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Hearing Loss And Hearing Aid Myths Debunked – Fiction vs. Fact

January 18th, 2012

By Crystal L. Chalmers, Au.D.
Doctor of Audiology
North State Audiological Services
15 Jan Court
Chico, CA 95928
(888) 844-7024
Follow North State Audiological Services | Facebook | Twitter | Youtube
www.nsaudiology.com

A recently completed study by Johns Hopkins University – published on November 14, 2011 in the Archives of Internal Medicine – now confirms that 1 in 5 Americans have hearing loss in at least one ear.  This is well over 50 million people and far exceeds previous hearing care industry estimates of approximately 25 million.

The Johns Hopkins study is unique in that the data used statistically corresponded with the entire US population by including both men and women of all races, aged 12 and older, living in cities throughout the country.

Using the World Health Organization’s definition of hearing loss – not being able to hear sounds of 25 decibels or less in the speech frequencies – the Johns Hopkins researchers found that over 30 million Americans have hearing loss in both ears and that over 20% of the population – in excess of 50 million people – have hearing loss in at least one ear.

Despite there being so many of us with hearing difficulties, too many people are still unaware of how or where to obtain professional help as the misconceptions about hearing loss and hearing aids are commonplace in our society.   The fact that you are reading this article is an excellent first step towards empowering yourself (or a family member) and taking control of your hearing health.

Audiologist & Ear Doctor, Dr. Crystal Chalmers, Chico, CaliforniaCommon Hearing Loss and Hearing Aid Myths

Myth: Buying hearing aids online, by mail, or at a big box store saves time, money, and gets the same results as professionally fit devices.

Fact: The proper diagnosis and selection of hearing technology as a solution for hearing difficulties is not the same thing as purchasing common consumer goods.  Rather, it should be a process built upon a relationship of respect and trust between the patient and a highly trained, competent, and ethical professional whose services and products provide long-term value.

Myth: Anyone licensed to sell hearing aids is qualified to test a person’s hearing.

Fact: By law in the state of California, only audiologists are licensed to perform diagnostic hearing evaluations.  The “free” tests that hearing aid dispensers frequently advertise are not comprehensive exams and are merely designed to determine if a person could be helped by a hearing aid.

Myth: Hearing loss affects only “elderly” people and is merely a sign of aging.

Fact: Hearing loss can affect people of all ages.  As mentioned in the Johns Hopkins study, 20% of the US population aged 12 years and older have hearing difficulties severe enough to impact communication.

Myth: Hearing aids don’t really do anything but amplify sound.  Besides they’re unsightly and uncomfortable.

Fact: While the hearing aids from 20 years ago left a lot to be desired from both technology and cosmetic standpoints, today’s hearing devices are exceptional technological performers and are so small as to be very discreet.  However, the most important consideration for you, the consumer, is not what the product is, but rather how it is fit to your hearing lifestyle, and to what extent you are provided with expert follow-up in the fitting of that device.   That is what makes my patients so successful in being able to enjoy better hearing.

Would you like to learn more about solutions to hearing difficulties and  hearing aid technology?  Here are two great places to start:

#1.) My Internet website at www.nsaudiology.com. This educational website offers a world of information, including highly informative videos, a free guide to better hearing, online specials, current “News & Events”, and the “Ask Dr. Chalmers” section where I have posted previously published original articles such as the one you are reading now.

#2.) Attend my upcoming Free Educational Luncheon Seminar which will be held Wednesday, January 25, 2012, starting at 11:30 AM at the Chico Women’s Club.  I’ll be providing an in-depth discussion covering everything from how your hearing works, to what are the different types of hearing care professionals, to insights about technology solutions for hearing difficulties.  A delicious catered lunch will be served.  There is no cost or obligation to attend, but due to limited seating, reservations are required.  Simply call my office today at 1 (888) 893-1352 …. Because hearing is wonderful gift.

About the writer:  Crystal Chalmers, Au.D., is an AudigyCertified™ Doctor of Audiology, the owner of North State Audiological Services in Chico, and a member of Audigy Group, the nation’s largest member-owned association of independent hearing care professionals.

Since 2006, Audigy Group has interviewed over 5,000 of the 18,000 audiologists in the United States, yet has selected only 230 to be members in this elite association. AudigyCertified™ is a trade-mark of Audigy Group, LLC.

To learn more about Dr. Chalmers, her practice, and Audigy Group visit online at www.nsaudiology.com.

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Posted in Audiologist, Buy Hearing Aids, California, Chico, Diagnostic Evaluations, Doctor of Audiology, Hearing Aid, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Hearing Aid Technology, Hearing Aids, Hearing Care, Hearing Difficulty, Hearing Health, Hearing Lifestyles, Hearing Loss, Hearing Technology, North State Audiological Serivces

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You bought new hearing technology, but, you still have difficulty hearing in noise. What’s going on??

November 3rd, 2011

By: Amit Gosalia, Au.D., FAAA
Board Certified Doctor of Audiology
Audiology Clinic, Inc.
505 NE 87th Ave., #150
Vancouver, WA 98664
(360) 892-9367
Follow Audiology Clinic | Facebook | Twitter
www.audiologyclinic.com 

“Dr. Gosalia, I just bought a pair of $8500 hearing aids from XYZ in Portland. I was told that I would hear normally in all environments, including restaurants and ball-games. I am less than pleased because I still can’t hear or understand in noise. Did I waste my money?”

Amit Gosalia, Au.D. - Doctor of Audiology, Vancouver, WAThis was a case I dealt with a few months ago. This patient went to a business to purchase hearing aids, and this franchise/chain location set some lofty expectations for the patient. As hearing instrument technology improves, so do patient expectations. Terms such as noise reduction, noise management & directional hearing (along with many other proprietary terms) give the perception that the end-user will not hear background noise, and only hear the person in front of them. Unfortunately and fortunately, this is not true. Below I’ve touched the surface of noise, noise reduction and directivity.

Let’s start with noise. Noise is any disrupting event (in this case, sound) that impedes one’s ability to sense (in this case, hear) a signal (in this case, speech). For the purpose of this post, we’ll concentrate on hearing speech within a noisy environment. A general term and formula that is used in hearing healthcare is Speech-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) which tells us how loud speech is in relation to noise. For example, average speech is 45-55 decibels (dB) hearing speech in a basketball stadium where the crowd is cheering over 90 dB is difficult because the speech is 35-45 dB lower than the noise. This is considered a very low SNR; now compare this to speaking at a normal volume in a quiet library, the SNR will be high making speech much easier to understand. When someone has a hearing loss things change. Without amplification important parts of speech are not heard well, making understanding the person next to you difficult, if not impossible. The natural ability of any person to hear through noise decreases as hearing loss increases. This is a fact that has been well established in research on the human auditory system. Thus, a hearing aid can help make missing pieces of speech more easily heard but it cannot repair one’s ability to hear through noise and find valuable pieces of speech. For this reason, modern hearing aids focus on managing noise and amplifying clean speech.

Hearing instruments can come with or without venting. Vents are holes that are drilled through either the hearing instrument or the earmold for the purpose of letting air and sound travel in and out of the ear canal. The larger the vent, the closer you get to a more natural, open ear. Newer technology has allowed us to keep the ear open with small hearing instruments that rest behind the ear and even some custom molded devices (please see other postings for detailed descriptions of hearing technology). As cute as they may be, if your hearing is not within or near normal limits in the lower frequencies, an open ear device may not be for you.

One advantage of an open ear hearing aid is to allow low frequency sound to escape the ear canal, keeping the user’s voice more natural. When the user complains of hearing their own voice in their head or sounding as if they are speaking in a barrel, it’s usually a phenomenon called occlusion (or ampclusion). Keeping an ear canal open minimizes this effect but also introduces two detrimental issues. First, low frequency environmental sounds will bypass the hearing aid and travel into the ear naturally through the vent. These sounds that bypass the hearing aid are often heard naturally because most hearing losses are minimal in the low-frequencies and greater in the high-frequencies. This also means that the hearing aid is not able to process the sound before it’s heard, so technologies such as noise reduction do not affect low-frequency sounds in the open ear hearing aid.

Secondly, directional microphones will prove less beneficial in the open-ear fitting.2 What this means is that the more open the ear canal, the harder it becomes to hear what’s in front of you. So, theoretically, if our goal is to have the instruments focus more front-facing, the ear canal should not be very open. Note that normal low frequency hearing will be affected by closing the ear canal, and opening the canal with moderate to profound low frequency hearing will result in less hearing in those frequencies.1,2

So, what does this tell us about hearing in noise with amplification? You will hear background noise in noisy environments. You will most likely hear the kids screaming four tables away. You may still have difficulties hearing the person across the table from you. The good news is that with proper hearing aid selection and the correct technology that meets your lifestyle and budget, you’ll hear much better. Only a well trained hearing care professional can make these choices and help you to establish reasonable expectations for better hearing.

“Ms. XX, although the level of technology you purchased is consistent with an Active Lifestyle (in our clinic approx $7500 – $1000 less than the chain!!), you should know that hearing aids only supplement your hearing in those difficult environments. In fact, with normal hearing, I have difficulty hearing at basketball games and certain restaurants as well. Although we can not restore normal hearing, we can help you hear much better in more environments. You will still have some difficulty hearing and understanding in certain environments, but, with some realistic expectations, expert advice, and some auditory retraining, you will find greater success.”

 

1 What is the Effect of Venting on Directivity? Audiology Online 10/2009; Todd A. Ricketts, Ph.D., CCC-A, FAAA

2 Efficacy of an Open-Fitting Hearing Aid; Hearing Review February 2005; Francis Kuk, Phd, et al

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Posted in Audible, Audiologist, Audiology, Directional Hearing, Doctor of Audiology, Ear Canal, Earmolds, Hearing Aids, Hearing Care, Hearing Healthcare, Hearing Instruments, Hearing Loss, Hearing Technology, Human Auditory System, Open Fit Hearing Aids, Uncategorized

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It Doesn’t Really Matter If I Wear My Hearing Aids, RIGHT?

October 28th, 2011

By: Bettie Borton, Au.D., FAAA
Doctor of Audiology
Doctors Hearing Clinic
7025 Halcyon Park, Suite A
Montgomery, AL 36117
(334) 396-1635
www.doctorshearingclinic.com

WRONG! According to ScienceDaily (Sep. 20, 2011), mild hearing loss has now been linked to brain atrophy in older adults. Anecdotally, over the course of my 30+ years in private practice as a Board Certified Audiologist, I’ve observed this to be true. But now, more and more research is indicating strong correlation between failure to obtain or use hearing devices and increased problems with understanding speech and cognition.

Bettie Borton, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology AudiologistWe have all heard (or perhaps experienced) the complaint that despite the fact that speech is audible, it’s not understandable. “I hear but I can’t understand” is probably the most commonly voiced concern in my office. So, if someone has hearing loss, if your hearing aids make sounds louder, why doesn’t that solve all hearing related issues? Well, like lots of things in life, it’s just not that simple.

A person’s audiogram (or those little blue X’s and red O’s on the graph of your responses to the “beeps”) tells us a lot, but it does not yield the whole story. Hearing thresholds (or the point at which someone is just barely able to detect sound across the frequency range) are certainly important, but don’t give much information regarding how well someone will understand when speech sounds are made sufficiently loud. Word recognition testing, with and without noise, provides additional information regarding this capability, and as a by-product, an indirect measure of the distortional component inherent to sensorineural hearing loss.

We now have mounting evidence that those who have hearing loss, but fail to get and/or use hearing devices run the risk of depriving their auditory system of sufficient loudness, which in turn results in degradation of the mechanisms responsible for understanding speech. A new study by researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania shows that declines in hearing ability may accelerate gray mater atrophy in auditory areas of the brain and increase the listening effort necessary for older adults to successfully comprehend speech. When any one of our senses (smell, taste, sight, hearing, or touch) is changed in some way, the brain reorganizes and adjusts. In the case of those with hearing loss, researchers found that the gray matter density of brain in areas specific to hearing was lower in people with decreased hearing ability, suggesting a link between hearing ability and brain volume.

So, use it or lose it may be the prevailing philosophy. Take heart (and USE those instruments that you have!) According to this study,  early intervention for hearing loss with the consistent use of amplification can slow the progression of speech comprehension difficulty. “As hearing ability declines with age, interventions such as hearing aids should be considered not only to improve hearing but to preserve the brain,” said lead author Jonathan Peelle, PhD, research associate in the Department of Neurology. “People hear differently, and those with even moderate hearing loss may have to work harder to understand complex sentences.”

In two recent research studies, researchers measured the relationship of hearing acuity to the brain, first measuring the brain’s response to increasingly complex sentences and then measuring cortical brain volume in auditory cortex.  Results indicate that older adults (60-77 years of age) with normal hearing for their age were evaluated to determine whether normal variations in hearing ability impacted the structure or function of the network of areas in the brain supporting speech comprehension.

The studies found that people with hearing loss showed less brain activity on functional MRI scans when listening to complex sentences. Poorer hearers also had less gray matter in the auditory cortex, suggesting that areas of the brain related to auditory processing may show accelerated atrophy when hearing ability declines.

In general, research suggests that hearing sensitivity has important consequences for neural processes supporting both speech perception and cognition. Although most the research has been conducted in older adults, the findings also have implications for younger adults, including those concerned about listening to music at loud volumes. “Your hearing ability directly affects how the brain processes sounds, including speech,” says Dr. Peelle. “Preserving your hearing doesn’t only protect your ears, but also helps your brain perform at its best.”

Physicians should monitor hearing in patients as they age, and everyone should have a baseline audiogram performed by a Board Certified Audiologist, looking specifically at speech recognition abilities even in the presence of normal hearing. Patients should talk to their physician or audiologist if they are experiencing any difficulty hearing or understanding speech. If your physician has not referred you for hearing evaluation, take action!

The research cited above in this article appears in the latest edition of The Journal of Neuroscience and was funded by the National Institutes of Health.

 

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Posted in Advanced Hearing Technology, Au.D., Bettie Borton, Board Certified Audiologist, Communication, Diagnostic Testing, Digital Hearing Aids, Doctor of Audiology, Ear Protection, Hearing, Hearing Aid, Hearing Aids, Hearing Assessment, Hearing Care, Hearing Test, Hearing Tested, Hearing Threshold, Signs of Hearing Loss

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Consumer Protection Laws & Regulations for Hearing Aid Purchases

October 12th, 2011

By Crystal L. Chalmers, Au.D.
Doctor of Audiology
North State Audiological Services
15 Jan Court
Chico, CA 95928
(888) 844-7024
Follow North State Audiological Services | Facebook | Twitter | Youtube
www.nsaudiology.com

Here in California – as in many states – purchasers of hearing aids are afforded protections under state laws and regulations administered by the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) through the Speech-Language and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispenser Board (SLPAHADB).

The SLPAHADB was formed on January 1, 2010 by combining the Speech Language Pathology and Audiology Board with the Hearing Aid Dispensers Board.  Previous laws and regulations remain virtually unchanged except that audiologists are no longer required to hold dual licensure for practicing audiology and dispensing hearing aids.

Audiologist & Ear Doctor, Dr. Crystal Chalmers, Chico, CaliforniaThis board’s mission is ensuring the competency and fair practices of hearing aid dispensers.  It does so by providing licensure through testing, ethical guidelines, boundaries for advertising practices, and acts as a vehicle for consumer complaints, ultimately providing enforcement and disciplinary functions.

While political discussion in the media about government intrusion in our lives is a hotbed topic, consumer protection laws are generally an accepted interaction between the citizenry and government.  Who wants to buy poisonous food, cars that don’t run, or housing that collapses in the slightest breeze, to name just a few examples?

Why should it be any different with hearing aids?   Purchasers have a right to expect fair and honest treatment as well as professional expertise from those they seek help.  It could be argued that hearing aid purchasers – many of whom are our senior citizens – should receive an added degree of protection as many of our laws are designed to protect us as we age beyond our more active years, and thereby tend to rely on the care and guidance of those who are younger.

While all the laws and regulations are too lengthy to list here, these are several of the most important.  For the full listings, visit the SLPAHADB website at www.speechandhearing.ca.gov

  • 30 Day Warranty  – The “Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act” provides a 30 day warranty on all new and used hearing aids.  If the hearing aid is not specifically fit for the buyer’s particular needs, the device may be returned to the dispenser within 30 days of the of the date of the actual receipt by the buyer or completion of fitting by the seller, whichever occurs later.  If the buyer returns the device the seller must either adjust or replace the device or promptly refund the total amount paid.

It should be noted that while many dispensers advertise things like “30 day risk-free guarantee” they are merely staying within the state mandated minimum trial period of 30 days.  My professional opinion is that for many purchasers, 30 days is too short as it does not allow enough time for the brain to get used to hearing again.  In my practice, I offer a 75 day trial period in order to make certain my patients have all the time they need to be successful.

  • Mail Order & Internet Sales  – California law provides that mail order/Internet hearing aids may only be purchased through a dispenser licensed in California.  The law also states that that when hearing aids are purchased by mail order/Internet, there must be no fitting, selection, or adaptation of the instrument and that the seller must not give any advice with respect to the taking of an ear impression(s). Anyone contemplating this avenue should be aware of potential risks as to work effectively, hearing aids must fit correctly.  If a sale doesn’t involve personal contact between the dispenser and buyer, it is difficult to assume that proper fitting and follow-up care could occur.
  • In-Home Contracts & Cancellation Rights – If you sign a hearing aid purchase contract in your home, federal and state laws allow you to cancel it for any reason by midnight of the third business day after you signed the contract.
  • Advertising Guidelines –  Did you know that in California, hearing aid dispensers are not licensed to perform diagnostic hearing evaluations (only audiologists are licensed to do so) and are therefore not allowed to charge a fee for “testing”?  That is why they advertise “free” tests, BUT they must state that the “test” is “to determine if you could be helped by a hearing aid.”

No one selling hearing aids in California can refer to themselves as a “specialist” without including the title “hearing aid dispenser”, nor can anyone refer to certification by putting a bunch of letters after their name.  For example, this listing: “John Doe, NB-HIS” is unlawful.  The correct listing should be:  “John Doe, Hearing Aid Dispenser, Lic. No. XXXX, NB-HIS, Certified by the National Board of Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences”

Have you ever received one of those “rebate coupons” that resemble checks as part of a direct mail solicitation?  It is a violation to send those to anyone living in California.

And finally, no California licensed hearing aid dispenser can use the terms “doctor” or “physician” or “clinic” or “audiologist” or any derivation thereof, except as authorized by law.

These are just a few of the consumer protections for purchasing hearing aids.   I urge you to be good consumers by getting the facts and educating yourself about where you stand and whom it is that you are considering doing business with.  You’ve worked hard all your life and deserve to be treated fairly, professionally, and with what is in your best interest  …. Because hearing is a wonderful gift!

About the writer:  Crystal Chalmers, Au.D., is an AudigyCertified™ Doctor of Audiology, the owner of North State Audiological Services in Chico, and a member of AudigyGroup, the nation’s largest member-owned association of independent hearing care professionals.

Since 2006, AudigyGroup has interviewed over 5,000 of the 18,000 audiologists in the United States, yet has selected only 200 to be members in this elite association. AudigyCertified™ is a trade-mark of AudigyGroup, LLC.

To learn more about Dr. Chalmers, her practice, and AudigyGroup visit online at www.nsaudiology.com

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Posted in Assisitve Listening Technology, Assistive Listening Device, Au.D., Audigy Group, AudigyCertified, Audiologist, Audiology, Chico, Crystal Chalmers, Digital Hearing Aids, Digital Hearing Devices, Doctor of Audiology, Earmolds, Hearing, Hearing Aid, Hearing Aids, Hearing Care, Hearing Device, North State Audiological Serivces

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You Heard Right. Patients are Happy with Hearing Aids!

July 13th, 2011

By: Drs. Neil and Shannon Aiello
Doctors of Audiology
Columbia Basin Hearing Center
1149 N. Edison Street, Suite D
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 736-4005
Follow CBHBC | Facebook | Twitter | Youtube
www.columbiabasinhearing.com

Why don’t people use hearing aids? If asked, many people are hesitant based on the fact that they have a friend, who has an aunt, whose husband spent a great amount of money on hearing aids that he ended up hating. There are indeed many “hearing aid horror stories” circulating the popular bridge clubs and local fishing holes. “They were uncomfortable, they made everything louder, they whistled, and of course, they costs so darn much.” There was a time that these were valid complaints from hearing aid users. However, we are happy to report that those times are over.

In 2011, it was reported that 74% of hearing aid users are satisfied with their hearing aids, a 55% increase from 2000. Furthermore, satisfaction with hearing aids that are less than one year old has increased to 81%. And believe it or not, 82% of hearing aid users would recommend hearing aids to a friend. The patient population of hearing aid users has not changed much in the past ten years. So what has changed to account for this increase in satisfaction? (MarkeTrak VIII, 2010)

There has been much advancement in the past ten years resulting in greater patient experience and satisfaction with their hearing aids. The hearing aid technology itself has exponentially advanced. Equally important, the Audiologists providing hearing care have also grown in their knowledge and patient care.

Neil and Shannon Aiello, Columbia Basin Hearing and Balance, Kennewick, WATechnologically, hearing aids are much more advanced than those of even five years ago. As with every other modern technology, be it cell phones or computers, new hearing aid technologies are also rapidly emerging. These advancements have focused on increasing audibility of a speaker in a difficult listening situation, such as background noise. Hearing aids are now automatically processing when “noise” or unwanted sound is present and reducing it. Likewise it is also processing when “speech” or a desired listening signal is present and increasing it. Most of the hearing aids dispensed today have some amount of automatic adjustments making it so patients don’t have to adjust the hearing aids themselves. With new hearing aids performing countless adjustments per millisecond, it’s no wonder patients are hearing better in difficult environments.

Another emerging technology in hearing aids is Bluetooth. In its simplest form, Bluetooth technology allows patients to directly receive audio input through their hearing aids. For example, if a person is using a cellphone with Bluetooth compatible hearing aids, the signal from the phone is routed through the hearing aid rather than through the phone allowing the patient to “hear” the phone directly through the hearing aids. This technology is also available for the television, landline phones, or iPods. It can even help hear a spouse in a difficult environment, such as a restaurant or the car, by using a small lapel microphone. These advancements have added another level of satisfaction for hearing aid users and their families.

There has also been much advancement in the styles of hearing aids offered today. Gone are the days of the Grandma Monster Behind-the-ear or In-the-ear hearing aids. New digital hearing aids, even the behind the ear style, have become more streamlined and cosmetically appealing. In fact, there are now some hearing aids that fit completely down the ear canal and are 100% invisible. Now even the most cosmetically concerned patients can experience the benefits of better hearing without the embarrassment of others knowing they have a hearing aid.

More important than the technological advancements in the hearing aids or design of the hearing aids, patients are more satisfied with the care they are receiving from their Audiologists. Many Audiologists have now obtained their Doctor of Audiology, or Au.D., which has their increased the education and training. In addition to that, some Audiologists have obtained certification, such as AudigyCertification, in addition to the entry level requirements as a commitment to premier patient care. This certification assures patients that they are receiving expert advice by the highest trained and credentialed Doctors of Audiology. It also helps patients know that they will be recommended appropriate technology based on their unique needs and listening environments, and not be recommended technology that is the latest hearing fad or on a special one day sale. Additionally, by instituting patient-centered care, the Audiologist, patient and significant family members work closely with one another. The patient is routinely seen for aural rehabilitation, which involves retraining the brain to hear again, through the trial period and beyond to make sure that they are experiencing better quality of life through better hearing.

If you or your loved one has been hesitant to try hearing aids because of Aunt Betty’s hearing aid horror story, there has never been a better time to experience the benefits of advanced hearing technology and patient-centered care. Insure the best hearing possible  by calling an AudigyCertified Doctor of Audiology today.

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Posted in Advanced Hearing Technology, Au.D., AudigyCertified, Audiologist, Bluetooth, Doctor of Audiology, Hearing Aid, Hearing Aid Styles, Hearing Aid Technology, Hearing Aid Users, Hearing Aids, Hearing Care, Uncategorized

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The Hearing Aid Tax Credit – Not Moving at the Speed of Sound

June 16th, 2011

By: Bettie Borton, Au.D., FAAA
Doctor of Audiology
Doctors Hearing Clinic
7025 Halcyon Park, Suite A
Montgomery, AL 36117
(334) 396-1635
www.doctorshearingclinic.com

As a member of the American Academy of Audiology Board of Directors, the “big picture” with regard to hearing healthcare is one of my primary focus areas. With all the talk about the new healthcare plan currently being debated in the Senate, you may be wondering what is the status of the Hearing Aid Tax Credit Act? Unfortunately, it is not part of the current healthcare reform legislation and it has been moving through the House and the Senate at a snail’s pace.

Bettie Borton, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology AudiologistThere are some differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate bills: the House one (H.R. 1646) calls for provision of a tax credit towards the purchase of each hearing aid of up to $500 per device, available once every five years. It would be available to people age 55 and over, or those purchasing a hearing aid for a dependent. This bill excludes coverage for people earning over $200,000 a year. The Senate bill (S. 1019) would provide the same $500 credit but cover all age groups.

Although similar bills are introduced on the Hill every year, they never get very far. However, since August 2009, the bill has reached the threshold of 100 bipartisan co-sponsors (66 Democrats and 34 Republicans), so there is every reason to be optimistic that it will finally be passed. This hope is shared by leading healthcare and advocacy organizations, including Better Hearing Institute (BHI), the Hearing Loss Association of America, the American Academy of Audiology, the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and the AARP, among others.

Why should you care about the passage of the Hearing Tax Credit legislation? Well, for one thing, hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting older Americans. As Better Hearing Institute, points out that:

  • 3 in 10 people over age 60 have hearing loss
  • 1 in 6 baby boomers (ages 41-59) have a hearing problem
  • 1 in 14 Generation Xers (ages 29-40) already have hearing loss
  • At least 1.4 million children (18 or younger) have hearing problems; it is estimated that 3 in 1,000 infants are born with severe to profound hearing loss.  In fact, hearing loss is the most common of birth defects, occurring more frequently than, for example, Down Syndrome.

While sensorineural hearing loss can’t be “cured”, studies have conclusively shown that hearing technology, such as hearing aids, not only helps users hear better, but, at the same time, it vastly improves the overall quality of their lives by allowing them to participate in conversations and social activities, as well as reducing isolation, getting better compliance with medical concerns, and a host of other advantages.

By the same token, those who do not wear hearing aids are at an increased risk of loneliness, isolation and depression. For children, untreated hearing loss means that their language and social skills development will be delayed and / or diminished. Any way you look at it, hearing aids are necessary for quality of life, safety, and skill development for many Americans, young and old.

Unfortunately, for far too many people with hearing loss they remain out of reach.

Millions of people need hearing devices, but don’t get them, and a large part of the problem is the cost. There are currently an estimated 36 million Americans with some degree of hearing loss. Yet, according to BHI, only nine million actually wear hearing aids. Of those who do not, many cite the high cost of assistive technology for not getting treatment; in fact, two out of three adults with hearing loss say financial constraints are the main reason they do not use hearing aids.

The cost of hearing aids – ranging from $1,000 to 4,000 per hearing aid – is not covered by either Medicare or most private insurers, making it too expensive for many people. But a survey carried out by BHI demonstrates that 10 million of the 27 million Americans with untreated hearing loss would likely buy hearing aids if tax credits were available.

That’s why it is crucial that the Hearing Aid Tax Credit Act does not languish on the Hill much longer.

Make your voice heard! Congressmen do listen to their constituents, so it is critical that you write your representatives urging them to support this legislation.

For optimum effect, Doctors Hearing Clinic and BHI recommend that you personalize your letter, sharing the story of why the hearing aid tax credit is important to you and your family. For example, you may mention that your elderly parents are on fixed income and can’t afford the full price of hearing aids. Or, you are struggling financially and can’t pay for your child’s devices.

Alternatively, BHI offers online forms so you can type your message to your Congressperson directly, and Doctors Hearing Clinic provides copies of written directives to take further action.

Hearing Aid Tax CreditAdditionally, three states – New York, North Dakota and Montana – are currently debating hearing aid tax laws similar to the federal ones. Consider asking our state representatives to entertain such legislation. The more feedback and comments your representative receives, the better a chance of him or her sitting up and listening. For more information about this very important legislation, visit www.hearingaidtaxcredit.org, or call the professionals at Doctors Hearing Clinic. If we work together on this issue, we will all benefit.

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Posted in AARP, Alabama, American Academy of Audiology, Assisitve Listening Technology, Audiologist, Better Hearing, Better Hearing Institute, Doctor of Audiology, Healthcare Plan, Hearing Aid Costs, Hearing Aid Tax Credit Act, Hearing Aids, Hearing Health, Hearing Healthcare, Hearing Loss, Hearing Loss Association of America, Hearing Problem, Hearing Technology, Uncategorized, Untreated Hearing Loss

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Connectline: Creating Success & Satisfaction with Hearing Aids

June 8th, 2011

By: Dana Luzon, Au.D., CCC-A, FAAA
Doctor of Audiology
Audiology & Hearing Aids of the Palm Beaches, Inc.
4266 Northlake Blvd.
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
(561) 627-3552
Facebook | Twitter | Youtube
www.hearingcarefl.com

Hearing aids are designed for enhancing speech communication from person to person, however there are some environments and situations even with good hearing devices patients may continue to struggle based on their hearing loss. These situations can include non-face-to-face communication like in a car, communication at a long distance or in a large group, as well as, while watching television or talking on the telephone. These patients need to use other assistive listening devices in conjunction with hearing aids to enhance communication in these areas.

The development of using Bluetooth technology to wirelessly connect the patient to their TV, cell phone, land line phone, and long distance microphones has increased the patients’ ability to hear and understand clearly in difficult listening situations.  The Bluetooth device, the Streamer, allows the patient secure connections with up to eight devices.

Dana Luzon, Au.D. - Doctor of Audiology in FloridaAs patients age, keeping in contact with their loved ones who may live far from them becomes increasingly important.  These relationships can depend solely on telephone communication.  Sometimes with physical limitations and mobility difficulties patients have a hard time getting to their telephone in a timely manner to answer the call. With the inclusion of the Connectline, the individual can answer their landline or cellular phone wirelessly by a simple click of a button without the need to pick up the handset! This allows the patient hands free communication of their telephone that sends the signal into both of their hearing aids at the same time. We know that hearing equally well through both ears helps enhance the overall quality of speech and the Connectline allows us that capability.

If watching television is of great importance to a patient, the Connectline allows the patient to hear television in both hearing instruments simultaneously and allows their friends and family to listen to their television at a normal listening level. While listening to TV, the patient can also communicate with everyone else in the room while feeling engaged in conversation.  This increases the patients’ ease of understanding of their television programs.

With the newest addition to the Connectline family, the Connectline Microphone, users can improve their understanding of speech at a distance.  Likely uses include communication in a meeting or a religious service, or when a companion is not facing them like in the car. This discreet microphone aids the patient in difficult or noisy listening environments by simply pushing a button.

Training the patient and their loved ones on how to utilize the new accessories is essential to its success. It is imperative that that patient be comfortable using the assistive listening devices in their everyday lives and training with a Doctor of Audiology will increase comfort and success with these devices.  As an AudigyCertified professional, providing unsurpassed patient care is always my standard.  These user friendly devices allow the Audiologist to address patients’ concerns in all aspects of their everyday life and aid in overall success and satisfaction with their hearing instruments.  As part of my consultation process, I demonstrate better listening through the Connectline family of products in the office so patients experience the positive impact it may have firsthand before making the decision to purchase.

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Posted in ALD, Assisitve Listening Technology, Assistive Listening Device, Audiologist, Connectline, Doctor of Audiology, Hearing Aids, Hearing Instruments, Palm Beach Gardens, Uncategorized

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A Surprising Proactive Method to Delay or Prevent the Onset of Dementia

June 1st, 2011

By: Linda S. Remensnyder, Au.D.
Doctor of Audiology
Hearing Associates, P.C. . . . Eliminating the Sound of Silence
755 S. Milwaukee Avenue, Suite 189
Libertyville, IL 60048
www.hearingdoc.com

New research (Archives of Neurology) from Johns Hopkins University National Institute on Aging finds that seniors with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia over time than those who retain their hearing.  The greater the degree of hearing loss, the stronger is the relationship.  In fact, the link is so strong that the authors hypothesize new preventative treatment options to delay or prevent dementia may include the use of hearing aids.

Linda Remensnyder, Au.D. - Doctor of Audiology AudiologistThere is a well accepted link between hearing loss and typical diseases often seen in aging.  Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and kidney disease are not just prevalent in our culture but are also rampant in my hearing impaired patient population.

These diseases cause specific changes in the ear that result in diminished hearing.  In the case of dementia, the link is reversed.  Changes in the ear (hearing loss) in seniors alters the brain secondary to diminished language stimulation. It is hypothesized that this lack of consistent language stimulation is what contributes to dementia.

Much of hearing is incidental hearing.  Hearing colleagues greeting one another after a weekend, hearing the grocery store clerk speak to another customer, hearing a mother’s dialogue with her child in a restaurant booth, and hearing the speech of others at an adjacent bridge table are all examples of incidental hearing.  Incidental hearing provides a rich, diverse, and omnipresent means of language stimulation that is not deliberately sought out by the listener.

So many of my hearing impaired patients say they “hear what they want to hear,” and note that they only hear others that face them, speak up, or get close before talking.  Not only does the listener’s range of audibility get smaller as hearing diminishes (physical isolation from sound restricts incidental hearing) but hearing loss causes social isolation as well.  Those with hearing loss may cease frequenting activities where their hearing is challenged.  They might avoid certain restaurants, stop going to large gatherings, discontinue attending services at their Place of Worship, and cease speaking to certain individuals whose voices they cannot understand. As outlined in the ASHA Reader, “the strain of decoding sounds over the years may overwhelm the brains of people with hearing loss, leaving them more vulnerable to dementia.”

May is Better Hearing Month.  Get your hearing tested now and get treatment now.  The ramifications of untreated hearing loss are very serious, indeed.

Linda S. Remensnyder, Au.D., Doctor of Audiology, is President of Hearing Associates, P.C., with offices in Libertyville (847.680.7580) and Gurnee (847.662.9300).

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Posted in Au.D., Audiologist, Clinical Audiologist, Decreased Hearing, Dementia, Digital Hearing Aids, Doctor of Audiology, Gurnee, Hearing Aids, Hearing Associates, Hearing Difficulty, Hearing Health, Hearing Loss, Hearing Tested, Illinois, Incidental Hearing, Libertyville, Linda Remensnyder, Normal Hearing, Uncategorized

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Sound Advice: Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Prevention

April 22nd, 2011

By: Peter J. Marincovich, Ph.D., CCC-A
Audiology Associates
1111 Sonoma Ave., Suite 308
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
(707) 827-1630
www.audiologyassociates-sr.com

Have you noticed that daily life in our society gets louder every year? The change is subtle and is a problem that most of us take for granted and even ignore. According to many leading Audiology professionals, casually ignoring the sounds around us can lead to serious hearing problems, including noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).

One of those professionals is David Coffin, Audiology clinic coordinator at Indiana’s Ball State University. “We are exposed to all sorts of sounds that can lead to permanent hearing loss,” Coffin says. “The average person will wear a helmet when riding a bike, or a seat belt in a vehicle, but doesn’t even think about ear protection when going to watch a rock band, a fireworks display, or even an auto race.”

According to the Better Hearing Institute, 30 million Americans are exposed to dangerous noise levels each day and 10 million Americans have already suffered irreversible hearing damage from noise.

The problem of noise induced hearing loss has been around for decades. It occurs at home, in the yard, at the office, at the factory, on the farm and in the military. But today, because of technology, virtually everyone is effected and at younger and younger ages. It is not uncommon for audiologists to see 20-year-olds with the hearing of 60-year-olds.

However, there is good news as well: NIHL is easily identifiable and completely preventable. Today, audiologists can assist with the prevention, diagnosis and rehabilitation of hearing loss.

Hazardous Noises

Normal conversations occur at approximately 60 decibels. Raising your voice over a noise in order to be heard by someone an arm’s length away is a good indication that the noise could be within risky range. Knowing which noises can cause damage, such as jet engines, lawn mowers, motorcycles, chainsaws, powerboats, and personal media players is the best arsenal against NIHL.

“Risky noise,” says Coffin, “can come in the form of the pop of fireworks, the snarls of traffic, the buzz of lawn mowers, or the percussive tones of marching bands.”

According to Coffin, such sounds are typically within the range of 90 to 140 decibels, but any noise above 80 can cause long-term hearing damage. The maximum exposure time per day for the exposed ear is 8 hours at 90 decibels. The risk of noise-induced hearing loss depends on both the intensity and duration of the exposure. As intensity increases, the length of time for which the exposure is “safe” decreases. For example, exposure to 85 decibels (often produced by gas-engine lawn mowers) for 8 hours can be as equally damaging as exposure to 110 decibels (often produced by a chain saw) for only a few minutes. For every 5 decibel increase in volume, the maximum exposure time is reduced by 50 percent. Therefore, according to Sight and Sound Associates, the maximum daily exposure time at 95 decibels is four hours; at 120 decibels, seven minutes, 30 seconds.

Warning signs that exposure to hazardous noise has occurred or is occurring include: the inability to hear someone a few feet away, ear pain after leaving a noisy area, ringing or buzzing (tinnitus) in the ears immediately after exposure to noise, or hearing people talking but being unable to understand them.

Loud explosions that peak for a few milliseconds at levels greater than 130 to140 decibels may cause hearing loss. More often, however, hearing loss is caused by repeated exposure to noise above 85 decibels over long periods. Some sources of common noises and associated decibels are: lawn mower, 90 decibels; stereo headphones, 105-110 decibels; automobile horn, 110 dB; baby’s cry, 115 decibels; rock concert, 115-120 decibels; and firearms, 125-140 decibels.

The commercial popularity of portable media players with earphones, such as the iPod and similar devices, and their long-term use by consumers, increase the risk of NIHL in those users. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, almost 15% of Americans below the age of 19 suffer from some measure of hearing loss. And according to Sight and Hearing Association, the incidents of teenage hearing loss has increased 400 percent over a ten-year period, as found in a recent study of eighth graders.

Symptoms of NIHL

NIHL usually develops gradually. People may lose a significant amount of hearing before becoming aware of its presence. The first sign of NIHL is not being able to hear high-pitched sounds, such as the singing of birds, or not understanding speech when in a crowd or an area with a lot of background noise. If damage continues, hearing declines further, and lower pitched sounds become hard to understand.

Signs of hearing loss from unsafe sound exposure include the inability to comprehend somebody talking from two feet away, hearing muffled speech, experiencing pain or ringing in the ears following exposure, and needing others to speak louder in conversation.

People often fail to notice the impacts of unsafe exposure to noise because it causes few symptoms. Hearing loss is rarely painful. Symptoms may go away minutes, hours or days after the exposure to noise ends. Many people naturally assume that if the symptoms abate, their ears have recovered to normal. However, even in the absence of more symptoms, some cells in the inner ear may have been destroyed by the noise. Hearing returns to normal only if enough healthy cells are left in the inner ear. But if the noise exposure is repeated and more cells are destroyed a lasting hearing loss will develop.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

When the hearing system is exposed to noise at a risky or hazardous level, mechanical and metabolic changes can occur. Scientific research, based on studies of industrial workers, as well as lab studies of humans and animals, have investigated the effects of noise on hearing.

In these studies, excessive noise stimulated cells in the inner ear, resulting in chemical processes that can exceed the cells’ tolerance. This damages cell function and structure and results in sensorineural hearing loss (as opposed to a conductive hearing loss, where the outer or middle ear have been affected) and tinnitus (ringing of the ears).

The sensory cells in the cochlea may recover from their damage (as you have possibly experienced after a loud concert or work with a loud machine). Usually, recovery from temporary threshold shift (or TTS) occurs quickly, largely disappearing in 16 to 48 hours after exposure to loud noise. However, if the hearing sensitivity does not recover within a few days, an irreversible and permanent threshold shift has taken place.

Prevention

Hearing loss is not reversible, but NIHL is preventable. Individuals vary in their susceptibility to hearing loss and hearing typically declines with age, but a healthy person who is not exposed to hazardous noises can enjoy normal hearing into his senior years.

Noise is probably the most common occupational hazard facing workers today. Employers at noise-hazardous workplaces, and physicians, are in a position to advise those at risk for developing NIHL that there are three simple keys to prevention:

1)      Understand what noises put them at risk – those above 85 decibels, commonly portable media players, lawn mowers, motorcycles, chain saws, jet engines, etc. A general rule of measurement is that if one has to shout to be heard an arm’s length away, assume the noise is above a hazardous threshold.

2)      If possible, decrease noise at the source – for example, keep the volume low on portable media players, purchase motorized equipment with an effective muffler, etc.

3)      Buffer loud noises with earplugs or other forms of hearing protection. These are known as hearing protective devices (HPDs) and are required by law to be labeled with a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) based on performance obtained under ideal laboratory conditions. HPDs are powerful tools for preventing NIHL if worn correctly and throughout the duration of the hazardous noise. Also sound absorbing materials, such as floor mats, can help reduce noise.

Early identification is important in order to recognize the presence of NIHL and take steps to prevent further hearing loss. Those regularly exposed to hazardous noise in the workplace or elsewhere should have an annual hearing test. If hearing loss is developing, it might indicate under-protection and could suggest preventative measures, such as better HPDs or turning down the volume on the iPod

Dr. Peter J. Marincovich, Ph.D., CCC-A

Clinical Audiologist

Dr. Peter Marincovich earned his graduate degree in communicative disorders from Louisiana State University, and his Ph.D., in Audiology from the University of Memphis. A Santa Rosa native, Dr. Marincovich has practiced in his hometown since 1984. Dr. Marincovich works with patients of all ages and levels of hearing loss. He is also a frequent presenter at seminars and academic conferences. He holds specialized credentials in teaching the handicapped, and conducts courses at Santa Rosa Junior College. Dr. Marincovich is owner of Audiology Associates with offices in Marin, Santa Rosa and Mendocino.

References

ANSI (1996). American National Standard: Determination of occupational noise exposure and estimation of noise-induced hearing impairment. New York: American National Standards Institute, Inc., ANSI S3.44-1996.

National Institutes of Health (1990). Noise and Hearing Loss. NIH Consensus Development Conference Consensus Statement 1990, Jan 22-24; 8 (1).

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (1998). Revised Criteria for a recommended standard – Occupational noise exposure, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication 98-126.

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (1999). Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. NIH Pub. No. 97-4233.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (1983). Occupational Noise Exposure Standard. 29 CFR Chapter XVII, Part 1910.95.

Yattaw, M. (1999, July 21). Audiology doctorate among nation’s first. Ball State University News. Retrieved October 19, 2010, from http://www.bsu.edu/news/article/0,1370,-1019-1169,00.html

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Raising the Bar of Excellence — AudigyCertified™: It’s Who We Are, It’s What We Provide

January 28th, 2011

By Crystal L. Chalmers, Au.D.
Doctor of Audiology
North State Audiological Services
15 Jan Court
Chico, CA 95928
(888) 844-7024
www.nsaudiology.com

With the start of the New Year, we are reaching an important date here at North State Audiological Services.

In January of 2008, my husband and business partner, Edward Migale, and I attended a Guest Summit meeting held by Audigy Group in Palm Desert, CA.  At that meeting we met Audigy Group founder and president Brandon Dawson along with Executive Vice President Mason Walker and other key staffers.

It didn’t take long for Edward and me to realize that the offer of membership in this exclusive association was a perfect match for my vision of North State Audiological Services as the leading hearing care provider in the entire North State region.  As many of you know, I long ago chose the fascinating profession of audiology as my life’s work, and wanted nothing more than to help as many people as possible with their hearing care needs.

Since starting this practice over 16 years ago we have reached thousands of people in Chico and the surrounding area, providing excellent care along with technological expertise, but I wanted to be able to do more.  The vision shared to us that day by Mr. Dawson and his staff promised that the services offered by Audigy Group would provide us with the tools to do so.

Has that happened?   Yes! … 100 times over!  How so?  First of all, Audigy Group provides us with superb staff training.  For any of you who have been to the office in the last few years – and notably the last year and a half – you would know that our staff excels in patient care.  All of our staff, along with Edward and myself have taken – and continue to attend – courses that teach us how to take better care of your needs.  I can say with pride that I fully believe we now provide patient care at level superior to any health care facility anywhere in the nation.

Technologically, we have made investments in testing equipment, as well patient support systems, that are state-of-the-art.  You will find no better diagnostic equipment, anywhere.

And our hearing aids?  In a word: Fabulous! AudigyGroup has partnered with several of the leading hearing technology manufacturers in the world and now provides its members with exclusive access to AGX Technology.

This is not merely private-label products.  AGX Technology is the only private brand in the entire world-wide hearing care industry that is supported by multiple manufacturer products and has brand specific software.  Much of the software was designed and customized by AudigyCertified professionals – fellow members whom I have met at our semi-annual conferences and multiple training sessions.  Like myself they are passionate about the field of audiology and their input into the development of these products is based on years of experience working with patients just like you.

In addition, with close to 200 Audigy Group members with a combined 500 plus practice locations in over 40 states, there is no need to be concerned about cross country travel plans; Audigy Group members will gladly take care of other member’s patients should there ever be a need.

As for the future, Audigy Group is poised to continue its growth as the dominant force in the hearing care industry.  Under the careful guidance of Mr. Dawson, Mr. Walker, and the many talented professionals employed there, Audigy Group has grown from a mere handful of visionaries in 2006 to the largest member-owned association of independent hearing care professionals in the United States.

I and my staff are exceedingly proud to be a part of that growth and commitment to excellence and hope you’ll join us in celebrating our 3 years of achievement.

Here is how you can participate in our celebration:

From now through the end of 2011 anyone who wears hearing aids – no matter where or when you purchased them – can come to our office for a free cleaning and hearing aid batteries.  Simply stop by our office anytime during normal business hours which are Monday thru Thursday 9:00 am till 5:00 pm (closed for lunch Noon till 1:00 pm) and Fridays 9:00 am till 12 Noon.  We are located in southeast Chico very near the junction of Highway 99 and the Skyway.  Our address is 15 Jan Court, which is off of Forest Avenue, behind the Raley’s Skypark Plaza.  For a map and complete directions, visit my Internet website at www.nsaudiology.com .

We will clean your hearing aids, and install fresh batteries …. for FREE! There is no absolutely no cost or obligation to participate in this offer … because hearing is a wonderful gift!

About the writer: Crystal Chalmers, Au.D., is an AudigyCertified™ Doctor of Audiology, the owner of North State Audiological Services in Chico, and a member of AudigyGroup, the nation’s largest member-owned association of independent hearing care professionals.

Since 2006, AudigyGroup has interviewed over 5,000 of the 18,000 audiologists in the United States, yet has selected only 190 to be members in this elite association. AudigyCertified™ is a trade-mark of Audigy Group, LLC.

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Posted in AGX Hearing Aids, Au.D., Audigy Group, AudigyCertified, Audiologist, California, Chico, Clinical Audiologist, Crystal Chalmers, Doctor of Audiology, North State Audiological Serivces, Uncategorized

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