Thursday, January 31, 2013

Do hearing aids really work?


The answer is an overwhelming YES! Hearing aids really do help.  Everyone benefits differently from amplification due to different types of hearing problems.  While everyone benefits differently, 90% of people are helped with hearing aids.  Those with mild, moderate and severe hearing loss can experience significant improvements in hearing abilities and communication.
The National Council on the Aging study of more than 2,000 people with hearing loss and their significant others revealed that hearing aids clearly bring about impressive improvements in the social, emotional, psychological, and physical well-being of people with hearing loss in all hearing loss categories from mild to severe. Specifically, hearing aid usage is positively related to the following quality of life issues. Hearing loss treatment was shown to improve:
· Earning power
· Communication in relationships
· Intimacy and warmth in family relationships
· Easier conversations
· Emotional stability
· Sense of control over life events
· Perception of mental functioning
· Physical health (yes hearing aids support better overall health)
Learn the various types of hearing aids available including which aids are better according to the type of hearing loss. Click here.
If you or a loved one is experiencing changes in hearing and or a muffling of voices, call today and schedule a hearing evaluation with an audiologist. 
 To find an audiologist in your area click here.

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



 


Thursday, January 24, 2013

Helpful hints for talking to a person with hearing loss

There are ways you can do help your loved one hear better just by changing a few things in how you talk to them. 
With hearing loss, hearing doesn’t just happen.  First, get their attention.  Use their name then state information or ask a question.  Using their name alerts them to the fact that you are about to say something.  For example, saying “Honey what’s for dinner?”  vs “What’s for dinner honey?”, notifies the person that you are talking to them.  This gives them a moment to focus and tune in to what you are about to say or ask. 

Second, don’t try to have a conversation from another room. Look at them when you talk to them.  When they can see your face, they pick up information from lip reading, gestures and facial expressions.  All of these can help them hear and understand better.

Third, speak slowly and distinctly.  Think about the letters in the words as you say each one.  This will help you to say each letter clearly and slow down the rate at which you talk.  When you speak quickly the words run together making it hard for someone with hearing loss to make out what is said.

Forth, consider the room or environment that you are in.  Rooms that echo, and have high ceilings and hard floors are difficult to hear in.  It is easier to hear in rooms with many fabrics such as carpeting and drapery. 

Fifth, the level of background noise in the room can have a major impact on hearing.  Turn off the TV when you have a conversation. 

Finally, only one person speaks at a time.  Someone with hearing loss cannot focus in on two speakers at the same time.
 
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




Thursday, January 17, 2013

Facts About Hearing Loss


  • Men are more likely than women to experience hearing loss. 



  • 1 in 5 Americans have hearing loss in at least one ear.  This is 48 million people and far exceeds previous hearing care industry estimates of approximately 25 million.
     
  • 20% of the US population aged 12 years and older has hearing difficulties severe enough to impact communication.
     
  • There is a direct link between age and hearing loss: about 18% of American adults between the ages of 45 and 54, 30% of adults between ages 65 and 74, and 47% of adults ages 75 and older have hearing impairments.
     
  • In the United States, three out of every 1,000 children are born deaf or hard-of-hearing.
     
  • About 26 million Americans between the ages of 20 and 69 have high frequency hearing loss due to exposure to loud noises at work or in leisure activities.
     
  • About 60% of deployed military service men and women have noise induced hearing loss (NIHL), tinnitus (ringing in the ear), and other hearing injuries.
     
  • Impairment of auditory activity and tinnitus are more likely to occur in Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans than post-traumatic stress syndrome in Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans.


  • 48 millions American's have hearing loss.


  • Hearing aids help 95% of people with hearing loss restoring normal volume and improving conversations in quiet and noisy places.


  • People with hearing loss, on the average wait 7 years before seeking hearing help.


  • People with untreated hearing loss, earn on the average $20,000 less a year and are less likely to be promoted.


  • Those with hearing loss who use hearing aids are healthier and more active socially.
     
  • Exposure to tobacco smoke and second-hand smoke has been directly linked to higher risks of hearing loss.

  • http://hearinghealthfoundation.org/85



    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











    Thursday, January 10, 2013

    Hearing and Ototoxic Medications


    There are many medications that can affect hearing.   Some drugs cause temporary hearing loss and others permanent hearing loss.    When in doubt ask your physician about potential side effects of medications.

    Aspirin is one of the most common medications causing temporary hearing loss.  When it is taken in high doses is can cause changes in hearing and ringing in the ears.  The hearing loss and tinnitus typically recover when you stop taking the high dose.

    Permanent hearing loss does not return when you stop taking the medication.  Medications that can cause permanent damage to the ear are often given in life saving situations.  For example, some of the strongest antibiotics and some chemotherapy drugs can cause permanent hearing loss.  These medications damage the fine hearing nerve fibers called haircells.

    I recommend a baseline hearing evaluation prior to starting a medication known to cause hearing loss with periodic checks to monitor hearing while taking the medication.  Call today for 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
    http://www.aacHEAR.org







    Thursday, January 3, 2013

    Untreated Hearing Loss


    Unfortunately, hearing loss remains one of the most commonly unaddressed health conditions in the United States today.  The Better Hearing Institute reported more than 38 million American’s have hearing loss. Women tend to address hearing loss and use hearing aids more readily then men. The majority of those experiencing the negative effects of nont using hearing aids are men.

    Rarely do people consider the affects of untreated hearing loss.  The obvious affects are the loss of communication and the enjoyment of sounds such as bird song and music.  The not so obvious ones include a negative impact on relationships, communication and social life.  Research has shown that those with untreated hearing loss on the average, earn $24,000 less a year then those who use hearing aids.  Studies show that those with hearing loss appear to be not as "sharp" or "Johnny on the Spot" at work due to the extra time it takes for communication.

    As the work force in the US continues to work later into life, the number of workers over the age of 70 is increasing.  Along with this, the number of workers with hearing loss is also increasing.  Read more here.  The need to use hearing aids becomes even more important.

    The Better Hearing Institute reported that hearing health is an important part life. Not only does it affect quality of life but also well being.  Fortunately, wearing hearing aids mitigates the impact on income by about 50 percent, improves quality of life and over all wellbeing.

    We live in a busy world today.  Encourage your loved ones to take time to take care of themselves.  Call today for a hearing evaluation and get started.  Hearing aids work great and are discreet!



    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