 We are now aware that infectious diseases - such as COVID-19 - may be transmitted from person to person via coughing and sneezing. But it can also be passed between people who are simply talking to each other.
According to the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the average speech droplets produce thousands of respiratory droplets that could linger in the air for nearly 14 minutes. Each time humans speak, we scatter thousands of tiny droplets through our mouths that can remain in the air for 8 to 14 minutes. These droplets may transfer infectious pathogens - like COVID-19 - and spread viral molecules between individuals when the other person breathes in the infected droplets, or comes in physical contact with something that the droplets settled on. More Respiratory Droplets are Created when Speaking Louder The same research from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences discovered that talking loudly created more droplets than the average speaking tone. This research supports the use of masks, and is another justification for getting hearing loss treated. Hearing is essential, especially during these uncertain times. Wearing hearing aids can reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19. Those who have COVID-19 are the most infectious. If your friends or family members are infected (but are unaware of it) and speaking up so that you will be able to hear them, they will be producing more respiratory droplets and transmitting them in the air. This raises the risks of being exposed to the virus, which increases risks to everyone in the same space. Reduce the Need to Speak too Loudly, by Using Hearing Aids Wearing hearing aids lets you actively, and safely, engage in discussions with others. Instead of yelling at each other, you can all talk at a normal tone and lower the risk of infection. Hearing aids can also make listening to people with masks on easier. If someone is not wearing a clear mask, it removes the lip-reading cues that you depend on. The additional amplification and clarity in speech can be beneficial during these times. COVID-19 and social distancing restrictions are going to be around for longer than anticipated. If you have hearing loss, wearing hearing aids lowers the risks of social distancing becoming social isolation, which can lead to depression. If you, or a loved one, are in need of hearing aids, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and a hearing aid trial. We offer a variety of brands for a wide range of hearing loss. 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 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 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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 Even though you are staying home more often these days, it’s crucial to keep an active brain in order to continue processing sound. A study from John Hopkins indicated that having mild hearing loss doubled the risks of dementia. Individuals who suffered from severe hearing loss were five times more likely to be diagnosed with dementia if they did not get treatment for their hearing loss.
Your brain is activated when you can hear Hearing incidental sounds, even if there is no direct communication, is crucial to keeping the brain engaged and processing sound waves. Studies on children have shown that incidental sounds and incidental learning are important in their early development. Noise management features are switched off in order to provide children with an introduction to as many sounds as possible. Due to the pandemic, even though you may not currently be using your hearing aids as a means of direct communication with other people, it’s vital for your brain to hear incidental sounds. Hearing aids alert you of surrounding danger or other important signals To keep yourself and others safe, wearing hearing aids will allow you to hear any alarms or sirens that may go off close by. If you are new to wearing hearing aids, you’re going to hear lots of sounds that you haven’t heard in years. You may not realize how loud the refrigerator hum is or that there’s a strange sound coming from your car that needs to be fixed. It’s necessary to hear sounds throughout your day in order to acclimate your brain, so that you can feel more secure in your health and safety. Hearing aids connect you to others Today’s hearing aids help you stay connected to the people in your life. These devices can be hooked up to your smartphone, tablet and TV, which allow users to remain informed about the news and other information that is important to you. Hearing aids with Bluetooth®, like Starkey’s Livio AI, can engage in FaceTime calls, regular phone calls and Zoom video chats. Being away from family and friends during this time may be difficult, but being able to hear incidental sounds can make you more aware of your surroundings and safer, in addition to staying connected to loved ones. If you, or a loved one, are in need of hearing aids, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aids from name brands including HANSATON, Oticon, Phonak, ReSound, Rexton, Signia, Starkey, Unitron and Widex. 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.  Feelings of a stuffy nose combined with sneezing can raise a problem for those with hearing loss. On the worst days of your allergy season, you may feel as though you are roaming through fog. Sounds may seem muffled and your ears may be popping more frequently in order to clear out the additional pressure.
When your head moves, you might experience the feeling of fluid moving in your ears. This may induce dizziness or vertigo. Symptoms of tinnitus may occur more regularly. Generally, allergies are irritating. If you have hearing loss, they can affect how you communicate. Why is your hearing affected by seasonal allergies? Seasonal allergies may create fluid that builds up in your middle ear. As a result, you might feel pressure and sounds may be obstructed from traveling to your eardrum. This makes it more difficult for you to hear. This is known as conductive hearing loss. It is the result of “conducting” the sound from its source to where it is heard. This can almost be compared to what those with hearing loss experience when they have a head cold. It’s important to note that hearing loss that is caused by seasonal allergies is typically short-lived. Getting the right medication and treatment can diminish its impact. How to take care of your allergies
If you notice that you are still experiencing hearing loss, after your allergy season is over, please 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.  Swallowing Hearing Aid Batteries can cause Chemical and Electrical Burns
Children are very curious people, so when they encounter something like a coin, small plastic toys, or a hearing aid battery, one of their first reactions is to place it in their mouth, and then possibly swallow it. While kids are spending more time at home, please remember that those button/disc batteries - which are smaller than a U.S. dime - can potentially be deadly if swallowed. Children can sustain chemical and electrical burns from swallowing batteries, so please keep them out of a child's reach. The same goes for your household pets, who you know are constantly on the lookout for food on your floors. They will probably mistake a battery for a snack, and they can also be subject to chemical and electrical burns from swallowing a battery. Doctors, or veterinarians, would normally tell parents and pet owners to simply wait for the object to pass through and naturally make its way out of the child or pet, but if it’s a hearing aid battery, you need to get it removed immediately. Here are 5 Symptoms of a Hearing Aid Battery Ingestion:
When you become aware that your child or pet has swallowed a battery, notify your child’s doctor or your pet’s veterinarian and take the child to your local emergency room or your pet to an emergency veterinary hospital. Pennsylvania residents may also call The Poison Control Center at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (215)-590-2003, which services 23 counties in Eastern Pennsylvania and the state of Delaware. What type of damage can occur from ingesting a hearing aid battery? The electrical abilities of a typical hearing aid battery are not severe enough to induce a physical heat when the battery shorts out. When a battery is ingested, the heat is not the issue. Even though damage can be caused by alkaline material in the battery as it leaks, the primary risk would come from the electrical current, which can cause an internal chemical burn to body tissue when the battery gets stuck. The greatest, and most severe, danger would be if a larger lithium cell battery becomes lodged in the esophagus. While the battery pushes up against the esophageal tissue, the residual current in the battery can generate serious reactions to the esophagus. Hydroxide will form and then an alkaline burn will occur. It can take place in approximately two hours. If the esophagus gets burned, it could lead to perforations, connections into the trachea, and months or years of damage that affects feeding. 6 Preventative Tips
Make the switch to rechargeable hearing aids If possible, wear rechargeable hearing aids. This will take away all of these worries. Our hearing instrument specialists can go over the rechargeable hearing aids options that are available 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 repairs, re-fittings and new hearing aid fittings. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies - such as batteries - for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices. 20+ Ways to Handle Communication Challenges and Wearing a Face Mask with Your Hearing Aids5/22/2020  To aid in the prevention of the coronavirus, it is now a requirement for everyone to wear a face mask in public. This can be complicated for anyone with hearing loss.
Face Masks make Communication more Challenging for People who are Hard of Hearing People's voices are muffled - making it very difficult to understand them, and their faces are covered - making it impossible to read facial expressions or lip read. For hearing aid users, the ear loops on your face mask could pull on your hearing aids and cause some issues. 3 Tips for Hearing Aid Users when Wearing and Removing Your Face Mask:
8 ways to Communicate while Wearing a Face Mask:
How to Wear Your Face Mask with Hearing Aids For anyone who wears behind-the-ear hearing aids, you will probably come across some issues when donning a standard face mask that has elastic ear loops. These ear loops could pull at the tubing that connects the hearing aid and the domes that rest in your ears. You may accidentally yank your hearing aids out and drop them while taking your mask off. If you happen to be looking for new hearing aids, now would be a good time to ask your hearing instrument specialist for a trial of in-the-ear (ITE) or receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) hearing aids. These hearing aids do not rest behind your ears. Instead, they rest inside your ear canal. Alternative Face Mask Options:
Many who are hard of hearing have been advocating for the public to wear clear face shields, but this has not been adopted yet. How to Speak to those with Hearing Loss when Wearing a Face Mask Anyone with hearing loss can tell you the new set of challenges they face when interacting with a person who is wearing a face mask. This is especially true in medical settings, where there is high stress, and communication is almost equally as frustrating for both the healthcare provider and patient. There are two evident dilemmas. The patient cannot gain any facial or lip reading cues, and the healthcare provider’s voice is distorted and muffled. 9 Ways to make Your Office, or Exam Room, more welcoming for those with Hearing Loss:
Speakers may try to communicate with the hard of hearing by projecting their voice, but it’s actually more effective to speak clearly, at a normal volume and enunciate their words. When You are out in Public When going out to go grocery shopping, or picking up a prescription, those previously mentioned tips may be impossible to follow. If you and your spouse are wearing masks, be sure that your spouse is aware that they need to speak clearly and at a steady pace when addressing you. Advocate for yourself when speaking to strangers. Tell them that you cannot hear very well, and let them know that they need to speak very clearly. If you are speaking to someone with hearing loss, instead of repeating yourself, utilize body language by making eye contact, using hand gestures to reflect your facial reactions and speaking a little slower. If they read lips, speak at a normal, steady pace. 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.  Take Control in Managing Your Stress
As we navigate through COVID-19, you may be feeling even more stressed these days. This can be related to your own health, the health of a loved one, your finances or job, any necessary outings you may need to make, or concerns about the future. These feelings are valid. News media and healthcare practitioners have touched on these subject matters. Perhaps you have mentioned these feelings to your doctor, a family member or friend. Even though you have confided in others about these feelings, you may still feel alone and isolated. You can’t control our current environment, but you can control how you react to it. Having a positive reaction to stressful surroundings can help to improve physical health and well-being, lower depression, and strengthen your immune system. To manage your stress here’s what you can do: Exercise You can simply walk. Take 10,000 steps each day in order to boost your cardiovascular system. Engaging in physical activities can decrease feelings of anxiety, anger, frustration, and improve your distress. If you use Starkey’s Livio AI hearing aids, the device will track how many steps you take. Using this tracking system will drive you to achieve your exercise goals. Research and Use Tools that will Help You Relax Use resources that will help you take a moment to lower your stress levels in the middle of or after a chaotic day. Meditate. Go to a beach, a quiet spot outside, or somewhere in your home. Find a place where you feel most comfortable. You can stream calming music from your own collection, or find a YouTube video that features calming sounds through the Livio AI hearing aids. Concentrate on your breathing as you listen. If you, or a loved one, are in need of a hearing test and hearing aids, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for an appointment. We offer a variety of name brand hearing aids, including Starkey’s Livio AI. 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.  When one person has hearing loss, their entire family is affected by it. Talking over a game plan to handle it, can improve communication and make the experience of hearing loss much less frustrating and problematic for everyone who is involved. Let your needs be known to your family.
1. Disclose Your Hearing Loss It’s important to tell your immediate family that you are having trouble with hearing. Be transparent about what you grapple with on a daily basis. This will let them know what you need, repeat things if necessary and explain anything that was misheard. Be honest and accepting in order to foster a healthy relationship with each other. 2. Describe Your Hearing Loss Experience to Others It is complicated to fully understand what hearing loss is like if you’ve never experienced it. You might need to explain what your hearing loss experience is like, many times, in a number of different environments in order to give an accurate depiction. Maybe you can suggest that your family members wear earplugs next time they all sit and talk during a family meal. Although it won’t be a completely accurate portrayal of what hearing loss is like (the distortion won’t be replicated), it will give them a general understanding of how some people experience hearing loss. 3. Bring Your Family to Your next Appointment Learning about the results of your hearing test and how severe your hearing loss is from an expert, could help them better understand your hearing loss and the challenges you endure. Your family will also help your hearing healthcare provider get a better understanding of how you communicate with one another and what environments are most problematic for you. This will help with treatment and how your hearing aid is programmed by your provider. 4. Be open about how You are feeling in regards to Your Hearing Loss Do not continue to carry one as usual and ignore how you are feeling about your hearing loss. If you disclose how dissatisfied or depressed you are about your hearing loss, your family can grow closer. Being vulnerable is a step in the right direction. Feelings of fatigue are a common result of hearing loss. Your brain is trying to comprehend and piece together what is being said in conversations. Let your family members know when you are feeling too tired. 5. Get rid of the Stigma If you show how comfortable you are with your hearing difficulties, those around you will be comfortable too. You may be living with someone who has hearing loss, but nobody discusses it. Turning this into a taboo subject prevents that person from getting help, while making their disability a normal part of your family’s life. 6. For Family Members, Practice Good Communication Techniques It can be as simple as getting your hearing impaired family member’s attention prior to speaking to them. Always keep your mouth uncovered, and face the person with hearing loss. They may rely on lip-reading, facial cues, or hand gestures in order to get a fuller idea of the message that is being conveyed. Ask your family member with hearing loss what they need in order to help them hear you at an optimal level. Be very specific so that they understand what you need and don’t wind up shouting or talking directly into your ear when they speak. 7. Ask Family Members to Advocate for You You’ll feel a strong support and bond with your family when they find a movie theater that offers captions or a theatre that offers telecoil technology. Their help will allow you to preserve your energy to enjoy your outing or use it to advocate for other things that you may encounter. 8. Use a Signal if You were Unable to Hear Something A visual signal can be just as useful as saying “What?”, and this won’t stop the flow of the discussion. It can also reduce the amount of frustration that others feel when you ask them to repeat themselves. 9. Try out Different Technology Have your family test out new assistive listening devices with you, in order to find out if they make it easier to communicate with each other. This could be entertaining for anyone in the family who is tech-savvy. 10. Get You Family Involved with the Hearing Loss Community Have them walk or volunteer alongside you at a Walk4Hearing event, or any other hearing loss related fundraiser. When they educate themselves about hearing loss, they can have a better understanding about your experience and help you with whatever challenges may arise. 11. Have a Sense of Humor About Things You will mishear words, so don’t take it too seriously when it happens. Some of it can be very funny. Crack some jokes, and keep things light throughout your journey of creating a family support system. Your family can help you create a strong foundation of support and strengthen your relationships with each other. Remember to be honest with them, ask them to repeat or clarify when necessary, and involve them in your self-advocacy efforts. 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.  There has been so much research on the topic of cognition and hearing loss. There is a lot more to learn about it, but here’s what we know so far:
Theories that are verified by science:
Hearing aid benefits:
Benefits of Starkey's Livio AI Hearing Aids Starkey’s Livio AI uses sensors and artificial intelligence to provide feedback on your cognitive health through the Brain Score feature. The score has three categories: Use Time, Engagement, and Active Listening. Use Time: This measures the amount of time the hearing aids are worn. This is essential because studies have shown that wearing hearing aids lowers the risks of cognitive decline that is linked to hearing loss. Engagement: This measures the amount of time that is spent in settings where the user has conversations with other people, and streams phone calls. The majority of people who wear hearing aids claim that it helps them to participate in activities. Active Listening: This measures the different environments and social situations that are encountered throughout the day. The more variety of environments that you are in, the more developed your brain will be from each environment’s stimulation. The combined efforts of these goals will lead to a maximum Brain Score of 100. The Thrive Hearing app will keep the Brain Score history in order to show how you have progressed through time. If you, or a loved one, would be interested in a hearing aid trial of Starkey’s Livio AI, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a consultation. 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.  All of the sudden, your entire life requires you to hear people who are 6 feet away, with a mask, versus being right in front of you. Hearing loss takes on a greater challenge in a time like this. For many folks, isolation can lead to all sort of other problems. At Pure Sound we have Hearing Aid Technology built for this time.
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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:
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.  Prime Ages of Hearing Loss vs. Age-related Hearing Loss
Did you know that people between the ages of 18 and 25 are at the prime ages for human hearing? When we reach our 50s, age-related hearing loss will be a main health concern. Hearing loss begins to worsen after age 25, but it usually goes unnoticed. Presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss, is the most common form of hearing loss. It is also the third most prevalent physical condition that affects humans. Hearing loss conditions double during each decade of a person’s life. If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. 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.  Main Facts
Approximately 5% of the world’s population - that’s 466 million people - have a disabling form of hearing loss (432 million adults and 34 million children). It is being estimated that in 2050, more than 900 million people - that’s 1 in 10 people - will experience a disabling hearing loss. A disabling hearing loss is defined as hearing loss that is over 40 decibels (dB) in the healthier hearing ear for adults and hearing loss that is over 30 dB in the healthier hearing ear in children. Most people with disabling hearing loss live in low or middle-income countries. About one third of those aged 65 or older, have a disabling hearing loss. Most of these people live in South Asia, Asia Pacific and sub-Saharan Africa. Hearing loss vs deafness A person with hearing loss is someone who cannot hear as well as someone with normal hearing loss (that’s a hearing threshold of 25 dB or more in each ear). Hearing loss is categorized as mild, moderate, severe or profound. One or both ears can be affected, which can cause difficulty in hearing casual speech or loud sounds. Someone who is ‘hard of hearing’ has hearing loss that varies between mild to severe. Those who are hard of hearing can communicate with others by verbally speaking and may benefit from using hearing aids, other assistive listening devices and captions. Those with more severe hearing loss may benefit from cochlear implants. A person who is deaf has profound hearing loss. They have little or no hearing abilities. They use sign language or lip reading to communicate and understand people. What causes hearing loss and deafness? Hearing loss and deafness may be congenital (present at birth) or acquired. Congenital causes could lead to hearing loss that is present at or acquired right after birth. Hearing loss can be caused by genetic factors that may or may not be hereditary, or by pregnancy/birth complications. These include:
Acquired causes can lead to hearing loss at any age. These include:
A common cause of hearing loss in children is suffering from a chronic form of otitis media. What are the Impacts of hearing loss? Hearing loss impacts the practical means of communication with others. Development of spoken language is delayed in children who have hearing loss that is not addressed and treated. Hearing loss that goes unaddressed, or ear diseases like otitis media, will most likely have a negative effect on how children perform academically. These children tend to have higher rates of failure and the need for additional assistance in learning. It would be crucial to have access to the appropriate tools in order for them to have the best learning experience, but those means are not always accessible. Social and emotional repercussions Being excluded from interacting with others due to an inability to communicate can create feelings of isolation, loneliness, and frustration. This is especially true with older people who have hearing loss. Economic repercussions According to the World Health Organization, hearing loss that goes untreated can cost $750 billion in health sector costs, costs in educational support, loss in productivity, and societal costs. In most developing countries, children who have hearing loss rarely receive any education. Adults who have hearing loss are more likely to be unemployed. Among the employed, there is a greater percentage of people with hearing loss who are in the lower levels of employment in comparison to the general workforce. In order to lower the rate of unemployment for those with hearing loss, it’s important to create access to education and vocational rehabilitation services, particularly for employers. Prevention measures There has been some suggestion that half of all cases of hearing loss can be prevented through public health measures. About 60% of children under 15 years old, have hearing loss cases that were due to preventable causes. Here are most of the preventable causes of childhood hearing loss:
Easy ways to prevent hearing loss
Identify and manage hearing loss It is very important to detect hearing loss as early as possible in order to intervene. This will help to reduce the impact of hearing loss during a child’s development and education. Early detection and intervention will improve language acquisition and overall education outcomes. Children who are deaf or hard of hearing, and their family members, should have the opportunity to learn sign language. Hearing screenings that take place at schools are an effective way to detect ear diseases and hearing loss at an early age. Pure Sound Hearing Aids offers a free hearing test and consultation. Those with hearing loss can benefit from wearing hearing aids. The global production of hearing aids only fulfills less than 10% of worldwide needs. There is an overall lack of availability of services for fitting and maintaining hearing aid devices, but our hearing instrument specialists at Pure Sound are readily available for your hearing aid needs. 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.  Cases of early childhood hearing loss has proven that changes occur in how the brain processes sounds, but current research indicates that mild to moderate hearing loss may also result in these changes.
Studies Conducted on Children Researchers at the University of Cambridge, in the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, conducted a study on the late auditory stimulated responses and mismatch responses to speech and non-speech noises for 46 children who suffer from mild to moderate hearing loss (MMHL). Younger children (between 8 and 12 years old) who had hearing loss exhibited, to some extent, normal brain responses that were close to children with healthy hearing abilities. The brain responses of 12 to 16 year olds who have hearing loss were smaller than others. Some of the younger children were tested again six years later. Researchers discovered that as the children who have hearing loss aged, the way their brain responded changed. The responses that existed when the children were younger were either no longer present or became smaller when the children grew older. There was no indication of worsening hearing loss in children during that time, but it was suggested that a functional reorganization was developing. When children respond to sounds, their brains further develop. It is important to diagnose and treat these issues when they are in their early stages. If you have a child, or grandchild, who shows signs of hearing loss, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids. We offer a vast selection of hearing aid solutions at discount prices. 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.  Managing Hearing Loss under a New Circumstances
The world has adapted to a new norm within the past few months. Social distancing guidelines have been put in place, which has shut down restaurants, theaters, and other non-essential trades, in order to prioritize access to healthcare, food and medication. Many have been forced to self-isolate, and keep a distance from others in order to flatten the curve of infections. Those with hearing loss must have access to functioning hearing aids during this crisis in order to communicate with others during this critical time. Here are some tips to maintain your hearing health:
These are challenging times for everyone. Make your hearing health a priority by staying in touch with your hearing healthcare professionals. Be creative, flexible, and open to trying new means of communication with technology. This can help to protect your hearing health, and keep you safe during these uncertain times. 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.  It’s true.
Classical music turns out to be more dangerous to your hearing health, than rock music. Even though classical music is not blasted at loud volumes that can shake an arena, on average, classical musicians play four to five hours each day. They are either practicing, teaching, or performing multiple times per week. The intensity of sound may be louder on the set of a rock concert, but the number of hours each week that is spent playing is much greater for a classical musician. So to all classical musicians, take this into consideration. Reduce the amount of time spent playing your instrument, or wear hearing protection. If you are a musician who is experiencing hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. 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.  Normally, you don’t think or worry about your hearing - until something affects it.
Basic Facts Those who suffer from hearing loss tend to feel isolated from others. This can cause anxiety and depression. When you first experience hearing loss, it can affect the higher pitched sounds. When you reach middle age, the upper range of your hearing abilities can decline between 12,000 to 14,000 Hz. A human’s audible range depends on how high, low, and loud the sound is. We use Hertz (Hz) to measure the pitch of sounds, and decibels (dB) to measure how loud the sound can reach. When it comes to the pitch of sound, a human’s hearing abilities begin at 20Hz and end at 20,0000Hz. Our hearing is the most sensitive between the 2,000 and 5,000Hz range. The safest levels of sound fall between 0 to 85dB. Over the course of time, any sounds that pass the 85dB threshold can harm your hearing health. Hearing: 20 Uncommon Facts
If you, or a loved one, have been experiencing hearing loss, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation for the best options that we have available for you! 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 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.  Each May, Better Hearing and Speech Month raises awareness about hearing loss, communication, and speech-language disorders which impact more than 14 million Americans.
Over 20 percent of American adults have, at one point in their lives, experienced serious difficulties when it came to their hearing. The inability to hear can affect a person’s emotional and physical health, in addition to their education, social, employment, and daily life. Hearing Loss Affects People of all Ages The Center for Hearing Loss and Communication has estimated that 48 million Americans are affected by hearing loss. Hearing loss can be detected at birth or occur at any age. Hearing loss is one of the most prevalent communication disorders in elderly adults. About one in three adults who are 65 to 74 years old have hearing loss. Almost half of adults who are over 75 are affected by hearing loss. Hearing loss can cause feelings of isolation from your family, friends, and the community. Hearing aids and assistive listening devices can help to improve the life of a person with a hearing impairment, but only one out of four adults (who are at least 20 years of age) who would benefit from using hearing aids actually use them. Reasons for the lack of usage in hearing aids among those with hearing loss vary from feelings of social stigma to discomfort due to a poorly fit hearing device. Recognizing Symptoms of Hearing Loss Prior to getting hearing loss treatment, you must accept the fact that you have a hearing condition that interferes with how you communicate with others. Hearing loss generally develops gradually, so it is difficult to identify whether you are experiencing it. Here are some distinct signs of hearing loss:
What Can Happen when Hearing Loss goes Untreated If you, or your loved ones, have observed these signs, you may have also noticed that your social life is suffering due to problems related to communication and hearing. You may stop socializing in order to avoid an embarrassing moment where you may mishear or not be able to hear others. This can create tension between you and your family and friends. Hearing loss can lead to poor work performance, which can lower your salary and cause employers to not value you as much as other employees. As a result, these struggles with communication can cause feelings of depression, insecurity, and isolation. Hearing loss has also been associated with dementia. Getting Treatment Hearing loss can be treated. The Better Hearing Institute has indicated that 95 percent of Americans who have hearing loss can benefit from using hearing aids. Hearing aids help make sounds easier for your brain to interpret and understand. Today’s hearing aid devices not only provide better hearing but are functional for everyday usage when it comes to streaming phone calls, music and TV. If you suffer from hearing loss, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation for the best options that we have available for you! 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.  Psoriasis generally conjures the image of dry, red, flaky skin due to inflammation. Psoriasis can go beyond skin problems, by affecting your overall health. Chronic irritation can cause cardiovascular disease.
According to The Journal of Rheumatology, there was a link between psoriatic arthritis, mental health, and hearing damage. Psoriatic arthritis is a type of psoriasis where inflammation occurs near the joints, which lead to pain, inflammation, and difficulty moving. The common skin plaques may not be a symptom in those with psoriatic arthritis. Your Hearing and Psoriatic Arthritis Hearing may be affected by psoriatic arthritis. In a study there were test subjects without psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, who were studied alongside test subjects who had one or the other condition. Researchers found that hearing loss was more likely to be reported by test subjects who had psoriasis. Those accounts were backed up with audiometric testing. Other risks were taken into account, and those who were diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis were far more likely to have hearing loss than any other group of test subjects. A study from 2015 discovered that individuals with psoriasis are more likely to experience sudden sensorineural hearing loss - or sudden deafness. With this condition, the ability to hear declines within three days. Researchers believe that those who have psoriasis are at a higher risk, due to the rapid inflammation that occurs when there is a sudden outbreak of psoriasis symptoms. Hearing loss may occur if this flare-up appears close to or inside the cochlea. This sudden hearing loss can usually be helped with treatments that relieve psoriasis, but hearing aids are recommended if sudden hearing loss is not restored with other regimens. If you suffer from psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, closely monitor your hearing health. Get your annual healthcare check-up and regular hearing tests. Inflammation from these diseases can cause inner ear damage, which can lead to hearing loss and imbalance. There have also been connections between psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, depression and anxiety. Each of these problems can worsen hearing loss. Get tested for your hearing early, so that you can get immediate treatment. Untreated hearing loss can lead to dementia. If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound to schedule and appointment. 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.  In a study conducted by Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons journal, roughly all test subjects who were 80 years or older had some range of hearing loss. The research also showed that only 59 percent of all those participants who had hearing loss, actually wore hearing aids.
The lack of hearing aid usage may be based on social stigma, or discomfort in wearing the devices due to an improper fitting. Modern advancements in hearing aids have been able to eliminate these problems. There are many small and discreet hearing aids that are now available to the public. If you, or a loved one, are experiencing any discomfort from wearing your hearing aids, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids to schedule an appointment and consultation. 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.  There can be a number of different causes for each type of hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and tinnitus are typically caused by being exposed to loud noises. Hearing loss can also be caused by a birth defect, genetics and a reaction to different types of drugs, particularly ones used for cancer treatments or for chemotherapy.
Causes of Two Different types of Hearing Loss Sensorineural hearing loss
Conductive hearing loss
If you, or a loved one, have experienced any of these types of hearing loss, schedule a free-hearing test and consultation with us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids. We offer a variety of hearing aid solutions for a wide range of hearing loss. How Those with Hearing Loss can Effectively Communicate with Hospital Care Workers During COVID-194/23/2020  Practical Ways to Communicate
Have you considered how you would talk to doctors, nurses and staff members at the hospital? Your hospital visit, no matter what you are going in for, is going to be very different during this pandemic. Under ordinary circumstances, hospitals are required to provide services that will guide the hard of hearing to understand what is being said and should ask what services you will need. This may include Video Remote Interpreting (VRI), an in-person sign language interpreter, lip-reading hand-held amplifying devices, written communication, caption devices or CART, or speech-to-text apps. Due to the influx of patients who are visiting the hospitals, many hospitals have not been able to provide these accommodations. Many hospitals will not allow in-person interpreters, family members, or visitors to enter the building. You might be alone for a long time when you are in the hospital. The majority of doctors and nurses at the hospitals are wearing face masks and gloves. They may speak to you from behind a window or curtain, so it may be harder to hear them or recognize facial cues. Each person has a right to how they are cared for. Here’s what you need to know:
I AM DEAF/HARD OF HEARING/DEAFBLIND. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND YOU WITH YOUR MASK ON. MY NAME IS ____________________________ . HERE IS MY IDENTIFICATION CARD / DRIVER’S LICENSE. PLEASE SPEAK INTO MY SMARTPHONE. I AM USING IT TO UNDERSTAND YOU. PLEASE RESPECT MY LEGAL RIGHT TO UNDERSTAND YOU AND PARTICIPATE IN MY CARE BY ALLOWING ME TO USE THE SMARTPHONE. IF MY SMARTPHONE IS NOT WORKING WELL OR AT ALL, PLEASE WRITE DOWN WHAT YOU ARE TELLING ME.
Here is a list of free apps: Video Interpretation Linguabee is offering free video interpreting for COVID-19 testing Speech to Text Ava (allows type back, translates many languages) (iOS, Android) Google Live Transcribe (allows type back, translates many languages) (Android) Microsoft Translator (allows type back, translates many languages) (iOS, Android, Windows) Otter.ai (English only) (iOS, Android) Webcaptioner (many languages) (universal web page) Typing Back Big Note (iOS, Android) Cardzilla (iOS, Android) Google Keep (iOS, Android) Sorenson Buzz Cards (iOS, Android) Phone Calls It may be best to have multiple captioned telephone (IP CTS) provider’s apps on your phone, in case there is a situation where your phone service provider experiences technical difficulties. Text-based relay services would be a good option to have if you cannot get a reliable internet connection. Convo (iOS, Android) Global (iOS, Android) Purple (iOS, Android) Sorenson (iOS, Android) ZVRS (iOS, Android) Other text-based options for phone calls IP Relay (iOS, Android) Mobile TTY or real-time text (RTT) calling 711 - Telecommunications Relay Service (iOs, some Android) For the Deaf-blind In addition to the tools that were previously listed, those who are deaf-blind, here are some apps that can display text in large type. Apple Notes (built into iOS) Make it Big (iOS) Cardzilla (iOS) Please be aware that data charges may apply to these apps. Some communication apps function by audio recording what the speakers are saying and transmitting them to internet-based services for translation to text or sign-language. If the recordings have any private, sensitive medical information about the patient, please keep that in mind along with possible impacts it may have on privacy. The FCC currently restricts the use of IP CTS when all parties to a call are in the same room. Parties must be in separate rooms to use IP CTS. Patients should follow all FCC rules and regulations. If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids to schedule a free hearing test and consultation. 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.  Who is that masked man?
That’s Sean. His glasses may get a little foggy sometimes, but that won’t stop him from helping our clients. If you need hearing aid service, please call Pure Sound at 717-945-1477. We are only open by appointment. You must 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. Have a great day and stay safe!  Having an appointment with a professional hearing instrument specialist is equally as important as choosing the hearing aid that works best for you.
For your ears Your hearing instrument specialist needs to be sure that the fit of your hearing aids are comfortable and working at the best level. It is important to wear your hearing aids each day. It’s like breaking in a new pair of shoes. Initially, they may be uncomfortable to wear, but once you break them in you may barely notice that you’re wearing them. Your hearing instrument specialist also wants to make sure that there are no pressure points that may cause pain or sores to your ears, while also ensuring that they are securely fit to reduce or prevent feedback and whistling noises. For your personal lifestyle It’s important to discuss what you want to get out of your hearing aids, and that involves catering to your hearing needs, everyday needs, and active lifestyle. Your hearing aid provider needs to make sure that you have the right hearing aid. For your specific hearing needs Your hearing instrument specialist must make the correct programming and sound quality adjustments for your hearing aid. They want to verify that the hearing aid has been properly programmed for your hearing loss and hearing needs. This process will allow the hearing instrument specialist to set up your hearing aids based on the sound environments that you are frequently in, making it simple and smooth when shifting to each setting. Adjustments in the sound, programming or fitting for your hearing aid can be made in the office during the appointment for your hearing aid fitting. If you are in need of a hearing test, finding the right device or getting a hearing aid fitting, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids to schedule an appointment with one of our hearing instrument specialists.  Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Those who have experienced sudden hearing loss described it as hearing a buzzing and an unusually loud noise while feeling dizzy. Hearing can suddenly be lost in one or both ears. This condition is known as sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), or sudden deafness. This is a type of hearing loss that quickly occurs and has no external explanation of its cause. SSNHL is characterized by inner ear inflammation. It normally affects one ear. This condition may cause tinnitus and vertigo. According to a clinical practice guideline that was published in August (2019) by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, about 66,000 Americans suffer from SSNHL each year. This condition can begin at any age, but it is frequently diagnosed in adults who are in their late 40s or early 50s. SSNHL can be a very alarming experience for people. They tend to notice some confusion and an inability to hear. The signs of this problem cause people to be concerned that they may be experiencing a stroke. Here is what you should know -- and what you should do -- if you experience sudden hearing loss: Get An Early Diagnosis and Treatment Many who experience SSNHL will likely blame it on allergies or a respiratory infection that clogged their ears. They may also believe that their hearing will eventually recover on its own. Within a week or two, approximately half of those with SSNHL will spontaneously get back some of their hearing abilities in the affected ear. Getting an early diagnosis, and treatment can help beat the odds. It’s best to see a healthcare professional within 24 to 48 hours. Your healthcare professional will examine you by determining whether or not there is a physical reason for your sudden hearing loss. There may be fluid in your ear, earwax obstructing the ear canal or your eardrum might be punctured. Other possible causes may be due to head trauma, being exposed to specific chemotherapy medications or neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Medical professionals are unable to diagnose the exact cause of SSNHL in about 90 percent of those who are affected. Studies are still being conducted, but some research recommends that there is a connection with the metabolic system -- a group of conditions including high blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and waist circumference that is bigger than the average size. Exams and Specialists If a physical examination does not disclose an obvious reason for sudden hearing loss, you can see a hearing instrument specialist within a few days. At Pure Sound Hearing Aids, our specialists can conduct a pure-tone audiometry test, which plays a sequence of tones with an audiometer. This hearing tone test will measure the frequencies of tones that you are able to hear. Throughout the pure-tone audiometry test, you will wear headphones and sit inside a soundproof booth. The specialist will sit outside of the booth, operate the audiometer and document your responses. You will be asked to press a button on a hand-held device each time you hear a tone. The tones will fluctuate in loudness (decibels) and pitch (frequency), in order to analyze the hearing abilities of your inner ear to recognize sound vibrations. If you, or a loved one, have experienced sudden hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids to schedule an appointment and consultation. 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.  According to the American Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 50 million Americans have experienced tinnitus.
1. Tinnitus Defined Tinnitus refers to the sensation of hearing sounds in your ear, even if there are no actual external noises. Typically, tinnitus is subjective, which means that the person who has this condition is the only one who can hear the noises. Generally, those who have the condition have characterized the sound as a “ringing in the ears”. Others have explained it as a chirping, buzzing, hissing, roaring, or whistling noise. Not only do the sounds vary from person to person, but the effects are also unique for each individual. Some have experienced irregular instances, while others have relentless symptoms. The need for some relief is so great that many will do anything from getting acupuncture, to using eardrops, herbal solutions, hypnosis, etc. 2. Causes of Tinnitus Experts have not determined the precise cause(s) of tinnitus. There are many sources that are known to trigger or worsen ringing sensations in the ears: Aging - Natural aging will gradually destroy the cilia. This is one of the main causes of hearing loss. Tinnitus is a frequent syndrome when it comes to age-related hearing loss. Hearing Conditions - Conditions like Ménière's disease can cause tinnitus. Health Conditions - There are numerous health conditions that have been linked to tinnitus, including:
Loud sounds - Being exposed to loud noises can destroy cilia (small hairs) located in the cochlea. These small hairs cannot regenerate, which causes permanent tinnitus and/or hearing loss. Tinnitus that is noise-induced is the result of exposure to very loud noises from your surroundings, which may include a loud concert, a factory environment, being around heavy machinery, or from gunshots. Ototoxic medications - Certain prescription medicines like antibiotics, antidepressants, anti-inflammatories, diuretics, etc. can be ototoxic (harmful to the inner ear and the nerve fibers that connect the cochlea and the brain). 3. Is tinnitus curable? Tinnitus has no known cure. According to the American Tinnitus Association (ATA), there are therapies and treatments available that may help lessen the problems associated with tinnitus. One of the options is using hearing aids. Hearing health care professionals have noted that 60 percent of patients who suffer from tinnitus have felt a sense of relief when wearing them. Sound therapy is another alternative to treating tinnitus. Hearing aids can be used effectively during acoustic or sound therapy sessions, making the ringing or buzzing sensations less evident. 4. What to do if You or Someone you know has Symptoms of Tinnitus Because the precise cause of tinnitus is unknown, it is recommended that you see a professional for a hearing test evaluation. There are specific features that are measured for tinnitus:
5. How to Relieve Tinnitus As aforementioned, there’s no cure for tinnitus, but there are hearing aids that can help relieve symptoms. If you suffer from tinnitus, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation for the best options that we have available for you! 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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