Posts Tagged ‘Hearing Aids’

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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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Two Ears are Better than One… The Advantages of Binaural Hearing

March 28th, 2012

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

Has your audiologist recommended “binaural hearing devices”? Don’t panic. Binaural simply means “two ears” – which is what nature gave you. Two ears are, indeed, better than one for a number of reasons. Just like our eyes, our brains are wired to receive sound from both ears. Many first time hearing aid wearers think starting with just one hearing aid may be easier to adjust to or save them some money; however, two hearing aids are truly better than one. Here are some reasons why:

• Better localization – the ability to tell where sounds are coming from

• Better hearing in background noise

• Better sound quality (“mono” versus “stereo”)

• Better hearing for soft sounds such as children’s voices and sounds of nature

• Less strain on you while listening – with only one hearing aid you may often strain to hear various sounds and become fatigued, with two hearing aids listening is more relaxed

• Listening balance – you won’t be turning your “good” ear to hear. Higher success and satisfaction – studies indicate people who wear two hearing aids are much more satisfied with their hearing aids.

Studies have also shown when only one hearing aid is worn and the other ear is deprived of sound, the “use it or lose it” principle applies, causing the onset of auditory deprivation in the non-amplified ear. In other words, the word recognition ability in the unaided ear decreases from lack of stimulation – and this spells trouble for those who think they can successfully add a second aid – later.

So, you may save a few dollars by going the one-hearing-aid route but you may also find that one hearing aid causes more trouble than what your savings is worth. Let’s take a closer look at why two hearing aids are almost always better than the one-hearing aid approach to hearing loss.

Improved Localization

Localization is the ability to detect and determine the source of a sound. It’s a natural and sophisticated process that enables you to pinpoint the exact location of a bird twittering in the trees 100 yards away, for example. The reason for this is simple. Sound travels in waves – disturbances in the air. The hair cells in our inner ears  have the miraculous ability to turn mechanical sound waves into electrical impulses that are sent to the hearing centers of the brain where the sound is interpreted and localization occurs. When that bird tweets and twitters, the sounds it makes reach one ear slightly ahead of the other ear. If the bird is to your right, the right ear hears the sound a split second before the left ear.

The brain is able to localize the sound because of this split second difference in the time it takes the sound to be processed. The hearing centers of the brain are able to pinpoint the location and source of the sound. Localization is an essential part of the listening experience. It warns us of danger, points us in the direction of a distant caller or tells us which machine is running on the factory floor.

The ability to pinpoint the source of a sound is something you use everyday, though you may not even realize it. In fact, in most cases, you DON’T realize it. It happens automatically – at least when both ears are operating at peak performance levels. Indeed, you may save a few dollars by only buying a hearing aid for the ear that’s experiencing hearing loss but you’ll also lose some or all of your ability to place the source of critical sounds. And that’s not going to enhance your hearing. In fact, it may actually cause confusion and place you in danger because you think the car horn is coming from over there when, in fact, it’s coming from right behind you.

Many new hearing devices employ wireless communication between the two instruments – allowing them to work together to ensure localization cues are maintained between the two ears. The left and right hearing aids communicate with each other to ensure they are utilizing the same listening strategies in different environments.  When two hearing devices are wirelessly linked, they “talk with each other”. This allows the two hearing aids to improve the ability to locate the direction of sounds and ultimately improve your listening experience.

The result? You’ll be able to localize sound – to precisely pinpoint the source of all the sounds you hear throughout the day. This is especially important when in background noise.

Easy Listening

No, we’re not talking about music here. Advantages listed of wearing two hearing aids include improved listening in background noise as well as reduced strain while listening. Let’s face it, background noise is annoying – even for people with normal hearing! So for persons with hearing loss wearing hearing aids, background niose can be even more annoying. Using two hearing aids, properly tuned to address the different hearing loss of each ear, cuts through some of this background noise enabling you to hear more clearly. The brain retrains itself to filter out unnecessary noise while picking up the sounds of your dinner companion without having to turn your head so your hearing aid is pointing directly at the speaker. This not only improves your ability to listen in background noise, but you will no longer have to strain to hear.

Improved Sound Quality

Mono versus stereo sound. Which sounds better? Stereo, of course. And with two hearing aids, properly adjusted to meet the differing hearing needs of each ear, you enjoy a better quality of sound. In simple terms, the world sounds better in stereo.

A soft sound may go undetected by one ear but picked up by the other ear – the one closer to the source of the sound. Your ability to hear the soft sounds that you’ve always taken for granted is greatly improved when you go binaural because both ears are amped to the proper level to hear even the soft whisper of a loved one – and that’s something that you just can’t put a price tag on.

Hearing Balance

The natural state of binaural hearing is hearing with both ears in balance. An audiologist or hearing aid professional can adjust each hearing aid to fit your hearing needs, delivering hearing balance and a much improved listening experience.

The Listening Experience

Talk to your audiologist about options. The best course is the one that delivers the most satisfying listening experience – the listening experience that you’re used to. The one you’ve enjoyed all these years.

Hearing is a quality of life consideration. So, spend the extra few bucks to get improved localization, hear-through sound that’s natural and organic. Get back your ability to hear soft sounds or sounds in higher frequency ranges and skip the stiff neck syndrome that a single hearing aid creates as you turn your head throughout the day to hear. Go binaural and get back into life. Hear the way nature intended you to hear – with two ears. The cost, when weighed against the benefits, is insignificant.

You’ve got two ears. Might as well use them both to hear the world around you. After all, you don’t want to miss a single sound.

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Posted in Binaural, Binaural Hearing, Binaural Hearing Aids, Binaural Hearing Devices, Hearing Aids, Hearing Balance, Hearing Loss, Two Ears, Uncategorized

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Why Should I Pay for a Hearing Test?

February 29th, 2012

By: Kumiko T. B. Dunn, Ph.D., CCC-A
East Valley Hearing Center, Inc.
6262 E. Broadway Rd., Ste. 103
Mesa, AZ 85206
(480) 830-0994
Connect with East Valley Hearing Center | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
www.eastvalleyhearing.com

This question has been asked of us on a number of occasions in our private audiology practice. Audiologists are extensively trained healthcare providers similar to primary care physicians (PCPs), nurses, optometrists, and dentists. So it is a bit of a puzzle when we consider the reason some would ask why they have to pay for our medical services; few are likely to ask if they have to pay for a visit to their PCP when they have a cold, or for a visit to their optometrist for an eye test in order to get new glasses or contacts.

“I can get one just down the road for free.”

Audiologist, Kumiko T. B. Dunn, Ph.D., CCC-AThis statement often follows the first and brings to light the reason the first question got asked. By “down the road”, the questioners are often referring to locations where hearing aids are sold, often by people licensed as “hearing aid dispensers” and not audiologists. Hearing aid dispensers have primarily been trained to test their patients’ hearing for the purpose of deciding if a patient might be able to wear hearing aids successfully. Audiologists have, of course, also been trained to do this but the bulk of their education (8+ years beyond high school) is in the science of determining the possible source of a person’s hearing problems. In addition, audiologists are trained to determine the most effective treatment options for a patient’s unique needs, including hearing aids, cochlear implants, bone anchored hearing aids, middle ear implants, aural rehabilitation and assistive listening devices [ALDs]. Hearing aids can be an effective tool in improving one’s ability to understand conversation and communicate with others but the audiologist’s role is to use all tools available to improve these important aspects of life. Finally, there is also a difference between the hearing aid dispenser and the audiologist in the eyes of the insurance company. If a person’s insurance coverage will pay for a hearing test, a hearing test done by an audiologist will generally be paid for by insurance; a hearing test done by a hearing aid dispenser, however, typically will not.

We provide a complete and comprehensive hearing evaluation that will be used to provide you with the best hearing care possible. The team of audiologists and staff at East Valley Hearing Center hope that this provides a better understanding of why we ask for payment for our services. We are here for far more than to simply sell hearing aids. Our objectives are to determine the possible reason(s) for our patients’ hearing difficulties and to provide recommendations for the most effective ways to help relieve or reduce them.

East Valley Hearing Center is composed of providers, who are Doctors of Audiology (Au.D.) and Ph.D. Audiologists, Audiology Assistants, and support staff. We would be happy to serve you and your hearing needs.

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Posted in Assistive Listening Device, Audiologist, Audiology, Hearing Aids, Hearing Care, Hearing Evaluation, Hearing Problem, Hearing Test, Hearing Tested, Private Audiology Practice, Uncategorized

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Constant Ringing in Your Ears?

February 1st, 2012

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

If it seems like your ears ring constantly, it’s probably not crickets, your imagination or the economy . . . and you’re not alone. You may have tinnitus, an inner ear ailment that affects between 25 million to 50 million Americans — with about 12 million people experiencing such severe symptoms it affects their daily lives. The good news is treatment, including hearing aids, can offer relief to some from the persistent ringing, buzzing or humming associated with tinnitus, according to the Better Hearing Institute.

Tinnitus can be intermittent or constant. Causes range from ear infections and exposure to extremely loud noises, to underlying health problems like allergies or heart and blood pressure problems. Often, sufferers are unable to pinpoint the cause of their tinnitus. “Tinnitus can have a direct impact on a person’s emotional well being,” says Dr. Sergei Kochkin, BHI’s executive director. “Not only can their hearing be affected but also their ability to sleep or concentrate.”

Tinnitus Treatment, Ringing in the Ears CausesKochkin and Dr. Richard Tyler, professor and editor of The Consumer Handbook on Tinnitus (Auricle Ink, 2008), published a survey of 230 hearing health professionals in the United States and Canada. Their survey found that six out of 10 patients reported some tinnitus relief when using hearing aids and two out of 10 reported major relief. The symptoms of tinnitus “influence basic life functions such as socialization and relaxation,” the duo wrote. “In severe cases it can interfere with the individual’s ability to perform adequately on the job, or contribute to psychological disorders such as depression, suicide ideation, posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety and anger.”

Although tinnitus is actually common and can cause major life disruptions, the number of sufferers who seek treatment for tinnitus is relatively small. One reason may be that they mistakenly believe their condition is untreatable. Unfortunately, many doctors are also unaware of the latest treatment options, and as a result patients may think they simply have to learn to live with the noise.

“No one should ever ignore persistent tinnitus,” Kochkin says. “Not only is every individual entitled to a chance to regain his or her quality of life, but in rare cases tinnitus also can be a symptom of a more serious health issue that could demand medical intervention. What’s more, nearly everyone with tinnitus has hearing loss as well.”

In a recent large-scale survey of the American hearing impaired population, 39 percent (more than 9 million adult Americans) indicated they had not sought help for their hearing loss specifically because they also had tinnitus. “Research shows that untreated hearing loss has its own negative social, psychological, cognitive and health effects on the individual suffering from it,” Kochkin adds. “So those with both untreated tinnitus and untreated hearing loss suffers an even more diminished quality of life than individuals with just tinnitus or just hearing loss alone.”

While hearing aids are not a cure for tinnitus, they may be able to help tinnitus patients by:

1. Improving communication and reducing stress, which makes it easier to cope with the condition.

2. Amplifying background sounds, which can make tinnitus seem less prominent.

A new type of hearing aid, called the open fit hearing aid, may be particularly useful in alleviating tinnitus. The open fit hearing aid can reduce the effects of the tinnitus ringing sensation while still allowing sounds from the outside to pass into the ear. If you think you have tinnitus have your hearing evaluated by an audiologist and to explore the use of hearing aids to alleviate tinnitus. The American Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO-HNS) and the American Tinnitus Association recommends these additional tips for minimizing the effects of tinnitus on your health:

1. Avoid exposure to loud sounds and noises.

2. Get your blood pressure checked. If it is high, get your doctor’s help to control it.

3. Decrease your intake of salt. Salt impairs blood circulation.

4. Avoid stimulants such as coffee, tea, cola, and tobacco.

5. Exercise daily to improve your circulation.

6. Get adequate rest and avoid fatigue.

7. Eliminate or reduce some stress in different parts of your life; stress often makes tinnitus worse.

8. Experiment by eliminating other possible sources of tinnitus aggravation, e.g. artificial sweeteners, sugar, alcohol, prescription or over-the-counter medications. (Do not stop taking medications without consulting with your health care professional about the possible ototoxic impact of your medications.)

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Posted in Alleviating Tinnitus, American Academy of Otolaryngology, American Tinnitus Association, Audiologist, Better Hearing Institute, Buzzing in ears, Causes of Tinnitus, Ear Infections, Ears Ring, Hearing, Hearing Aids, Hearing Health, Hearing Impaired, Hearing Loss, Hissing in ears, Humming in Ears, inner ear, Open Fit Hearing Aids, Persistent Ringing Ears, Ringing in the Ears, Symptoms of Tinnitus, tinnitus, Tinnitus Relief, Treatment for Tinnitus, Uncategorized, Untreated Hearing Loss

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Hearing is Big Business!

January 25th, 2012

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

Are you Assisting Employees with Hearing Loss? If not, listen up.

In a 2009 survey of 46,000 U.S. households, the Better Hearing Institute (BHI) determined that over the past generation hearing loss grew at an alarming 160 percent of the U.S. population growth— largely attributable to the aging of the American population. Yet the study found that 60 percent of people with hearing loss are below retirement age, indicating that 16.3 million people with hearing loss were in the U.S. workforce in 2010. In other words, untreated hearing loss has serious consequences for both employers and employees. Untreated hearing loss is costing society and those with the loss millions of dollars annually in lost revenue, productivity, and manpower.

Good hearing is good business.  Given the incidence and prevalence of hearing loss, most businesses will confront this challenge in the context of management’s responsibility and oversight of human resources. So, what can companies do to plan for and address the impact of employee hearing loss?  There are a number of simple steps employers can take to educate employees about hearing loss and to facilitate the use of hearing aids, where needed, that are simple to implement and very cost effective.

Previous research at BHI has shown that 50 percent of people with untreated hearing loss have never had their hearing checked by an audiologist and lack sufficient information to know whether they need to take action to correct it. Company owners and human resource professionals can help employees understand if they need treatment by:

 

  • Educating employees regarding the impact of untreated hearing loss on quality of life.
  • Encouraging employees to have their hearing screened on an annual basis, and providing opportunities for them to do so.

Employers can create a corporate climate where hearing loss is recognized so those with hidden hearing loss feel more comfortable. Here are some suggestions:

  • Avoid noisy restaurants as meeting locations.
  • Summarize meeting minutes in writing to be sure that those with hearing issues are clear on the outcome of the meeting.
  • Provide easy accommodations, such as moving an employee’s desk away from noisy hallways, machines, or air conditioning and heating vents, or installing a phone that amplifies high frequencies.
  • Build work environments that facilitate better hearing by choosing cubicles with noise-absorbent materials and equipping meeting rooms with an inductive loop that creates a wireless zone for hearing aids with telecoils, headsets or microphones.

In many cases, hearing aids can help protect employees from being at a competitive disadvantage with peers. Organizations can encourage the use of hearing devices, when needed, by participating with a private practice in Audiology to contract for the provision of services, group discounts, hearing devices, and more! Audiologists can design and implement screening programs (on and off site), as well as effective follow up scenarios to assist employees with managing hearing loss if it is identified.

Companies can also encourage employees to purchase hearing aids using pretax medical flexible spending account funds. In Montgomery, Doctors Hearing Clinic offers just such an option through their BHP program , and the good news is that it is FREE to employers, as well as employees and their families. This Better Hearing Program (BHP) offers free screenings, group discounts on hearing devices, in-service educational presentations, and a host of other hearing related employment benefits.

If you’re currently employed, encourage your employer to seek offerings for the provision of hearing healthcare services, and remember, these services can often be contracted with local audiology practices. If you’re an employer in the Tri County region and don’t currently offer a hearing healthcare package, the program at Doctors Hearing Clinic is an example of what is available to your company. This FREE array of benefits for your staff and their families, offers great value in hearing healthcare at no cost to you or your employees!

So start the 2012  business year out right. By encouraging employees to treat hidden hearing loss rather than hide it, an employer creates a win-win situation by ensuring that the loss of hearing does not interfere with job performance, productivity, safety, or the employee’s career or quality of life on or off the job.

References:

Sergei Kochkin, Ph.D., executive director of the Better Hearing Institute, a not-for-profit that educates the public about hearing loss, prevention and treatment.

Better Hearing Institute (BHI)

The Society for Human Resource Management

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Posted in Audiologist, Better Hearing Institute, Bettie Borton, Doctors Hearing Clinic, Employee Hearing Loss, Good Hearing, Hearing Checked, Hearing Evaluation, Hearing Health, Hearing Healthcare, Hearing Issues, Hearing Loss, Hearing Screening, Hearing Test, Hearing Tested, Treatable Hearing Loss, 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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What Should You Expect from Your Hearing Evaluation?

January 12th, 2012

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

More than 32 million Americans have significant hearing loss, yet only a fraction of that number have ever had their hearing tested by a Board Certified Audiologist. Everyone over 25 should have a baseline audiogram! Consider this fact- 17% of all those involved in motor vehicle accidents will have resultant permanent sensorineural hearing loss. However, if you’ve never had a valid hearing evaluation, you’d be hard pressed to show that your hearing was normal prior to such an accident.

A thorough hearing test is the first step in determining if you do, in fact, have hearing loss. The hearing test results also allow your audiologist to recommend the best treatment options if you do in fact have hearing loss. A hearing test is a quick, painless and non-invasive test, and should always be performed by a licensed, Board Certified audiologist. Ask to see the credentials of those who will be doing your testing! As with most health care  professionals, credentialed individuals have the greatest amount of educational training in diagnosis and treatment of hearing impairment, and will offer you or your loved ones solutions that reflect their knowledge base.

Hearing Test Audiogram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The test begins with a thorough case history, which reviews specific health information that may provide insight into hearing loss causes and will assist in determining which tests should be performed. Following the case history, the audiologist will examine your ear canals and eardrums with a special light called an otoscope. Your middle ear function will also be assessed by a test called tympanometry, which offers insight regarding the status of the area behind your eardrum. This area cannot be easily seen, and so the tympangram offers valuable information to the examiner. The test involves a pressure change, and may replicate the feeling you experience while going up in an elevator, but is not painful in any way.

Next, the levels of hearing in each of your ears should be measured in a sound-treated test booth. Some hearing aid technicians don’t use this type of equipment~ but be wary of any hearing test that is not conducted in such a booth, as reliability may be seriously compromised. During this test, a series of tones of different pitches, as well as speech signals, are presented to each ear through headphones. You will be asked to respond to the signals by either pushing a button, raising your hand or in the case of speech signals, repeating what you heard. You will be asked to respond to the lowest level that you can hear which determines your hearing thresholds. Thresholds for each pitch and ear are plotted on a graph called an audiogram. These thresholds indicate the level at which you are just barely able to detect sound. The speech testing yields a word recognition score, which is important in determining in part how well you will perform with hearing aids, which listening situations will be most challenging, etc.

Further tests may be conducted during the hearing test. Your ability to understand words or sentences at different volume levels or in the presence of noise may be assessed to determine how clearly you hear speech in various conditions. Following the tests, the hearing professional will discuss the results with you and may provide further recommendations, including treatment options, like hearing aids.

If you suspect you have hearing loss it is important to have your hearing tested as soon as possible. The use-it or lose-it principle does apply to our hearing; the sooner you treat hearing loss, the better the outcome of treatment. Most people wait an average of seven years from the time they suspect they have hearing loss until they purchase hearing devices. During that time period, the auditory system is at extreme risk for auditory deprivation, or lack of stimulation due to insufficient volume. This can make a difficult situation worse than it really needs to be. So why wait? Have a Board Certified Audiologist evaluate your hearing as soon as you (or others!) suspect there might be a hearing loss.

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Posted in Audiogram, Audiologist, Bettie Borton, Board Certified Audiologist, Doctors Hearing Clinic, Ear Canal, Eardrum, Ears, Hearing, Hearing Aid, Hearing Aid Technician, Hearing Care, Hearing Evaluation, Hearing Impaired, Hearing Loss, Hearing Test, Hearing Tested, Hearing Threshold, Listening Situations, Otoscope, Sensorineural Hearing Loss, Uncategorized

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Make the Most of Your Hearing – (re) Train Your Brain!

November 23rd, 2011

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

We hear in our ears, but we process and understand sound in our brain. Hearing aids can help a person detect that are no longer in their range of audibility, but they don’t necessarily provide good listening skills. There is a fundamental difference between hearing and listening, and hearing devices alone do not assure good listening. We all know people who have normal hearing but are poor listeners (ok, ok, don’t reference your spouse’s selective hearing!). Hearing requires a functional auditory system that allows sound to be heard, listening requires specific effort and skill, and that can become more difficult when a hearing loss is present.

As technically advanced as modern hearing aids might be, these devices alone cannot ensure listening skills needed for communication. Listening integrates a number of skills including attending, understanding, and remembering. Unfortunately, many of these cognitive skills deteriorate as we age. This may show up as a worsening of short-term memory, or increasing difficulty understanding rapid speech. Modern hearing aids have certainly improved the quality of sound in noisy environments, but they do not eliminate background sounds. People with sensorineural hearing loss have disproportionately difficult time understanding speech in noise. In addition, research shows that a loss of hearing produces physical changes in the auditory pathways of the brain. We now know that when hearing loss deprives parts of the brain of auditory stimulation, neural pathways actually degrade. The old adage of “use it or lose it” is very true with regard to hearing loss- waiting to get hearing aids when you know you have hearing loss is problematic because your brain may not be receiving the kind of stimulation it needs to maintain speech understanding.

Bettie Borton, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology AudiologistWhen people lose confidence in their ability to communicate in noisy social situations, they simply drop out and avoid those environments. While this may save them effort and embarrassment, it ultimately costs them important personal and social contact. Some individuals utilize compensatory strategies that may result in successful hearing aid use. Others, however, are not so fortunate. The need for additional therapy beyond that provided by devices alone is becoming increasingly evident, and is underscored by the fact that individuals with similar hearing loss frequently report a wide range in satisfaction and benefit from their hearing aids.

The good news is a Board Certified Audiologist can optimize your hearing aid hearing experience using a number of methods, strategies and techniques. The hearing healthcare professionals at Doctors Hearing Clinic specialize in developing individualized treatment plans for those struggling with hearing impairment, and can offer the very latest in technologies, as well as the time required to successfully implement them! Have realistic expectations for hearing aids – they’re wonderful devices, but not new ears. Join a self help group to share methods and techniques that are successful for you and others (Montgomery has a Hearing Loss Support Group that meets the second Thursday of each month at the First Methodist Church, 4 PM, free of charge!). And consider new computer software to “train your brain” to listen more effectively!

The great news is that with the help of a skilled Audiologist who routinely offers programs in aural rehabilitation, you or your loved ones can keep listening skills from deteriorating and improve ability to function in noisy situations. When a person injures an arm or leg, everyone recognizes the importance of physical therapy to strengthen adjacent muscles and instruction to optimize function. Similarly, it is likely that hearing devices alone will not produce optimal communication skills unless accompanied by counseling and training.

There are many exercises you can try on your own. Here are three examples:

• Use closed- captioned TV, or record programs using a DVR or TIVO. Watch the show live. Then replay it with closed captioning or by slowing it down.

• Listen to, while reading, audio books.

• Buy two copies of the newspaper. Have your spouse or colleague read the newspaper aloud while you are listening only, and then go ahead and read it yourself. Try this in quiet at first, and then proceed to noisier listening environments.

• Try self-help computer assisted training programs

One such auditory training therapy program designed to help the brain listen, Listening and Communication Enhancement (LACE) uses a computer or DVD. LACE is designed to enhance listening and communication skills, improve confidence levels, and provide communication strategies. The program consists of a variety of interactive and adaptive training tasks for listening to speech in noise, rapid speech, and auditory memory. Besides the immediate feedback given for each task, LACE provides you with a graph depicting daily improvement from the start of the training.

LACE training is conducted in the privacy of your own home at a pace comfortable to you; Doctors Hearing Clinic also offers a computer lab where you can take all or part of the training in their office. Research on thousands of people with hearing loss demonstrates that you can expect on average a 40% improvement of speech comprehension in noisy situations, if you complete the training program.

So if you or someone you love uses hearing devices, take the important step of seeking help from a Board Certified Audiologist to help you develop a comprehensive strategy for hearing and communication skills – train your brain for listening!

References: Robert W. Sweetow, Ph.D., Professor of Otolaryngology, University of California, San Francisco and the Better Hearing Institute

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Posted in Audiologist, Communication, Communication Strategies, Hearing Aids, Hearing Loss, LACE, Listening Tips, Sensorineural Hearing Loss, Uncategorized

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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
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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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