Hearing Loss: Categories, Causes, Symptoms, Statistics & the Dangers of Not Getting Treatment10/23/2020  Hearing loss can occur in one ear or both ears. The scope of hearing loss can be mild to severe, or profound. There are a number of causes. Anyone, of any age, can experience it, but it is prevalent among people who are at least 60 years of age.
Fortunately, there are a number of solutions for hearing loss, which include hearing aids. By learning more about symptoms, causes, tests, treatments and prevention of hearing loss, you can get a clearer picture of how it affects your loved ones who you interact with. Statistics on Hearing Loss
Uncommonly known Risks of Hearing Loss Hearing loss not only affects the person who experiences it, but also the people who you interact with. Hearing loss that goes untreated influences your overall health and well-being. As mentioned in previous blog posts, studies have proven that those with hearing loss are more likely to suffer from cognitive decline, depression and social isolation. Individuals with hearing loss tend to have higher medical bills for other health related problems and a greater risk of falling. Those with hearing loss have been associated with higher rates of unemployment and lower wages earned at their jobs, due to the inability of accurately accomplishing tasks. Hearing Loss Symptoms Symptoms of hearing loss are unique for everyone. It depends on the cause of hearing loss, the type of hearing loss, and the severity of the loss. Those with presbycusis (age-related hearing loss) are more likely to experience high-frequency hearing loss. This means that sounds that are higher in pitch, like women’s or children’s voices, might be more difficult to hear. These are general symptoms of hearing loss:
Categories of Hearing Loss There are three primary types of hearing loss:
Hearing Loss Causes There are a number of reasons why hearing loss can occur. Your hearing healthcare provider needs to determine what is causing your hearing loss in order to give you the proper treatment. Risks of Hearing Loss
Uncommon Causes of Hearing Loss
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. 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 issues with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.
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 Have you ever heard the seemingly incessant sounds of a child screaming, thumping music from a teenager’s bedroom, someone who was vacuuming an entire house, or never-ending traffic noises? On a typical day, you might hear a lawnmower, barking dogs, loud sirens, or workers at a construction site.
Harmful Sounds in Your Environment Noise pollution is dangerous because it’s invisible. Most people don’t have a second thought about it. Without the proper precautions, it can be harmful to your hearing health and - in some cases - unavoidable. Define Noise Pollution Noise pollution occurs when there is excess noise that is so loud that it can damage a person’s ability to hear. As a result, their daily activities can be interrupted, whether at home, school, work, or during their downtime. Noise Pollution is a Serious Problem About 30 million Americans are regularly exposed to dangerous levels of noise. This is an increase of 10 million from the previous few years. There are millions across the globe who are affected by noise pollution. Most Common Sources of Noise Pollution This mainly depends on where you live, what your job is, and what your hobbies are. A construction worker who lives in a bustling city and regularly takes the subway is more likely to hear a lot of noise pollution than a bank teller who lives in a quiet neighborhood and typically drives alone. Generally, these are the leading sources of noise pollution.
How does noise pollution affect your health? Do you ever feel annoyed when you hear a car alarm? How about the wailing sound of an emergency siren? It’s normal to hear all of these sounds at once in large cities. It’s stress-inducing, and experiencing recurring stress is not good for your health. The noise can be distracting, harm the health of your hearing, and lead to a poor night’s sleep which affects your ability to function throughout the day. Chronic noise in your environment can lead to sleep deprivation, irritation, noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), heart disease, harm to your endocrine system, higher risks of diabetes. The following are related to excessive exposure to noise:
Noise Pollution Awareness Noise pollution is just beginning to be made aware of, in addition to how it affects your hearing and overall health. There are some organizations that are working to make the world safer and quieter. Silencity, a New York City-based organization, increases awareness on the dangers of noise pollution and searches for restaurants and public areas where people can have a quiet and safe visit. Pipedown, a UK-based organization, works to eliminate music inside of restaurants and shops. Noise-free America advocates for both political and public awareness on the harmfulness of noise pollution. Protect Your Hearing from Noise Pollution Stronger initiatives to decrease noise pollution are needed in every bustling city. Here are some tips to protect your hearing and health against harmful noise pollution.
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 vast selection of hearing aid brands and styles for a wide range of hearing loss. We offer a variety of hearing aid brands including HANSATON, Oticon, Phonak, ReSound, Rexton, Signia, Starkey, Unitron and Widex. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs, and re-fittings. 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.  Each of our senses is used throughout our daily lives. If you remove one, things can drastically change. For example, with hearing loss, some conversations become more challenging to hear. Music that you once enjoyed may sound different, which is frustrating to someone with a hearing impairment.
Hearing loss is prevalent in workers, notably in workers who are exposed to dangerous noise levels in their work environment. As frequently mentioned in previous blog posts, unsafe noise levels are 85 decibels (dB) or higher. When someone needs to shout in order to communicate with a person who is an arm’s length away (approximately 3 ft.), those people are probably being exposed to very dangerous noise levels that may harm their hearing. Exposure to these unsafe noise levels and/or chemicals that impair hearing may induce occupational hearing loss or hearing loss that is connected to the work environment. Hearing Loss in the Fields of Agriculture, Fishing, Forestry, and Hunting Risks of hearing loss development differ based on industry. A study was conducted to gather data on the pervasiveness of hearing loss in noise-exposed workers in the Agriculture, Fishing, Forestry, and Hunting sector 2003-2012. This study examined the number of workers in this industry’s subdivision that had “material hearing impairment”, or Auditory Neuropathy. Agriculture, Fishing, Forestry, and Hunting are among the top industries that have workers exposed to hazardous noise that can cause hearing loss. That’s 37% of workers who are exposed compared to 25% of workers in all of the other industries combined. Hearing loss within Forestry and Logging, a subdivision in the sector, is even more prevalent. Employees in this subdivision had a greater percentage of hearing loss (21%) than every noise-exposed industry combined (19%). Another study discovered that just 7% of non-noise-exposed workers reported difficulty with hearing. A worker’s tasks in the Forestry and Logging subdivision include:
The labor that is associated with these efforts, for instance, unlatching cables that are used to hold and move logs, expose workers to approximately 92 dBA. Using a chainsaw exposes workers to approximately 91-110 dBA. This makes up some of the highest noise exposures within this industry’s workers. The total average exposures in some professions range between 97-102 dBA. Exposure to these noises, and others, contribute to more instances of hearing loss in this industry. Under Forestry, Logging, Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products had the most widespread cases of hearing loss (36%). This illustrates the highest prevalence within the Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting industries. How to Establish a Safe Work Environment for Hearing Health In order to prevent workers from losing their ability to hear, start by decreasing the noise at the source. Here are other ways to create a safer work environment for employees’ hearing health:
There are also activities in Forestry and Logging that expose workers to vibrations, which may contribute to risks of hearing loss through changes in blood flow in the inner ear. Vibration exposure can be diminished by regularly maintaining equipment and using anti-vibration chainsaws and gloves. If you, or a loved one, are in need of a hearing test and hearing aids, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing. 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 will be offering curbside services. If you are visiting us for a repair, we ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. A staff member will come to your car to get them. If you are having any issues with your hearing aids, or need supplies, please contact us before visiting one of our office locations. 
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. 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 will be offering curbside services. If you are visiting us for a repair, we ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. A staff member will come to your car to get them. If you are having any issues with your hearing aids, or need supplies, please contact us before visiting one of our office locations.  Turner syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that is found in one out of every 2,000 - 4,000 female births. Girls who are not developing at the same pace as their peers and experience recurring ear infections should get the child’s family doctor to test them for Turner syndrome. It is important to get an early diagnosis for proper treatment. Anyone who has this disorder is more prone to higher rates of autoimmune disorders, chronic ear infections, heart, liver, and kidney abnormalities, and hearing loss.
More Insights on Turner Syndrome In the 23 pairs of sex chromosomes within the human body, there are two sex chromosomes that separate men from women. Males have one X and one Y chromosome in their cells, whereas females feature two X chromosomes. Turner syndrome occurs when females do not have all or part of the second X chromosome. This syndrome restricts the female body from its natural growth and maturity. It may be diagnosed during pregnancy, infancy, late pre-teen, or early adolescence. Anyone who is affected by this condition may notice certain physical traits such as down-turning eyelids, short stature, low set and prominent ears, and a small jaw. Generally, a blood test is used in order to diagnose this syndrome. Turner Syndrome and Hearing Health In a study that was published in the Brazilian Journal of Otolaryngology, individuals with Turner syndrome have several issues concerning their hearing. This indicates that they should frequently get their hearing tested. The prevailing problems that occur are chronic ear infections, conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aid solutions for your individual needs. 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 will be offering curbside services. If you are visiting us for a repair, we ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. A staff member will come to your car to get them. If you are having any issues with your hearing aids, or an assistive listening device, please contact us before visiting one of our office locations.  The rate of satisfaction among hearing aid users is over 70 percent. Even though they provide people with a better overall quality of life, there is still a stigma around wearing them and misconceptions about how they function. Millions of Americans currently wear them, but there are about 25 million more who can benefit from the technology but choose not to wear them.
There are many reasons for this. Some believe that it makes them look old, while others deny their hearing problems or don’t think hearing aids will help. What are hearing aids? Hearing aids are small electronic devices that may be worn behind your ears or inside your ear canals. Hearing aids have three main parts: the amplifier, microphone, and speaker. Sound travels through the microphone and is transformed into electrical signals which are then transferred to the amplifier. The amplifier boosts the signals’ power and sends them to the ear via the speaker. Modern hearing aids are significantly smaller and have more power than older hearing aid models. With the latest advancements in digital hearing aid technology, speech sounds are easier to distinguish in noisy environments. The majority of modern hearing aids are Bluetooth®-enabled, which means they can connect to your smartphone and other devices that feature Bluetooth®. Are hearing aids helpful for my hearing? This answer depends on the type of hearing loss that you experience. There are two main types:
Presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss, is a subdivision of sensorineural hearing loss. It happens gradually as people age. This is a very common form of hearing loss, and can usually be treated with hearing aids.
What are the important things to look for when selecting a hearing aid? This will be based on your personal lifestyle, degree of hearing loss, and budget. Someone who is very active with travel or athletic activities will probably need a different model of hearing aids than someone who has a more sedentary lifestyle. Your hearing healthcare provider will ask you some questions, which will help you choose the strength of amplification that is needed for you to hear. They will then patiently work with you to ensure that your hearing aids are functioning correctly. What is the length of the adjustment period? Adjusting to hearing aids may take a long time. Based on the severity and how long you waited to get treatment for your hearing loss, the adjustment period is different for everyone. Even though it’s our ears that harness sounds in whatever setting you are in, your brain converts the sounds into something that is discernible. Hearing loss that goes untreated can lead to the auditory section of your brain to atrophy. As a result, it will take much longer for your hearing to improve. Hearing aids need to be worn each day or as recommended, in order to get the most benefits from them. What is the lifespan of a hearing aid? Hearing aids can last for up to three to five years, with proper usage and maintenance. It’s important to not only keep them clean and free of moisture, but it’s a good idea to get a deep cleaning from a professional every now and then. Can hearing aids be returned? Most hearing aid providers, like Pure Sound Hearing, offer a trial period so that you can make sure that you are satisfied with your devices. Talk to your hearing healthcare provider about their policies prior to purchasing. How do I know if I need a hearing aid? It is recommended that you get your hearing tested regularly in order to determine whether you need hearing aids. A comprehensive hearing test will include a hearing assessment, and a general discussion about your lifestyle in order to determine the best treatment and expectations for your hearing health. After completing the hearing test, your hearing healthcare provider will discuss the results and whether hearing aids would be beneficial to you. If you or a loved one, notices changes in the ability to hear or if there is suspected hearing loss, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs, and re-fittings. If you need a hearing aid repair, we ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. We will come to your car to get them. If you are having any issues with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  When you are concentrating during a conversation have people ever asked you why you look so angry, when you are not? Or, maybe others have commented on how irritated you look while speaking to them.
These facial expressions become more frequent, especially when there are several people around and there’s too much background noise. Others often misinterpret these looks as anger, annoyance, and frustration. This can cause hardships with your family, friends, and co-workers. The Effort Exerted for Individuals with Hearing Loss If you have hearing loss, comprehending speech is not a natural process. A lot of attention and effort is required to follow along in conversations. Some of the letters or words are heard, whereas some are not. Those with hearing loss need to essentially solve a puzzle, by using the sounds they can hear, and connecting it with the context of the conversation. The speaking continues whether you are able to follow along and process it or not. This listening effort can generate hearing loss exhaustion, and exhaustion in a general sense. It takes a lot of brain power to interpret noises. It’s important to not only accept the fact that you have hearing loss, but to get help as soon as possible, in order to reduce your mental fatigue. How can People with Hearing Loss Diminish their Efforts in Listening?
If you, or a loved one, are in need of hearing aids or accessories like the Roger Select microphone, 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 have any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  There was a rate of more than 55 percent of noise-induced hearing loss among Mexican employees in a cement factory, according to a recent study conducted in Mexico. In other areas of the factory, the rate reached up to 85 percent. Out of those workers, 70 percent had binaural hearing loss and 30 percent endured diminished ability to hear in one ear.
The ranges of hearing loss were between 20-30 dB to over 60 dB. There was 72 percent of employees who had binaural hearing loss between 20-30 dB at 4000 Hertz. The employees were between the ages of 18 to 55. The number of years that they worked in the factory ranged between 1 to 31. Years Worked and Subsequent Relevance The number of years was an important factor in the study. Individuals who worked between 1 to 7 years were slightly less likely to endure any range hearing loss than those who worked between 8 to 31 years. The first group showed a risk of 50 percent, and the second group had a rate of approximately 70 percent. In the crushing, crude milling, and cement milling areas, there were noise levels that reached over 90 dB. The greatest percentage of workers who had hearing damage, at 85 percent, were those in the calcination area. Even though this was not the loudest environment, employees needed to navigate through all of the other areas before arriving in this area. What is the Effect of Decibels? The study indicated that 65 percent of employees who were exposed to noise levels that reached over 90 dB, suffered from hearing loss. Among these individuals who were exposed to noise levels from 85 to 90 dB, 44 percent had problems with their hearing. Hearing Protections that need to be Implemented Being a loud work environment is dangerous to your hearing. An 8-hour workday with exposure to 85 dB, is the highest noise level permitted in the workplace. Employers must provide hearing protection for employees and hearing evaluations. Steps should be taken at the noise source and other regulations should be enforced in order to reduce noise levels in the workplace if the suggested maximum noise levels are exceeded. If you, or a loved one, are experiencing work-related noise-induced hearing loss, or any other type of hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a number of hearing aid solutions that can be programmed for your specific needs. 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 issues with your hearing aids, please contact us before visiting one of our office locations.  Do you have a child who is easily distracted and displays poor behavior during class? It could be a learning disability, but you should explore the possibility that your child has a hearing loss. Hearing loss among people of any age is more prevalent than you may think. Hearing loss, no matter what degree of loss, has a very negative impact on a person’s academic performance.
The Centers for Disease and Control (CDC) found that approximately 15% of adolescents between the ages of 6 and 19, experience hearing loss at 16 decibels (dB) or more in one or both ears. About .1% experience severe hearing loss. Hearing loss in one ear can significantly affect a child’s ability to learn. Studies have indicated that between 25% to 35% of children who have single-sided (unilateral) hearing loss are at risk of repeating at least one grade level. The Link Between Hearing and Learning Hearing loss that goes untreated can delay a child’s speech and language acquisition. This leads to learning problems and poor academic performance. Poor academic performance is usually associated with carelessness and in some instances poor behavior. As a result, children who have hearing loss are usually believed to have ADD or ADHD. Children with mild to moderate hearing loss, who do not get immediate intervention, are more likely to fall behind their healthy hearing peers by one to four grade levels. It is very important that children who have a more severe case of hearing loss get help for their hearing loss. Children who do not receive treatment typically do not develop past a third-grade level of education. What Causes the Gap in Education? This gap is not due to a lack of intelligence. A child with hearing loss can perform just as well as a child with normal hearing abilities. The classroom environment may not adequately nurture a child who has hearing loss. Some teachers may not be informed about hearing loss or know how to properly accommodate a student with hearing loss. For example, an instructor who turns their back on the students while teaching causes a student with hearing loss to miss what was said, because the student may rely on lip-reading and facial cues to understand. Changes that are stated orally by the instructor, an unfamiliar accent, or when someone speaks too quickly, can disrupt a hard of hearing student’s progress in learning. The classroom environment and specific subjects can be problematic for a child with hearing loss. The ability to hear can impact every facet academic achievement, but the areas that are primarily affected are language theories. Idioms, language arts, vocabulary, and syntax are very difficult for a hard of hearing child to understand. A child with hearing loss will most likely express confusion and frustration while learning, which leads to poor academic performance. They may have normal speech patterns when speaking, but a child with even mild hearing loss can still struggle to hear their instructor from a distance or if there’s too much background noise. If a child has high-frequency hearing loss, they may not be able to hear consonant sounds, other children’s voices, or women’s voices. Difficulty with Socializing Not only can children with hearing loss struggle academically, but they can also struggle with socializing. The ability to effectively communicate with others is important in social interactions and good peer relationships. The inability to effectively communicate can lead to social isolation and depression. A child with hearing loss may become excluded from their peers or might be unwilling to engage in group activities because they may be embarrassed. This leads to the student becoming socially withdrawn, which can cause depression. Children with hearing loss have been shown to have a slower pace of social maturity, which interferes with peer relationships. Find a Solution with Hearing Aids and other Assistive Listening Devices Hearing aids are very effective in language acquisition and development for children with hearing loss. Children who receive hearing aids shortly after determining that they have hearing loss, can make a lot of progress at school and perform equally as well as the other students. What can Teachers do to Help? Teachers can help their hard of hearing students by learning as much about the students hearing loss as possible. They can learn how the student interprets information, what they are capable of, and their level of comprehension. Remember, it’s important to intervene early. Here are some signs to look for in the student:
A child who struggles in school, particularly one with a family history of hearing loss or has frequent ear infections, should get a hearing test by a professional. If it is determined that the child does have hearing loss, swift and proper intervention is key for their best chance of academic and future career success. If you or your child is experiencing hearing loss, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a wide variety of hearing aid brands for people of all ages. 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.  October has been designated as “National Protect Your Hearing Month”. This month is meant to raise awareness about the steps that you can take to protect your hearing health.
The More You Know Repeated exposure to loud noises can severely deteriorate your hearing health, even after you are no longer exposed to the sounds. Any sounds that reach over the threshold of 85 decibels can lead to hearing loss. Some of these sounds may include fireworks, a running lawn mower, or the use of power tools. Signs of hearing loss can include struggling to hear high-pitched sounds (e.g. children/women’s voices, an alarm clock, doorbell, or telephone) and struggling to hear conversations when there is too much background noise. General Tips to Protect Your Hearing
Additional Facts on Noise and Hearing Loss In the U.S., hearing loss is the third most prevalent chronic health problem. Compared to reports of cancer or diabetes, nearly twice as many individuals report hearing loss. About 40 million adults between the ages of 20-69 experience noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and about 1 in 4 adults who report having “excellent to good” hearing abilities already experience damage with their hearing health. Noise is measured using decibels (dB). The average whisper reaches up to 30 dB, the average volume level in a conversation is approximately 60 dB, and a motorcycle engine is about 95 dB. As mentioned earlier, exposure to 85 dB over a long period can begin to harm your hearing health. Blaring sounds that reach more than 120 dB can instantly cause damage. By the time you begin to notice hearing loss, the tiny hair cells located inside your ears may have been permanently destroyed. On average, a person is born with approximately 16,000 hair cells located in the inner ear. These cells are used by the brain to detect sounds. Generally, by the time changes in your hearing can be measured through a hearing test, between 30% to 50% of your hair cells may be damaged or permanently destroyed. This emphasizes the importance of protecting your hearing health. The only treatment option that may help is hearing aids. They will not restore the hearing that you lost, but they can help to keep the hearing abilities that you still have. 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 many different 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.  Imagine if you were to wake up one morning and suddenly felt so dizzy, that you fell over and realized you couldn’t stand up. Then you notice that you’ve lost all hearing in one of your ears.
These are symptoms of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), or sudden deafness. It is an unexplained or rapid form of hearing loss, that is not the result of “noise trauma” - like a loud explosion that occurs right by your ear. SSNHL inflames the inner ear, and typically only affects one ear. In some cases, SSNHL may also produce signs of vertigo and tinnitus. Statistics on SSNHL According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-NHS), approximately 66,000 Americans experience SSNHL each year. It can occur at any age, but SSNHL is generally diagnosed in adults between their late 40s to early 50s. This can be a frightening experience for patients. There’s confusion at the sudden inability to hear, but then the symptoms cause them to believe that they are having a life-threatening emergency, like a stroke. What to do if you experience sudden hearing loss If you abruptly have difficulty hearing out of one ear, do not just assume it is clogged due to allergies, or a respiratory infection. Do not assume that it will just get better without any intervention. About half of those who have SSNHL will eventually recover some of their hearing in the affected ear within a week or two. Early diagnosis and treatment will help improve the odds. Always see your primary care physician within 24 to 48 hours. Your doctor will begin by ensuring that there is no physical explanation for your sudden hearing loss (Earwax obstructing the ear canal, fluid in the ear, or a punctured eardrum. An examination of other considerations for possible causes may include trauma to the head, exposure to particular chemotherapy drugs, or neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis.) For approximately 90 percent of patients, doctors will not be able to narrow down the exact cause. Some research has connected it to metabolic syndromes (a group of ailments, including high blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol, in addition to a larger than average waistline) Get tested by multiple specialists If your physical exam shows no clear reason for your sudden hearing loss, you can visit us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free pure-tone test. This is a test that is conducted by our hearing instrument specialist where you listen for a beeping noise while wearing headphones and signaling when you hear the tone. If the test concludes that you have lost at least 30 decibels of hearing in one ear during three consecutive frequencies, you may have SSNHL. You might be advised to speak with your doctor about treatment options. If your hearing does not improve within three months, you may be fitted for 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 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.  When you get a cold or flu, it makes you feel miserable. Your ears, nose and throat are all connected to each other, so when one area experiences a problem, the other areas do too. Pressure in your ears is one of the symptoms that occur as a result of a condition that affects your nose, throat or sinuses.
Ear Pressure There is a small pathway that connects your middle ear with their throat. This is known as the Eustachian tube. This tube balances the pressure that builds up in your middle ear by opening whenever you sneeze, swallow or yawn. This stops air pressure and fluid building up in your ear canal, which is positioned behind your eardrum. If the Eustachian tube becomes clogged, sounds may become muffled and you might not hear very clearly. You may also feel pain, pressure, or a fullness in your ears. Side effects from allergies, sinus infections, colds or flus, can create a partial blockage in the openings of the Eustachian tube. Inflammation tissue and mucus that is secreted are signs of dysfunction in the Eustachian tube. If you travel by air or go up in elevated altitudes, this can also cause malfunctions to your Eustachian tube. Issues regarding your sinuses As previously mentioned, your ears, nose, throat and sinuses are interconnected. If there is an issue with one area, it can affect another area. Congested sinuses can lead to pressure and feelings of fullness in your middle ear. Common causes of sinus congestion:
Remedies to relieve sinus congestion and pressure:
Fluid Buildup If there is an issue with your drainage tubes, fluid may buildup in your ears. This flaw can lead to trapped fluid behind your eardrum. Here are some possible symptoms when fluid becomes trapped:
Root causes:
It is vital to determine what is stopping the tubes from properly draining fluid. If this issue goes untreated, the fluid buildup behind your ear can lead to a rupture. How to remove fluid from your ear canals:
Earwax buildup This occurs when wax (cerumen) is pushed deep and becomes impacted within your ear canal or obstructs the entire width of the canal. Earwax blockage can lead to hearing loss, dizziness, pain in the ear, feeling of fullness in the ear, pressure and tinnitus. Cleaning your ears with a cotton swab can inadvertently lead to blocked up ears. Hearing aids or earplugs can also lead to more earwax buildup. The best, and safest method to extract earwax from your ears is by flushing warm water or a saline solution in your ear canal for a few minutes. An irrigation kit may be used. After the water makes the wax softer, it will make its way out to the outer ear where you can wipe it away. Allergies Allergies are another possible cause of ear congestion. Antihistamines and decongestants can relieve ear pressure caused by allergies or other symptoms. Antihistamines can be sold over-the-counter or prescribed by your healthcare provider. Traveling by Air During takeoffs and landings, the sudden shift in air pressure can lead to a change between air pressure in your middle ear and your surroundings. The imbalance stops your eardrum from vibrating when it should be. Pain, feelings of fullness and pressure in the ear can all be signs of airplane ears. How to treat Airplane Ears:
Middle Ear and Outer Ear Infections Middle ear infections (otitis media) can lead to many different symptoms like dizziness, hearing loss, pain in the ears. The cause of middle ear infections are viruses that induce respiratory infections. An outer ear infection (otitis externa) is known as swimmer’s ear. They are generally caused by water that becomes trapped in your ear. This is an ideal condition for bacteria to grow and thrive. Usually, ear infections will clear up on their own. Pain and other symptoms can be relieved with ear drops and pain medications. If your symptoms get worse, even after treating them from home, contact your healthcare provider. 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 including HANSATON, Oticon, Phonak, ReSound, Rexton, Signia, Starkey, Unitron and Widex. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs and re-fittings. If you need hearing aid service, we ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. A staff member from our office 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.  Whether you wear hearing aids or not, it’s important to get your hearing checked on a regular basis.
A survey conducted by Reuters concluded that 33% of seniors who wore hearing aids also benefited from using regular hearing services. Regular Checkups are Necessary After You Start to Use Hearing Aids Your hearing shifts as you age. When these changes happen, it’s important to have your hearing aids reprogrammed to support your latest needs. If you start to notice any changes in your hearing, immediately schedule an appointment with your hearing instrument specialist.
The Risks of Not Scheduling Your Follow up Appointments If you don’t have any follow up appointments after getting your hearing aids, they won’t perform at their optimum levels. You will likely become frustrated with the devices and will cease to wear them. Hearing aids not only help you hear more clearly, but they can support your overall health. Hearing loss has been linked to cognitive health, depression and social isolation. If you are in need of hearing aids and hearing aid care, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. You may also schedule regular follow up appointments with us, and feel at ease in knowing that your hearing aids are functioning at their best. 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.  Hearing loss individually related to cognitive decline for adults with normal hearing
According to JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surgery - a peer-reviewed medical journal published by the American Medical Association which covers every aspect of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the head, neck, ear, nose, and throat - the connection between cognitive decline and hearing loss may be present during earlier stages of hearing loss than previously acknowledged. The present threshold of 25 dB that is associated with adult hearing loss might actually be too high. Analysts from Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons studied statistics from individuals who were at least 50-years-old and had undergone pure-tone audiometry and cognitive testing in the Hispanic Community Health Study and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study. They discovered that hearing loss was individually related to a cognitive decline for adults who had normal hearing (an average pure-tone of ≤25 dB) for all cognitive tests. The greatest deterioration in an individual’s cognitive abilities was discovered in those who were beginning to show signs of hearing impairment. Additional Research Needed Justin S. Golub, MD, MS, the assistant professor of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and a hearing specialist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian Hospital stated that physicians used 25 dB - the sound of a whisper - to characterize the threshold between an adult’s healthy hearing abilities and their mild hearing loss, but this an arbitrary level. It was previously accepted that cognitive deterioration would not start until individuals passed this threshold, but no one verified this. Researchers have proposed that any future studies that explore whether hearing loss treatment can prevent worsening cognition and dementia should examine a lower threshold that would define hearing loss instead of the commonly used 25 dB threshold. Other Health-related Issues caused by Hearing Loss Many individuals who have hearing loss believe that they can navigate through life without seeking treatment. While it may be true for some people, hearing loss can have a negative effect on other areas. In addition to cognitive decline, loss of hearing it may cause dementia, depression, and social isolation. It is best to get hearing loss treated as early as possible. Hearing aids cannot restore hearing abilities that have been lost, but it can preserve the remaining hearing abilities that you still have. Those who cannot hear very clearly are less inclined to socialize. Subsequently, they engage in less stimulating discussions. If this pattern goes on over the course of several years, it can have a significantly negative effect on a person’s cognitive abilities. According to The Lancet, preventing or getting treatment for hearing loss can lower the likelihood of dementia by over 9%. The National Institute of Health is now providing funding for a study on the use of hearing aids and how it may slow cognitive decline in older individuals who have hearing loss due to their age. If you, or a loved one, are showing any signs of hearing loss, please contact us immediately at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. Our hearing instrument specialists will recommend the appropriate solutions for your hearing needs. Remember that the ability to hear is precious, so don’t wait until it’s gone to get treatment. 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 issues with your hearing aids, or an assistive listening device, please contact us before visiting one of our office locations.  There are a multitude of reasons why a person can lose some or all of their ability to hear, from birth or genetic conditions to a sustained injury.
In recent studies, there have been some cases where people who have severe headaches, particularly migraines, are more likely to encounter problems with their hearing. This research indicates that there is a more decisive relationship between migraines and sudden hearing loss. Anyone who experiences persistent or debilitating migraines, should regularly get a hearing test. Migraines can be its own problem, but when it simultaneously occurs with other conditions like hearing loss, the outcome can be relentless. Migraines Most people have never experienced a migraine headache. According to the National Institute of Health, about 12% of Americans suffer from migraines. Migraines can have much more severe symptoms than the average headache. These symptoms can be induced by alcohol consumption, dehydration, or fatigue. Here are some critical symptoms of migraines, or secondary headaches:
During a migraine, you may experience changes in your vision, which could range from blurry sights to seeing auras (bright spots or lines). Feeling pain on the side of your head is also a common symptom. Some migraines can be affected by sound rather than bright lights. Other migraines can be brought about due to stress or anxiety. The Connection Between Hearing Loss and Migraines Even though migraines can be their own separate problem, they can also lead to other health issues like hearing loss. In a study that was conducted by Egypt’s Assiut University Department of Neurology and Psychology, migraines are a neurological disease that can directly affect how the brain responds to sound over time. This could be the result of poor blood flow or lack thereof, due to the way in which migraines impact brain function. Hemiplegic migraines can be physically debilitating, and may be more likely to cause hearing loss. What Type of Hearing Loss can be caused by Migraines? Researchers from Assiut University and Taipei Veterans General Hospital found that people who suffered from migraines are about two times as likely to develop sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL). This is a rapid form of hearing loss that can take place in one ear or both ears. It may occur gradually in the course of many days or it can happen immediately. SSHL does not have physical blockage. People who get migraines tend to experience SSHL. This implies that the connection between hearing loss and migraines needs more research. Migraines are obviously not the singular cause of hearing loss, but most people are unaware that it is a potential risk. Treating Hearing Loss that is caused by Migraines If you are currently experiencing migraines, including the type that amplifies sound, get treated for it. Getting help for your migraines might reduce or eliminate your chances of being diagnosed with SSHL. If you have migraines and hearing loss that occurs suddenly, get medical treatment right away. Sudden hearing loss can be caused by head injuries or infections. If you notice a loss in your ability to hear, you can talk to a hearing instrument specialist who will help you choose a hearing aid option that works best for you. Hearing aids can help to preserve the hearing abilities that you still have, while slowing or stopping it from getting worse down the road. Immediate treatment showed that 85% of individuals who have SSHL, can regain their hearing. Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aids for a wide range of hearing loss. This is a friendly reminder that our offices are only open 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.  Hearing loss diminishes a person’s speech perception, particularly when they are in busy settings. It is less known, however, as to why some people with normal hearing also experience difficulties with speech perception in noise (SPiN).
Some of the things that influence the ability of SPiN in adults who have normal hearing are top-down cognitive functions of attention, restriction and working memory. Restriction in the cognitive level could be considered as the capacity to suppress background noises in order to comprehend speech. Research on Sensory Inhibition to SPiN in Those with Healthy Hearing Inhibition of background noises exists at a bottom-up, sensory stage as a natural process. It functions, even while the listener is not fully paying attention. At this level, it’s viewed as fencing in sensory information that leads to cognitive centers. A lack of sensory inhibition might lead to an overload of auditory noise to reach cognitive centers, which can destroy these resources and cause a weak SPiN performance. In a study conducted by Julia Campbell, Ph.D., Au.D., CCC-A, FAAA, an assistant professor of communication sciences and disorders in the Central Sensory Processes Laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin, she and her colleagues wanted to discover whether sensory inhibition correlated to SPiN ability in people with healthy hearing and identify hidden cortical inhibitory networks in this group. Test subjects were asked to view a silent film while being presented with identical sound pairs. They were instructed to not pay attention to the sound. Participants who had typical sensory gating, or inhibitory function, should display a large suppression and latency decrease of the CAEP S2 response compared to the CAEP S1 response as the repetitive sound is perceived as non-novel. They found this predicted response in participants who had typical SPiN, but not in participants who had mild SPiN deterioration, which was consistent with reduced sensory inhibition in this group. Campbell and her colleagues also noted that listeners who had mild SPiN deficits had atypical cortical inhibitory networks that underlie the gating response, which affected prefrontal, frontal and parietal cortical regions. All of these results indicated that people with normal hearing and mild SPiN damage might have decreased inhibition in the sensory level. This has shown that there is an insufficient and abnormal activation of cortical inhibitory networks. This absence of sensory inhibition might provide unnecessary noise to reach cognitive centers and impede speech perception. If you have difficulty with understanding speech, or if you, or others, are noticing that your own speech is slurred, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aid brands including HANSATON, Oticon, Phonak, ReSound, Rexton, Signia, Starkey, Unitron and Widex. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs and re-fittings. If you need a hearing aid repair, we ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. We will come to your car to get them. If you are having any issues with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  Hearing aids are important to wear each day from dusk until dawn. These tiny devices can improve your overall health, and you’ll recognize them right away. Some of these enhancements can include a healthy mind and job efficiency. You will also notice a difference in your daily life. After wearing hearing aids, your brain will start to relearn a lot of noises that you haven’t heard in years.
Here are 5 other Immediate Benefits from using Hearing Aids 1. Speaking to People over the Phone becomes Effortless Smartphones, iPads and other devices that are used to communicate with others is a great way to remain connected with friends, family and colleagues. Anyone who has untreated hearing loss may have difficulty with understanding distinct sounds. Whether you realize it or not, each of us rely on lipreading and seeing facial expressions in order to piece together what others are saying. If both of you don’t have access to FaceTime or video chat/conferencing, you won’t be able to read each others’ lips or see each others’ faces. Our ears are not skilled to decipher visual cues, which makes talking on the phone more difficult. A good pair of hearing aids can compensate for those problems, making those conversations easier and more enjoyable. All digital hearing aids feature Bluetooth® technology, which allow users to have a better means of communication with others. You can listen and talk without holding your smartphone so close to your ear. The Bluetooth® technology can stream phone calls, music and other media directly into your hearing aids. 2. Hearing Sounds that You’ve Missed out On On average, most people wait a decade before they seek treatment for their hearing loss. The daily sounds of birds chirping or rainfall are missed. Hearing loss usually occurs gradually, so many people don’t realize that they can’t hear these sounds as clearly. A pair of good quality hearing aids, that are programmed by a professional instrument specialist, can help you hear some of these sounds again. Keep in mind that hearing aids will only help to enhance your residual hearing abilities. Sitting or walking through nature, can reintroduce the sounds of crackling leaves, cicadas, crickets, the sounds of an oncoming storm. Not only can hearing aids help to reduce the risks of anxiety, Alzheimer’s, dementia, but you can improve your overall health by being able to slow down and enjoy hearing the sounds of nature. If you’re wondering whether hearing aids will benefit you, talk with one of our hearing instrument specialists by taking a free hearing test and consultation. 3. Feel more Confident and be more Independent Your ability to hear is connected to your brain health. Undetected and untreated hearing loss can cause isolation, which may lead to depression, loneliness, and other psychological disorders. Using hearing aids can help reduce some of these problems. A reduction in stress is one of several benefits to wearing hearing aids. Your confidence while wearing hearing aids won’t go unnoticed. 4. Listen to Your Favorite Records and Radio, and Discover New Music and Podcasts Think about some of your favorite songs or pieces of music that you’ve resorted to playing over and over again in your mind. Hearing loss can make it difficult to comprehend lyrics. Wearing hearing aids to a live concert will provide a deeper and clearer listening experience. It’s the same for new music and podcasts. Listening to them will also be easier. You’ll be able to laugh and ponder on words that you had normally missed out on. 5. Rediscover Your Favorite Movies and Shows Think about your favorite comedy show, documentary, drama, musical or thriller. Your new hearing aids will give you a chance to rediscover these things. Modern hearing aids feature direct streaming, which will stream sounds from your computer, laptop, smartphone, tablet, or TV, directly into your hearing aids. Videos can be viewed wirelessly, music can be listened to wirelessly and even phone calls can be made wirelessly. Are you ready to reap the benefits of hearing aids? Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test, consultation and hearing aid trial. We offer a variety of hearing aid brands including HANSATON, Oticon, Phonak, ReSound, Rexton, Signia, Starkey, Unitron and Widex. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs and re-fittings. If you need a hearing aid repair, we ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. One of our staff members will come to your car to get them. If you are having any issues with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  Are you a medical professional who performs auscultation as part of your routine job?
For those who are not in the medical field, auscultation is the process of using a stethoscope in order to listen to the internal sounds of the body. This method allows medical professionals to examine sounds of the heart and lungs in order to make a diagnosis. For hearing aid users in these medical fields, a frequent concern is how their hearing aids can connect to the stethoscope. The difficulty with auscultation and hearing loss is that the heart rhythms and breaths from the lungs are faint, low frequency sounds. Using an amplified stethoscope will help make up for the hearing loss by amplifying bodily sounds. Please be aware that there is a hearing limitation when hearing aids are used. The low frequency levels that are needed for auscultation are far below the frequency region that is needed for speech comprehension. The frequency range of lung sounds is between 70 hertz (Hz) to 4000 Hz. The greatest signal detection is below 2000 Hz. The range of frequencies for the heart beats is between 20 Hz to 650 Hz. Sometimes auscultation is carried out in busy environments. Deciding on the solution that works best requires you to work closely with your hearing aid provider. Be sure that you are informed and given guidance on the fact that heart and lung sounds may not be heard in the same way when listening to them with hearing aids. Make sure you select the right stethoscope that complements your personal listening needs, the severity of your hearing loss, your style of hearing aids and the accessories that you use. Programming suggestions for Phonak Marvel Hearing Aids Use amplified stethoscopes with headphones and hearing aids. The earpieces on stethoscopes were developed for unoccluded ear canals. As a result, the earpieces have to share space that is occupied by hearing aids. One suggestion is to wear an amplified stethoscope that has over-the-ear or on-ear headphones. The hearing aids can stay inside the ears while conducting auscultation. Structures for amplified stethoscopes with headphones:
Hearing Aid Streaming and Amplified Stethoscopes Signals from a stethoscope can be streamed through Phonak’s Marvel hearing aids. There are different programming options based on the chosen stethoscope. These options include:
No matter what type of stethoscope you choose, take these factors into consideration when choosing a hearing aid:
Streaming Factors to Consider
There are many amplified stethoscopes that are available on the market. Each patient has different ranges of hearing loss, so a strong bond between a hearing aid provider and a client is important in order to find the best solution. Clients in the medical field might need to practice and figure out what they need to listen for in regards to bodily sounds that are heard differently with hearing aids and without hearing aids. Recommend that the clients test out the stethoscope with their hearing aids to make sure that all of the devices are suitable for their hearing needs. If you, or a loved one, are in need of hearing aids, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs and re-fittings. 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.  Being infected with the mumps can last for a couple of weeks, but there are lifelong side effects - specifically for your hearing health. There has been a rise of this virus since 2015. In the winter of 2019, an onset of this virus in the Northeastern region of the U.S. urged public health officials to advise parents to vaccinate their children and themselves in order to slow down the spread of this disease.
The Mumps The mumps are part of the same family of viruses that are known to produce measles and a number of respiratory infections. It can quickly spread from person to person via infected saliva - so when a person coughs or sneezes. It usually takes up to two weeks for a person to show signs of illness after they’ve been exposed. The symptoms of Mumps
What complications can occur? Other than hearing loss, the mumps can lead to inflammation and swelling in the brain (including membranes and fluid around the brain and spinal cord), breasts, ovaries, pancreas and testicles. Most of these problems are very uncommon. How can the mumps induce hearing loss? Hearing loss is one of the more startling symptoms of the mumps. It’s still uncertain as to how exactly mumps cause hearing loss. Some specialists believe that it can lead to a damaged cochlea - the snail-shaped structure inside your ear that stores the stereocilia and stria vascularis. The stereocilia, A.K.A. the tiny hair cells, convert sound waves into nerve impulses. The brain then interprets those signals as sound. The stria vascularis circulates blood to the inner ear. The auditory nerves may also become damaged, which can affect a person’s ability to hear. Anyone who experiences hearing loss due to side effects of mumps probably have sensorineural hearing loss. This type of hearing loss usually occurs in one ear, which is known as unilateral hearing loss or single-sided deafness (SSD). Normally, this type of hearing loss is reversible, but if left untreated it can become severe and permanent. A child can lose most of their ability to hear in one ear. Measle and rubella may also induce sensorineural hearing loss. Healthy hearing can’t be restored, but there are ways to help with hearing and communication: Hearing aids: These devices might be useful if you experience mild-to-moderate hearing loss. A hearing instrument specialist can help you choose the best hearing aid style and brand that works best with you and your lifestyle. Bone-anchored hearing devices: These could be a possible solution if you experience SSD. This is a surgically embedded electrode array device that circumvents the damaged cochlea, and creates a direct stimulation of the auditory nerve. American Sign Language (ASL): This is a language that has its own grammar and syntax. It utilizes body language, facial expressions and hand gestures. Cued speech: This is a type of sign language that utilizes hand gestures and mouth shapes. Hearing loss that is caused by mumps is uncommon. Studies show that 1 - 4% of those who are infected with mumps end up with hearing loss. Prevent the Mumps The best way to prevent getting the mumps is through immunization. Discuss vaccinations for your children and adults in your family who haven’t had the mumps yet and have not received a vaccination - or are in need of a booster shot. Mumps is a disease that arises during childhood. Parents are recommended to get their children immunized between 12-15 months of age, a booster shot at 4-6 years of age and another booster during their teenage years. The vaccine is usually given to a child three times - around a child’s first birthday, when they reach kindergarten, and again during high school or college. The final booster is vital. Studies have shown that anyone who only had one or two mumps vaccines were at higher risk of getting the mumps than those who received all three boosters. Anyone who was born prior to 1957, and has not had the mumps should talk to their primary healthcare physician about receiving an immunization, particularly if they are frequently in a high-risk environment - like a hospital or school, or near the epicenter of a current mumps outbreak. Do you speculate about hearing loss? If you, or a family member, are experiencing hearing loss, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aid devices from top name brands. 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 issues with your hearing aids, or an assistive listening device, please contact us before visiting one of our office locations.  Researchers in Canada have developed a blood test to recognize hearing problems.
More than 600 million people across the globe experience hearing loss. According to Dr. Alain Dabdoub, one of the authors of the study, and the senior ranking scientist and research director of the Sonja N. Koerner Hearing Regeneration Laboratory at Sunnybrook Research Institute, the number is going to rise by a billion in 20 years. Currently, recognizing problems related to hearing loss is mainly based on a physical exam. These methods of testing cannot give information about the precise region of the damaged cells in the inner ear. There must be a more accurate approach to identify areas that are damaged. During their pre-clinical research, Dr. Dabdoub and Dr. Sahar Mahshid, a research associate, created a biosensor test in order to detect otolin-1 and prestin. These are two rare types of protein that can be discovered in a person’s blood flow and are associated with balance and hearing loss. There is currently a patent in the works for the test, which is similar to how diabetics monitor their glucose levels with the prick of the finger to draw a drop of blood. It just takes “less than a finger-prick volume of blood” to quickly detect inner ear biomarkers to circulate the blood. This allows experts to determine the cellular damage inside the inner ear and paves the way for prospective precision therapies. In under 10 minutes, doctors can reveal whether those unique proteins are found in the blood sample. The test, which depends on antibodies in order to find the proteins, can be adapted to discover additional blood-circulating proteins in the future. This research is still in its early stages. More work needs to be done in order to improve the test before it can be widely used. Currently, the test can detect low concentrations of proteins, although it is still more than what would normally be seen in a patient’s blood. There is so much potential for immediate diagnostics and, over the course of time, can provide more accurate/personalized forms of treatment. If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs and re-fittings. If you need a hearing aid repair, we ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. We will come to your car to get them. If you are having any issues with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  Hearing loss is a natural side effect of aging. As you get older, hearing abilities decrease. There are, however, tips to help keep some of your healthy hearing as you age.
1.Protect Your Hearing Health When you are exposed to loud noises, whether it’s at a concert or during your daily work environment, it’s important to wear protection for your hearing. You may use foam earplugs (available at any drug store), noise-blocking earmuffs, customized earplugs that can filter noise through electronic or non-electronic filtering. 2. Put a Limit to how Often and how Loud You Listen to Something We all have favorite sounds. It might be music from a live concert, watching a race car or enjoying music from your smartphone or tablet. Depending on the levels of noise that you are exposed to, there are limits recommended so that you don’t damage your hearing health. The more intense the sounds, the less time that should be spent around that loud environment. 3. Keep Track of Your Hearing Health Even if you don’t notice any hearing loss, it’s still a good idea to get a hearing test. You can use it to compare your hearing from a time when it seemed healthy to a time when it’s starting to seem problematic. If you are regularly exposed to loud noises, have a family history of hearing loss, or are concerned about your hearing due to your age, an annual hearing test is a great way to catch any hearing loss at an early time. If you are in need of a hearing test, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aid solutions 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 issues with your hearing aids, or an assistive listening device, please contact us before visiting one of our office locations.  Starkey's Livio AI There is so much research about the link between hearing loss and cognitive health, but there's still more research that needs to be done. What is known about hearing loss? Adults who suffer from hearing loss tend to display cases of steeper cognitive decline than those who have healthy hearing abilities. In one study, elderly adults who have hearing loss are at two-to-five times more likely to develop symptoms of dementia than those with normal hearing. In that same study, every 10 dB that was measured in hearing loss, there was a 20% rise in the possibility of developing dementia. Theories to these links Hearing loss that goes untreated for too long, may restrict the brain from collecting neural information. This is known as the "use-it-or-lose-it" theory. It is very important to keep your mind active by listening to sounds. Those who suffer from hearing loss may cut back on socializing with others. The worst combination of an increase in cognitive decline is being socially isolated, depressed and suffering from cognitive decline. The theory is that those who have hearing loss are less inclined to engage in social situations. This is what can cause depression and isolation, which can lead to cognitive decline. Attempting to listen and comprehend speech sounds requires a number of parts in your brain, including its working memory. When the brain is focused on listening, many of its other areas cannot be utilized anywhere else. How can hearing aids help? Hearing aids can stimulate the brain by allowing users to hear and interpret information. These devices can make people feel more confident and encourage them to participate in life again. This lowers their risks of depression and social isolation. Hearing aids can help reduce the cognitive strain that a person may use in order to listen. A study from 2015 showed a similar rate of cognitive decline between those who wore hearing aids, and those who did not need to wear hearing aids. It implied that wearing hearing aids can delay the development of cognitive decline. Starkey's Livio AI hearing aids not only provide a high-quality hearing experience, but they also use sensors and artificial intelligence to give you an assessment in regard to your cognitive health. Your Brain Score is measured on a daily basis Use Time - This measures the length of time that your hearing aids are worn. This is vital because wearing hearing aids helps to lower your chances of cognitive decline due to hearing loss. Engagement - This feature measures how much time is spent in environments where the hearing aid user has discussions with other people or streams phone calls. It helps the user participate more when in large groups. Actively Listening - This measures the different types of circumstances that the user encounters in their day. These different environments help stimulate brain development. The Thrive Hearing app can keep a record of your Brain Score to show how much progress you've made. Use it to observe and evaluate your cognitive health.  Pair Starkey's Livio AI with the Thrive Hearing app! If you, or a loved one, would like a free trial of the Livio AI hearing aids, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation.
What can Parents do to Protect Their Children’s Hearing Health When Frequently Using Headphones?8/10/2020  When it comes to hearing health, the volume isn’t the only factor to take into consideration. The length of time spent listening to audio should also be of concern.
Kids are constantly wearing their headphones these days. It’s become more prevalent since everyone has been home in quarantine. Due to families being together more often under one roof, everyone still needs their own space. Many will resort to listening to music or podcasts with headphones, or earbuds. Listening at a loud volume, for too long, can deteriorate your ability to hear. Use appropriate safety measures to avoid hearing loss, challenges with communication, tinnitus, feelings of fullness in the ear, sensitivity to sound and physical pain. Unfortunately, hearing protection has not been more widely taught to people. You can learn from the lifestyles of older generations who now experience hearing loss. Many people are more concerned about their children’s screen time, appropriate social media usage, and video games. Your doctor may be more concerned about smokers in your home, the amount of TV that is watched, their diet and exercise routines. They never show concern for volume levels of their audio or how often kids use headphones. Hearing tests are generally not conducted when you go to a doctor’s visit unless you specifically ask for one. If your kids wear headphones while playing video games or listening to music, and they can’t hear anything that you say, that means the volume is too loud. How safe are headphones designed for children? Headphones for children are generally not safe for children to use. The highest volume that they can reach up to is 85 decibels (dB). The dangerous exposure levels do not simply depend on the intensity, but also the duration and frequency. Time and volume levels are both important to take into account. The 85 dB is used as one of the few ways to regulate noise. Some headphones that are marketed for children - the devices that have volume limits and promote their safety - highlight the comfort of the ear pads and lengthy battery life, so that they can wear them all day long. So while it’s supposedly safe to turn the volume up, it is the consistent amount of time exposed to the significantly lower volume that damages your hearing health. Safe measurements to listening The amount of safe listening is different for each person. On average, the safe limit for the majority of headphone users for an unlimited amount of listening time is 70 dB. Brian Fligor, Ph.D., a pediatric audiologist in Boston and Rick Neitzel, Ph.D., an associate professor of environmental health sciences at the University of Michigan. Both Dr. Fligor and Dr. Neitzel consulted the World Health Organization’s Make Listening Safe program, which increases awareness of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). If you are exposed to noise for eight hours per day, a generous limit would be 83 dB, but 75 dB is more reasonable. Dr. Fligor suggests that a strict maximum recommendation may turn people off from well-meaning advice. Sound waves are not steady. They ebb and flow with various frequencies, harmonics and reverberations. Noise exposure is cumulative. If a child loves to use their headphones and also plays an instrument, mows the lawn or strikes on pots and pans, their dosage of noise goes up. You can make your child wear protective earmuffs or even earplugs for older children. Earplugs for younger children could be a choking hazard. It is impossible to predict whose ears can withstand the noise and whose ears cannot. According to Bryan Pollard, the president of Hyperacusis Research, which funds research on noise-induced pain, the same amount of noise may have no impact on some people and cause severe hearing damage to others. Damage caused by consistent low-level noise, just like gradual hearing loss caused by natural aging (presbycusis) can come about without warning. Each person has to decide for themself how much of their hearing that they are willing to risk. How can you determine if you are destroying your ears? Unfortunately, it’s typically difficult to know until it is much too late. Shifts in your ability to hear can happen slowly, and you aren’t going to know which noise that you become exposed to winds up permanently damaging hearing health. Hearing loss does not simply mean that sounds get quieter. Communicating becomes more challenging. Sounds can be heard but may become distorted. Speech noises can be unclear or muffled; music may sound dull for harsh. Conversations with others can turn into a frustrating and stressful endeavor. Tinnitus, a perceived beeping, buzzing, or ringing noise, affects 10 to 20 percent of the population. It normally takes less noise exposure to induce tinnitus than hearing loss. Tinnitus is more difficult to manage than hearing loss. It’s usually accompanied by feelings of pressure or a blockage in the ear, known as aural fullness. A symptom of hearing loss that’s even worse than tinnitus is hyperacusis. This is when sounds become so sensitive to you, that surrounding noises seem unbearable. It can become so progressive that the simple clinking noise of your dishes during a meal can induce a lingering pain in your ears. Parenting advice on making listening safer for children Make sure you cannot hear sounds seeping through your children’s headphones. If you can, that means it’s too loud. Also, occasionally check the volume levels or utilize a lock to control them. Your child should be able to hear from you whenever you speak to them. Make sure that they take intervals between listening. You can use noise-canceling headphones. They get rid of background noises, for example, while sitting through a car ride. Your child will be able to hear without the need to increase the volume level. These headphones are not to be mistaken for volume-limiting headphones or earmuffs that block out noise. Those are different accessories that are used in different situations. At least every three years, children should get a hearing test. Standard audiograms and a speech-in-noise test can identify prospective issues. Also, if you notice that your child is responding with, “What?” too frequently, then it’s probably time to get them tested for their hearing. Any signs of ear symptoms, even if they are temporary, are not to be taken lightly. If your child experiences tinnitus (beeping, buzzing, ringing noise with no outside source), hearing muffled sounds, feelings of fullness in the ear, fluttering, sensitivity to sounds, hearing sounds that are distorted, or pain these are all warnings of impending hearing loss. Get help immediately. Hearing loss can quickly happen, and it’s best to get treatment as soon as possible to avoid or slow down any further loss. If you, or a loved one, are in need of a free hearing test and consultation, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids. We offer a variety of hearing aids for individuals of all ages. This is a friendly reminder that our offices are only open by appointment and for essential visits at this time. An essential visit includes new hearing fittings, repairs, and re-fittings. We kindly 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 your car to retrieve 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.  If you are experiencing hearing loss, it is important to recognize that an assortment of hearing aids are available for a wide range of hearing loss and lifestyles.
Here are three essential matters to consider when choosing hearing aids that work for you: 1. Do you frequently visit loud environments? No matter what type of public spaces you visit these days, there’s a set of unique issues for those with hearing loss. Some of these problems can be fixed with the proper hearing aids. Nearly every type of hearing aid features noise reduction that can block some background noise if you are in a noisy setting. Directional microphones pick up sounds that you are facing and trying to hear. There are some hearing aids that have better features or accessories that are helpful if you’re in a busy environment. 2. Do you have concerns with dexterity? Health problems, like Parkinson’s disease or diabetes, can induce numbness, shaking, and a tingling feeling in your fingers. Anyone who grapples with fine motor skills, probably won’t find smaller hearing aids that need tiny batteries to be suitable for them. A better choice may be behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids. These are slightly larger devices that are easier to use. If you have difficulty with putting your hearing aids on, cleaning them or changing the batteries, you may not wear them as often as you should. Address your dexterity concerns when going over hearing aid options with your hearing aid provider. Make sure you can comfortably operate and take care of the hearing aids on your own. 3. Do you feel self-conscious about wearing hearing aids? Accepting the fact that you have hearing loss can be difficult. Some people think it makes them feel old or weak, and wearing hearing aids makes them look old. Hearing loss is very common, and it affects people of all ages. Hearing aids are available in discreet, or nearly invisible styles. Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) style hearing aids feature an ultra-thin tube that is barely noticeable. Invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) and completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids are less noticeable than the RIC devices. They rest completely in your ear canal, so no one may realize there’s a device in your ear. Stop isolating yourself from family, friends or colleagues, and feeling frustrated about not being able to hear. Wearing a hearing aid, no matter how large or discreet, will allow you to participate in life again. Isn’t that worth something? 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.  Are you feeling worn out by the end of the day? Fatigue caused by hearing loss is very real.
Facts About Fatigue The actual definition of fatigue is difficult to fully describe. Generally speaking, everyone knows what it is based on their personal experience with it. The most distinct type of fatigue manifests in a physical form. This can be recognized based on physiological activity and metabolic energy that preserves it. When the energy (glucose) becomes depleted, it reduces a person’s ability to sustain activity. Feelings of fatigue are different for everyone. Some may simply feel exhausted, while others have an almost disabled reaction, such as a full on resistance to continue on with their daily life. Everyone has had some form of physical fatigue in the past. Physical exercises are not the only cause of fatigue. A continuous use of mental energy and effort can bring about fatigue. This is known as a cognitive or mental fatigue. Others have identified ‘emotional fatigue’ as a separate type of fatigue, which is induced by stress. Subjectively, all forms of fatigue have been characterized as a condition that drains the energy out of a person. Are there any Positive Aspects of Fatigue? Fatigue can actually protect us. If you do not start to feel tired in the event of experiencing physical fatigue, you may exhaust all of your body’s energy on one single task, and not be able to recover from it without resting. Fatigue halts you in your tracks for a reason. Modern Research on Fatigue and Hearing Loss Time and again research has shown that fatigue is experienced at greater levels among those with hearing loss, than those who do not have hearing loss. In other scenarios, fatigue that is experienced by someone who is undergoing cancer treatments is much more severe than someone who has hearing loss. Not all people are impaired when they experience fatigue. Based on current research, there isn’t a direct link to the severity of hearing loss and fatigue. Recounts of fatigue due to hearing loss included the mental strain of comprehending speech, the effort involved in managing hearing loss (for example, planning where to sit beforehand to ensure that you have the best seat in order to understand what is being said), feelings of emotional stress between yourself and family/friends. Transient Fatigue vs. Persistent Fatigue Transient fatigue is an average form of fatigue. It just becomes part of your daily routine. Everyone experiences this type of fatigue after engaging in strenuous activities for a long period of time, but it disappears after a while when you take a break and rest. If you do not take a break that lasts long enough, that’s not enough recovery time. As a result, fatigue can build up and eventually become persistent. This causes a dangerous cycle of intensifying fatigue that will not go away. Real Life Scenarios on the Effects of Hearing-related Fatigue Different groups of people that are studied must have factors such as age, career, and other health conditions taken into consideration. Measuring a person’s general fatigue, are commonly used for cancer patients and people with other severe conditions. When the proper measures are used, it shows that the cause of hearing loss has been based on incidents of fatigue in a person’s daily routines. The influences differ between each person. Some people might not socialize as often to make sure they have time to regain energy from exhausting experiences. Others may just keep going and be just as engaging and active as everyone who is present, but they won’t enjoy it as much as everyone else. Anyone who has a job probably doesn’t have control over the amount of activity they engage in, and they may wind up feeling fatigue. This could result in feelings of exhaustion outside of work, a loss of earning power or withdrawing early from work. Can Hearing Aids reduce feelings of Fatigue? There was a study conducted, which examined fatigue before and after a hearing aid fitting. It concluded that there was an unequivocal decline in fatigue that was linked to hearing. Fatigue was shown to continuously remain lower for 6 months after the hearing aid fitting. Research still needs to be done to learn more. Even though we know that fatigue and activity are closely linked, there isn’t enough information on the effects of how hearing aid fittings affect a person’s levels of activity. 3 Main Points of Listening Fatigue Research
If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss and fatigue, 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 your individual needs. 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 will be offering curb-side services and ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. We will come to your car to get them. If you are having any issues with your hearing aids, please contact us before visiting one of our office locations. |
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