Monday, January 30, 2012

Stimulate the Brain with Sound!

Resistance to getting hearing aids is common.  Many people have excuses for neglecting their hearing.  Some worry about looking old and others feel the cost of the instruments isn’t worth it.  Few people realize the cost of not using hearing aids. Untreated hearing loss can also have serious social and emotional affects.  A study by the National Council on Aging reported that adults 50 and older with hearing loss experience more stress, sadness, and depression.  They worry and are more anxious than those who use hearing aids.  

There are many effects of hearing loss, some are less apparent than others.   When someone cannot hear what is said or miss hears information, it’s easy to see the impact on communication.  Isolation and withdrawal from social situations is also easily seen. 
Not so apparent are the affects the brain.  Not using hearing aids reduces stimulation of the hearing pathways in the brain.  This can cause a reduction in the brain’s ability to recall words and the ability to learn new tasks. Words become mumbled and with long periods of reduced stimulation, the mumbling can become permanent. People with hearing loss have to work harder to hear and remember what was heard. 
Don't wait to get started. Have you had hearing tested by an audiologist?  If not do so, a baseline hearing evaluation is great to have.

Life Sounds Great!  Enjoy Every Moment!
Jane Kukula, AuD
Paula Webster, MA


Advanced Audiology Concepts

8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848
ww.aacHEAR.org

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Friday, January 27, 2012

Hearing Aids

Today’s hearing aids are not the same as your grandfather’s.   We live in an age of rapid electronic advancements.  We see it every day in the hearing aid industry.   Developments have been made in improving hearing, ease of use, special listening situations and in how they look.
Hearing aids are available in many styles to meet various needs and personal preferences including behind-the-ear and custom in-the-ear products.  Size and style of the aids depenes on:
  • Type of hearing loss
  • Severity of hearing loss
  • Size and shape of the ear and ear canal
  • Lifestyle
  • Patient preference
  • Patient dexterity
  • Investment
Our audiologists assist in finding the best products for each individual.
Life Sounds Great! Enjoy Every Moment!

Jane Kukula, AuD
Paula Webster, MA
Advanced Audiology Concepts

8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060

440-205-8848
http://www.aachear.org/

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Monday, January 23, 2012

Withdrawing from Social Situations

Hearing loss can have a significant impact on our emotional, physical and mental well being.  Those with hearing loss are likely to experience a number of emotions.  Often, the frustration and embarrassment of being unable to hear and understand conversation may lead to withdrawal and isolation from small and large group situations.
Concentration and active listening can also be very tiring, contributing to fatigue.  This becomes a vicious cycle:  If we are fatigued, it is difficult to pay attention, which results in understanding even less of what is being said, causing anxiety and physical tension.  This type of exhaustion can often lead to depression.
It is very important to recognize these implications of hearing loss.
Life Sounds Great! Enjoy every moment!

Jane M. Kukula, AuD
Paula G. Webster, M.A.
Advanced Audiology Concepts, Inc.
8897 Mentor Avenue
Mentor, OH  44060
440-205-8848
http://www.aachear.org/

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Communication is a Two Way Street

Family and friends can help you to hear better but it starts with you.  Let people know you have hearing loss and what they can do to help.  Tell them how it affects communication. Does your hearing loss cause words to be mumbled? Then ask them to speak slowly and distinctly. Does hearing loss make voices sound soft, as if people don’t speak up?  Ask them to get your attention and speak directly at you so you can see their faces. Most people are willing to do what is needed if they know what you need. Just keep in mind they are apt to forget and will need to be reminded.
Pay attention to the speaker. Note facial expressions and body gestures. Decrease background noise, turn off the TV or the radio when having a conversation. Ask questions if you didn't hear correctly. It is better to ask then to misunderstand what was said or worse agree to something you aren't sure of.
Of course you want to take care of your hearing. Have a hearing evaluation and use hearing aids when recommended. This will maximize your hearing abilities meeting them half way.  Call for an appointment.  From there we find the best hearing aids for you. For information on hearing aids go to: http://aachear.org/hearing_aids.  There is a model and style for you!
Life Sounds Great!  Enjoy Every Moment!
Jane Kukula, AuD
Paula Webster, MA
Advanced Audiology Concepts
8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848


Monday, January 16, 2012

Hearing Loss and Isolation

Hearing loss is one of the most common problems facing older adults. One in three people over 60 and half of those over 85 have hearing problems. Hearing loss makes it hard to understand words, follow conversations and respond to signals, including doorbells and smoke alarms. Hearing difficulties interfere with relationships, making visits with family and friends challenging. Hearing problems can be physically tiring, frustrating, isolating, embarrassing, dangerous and more. Studies show that hearing loss can even lead to depression.

Hearing aids are the first and best step to helping yourself, even if in the past you were told won’t work for you.  The new hearing aids help almost every kind of hearing loss. They increase volume for soft voices and improve mumbled words. You will also benefit from attending the workshop Hearing Loss: The emotional effects, on Saturday January 28, 2012 at 10:00 AM. You and a family member will have the opportunity to learn about the emotional impact of hearing loss and learn ways to manage it. You can learn more about the workshop at: http://aachear.org/home/hearing_loss_the_emotional_effects.

Life Sounds Great! Enjoy Every Moment!


Jane Kukula, AuD
Paula Webster, MA
Advanced Audiology Concepts

8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060

440-205-8848
http://www.aachear.org/

Monday, January 9, 2012

Choosing the right hearing aids

Choosing the correct hearing aids can be quite a daunting task.  You are the most important player in determining success with hearing instruments.  The first step is a complete, accurate diagnostic hearing evaluation, performed by a licensed audiologist.  Results of this assessment will determine your candidacy for hearing aids with appropriate power and features. 

In order to be appropriately fit with hearing aids it is important to identify your needs, desires and expectations of the instruments.  The audiologist will guide you through this process.  It is helpful if you
  • Make a list of situations where your hearing is a problem
  • Describe difficults listening situations:  such as in church, small groups, understanding small children, communicating with family and friends
The audiologist will take into account
  • the degree of your hearing loss
  • size and condition of your ears
  • your ability to manipulate the hearing aids and the batteries
  • your lifestyle
Today's digital technology allows for smaller instruments, improved noise and feedback management and automatic features.  These instruments are programmed and fine tuned to meet your individual needs by the audiologist.
A positive attitude, with realistic expectations about your hearing aids will improve your chances of a successful hearing aid fitting.  Be patient, ask questions and work closely with the audiologist .  Before you know it a whole new world will open up for you.  Life Sounds Great! Enjoy every moment!

Jane M. Kukula, AuD
Paula Webster, MA
Advanced Audiology Concepts, Inc.
8897 Mentor Avenue
Mentor, OH  44060
440-205-8848
http://www.aachear.org/

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Hearing Aid Benefits

Phonak Ambra Product Family
As mentioned the other day, untreated hearing loss can have permanent affects on hearing, self-esteem and a reduction in brain function.  Using hearing aids has a positive impact on communication, self esteem and brain function.
Hearing aids allow one to enter into social activities with greater confidence reducing isolation and withdrawal.  The study by the National Council on Aging demonstrated people who use hearing aids have a greater level of overall health and are more active.  Learn more about the emotional effects of hearing loss at: http://aachear.org/home/hearing_loss_the_emotional_effects
The need to stimulate the brain by working crossword puzzles and other games is becoming well known.  What isn't so well known is that hearing aids also stimulate the brain and increase brain function.
Today, hearing aids work better than ever.  They have a more natural sound quality and special features to separate words from background noise.  They are easy to operate, often they are completely automatic. Hearing aids are small and so well camouflaged, no one will notice them.  Learn more about hearing aids at http://aachear.org/hearing_aids
Life Sounds Great!  Enjoy Every Moment!
Jane Kukula, AuD
Paula Webster, MA
Advanced Audiology Concepts
8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848
http://www.aachear.org/

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Affects of Untreated Hearing Loss

Many people have excuses for neglecting their hearing.  Some worry about hearing aids making them look old, others feel the cost of hearing aids isn’t worth it.  It is easy to say, others can yell, but in reality there is more to it than hearing sounds and voices. 
Not using hearing aids has serious social and emotional affects.  Helping someone to identify the signs can help them realize it is time for a hearing evaluation.
When someone cannot hear what is said or miss hears information, it’s easy to see the impact on communication even isolation and withdrawal from social situations are often apparent.  A study by the National Council on Aging shows the less obvious.  The study looked at adults 50 years and older with untreated hearing loss. It found they experienced more sadness and depression than those who used hearing aids.  Further they worried more and experienced greater anxiety.  Self esteem also suffered. 
Not using hearing aids also impacted the brain’s function.  There was a reduction in brain’s ability to recall words.   Even a mild hearing loss reduced memory and understanding.  People with hearing loss had to work harder to hear and to remember what was heard.   Working harder to hear used more energy causing tiredness and at times fatigue. 
If left untreated some of these can become permanent.  The sooner one gets started with hearing aids, the more likely these will turn around.  Today's hearing aids look wonderful and work better than ever.  Learn more: http://aachear.org/home/hearing_loss_the_emotional_effectsLife Sounds Great!  Enjoy Every Moment!
Jane Kukula, AuD
Paula Webster, MA
Advanced Audiology Concepts
8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848
http://www.aachear.org/