Archive for the ‘Columbia Basin Hearing & Balance Center’ category

Noise, Hearing Loss and Your Health

October 8th, 2010

By Kevin M. Liebe, Au.D., CCC-A
Doctor of Audiology
Columbia Basin Hearing Center
1149 N. Edison Street, Suite D
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 736-4005
www.columbiabasinhearing.com

Exposure to hazardous noise still remains one of the most common causes of irreversible hearing loss today.  The National Institutes of Health currently estimates that approximately 10 million Americans have suffered irreversible hearing loss due to noise, with another 30 million being exposed to dangerous noise levels on a daily basis.

For most people, the symptoms of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) tend to be subtle in the earlier stages.  Hearing loss begins to occur first for high-pitch sounds.  As a result, the bass or “volume” of speech appears unchanged, but the clarity of speech decreases.  The ability to communicate in the presence of background noise becomes increasingly difficult and can cause anxiety, stress and fatigue for the individual trying to understand speech.  Over time, communication even in quiet environments can become difficult for the affected individual if a person is not directly facing them when they speak.

While it is possible to obtain immediate hearing loss after exposure to a loud sound, most often NIHL is the result of repeated exposure to loud sounds over an extended period of time.  Prolonged exposure to sounds reaching or exceeding 85 decibels (dB) can result in permanent hearing loss.  The louder the noise, the less time an individual can be exposed before permanent damage will occur.  Beyond hearing loss, exposure to loud noise can even cause physical changes to occur in other parts of your body:  increased blood pressure, disturbed digestion, increased breathing rate, fatigue, irritability and sleeping difficulty.  A ringing or buzzing in the ears, called tinnitus, is one of the most common side effects and may become permanent.  When combined with exposure to various chemical compounds, such as those frequently encountered by industrial workers (vehicle exhaust, paint, organic solvents, etc), the damaging effects of noise can be increased.

NIHL is almost always preventable.  You can help prevent NIHL by:

  • Limiting the length of your exposure
  • Always wearing your hearing protection in the presence of loud noise
  • Advocating for hearing conservation programs with your employer
  • Having your hearing tested and monitored by a licensed Audiologist

Foam plugs are no longer the only option to preserve your hearing when you’re exposed to loud noise.  Advancements in hearing protection technology now allow customized hearing protection for a variety of applications, including military personnel, musicians, sport shooters and industrial workers.  In addition, for those parents concerned about their child’s exposure to loud music through personal music (MP3) players, a new type of earphones were recently released that have the ability to regulate the volume to prevent dangerous levels of sound from being produced. Kidzsafe Earbuds® are compatible with all types of MP3 players and will help ensure the music your child enjoys will stay safely below 85 dB, giving parents peace of mind.

Facts/figures:

 

110 dB

Exposure of more than 1 minute risks permanent hearing loss.

100 dB

No more than 15 minutes of unprotected exposure recommended.

85 dB

Prolonged exposure to any noise at or above 85 decibels can cause gradual hearing loss.

****(Table adapted from National Institutes of Health, 2010)***

How Loud is too Loud?
Decibels (dB) Noise Source
150+ Firecracker
120 Ambulance siren
110 Chain saw, Rock concert
105 Personal stereo system at maximum level
100 Wood shop, Snowmobile
95 Motorcycle
90 Power mower
85 Heavy city traffic
60 Normal conversation
40 Refrigerator humming
30 Whispered voice
0 Threshold of normal hearing

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Posted in Columbia Basin Hearing & Balance Center, Hearing Loss, Hearing protection, Kennewick, Kevin Liebe, Noise Exposure, Noise levels, Noise-induced, Ringing in the Ears, tinnitus, Uncategorized

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New Smoke Alarm Requirements Will Save Lives

June 4th, 2010

By Kevin M. Liebe, Au.D., CCC-A
Doctor of Audiology
Columbia Basin Hearing Center
1149 N. Edison Street, Suite D
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 736-4005
www.columbiabasinhearing.com  

As many of you are probably unaware, a new National Fire Alarm Code went into effect in January 2010.  The change is the result of mounting research evidence indicating that millions of Americans could potentially sleep through their smoke alarms during a fire.

Most standard smoke alarms in the US produce high-frequency tones between 3000 to 4000 Hz.  Unfortunately, this high-frequency range is also one of the first to be effected by hearing loss.  About 30 million Americans, or 1 in 10, have some degree of hearing impairment.  According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), about 18 percent of adults ages 45-64 have hearing impairment, compared with 30 percent of adults 65-74 and almost 50 percent of adults over 75.

The new National Fire Alarm Code would require the use of a low-frequency signal (520 Hz) for fire alarms installed in residential bedrooms of those with mild to severe hearing loss by January 2010 and in all commercial bedrooms by 2014.  This low-frequency tone has been found to be significantly more effective in waking up individuals with hearing loss and those in a deep sleep, even more effectively than strobe lights or bed shaking devices alone.

Fire is the third leading cause of accidental death in the US.  Most fire fatalities occur at night, between the hours of about 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., when the vast majority of people are asleep.  The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that adults above the age of 65 have about twice the risk of fire fatality than the average and those over 85 have four and half times the risk.  These figures are especially troubling, given the fact that these groups are also at a much greater risk of not hearing their smoke alarms. 

If you or a loved one suffers from even a mild hearing loss, a traditional smoke alarm may not be enough to awaken you from a deep sleep.  Often times you only have a few minutes to escape a house fire once the alarms have detected smoke.  Serious consideration should be given to whether a low-frequency smoke alarm or some other form of alerting device would be the best choice for your needs in case of a fire.  Speaking with an audiologist will help you determine the most appropriate options based on your individual hearing needs.

Fire Facts from the NFPA:

  • In 2008, U.S. fire departments responded to 386,500 home fires. These fires killed 2,755 civilians. Eighty-three percent of all fire deaths resulted from home fires.
  • Someone was injured in a home fire every 40 minutes and roughly eight people died in home fires every day during 2008.
  • A fire department responded to a home fire every 81 seconds.
  • Almost two-thirds of reported home fire deaths in 2003-2006 resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
  • About 1/3 of home fires and deaths happened in the months of December, January and February.
  • The kitchen is the leading area of origin for home fires. However, bedrooms and living/family rooms are the leading areas of origin for home fire deaths.
  • One-third of American households who made an estimate thought they would have at least 6 minutes before a fire in their home would become life-threatening. The time available is often less.
  • Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. Having a working smoke alarm cuts the chances of dying in a reported fire in half.

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Posted in Audiologist, Columbia Basin Hearing & Balance Center, Doctor of Audiology, Fire fatalities, Fire Safety, Hearing Impaired, Hearing Loss, hearing needs, High-Frequency, Low-Frequency, Smoke Alarms

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Hearing Loss, Dizziness and Balance Disorders in the Elderly

May 28th, 2010

By Neil W. Aiello, Au.D., FAAA, CCC-A
Doctor of Audiology
Cheif Operations Officer
Columbia Basin Hearing Center
1149 N. Edison Street, Suite D
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 736-4005
www.columbiabasinhearing.com  

Adults are now living longer.  But with increased longevity comes a corresponding increase in the incidence of hearing loss, dizziness and balance problems.  Each of these conditions are common problems among the senior population.  Some revealing statistics from the National Institute on Aging include: 

  • Approximately one-third of Americans between the ages of 65 and 74 have hearing problems. 
  • Nearly half the people who are 75 or older have hearing loss. 
  • As many as 40% of all adults will experience dizziness severe enough to warrant reporting it to their doctor. 

In fact, according to the National Institutes of Health, over 90 million Americans will experience dizziness or vertigo in their lifetime.  Dizziness or vertigo is the #1 complaint of patients over the age of 70, and is the third most frequent complaint among all patients after headache and back pain.  Approximately 85% of all vertigo and balance problems are due to an inner-ear incident.

Neil Aiello, Au.D., Doctor of Audiology | Columbia Basin Hearing & Balance CenterHearing loss can have many causes including aging of the auditory system, overexposure to loud noises over a period of time, infections, ear wax buildup in the ear canal, heart conditions or stroke, head injuries, tumors, certain medicines and heredity.  Common symptoms of hearing loss include; if you often can hear people talking, but simply have difficulty understanding them; struggling to hear conversations clearly in background noise or in group situations; having difficulty hearing over the telephone or needing to turn the TV volume higher so that others complain.  These Sound Voids ™ are the result of some form of hearing loss, either temporary or permanent, and may result in situations where an individual’s hearing loss does not permit them to detect or understand important sound and speech cues.  Individuals often find that Sound Voids result in tiring, frustrating, and embarrassing situations.

Dizziness is a symptom with a multitude of possible causes.  Determining the underlying cause is one of the biggest challenges for physicians.  The most common causes are related to the inner ear; therefore, referral to an audiologist is highly recommended.  Other causes include central nervous system problem in the brain or brainstem, related heart conditions, medications, as well as infections of the inner-ear or vestibular nerve.  Specificity is the key to finding the source of the problem.  The more specific you can be about when the symptoms began, when they are most likely to occur and exactly what they feel like will help the audiologist or physician develop a more accurate diagnosis.  Be aware that determining the source of dizziness is very complex and difficult to localize.  In fact, many times the exact source of the dizziness is never found.  However, more serious sources of the problem are ruled out.

According to a distinguished expert in the field of dizziness and balance disorders; Doctors of Audiology have an educational and clinical advantage in the identification and diagnosis of many forms of dizziness and vertigo problems.  The high incidence of inner ear symptoms with balance and vertigo disorders, in conjunction with the increasing number of elderly patients that need our expertise is on the rise.  In fact, many insurance companies are seeing the proven benefits and under-utilization of Doctors of Audiology who specialize in dizziness, vertigo and balance disorders.

If you or your loved ones have hearing loss, Sound Voids™, dizziness, vertigo and/or balance problems, seek out your local Doctor of Audiology for the latest in modern professional hearing, dizziness and balance services.  General information on these topics can be found online at www.ColumbiaBasinHearing.com , www.audigygroup.com or www.dizzy.com

Definitions:

Audiologists (noun): are autonomous professionals who identify, assess, and manage disorders of the auditory, balance, and other neural systems. Audiologists provide audiological (hearing) rehabilitation to children and adults across the entire age span. Audiologists select, fit, and dispense amplification systems such as hearing aids and related devices. Audiologists currently hold a Master’s or Doctoral degrees in audiology from an accredited university or professional school.

Sound Void™ (noun):

  1. A moment lacking in clarity in hearing or understanding.
  2. An empty space in one’s life caused by the absence of sound clarity.

Hearing Loss (noun):

  1. Impairment of the sense of hearing.

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Posted in Audigy Group, AudigyCertified, Audiologist, Balance, Clinical Audiologist, Columbia Basin Hearing & Balance Center, Dizziness, Doctor of Audiology, Hearing Aids, Hearing Impaired, Hearing Loss, inner ear, Signs of Hearing Loss, Sound voids, Treatable Hearing Loss, Uncategorized, vertigo, vestibular nerve

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Tinnitus: What’s that ringing in my ears?!

May 21st, 2010

By Shannon M. Aiello, Au.D., CCC-A, FAAA
Doctor of Audiology
Directory of Audiology
Columbia Basin Hearing Center
1149 N. Edison Street, Suite D
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 736-4005
www.columbiabasinhearing.com  

What do David Letterman, Pete Townshend, Charles Darwin, Ludwig Van Beethoven, and Steve Martin have in common? Other than being notable individuals in history or entertainment, all of these people have lived with chronic tinnitus. And they are not alone. The American Tinnitus Association estimates that over 50 million Americans experience tinnitus. Of these, 12 million have tinnitus that is severe enough that they seek medical attention. Furthermore, approximately 2 million persons have tinnitus that is so debilitating they cannot function in their daily lives.

Tinnitus is defined as the perception of sound when no external sound is present. Tinnitus is often referred to as “ringing in the ears,” although some people hear hissing, roaring, whistling, chirping, or clicking. It can be intermittent or constant, with single or changing frequencies.Because there are so many causes of tinnitus, it is important to be thoroughly evaluated to determine what exactly is causing the ringing. Many times people are told that tinnitus is normal with aging or that they just have to live with it. This is an untrue statement. If there is a medical issue causing the tinnitus often times, when it is treated the tinnitus may subside. Although there are very few treatments for tinnitus available, it is important that people with tinnitus understand where it is coming from, what to do if it gets worse, and what they can do to successfully manage their tinnitus.

Hearing loss and noise exposure is the most typical cause of tinnitus. For these patients, the tinnitus is typically permanent. Because of the vast number of people that suffer tinnitus, there are many companies that are trying to capitalize on this condition by advertising various herbal supplements or devices to help stop the ringing. Sadly, many of these supplements and “treatments” are extremely overpriced and have not been shown clinically to reduce the perception of tinnitus.

There are however, different options available for tinnitus suffers to help reduced their awareness of the tinnitus. For those who have hearing loss in addition to tinnitus, if the hearing loss is corrected through the use of hearing aids the majority of people also notice a reduction, or complete cessation, of their tinnitus.

At Columbia Basin Hearing and Balance Center, we understand that tinnitus is a complex problem which is different with each patient. Because of this we take the time to understand what our patients are experiencing, do comprehensive testing to determine where the tinnitus is coming from, and speak extensively about individualized management, therapies, and options that may help relieve the tinnitus. We are actively pursuing and using new therapies and management strategies to help out patients experience relief from their tinnitus.

If you or your loved one has been told to learn to live with tinnitus, please contact one of our local Doctor of Audiology for the latest in testing and management of tinnitus. General information on tinnitus can be found at Columbia Basin Hearing and the American Tinnitus Association.

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Posted in Audiologist, Clinical Audiologist, Columbia Basin Hearing & Balance Center, Doctor of Audiology, Hearing Aids, Hearing Loss, Noise-induced, Ringing in the Ears, tinnitus, Uncategorized

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