Most experts admit that when there is a hearing loss in both ears, wearing hearing aids in both ears can achieve the best results. This is called binaural hearing, which not only helps localize sounds, but also allows you to selectively listen to important sounds from a variety of sounds.

The benefits of wearing hearing aids in both ears include:
* Improve sound localization ability
* Volume balance
* Understand the conversation more clearly
* Listening is more comfortable and relaxed
* Keep both ears sensitive
 

If you suffer from hearing loss, you are not alone, because it can happen to all people, and it usually appears and worsens with age. Ten red flags of hearing loss

If you notice one or more of the following warning signs frequently, you may suffer hearing loss:
* If feels ambiguity when people speaking frequently;
* A sharp sound like ringtone appears in your ears;
* You often let people repeat their speeches;
* The people in family complains that the sound is too loud when you play the radio or TV;
* Some small sounds in the house are difficult to hear, such as the sound of dripping water from the tap or the door bell;
* When there are many people, it is difficult for you to get what others are talking about;
* In the conversation, you have difficulty understanding all words;
* You find it difficult to communicate when answering the phone;
* When you turn your back to the speaker, it is difficult to hear what the other person says;
* You are told that you speak too loudly;
* Common hearing loss caused by age;


This is a simple audiogram sample. The letters represent the frequency of common speech in English. Click on the Speech Banana in the lower right corner of the audiogram to see where the frequently used voices are located in the audiogram. The age range (Age) can be selected on the right side of the audiogram. For each age, you will see the position of the normal hearing group in the audiogram (the blue part), and above the line is the voice frequency that you may miss  after hearing loss .

One of the effects of hearing loss is the reduction in the ability to distinguish between speech and noise, especially the ability to listen to high-frequency sounds may completely disappear. The causes of hearing loss are different, and the types of hearing loss can be classified according to where the ear is damaged. There are generally three different types of hearing loss:

Conductive hearing loss is usually temporary and can sometimes be corrected. It develops from external or middle ear problems.
* In many cases, this type of hearing loss can be cured by ear wax removal, medication or surgery.


Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss.
This type of hearing loss is caused by problems with the cochlea and auditory nerve, which can be treated with hearing aids or surgery

Mixed hearing loss is a kind of hearing loss that occurs simultaneously with conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss. In this case, in addition to using hearing aids, you must also be treated by ear wax removal, medication or surgery

But sometimes, hearing loss is a temporary phenomenon.

To find out if you or the person you care about has hearing loss, please contact the nearest Austar Hearing Aid Service Center.

From the aspect of environmental protection, all the sounds that affect people's normal study, work and rest, and the "unwanted sounds" of people on certain occasions, are collectively called noise. Such as the roar of machinery, the sound of various vehicles, the sound of horns, the noise of people and various sudden sounds, etc., are all called noise.

The scope of the impact of noise on people's health will be wider and wider. Existing large amounts of data have shown that not only severely damaged on hearing ability, but also people's health.


Supplement:
① 30~40dB is an ideal quiet environment.
② 70 decibels will affect the conversation.
③ Long-term living in an environment above 90 decibels will severely affect hearing and cause neurasthenia, headaches, high blood pressure and other diseases.
④ If you are suddenly exposed to a noise of up to 150 decibels, the slighter Tympanic membrane will ruptures and bleed, and the ears will completely lose hearing ability; the severer will cause heart resonance and cause death.


Denmark recently announced the results of a study showing that street noise may be one of the causes of high heart disease. It is recommended not to stay in the car for too long. These researchers included 57,053 healthy people aged 50 to 64 between 1993 and 1997, and conducted long-term monitoring and follow-up. The average follow-up time for these patients was 9.8 years. From 1988 to 2006, these people were exposed to street noise and different air pollution.
w cases of cardiovascular disease patients was first discovered. There is an obvious causal relationship between these noise exposures and cardiovascular diseases.

(1) Why can't you hear clearly?
Some people often say why I can’t hear what others are saying? The voice of others is too low and the environment is too noisy? Be vigilant! It may be that there is a problem with your hearing. Different degrees of hearing loss may cause hearing impairment in various environments.

(2)Why can't I hear clearly with my hearing aid?
Adult hearing-impaired patients have experience in listening to sounds, and will eagerly hope that they can immediately return to the past sound world after wearing a hearing aid. However, the current hearing aids cannot completely replace the functions of the auditory organs, and there will always be some "regrets".

However, the auditory center has a strong ability to integrate, as long as after a period of training and adaptation, the hearing aid will become a part of your body.

Hearing clearly is actually the perfect process of sound entering the ear and then identifying it through mental analysis.
Speech rehabilitation training---persistence

Hearing loss can come in many forms and levels of severity: a slight ringing in your ears or difficulty hearing high-pitched voices all the way up to challenges hearing the majority of sounds. But no matter the severity, it’s important to understand how hearing loss actually works and the steps you can take to cope with it, whether it’s key questions to ask your physician or ways to manage your important relationships.

To truly understand hearing loss, it helps to understand how we hear in the first place. Remember, when dealing with your health, equipping yourself with the proper information can be enormously empowering. If you understand the issue, it’s much easier to figure out how to cope with it.

How Hearing Works

When we hear a sound, we are actually interpreting sound waves that enter our ears and reach our brain via nerves. Sound waves travel into the ear via the ear canal and through the eardrum, which passes vibrations through a series of small bones into the inner ear. Once sound reaches the inner ear, thousands of hair cells pass the waves to the auditory nerve, which carries it to the brain.

How Hearing Loss Works

Over time, the component parts of the ear can begin to fail. One of the most common age-related issues is the gradual loss of hair cells in the inner ear, making it more difficult for sound waves to travel through the inner ear and into the brain. This process can be exacerbated by years of exposure to loud noises (such as live music and gas powered motors or machinery), which can cause a buildup of damage in the ear.

The National Institutes of Health estimates that nearly 50% of adults over age 75 have some form of age-related hearing loss.

There are other complications that can lead to hearing loss, too, although age-related loss is most common. Infections, trauma to the head, tumors, and severe allergies can all play a role in a loss of hearing ability.

It’s important, if you think you’re suffering from hearing loss, to consult your physician, who will likely recommend a hearing test to better understand the type and severity of your loss.

How to Cope: Ask Questions

Once you find out that you’re suffering from hearing loss—and have an understanding of why it’s happening—it’s time to figure out what to do next.

One of the most important steps in the process is to consult with your physician and the audiologist who carried out your hearing test. They can examine your audiogram (the graphical results of your hearing test) to determine the most appropriate next steps.

For many hearing loss sufferers, perhaps the best first step they can take is to simply ask questions. Here are a few common questions you may want to consider asking your doctor or audiologist:

 *   How severe is my hearing loss? Though you may think you understand how severe your hearing loss is, your physician or audiologist has access to diagnostic tools that can provide you answers with much greater detail. For example, an audiogram can reveal the severity of hearing loss through multiple measurements—so make sure to ask your physician or audiologist to explain the severity of your hearing loss to you and provide you with your test results.

 *   Why should I treat my hearing loss? One of the most common questions facing many hearing loss sufferers is why they should treat their hearing loss at all, as many have figured out coping mechanisms to deal with their hearing issues. But most doctors and audiologists will tell you that hearing loss left untreated can result in everything from social isolation to trouble with balance and movement. For example, a 2012 study found that hearing loss even at low levels tripled the risk of falls, while another found it doubled the risk of developing dementia.

 *   Am I a good candidate for hearing aids? Many hearing loss sufferers believe that hearing aids will restore their hearing to the same level they enjoyed prior to loss. While hearing aids can be a major step forward in terms of quality of life and overall health, not every hearing loss sufferer is a good candidate for using them. Make sure to ask a hearing professional whether your type of hearing loss is the right fit for hearing aids. If your doctor does recommend hearing aids, don’t be daunted by the retail sticker price of $4000 to $7000. High-quality hearing aids can be purchased online, at retailers like Embrace Hearing, for about $1,500 to $2,000. 

 

How To Cope: Take Care of Yourself

“Hearing loss can create a psychological solitary confinement,” wrote Dr. Claudia Dewane, who suffers hearing loss herself and counsels others through the process. Despite this, Dewane notes, “many older adults with hearing loss deny the disability or the impact it exerts on their quality of life.”

Dewane and other professionals urge hearing loss sufferers—whether they have struggled with hearing loss for a long time or are suddenly learning to cope with it—to make recognizing the issue the first, and most crucial, step.

While this may seem obvious, statistics say otherwise: an estimated 22 million Americans suffer from hearing loss but don’t seek out hearing aids for help.

If you’re able to recognize that your hearing loss is an issue, you can take positive steps to help yourself cope mentally, too, including:

 *   finding a support group or engaging with your peers who also suffer hearing loss;

 *    learning more about hearing loss and the technologies that exist to help, including hearing aids and hearing loops;

 *   visiting a therapist, counselor or other professional who can help teach coping strategies, including boosting your self-esteem.

For many people, hearing loss is a natural part of life—but that doesn’t mean you can’t understand it and learn how to cope with its effects. The more you know about your own hearing loss, the more proactive you can be in finding solutions that work for you.

When neuroscientists talk about the brain’s flexibility, they often use the term “plasticity.” What they mean is that your brain is able to adapt to changes it experiences over your lifetime, so that as your circumstances change, so does the way your brain works.

Researchers have studied how the brains of the blind have reconfigured themselves to cope without sight, and how other circumstances can lead the brain to favor one capability over another. They have even found that London’s famed cab drivers have brains better adapted to navigating the city’s streets.

So what does this mean if you are suffering hearing loss?

First, the good news: your brain will adapt to your loss of hearing. A research team found in 2015 that even in people suffering from mild hearing loss, the parts of the brain responsible for hearing are instead increasingly used for vision or touch, senses that are likely to become more acute to compensate for the loss of your ability to hear.

“Cross-modal recruitment of the hearing portion of the brain by the senses of vision and touch happens not only in deaf patients, but is also clearly apparent in adult patients with only a mild degree of hearing loss,” researcher Anu Sharma of the University of Colorado told the Acoustical Society of America when announcing her findings.

In other words, even small amounts of hearing loss can lead the brain to compensate for its new handicap.

But now, the bad news: even though the brain is trying to adapt to its new reality, it may actually inadvertently be doing damage. That same 2015 study indicates that when the portion of the brain devoted to hearing shrinks with hearing loss, the brain must devote additional resources to processing any sound at all. Though there isn’t a clear understanding of the impact of this “cognitive overload,” the research team believes that it might account for the high rates of dementia among patients who also experience hearing loss as they grow older.

Now the good news: the sooner you get hearing aids, the better it is for your brain.

The moral of the story is clear to Sharma and her colleagues: anyone experiencing even mild hearing loss should seek medical help to make sure they aren’t making harder to improve their hearing in the long term.

“Given that even small degrees of hearing loss can cause secondary changes in the brain, hearing screenings for adults and intervention in the form of hearing aids should be considered much earlier to protect against reorganization of the brain,” she advised.

And just like your brain adapted to life with hearing loss, it will also adapt to life with improved hearing courtesy of hearing aids. But the process can take some time. Most audiologists advise wearing your hearing aids consistently to give your brain ample time to re-adjust to hearing certain sounds.

The brain is highly adaptable and tries to adjust to limitations as best it can. But do your brain a favor and seek the help you need to understand and treat your hearing loss, if possible. You’ll be doing yourself—and your brain—a favor.

We hear sounds all day long. But how does this vital sense actually work? Take a closer look at the human ear and all the integral parts at works that allow us to hear.

Overview
 *   Parts of the Human Ear
 *   How Does Hearing Work?
 *   Air Conduction vs. Bone Conduction

audiologist explaining the anatomy of the human ear and hearing loss

Parts of the Human Ear
What we commonly call "The Ear" is only a small part of the overall organ of hearing. At first glance, we really only see the outer ear or "auricle". Though the auricle is important it only represents small portion of the hearing system, the rest being located and protected withing the skull. Anatomically, the human hearing system can be thought of in three parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. These three components are connected to each other via the ear canal. All acoustic systems run through it.

The tones, sounds, and speech we hear are actually nothing but oscillations of the air. Before sound waves are turned into acoustic information with specific meaning they have to pass from the outer to the inner ear via the middle ear. On this path, the sounds reach all parts of our hearing system via the auditory nerve to finally arrive in the brain as a signal.

Diagram of the anatomy of the human ear and auditory system

How Does Hearing Work?

The Outer Ear

When looking at someone’s ear, what you generally see is the the-outer-earauricle and part of the outer ear canal extending into the head and up to the ear drum. All of this makes up the Outer Ear. This is where the sound waves arrive first and from here, much like in a funnel, they are guided inwards through the auricle.

The shape of the outer ear by design helps amplify the oscillating air (sound) like a resonator while at the same time prevent wind and other air movements from causing strong background noise.  The resulting effect improves our hearing.

The Middle Ear
The area directly behind the ear drum is called the middle ear. The ear drum itself is a thin membrane that is hit by incoming sound waves. From it, minute oscillations are conducted to three tiny ossicles (bones): the Hammer, the anvil, and the stirrup – the smallest bones in the human body.

Thanks to their unique location, they are capable of amplifying oscillations 20-fold, guaranteeing proper conduction through to the inner ear. From the middle ear, the Eustachian Tube extends to the nose and throat area. This tube ventilates the middle ear and equalizes pressure there.

The Inner Ear

the-inner-earThe inner ear begins where the Stirrup hits the next membrane – the “Oval Window”. Located in it are the organ of equilibrium and the cochlear. Approximately the size of a pea, the cochlear actually resembles a snail shell. It contains three canals filled with a liquid. Via one of these canals, the signals conducted into the liquid are directed to the tip and back via a second canal. The central canal is home to the actual organ of hearing, the organ of Corti. The bottom of the organ of hearing is covered in thousands of tiny hairs – the hair cells.

The wave movements in the liquid-filled canals change depending on frequency. The hair cells are only triggered when the amplitude is particularly great. The deeper the tones the further back in the cochlear the tiny hairs move, while high tones trigger the hair cells at the front of the cochlear. Over the years, it is common that these tiny hairs wear thin and is the main reasons for age related hearing loss.

Signal Conduction to the Brain

Even when the sound waves have arrived in the inner ear they still have no meaning. Once conducted to the auditory nerve, the sound waves are converted to electrical signals that first hit the brain stem. The signal is conducted to the areas of the brain responsible for emotional assessment. Thus meaning is attached to tones which are then connected to existing patterns in the cortex. This allows humans to understand speech, recognize the voice of a friend, and judge hazardous situations.

This means that our hearing only works if the conduction of signals from one station to the other works perfectly and only once oscillating air has been turned into a warning signal, pleasant music, or a coherent sentence.

Air Conduction vs. Bone Conduction

The stations described above show how sound waves reach the inner ear via so-called air conduction. But sound waves can also reach the inner ear via bone conduction: Oscillating air hits the outside of the skull and makes it oscillate slightly.

Conducted by the liquids in the ear, oscillations also reach the hair cells via this path. In cases where hearing loss is caused by an interruption of the oscillating air, bypassing that system through bone conduction devices like Cochlear Implants is an option. However, bone conduction is not as effective as air conduction hearing.

Did You Know?
Bone sound wave conduction is the reason that we think our voices are strange and different when we listen to a recording of ourselves. By playing our recorded voices through speakers, we hear our voices only as air conduction. When we speak, we hear our voices through both air conduction and bone conduction, which is the reason they sound different.

Ear infections are so common that they account for more than 50 percent of pediatrician visits in the United States. According to statistics, acute ear infections affect two-thirds of American children under two. Chronic ear infections affect two-thirds of children under six years old.

Overview
 *   Ear Infections
 *   What Can Cause an Ear Infection?
 *   What are the Main Types of Ear Infections?
 *   What Are The Symptoms of an Ear Infection?
 *   Why Are Children So Susceptible to Otitis Media?
 *   How Do I Prevent Ear Infections?
 *   How Are Ear Infections Treated?

Ear Infections

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, three out of four children will have suffered at least one ear infection by their third birthday.  Chronic or repeated ear infections, meanwhile, afflict approximately 25 percent of children, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Adults can suffer from ear infections as well, though they're most common in children younger than eight years of age. 

Whether you're a concerned parent or wondering if you're suffering from an infection yourself, you've come to the right place. We're going to go over the most common types of ear infections, as well as their causes and treatments.

What Can Cause an Ear Infection?

Ear infections usually develop as a complication of another illness, such as an infection of the upper respiratory tract or sinuses. They're usually either viral or bacterial in nature, but they can also be fungal. They're capable of affecting one of several parts of the ear, but the most common type of ear infection is otitis media, an infection of the middle ear.

An ear infection may also occur as a result of allergies, due to excessive smoking, because of changes in air pressure, or due to fluid within the ear (such as from swimming).  Other risk factors that may increase the chances of getting an ear infection include family history and chronic or long-term illnesses.

What Are the Main Types of Ear Infections?
Ear infections are commonly categorized in two ways. First by location, and then by symptom clusters. We'll start with location.

Otitis Externa. This type of ear infection impacts the ear canal between the outer ear and eardrum. It's most commonly caused by exposure to dirty water or damage from improper cleaning (such as with a Q-tip). Another term for Otitis Externa is Swimmer's Ear.

Otitis Media. Impacts the inner ear, and is most commonly caused by a blockage of the Eustachian tubes. Occurs most frequently in children.

Otitis Interna. Also known as labyrinthitis or vestibular neuritis, Otitis Interna impacts the inner ear. It's unique in that the inflammation is rarely caused by an infection, and is traceable back to a viral or bacterial agent in less than half of cases, according to the Healthline Blog.
Ear infections can also be acute, recurrent, effusive, or chronic.

Acute ear infections come on rapidly. They are frequently accompanied by itching, inflammation, and redness.

Recurrent ear infections are exactly what they sound like - repeated episodes of an infection in the same part of the ear.

Effusive ear infections are the result of fluid buildup without any other signs or symptoms of infection. They commonly occur in the wake of an acute infection.

Chronic ear infections are less severe than acute infections but generally don't resolve on their own. Sometimes, a recurrent ear infection may be diagnosed as chronic if it recurs frequently enough.
What Are The Symptoms of an Ear Infection?
The most common symptoms of an ear infection include:

*    Ear pain, often throbbing 
*    Fever 
*    Pressure or a feeling of fullness in the ear 
*    Pus from the ear 
*    Hearing difficulty in the affected ear 
*    Nausea and vomiting
*    Headache
*    Vertigo

woman in pain from otitis media ear infection
Why Are Children So Susceptible to Otitis Media?
The main reason infants and children develop otitis media so much more frequently than adults is that their eustachian tubes - which connect the middle ear to the nasal cavity - tends to be more horizontal. This means there's a far greater likelihood of fluid buildup. Mucus that might drain in an adult stays in place, causing pain, pressure, and also infection. 

As children age, their eustachian tubes gradually become more vertical and better at draining excess fluids.

How Do I Prevent Ear Infections?

A proper diet also plays an essential role in reducing ear infection risk. Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and high-quality protein to strengthen your immune system. Consider eliminating milk and sugar, as they are common allergens.

It's also incredibly important to stay hydrated, as this can help thin mucus secretions. Essential fatty acids found in coldwater fish, flaxseeds, and flaxseed oil are useful for reducing inflammation. Proper exercise can also help reduce the risk of infection.

For infants, we'd advise switching bottle-fed babies to a non-dairy formula with a doctor's supervision. Avoid bottle-feeding children that are lying flat on their backs. Ensure they're at a 30-degree angle or greater.
If a child is being breastfed, the mother should further avoid common allergens such as cow's milk. Eliminating other common allergens may also help.

You should also reduce exposure to environmental allergens such as cigarette smoke, as it creates an environment in which bacteria and viruses can thrive. Avoid using cotton swabs as well, as they pack wax into the ear canal.

How Are Ear Infections Treated?

If you suspect you or your child may be suffering from an ear infection, it's always best to be on the safe side. Visit your ENT or pediatrician, particularly if there's ear pain or hearing loss present. Be especially alert for signs of ear infections in babies and young children, who often pull on their ears when suffering.

Left unchecked, an ear infection can lead to severe consequences such as the formation of scar tissue on the eardrum or even an outright rupture. Moreover, if the inflammation is severe enough, it may deform the ossicles, tiny bones in the inner ear. Either of these can cause hearing loss.

To prevent the rupturing of the eardrum and speed along the healing process, a physician may recommend over-the-counter or prescription ear-drops. In some cases, clearing the infection may require antibiotic treatments. For acute infections, the initial inflammatory phase usually lasts about two or three days, but the overall healing process may take about two to four weeks.

Medications, when prescribed appropriately, can reduce this duration. However, as ear infections can have multiple causes beyond bacterial, antibiotic therapy may not always be the most appropriate course of treatment. That said, there are a few things you can do to ease the pain while your body clears the infection.

Apply an onion poultice. Simmer a chopped onion in 1/4 cup of water for several minutes, stirring occasionally. Wrap that onion in a thin and soft cloth, then cool it just enough so it doesn't burn the ear. Place it over your ear for at least five minutes, then repeat until the pain abates.

Keep your ears dry. Particularly if you're suffering from Swimmer's Ear, don't let moisture into your ears when you have an ear infection.

Apply heat. Use a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel or blow a hairdryer onto the affected ear.
If you have any questions or concerns about hearing loss, you can also get your hearing tested or schedule a consultation with us immediately.

Falling asleep in an urban area or with roommates can be a difficult task. Even if you can fall asleep, you may notice that when there are loud sounds around you, (even if you never wake during the night) you never wake up feeling refreshed from a good night’s sleep.
The reason being that even if a sound doesn’t wake you during the night, it can affect your sleep pattern. For example, if you're in a deep sleep, a sudden sound such as a thunderclap may cause you to fall back into a lighter sleep stage. However, your body needs these deep sleep cycles to wake up feeling rested, and poor sleep is proven to lead to poor health as well.

So how can you stabilize your sleep so that you aren’t awakened by peak noises? White noise.

White Noise Definition - What is it?

White noise is a steady intensity at various frequencies. Essentially, it is a constant drone without any rise or fall in sound or peak noises. White noise is used to help absorb the peaks of loud sounds which cause a disturbance in sleep. 

In addition to people who use white noise to help them get a more restful sleep, many parents also use white noise with their babies. Research on neonates has proven that it can help them fall asleep faster and stay asleep for longer. Additionally, many people with tinnitus, a condition where the patient hears constant ringing in his/her ear, use white noise as a type of therapy.

Different Types of White Noise
If you or a loved one believes it may be beneficial to your sleep, there are several different kinds of white noise. Many people just turn on a recording of white noise on YouTube. There are multiple recordings of 10-plus hours of white noise that you can turn on before you go to bed. Just make sure that you plug in your phone or laptop before going to bed and turn down the screen as light can also have a negative effect on your sleep. The other problem with a YouTube video is that commercials may interrupt it causing a disturbance in your sleep.

Therefore, a safe alternative is simply turning on a fan or air purifier (in fact, some companies even advertise their fans for their white noise benefits). Both of these work well as the sound is consistent at a steady intensity. Some people even use the static from a television.

If you prefer something a little more high tech, you can also purchase a white noise machine. These allow you to adjust the sound to the exact decibel; they’re ideal if you wish to leave something on in your child’s room.

Other Sound Colors

The only problem with white noise is that some people find it sounds like static which can be irritating. This is because it registers very high pitched noises in addition to low ones. 

Fortunately, white noise is not the only type of noise. Similar to light, there is an array of colors of sound. While white noise has the same frequencies at various pitches, it has a broad range (jumping from say 5Hz to 50Hz). Pink noise, on the other hand, keeps the Hz within the octave (only jumping from say 5Hz to 10Hz). It often sounds lower-pitched and softer like leaves rustling.

Therefore, many people actually prefer to purchase pink noise machines (even though many are advertised as white noise since that’s the more common term). Brown noise is another sound color, similar to pink noise, which registers lower-pitched sounds and could be much more soothing than white noise.

Conclusion

If you find yourself having trouble sleeping at night, or find that you wake up feeling restless and unable to return to sleep, consider using white or pink noise. You may find a white noise machine leaves you not only feeling better, but in a physically healthier state as well.

The auditory center in the brain is a biological supercomputer that never takes a break. It analyzes and processes incoming sound patterns around the clock and protects us from sensory overload.

How Does Hearing Work?
The ear is arguably one of the most complex organs in the human body, inextricably linked to how we experience and understand the world. When a sound wave causes the air to vibrate around us, those vibrations enter the ear canal and rebound off the eardrum. This rebound causes a series of tiny bones within the inner ear to move, known as the ossicles.

These three bones, known respectively as the malleus, incus, and stapes, connect to an organ known as the cochlea. This fluid-filled organ contains a series of microscopic hair cells, each group of which is tuned to a particular pitch and frequency. Stimulation of these cells sends nerve impulses along the auditory nerve to the brain.

Here's where we bridge the gap between hearing and understanding. 

The Importance of the Brain's Auditory Center
When the brain receives electrical impulses from the cochlea, it must immediately unravel, analyze, and interpret them. 

First, the brain's auditory center breaks down the complex waveforms of sound into their primary components,  pitch (frequency) and volume (amplitude). It then compares these component parts with stored patterns (memory). It can then identify and categorize the sound and its source and determine whether or not that sound requires our focus.
If, for example, you're having a conversation in a crowded restaurant, your brain might tune out background noise so you can focus on the person you're talking to. Without this automatic filtering, every single sound around us would receive equal attention. It would be impossible for us to focus on anything.

The ability to choose between relevant and irrelevant noise is localized in the brain's left hemisphere. Although the process is usually automatic, it's actually possible to consciously influence it by focusing on a specific sound. This could be a conversation elsewhere in a restaurant or a single instrument in a band's performance. 

A Supercomputer That Never Sleeps

Even when we're asleep, the auditory center of our brain, known also as the auditory cortex,  remains active. That said, in order to allow the rest of our brain and body to recover, it fades out the majority of surrounding sounds. That said, the brain is also trained to wake us up immediately if it determines something is amiss.

We might wake up to the crying of our child. The buzzing of our alarm clock. Or an unusual sound such as a scream or crash. 
An Internal Firewall: How The Brain Differentiates Between Relevant and Irrelevant
The brain's auditory cortex day and night acts as something of a natural filter, a safeguard against sensory overload. This internal firewall is essential to our health and well-being, especially in a world where our senses are constantly bombarded by stimuli. It's able to seamlessly differentiate between background noise and important sounds, identifying what's normal for a particular environment and picking out what's unusual.

Yet even though the brain plays such a critical role, it cannot function effectively without well-functioning ears.

It's only when the brain is supplied with complete, intact acoustic information that it's able to recognize which sounds are important and which should be suppressed. That's why conditions like hyperacusis so often tend to be psychosomatic in nature - the auditory cortex simply isn't functioning as it should. This is also why it's essential to look after your hearing and protect it at all times.
This means donning appropriate hearing protection in the workplace. It also means visiting a hearing specialist the moment you become aware of any hearing loss. Even a delay of one or two years may mean it's already too late for a hearing aid to be effective.

This is because the brain unlearns its ability to hear when it is not supplied with sufficient sounds over a long period of time

Protecting Your Brain: The Impact of Loud Noise
Loud environments with a mixture of different sounds always present a challenge in terms of hearing. If they're loud enough, they can even cause hearing loss, as the brain begins to 'unlearn' its capacity to effectively filter out sounds due to a combination of sensory overload and damage to the ears. This can make such environments increasingly frustrating as an individual becomes unable to follow conversations or identify sounds effectively.

This so-called cocktail party problem is an early warning sign of hearing loss and may be accompanied by tinnitus in some cases.  If certain frequencies become increasingly rare in the auditory center because someone is experiencing a loss of hearing, the brain attempts to “amplify” these frequencies, even when they are not actually present. As a result, a nonexistent sound is generated in the brain.

Tinnitus is not caused by a fault in the ear, but by alterations in the brain. Some experts refer to tinnitus as the “nerve cells talking to themselves".

Language: The Most Complex Auditory Process of All
At its core, speech is nothing more than a complex mixture of sound waves. Unraveling these sounds and deciphering what each one means is a major task for the brain, one which often takes many years to learn. It's actually rather impressive the brain can manage this at all, as it's a process marked by several massive obstacles.

How, for instance, does the auditory center subdivide a spoken sentence in such a way that its components can be reconciled with memorized patterns?
You might initially assume that each unit of speech is an individual word. However, this is not the case. In almost every language, each word flows smoothly into the next in speech. Letters aren't appropriate units of measurement here either, as they're pronounced differently depending on the context.

There are also variations in pitch, mood, voice, body language, accents, dialects, and speed.

Each and every one of these factors have a significant impact on not just the sound of the spoken word, but also it's meaning. Two people might utter an identical sentence, yet it could have a vastly different meaning. Yet somehow, the brain copes with all this complexity effortlessly and at tremendous speed.
On average, we can perceive and process up to 14 speech signals per second, and content becomes even easier to understand at 60 speech signals. Bear in mind, as well, that auditory processing is not the only thing the brain is doing in a conversation. It's parsing every last bit of information about our environment, including the sights, smells, feelings, and tastes.

Even modern supercomputers have difficulty competing with this raw processing power, and we have yet to develop voice recognition software that can understand spoken language as efficiently as the human brain.
Although we generally understand the mechanics by which the brain processes speech, we are yet to decipher every intricacy of how it works. Similar to the origins of language itself, much of the brain's functionality remains a mystery to us. Equally fascinating is the fact that the brain's auditory center is able to distinguish between our own voice and the voices of people around us.

Our own voice sounds the loudest to us - in order to hear ourselves against noisy backgrounds, the brain makes sure our voice is always loud enough for us to hear. 
The Auditory Center: Small, Powerful, and Essential
Perhaps the most fascinating thing about the brain's auditory center is its size. It's barely larger than your thumbnail and is in fact 'hidden' in a coil of the cerebral cortex. There's one auditory center in each cortex, and each one covers eleven different auditory fields.

Together, they are responsible for interpreting the entire range of perceptible frequencies.

Recent experiments have shown that there is apparently a division of labor between the left and right auditory centers. The left auditory cortex, for example, plays the main role in interpretation — that is, the recognition of acoustic signals. Scientists have also been able to demonstrate that the two sides of the auditory center are constantly engaged in a lively exchange.

It's not just with each other that the auditory centers communicate. Each and every one of our senses is interconnected. We know this from experience - it's easier to understand what someone is saying when we're looking at them when we can see and interpret their facial expression and read their lips. 

When it comes to cleaning your ears there aren’t many steps to keep them in optimal shape. By producing earwax, your ears actually help keep themselves healthy. The wax your ears produce is how they clean themselves. Wax helps to remove dust and debris that may have entered your ear. It also helps to keep bacteria and infections from entering into your middle or inner ear. The ear is truly an amazing part of our body.

However, some people do tend to produce more wax than normal, which can create problems like build-up and blockage of the ear. If these issues aren’t address it can lead to temporary hearing loss. So what can be done about this? Let’s go over a few do’s and don’ts when it comes to cleaning your ears.

 * DO NOT use cotton swabs. Though Q-tips may seem like a great way to clean your ears they are not. They can push earwax further down your ear canal causing a blockage that could puncture your eardrum. They could also puncture your eardrum on their own, causing dirt, debris and more to get into your middle and inner ear, causing major problems.

 * DO NOT do ear candling. Ear candling may seem like a great and easy way to clean your ears of excess wax but it is not. Ear candling can significantly increase your risk of problems to your ear canal, eardrum and hearing. Just like Q-tips candling can push wax further into your canal causing a blockage or perforation of your eardrum which can then lead to increased risk of infection.

 * DO NOT stick anything in ear that is smaller than your elbow. This may sound funny but it is true and a good rule to live by when it comes to your ears and cleaning them. So yes that means no fingers in your ears either. By following this rule it will ensure that no wax is pushed further down your ear canal causing a blockage or perforating your eardrum. This will then decrease your risk of infection as well.
 * DO use a cloth to clean your outer ear. After a shower is the best time to clean your outer ear. Everything will easily wipe away with little effort. This will help to ensure any dirt and debris on your outer ear will not make its way into your ear canal.
DO see your family doctor or hearing health professional. If you think you have an excessive amount of wax build-up in your ear please see your family doctor or hearing health professional. They will be able to look in your ear and help to properly and safely  * remove any excessive wax that may be present.

 * DO talk to your family doctor or hearing health professional about preventative measures. Speaking with your family doctor or hearing health professional about preventative measures when it comes to wax build-up is a great idea. They may be able to suggest way to remove wax build-up at home safely, such as the use of drops. Do not seek out your own preventative measures always seek out the advice of a professional and follow their guidelines this will help to ensure proper usage and care as well as decrease the risk of infection.

Cleaning your ears doesn’t have to require a complicated regime, these daily tips of dos and don’ts will help you take a better step to healthy hearing!

One of the most difficult aspects of hearing loss is the sense of alienation that comes with it.

Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles are universally recognized as heroes for not letting their blindness stop them from producing some of the greatest music of the last century. However, for those who are hard of hearing, role models can be a bit harder to find, despite the fact that a staggering 360 million people suffer from hearing loss around the world, with children making up nearly one-tenth of that number.

Perhaps this is because of the lingering stigma that surrounds hearing loss, which is invisible to others and often gradual. If you are struggling with a hearing problem but reluctant to make a change, it may prove somewhat comforting to know that you far from alone. In fact, some of the most successful people from the worlds of entertainment, music, sports, and history have been hard of hearing and many are now vocal advocates for hearing health awareness. Here are just a few inspiring examples.

WHOOPI GOLDBERG, ACTOR/COMIC
A global star of the stage, silver screen, and most recently, co-host of The View on ABC, Whoopi Goldberg has openly discussed her hearing loss and the fact that she wears hearing aids in both ears. She believes that her hearing was damaged by listening to very loud music too close to her ears for many years. Today, she uses her story as a platform to keep children from abusing the volume function on their portable listening devices so they can keep enjoying their favorite tunes well into their adult years.

GERARD BUTLER, ACTOR
The Scottish star of 300 and many other film and stage productions, Gerard Butler had surgery as a child that left his right ear physically deformed. He suffers from lifelong tinnitus and hearing loss in that ear, which he says is responsible for his smile appearing crooked in photos. However, his condition did not prevent him from starring in the film version of the musical Phantom of the Opera and belting out the titular character’s bombastic rock-star anthems.

PETE TOWNSHEND, MUSICIAN
Lead guitarist and driving force behind the legendary rock band, The Who, Pete Townshend is completely deaf in one ear and only has partial hearing in the other – which is further troubled by tinnitus. He attributes his condition to using earphones in the recording studio while playing back music tracks (not to mention years of playing live on stage with one of the loudest acts in rock history). He has a hearing aid now and says its use and other assistive technology have helped him feel “reborn.”

HALLE BERRY, ACTRESS
One in three women have experienced domestic violence at the hands of a partner, and roughly 20 people are abused every minute in the United States. While the emotional trauma of abuse lasts a lifetime, the physical damage can be equally as permanent. In the case of Halle Berry, a toxic relationship cost her 80 percent of the hearing in one ear but couldn’t stop her from becoming one of the highest-grossing women in Hollywood. Today, she is a regular spokeswoman for domestic abuse victims and uses her story to encourage others to stand up against violence, before it’s too late.

BRIAN WILSON, MUSICIAN
“Loud” might not be the first word that comes to mind when you think of the Beach Boys. Unlike his contemporaries who ruined their ears with cymbal crashes and guitar amplifiers, Brian Wilson, mastermind behind America’s favorite surf-rock boy band, has suffered from near-total deafness in his right ear since he was a young boy. An abusive father struck him on the side of the head for misbehaving, damaging the ear of one of the 20th century’s most cherished songwriters. Brian’s story, though tragic, is a perfect example of how hearing loss can affect anyone at any time. Fortunately, as Brian’s lifelong career has shown, it doesn’t have to be an impediment.

BARBRA STREISAND, MUSICIAN/ACTRESS
Despite international acclaim for her musical ability, Barbra Streisand has encountered setbacks on tour because of her lifelong struggle with tinnitus. For Streisand, the ringing in her ears worsens in stressful situations, and once was so intense it forced her to walk off stage in the middle of a performance. The singer and actress has gone on record saying that she used to feel ashamed of her tinnitus and wanted to keep it a secret from others. For a list of other artists who suffer from tinnitus, click here.

JANE LYNCH, ACTRESS
Though best known for her roles in comedies, Jane Lynch will be the first to tell you that hearing loss is no laughing matter. A virus stole the hearing from her right ear as an infant, but she was unaware of her condition for the first seven years of her life. In her 2011 memoir, she writes about the time her brother kept alternating listening to his radio between both ears, which marked the first time she realized that other people used both ears to hear.

HUEY LEWIS, MUSICIAN
Another rocker who played loudly and without hearing protection for years, Huey Lewis has extensive hearing loss and tinnitus. He wears hearing aids in both ears and contributes his story to campaigns to raise awareness among musicians and others of the risks that may lead to hearing loss.

CHRIS COLWILL, ATHLETE
Chris Colwill has competed on behalf of the United States in two Olympics as a member of the diving team. He was born with 60 percent hearing loss in both ears and wears hearing aids outside of the pool. Since he cannot dive with his hearing aids in, he relies on watching the scoreboard to keep track of when it is his turn to dive.

JIM RYUN, ATHLETE AND U.S. CONGRESSMAN (2ND DISTRICT, KS)
Inspirational Olympic silver medalist Jim Ryun was a member of the U.S. Track and Field team in the 1968 Mexico City games. He suffered 50 percent hearing loss as a young child after a bout with measles. Ryun later served as a Congressman from 1996-2007, a term distinguished by his introduction of the Hearing Aid Tax Credit Act. [1]

HISTORICAL FIGURES KNOWN TO HAVE HEARING LOSS
In addition to the folks mentioned above, many historical figures have accomplished great things, in spite and because of their deafness or hearing loss. The best known of these include the following:

* Helen Keller, advocate, public speaker, author
* Ludwig Van Beethoven, composer, musician
* Thomas Edison, inventor, businessperson
* Francisco Goya, master painter, printmaker

When you’re searching for an audiologist, the choices can seem endless. If you don’t know someone who has personally seen an audiologist, you may not know where to find one. The internet is a wonderful place to start, but it’s crucial you know what to look for in order to find the right audiologist.

1. Visit the audiologist’s website
You search and find an audiologist in your area. But before you schedule your appointment, take a moment to visit their website and look for some key information.

First to the nuts and bolts.

Check the location and hours: Look through the general information on the website. You should be able to find the audiologist’s office location and hours of operation. You want to consider these items if you have a job with conflicting hours, or if the office is located in an inconvenient part of the city. 
Check services provided: Does the audiologist specialize in the condition you’re seeking treatment for? Some audiologists specialize in working with children, while others treat balance disorders or tinnitus. Peruse the website and find out what the audiologist focuses on.

First Impressions: Does your visit to the website leave your feeling empowered and positive, or overwhelmed and confused. Remember, this could reflect what a visit in person is like.

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2. Keep searching
Don’t stop with the first hearing practice you find, but browse a few more and compare. Get a feel for the ethos and helpfulness of the practice, and see if they’re people you can picture yourself trusting with your hearing health.

This may strengthen your initial impression that the first clinic was perfect. But you might find another practice that excels even those high standards. In short, this is your chance to shop around to get a fit that feels right.

3. Cross reference with reviews
After visiting a few different websites, you probably have a short list of the audiologist’s you’re considering. You’ve probably read glowing testimonials on the clinic’s website and your hand is already stretching toward the phone.

Before you schedule your appointment, consider searching other websites for reviews on the audiologist.

From Google reviews to healthcare-specific review websites, there are a number of options you can check out when looking for real, unbiased opinions of care received from the audiologist.

Of course, you want to take any online review with a grain of salt. If a clinic was awarded one star because the audiologist kept you waiting without an explanation, then you may want to reconsider. However, if one star was given because the coffee in the waiting room was bitter, you could argue that if that’s the only thing the patient found to complain about, then the clinic is doing pretty well.

Finding an audiologist is an integral part of treating your hearing loss. When searching online for an audiologist, consider the tips above and use your own gut instinct to find the right professional for you!

Congratulations! Scheduling a hearing test is the first step on the path to better hearing. You can prepare and get the most out of the appointment by bearing these five simple steps in mind.

1. Colds and flu
You know how your hearing is often muffled when you have a cold or flu? This is because the tubes connecting your ears to your throat become blocked. In turn, this causes pressure changes within the middle ear which then presses on the ear drums and affect your ability to hear.

Also, as part of the hearing test the audiologist measures the movement of the ear drum and the movement of the small bones in the middle ear. These may be dampened down when you have a head cold.

With this in mind, the ideal time to have a hearing test is when you are well. Consider rescheduling if you’re under the weather.

2. Wax removal
Just like wearing earplugs, a big buildup of wax within the ear canal impairs your ability to hear. Since part of the hearing test is working out the limits the loud and soft sounds you can hear, having waxy ears could give an artificial reading.

Therefore it’s a good idea to clean your ears a few days ahead of the hearing test. If you suspect a heavy wax buildup the audiology clinic or your physician can recommend someone to professionally syringe the ears.

Alternatively, buy some ear cleaning drops and use them several days in a row for the week leading up to the appointment.

3. Quiet time
Our ability to hear can be artificially reduced when we are exposed to loud sounds. This is what we experience after attending a loud rock concert or noisy nightclub, where you stumble away and find yourself holding a conversation in a shout.

Again, in order not to get false results, avoid exposure to loud noises in the hours leading up to the appointment. This doesn’t mean you have to go into isolation, but avoid bogeying on down to a disco beat at full volume in the time immediately before the visit.

4. List of questions
Should hearing loss be diagnosed, think about any questions you might want to ask the audiologist and write them down. For example, you may want to know:

 * What happens if I do nothing?
 * Do you recommend a hearing device?
 * How will a hearing aid fit with my lifestyle?
 * What are the options for hearing devices?
 * Planning ahead and writing the queries down means you’ll be sure to cover everything you want to know.

5. Take a friend
Consider taking a friend or family member along to the appointment. This is perfectly normal and many people do it.

Having an extra pair of ears means you’re less likely to miss important information and have all the facts you need to make an important decision about the future of your hearing health.

There’s an emphatic mind-body connection between a sense of purposefulness and aging well. When we’re socially and physically active, and engaged with the world, our bodies tend to be healthier. Studies — from the benefits of exercise on cell regeneration to the effects of creative activities in slowing decline—show again and again that hobbies, interests, and exercise keep us feeling young.

Hearing loss and dementia
Some of those findings also show a correlation between hearing loss and dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease. Hearing aids, however, appear to significantly reduce the onset of memory loss. A study published this September1 showed that people 66 years or older who acquired hearing aids within three years of hearing loss had lower rates of dementia, depression or injury due to falling, than people who didn’t acquire hearing aids. 

The reason, researchers say, is that hearing aids may help reduce social isolation, which, according to a New York Times article2 on aging well, is highly correlated with depression. (Cue the benefits of pickleball, salsa dancing and scrapbooking — fun ways to enjoy healthy aging). By being able to hear and have meaningful conversations with others, you increase your chances of living longer and more happily.

September is Healthy Aging Month
“You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to be old,” said the late actor and comedian George Burns. A new image of people participating in vital communities, finding a replenished sense of purpose in part-time work or volunteer activities and maintaining their health through exercise has replaced the portrait of old age as a state of interminable decline. (HearingLife's Connected Living eNewsletter offers lots of ideas for you, including 10 ways to connect with your community.)

Throughout the month of September, we’re celebrating that vision of aging well and the role hearing aid technology plays in helping people enjoy life in their later years. Healthy aging requires support -— both emotionally and technologically. We like to think our role in finding the best hearing aids for your lifestyle and introducing the latest technology does both. By helping people hear better, we help them feel, and in fact be, healthier.

The new aging
Biomedical gerontologist Aubrey de Grey’s famous prediction that the person who will live to 150 has already been born,3 is outdone by another prediction that the first person to live to 1,000 has already been born.4 What he and other gene therapy scientists say, is that technology will bring about an unprecedented level of defense and repair against the cellular degeneration associated with aging. So, it's important to consider the many opportunities to focus on healthy aging.

What's best for boomers?
The question is, how can we make older age — or a theoretical much, much older age — the best it can be?

Social and institutional responses to an aging Baby Boomer generation’s needs and desires indicate a more active, engaged older adulthood is the new norm. Senior living communities are being redesigned to include more exercise options, workspaces, and multi-family units5 and at least a handful of states, including Colorado, California and Washington, have created master plans for aging to address the housing, transportation and workforce needs of a growing elder population.6

Healthy aging through healthy hearing
At HearingLife, we’re proud to support healthy aging. By giving older adults customized hearing care and technology fitted for their needs, we help them start the journey towards a healthier, happier older age. And, if we’re really destined for 1,000-year lifetimes, we’ll be here for you. It all starts with a complimentary hearing assessment. 


1"Can Hearing Aids Delay Time to Diagnosis of Dementia, Depression, or Falls in Older Adults?" Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. September 4, 2019.
2"How to Age Well," The New York Times, www.nytimes.com/guides/well/how-to-age-well. Accessed September 13, 2019.
3Romano, Andrew. "Can you live forever? Two experts argue immortality." The Irish Examiner. August 31, 2013. http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/features/can-you-live-forever-two-experts-argue-immortality-241515.html. Accessed September 13, 2019.
4de Grey, Aubrey. "We will be able to live to 1,000." BBC News. December 3, 2004. news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4003063.stm Accessed September 13, 2019.
5"USC Leonard Davis School Launches Master of Arts in Senior Living Hospitality," USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology website, August 14, 2019.
6"Developing California’s Master Plan for Aging: Examples from Other States and Relevant California Efforts," The Scan Foundation, https://www.thescanfoundation.org/. Accessed September 13, 2019.

Recently, I made an appointment for my father’s hearing assessment with a local audiologist. The woman who confirmed the appointment reminded me that he needed to bring someone to the hearing test. It may seem like an unusual request, but bringing someone to a hearing test can help ensure a higher-quality outcome. It’s best to bring the person who speaks with him most to take part in the familiar voice test. So, last Thursday I joined my dad at the audiologist’s office and I’m so glad I went.

Helping Dad hear better means helping myself
Before I even called, Dad was already a bit reluctant to address his hearing loss. He had a lot of denial about how much he was missing. At 93 years old, he had survived a lifetime without hearing aids, but as his daughter I was tired of constantly having to repeat things, and explain what doctors, friends and even my kids say. Finally, I insisted that he get a free hearing assessment* and eventually he agreed to see what the audiologist had to say.

A hearing assessment starts with a conversation with the audiologist
As expected at a hearing assessment, it began with the audiologist asking routine questions about Dad’s health. He asked about how well Dad hears in various situations. It seemed the audiologist was not only trying to learn what his needs may be, but also how well Dad could follow along a discussion in a quiet space. 

In the booth
After our talk, the audiologist invited Dad to sit in a booth and listen to tones at different frequencies and volumes. Dad was asked to indicate when he heard something. From my vantage point (outside the booth), I could see the audiologist press buttons, which my Dad didn’t hear. As soon as it was finished, the audiologist explained what the audiogram indicated. As with many older seniors, Dad had below-normal hearing across all frequencies, but he had the most difficulty with higher-pitched sounds. Dad was a bit disappointed to see the results, but I don’t think he was surprised.

The audiologist explained the audiogram key to explain the results. The audiogram showed the conclusions of both the air conduction and bone conduction hearing tests. 

My part in a familiar voice hearing test
A familiar voice is the main reason to bring someone to a hearing test. It provides a chance for a hearing care provider to see how well an individual understands words spoken by someone close to them. This was when the family member or close friend takes a more active role in the appointment. The audiologist asked me to step into the hallway, about eight feet from where my Dad was sitting. 

Can you hear me now?
As I stood a short distance away, the audiologist asked me to read a list of high-frequency words and have my Dad repeat them.

I said, “pail.”
Dad said, “nail.”
I said, “face.” 
Dad said, “late.”

And so on. It was quite fun to see what I had suspected. His score wasn’t great. Without a hearing aid, Dad only heard three out of ten words correctly. When he heard the outcome, Dad was even more disappointed than with the audiogram. He couldn’t deny it. He couldn’t hear me speaking to him only a few steps away. The audiologist, my Dad and I all witnessed it. 

Getting a different result: a familiar voice hearing test with hearing aids
I have to admit I was feeling a bit vindicated. I’ve been complaining that my father can’t hear me for years. The audiologist popped fresh batteries in a pair of behind-the-ear hearing aids and had him try them on. They were light and comfortable, and a slightly beige color that matched my dad’s coloring. The audiologist asked me to go back into the hallway and repeat the test. 

I said, “cup.”
Dad said, “cup.”
I said, “peach.” 
Dad said, “peach.”
I said, “pew.”
Dad said, “few.”

This time, Dad heard 7 out of 10 words. It was a vast improvement. He was very pleased. 

Another familiar voice hearing test…
With my dad still wearing the hearing aids, the audiologist asked me to walk down the hallway, about 15 or 20 feet away. The audiologist turned off the hearing aids. He asked me to speak in a normal volume and talk about what we were planning to have for dinner. Dad didn’t notice that I’d said anything at all. Once he turned the hearing aids back on, I repeated that I was planning go to the grocery store, and then we would have chicken for dinner. This time Dad heard and repeated every word.  

Why bring someone to a hearing test? Because hearing loved ones matters
My dad lives with me. He is accustomed to the cadence of my voice. Without even thinking about it, he knows that my vowels sound a certain way. Across the United States, we have a variety of regional accents. Even people who grow up in the same town may use different intonations. With familiar voice testing, it is easier for the individual to understand speech in a familiar voice test. 

Next steps: getting a hearing aid and getting used to it
Even experiencing firsthand how well hearing aids improved his ability to understand a conversation and hear people speaking from afar, my 93 year old is very set in his ways. So, I gave a gentle push. We discussed the hearing aid costs and the benefits to hearing well. 

Improving a senior’s quality of life
For 93 years old, Dad is in incredible shape. He has many activities where hearing well would improve his quality of life. He enjoys playing piano, eating in restaurants, watching Perry Mason and NOVA on TV, and, of course, spending time with family. All of these things would be easier if he could hear better. It wasn’t until I mentioned that he should be able to hear the announcer during soccer matches that he finally agreed that hearing aids would improve his quality of life.

I can’t wait until his new hearing aids arrive. After years of watching him miss a lot of the conversation at family dinners, I’m pleased he’s finally taking the opportunity to hear better. At 93, it might be an big adjustment for him, but after a few weeks he may wonder how he survived decades without hearing aids. Hopefully his experience will help motivate other older seniors. Hearing loss is an issue for more than just hearing. Hearing loss and dementia are linked, as are hearing loss and stroke and other health ailments. 

Could your dad or mom hear better? 
It might be time to book their appointment. Then you can enjoy it when they are asked to bring someone to their free hearing assessment.* If you aren't ready to come in person, you may gain some insights with a complimentary, online hearing test. 



Remember: The purpose of this hearing assessment and/or demonstration is for hearing wellness to determine if the patient(s) may benefit from using hearing aids. Products demonstrated may differ from products sold. Test conclusion may not be a medical diagnosis. The use of any hearing aid may not fully restore normal hearing and does not prevent future hearing loss. Testing is to evaluate your hearing wellness, which may include selling and fitting hearing aids. Hearing instruments may not meet the needs of all hearing-impaired individuals.


 

Because patients exhibit a variety of reactions to tinnitus, multiple myths have emerged about the condition, some of which are not entirely true. Additionally, most patients respond to tinnitus treatments very differently, and some tinnitus may even go away on its own.

Tinnitus has existed for centuries, with some of the oldest records of tinnitus-like symptoms dating back to ancient Egypt. Each generation has researched, analyzed, and experimented with the condition, though currently, no specific cure exists.

Here are a few myths you may have heard about tinnitus that you might want to reassess.

Myth #1: There’s nothing you can do about tinnitus
Tinnitus is a complex condition that can range from a dull buzz to a more severe ringing. At this time, there is no cure for tinnitus, though there are treatment options available that allow you to reduce tinnitus.

For example, listening to white noise, tinnitus sound therapy, tinnitus hearing aids, and even cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce the effects of tinnitus.

Myth #2: Tinnitus means your brain is dying
No, tinnitus in itself does not mean your brain is dying. However, tinnitus is a symptom that many people with brain injuries experience.

One study showed that roughly 76 percent of veterans with a traumatic brain injury also experienced tinnitus. So while tinnitus does not impact your brain, it could be an indicator of some other issue that is affecting your brain.

Myth #3: Tinnitus feels the same every day
Unlike other chronic conditions, tinnitus does not feel the same every day. You’ve probably asked yourself questions like:

Why does tinnitus get louder sometimes?
Why is tinnitus worse some days?
Why is my tinnitus worse at night?

Tinnitus can be irritated by several factors, including diet changes, loud background noises, high-stress levels, and drinking.

Myth #4: Vapor rub can help
While numerous bloggers have recommended vapor rub to reduce tinnitus, there is no scientific evidence backing this claim. Additionally, the manufacturers do not claim that it does this either.
Myth #5: Only people experiencing hearing loss struggle with tinnitus
Roughly 90 percent of people struggling with hearing loss also struggle with tinnitus, though hearing loss is not the only cause of tinnitus.

Brain injuries and whiplash are also common causes of tinnitus, even if the patient never experiences hearing loss.

Myth #6: Tinnitus only affects you physically
This is one of the most tragic myths about tinnitus. While it is a physical condition, it can lead to mental conditions, most notably depression. One study showed that 9 percent of women and 5.5 percent of men suffering from severe tinnitus either committed or attempted suicide.

Even though it's a physical condition, tinnitus can undoubtedly affect your mental health.

Myth #7: Tinnitus is always permanent

For many patients that have recently been diagnosed, their first question is, "Does tinnitus go away?" Thankfully, tinnitus is not always permanent. One study estimates that as few as 25 percent of tinnitus cases are permanent, and in many cases, it will go away on its own without treatment.

Myth #8: Eating a healthy diet will cure tinnitus
While eating a healthy diet will certainly contribute to a higher quality of life, there is no evidence that a healthy diet will cure tinnitus. In fact, there is little research that even suggests a healthy diet correlates with lessened tinnitus symptoms.
Your future
It's difficult to predict how your tinnitus journey will end, but know that there is hope. Advancements in hearing aids for tinnitus as well as behavioral therapies and support groups can help reduce your symptoms. Additionally, there is still a chance that your tinnitus will go away on its own. Reach out to your doctor and learn how you can manage your symptoms.

Hearing loss can have a number of hidden side effects, from emotional impacts like depression and anxiety, to physical ones like an increased risk of falling.

Studies have shown that five percent of the general population has depression – but as much as 11% of people with hearing loss are depressed. This is most prevalent among adults between the age of 18-69.

Seeking help for both hearing loss and depression is vital. By understanding the link and knowing the signs of hearing loss and depression, you can take the appropriate actions to get the treatment you deserve. If you allow either to remain untreated, you may find yourself developing other, more serious side effects, like cognitive decline and dementia

Understanding the link
Hearing loss affects our ability to hold conversations. We may struggle to hear what others are saying – especially in locations where there is a lot of background noise – and as a result may struggle to communicate back. Group conversations can be particularly difficult. This frustration can make us stressed and tired, as well as making us feel socially isolated. This in turn can lead to depression.

An audiologist can often prescribe a hearing aid that can help to treat hearing loss. This may help to relieve depression by helping you to live a more normal life. Unfortunately, many people fail to realize that they have hearing loss and so do not seek treatment. In other cases, people may put off seeking treatment for hearing loss. This can cause both the hearing loss and the depression to get a lot worse.

Knowing the signs
By identifying the signs of both hearing loss and depression, you can seek out appropriate treatment.

In the case of hearing loss, there are many signs to look out for. Do you find yourself regularly turning up the volume on your TV or radio? Are you constantly telling people to repeat themselves or telling people to speak louder? Do you have particular difficulty following conversations in crowded places or areas where there is a lot of background noise? If the answer to these questions is yes, it is likely that you may have hearing loss. By seeking out an audiologist, you can confirm this with a hearing test.

As for the signs of depression, these can be more personal but generally include a feeling of hopelessness, a sense of fatigue, a lack of motivation for day-to-day tasks, loss of appetite or trouble sleeping. In the case of hearing loss, you may feel a great sense of loneliness and an aversion to social interaction due to not being able to understand people. You may even be experiencing relationship troubles, both as a result of hearing loss and depression.

What you can do
If depression is the direct result of hearing loss, you may be able to minimize this depression by seeking out hearing loss treatment. An audiologist will be able to arrange a hearing test – this will help to measure the extent of the hearing loss so that the right treatment can be taken.

A hearing aid may be able to help you hear more clearly. An audiologist will be able to find the right prescription. There are many different types of hearing aid, including devices that can be used to treat tinnitus.

By hearing more clearly, you may feel more confident engaging in social interaction and may be able to follow conversations more easily. This may help to reduce symptoms of depression. If you continue to feel depressed, it could be worth seeking treatment from a counsellor alongside hearing loss treatment.

On top of being prescribed a hearing aid, there are other things that you can do to make day to day life easier and to ease depression. When meeting up with friends and relatives, choose places where there are little background noise so following conversations is a less of a struggle. Tell people that you have hearing loss so that they know to speak more slowly and clearly. By taking these measures and pushing yourself to be more social, you may feel less isolated.

Why choose us?
At Hear for You Hearing & Balance Center, our goal is simple; to help you hear well. We have a team of expert audiologists that can diagnose your hearing problem and help you to find the right treatment. We offer a range of hearing services from hearing tests to hearing aid fitting.

In the United States, about 2 to 3 out of every 1,000 infants are born with a hearing loss, with an estimated 1.3 million children under the age of three diagnosed. You might think that this type of hearing loss would be hereditary, but in over 90 percent of cases, the parents of these children have regular hearing. For this reason, new parents both with and without hearing loss should plan to have their child’s hearing tested before they can speak, to determine if there are any complications present from birth.

Hearing loss in newborns is often the result of exposure to chemicals during pregnancy, genetic disorders, tumors, low birth weight, structural problems in the inner ear, and infections passed from mother to baby. With early treatment, these issues can be addressed and your child will likely be able to hear and communicate at their age level.

Parents often wait until their child fails to develop proper language and social skills before visiting a hearing care professional. However, babies are capable of soaking up language and grammar at an astonishing rate well before they can speak, making it important for them to hear the sounds and speech of their parents and caregivers clearly in the first crucial years. In fact, audiologists have determined that children who have their hearing loss treated before 6 months of age are most likely to experience a full recovery.

In some cases, a child may need to have a cochlear implant surgically installed to restore hearing, but this procedure is rare and reserved for patients with severe hearing loss. Most children can restore their hearing and develop their language skills with the help of hearing aids and training exercises with a speech pathologist both in and out of school.

Hearing screenings for infants are fairly common in most hospitals, but you should still check with your doctor before taking your baby home to discuss the results of their audiogram and other related tests. Should your child’s test display signs of abnormal hearing, there is no reason to panic—almost 10 percent of all American newborns fail their hearing test, but less than 1 percent actually have permanent hearing loss. Still, parents should plan to bring their newborn back for future follow-up screenings, as many types of hearing loss can develop shortly after birth.

In addition, pay attention to the way your child reacts to auditory stimuli in their environment. At two months old, babies should quiet down when they recognize your voice, and by one year, they should be able to babble and respond to loud and soft sounds, including music. Toddlers that become easily frustrated with instructions or show signs of antisocial behavior may also be suffering from a debilitating hearing loss. If your child seems to be developing these skills late or poorly, a visit to a hearing care professional should be a priority.

The symptoms of autism in young children are often similar to the symptoms of hearing loss. Even if you don’t suspect that your child has an Autism Spectrum Disorder, you should have a talk with a developmental pediatrician or psychologist to determine if their symptoms are hearing related or if they could be signs of a separate disorder.

Ideally, treatment for newborns should begin as soon as the first symptom is detected, as the time spent waiting for an official diagnosis could lead to further developmental delays. Keep your child safe from the lifelong dangers of hearing loss by contacting a hearing care professional online and scheduling an appointment.

With so many hearing solutions on the market, choosing the right one for you can sometimes feel overwhelming. Our hearing professionals will be able to help you, but there are many things you will need to consider before making your investment, be it a hearing aid or a hearing accessory. 

Hearing Aids

Hearing aids vary a great deal in price, size, special features and the way in which they are placed in your ear. You will need to think about a variety of factors when deciding which solution is best for you. The most important factor is your lifestyle, but you’ll also need to think about your level of hearing loss, the appearance and your budget.

Have a think about the specific situations where you would most like to feel the benefit from your hearing aid. It might be that you'd like to be able to hear better when socialising or going to the theatre. Certain designs of hearing aid have special features to filter out many background noises, leaving you to focus on the important stuff.

Don't just think about your current needs. Your hearing may change in the future so find out if the device you are considering is capable of increasing power. The ability to adjust to your changing needs means you may not need to pay for new devices into the future.

Importantly, think about the physical appearance of the device. You need to feel comfortable wearing your hearing aid. While lots of people opt for discreet devices, some decide to make theirs a fashion statement. With the wide range of colours on the market today, you can choose one to match your favourite outfit!

Our audiologists will be able to help you with some practical advice on what hearing aids are available to you and give recommendations on particular models so you can be confident you’re making the right choice.

Hearing accessories

Hearing aids aren't the only devices available for people with hearing loss. There are many other products that can help people hear better in everyday situations.

Are people around you are complaining that the TV is too loud? Why not try special wireless headphones, neck loops or ear hooks so you can watch TV or listen to music at a volume that suits you?

Having trouble hearing the doorbell or alarm clock? Worried that you may not hear the smoke alarm? There is a range of specialised alerting devices which have been designed to help in everyday activity around the home, as well as keep you safe. 

If you are a hearing aid user you might like to consider some accessories to work alongside your hearing aid, such as pocket-sized remote controls and Bluetooth transmitters. Wireless communication devices can help you to hear by cutting out distracting background noise and can work either on their own or in tandem with a hearing aid.

Did you know that hearing loss due to occupational noise is one of the leading workplace injuries worldwide? Workplace noise hazards can lead to significant hearing loss, and in many cases is 100% preventable.

Common noise hazards and preventing hearing loss in the workplace

Repeated exposure to loud noises in the workplace can cause temporary hearing loss or a ringing in the ears (tinnitus), or can sometimes lead to permanent loss. Sometimes hearing loss can occur after a single exposure (such as a blast), but it is more common for hearing loss to happen over time. See how one of HearingLife's patrons has had success treating hearing loss that may have started in the workplace. 

 

Protecting your hearing in the workplace is a pretty simple step to prevent long term hearing loss that can stay with you the rest of your life. To be successful, it’s important to take appropriate steps and utilize the proper personal protective equipment to ensure that workplace noise hazards don’t cause permanent damage to your hearing. Below is a list of common occupational noise risks that may impact your hearing over a long period of time.

Common workplace noises that can hurt your hearing

Severe hearing loss can affect productivity, ability to communicate effectively, it can cause psychological and physical stress and can cause greater risk in the workplace. Here are some common workplace noise hazards to be aware of:

 *   The use of heavy machinery in any application – Most pieces of large equipment come with a moderate amount of occupational noise. From agricultural to construction applications, waste management, industrial manufacturing and many processing plants, the equipment used to manufacture and process materials is typically large and loud. Many employers will have their own set of protocols, but it’s important to ensure you have the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and pay attention to manufacturers' protocols too.

 *   Pneumatic tools – Using high pressured air power tools comes with some hefty sound! These types of tools can cause hearing loss in the workplace over an extended period of time if the proper preventative measures aren’t enforced.

 *   Impact tools – Drop hammers, riveters, and drop forges are good examples of heavy impact tools that can cause serious workplace hearing loss over time.

 *   Any workplace that has consistent loud ambient noise – Amusement parks, bars, somewhere with vacuums running constantly or machines like hand driers or back pack blowers can be the cause for hearing loss due to occupational noise.

 *   Workshops or auto shops – Anytime there is the constant use of high power tools, or heavy equipment that requires a variety of energy sources to operate, occupational noise risks should be taken into consideration for employees.

 *   Construction work areas – Among other risks and hazards, construction zones and development areas use equipment that exceeds healthy sound levels almost daily. From hand held tools to heavy equipment, hard laborers at construction sites are exposed to occupational noise hazards almost daily.

 *   Concert and sporting venues – Many people enjoy the energy of a rock concert or a big sporting event, but have you considered the damage it could be causing your ears? This includes exposure that happened way back at Woodstock. 

 *   Military bases and airports – Whether you live and work on the base, or you work at an airport, or live near a runway, you should wear hearing protection. Unfortunately, many veterans suffer from hearing loss. 

Noise levels in the workplace should be monitored, and if it consistently exceed 85 decibels in an 8 hour work period, your workplace should be taking immediate action to protect workers from noise, while attempting to mitigate employee exposure to sound.¹ Typically, if amendments or alterations to equipment cannot be made, supplying workers with the proper personal protective equipment is enough to protect their hearing for the long term.

You can be proactive about hearing loss in the workplace

Being proactive in the workplace is the best way to ensure workplace noise hazards don’t leave lasting damage to worker’s hearing. If you’re concerned about occupational noise in your workplace, be sure you bring up your concerns with supervisors. You can also learn about how to apply for disability benefits with hearing loss.

Worried about a loved one's hearing? Or your own? Contact HearingLife

Healthy hearing is a big part of your life. Form work and socialising, relaxing or enjoying entertainment and building relationships with friends and family, we rely heavily on hearing. Yet for some reason, we often take hearing for granted and forget to keep an eye on it. Changes in your hearing are common, but it can be friends and family who notice it first.

The first step in caring for your hearing health is to keep an eye out for indications you might be developing a hearing loss. Because hearing changes slowly with age, it’s not always easy to spot the signs.

Signs of hearing loss

Here are some things to look out for if you’re worried about your hearing, or think someone close to you may have a hearing loss.
 - You often ask people to repeat themselves
 - Following along with conversations in a group is difficult
 - Others sounds are muffled or people seem to mumble
 - It’s hard to distinguish sounds in noisy places like shopping centres
 - Friends and family often tell you that you turn the TV or radio up much too loud
 - You sometimes miss doorbells or ringing phones
 - There’s a constant buzzing or ringing sound in your ears
 - Loud noises cause you more discomfort than before 

Hearing loss risks

Other health factors also put you at a higher risk of hearing loss:
 - Do you take certain medications, such as antibiotics or chemotherapy medications?
 - Do you have diabetes, heart, circulation or thyroid problems?
 - Are you regularly exposed to loud sounds, like live music or construction work?

Excessive noise can damage the delicate parts of your ear and leading to permanent harm. Listening to music for an hour with headphones at 94 decibels can cause damage. A 100-decibel chainsaw motor takes just 15 minutes. It’s important to wear proper ear protection if possible.

Doing something about it

You don’t have to put up with hearing loss. Medication, surgery, hearing aids and devices, or other tailor-made solutions can help. It’s a matter of getting the right support.

Unfortunately, we know that most people wait an average of seven years to act1. When you wait, you start adapting to a lower quality of life by modifying your behaviour. Maybe you’ve already started going out less, asking people to repeat themselves all the time, avoiding group situations or no longer taking part in activities you used to enjoy. There are other risks as well, such as missing important warning sounds like traffic or smoke alarms.

Getting your hearing checked is painless, easy and takes less than 15 minutes. Talking to a professional will help to ease your mind and help you find the right solution for you.

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Last week, we talked about how too few of us take our hearing health seriously — most likely because too many of us take hearing well for granted. Until it’s too late, that is.

This, despite the large body of evidence linking untreated hearing loss to quality-of-life issues such as social isolation, an increased risk of falls, depression, hospitalizations and even dementia.

But being proactive about our hearing health doesn’t have to be hard — and is most definitely worth it. Protect your hearing when and if you can, and get hearing screenings on a regular basis, especially if you’re over 50. It can be as simple as that.

Today’s hearing fact from Consumer Reports says most insurance will cover hearing tests if you have a referral from your healthcare provider. (Check with yours before scheduling.) So if that was your excuse...oops. 

If you want to stay on top of your hearing and would like to get it tested, we can help. Just call 1-888-908-1845 or click here and we’ll set up a hearing exam with an authorized hearing healthcare professional near. Or, start with our free online hearing test anytime you want.

 

Hearing loss impacts more than just the person suffering from it. Its effects are far-reaching and keenly-felt by both friends and families. It's important that you understand that, and do what you can to include your loved ones in your treatment and make them aware of your struggles. That includes explaining it to your children or grandchildren.

Teaching Kids About Hearing Loss
The most important thing to remember when teaching kids about hearing loss is that you need to communicate openly and honestly. For younger children, you can simply explain that your ears don't work as they used to when you were their age. Older children, however, may be more inquisitive and wish to learn more.

There's no need to shy away from these explanations - in fact, you shouldn't. This is a perfect learning opportunity, the perfect time to bring up the importance of protecting one's ears throughout one's life. Teach the importance of practicing good hearing health as a lifelong pursuit.

Describing Hearing Aids and Other Treatments
One excellent way to describe the purpose of your hearing aid is likening it to a pair of glasses for your ears. It's a tool designed to compensate for the fact that part of your hearing is not working the way it should. You might even consider conducting a mini show-and-tell, explaining how your hearing aid works and how the device helps you hear better. 
It's important, however, to emphasize that your hearing aids are only meant for you, and not to be worn by anyone else. Everyone's ears are a bit different, and trying to wear someone else's hearing aid could, in the worst-case scenario, actually cause hearing damage. Go back to the eyeglasses analogy, and liken wearing your hearing aid to putting on someone else's glasses. 
 
Remember That Patience is a Virtue
Explain that it's much easier for you to hear your kids and all the exciting things they have to share if they get your attention first. You might explain this by calling to mind how difficult it is for them to hear someone calling them when they're busy playing or having fun with friends. If you can't see them, you might not know they're nearby, and you won't be able to hear them.
 
Practice with Playing Games
You can help them practice by describing a simple trick that helps you hear better: lip reading. Teach them how to read lips, and make a game out of it. Ask them to cover their ears and then speak or mouth a word to them to see if they can guess what you said.

Use this to explain why seeing their lips move helps you better-understand everything they have to say. As your grandkids get older, they can even help you hear better. When you're on outings together, they can get your attention or repeat things you may have missed. 

Model Good Hearing Health

Keep the television volume low and the car radio at a normal volume, even if they ask you to turn it up and sing their favorite song. Explain the importance of taking care of their ears and their hearing health – and that the ability to hear is a gift. Resources like KidsHealth can provide a more detailed explanation if you're struggling to find the words or want to go deeper than what we've outlined here.

Hearing Loss Isn't a Lost Cause
Having hearing loss doesn't mean missing out on family fun, especially with your grandchildren. By being open and honest with them about the condition and its challenges, you can not only help them better understand your struggles but also forge a closer relationship with them in the process. And if you think you need a hearing aid or a hearing test, find a local Connect Hearing center near you and schedule a complimentary hearing assessment right away. 

By Timothy Dean, Communications Manager, Geisel Office of Communications and Marketing

Even with effective anti-retroviral therapy, patients infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) sustain central nervous system damage. Whether these problems can be mainly attributed to the disease, its treatments, or the body’s immune responses is still being debated, but detecting these changes early and reliably is difficult.

Findings from a new study published in Clinical Neurophysiology, involving a collaborative effort between Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine and the Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory at Northwestern University, are shedding further light on how the brain’s auditory system may provide a window into how the brain is affected by HIV. An article summarizing the research is published on the Geisel School of Medicine’s website.

“We’ve been performing a variety of hearing tests on an established cohort of HIV-positive patients in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania,” says Jay Buckey, Jr., MD, a professor of medicine at Geisel who co-led the study. “Initially, we thought we’d find that HIV affects the ear, but what seems to be affected is the brain’s ability to process sound.”


To test this hypothesis, the researchers used what’s called a speech-evoked frequency-following response (FFR). In this test, brain waves are recorded from scalp electrodes (as in an electroencephalogram) while sounds common to everyday speech, like “ba,” “da,” or “ga,” are played into the ear. This offers an objective, non-invasive way to record brain waves and assess the brain’s auditory functions.

“There are many acoustic ingredients in speech, such as pitch, timing, harmonics, and phrase,” says Nina Kraus, PhD, Hugh Knowles Professor of Communication Sciences and Neurobiology at Northwestern, who co-led the study with Buckey. “The FFR enables us to play speech sounds into the ear of study participants and figure out how good a job the brain is doing processing these different acoustic ingredients.”

When comparing the FFR results of 68 HIV-positive adults to 59 HIV-negative adults, the investigators found that the auditory-neurophysiological responses to certain speech cues were disrupted in HIV-positive adults, even though they performed normally on hearing tests—confirming that these hearing difficulties are grounded in the central nervous system.

“When the brain processes sound, it’s not like a volume knob where all of the acoustic ingredients are either processed well or poorly,” Kraus explains. “With the FFR, we’re able to see which aspects of auditory processing are affected or diminished and ask, ‘Is there a specific neural signature that aligns itself with HIV?’”

That’s why the researchers envision the FFR as a viable tool for further understanding not only the mechanisms of brain dysfunction associated with HIV, but also other disorders that affect the brain such as concussion, Alzheimer’s disease, and the Zika virus infection.

“Typically, if you want to assess cognitive function, you’re going to do things like have people do math problems, remember a list of words, work on some sort of puzzle or task, or do a drawing,” says Buckey. “It requires people who are trained in doing this kind of testing, and the tests may be fairly specific to the language people speak and the culture they come from.

“What’s significant about our results is that the test doesn’t require any actions on the patient’s part; it’s recorded passively—subjects can even sleep or watch a movie,” he says. “We think the FFR holds a lot of promise as a way to assess the brain easily and objectively.”

Today’s hearing fact — from a Consumer Reports survey of more than 120,000 members — is pretty interesting, we think. Hearing tests are painless, after all, most of them are free, and you don’t typically have to go out of your way much to take one.

Plus, hearing is one of only five senses we have, and can play a vital role in our quality of life. So, for so few of us to actively stay on top of our hearing health is pretty surprising.

For instance, we can all name intangible good things that go with hearing, like listening to music, watching TV and movies, engaging with friends and family, or how hearing enhances nature, everyday activities and events.

We know — especially now, during this pandemic — how important hearing is to staying socially connected, informed, and feeling safe.

And we also know that untreated hearing loss is linked to social isolation, an increased risk of falls, depression, hospitalizations and even dementia.

All these reasons are why today’s hearing fact is so startling, and why experts recommend adults be screened for hearing every decade through age 50, and at three-year intervals after that.

Hearing loss is typically gradual, and therefore, often something we adapt to over time. We might not notice it for months or years. However, age-related hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting older adults, so experiencing hearing loss is not uncommon.

 

Approximately one in three people in the United States between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss, and more than two-thirds of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing.

 

More and more research demonstrates that individuals with hearing loss do best when they do not wait to get help. Read on to better understand the top reasons to get your hearing tested — and get hearing aids if needed.

 

Top reasons to treat hearing loss ASAP

 * Overall health and safety. There’s a relationship between hearing loss and cognitive decline, brain tissue loss, depression, and an increased risk for falling. The earlier you seek treatment, the less likely there will be irreversible damage to the hearing pathways within the brain.

 * Use it or lose it.  When someone loses their hearing, the nerves and sections of the brain responsible for hearing experience atrophy, or weaken, due to the lack of sound. This makes the process of getting used to a hearing aid much more difficult.

 * Fatigue. Living with untreated hearing loss means we are straining to hear daily. By the end of the day, this leads many individuals to feel mentally fatigued.

 * Relationships. Untreated hearing loss also affects relationships with friends and family. It can be difficult to communicate effectively with untreated hearing loss. Loved ones may feel they are being ignored, and at the same time the individual with hearing loss may be frustrated their friend is “mumbling” or “talking too fast”. Treating hearing loss can improve relationships by allowing us to be more attentive and sociable.

 * Your career. Untreated hearing loss can decrease earnings by as much as $30,000 per year. Employed individuals with hearing loss earn about 25% compared to their counterparts.

 * “New” sounds. With hearing aids, many individuals can hear sounds they have not heard in years: children laughing, birds chirping, and more. With access to these new sounds, you can’t help but feel more joyful.

 * You’ll get used to them sooner! It takes up to four months to acclimate to hearing aids. The sooner you start, the sooner they will become a part of your typical routine.
 

We like to stay in touch with our patients. We are eager to learn how Embrace Hearing technology works for them and improves their quality of life. Recently we had the opportunity to discuss this with a customer who purchased hearing aids for her husband, Frank C. from Swampscott, Massachusetts.

What type of hearing loss does your husband have?

My husband lost 100 percent of the hearing in his right ear after receiving stem cell replacement therapy as part of his cancer treatment. There is no way to enhance hearing in that ear because the nerves are dead. It became clear to us that we needed the type of hearing aid that would capture ambient sound from all sides and feed it into his good ear.

How did Embrace Hearing technology help?
We learned that Embrace Hearing had software that essentially gathers sound from 360 degrees around the individual’s head. The software automatically adjusts the hearing aids to find the conversation and focus in on it. Because he has no hearing in his right ear, he has hearing aids with special BiCROS programming. All the sound from the right side, where there is no hearing, is sent wirelessly to his left ear so now he hears everything, all around him. That is important because we love getting together with our grown children and their spouses and it can get pretty noisy!

Another feature that my husband uses all the time is the remote control. It helps him to adjust the hearing aid based on the environment we are in. When we are home he uses one setting. However, if we go out to a restaurant once we are inside he adjusts the hearing. He says it reduces background noise and has made a significant difference in his ability to hear conversations.

What difference do you notice now that he has the hearing aids?

Because the hearing loss occurred in his right ear, talking to my husband while he was driving was nearly impossible. I had to speak at a high volume and it was exhausting. Now that he has the hearing aids I can speak to him at almost a normal level and he can easily hear what I am saying. When we get together with friends and family he can hear and is no longer excluded from the conversation.

Does your husband feel comfortable wearing the hearing aids?

Yes, he does. You can’t see them. A tiny wire runs from the back of his ear into his ear. Sometimes I can’t tell if he is wearing them.

Was there anything besides the technology that drew you to Embrace Hearing?

Yes, the price drew us to Embrace Hearing. We did our research and found that despite the fact that the quality was the same as other manufacturers, the price was far below anything else we had found. It was a low price with high quality and performance.  In fact, it was one-third of the price of the hearing aids recommended to us by the hospital. Hearing is so crucial to quality of life that we would have paid more if we had had to. However, with the cost of ongoing cancer treatments we really didn’t want to have to pay $6,000 or more for hearing aids. Especially because we were uncertain as to how effective they would be.

How was your experience with Embrace Hearing service?
It was great. When my husband had a problem with the quality of the sound, he called customer service. It turned out that the battery needed to be replaced. Extra batteries came with the hearing aid and the problem was solved over the phone right away.

I know that hearing aids used to be sold only through storefronts. I have to say that this is the new way to purchase quality hearing aids and no one should hesitate to purchase them through Embrace Hearing. They calibrated them according to the audiologist’s specifications and there hasn’t been a problem. I no longer have to yell and my husband can hear!

It is very rare that a person with hearing loss self-diagnoses the issue. While hearing loss can begin in your 30’s, the long gradual decline can be barely noticeable on a month to month or even year to year basis. In addition, as hearing declines, our brains adjust and we become remarkably effective lip readers, particularly of those we spend the most time with. We don’t even realize we are lip reading until we see that we can only understand people when they are directly in front of us.

Some of the signs of hearing loss:
    * Asking friends and family members to repeat information frequently.
    * Increasing the volume on the radio or TV to a level that’s uncomfortable for individuals with normal hearing.
    * No longer enjoying social activities like group dinners at restaurants. Your friends think you have lost interest in them when really its just that you struggle to hear well in groups
    * You constantly ask people them to repeat what they said or it appears that you forget what was just said (because you didn’t actually hear it).
    * You miss the beginning of conversations because it’s hard to hear them and then when you jump in, they say “that’s what we were just talking about!” 

What to do about it?

First of all, don’t assume you need hearing aids. Just get a hearing test. This is a good step for your general health. Declining hearing can be an early sign of something more serious. Hearing test are quick and easy to do. They normally take about 30 minutes.

   *  Make your appointment at a local ENT (ear/nose/throat) doctor or a local Audiologist. They have the most experience and give the best tests. Avoid chains and big box stores. We suggest getting a recommendation from a friend or family member but your regular doctor will also know someone locally. If you need help, let us know and we will do some research for you. We usually look at HealthGrades to find local Audiologists. 
   *  If they say the test is free, they will not likely give you a copy. Be sure to tell them you will want a copy of the test when you book the test. They might charge you $80-$100 for the test but you will be able to have a copy and buy your hearing aids anywhere you like. Most Health Insurance companies will cover the cost of test.
   *  Ask them to measure your "Word Recognition" as well as the standard 'tone' test. This should not cost anymore but is very good information regarding how you will benefit from hearing aids.

After the test.

If your hearing level suggests you could benefit from amplification, the audiologist will likely try to sell you hearing aids. You might be shocked at the cost of hearing aids from these local retail outlets. Don’t buy right away – check around, look online. Our prices tend to be about 1/3 of the prices of local retailers. Simply ask them for a copy of the test and say something like “it’s a lot of money, I need to check around”.

A few common ‘reasons not to buy’ and some responses from hearing professionals.
I’m not that old. An estimated 50 million people in the United States have a hearing loss but less than 25% of all people who need hearing aids actually get them. The majority (65%) of people with hearing loss are younger than age 65. These people are active in the work force and a lack of hearing can reduce performance and frustrate co-workers.

I can hear what I need just fine. What are the benefits of getting hearing aids? Beyond the obvious ability to simply engage socially the way you did when you were younger, a study from the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University found that hearing aids may slow cognitive decline tied to hearing loss. The study found that estimated 20-year rates of decline in memory and global function were greatest in participants who did not use a hearing aid. Earlier studies have linked hearing loss to dementia and cognitive issues. Another Johns Hopkins study showed that people in middle age (40-69) with even just mild hearing loss were nearly three times more likely to have a history of falling. The intensive listening effort demanded by unaddressed hearing loss seems to take cognitive resources away from what is needed for balance and gait, researchers have suggested. And a 2014  study found that hearing loss is associated with an increased risk of depression in adults of all ages.

I can’t afford them. Most people that have a hearing test that recommends hearing aids are shocked by how much they cost. While a local audiologist is the best place to get a hearing test, they charge on average $4,500 for a pair of hearing aids. That is clearly a lot of money. Not surprising, just as has happened in many industries, the internet has increased the power of the customer to shop around and pay only what they need to. AST Hearing sells the same premium European hearing aids for about 35% of the cost you would pay at retail.

There is too much risk to buying them online. AST Hearing offers a 45 day free trial period and is the #1 Rated Hearing Aid company by Consumer Affairs.

Hearing aids are ugly. What is available today is ‘not your grandfather’s hearing aid’. You would not be surprised to find that just like everything electronic, hearing aid technology has advanced to the point where the premium aids are almost invisible. AST Hearing sells exclusively the latest technology in “behind the ear, receiver in canal” hearing aids. These are tiny, discrete and yet deliver crystal clear, natural sound.


But, first thing is first. Long before you get hearing aids, you just need to get a hearing test.

Some additional reading:

    Why wont they get hearing aids? The New York Times
    The Complete Guide To Hearing Aids. AST Hearing