, in case there is an emergency, particularly if you have to leave in a hurry in the middle of the night. If you keep them in the same location, like on your nightstand, it will be easier to find them during an emergency.

If you need extra batteries, or cleaning tools stop by one of our Pure Sound Hearing Aids and stock up your supply.

After a long winter, spring has officially arrived!

It seems like an accurate metaphor for anyone who has gone from being unable to hear, to being able to hear again. 

Some people re-experience an energetic feeling that they haven't had for a while. As a result they may feel a spring in their step, so to speak.

If you, or a loved one, suffer from hearing loss, don't hesitate to contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation! We offer affordable hearing aids that assist those who have various ranges of hearing loss.