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Hearing Aid History: From Ear Trumpets to Digital Technology…

May 9th, 2012

Today’s Hearing Devices are Not Your Grandmother’s Hearing Aid!

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

Hearing loss has been a problem for as long as humans have been around and because hearing loss affects people’s ability to connect and form relationships with others, hearing devices were quickly developed to help those who could not hear.   Here’s a short history of hearing aids – a brief guide to how we got to where we are today.

Bettie Borton, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology AudiologistPre-electric (Acoustic) Hearing Aids
These ear trumpets captured sound waves, sending them down a tube to the listener’s ear. They were big, bulky, unattractive and, frankly, they didn’t work very well. Of course, these were state-of-the art “hearing aids” for centuries until electricity became available.

Carbon Hearing Aids (1900-1939)
These were the first electric hearing aids. Carbon was used to amplify electric current to boost the volume of sound. However, they were bulky, buzzy and downright ugly, though for those with hearing loss, they were the only choice.

Vacuum Tube Hearing Aids (1921-1952)
Vacuum tubes were used to control the flow of electricity and, as such, they did make hearing aids a little better. However, these boxy devices were usually table-top models about the size of a clock radio, so the user had to carry around a heavy box and plug in to hear what was going on.  There weren’t many controls or features, so these devices amplified all sound. That must have caused more than a few headaches back then. But hearing instruments continued to improve.

Transistors to the Rescue (1952-1970s)
Transistors enabled hearing aids to fit into a smaller shell. The first transistor hearing aids appeared in 1952 – actually, two years prior to the first transistor radios which came along in 1954. Transistor hearing aids were still big and bulky with the electronics in a box carried on the body, with ear phones connected to a tangle of wires. Not very convenient, to say the least.

Researchers shrunk transistor hearing aids over the years, making them small enough to fit behind the ear and even in the ear. However, they were anything but low-profile. They also didn’t come packed with features the way today’s hearing aids do.

Digital Hearing Devices
Today, quality hearing aids use digital technology – circuitry that’s used in computers and cell phones -  and what a difference a few decades and countless hours of research and development have made!
Today’s digital hearing devices are sleek, discreet, fashionable, high-tech and low-maintenance. They can be programmed by an audiologist, to suit your specific hearing needs. Most adjust automatically for changes in volume levels and adapt to background noise. And now, with FM, Infrared, or Bluetooth technology, they can connect to multiple devices such televisions and telephones. Did you know that the new Bluetooth capability will allow you to answer you cell hands free, and route the call through both of your hearing devices?

Your hearing is very important and contributes greatly to a better quality of life, and you should do everything you can to make sure you find the right hearing center for your needs.

Finding the right audiologist can be as easy to answering a few simple questions. First, is there a licensed, board certified and experienced audiologist on staff? Then consider…

1. Is this professional willing to make a referral for a medical evaluation to rule out the need for medical or surgical treatment, if necessary?

2. Will the audiologist communicate effectively with you about hearing aid choices and fitting options, if hearing aids are appropriate for your hearing loss?

3. In determining whether a hearing device is appropriate, will the audiologist speak  to you clearly about your hearing loss, lifestyle, manual dexterity, and budget?

4. Does the hearing center offer a wide range of hearing aid makes and models from various manufacturers?

5. Will you receive assistance and training regarding how to wear and care for your hearing devices , as well as how to adjust to wearing them?

6. Does the hearing center offer lengthy trial periods, warranties, and loss and damage protection?

7. Will they provide follow-up care following your hearing aid fitting, at least every six months?

8. Is the hearing center open at least five days a week, with an audiologist on staff to provide emergency care, or loaner hearing aids if needed?

9. Will you always see the same audiologist when you visit?

If you have answered “Yes” to all of these questions, you can rest assured that you have taken the right steps in finding a reputable dispensing practice. Of course, answering some of these questions may require more research than just exploring online. Call the hearing centers in your area to see how they answer your questions.  Once you find one you are comfortable with, schedule an appointment for an initial consultation and hearing test.

So remember, if you’re looking for the latest and the greatest in hearing loss solutions, visit Doctors Hearing Clinic for more information and counseling. Forget everything Grandpa told you about his hearing aids. Those days and those hearing aids are long gone, thankfully. Today, you can enjoy the sounds of life without a lot of hassles.  Modern digital hearing aids deliver sound quality and ease-of-use in small, attractive devices. Seek a Board certified audiologist to explore the world of high tech hearing devices that are now available – and see for yourself that this is NOT your grandmother’s hearing aid!

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Posted in Advanced Hearing Technology, Alabama, Amplification, Au.D., Audiologist, Audiologists, Audiology, Bettie Borton, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Technology, Board Certified Audiologist, Digital Hearing Aids, Digital Hearing Devices, Doctor of Audiology, Doctors Hearing Clinic, Hearing Aid, Hearing Aids, Hearing Care, Hearing Care Professional, Hearing Center, Hearing Device, Hearing Difficulty, Hearing Impaired, Hearing Loss

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The Consequences of Untreated Hearing Loss: Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Seek Help for a Hearing Difficulty

April 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

After over 30 years as an audiologist, I have heard a lot of reasons from a lot of patients as to why they had not addressed their hearing difficulties sooner.

And of course, I always explain to them that ignoring a hearing difficulty won’t make it go away, and that there are consequences for not treating a hearing loss.

Audiologist & Ear Doctor, Dr. Crystal Chalmers, Chico, CaliforniaNow there is even more evidence – gleaned from scientific studies by some of the top researchers in the world –  to support what audiologists like myself and many of my colleagues with Audigy Group have been saying all along: don’t wait to get tested and – if the tests do indeed show a hearing loss – discuss treatment options with your hearing care professional.

These studies clearly show that hearing loss doesn’t just affect one’s ability to hear the TV or communicate with a spouse, friends, or co-workers.  There can be serious implications for brain atrophy and cognitive function.

Study Results Released at Audiology Conference

A number of these studies were presented and discussed at the American Academy of Audiology’s “Audiology NOW! 2012” annual international conference which was held March 28 thru March 31 in Boston, Massachusetts.   I attended this conference and took in several of these workshops, notably one titled “Issues in Cognition, Audition, and Amplification: A Panel Discussion”.

This extremely informative workshop was presented by a panel comprised of six highly respected researchers from the USA, Canada, and northern Europe.

The presenters and their topics were:

● Larry E. Hulmes, Ph.D., Indiana University “Higher Level Processing Abilities”

● Ulrike Lemke, Ph.D., Senior Researcher, Phonak International, Zurich, Switzerland “The Cognitive Part of Successful Speech Recognition”

●  Brent Edwards, Ph.D., Starkey Research Laboratories, Eden Prairie, MN “How Hearing Aid Technology Can Affect Cognitive Function”

● Kathy Pichora-Fuller, Ph.D., University of Toronto, Canada “Can Hearing Aids Accelerate Listening and Speech Understanding?”

● Thomas Lunner, Ph.D., Eriksholm Research Center, Oticon International, Denmark, and Department of Behavioral Sciences and Learning, Linkoping, Sweden “Memory Systems in Relation to Hearing Aid Use”

● Frank Lin, M.D., Ph.D., Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD “Hearing Loss and Dementia”

Collectively these presenters showed how brain function and hearing loss are intertwined and that when left untreated hearing loss clearly affects cognitive function.  Of special interest were findings on how the use of hearing aid technology could produce marked improvements in those who had had cognitive decline caused by untreated hearing loss, much the same as physical therapy can be used to restore deteriorated muscle mass.

University Study Links Brain Atrophy with Hearing Loss

A recent study by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania – the results of which were released in August of last year – show that declines in hearing ability may accelerate gray matter atrophy in auditory areas of the brain.  This shrinkage of the brain in areas important for hearing comprehension can cause an increase in the effort needed by the affected person to successfully comprehend speech.  This need for increased effort can be particularly troublesome for older adults as the amount of energy used for “hearing” can impact other areas in the affected person’s daily life.

The study 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, the study showed that loss of hearing sensitivity “has cascading consequences for the neural processes supporting both perception and cognition.”

“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, Ph. D., research associate in the Department of Neurology.   The research for this study can be found in The Journal of Neuroscience and was funded by the National Institutes of Health.

May is National Better Hearing Month!

Learn More About These Studies and other Topics at My Upcoming Seminar

The Month of May is “National Better Hearing Month”, and once again I will be offering my free annual Educational Luncheon Seminar.  This seminar is a comprehensive presentation covering a variety of hearing health care topics such as understanding how our hearing system works, enhancing communication and listening skills, advancements in hearing aid technology, and what to look for in a hearing care professional.

The seminar will be on May 2, 2012 at the Chico Women’s Club, from 11:30 am til 1:00 pm.  A complementary catered lunch will be served.  There is no cost or obligation for attending, but due to limited seating reservations are required.  To reserve your space, call my office toll free at 1 (888) 844-7024 … 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 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 250 to be members in this elite association.   Dr. Chalmers is the only Audigy Group professional in the entire northeastern part of California.  AudigyCertified™ is a trade-mark of Audigy Group, LLC.

To learn more about Dr. Chalmers, her practice, and Audigy Group visit online at our website or call toll free at 1 (888) 844-7024.

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Posted in American Academy of Audiology, Amplification, Audigy Group, AudigyCertified, Audiologist, Audiologists, Auditory, Crystal Chalmers, Doctor of Audiology, Hearing Aid, Hearing Aids, Hearing Care Professional, Hearing Comprehension, Hearing Difficulties, Hearing Difficulty, Hearing Loss, Hearing Test, North State Audiological Serivces, Uncategorized, Untreated Hearing Loss

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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
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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
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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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