Thursday, May 31, 2012

How loud is too loud?


We are often asked "how loud does a sound need to be before it’s harmful to hearing?"  "How do you know how loud a sound is?"
sound wave Royalty Free Stock Photo
These are great questions.  People are often uncertain about how loud is too loud. “Too loud” is a combination of the volume of the sound and how long one is exposed to the sound.  The louder a sound is, the shorter the permissible duration.  Generally 85 decibel (decibel (dB) is a measure of sound loudness) over an 8 hour exposure is considered acceptable.  For every three dB increase the acceptable time is cut in half.  For example if the volume is 88 dB, it is safe for 4 hours, 91 dB is safe for 2 hours.

Here is a guide to help you determine the volume of some common sounds. 
  • 60 dB—Normal conversations or dishwasher
  •  80 dB—Alarm clock
  •  90 dB—Hair dryers, blenders, and lawnmower
  • 100 dB—MP3 players at full volume
  • 110 dB—Concerts, car racing, and sporting events
  • 120 dB—Jet planes at take off
  • 130 dB—Ambulances and fire engine sirens
  • 140 dB—Gun shots, fireworks, and custom car stereos at full volume


One dangerous trend we see among you people is using a music player to cover up the sound of the lawn mower.  When you do the calculations, listening to 100 dB is safe for only 15 minutes.

Here a few good “rules of thumb”.  You know the noise is too loud if; you have to shout over the background noise to be heard, if the volume actually causes pain, if the noise makes your ears ring or if you have decreased or muffled hearing after being exposed to the sound.  There are three ways to protect your hearing; use earplugs or muffs, move away from the source of the sound or turn the volume down when using a music player.

When someone is exposed to loud sounds it is important to have regular hearing evaluations.  If you or a loved one is exposed to loud sound, have a baseline hearing evaluation.  Why wait?  Call now for an appointment. 

Life Sounds Great!  Enjoy Every Moment!


Dr. Jane Kukula, AuD
Paula Webster, MA
Advanced Audiology Concepts
8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848






Thursday, May 17, 2012

Hearing Loss: The Third Most Common Health Problem in the United States


Hearing loss currently affects more than 36 million Americans today. Although hearing problems are commonly associated with the normal aging process, more than half of all hearing-impaired persons are younger than 65. With the increased use of personal music players (MP3s) and earbuds, the number of Americans experiencing hearing loss at a younger age is growing.

On average, most Americans consider hearing loss a condition that is simply associated with aging, and don’t know how to recognize the condition or who is qualified to diagnose and treat the condition. In an effort to raise public awareness for the growing number of Americans suffering from hearing loss, the American Academy of Audiology in conjunction with Advanced Audiology Concepts is celebrating Better Hearing Month this May.
As part of Better Hearing Month, we are encouraging people to be more aware of their hearing health and have a baseline hearing evaluation.
Hearing loss can be caused by exposure to loud noises; ear infections, trauma, or ear disease; harm to the inner ear and ear drum; illness or certain medications; and deterioration due to normal aging process.
An audiologist is a highly educated and clinically experienced health-care professional who specialize in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating people with hearing loss and balance disorders. They are the professionals with the most extensive training in hearing aid evaluation and fitting. Hearing loss can affect patients of all ages—newborns, infants, babies, toddlers, children, teens, adults, and the elderly.
You may have a problem with your hearing and need to see an audiologist, if you have trouble hearing conversation in a noisy environment such as a restaurant, are unable to hear people talk to you without looking at them, or have a constant ringing or pain in your ears.
The first step in treatment of a hearing problem is a hearing evaluation by an audiologist.
Advanced Audiology Concepts audiologists have a variety of specialties including:
Performing baseline and diagnostic hearing assessments
Prescribing and fitting hearing aids
Prescribing and fitting custom hearing protection, hunter’s plugs and iPod molds
Providing hearing training such as
o Listening training
o Speech reading
o Listening skills improvement

Although most hearing loss is permanent, an audiologist can determine the best treatment, which may include hearing aids, assistive listening devices, and hearing training.

Why Wait? Schedule an appointment for a baseline hearing evaluation.  Call 440-205-8848 in Lake County Ohio. 

Life Sounds Great!  Enjoy Every Moment!

Jane Kukula, AuD
Paula Webster, MA
Advanced Audiology Concepts
8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848








Tuesday, May 15, 2012

My ears are ringing!

I experience a constant loud ringing in my ears.  Is there anything to help this?? 
Ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus, can be very annoying.  For many who experience tinnitus, it can be intermittent, constant, loud or soft.  Often it is described as ringing, buzzing, or humming.  Tinnitus generally accompanies hearing loss, but in rare cases may be a symptom of a more serious health issue.
There are several things you can do to minimize tinnitus:
  • Avoid exposure to loud sound and noise
  • if you have high blood pressure, seek a p hysician's help to control it
  • decrease your intake of salt
  • avoid stimulants such as coffee, tea, cola and tobacco
  • exercise daily to improve circulation
  • get adequate rest and avoid fatigue
Hearing aids can help to manage tinnitus.  Amplifying sound and producing ambient noise, hearing aids are believed to reduce the loudness and prominence of tinnitus.  Often, hearing aids are recommended to manage tinnitus.

The first step you should take is to receive a complete Audiological (hearing) Evaluation by an audiologist.  This will provide information regarding the nature and degree of your heairng loss and determine if you are gaining benefit from your present hearing aids.  These steps may assist you in dealing with this very anxiety provoking problem.

May is Better Herinag Month and is an excellent time to have a co,plete hearing test.  Life Sounds Great!
Enjoy every moment!

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

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Take The Hearing Quiz!





Often a person with hearing isn’t aware of what he or she cannot hear.  As a result they don’t realize what they are missing and that it’s time to do something.  Here is a quick hearing quiz developed by the American Academy of Audiology.  You can take the quiz or have someone you love take it.  It may help you or them to realize it’s time to take action.
  1. Do you find it difficult to follow a conversation in a noisy restaurant or crowded room?
  2. Do you sometimes feel that people are mumbling or not speaking clearly?
  3. Do you experience difficulty following dialog in the theater?
  4. Do you sometimes find it difficult to understand a speaker at a public meeting or a religious service?
  5. Do you find yourself asking people to speak up or repeat themselves?
  6. Do you find men’s voices easier to understand than women’s?
  7. Do you experience difficulty understanding soft or whispered speech?
  8. Do you have difficulty understanding speech on the telephone?
  9. Does a hearing problem cause you to feel embarrassed when meeting new people?
  10. Do you feel handicapped by a hearing problem?
  11. Does a hearing problem cause you to visit friends, relatives, or neighbors less often than you
  12. would like?
  13. Do you experience ringing or noises in your ears?
  14. Do you hear better with one ear than the other?
  15. Have any of your relatives (by birth) had hearing loss?
  16. Have you had any significant noise exposure during work, recreation, or military service?
If you answered yes to 3 or more questions, it’s time for a hearing evaluation. Why wait? Call now for an appointment with one of our audiologists.  You'll be glad you did.

Life Sounds Great!  Enjoy Every Moment!

Jane Kukula, AuD
Paula Webster, MA
Advanced Audiology Concepts
8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848
www.aacHEAR.org







Thursday, May 3, 2012

May is Better Hearing Month


For many years now May has been designated Better Hearing Month.  The objective is to increase awareness of hearing loss and hearing problems.  It is a great opportunity to focus on hearing issues, just as we do with this blog.  As our followers know, hearing loss impacts not only the ability to hear environmental sounds such as bird song or the crackle of a fire, it impacts communication ability and can raise many deep emotions.

Hearing loss causes a breakdown in communication.  Hearing loss impacts both people in the communication situation.  When hearing loss is present, the work of communication is increased for both people.  The person with hearing loss needs to focus, pay attention, lip read, pay attention to body language and use contextual cues.  The other, needs to get the other’s attention, raise their voice, repeat, ensure they have the listener’s attention and much more.  Now, one can see the increase in work to communicate.  It is easy to see how communication can breakdown.

With the increased work to communicate, many emotions can arise.  Some people report feeling stupid, tired, sad even depressed.  These emotions cause people to withdraw from social situations and from regular activities involving others.  It can lead to low self esteem, exhaustion  and even depression.  With a decrease in activities, overall health can be impacted.

While 36 million American’s have hearing loss, only 20% seek help.  This year for Better Hearing Month, have a baseline hearing test, not just a screening.  Everyone by the age of 40 years needs a baseline evaluation.  The information from a diagnostic baseline evaluation is necessary to track future changes in hearing.  Typically medical insurance will pay for this exam.  Don’t wait.  Call today to schedule an appointment.


Life Sounds Great!  Enjoy Every Moment!

Jane Kukula, AuD
Paula Webster, MA
Advanced Audiology Concepts
8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848