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.  There are challenges when it comes to aging. Some of the leading struggles are health-related - mainly hearing and vision. Many studies have shown that 10 to 20% of people over 70 years of age, experience dual sensory loss.
Let’s Define Dual Sensory Impairment/Loss This is when an individual starts to notice that their vision and hearing are in decline. Some people are born with these problems, while others can develop them as they age. Deaf-blindness refers to people who have severe vision and hearing loss. Genetic conditions, such as Usher’s syndrome, a traumatic brain injury or being exposed to a loud blast, may result in dual sensory impairment. Why Should You Get Treatment? Dual sensory impairment has been connected to social isolation and a poor quality of life. This condition has not been thoroughly studied, under-recognized, and under-diagnosed. This is especially true when there are only mild symptoms, where it’s more likely to be undetected by the patient who is experiencing it, or the initial signs may only occur in one area at a time (hearing or vision loss). It might seem normal to experience hearing and vision loss as you age, but losing both of these senses has a serious effect on your overall well-being, safety, and quality of life. As mentioned our blog, hearing loss has been associated with cognitive decline. Studies show that people who have been treated for their dual sensory impairment experience a better quality of life and a lower risk of death compared to those who are not treated. An Overwhelming Feeling From Dual Sensory Loss In addition to other health concerns that are linked to aging, dual sensory loss can be overwhelming. In the elderly, it weakens their senses. Those who experience hearing loss may depend on their vision, whereas people who experience vision loss may depend on their hearing. Audiobooks can aid the vision-impaired and captions can help the hearing-impaired. These accessories are not as useful for those with dual sensory loss. Getting Treatment for Dual Sensory Loss Most people who have dual sensory loss continue to experience functional hearing and vision. They can benefit from rehabilitation after being properly diagnosed. A rehabilitation therapist may help a patient adapt to their sensory loss. Assistive devices and coping strategies will be used as treatment options. This will make daily responsibilities and communication less complicated. Preventing Dual Sensory Impairment It’s difficult to control your family’s medical history when it comes to vision and hearing loss, but the latest research has shown that leading a healthy lifestyle can lower your chances of being diagnosed with dual sensory impairment. Tips to prevent Dual Sensory Impairment:
Where to get help If you, or a loved one, are experiencing changes in your hearing 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.  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.  Hearing Instruments and Lyrics
As a hearing aid user, you may have a special music setting for your hearing aids. Simply wearing hearing aids can make listening to music a more pleasant experience. When your hearing gets worse, have you ever noticed that when a new instrument starts to play it’s indistinguishable from some of the other instrument sounds? Do you struggle to hear lyrics that are sung? Hearing aids can help you hear those sounds that you are missing. Hearing aids are also helpful in reducing symptoms of tinnitus (beeping, buzzing, clicking sounds). Tinnitus is connected to damage that your ears endure as a result of exposure to excessive noise. Musicians usually experience tinnitus because they frequently perform concerts. Anyone who has profound hearing loss generally has difficulty hearing soft sounds. Those who enjoy listening to music may blast the volume so loudly, that their headphones may risk more damage to their hearing health. Average speech sounds reach between 35 to 85 decibels (dB). Remember, 85 dB is the threshold for safe listening. Music has double the range of volume - approximately 100 dB. Music also features many more frequencies than average speech sounds. A piano can emit 40 percent more frequencies than the average female voice. Earlier hearing aid models were unable to manage larger ranges of frequencies without becoming distorted. The latest models have gotten better at processing music for hearing aid users. Talk to your hearing instrument specialist about different hearing aid options that can be helpful for your hearing loss. It’s important to be open and honest about your hearing health needs in order to get the proper treatment. What are some issues that may arise with earlier hearing aid models? Modern hearing aids now have a solution for the distortion sounds of music. It is recommended that hearing aid users listen to music in the same setting that is used when listening to a conversation in a quiet environment. Earlier hearing aid models may cause users to be unable to hear lower frequencies. Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis), usually affects the higher frequencies. Are you unable to hear young children or some women? If you can’t, you may have high-frequency hearing loss. Hearing aids need to be programmed in order to hear those specific sounds. When it comes to music, lower frequencies are important sounds that need to be heard. Many people with hearing loss, also have difficulty comprehending speech in busy environments, like a crowded restaurant. Modern hearing aids can be set to reduce background noise, but earlier hearing aid models may be programmed to misinterpret a sustained chord as noise. Hearing aids that are programmed to reduce feedback noises from high-frequencies, like a whistle created by your hearing aid, could have unintentionally restrained pure tones in an organ or flute melodies from your favorite classical music. There is a hearing aid feature known as “wide dynamic range compression”, which compresses the range to increase the volume in softer sounds. As a result, it can remove the lively range that the composer and performer had originally intended. Modern hearing aids should not have these problems. If you believe that your hearing aids are altering the music from your computer, radio, record player, smartphone, stereo system, or TV, try lowering the volume. If there is a volume control on your hearing aid, you can raise the volume if necessary. If you experience mild or moderate hearing loss, you may simply remove the hearing aid. Musicians: Discuss your hearing issues with your hearing instrument specialist Musicians may occasionally miss having hearing loss when they listen to music because they are recreating the sounds in their mind. Ludwig van Beethoven recreated music in his mind when he became deaf. It almost becomes a sixth sense. For musical performers, hearing aids can change the sound of your own voice or instrument. This is known as “occlusion”. In some cases, it’s helpful to wear one hearing aid instead of two. It may require the need for a more open earpiece or a hollow earmold, or lowering the amplification for the low frequencies may help. Assistive Listening Devices Assistive Listening Devices should be tested before making a commitment. Hearing Loops A hearing loop gives hearing aid users a wireless signal that can be detected on the hearing aid’s telecoil (t-coil) setting when using a smartphone or if you are in a church, concert hall, theatre. Remote Microphones Live sounds can be picked up and streamed through your hearing aids by placing a remote microphone by the source. Streamers These are small devices, like the Roger Select TM microphone, that transmit sound from other wireless audio accessories to your hearing aids. Talk to one of our hearing instrument specialists at Pure Sound Hearing to enable a streaming program on your hearing aids. If you or a loved one, miss listening to music, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test, hearing aid trial, 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 face 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.  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.  Our digital media assistant, Vi, is getting ready to post an article on tips to use when educating deaf and hard-of-hearing students during COVID-19.
If you, or a loved one, are in need of a hearing test and hearing aids, 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. 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.  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.  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.  As you know, due to the ongoing pandemic caused by COVID-19, some students will be homeschooled by parents or through online resources, the general population is in lockdown, and most activities have been altered to incorporate social distancing. A national survey was conducted by researchers at Kent State University and Texas Women’s University in order to discover more about the developments in education for the deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) children amidst the pandemic. The survey was sent to 133 parents of DHH children. Here are five recommendations on how to educate DHH children based on the results of this survey.
1. Advocate for your DHH child and get them the services they need. Out of the 133 participants of the survey, six indicated that their DHH child had received all services that were authorized by their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan. Some parents were frustrated about the services that were not provided and/or taking much longer to set up. There were only 23 participants who reported that their child received services from a teacher of the deaf, and two who reported receiving interpreting services. It is recommended that parents reach out to educators for the DHH; they are there to help you and your child. 2. Get access to universal design in online education programs. Several parents reported inaccessibility to the design of online education programs for their DHH children. DHH children have a more challenging experience when following along with a person who is speaking during virtual meetings and videoconferences. This is due to the high volume of people appearing on their screen at the same time. Other obstacles included background noises, the inability to hear instructors over computer speakers, the absence of captions for announcements and videos, and captions that appeared too quickly or at an advanced reading level. It is recommended that anyone who speaks during a videoconference should raise their hand. Instructors and parents should oversee the existence, reading level, and speed of the captions to ensure that the child is getting the most out of their online learning experience. 3. Give DHH students the opportunity to socialize. Teachers have been too busy focusing on the academic part of the school, that they may have forgotten about the importance of children socializing with one another. The freedom to socialize is currently limited for most children. For children who are DHH, this issue is particularly severe. The majority of DHH children are the only ones with hearing loss in their families, which makes the homeschooling even more isolating. DHH children who are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) may not have family members to communicate with. Having online and socially distanced interactions with other DHH peers is crucial to support DHH children’s mental health during the pandemic. 4. Get DHH role models involved during lessons. Featuring a DHH adult as a role model during lessons can help DHH children learn ways to handle challenges they may face during this time. Contact deaf education professionals and advocacy groups like Hands and Voices and the American Society for Deaf Children in order to find role models who can give advice to DHH students on how to succeed under these circumstances as someone who is DHH. 5. Communication is the key. Every DHH child needs access to communication, no matter what devices they use to help them hear or their language preference. Make sure that DHH children are engaged in conversations at home. Mention any casual information that the other children are informed about at home, and it’s important that parents let their DHH child know that their thoughts, feelings, and anxieties are valuable and can be openly discussed. One survey respondent noted that parents are not experienced with all of the techniques that trained professionals use to teach children. Teachers, on the other hand, do have the training and knowledge, but should not anticipate that parents have the same knowledge or will be able to immediately pick up the same techniques. Parents and teachers need to work together, as best as they can, to give the children an exceptional education. If you, or a loved one, are in need of hearing aids, 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 a wide range of hearing loss. We also have the Roger Select TM microphones, an assistive listening device that can be placed at the center of a table and automatically streams the voice of the speaker directly into a Bluetooth®-connected hearing aid at a safe distance. 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 so many online resources that are available for families with deaf/hard of hearing children, who are in need of support. It can be too much to sift through.
Hearing healthcare providers are responsible for guiding families on how to raise a child who is deaf/hard of hearing. Even though there are many resources available through the internet, it’s important that family members of the child with hearing loss consult a professional to narrow down the most important information. In order to make the best decisions for their child, families should conduct research through professionals, parents, deaf/hard of hearing adults, books, websites, and their own local community. There is a learning curve when it comes to your child’s hearing loss. Discovering that your child has hearing loss can be devastating and overwhelming. You may have so many questions and concerns, but might not know where to begin or forget to ask them. Here is a List of 8 Commonly Asked Questions from Parents who have Children with Hearing Loss:
Click here to see an article about a Question Prompt List. Create better Access to Visual Cues for Your Child Infants who have healthy hearing abilities can hear their parents/caregivers, without having to face the person who is speaking. Children who are deaf/hard of hearing might not be afforded the same access to acquiring language and information through verbal communication and are helped mainly through visual cues. Parents and caregivers should learn and make basic changes in their daily life and their child’s environment to expand access. No matter what range of hearing a child has, they can use their sense of vision to efficiently communicate, build stronger linguistic skills and establish strategies that they can use for the rest of their life. For Parents: Tips on Language, Literacy, Social-emotional Growth Learn about experiences from other parents and caregivers of deaf/hard of hearing children from here. Each tip sheet sums up a description of the developmental process of babies and young children after identifying their hearing loss for cognitive, emotional, social, language (semantics, syntax-morphology, pragmatics, phonology - auditory and visual), pre-literacy and literacy development. Safety Guidelines for Children A Parent Safety Toolkit has been developed with the help of Hand & Voices O.U.R. (Observing, Understanding, Responding) Children’s Project. This system can be used by parents to instruct and model behavior, while taking action to make the lives of their deaf/hard of hearing children safer. A Guide for Parent-Professional Relationships in a Hearing Healthcare Environment There is a possibility for a family of a deaf or hard of hearing child, and a hearing healthcare provider to have a long-term relationship. It requires mutual respect and support from the healthcare provider. Families will feel supported by a professional when the care they receive is a joint partnership that is built on trust. This process develops over time. It involves transparency, honesty, very clear communication and compassion. Active listening is very helpful in these situations, and creates a bond with the families. Hearing healthcare providers are a crucial foundation of support for families when they learn that their child has hearing loss. If you, your child or grandchild 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 assistive listening devices for your individual hearing 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, or an assistive listening device, please contact us before visiting one of our office locations.  Are you interested in communicating with the deaf, or those with hearing loss, who may use American Sign Language (ASL)? Are you simply interested in learning sign language? There are a number of accessible apps to choose from.
All you need is an Android smartphone, an iPhone or tablet in order to learn the basics of ASL or to practice the different hand motions. Sign language apps available for Android and iPhone The ASL app This app is only available in English. It was produced by deaf people who are bilingual. It focuses on teaching users conversational ASL by utilizing over 1000 videos to make learning ASL fun and simple. Baby Sign Language Dictionary This app is available in English, simplified Chinese and traditional Chinese. It features 40 real-life signing videos, which will help you learn how to sign with your baby. Each individual sign features a detailed video tutorial that is arranged into the following categories: action words, animals, daily routines and feelings. The app also has an interactive video quiz that will help you remember the signs. ASL Coach This app is only available in English. For beginners, this app will instruct you to sign the alphabet and numbers one through nine. If you put it in coach mode, the app allows you to watch and follow the app’s instructions. ASL Fingerspelling This app helps you practice and develop the skills to read fingerspelling. You can select the length of the word and speed of the fingerspelling, record your answer and it will keep the score. There is an expert level available as your skills develop. Hands On ASL With this app, 3D models are used to see the signs from every angle. The playful user interface focuses on instructing users how to spell the alphabet with fingerspelling exercises. Marlee Signs This app is only available in English. Marlee Matlin, the Academy Award winning deaf actress, instructs users on the basics of ASL. This includes the signed alphabet and primary vocabulary by way of commonly used expressions in daily life. Each exercise is divided into individual videos to allow users to learn at their own speed. The app keeps a record of lessons that have been completed and features a “slow motion” setting that lets you see the details of each sign. My Smart Hands Baby Sign Language Dictionary This app is only available in English. My Smart Hands is an international baby sign language program that has over 150 instructors located in over 10 countries. The app highlights 45 minutes of instructional video from an ASL instructor and the founder of My Smart Hands, Laura Berg. The video teaches ASL signs and demonstrates how to make, memorize and comprehend them. WeSign Basic This app is only available in English. It teaches ASL in relation to school (i.e. helping parents ask frequent questions like, “Did you finish your homework?” It has videos with deaf adults asking the questions to deaf children, and the deaf children respond with numerous answers. It features normal and slow playback modes, along with sources on where to learn more about ASL. Here are links to some other useful apps for people with hearing loss: Leading Apps for Smartphone Captions What are the Best Smartphone Decibel Meter Apps to Measure Noise Levels? 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 name brand hearing aids for a wide range of hearing loss. 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.  Statistics on untreated hearing loss
Hearing loss that goes untreated can lead to higher healthcare costs in the long run. Several studies have shown that getting your hearing loss treated pays off for your overall health, and from a financial perspective. In the past there have been many established links between hearing loss and dementia, diabetes, falls, heart disease and strokes. Now, studies have shown that hearing loss that goes untreated can lead to higher costs in healthcare. According to researchers from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, elderly adults who do not receive treatment for their hearing loss have significantly higher costs in healthcare compared to individuals who do not experience hearing loss. That amounts to an average of 46 percent, with a total of $22,434 per person for over a decade. A study from the University of South Carolina concluded that people with diagnosed hearing loss had 33 percent higher costs in health care than individuals who did not have hearing loss. How does untreated hearing loss contribute to higher healthcare expenses? The primary reason why healthcare expenses are much higher for those who do not get their hearing loss treated is due to the fact that people with hearing loss have difficulty communicating. As a result, they wait much longer than the average person to get treatment. The longer a person waits, the more difficult it is to treat the hearing loss. Another explanation could be that the hearing impaired person did not correctly hear or understand the treatment instructions. This would postpone the healing process, which may result in more healthcare costs. These studies bring attention to why it’s crucial to treat your hearing loss immediately. Do not allow your fears or worries to stop you from seeking help if you believe that you have hearing loss. Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require repairs, re-fittings and new hearing aid fittings. If you need your hearing aids repaired, we ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing a facemask, 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.  The new school year is upon us. Many parents are feeling stressed while taking care of their children during this pandemic. Parents of children with hearing loss have a unique set of challenges, particularly with the virtual classrooms or in person classrooms where there will be social distancing.
What can children with hearing loss expect when heading back to school? Let your child know that they are not alone. Encourage them to advocate for themselves and their needs when it comes to hearing loss. Children who are hard of hearing, and their parents, should discuss specific needs and concerns with their teachers. Everyone wants what is best for their child. By advocating for them, and encouraging them to advocate for themself, this can help the child stay on track with learning. Make sure there are accurate captions available for the student to read, or provide a transcript for the student. Hearing aids, Hobbies and Hangouts If your child enjoys cooking, it’s important that they wear their hearing aids in order to hear a timer go off. Being outdoors and exercising is important, especially during these times. Going on walks and listening to the sounds of nature can be very therapeutic. Simply enjoying the company of friends and family, whether it’s in person or through a video chat is great for your mental and social well-being. Laughing with loved ones is more enjoyable if you can hear them. Hearing Aid Accessories Many teachers and parents may use the Remote Microphone+, so that children who are hard of hearing can hear them clearly. The Roger Select ™ microphone can be placed onto a table and group discussions can be heard. If a teacher begins to speak, but is standing too far from the microphone, the student with hearing aids can switch to the Remote Microphone+. This would be a great accessory to use if classes are taking place outdoors. Check out our guide to properly sanitizing Phonak’s Roger Devices for students in the classroom during COVID-19. If you, or a loved one, would be interested in the Roger Select ™ microphone, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing. We also offer a variety of hearing aid brands and styles. Contact us for a free consultation and hearing aid trial. 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.  This pandemic has been difficult for many people, including those with hearing loss. Everyone has become even more isolated. For the hard of hearing population there are struggles in communicating with others due to wearing facemasks, or captions that are unavailable in video conferencing. These changes and struggles have provided others, who do not regularly experience hearing loss, with an awareness of these issues.
Fortunately, there has been more attention given to the various communication needs of people who have hearing loss, particularly in hospital settings. Tech companies are creating new options to help with communication. Free Auto Captioning in Video Conferencing Platforms On Google Meet and Microsoft Teams, free auto-captions are available on all video calls that are made through their platforms. Webex also announced that they will be doing a trial of auto captions. Providing accurate auto captions is not only practical for the stability of a business, it’s helpful for everyone no matter how good or bad their hearing abilities are. It’s also the honorable thing to provide for employees so that the calls can be more inclusive. Not only do people who experience hearing loss benefit from these captions, but people whose second language is English can also find the auto-captions helpful. New Apps for the Hard of Hearing are Quickly Becoming Available Tech companies have been dashing to provide new products by increasing the need for apps that make working and communicating remotely easier. One of the top apps is Chatable. This app, along with Ear Machine and Google’s Sound Amplifier gives the user sound amplification through their headphones that are connected to your smartphone. Each of these sound amplifier apps have been proven to be beneficial when someone is speaking with a mask on. Ear Machine and Google’s Sound Amplifier are free apps. Chatable has a version that is free. To get the most out of it, including the highest levels of background noise blockage, there is a $12.99 charge per month. It’s heartwarming to see the hearing loss community come together at this time to guide, share information, support one another and advocate for your needs. Collectively, you have all made an impact to help each other navigate through this crisis a little easier. If you, or a loved one, are in need of hearing aids or an assistive listening device, 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 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.  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.  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.  About one-third of people ages 65 and up experience some range of hearing loss. This percentage doubles for those who are at least 75 years old. The average person who recognizes that they have hearing loss usually waits seven years until seeking treatment, and a fraction of those who can benefit from hearing aids actually wear them. This means that there are many drivers on the road who cannot hear very well.
It is not illegal to drive when you have hearing loss (in the U.S., some states have car requirements for those who are hard of hearing), but that does not mean that it’s safe. According to a study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, older adults who have hearing loss performed poorly on their driving tests if they had more distractions than those who do not have a hearing impairment. This study suggests that the extra effort needed in order to hear adds extra stress to your brain, and you need to use multiple senses in order to safely navigate on the roads. Hearing loss causes mental fatigue. It’s harder to be a safe driver when you have hearing loss. If you’re tired, when you need to hear signals from other vehicles, and when you need to be fully aware of your surroundings there are a lot of risks involved. Due to its gradual process, you may not know how severe your hearing loss may be. Other people who you interact with will probably notice your hearing loss before you do. Everyone should get their hearing tested each year. Anyone who is 55 and older should get a baseline hearing test, and then schedule regular checkups. 7 things that Drivers Should Do if They Have Hearing Loss 1. Work with a hearing instrument specialist. You may know someone who has hearing aids but doesn’t use them because they may feel uncomfortable or even distracting with whistling or feedback noises. Hearing aid technology has significantly evolved and continues to make more advancements. Patience is still needed during your initial fitting as you go from not being able to hear clearly, to hearing sounds that you haven’t heard in years. Proper follow-up appointments and maintenance is necessary in order to get the most use out of your hearing aids. It takes time to learn how to use the devices and program them so that they work for you. 2. Get an eye exam. If one of your senses begins to worsen, nerves connected to your other senses will become heightened. The ability to see is the most important sense to have when you drive. If your hearing is becoming worse, get hearing aids and a new eyeglass or contact lens prescription. It’s important to hear and see as best as you can when you drive. 3. Broaden your fields of vision. Since you are mainly depending on your ability to see, you have to be able to absorb as much visual information as possible. Use a clip-on, wide-angle rearview mirror to help you see and process your environment. There are some states, like New York, which mandate drivers who report that they have a hearing impairment to use a larger full-view rear view mirror. 4. Decrease background noise. Driving with distractions (i.e. music or traffic) will make it more difficult to notice important sounds that you need to hear in order to safely drive. Close your windows and reduce the volume on your car’s stereo in order to focus on driving. If you wear hearing aids, ask your hearing instrument specialist to program directional microphones or you can use a remote microphone accessory to hear your passengers without forcing them to shout at you. 5. Keep distractions to a minimum. This is a tip for all drivers, no matter how good they can hear, but it’s especially important if you are hard of hearing. Eliminate or minimize phone usage while driving. If you have to talk to someone while steering your car, hearing aids that have Bluetooth® technology can sync up to your smartphone to make calls easier and safer. 6. Make sure you have an easy-to-use navigation device. Everyone uses GPS to help them navigate while driving. Bluetooth®-enabled hearing aids can be synced up to your devices when it provides turn-by-turn directions so that it’s easier to hear. Install the GPS device or your smartphone onto a dashboard holder so that you can easily look at it without looking down. You may also use one of the Heads Up Display (HUD) apps, which projects the directions onto the windshield of your car, without blocking your view of the road. 7. Keep up with researching the latest technology. Automobile and hearing aid technology are always evolving. In the future, drivers who have difficulty hearing will have the assistance built into their car. Automobile manufacturers are in the process of developing technology that provides visual and vibration alerts (on the steering wheel or the seat) if emergency vehicles approach the car. Hyundai Motor Group made an announcement that its Audio-Visual Conversation and Audio-Tactile Conversion technology will be available for hearing-impaired drivers. If you, or a loved one, is a driver who has difficulty hearing, for your safety, their safety and the safety of others, please get a hearing test. At Pure Sound, you can get a free hearing test and consultation with one of our hearing instrument specialists. We offer a variety of hearing aid styles and brands for a wide range of hearing loss. Please be aware that our offices are only open by appointment and for essential visits at this time. If you are in need of hearing aid service, 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 need hearing aid supplies, such as batteries or cleaning tools, please call us prior to stopping in at one of our offices.  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. |
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