 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.
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 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.  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.  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.  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.  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.  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.  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.  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.  Our digital media assistant, Vi , is getting ready to work on an article about practicing meditation for healthy hearing.
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. 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. Adults who Experience Hearing and Vision Impairment are Particularly Susceptible to Being Unemployed8/10/2020  A recent study revealed that American adults who have both hearing loss and vision problems, known as dual sensory impairment (DSI) are not as likely to have a paid occupation.
The research indicated that American adults who experience DSI have 40 percent less of a chance at becoming employed, whereas individuals who only have either hearing or vision impairment had 20 percent less of a chance at becoming employed. Previous research had recorded lower rates of employment for people who either had hearing or vision loss, studies at the time had not been conducted on people who had dual sensory impairments. These individuals may be at a high risk of being unemployed. Disability & Unemployment Statistics from the 2008 to 2017 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) showed responses from 277, 251 test subjects between the ages of 18 to 75 years old. The test subjects included the following: those who did not have a sensory impairment, those who did have a vision impairment, those who only had a hearing impairment and those who had DSI. The majority (61 percent) of these participants who had DSI reported that they were unemployed. Out of these participants, 51 percent claimed that their unemployment was due to their disability. Only 46 percent of visually impaired participants and 44 percent of participants with hearing loss were unemployed. This supports results from previous studies that have shown lower rates of unemployment in people who had sensory impairments, which could be due to the fact that they have more difficulty with entering and staying in the workforce. Those who have DSI could be susceptible because they cannot depend on a sensory substitute that would enable them to overcome their impairment. There are both important insights and limited insights to how adults with DSI are vulnerable when it comes to unemployment. The data are an estimate in functional sensory impairment and are based on participant self-report, which tend to be underreported. As a result, observed associations between impairment and unemployment are most likely underestimated. The NHIS study did not have members who are on active duty and in the Armed Forces participate in the study, so the study is not based on that population. Examinations based on self-reported impairments of each person, and future studies to analyze objective measures (pure tone audiometry, visual acuity, etc.) provide clinically significant definitions of impairment that can be compared across all studies. Advocating for the Deafblind in the Workplace These studies will hopefully start a nationwide conversation about the employment of individuals who have DSI. A planned set of strategies are needed to engage with them and accommodate their needs on the job. The studies also recommend that those with vision impairment and hearing loss could benefit from more research on better access to eyeglasses, hearing aids, low-vision rehabilitation, and using both eyeglasses and hearing aids. They concluded that due to the growth in the aging population, the amount of people with DSI will most likely rise, which highlights the importance of access to public health.  Hearing loss is not only a health concern, but it’s also a safety concern. Fortunately, in addition to hearing aids, there are specialized devices that can alert, wake, notify or warn you about a visitor or an emergency.
Before modern technology, people with hearing loss usually had to depend on others in order to safely navigate and connect to their environment. Luckily, technology has quickly advanced, and that includes hearing aid technology that allows those with hearing loss to lead a more independent life. Currently, there are amplification devices, assistive listening devices (ALD), captioning, FM systems, hearing aids and infrared systems available to hear everyday sounds and enjoy entertainment. Devices that can alert allow those with hearing loss to remain connected with others and feel more secure in cases of emergencies. These devices utilize:
Alarm Clocks for the Hard of Hearing The typical alarm clock can be unhelpful for anyone with hearing loss. There are appropriately designed alarm clocks for those who have hearing loss which feature:
Carbon monoxide, Fire and Smoke Alarms Some of these devices must be purchased separately. In other cases, you can get them as part of a combination fire and carbon monoxide detection system. Most of them feature extra loud alarms and flashing strobe lights, based on your personal needs. There are fire alarms that will alert you by vibrating your bed. It uses a component that rests underneath your pillow or mattress and shakes you awake if there’s a fire in your home. There are also alerting devices that can recognize the pitch of your existing smoke alarm and emit a louder, lower-pitched noise that will be more reliable to wake you. There are some devices that will shake in order to wake you, and the digital display will light up in orange and read “FIRE.” Signals for Doorbells There are signals for doorbells that can function with or without an existing doorbell. There are also security signals that will notify you when a window is opened in your home. Signals for doorbells can include a flashing strobe light, an alert that is linked to your smartphone or even one that has its own receiver. There are some systems that can be kept in a common area inside your home and you can be alerted via message and/or a flashing light if someone is calling you or ringing the doorbell. Signals for the Phone A signal for your phone can be connected directly to an outlet and phone line, or connected to the side of a phone in order to directly receive sound. Today’s smartphones provide more exclusive, sensible and advanced choices than old models of phones did in the past. The Latest Phone Technology Recently, tech companies have created discreet, modern and high-styled bracelets and smartwatches that can make a signal to users if their smartphone is ringing. Whether you use hearing aids or not, this can be helpful if your smartphone is switched to silent mode or stashed in your bag or purse. And obviously, if you do have hearing loss this can be very useful if you don’t or can’t hear your phone ringing. Signals for an Infant’s Cry The average baby monitor usually does not produce enough sound for those with hearing loss to figure out that their babies are crying. There are now transmitters and receivers available to detect a baby’s cry and send it to a central alert device. Signals for Weather Alerts Severe weather storms are not always obvious to people with hearing loss, due to the inability to hear thunder. People aren’t always watching TV or listening to the radio, so these warnings can easily be missed. Weather alerts radios can be used on their own or connected to other accessories like strobe lights or bed-shakers. Additional Alerting Devices Just to recap, there are devices that can notify you to any noise or movement. Some of them can be located inside your home, or on your smartphone. They can be specially programmed for anything from your phone ringing to a baby’s cry. There are also motion detection features. As more technology evolves for people with hearing loss, greater improvements are being made in the aesthetics, performance and accuracy. If you are in need of hearing accessories or 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 issues with your hearing aids, or an assistive listening device, please contact us before visiting one of our office locations.  About 78 percent of farmers in the U.S. believe that they experience hearing loss. This is a much higher number of individuals compared to other groups.
Working on a farm every day exposes workers to noises from heavy machinery, squealing pigs, tractors and ventilation systems. As a result, farmers are at a high risk of losing their hearing. Excessive Levels of Noise are Heard on a Daily Basis A study asked 5,000 farmers about their hearing over a course of 10 years. The research concluded that 92 percent of these farmers had been exposed to excessive levels of noise while working on a farm. Due to this dangerous exposure, 78 percent had issues with their hearing. What are the Average Farm Noise Levels? As previously mentioned in this blog, the threshold for hearing loss is 85 decibels (dB).
A Lack of Hearing Protection Anyone who works in a noisy environment should regularly wear hearing protection. In the study, only 44 percent of men stated that they regularly use hearing protection. In Sweden, 40 percent of male farmers reported using protection for their hearing. About 78 percent of women who farmed were more likely to use hearing protection. These studies verified how significant it is to wear protection for your hearing health. Fifty farmers who regularly use protection for their hearing, were paired up with non-users. The outcome showed that there was much less hearing loss in farmers who wore hearing protection. Additional ways to Protect Hearing Other than wearing hearing protection, it’s also important to limit your noise exposure. According to Niklas Adolfsson, from the Swedish Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, noises can be reduced on farms by installing sound insulation inside of a barn and choosing the quietest equipment when investing in tools/machinery. Other Effects The loud noise levels do not only create a high risk of hearing loss, but they can also be a huge distraction, which can lead to mental and physical fatigue. Anyone who has hearing loss, needs to use more of their energy in order to carry out their duties. In this case, farmers tend to expend more energy so that they can do their job in a noisy climate. This can lead to more work related injuries. If you, or someone that you know, are a Lancaster County farmer who experiences hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aid styles and brands for a wide range of hearing loss. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs and re-fittings. We ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. We will come to your car to get them. If you are having any issues with your hearing aids, or an assistive listening device, please contact us before visiting one of our office locations.  Have you ever felt exhausted after going out with friends or family? How about feeling fatigued after a meeting with colleagues, or due to frequently interacting with others as part of your job?
Maybe you collapse in bed or on your couch. You don’t simply feel tired, you may feel physically, mentally and emotionally drained. Resting your ears and eyes is necessary to recharge. Communication and Energy Depletion Being deaf or hard of hearing doesn’t simply affect your communication. It also drains the energy that you use throughout the day, in order to lipread while remaining focused on others and your environment. You’re required to process and piece together what you hear, like the game Wheel of Fortune. You hear someone say a phrase, and you need to figure out what they said based on the context, topic being discussed, their facial expressions, body language, etc. And then you need to respond to the person. This is not common knowledge. There is less attention on this subject matter when it comes to deaf and hard of hearing children/teens. Awareness for these individuals tends to focus on language acquisition and communication, not so much on concentration fatigue. Many deaf and hard of hearing children/adolescents haven’t been given the opportunity to discuss the effects of hearing loss on their lives or how to manage it. Taking regular breaks and being honest with adults if they feel tired, without worrying that they will be seen as being lazy. When these deaf and hard of hearing children/teens become adults, it may still take time before they feel comfortable revealing that they need a break from work or are too tired to engage while hanging out with friends. Anyone who is deaf or hard of hearing can do anything, they just need to take a break and rest a little more often than others. To all parents and teachers, please be aware of this - especially during the school year. If you, or a loved one, are in need of hearing aids or listening devices, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aid brands and listening devices. 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.  Even though summertime is coming to an end, the heat and humidity continue to linger in the air. Here are some tips on how to keep your hearing aids safe under these conditions.
7 Steps to take Care of Your Hearing Aids in the Heat Any plans that you have can potentially endanger the quality of your hearing aids. These risks can be avoided by taking some practical safety measures.
Hearing Aids that are Water-resistant vs. Waterproof A waterproof hearing aid does not exist, but hearing aids can be water-resistant. Water-resistant hearing aids can protect the device from water damage and are more durable against this element. This is not a pass to dip your hearing aids into water. If you shower with your hearing aids on, they should still work. If you go swimming, that can cause some significant damage. The water-repellent coating of the device, along with the lithium-ion batteries, are what make hearing aids last longer. This does not mean that the devices are indestructible. A full plunge into water can seriously damage the devices. Which Hearing Aids can Withstand Heat, Humidity and Water? If you have hearing loss, or need to get new hearing aids, you might want to try some water-resistant options. Signia hearing aids have some of these choices available. Most of them have the IP68 proof of standard for resisting dust and water. All Signia hearing aids feature a hydrophobic coating, which resists dirt and water from penetrating through the hearing aids. This does NOT put an end to all water damage, but it can protect the devices against dirt and sweat. It does feature protective filters that go over the microphones and receivers, so as long as you take proper care of your hearing aids, they will last a long time. If you, or a loved one are looking for new 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 issues with your hearing aids, or an assistive listening device, please contact us before visiting one of our office locations.  Starkey's Livio AI - Winner of the 2019 Red Dot Design Award Modern hearing aids are more advanced and intricate than they were before. They use state-of-the-art computer processors, microelectronics and wireless radios. They are designed and programmed to strict requirements in order to provide the user with the best possible hearing experience. Some of these devices, like Starkey’s Livio AI, feature a moisture resistant coating that repels dirt, dust, moisture, water and wax.
Even with these advanced features, hearing aids can still malfunction and parts may still need to be replaced. If you wear your hearing aids every day from dusk until dawn, as they should be worn, they may come in contact with elements of the earth (rain, pollen), along with some other chemicals that you may use on your body (hair spray, lotion, or makeup), or oils and sweat from your own body. In addition to all of this, hearing aids sometimes fall to the ground, if they’re not in a case they get knocked around in your bag or purse, or the wires get twisted when putting them on or removing them. You put them through the wringer, yet they usually continue performing for you. The Lifespan of Hearing Aids Normally, hearing aids that are regularly cleaned and properly maintained last about five years. This care includes a check up and thorough cleaning at least every six months. During those five years, hearing aid devices will most likely need to be repaired. After they’ve reached five years, it’s important to think about investing in a new pair of hearing aids or getting the old ones repaired. Even the sturdiest hearing aids available will eventually break down from daily usage and exposure. Advancements in Hearing Aid Technology Frequently Improve Just like other technology (smartphones, TV, computers) new hearing aids aren’t just more reliable, but the technology improves year after year. That indicates that the sound quality is better, distinguishing multiple sounds from one another will be easier, there will be more advances in Bluetooth® technology, more options for accessories, and features that make daily life easier. Regularly investing in new hearing aids allows users to have reliable hearing, which improves your overall health, and reduces isolation which can lead to depression. If you, or a loved one, need hearing aids please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids 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.  Are you a new parent who is deaf or hard of hearing, and are on the look-out for a baby monitor? Search no further!
Here are some classic baby monitors that you can use if you are deaf or hard of hearing. Please note that if you purchase a monitor from outside of your home country, make sure that your monitor frequency does not interfere with emergency services. Sarabec MONA (from the U.K., but can work in the U.S.) This baby monitor features a vibrating pad and video monitor. Because it is manufactured in the U.K., you will need to purchase plug adaptors if you are living in the U.S. Sonic Alert Baby Cry Signaler The Sonic Alert Baby Cry Signaler - if you experience complete deafness, this device needs a strobe attachment in order to properly function. It can simply be plugged into an outlet. The Strobe Receiver - when then Cry Baby Signaler harnesses sound, the strobe light will flash. This is also compatible with the Sonic Alert’s telephone and doorbell notification hardware. The Sonic Boom Alarm Clock - this device is compatible with the Baby Cry Signaler. The alarm works by switching on very strong vibrations that are located underneath the mattress, or it can flash the lights on a lamp that you plug into it. The Summer Infant Babble Band This is a band that is worn on your wrist. It does not have a video screen. You could get this and a traditional video monitor to use simultaneously. You can put on the band as you sleep or while the baby is napping, and then periodically check on the baby through the video. Please note that the battery life only lasts for a maximum of 8 hours, so it might not be as reliable to use with a newborn. If you are comfortable without having a video monitor, this is a good way to receive vibration alerts that are also hands-free. Smart Baby Monitors Deaf and hard of hearing parents will need to rely on their smartphone, and the vibration alert setting. The iPhone’s third-party apps do not allow customized vibration patterns that are strong/extended. Here’s a list of smartphone-friendly options for deaf and hard of hearing parents. Note that the vibrations may not be as helpful to wake you from your sleep. If you prefer not to sleep with your smartphone tucked underneath your pillow, you’ll probably want to use a vibration pad or light flasher. Nanit This smart baby monitor can show sleep tracking and analytics if you choose their subscription model. If you are a parent who wears hearing aids during the day time, but removes them at night, you probably worry about not being able to hear your baby crying at night. Unfortunately, the Cry Baby alert tone/vibration lasts briefly, which probably won’t walk a slumbering parent. If you have a FitBit, you can customize it to transfer the alert buzz to your FitBit. It’s a quick buzz that can be useful during the daytime, but probably won’t be useful during the night. This monitor can sense crying and motion. Cocoon Cam This is similar to the Nanit, but more affordable. It also features a breathing monitor that is built into the system. It is mainly a monitor that is meant to wake a parent if the baby is crying. iBaby Monitor This baby monitor features HD feed, and allows parents to pan the camera around in order to look at their child. If your WiFi stops working, the monitor will stop working, which could drain your smartphone battery. Baby Monitor 3G App This is an app that can be downloaded onto your smartphone. You will need an extra smartphone, a tablet, or a laptop which will continuously serve as a camera that monitors your baby. Your primary smartphone is the main unit that will vibrate in order to alert you. The interfacing will show the last time your baby made a noise. This is a great, and affordable, choice if you want to keep a monitor in your pocket while you travel. All of these devices and apps are specially designed for the deaf and hard of hearing. 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. Our hearing instrument specialists will patiently work with you to make sure that you are getting the most out of your hearing aids. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require repairs, re-fittings and new hearing aid fittings. 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.  Studies have shown that people with hearing loss are more likely to have an unexpected injury while on the job, or during recreational activities.
The research utilized information from the National Health Interview Survey, which was conducted between 2007 and 2015, to evaluate accidental injuries in adults. There were 2.8 percent of adults who reported accidental injuries over three months. The risks of these types of injuries were two times more likely among those who had difficulty with their hearing. The results of the study indicated that hearing loss affects approximately 16 percent of Americans. Safety and its Link to Hearing Loss Hossein Mahboubi, the co-author, and member of the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of California, Irvine, concluded that the study confirms the relationship between hearing difficulties and accidental injuries. For example, if you don’t have good hearing abilities and you’re engaging in a sport like biking, a driver may honk their car horn, and you might not hear it. At that moment, you are at a very high risk of becoming injured. The survey showed that approximately 16 percent of adults claimed that their hearing health ranged between “excellent” to “deaf”. It indicated that the rate of accidental injury surged from 2 percent for individuals who had excellent hearing to approximately 5 percent in those who experienced difficulties with their hearing. Injuries were categorized under driving, leisure or work-related. Leisure injuries rose from 0.8 percent in those who had excellent hearing to 1.4 percent in adults who were deaf. This implies that individuals who experience moderate to severe hearing loss have a greater chance of injury while engaging in sports or other leisure activities. Interestingly enough, the data also illustrated that people with healthy hearing or little hearing problems were more prone to being injured at work than employees who were deaf or hard of hearing. This may be due to the notion that someone with hearing loss is more attentive to their surroundings, therefore would be less likely to have a harmful accident. Participants who experienced moderate hearing problems were more prone to suffer injuries, whereas those with more severe hearing problems were less likely to suffer from injuries. It’s important to note that this data is subjective because participants reported their own degree of hearing loss and experiences. The evidence is credible enough to demonstrate the link between accidental injury and hearing loss. Additional Studies are Necessary Out of the test subjects who stated that they considered their hearing “less than good or excellent” (meaning they believed that they had only little difficulty with hearing than those who believed that they were deaf) a third of those individuals had never been examined by a physician and did not receive a hearing test. The conclusion was that there was a significant disparity between those who believed that they have a hearing impairment and those who actually got their hearing tested by a professional. An earlier study that utilized survey data from the CDC, revealed that injuries on the job were 1.5 times more likely to happen in adults with hearing loss, and nearly two times more likely to happen in adults who were deaf. This was the only major study that was found. This could be due to a lack of awareness, or due to an inability to express it as a serious health risk. There are many people with hearing loss who are not receiving a proper hearing evaluation. Another study revealed that hearing loss can increase the risk of injuries. There will always be the need for more improvements when it comes to raising public awareness and healthcare providers’ awareness about the importance of addressing hearing loss. Lower Your Risks of Accidental Injuries Be informed about how problems with hearing can be an overall risk to your health. If you believe that you may have some degree of hearing loss, get tested. Getting treatment for your hearing loss will not only help with your overall health, but it can also reduce risks of injuries, falls and social isolation. If you, or a loved one, are in need of a free hearing test, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids to schedule an appointment with us. 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. 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.  Modern life is a fast-paced world that puts us up against many challenges. The stress caused by this velocity can wear you down if you don’t take time out of your day to effectively manage it. Stress can lead to unexpected obstacles, such as a poor night’s rest that can interfere with your ability to accomplish tasks at work.
The Fallout of Stress The human body receives a rush of energy or strength by releasing chemicals into the bloodstream in order to handle stress. This is a normal reaction from our bodies. It supports us through demanding moments, but excessive amounts of stress can deteriorate and weaken your body. Stress isn’t just emotionally tiring, it can lead to additional health problems by diminishing our immune system, cause anxiety attacks, diabetes, headaches, high blood pressure, gastrointestinal complications, migraines, and more. The Connection between Stress and Hearing Loss The body’s response to stress leads to adrenaline being overproduced. This causes a restriction of blood flow to the ears, which is how it affects a person’s ability to hear. Delicate hair cells, or cilia, are found in the inner ear. They need constant blood flow in order to receive the proper amount of oxygen and nutrients. Each day when stress builds up, it may lead to a disruption of the blood flow to the rest of the body. Without steady circulation, these hair cells can become permanently damaged. Hearing loss can occur if an individual becomes overstressed to the point where blood no longer flows to the ears. Stress, Hypertension and Hearing Loss Hypertension is high blood pressure that occurs alongside stress. There are serious consequences of these symptoms that can harm the health of your hearing. High blood pressure weakens blood vessels, which affects the rest of your body - including your ears. If there is damage to the blood vessels in your ears, your hearing can be impaired. Recurring episodes of stress that manifest in the form of hypertension normally cause hearing loss and tinnitus. Hearing loss symptoms that are caused by stress include feelings of fullness, blockage, pain or pressure in the ear(s). Tinnitus and Hearing Loss Over the years studies have associated stress with tinnitus. It is both a cause and a symptom. Tinnitus is the perceived buzzing, hissing or ringing noise in your ears when there is no outside source of the sound. It is normally caused by excessive exposure to loud noises or even some medications. It can linger and then fade away, but it has a tendency to occur when a person is feeling stressed. A study found that 53% of patients who have tinnitus claimed that their symptoms began amid a stressful point of their lives, or became severe during a stressful period. It’s a continuous series of stress that induces tinnitus, which leads to more stress, and that stress leads to more episodes of tinnitus. How You Can Relax If you experience hearing loss that was caused by stress, you first need to lower those levels of stress in order to thwart more damaging effects. Pause everything for a moment. If you begin to feel overwhelmed, rest your mind. You can stop for 20 minutes and simply close your eyes. Engage in regular exercises. Stress impacts your brain as well as your body. If your body feels great, your mind will too. Exercise and other physical activity create endorphins (chemicals in your brain that are essentially used as natural painkillers), and they improve sleep, which lowers stress levels. It only takes 20 minutes of exercise each day to increase your blood flow, which in turn will improve the health of your mind and body. Discuss ways to reduce stress with a friend or healthcare professional. Talking to someone who has experienced what you have, or has credible knowledge, can encourage you to get through it. Mediation. This can help your body and mind focus and relax. You can go out to a quiet place in nature, listen to calming music or a mediation podcast. Participate in your favorite activities. Take out time each day to do something that you enjoy. It can be as simple as listening to your favorite music or reading a book. If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss, and/or tinnitus, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aid solutions that can be customized for your particular 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. 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.  Your ability to hear is vital for your overall health. Hearing is connected to your head, your heart and your lifestyle. Things that are healthy for your body, are good for your hearing health.
Studies on Meditation and Hearing A study has suggested that meditation is not simply healthy for your body, but it can help improve your hearing. Humans respond to stress through fight or flight. In the past, this response kept our species alive. It naturally built-up chemicals in the body to provide more speed and strength. Modern stress is usually caused by your job, taking care of your family and other non-life-threatening concerns. As a result, we are susceptible to long term stress and these chemicals for a lengthier amount of time. Continuous exposure to fight or flight chemicals causes inflammation and weakens different parts of your body. This stress can affect the fragile sections in the ears. If adrenaline overproduces, blood circulation to the inner ear can slow down or completely stop. Meditation can not only decrease the stress response, and the deteriorating effects, but it can also improve your ability to hear. Several studies have concluded that meditation increases the amount of gray matter in the brain, that is in charge of holding attention. Those who do not meditate did not show an increase in the amount of gray matter in the brain. An increase in these areas implies that a person would excel at paying attention if they meditate. Meditation also enhances a person’s capacity to identify sounds at various auditory thresholds, which strengthens how the brain deciphers and collects auditory information. It has also been found that meditation increases blood flow to the ears. Blood flow is crucial for healthy hearing. If you want to improve your overall mind, body and hearing, try meditation. There are plenty of meditation podcasts, gentle music that you can listen to while meditating, or you can be still in total silence. If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss or tinnitus, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aid brands and accessories at discount prices. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require 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.  Just about every surfer has shared stories about the injuries they got while surfing gnarly waves. It may have been a head bunt with their board, a hand cut on a fin, or even a dislocated joint from a huge wave. While these are rare injuries, they do help paint a more interesting narrative.
Surfer’s Ear: How it happens and who can get it This blog has frequently discussed swimmer's ear, but there’s a syndrome of surfing that is more prevalent, yet rarely acknowledged. It could actually be more dangerous. This syndrome is known as surfer’s ear (exostosis). Surfer’s ear occurs when the ear(s) become(s) irritated from cold water. This normally happens as a result of long exposure to cold water. Surfers, old and young, can experience it. What happens is, over time, the ear canal becomes irritated and as a result bone will start to grow in that area. This causes the canal to become more and more narrow, which leads to hearing loss. Ultimately, the bone growth becomes very obvious because a person with this problem can experience complete hearing loss. The only treatment for this issue is cutting off or shaving the bone growth. This procedure would need a recovery period of six to eight weeks. Surfer’s ear doesn’t just lead to hearing loss, but the bone growths will trap water which leads to frequent infections. This leads to high risks for people who spend a lot of time in the water to surf. Wetsuits are providing surfers with the opportunity to go into the water almost year round, raising the risks for surfers of all ages. About one in three surfers experience this problem, and if left untreated it can lead to pain and severe hearing loss. Are there Treatments for Surfer’s Ear? The only real cure for surfer’s ear is surgery. It’s best to take preventative measures, like wearing earplugs, prior to going into the water. You can also try these Swedish company's earplugs that are specially designed for surfers. Sound waves can be heard, while the real waves stay out. If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss, for any reason, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids 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 Protection and Optimization
It takes time to adapt to hearing aids. Most users are able to quickly adjust to the devices while at home or on the job. To get the most benefits from your hearing aids in other environments, like being out in the woods and hiking, you need to take protection and optimization into consideration. 1. Protect Your Hearing Aids During Your Hike When you hike, you also sweat. If you excessively sweat, while hiking or engaging in other outdoor activities, it might be a good idea to select a smaller hearing device that does not have too much contact with your skin. You could wear a separate sweatband to absorb excess perspiration while giving you an additional layer between your skin and hearing aids. There is also the option of Starkey’s Livio AI hearing aids, which feature Surface™ NanoShield. This feature repels water, wax and moisture, which helps protect the hearing aids while keeping them durable. 2. Worried About Losing Your Hearing Aids? Losing your hearing aids while out hiking is a common concern. You can use a clip and a cord that fastens your hearing device onto your shirt. If it falls off, it would simply hang off of your shirt. You can also use the “Find My Hearing Aids” feature through the TruLink Hearing Control app. This feature will only work if your smartphone, hearing aid batteries, or rechargeable hearing aids, still have power. 3. Set up Your Hearing Aids for Hiking Most hearing aids let users switch settings for indoor and outdoor environments. Some users discovered that turning up the microphone and turning down the noise reduction, provides pleasant experiences while hiking. Users may need to adjust and readjust the devices to their personal preferences for each individual trail. If you are having problems with getting the right setting, seek guidance from your hearing instrument specialist. If you are hiking with someone, miscommunications might occur. To help with this issue, your hiking partner can wear a lapel microphone that connects to your hearing aids. If you are going to walk in front during a group hike, ask your hearing instrument specialist to point the microphone behind you. You may encounter windy environments, which can make hearing difficult. Ask your hearing instrument specialist to program a setting for windy settings. If you, or a loved one, are a hiker who needs hearing aids or needs hearing aids programmed by a professional, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a 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. |
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