 If you are not hearing very well, or as you usually do, the cause could be anything from aging to viral infections.
Based on the reason for your hearing loss, it might be temporary or permanent. Get treated immediately if You experience Sudden Hearing Loss If you experience rapid or sudden hearing loss in one ear or both ears immediately get treatment. There could be harmful inflammation that can be treated with steroids. Sudden hearing loss that goes untreated could lead to permanent hearing loss. How do you know if You need to see a Medical Professional? Here’s a guide to follow:
If you responded with “No” to all of these questions, you might be experiencing sudden sensorineural hearing loss. This type of hearing loss needs immediate medical attention. Prevailing causes of Temporary Hearing Loss? The majority of temporary hearing loss does not suddenly occur. It happens gradually within a few days or weeks, by the time a person notices it. Temporary hearing loss can be caused by a blockage in the ear canal or another ear-related health condition. Here are some possible causes: Excess Earwax Stereocilia (tiny hairs) and glands located in your inner ears create cerumen, A.K.A. earwax. Usually, this wax naturally falls out or it can be removed through a gentle wash with water. In some instances, it can build up and obstruct your ear canals. When this occurs, your ears may feel as though they are plugged, you might hear a ringing or buzzing noise (tinnitus), or experience some hearing loss. If you are unable to gently remove the earwax by using a warm washcloth, consult a healthcare professional. Do not attempt to remove the wax with any sharp objects like a hairpin. Q-Tips or cotton swabs can push the earwax deeper into your ear canal, causing the eardrum to become perforated and. Vigorous Exercises or Stress Your exercise routine might be the cause of your hearing loss or tinnitus. If you exercise past your personal fitness levels, you could experience temporary hearing loss. Your ability to hear should go back to normal within a few hours. See a hearing healthcare professional if the symptoms don’t go away. Severe cases of stress may induce hearing loss or tinnitus. Intense Noises Temporary hearing loss and/or tinnitus is a common result, after being exposed to loud noises. This is known as noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). In most cases, your hearing will go back to normal, but it’s always helpful to protect your hearing by wearing earplugs or earmuffs. Hearing loss prevention is the only way to protect yourself from NIHL. Frequently being exposed to loud sounds could lead to permanent hearing loss. Typical Causes of Permanent Hearing Loss Long exposure to extreme noise One loud blast of noise may only temporarily make your hearing worse, while a repetition of exposure to blasts or other loud noises could cause permanent loss of hearing. This is the most prevalent type of sensorineural hearing loss, which is permanent. The term sensorineural applies to the nerves located inside the ears, along with the tiny sensory cells that are extremely delicate and easy to destroy. Presbycusis Presbycusis, also known as age-related hearing loss, is another common form of sensorineural hearing loss. Most people who are 75 years of age or older, will notice they cannot hear as well as they could in the past. The beginning of this type of hearing loss arrives gradually, so it will go unnoticed for months or years. Getting treatment for your hearing loss is not simply linked to better hearing, it also helps reduce other health problems such as dementia, depression caused by isolation, or risks of falling. Health conditions that cause permanent hearing loss
Get your hearing loss treated Whether or not you suspect that you are experiencing permanent or temporary hearing loss, get your hearing tested. Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a wide variety of hearing aids styles and brands that can be programmed for your specific hearing needs.
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 Do you know that over 80% of 80-year-olds experience hearing loss?
As we age, it is more likely that we will have hearing loss. According to the New York Times, tests conducted by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study concluded that 80 percent of individuals who were in their 80s “have mild to moderate hearing loss or worse.” That number is significantly higher than people in lower age groups. Luckily, you can help your deteriorating hearing health by getting fitted for hearing aids. If you or a loved one have hearing loss, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a hearing test, consultation, and hearing aid trial.  The Earth and its resources give us our basic needs: air, water, food, and space to live. The Earth has also provided awareness and knowledge about hearing loss and how to create better hearing technology.
The Effects of Hearing Loss The inability to hear not only affects humans, but also bats, dolphins, and whales which are known to use sounds to communicate and move about. A study from PeerJ — the Journal of Life and Environmental Sciences — indicated that hearing loss and other noise interferences are an issue for dolphins and whales. In both of these mammals, noise that interferes at just the right frequency or experiencing hearing loss can cause them distress, make them lose their navigation skills and/or their ability to find food. Seismic testing that has been proposed in Taranaki’s Marine Mammal Sanctuary for oil can lead to permanent damage to a dolphin and whale’s hearing abilities, both of which swim within and close to the sanctuary. Since dolphins use sound in order to navigate, damaging their hearing abilities would be akin to blinding a human. The Sense of Hearing Suggestions on the origin and evolution of the sense of hearing can be found in squids. Up until just a few years ago, there was little information about the hearing abilities of squid and if they used their hearing to navigate, recognize danger, or avoid predators in the ocean. A study on the hearing and neuroanatomy in squid from 2012, indicated that there are several similarities between a human and squid’s hearing system. A Reduction in Noise Back on land, the zebra finch persistently chirps. Scientists have had a lot of interest in the male songbird’s intricate vocalization that is used in courtship. A study from 2015 showed that a finch’s brain can identify these vocalizations in noisy environments. A finch’s capacity to respond to bird songs, while disregarding everything else is akin to a human’s ability to identify speech in a busy environment. One of the leading researchers, Frédéric Theunissen, Ph.D. and graduate student Tyler Lee, created a computer algorithm that helped to reduce background noise while wearing hearing aids. The effects of noise reduction were tested in 2009 by using an algorithm that was similar to Theunissen and Lee’s. Even though the noise reduction did not make speech more understandable, it did ease the brain’s energy that was needed to process it. For individuals who have difficulty hearing when there’s too much background noise, this discovery could be the difference between joining in on a discussion or leaving it. Hearing Aid Devices The earth’s natural elements are also a great influence on how hearing aids are designed. On lotus plants, when water droplets form and roll off of the leaves, it removes dirt along with it. The Lotus Effect is a self-cleaning routine that is the model for protective hearing aid coatings. If your hearing aids feature a water-resistant shield, the device’s exposure to moisture, earwax, oils, and other liquid elements will be protected with this shield. The water-resistant shield helps to preserve the hearing aid and extend the device’s ability to function and perform, which decreases the need to get your hearing aids repaired. With clues on the origin of hearing, the Earth is helping to achieve better hearing and innovations through observing animals and natural elements. If you, or a loved one, would be interested in a free hearing aid trial, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a consultation.  The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found that about 15% of Americans have some form of tinnitus. It can be described as a buzzing, clicking, or ringing sound in the ear when there is no environmental sound source. It can be difficult to live with and manage. It is generally reduced to a small inconvenience. Most people who occasionally experience tinnitus will adapt to living with it. If tinnitus frequently interrupts your daily life, there can be a negative impact on it.
The Causes of Tinnitus
If your tinnitus symptoms continue to linger, it can become a long-term problem. 1. Loss of Hearing Hearing loss and tinnitus tend to go hand in hand. In most instances, tinnitus normally occurs before a person loses their hearing. The inability to hear can negatively impact your life. Conversations during social situations can become challenging. As a result, a person with hearing loss may avoid socializing altogether and become more isolated. This can lead to depression. Relationships, whether personal or professional, can be strained due to a person’s hearing loss and tinnitus. Mishearing what was said can lead to arguments, especially between couples. Poor communication can also hurt a relationship. A hearing instrument specialist can determine the best hearing aid solution for you, so as not to further weaken relationships with others. 2. Trouble with Sleep Keeping a healthy sleep schedule is vital for good mental and physical health. Tinnitus can interrupt your sleep, making it difficult to maintain a good sleep routine. Poor sleep is a prevalent side effect of tinnitus. It’s much harder to sleep when you hear noises in your ears. Many people with tinnitus have noticed that their symptoms of tinnitus become worse at night. When a room is too quiet, the noises caused by tinnitus are easy to recognize. Poor sleeping patterns can lead to low energy, which can impact your performance at work and increase your risk of mental issues. It’s very important to follow a healthy sleep pattern. You can use a white noise machine to make the tinnitus symptoms less noticeable for a restful night. 3. Difficulty with Concentration A continuous ringing sound makes it very difficult to focus, particularly if you need to execute a complex task. Those with tinnitus may experience poor work or school performance, and quit or drop out. You may not make progress in your career, work up to the level of your, or your employer’s, expectations. As a result, you may not earn as much money due to poor performance. The inability to concentrate can also negatively impact hobbies, such as reading or writing. Poor sleep patterns can worsen these issues. Tinnitus can lead to unsafe situations. If you are a driver and begin to experience symptoms of tinnitus, concentrating on driving will be more difficult. If you operate heavy machinery in a work environment, tinnitus can distract you, which can put you and others at risk. It’s important to get help right away. Some easy ways to handle mild symptoms of tinnitus include:
Treating more Severe Tinnitus:
If you, or a loved one, are experiencing symptoms of tinnitus, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. Our experienced hearing instrument specialists can offer the best solutions for your tinnitus symptoms.  Seasonal Allergies may induce Hearing Loss
Are you frequently noticing an increase of pressure in your body due to seasonal allergies? Maybe you are only able to hear through one of your ears or find it difficult to notice where sounds are emanating from. Are you constantly noticing tinnitus from your good ear? Perhaps you felt as though you wouldn’t be able to walk around in an unfamiliar setting, and worried that you wouldn’t be able to hear. Stop canceling your plans due to this temporary hearing loss. Treating Temporary Hearing Loss Hearing aids can be a solution for your temporary hearing loss. Any hearing loss that goes untreated raises the risk of permanent hearing loss. It’s good to practice wearing your hearing aids regularly to ease those concerns, whether you’re with another person or alone. Giving your brain listening exercises lets you remember background noises and distinguish voices from each other. Hearing aids can help boost your self-confidence and become more independent. Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing. Our hearing instrument specialists will patiently work with you to make sure that you are getting the most out of your hearing aids. We offer the options of battery or rechargeable hearing aids, to fit with your hearing needs and lifestyle.  Did you know that 3 out of 5 older Americans and 6 out of 7 middle-aged Americans who experience hearing loss don’t use hearing aids?
Hearing loss is common. The risk of losing your hearing increases as you age. Most people do not seek treatment, but if they do it’s usually after experiencing many years of hearing loss. The 12 Consequences of not getting Treatment for Your Hearing Loss
If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aid brands for a wide range of hearing loss.  If you experience hearing loss, hearing aids can significantly improve your overall well-being, reduce isolation, and help with better communication skills. Using hearing aids also helps to delay the onset of dementia.
Hearing aids are still not used by many who would benefit from them. Millions of Americans can improve their hearing health and overall health, but they either never get them or wait too long to purchase them. The three main reasons why many people don’t wear them are due to the cost, access, and stigma that is sometimes surrounded by wearing them. An Increase in Hearing Aid Use From 2011 to 2018, hearing aids have had an increase in use from 15% to 18.5% in adults over the age of 70. This data was published this past December of 2020 by the medical journal JAMA: Internal Medicine. This means that many more older Americans have an easier time socializing with family and friends while reducing the risks of health problems that are associated with untreated hearing loss. The use of Hearing Aids is Unequal between different Socioeconomic Groups According to data that was collected, significantly fewer Black Americans reported an increase in purchasing and using hearing aids. That’s just a +.8% shift in 7 years. In contrast, there was a +4.3% increase in White Americans purchasing and using hearing aids. Based on levels of income, the number of people who owned hearing aids fell in the past few years (from 12.4% to 10.8%) among older adults who live under less than 100% of the federal poverty level. Basically, if you are White or have a higher level of income, you will probably use hearing aids. Why is there a gap in Hearing Healthcare Treatment? There is a gap in treatment for hearing health. The latest studies show that this problem is growing, especially among the most impoverished Americans. There are systemic problems in American healthcare that cause minorities and Americans with lower income not to have access to many different services, even if they have Medicare or Medicaid. What should You do? If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer various hearing aid styles and brands, along with assistive listening devices at discount prices.  According to the World Health Organization, one out of 20 people experiences debilitating hearing loss.
In this same report, the authors of this study predict that this number will double by the time we reach 2050. That means over 900 million people will have severe hearing loss. Along with this surge in hearing loss comes the rise in better hearing aid technology. The rising numbers can be reduced by being more aware of hearing loss/noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and taking precautions whenever possible. Receiving treatment as soon as you begin to experience hearing loss can make it more manageable and improve your overall health. If you or a loved one experience hearing loss and need treatment, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation.  Students may have Poor Academic Performance due to Hearing Loss
Do you have a student who is struggling in class? Do they interfere during class and have a hard time concentrating? Hearing loss is usually left out as a culpable reason for these struggles. Hearing loss, no matter how mild, can impact a student’s academic achievements. Hearing loss is just as common in adults, as it is in children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that approximately 15% of children who are between the ages of 6-19 experience low or high-frequency hearing loss of at least 16-decibels in one or both ears. Research has indicated nearly 35% of adolescents with equal ranges of unilateral hearing loss are at risk of failing a grade level in school. Your child may have hearing loss, if they exhibit any of the following behaviors:
When it comes to hearing loss, it is important to seek guidance and treatment from a professional. Students who experience mild to moderate hearing loss, and do not get treatment, will not be able to keep up with their peers by one to four grade levels. Students with more severe hearing loss that goes untreated, usually do not achieve beyond levels of the third grade. Learning and Hearing Loss Being able to hear is very important in the developing stages of communication, language, and speech. Hearing problems can slow down a student’s progress while learning, which results in unsatisfactory academic performance. Subjects that revolve around language might be the most difficult for students who have hearing loss. It can be difficult to follow assignments that require learning a language, especially if you cannot hear high-frequency consonants such as ch, f, k, p, s, sh, t, and th sounds. Actively participating in conversations is difficult with hearing loss. The inability to properly communicate with others can be discouraging and complicated for a child with hearing loss - and their peers - to understand. This can lead to isolation and depression. Oftentimes, these children cannot catch up to their peers when it comes to socializing in a mature manner, which can make them feel out of place. Studies indicate early intervention, and treatment for hearing loss can improve a child’s academics and social life. A study from 2015 showed that adolescents who had severe hearing loss generally had lower scores than their peers with normal hearing. Children with hearing loss, who received treatment with hearing aids or cochlear implants, and more involvement from their parents had better results. If you or a child in your family experience hearing loss contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a hearing test and consultation.  If you are a new hearing aid user or a long time wearer who received new hearing aids, it is strongly encouraged to keep a journal about what’s bothering you when you wear your hearing aids and what you think needs to be adjusted.
Notice whether there have been any improvements, and what difficulties you experience. The Advantages of Recording Experiences with Hearing in a Journal Anyone who has mild to moderate hearing loss struggles with similar problems. Usually, many voice concerns with understanding speech in busy areas. Hearing aids can help with speech comprehension and reduce the strains of hearing. The benefits of hearing aids can be overlooked by users, due to other hearing problems that they have. Writing in a daily journal can help determine the progress that you experienced since wearing hearing aids, and the difficulties that you still face. You can take into consideration what your expectations are, and then talk to your hearing aid provider to find out whether they are practical or not. Our Experience with Hearing Humans use a number of sensory stimuli (auditory, visual, taste, smell, and touch) in order to shape our experiences in certain environments. A hearing aid helps the auditory stimuli that someone with hearing loss would normally miss. Wearing a hearing aid can feel overwhelming for a new user. In many cases, new hearing aid users go years without getting help for their hearing loss. As a result, hearing sounds that haven’t been heard in years can feel overstimulating. It requires the brain to relearn and process these sounds and information. Therefore, it takes a lot of time and patience to adapt to hearing aids. This can be a different experience for each user. Auditory stimuli can form positive or negative listening experiences. Positive experiences that relate to comfort, excitement, happiness, joy, and peacefulness. This can include music that you like, laughter, a friendly and familiar voice, and sounds of nature. Negative experiences like anger, frustration, or fear can be caused by hearing intense or discomforting sounds like screaming children, sirens, or sudden explosions. General noise is usually what bothers hearing aid users the most. Bad experiences with hearing aids can drive users to stop using the devices all-together due to unfulfilled expectations. It’s best to try out your hearing aids in the real-world and ask for advice or adjustments as necessary from your hearing aid provider. These things will help to improve:
Keep a Hearing Journal Record your daily experiences with hearing. For hearing aid users, it would be best to jot down what you are experiencing while wearing your hearing aids. Daily logs let hearing aid users record good and bad incidents. These will give you and your hearing aid provider useful understanding about your regular listening activities, the environments you frequent, partners, feelings, expectations, hearing aid usage and adjustments, and the benefits of hearing aids when used in those listening circumstances. Here are more helpful reasons to keep a hearing journal:
Most contemporary hearing aids keep track of how often you use the devices. Generally you will learn how long you wear your hearing aids each day, how frequently you use the volume control and your exposure to different listening environments. Your hearing aids will not record personal experiences you have on certain days, in one particular type of environment. This is why you should keep a journal. Here are some topics to think about when writing in your journal:
It’s very important to record the good and the bad experiences. The only way to improve those negative experiences, is by recalling/reading over them and determining whether the expectations you have are realistic. Take into account whether you still need to adapt to those environmental sounds, if professional advice or support from loved ones can provide a better outcome, or if an adjustment to the device is the only resolution. Whether you are a novice hearing aid user or a long time wearer, here are some additional tips for you. Don’t wait any longer to get help. Bring your hearing journal with you to your hearing healthcare appointments. Have a discussion with your hearing care provider. If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation.  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 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.
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.  Hearing loss can impact anyone, of any age. Here’s a list that we have compiled to highlight hearing loss among children and tips on how to help them.
Hearing Loss and Your Child’s Academic Performance Hybrid Learning & Hearing Loss Hearing Loss: Children’s Toys Does Your Child have Unilateral Hearing Loss? If you have Mild to Moderate Hearing Loss, why should You Immediately Address It? Children and Adolescents with Hearing Loss can Experience Friendship and Loneliness 5 Tips to Assist a Child With Hearing Loss What is Turner Syndrome? How is it related to Hearing Loss? 5 Tips to use when Teaching Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students During COVID-19 Are You a Family who is in Need of Support for a Child’s Hearing Loss Journey? What can Parents do to Protect Their Children’s Hearing Health When Frequently Using Headphones? If you have a child, or grandchild, who is experiencing hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.  There has been a lot of progress made on studies about hearing health within the past 12 years, but there are still many misunderstandings about hearing loss - particularly among people who do not have hearing loss.
1. Hearing Loss only Impacts the Elderly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 20 percent of Americans - that’s nearly 48 million Americans of every age - have some degree of hearing loss. Hearing loss is prevalent among five out of every 1,000 American newborns. This condition can occur due to usage of ototoxic medications, genetic factors, spending too much time engaging in loud hobbies, loud work environments, or loud recreational activities. The causes of hearing loss can also be unknown. Children and young adults are at high risk for developing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). This is the only preventable form of hearing loss. About 26 million Americans between 20 to 69-years-old are affected by NIHL. The CDC reported that 16 percent of teens between 12 to 19-years-old have reported experiencing some loss of hearing due to exposure to loud noise. 2. My Doctor will Inform me if I have Hearing Loss. Think about the last time you went to get a physical exam. Did your doctor administer a hearing test on you? Probably not. Few doctors perform hearing tests unless a patient expresses concern about it. It is unlikely that your doctor will detect any shifts in your ability to hear unless it is clearly noticeable. Professionals in the field of hearing healthcare are specially educated and trained to conduct hearing tests, evaluate the results and recommend suitable treatment options. Annual visits will allow for the detection of additional hearing loss that may occur, along with proper treatment. Yearly visits offer a stable relationship with specialists who can better understand your hearing needs and means of communication with others. 3. I only have Hearing Loss in one Ear, so it’s not a Big Deal. The brain relies on hearing sounds through both ears to accurately interpret sound. Experiencing hearing loss in one ear, also known as single-sided deafness (SSD) or unilateral hearing loss, can interfere with your ability to detect where sounds are emanating from. This is known as sound localization. It makes it more difficult to understand speech in noise. It can also make it more difficult to multi-task because listening to others when you have hearing loss requires a lot of concentration. As a result, you may experience more fatigue due to cognitive overload. SSD can be treated with CROS hearing aids. Talk to one of our hearing instrument specialists about a solution to your hearing loss. 4. There is no Treatment for Hearing Loss. Ask a hearing healthcare provider about treating your hearing loss. Many types of hearing loss can be treated with hearing devices, medication, surgery, or removing impacted earwax. If you haven’t visited a hearing healthcare specialist in a long time, or ever, make an appointment. There have been many advancements in hearing healthcare and hearing aids. Hearing loss that was too complex to address even a few years ago, might have treatment options now. 5. My Hearing will go back to normal with Hearing Aids. Modern hearing aids are highly advanced. The microphones have the ability to automatically adjust so that it focuses on speech sounds while blocking out background noises. They can be programmed with a smartphone, and connected to other devices via Bluetooth®. Hearing aids CANNOT completely restore your hearing to normal, but they can preserve the hearing abilities that you still have or slow down the loss. Hearing aids can significantly improve your ability to hear. Using these devices will make communication with others much easier. The most important thing is to work with a hearing healthcare professional who knows how to program and create settings for your specific listening needs and lifestyle. 6. I am the only person who is Affected by my Hearing Loss. Some people with hearing loss believe that they can manage their hearing loss without treatment, but they don’t consider their overall quality of life. Hearing loss affects those with whom you need to communicate. Sometimes, other people easily get frustrated. Getting treatment for your hearing loss will allow you to feel less isolated from your family, friends, and colleagues. It will provide a more independent life so that you don’t always need to rely on a significant other or family members to repeat something important that a doctor or anyone else said. Hearing loss can put a tremendous strain on these relationships. If you still think that you can manage your hearing loss without treatment, think of your loved ones, colleagues, and the vital information that you may miss because of your hearing loss. Don’t wait any longer to get treatment for your hearing health. If you or a loved one, notices hearing loss contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aid styles and 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.  Did you ever need to calm yourself down after hearing the sound of someone chewing their food, heavily breathing, or smacking their gum?
If this sounds familiar, you may suffer from misophonia - an aversion or hatred of particular sounds. Most people start to notice this phenomenon around the age of 12. A person with this disorder isn’t simply frustrated when another person makes noise with their mouth or makes repetitive sounds with an object, like clicking a retractable pen. Anyone who experiences misophonia tends to have a physiological or emotional response when hearing these “triggering” sounds. The reaction does not merely depend on the actual sounds themselves, but also on that person’s past experiences when exposed to that sound along with the context in which the noise is produced. The emotional response could be linked to the specific person or source of the sound. Research on the Annoying Sounds A study on 42 test subjects, who have misophonia, was conducted by the Dutch. During the study, five participants were chosen at random to test their hearing. There were four who demonstrated normal sensitivity to the pure tone threshold, and one participant had conductive hearing loss. Out of all the participants, none of them reacted to the trigger sound when it was self-produced, but there was a reaction when the sound was produced by others. Sounds that had the strongest reactions:
Twelve percent of the test subjects also experienced a visual trigger that was linked to these sounds. The responses were ranked between irritation (the most common) to annoyance and revulsion. The general coping mechanism was to leave the environment or avoid social interactions altogether. A study from the U.K. analyzed 20 adults who reported experiencing misophonia and 22 who did not have it. Researchers asked them to rate the levels of sounds based on how unpleasant they were. These include their normal trigger sounds, neutral sounds (rain), and the universally unpleasant sound of screaming babies. Those with misophonia classified the trigger sounds as highly disturbing (the other test subjects did not). These noises also drew out reactions, which included rapid heart rate and perspiration among those who had misophonia. Each group displayed similar reactions to the neutral and universally disturbing noises. If you are experiencing hearing loss or tinnitus, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aid styles and brands for your listening needs.  Hearing loss can happen to anyone, at any age. The latest research has shown that more and more young adults and teens are experiencing hearing loss due to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).
Millennial Hearing Loss Statistics The millennial generation includes people who were born between 1981 and 1996. Reports have shown that one in five millennials have some form of hearing loss. Even younger people (12 to 17 year-olds) have been impacted by some range of NIHL. Causes of NIHL Among Millennials The main cause of hearing loss among this age group is listening to music or other audio through earbuds. Modern listening devices are much louder than they were in the past, and earbuds rest much closer to your eardrums. Blasting the volume can damage the tiny hair cells located in your ears, which can lead to permanent hearing loss. Other possible causes:
Remember, hearing loss begins to occur when you are exposed to 85 decibels or more. It’s easy to expose yourself to this amount of noise, by simply walking around a bustling city. Many people tend to listen to loud music or some other form of entertainment to block out unappealing noises in their surroundings. This just doubles their chances of experiencing hearing loss. Practicing Preventative Care There are simple and practical ways that anyone, of any age, can do to protect and preserve their hearing health. Pay attention to your surroundings and be aware of any possible noise sources that could pose a danger to your hearing.
Get your life back on track with help from Pure Sound Hearing. Contact us for a free hearing test and consultation at one of our office locations in Elizabethtown, Lititz, Mt. Joy, or Strasburg.  Sensitive hearing is important to address. Find out what type of hearing sensitivity you experience. Notice how you react to certain sounds. That’s a can tell you, and your hearing healthcare provider, a lot about your experiences and what solutions can help.
Do You Have Tinnitus? If there’s a ringing sound that no one else can hear but you, this might be a sign of tinnitus. This is a condition where people hear an internal buzzing, clicking, ringing, or whooshing sound when there is no external noise that produces it. Tinnitus usually occurs when people experience age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) or noise-induced hearing loss, high blood pressure, or a build-up of earwax. These symptoms damage the tiny hair cells located in your ear canal. Incessant ringing sounds can be distracting and dangerous. It can result in long-term hearing loss and social withdrawal. Tinnitus Treatment
Do You have Hyperacusis? If you cannot stand the ear-splitting noise of nails scraping against a chalkboard, you have hyperacusis. This condition can lead to physical pain in your ears that may persist for days to weeks. Average volumes of sound can lead to severe pain, and if the sounds are louder, the more pain you may feel. Hyperacusis is generally associated with hearing or head trauma. It usually occurs alongside tinnitus. Again, this is caused by lasting damage to the ear’s hair cells. A hearing aid specialist can program hearing aids with sound therapies to detect and mask trigger sounds. Do You have Misophonia? The hatred of sound is known as misophonia. Many people with the condition have extreme, and irregular, reactions to certain noises. It’s not merely a dislike of a noise. The sound of chewing, scratching, or tapping might make you want to leave an area. Physical and emotional reactions as a result of misophonia:
It’s still uncertain as to what causes misophonia. It is grouped with anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and tinnitus. It normally develops in children between the ages of 9 to 12. Hearing aids can help drown these sounds out. Don’t let your sensitivity to sounds interfere with your life. Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a hearing test and consultation with one of our specialists.  Tinnitus Precautions
Over 80 percent of individuals who experience tinnitus, also have some degree of hearing loss. Please, take the initiative today and get a hearing test. If you plan to be in a space where you are exposed to loud noises, take precautions and carry a pair of earplugs or ear muffs that block out sound to use. There is no cure for tinnitus, but wearing hearing aids with tinnitus masking programmed into the devices can help relieve its symptoms. If you, or a loved one, are experiencing tinnitus and/or hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a hearing test and consultation.  Continuing Coverage on Hearing Care for All
As mentioned in one of our previous blog posts, the 2021 theme for World Hearing Day is Hearing Care for All. The report, which was initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO), will present a consistent account of hearing loss, ear, and hearing healthcare, based on the best and latest evidence available. It will also outline the changes in epidemiological distribution of hearing loss worldwide, while implementing the finest practices and priorities associated with ear and hearing healthcare. The study allows hearing healthcare providers to organize the connection between addressing hearing loss and taking on Sustainable Development Goals - particularly goals that relate to ending poverty, secure people’s health and well-being, improve educational opportunities, and advocating for employment opportunities. The information that was published is expected to spark a global partnership and guide Member States on measures for making ear and hearing care available in other countries. This summary can guide public health goals to address hearing healthcare through advocacy, and incorporating ear and hearing care into health plans nationwide. The report is being developed with experts in the field of ear and hearing care. They will advise the outlined goals and make sure it corresponds with the various cultures and methods to hearing care. The report is anticipated to reach people around the world while concentrating on low and middle-income countries. These areas are where those with hearing loss have the fewest resources and services. 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 a variety of hearing aids and services for a wide range of hearing loss.  World Hearing Day 2021 launches The World Report on Hearing. This is a global advocacy group that demands action to address hearing loss and ear diseases.
This year’s theme is: Hearing care for ALL! Screen. Rehabilitate. Communicate. Their main message is to target: Policymakers
General public
Hopefully, this World Hearing Day will encourage and remind everyone to care for their hearing health and the hearing health of their loved ones. 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 a variety of hearing aid brands and styles for people of every age.  Impact and Origins of Hearing Loss
Millions of Americans are affected by hearing loss. How they are impacted often remains overlooked in this country, but living with hearing loss is frustrating and can overall, lead to poor quality of life. Their daily activities, like listening to music or TV, and having conversations over the phone may feel exhausting after an extensive period of time. Instead of effortlessly following along with the lyrics, dialogue, or discussions, they may strain to decipher what others are saying. The vast majority of adults slowly lose their ability to hear over time. Two of the main culprits are aging and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). There are very tiny hair cells located in each ear that sense sounds. Hearing loss occurs if the hair cells become permanently damaged. You can save the hearing abilities that you still have by wearing hearing aids. It's important to schedule an appointment with a hearing instrument specialist for professional hearing aid fittings and programming. Can Hearing Loss be Restored with Medication? There are no medications available to treat hearing loss caused by aging or exposure to noise. In the future, there may be a drug that can regrow new hair cells but it's still in the developmental stages. Some research is being done for the possibility of gene therapy for hearing loss, but it could take several years to even start testing on humans. There are so many new developments in hearing restoration, but they are still primitive. Can Steroids be Used for Sudden Hearing Loss? If you experience sudden hearing loss, you may receive an injection of steroids into the ear or receive it orally to treat any inflammation. If steroids are immediately injected into a person, it may help them completely regain their hearing. Talk to your hearing healthcare provider about this option. Conclusion There are only a few immediate treatments for hearing loss. In many cases, hearing aids would be recommended. If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation.  Clarifying Information on Hearing Loss
Most people minimize how complex hearing loss can be. Those with normal hearing may assume that those who are hard of hearing simply hear sounds at a quieter level. Many also assume that hearing aids are just amplifiers that are used to make sounds louder. This is not the case. Hearing loss can impact the way a person hears particular sounds in speech. This especially true when they are in a crowded area that has too much background noise or if multiple people are speaking at the same time. Hearing aids help with speech comprehension, or they can let users become more aware of their surroundings, which enhances safety. Hearing aids help people hear better, not just louder. Side Effects of Hearing Loss Hearing loss is an intricate chronic disease. Repercussions of hearing loss affect more than the inability to hear. Other side effects include higher rates of anxiety, hypertension, cognitive decline, depression, fatigue, frustration, and social isolation. Modern hearing aid devices have been shown to improve speech comprehension when a user is in an area with a lot of background noise. If you, or a loved one, experience difficulty with understanding speech or hearing in general, get help. Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation.  Pictured: ReSound LiNX 3D Hearing loss is a prevalent health problem that people across the globe currently experience. Seeking the proper treatment should be based on the severity of your hearing loss, its underlying cause, type of hearing loss, and your personal lifestyle.
You should start your hearing loss treatment with a simple hearing test that is conducted by a professional. The Importance of Treating Hearing Loss Hearing loss that goes untreated in children will adversely affect their development in language acquisition, learning, and socializing with others. Older adults who experience untreated hearing loss typically struggle with following along in conversations. As a result, they might withdraw from activities and other things that they usually enjoy. This leads to social isolation, depression, cognitive decline, and an increase in falls for those who are at least 66-years-old. Research has shown that Hearing Aids Help with the Following:
Treating Age-Related Hearing Loss Presbycusis (age-related hearing loss), is the most prevalent type of hearing loss. As we age, the cilia (hair cells located in the inner ear) start to lose their function. Half of the adults who are 75 or older have hearing loss. Presbycusis is a type of sensorineural hearing loss. This indicates that the loss of hearing begins in the inner ear and/or the auditory nerve. It’s usually caused by damaged hair cells in the inner ear. In addition to aging, noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is also a major cause of this type of hearing loss. Unfortunately, sensorineural hearing loss is permanent. The cilia are irreparable when they become damaged. Anyone who experiences this type of hearing loss can use hearing aids as their best option. Many people gradually lose their hearing as they age, and it needs to be treated. It’s important to get a regular hearing test because you probably won’t notice the subtle loss of hearing. The earlier you get treatment the more likely you will be able to preserve the hearing that you still have. The ability to hear is important for your safety and overall health. It helps you stay connected to the people in your life, and your surroundings. How can Hearing Aids Benefit You? If your hearing instrument specialist recommends hearing aids, based on the results of your hearing test, they will patiently work with you to calibrate the devices to your individual hearing needs. This method is known as a fitting. The fundamental goal of a hearing aid is to amplify sounds. Modern hearing aids can be customized and programmed to your particular needs, like increasing important sounds such as speech noise, while reducing background noise. Hearing aids cannot imitate the same normal hearing that you used to experience, but they are helpful for anyone with mild to moderate hearing loss. Hearing aids can be worn behind or inside the ear. It depends on your severity of hearing loss and personal preferences. If you are experiencing hearing loss, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aid options and brands for a wide range of hearing loss. Assistive Listening Devices Hearing aids are very useful but don’t always address every single person’s needs. Those who cannot benefit from hearing aids can use assistive listening devices (ALDs) in situations where hearing is difficult. These devices can improve your experience while you watch TV, listen to music, or talk to someone over the phone. You may use amplified phones, captioned phones, FM systems, TV hearing devices, smartphone apps that use captions, and hearing loops that are connected to hearing aid telecoils (T-coils). Scroll through this page to see the options that we have available at Pure Sound. Do You also have Tinnitus? As you age, it’s common to encounter tinnitus if you begin to experience hearing loss. Tinnitus is one of the first signs of hearing loss. Just about all modern hearing aids have a “tinnitus masking feature”, which helps drown out the buzzing or ringing noises. Talk to your hearing instrument specialist for available tinnitus treatments. Where to Get Help Hearing loss is common, but modern hearing technology can help with nearly any hearing problem that you have. If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss and/or tinnitus, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation.  It’s our final day of tinnitus-based articles for Tinnitus Awareness Week.
As we’ve previously discussed and reiterated, tinnitus is the sensation of hearing sound without an external source. Tinnitus is derived from the Latin verb "tinnire", which means "to ring". Even though most people describe tinnitus as a ringing sound in the ears, it can also be described as a buzzing, clicking, hissing, swooshing, or whistling noise. In nearly every case, tinnitus is caused due to the brain’s reaction to hearing loss. This diminishes the auditory sound or input to the brain. The brain does not react well to that, so it will create a new sensation that replaces the sound of what it had been hearing and expecting. Temporary vs. Chronic Tinnitus Tinnitus can be a temporary condition or a continuous health problem. Tinnitus that is short, spontaneous, and lasts seconds to minutes, is an almost universal experience. In other instances, acute or temporary tinnitus that lasts minutes to hours typically happens after extreme and extensive noise exposure leads to a short-term ear injury. Chronic tinnitus - which is defined as lasting for over three months - is more common. Pervasiveness According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 15% percent of the general population - that’s more than 50 million Americans - experience a variety of tinnitus. About 20 million people endure chronic tinnitus, and two million people experience severe and debilitating cases. For the majority of patients, tinnitus is a symptom of hearing loss that is caused by age (presbycusis), long-term hearing damage, or severe trauma to the auditory system. Hearing loss leads to reduced stimulation of external sounds to the brain. As a result, the brain sustains neuroplastic shifts in the way it processes different frequencies of sound. Tinnitus is the result of maladaptive neuroplastic changes. Individuals with hearing loss and tinnitus may experience relief from using hearing aids and other devices that can be used for amplifying sound. If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss and/or tinnitus, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aids that are helpful with tinnitus relief and hearing loss.  Tinnitus is the sensation of hearing sounds when there is no external sound present. People who experience tinnitus may hear the following sounds:
Facts about Tinnitus
Causes of Tinnitus
If you or a loved one are experiencing any of these symptoms, immediately seek help. A lack of medical attention can lead to further hearing loss. Hearing aids can help mask the sounds. Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a consultation.  It is tinnitus awareness week, and we’re kicking it off with information on hearing loss and tinnitus as possible side effects of certain antibiotics and medications.
What is ototoxicity? Ototoxicity refers to having a toxic substance in your body that is harmful to the ear and can negatively impact the health of your hearing abilities. It can induce symptoms of tinnitus, or worsen them, and it can affect your body’s balance because these are all functions of the ear. Ototoxicity can occur after taking common drugs, including certain pain medications and antibiotics (particularly salicylates). Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as loop diuretics, are a major type of drug that can harm your ear health. Some of the other harmful drugs include chemotherapy agents (particularly if they are platinum-based). If any of these ototoxic drugs are prescribed to you, and you have a history of hearing problems, talk to your healthcare provider about possible side effects. If you do notice a shift in your ability to hear, such as a different tone in your tinnitus, the onset of tinnitus, and your ability to maintain overall balance in your body (symptoms of dizziness or vertigo), contact your healthcare provider and notify them about these symptoms. There may be instances where you cannot change the medication because it may be life-threatening, but it’s still important to talk about it with your healthcare provider. It’s important to note that NOT ALL ototoxic medications induce tinnitus. Some make a stronger impact on a person’s balance, whereas others have a strong effect on a person’s hearing loss. The platinum-based drugs (for chemotherapy) would be more likely to cause a person to lose their hearing loss than cause tinnitus. The advantage of the drug would significantly outweigh the side effects. Some medications take a longer time to flush out of your system, so the effects of the drug could happen later. Other medications may cause the effects to happen immediately. Does tinnitus occur or change when taking an ototoxic medication? Some medications almost have an immediate onset of tinnitus. After a pill is taken, in 10 to 15 minutes symptoms can begin to occur. If the medication is injected into the body, the onset will occur quicker. If you take one of these medications and within 20 minutes you notice a buzzing, clicking, hissing, humming, or ringing sound, - that is not coming from your environment - it’s probably a side effect of the medication. Some people may not immediately put two and two together. You may not form a timeline for when you started taking the medication, or when the dosage was added or increased. A new medication may have been taken with an older medication, and you could be dealing with a combination of effects, which could be the sounds that you hear inside your ear. If you lose track of the timeline for when you took the medication, you can contact your pharmacist and find out when you picked up that prescription. That can help you piece together your timeline. If you started taking the medication the day you picked up the prescription, or shortly after, and notice the symptoms of tinnitus, you could conclude that the medication is affecting your hearing. Cardiac medications commonly cause tinnitus. You can talk to your healthcare provider and go over your medications and medication intake routine. To help you with this process, document everything. Document your medication, when you take the doses, and when you begin to notice the tinnitus or hearing loss symptoms. If you, or a loved one, are experiencing tinnitus and/or hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer many hearing aids that help mask the sound of tinnitus. |
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