When a person purchases hearing aids, they are making an investment in their lifestyle. Hearing aids are able to expand friendships, close relationships and even the non-social activities you engage in. I have been told by many patients hearing aids changed their life! Musicians are amazed that they are able to hear the parts of music (and their own voice while singing) better than they could have imagined. So, what is the difference between a purchase of stock internet hearing aids and hearing … [Read more...] about Understanding the Total Package of Hearing Aid Purchases
Au.D
Accessorize Your Hearing
Technology is constantly evolving, often at a rapid pace, with the goal of improving and simplifying the experience for the user. If you buy a new phone, you get a pair of wireless earbuds. Hearing aids are similar. While modern hearing aids can significantly improve a wearer’s quality of life, some situations could still be improved with the addition of an accessory – situations such as listening to someone behind you while hiking or catching all the information at a meeting. Fortunately, there … [Read more...] about Accessorize Your Hearing
Phonak Offers Hearing Aids that Respond to Motion
Phonak has a new hearing aid that is able to adjust sound input based on your motion! When you are walking, your hearing needs are not the same as when you are sitting in a chair talking to a friend. Speech sound while walking the dog with someone or hiking on a trail present unique challenges, which are now finally addressed. It is all based on your motion read by a chip in the hearing aid that is able to change the noise cancellation and the microphone settings in the hearing aids without any … [Read more...] about Phonak Offers Hearing Aids that Respond to Motion
New Treatment Being Tested for Chronic Dizziness
If you have ever had a bout of dizziness, you would empathize with an individual who experiences dizziness chronically. Most of us have had an episode of car sickness or sea sickness. Imagine being in that state all the time! It is one of the most debilitating symptoms a person can have. Their entire life is consumed by the sensation of vertigo and coping with the nausea and disorientation it causes. Drugs to treat vertigo are designed to reduce the sensitivity of the balance organs and … [Read more...] about New Treatment Being Tested for Chronic Dizziness
Treating Hearing Loss in Children
We all know intuitively that you need hearing to learn traditional speech and language. If a child has a hearing loss, especially one that is not detected, the world is confusing and distorted. Imagine a mom telling her young child that it is bath time. If she does not have a bath towel in her hand or is not walking or pointing toward the bathroom, the little one may not understand what is going on. Or, think about parents sitting in the living room talking about going to the park and going out … [Read more...] about Treating Hearing Loss in Children
Hearing Versus Understanding
The most common concern of those with hearing loss is not being able to understand others. “I can hear them,” a patient will say. “I just don’t know what they said.” Considering the fact that verbal communication is how most people interact with others, being able to do so is essential. However, people can often conflate hearing and understanding. While undoubtedly interconnected, they are two distinct functions. Understanding the difference can help to improve outcomes and satisfaction with … [Read more...] about Hearing Versus Understanding
What is it Like to Have a Hearing Loss?
As an audiologist, I see hearing-impaired individuals every day. One of the most rewarding activities of my job is to teach the family members what it is like to have a hearing loss and how to better communicate with hearing-impaired people. What Can the Hearing-Impaired Person Hear? I think that understanding what a person really can and can’t hear is the key to successfully living with or working with a hearing-impaired person. It is crucial to understand what can change the clarity of … [Read more...] about What is it Like to Have a Hearing Loss?
How to Love Your Hearing Aids
You have a hearing loss and the family is driving you crazy to get something done. But, you feel that one more thing added to your life will push you over the top. If this sounds familiar, I have some wonderful ideas for you! First, get your hearing tested by an audiologist. He or she will check for wax in the canals, or medical causes for your hearing difficulty. What if your hearing loss can be treated medically and you were dragging your feet for nothing? If the audiologist says nope, … [Read more...] about How to Love Your Hearing Aids
Understanding Musical Ear Syndrome
Musical ear syndrome, also known as musical hallucinations or auditory hallucination, is more common than you might believe. It can cause enormous stress on the individual experiencing it. It is more likely to be a song or music without words but a few people have reported to me that they hear songs with words. I find in my practice that people are embarrassed to tell anyone about what they hear and are secretly afraid that they are going crazy. One source estimates that auditory … [Read more...] about Understanding Musical Ear Syndrome
Understanding the Connection Between High Blood Pressure and Hearing Loss
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a major risk factor for stroke and heart disease, which affects nearly 70 million adults in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This adds up to one in three adults! In addition to people with hypertension, the CDC states that one in three adults is living with elevated blood pressure or prehypertension. Prehypertension is not hypertension, but the blood pressure levels are above what is considered normal. What … [Read more...] about Understanding the Connection Between High Blood Pressure and Hearing Loss