Thursday, October 24, 2013

Fun facts about hearing

Did you know???
  • Cicadas have their hearing organs in their stomachs.
  • Crickets have their hearing organs in their knees.
  • Male mosquitoes hear with thousands of tiny hairs growing on their antennae.
  • Fish do not have ears but they can hear. They hear pressure changes through ridges on their bodies.
  • Snakes do not have ears, but their tongues are sensitive to sound vibrations.
  • In World War One (WWI) parrots were kept on the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France because of their remarkable sense of hearing. When the parrots heard the enemy aircraft coming they would warn everyone of the approaching danger long before any human ear would hear it.
  • The three bones in the ear are the smallest bones in the human body. All three together could fit on a penny.
  • The ear continues to hear sounds, even while you sleep.
  • Sound travels at the speed of 1,130 feet per second, or 770 miles per hour.
  • Dogs can hear much higher frequencies than humans.
  • Ears not only help you hear, but also aid in balance.
  • Sitting in front of the speakers at a rock concert can expose you to 120 decibels, which will begin to damage hearing in only 7 1/2 minutes.
  • Everyone by 40 years of age should have a baseline hearing evaluation.

Schedule an appointment for a baseline hearing evaluation now!

Life sounds great!  Enjoy every moment!


8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848
Fax: 440-205-9818






Image obtained 10-15-13 from: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://davelearningstuff.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/cricket.jpg&imgrefurl=http://davelearningstuff.com/2011/06/15/a-crickets-ears-are-on-its-legs/&h=398&w=500&sz=66&tbnid=sBhoYgMq0esLuM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=113&zoom=1&usg=__o7BLYQJFhvV2cu_EUoVyq8PAyeU=&docid=QTUWTpmKjeFCEM&sa=X&ei=LGldUuqLOsL4yQG9woHwDA&ved=0CC8Q9QEwAQ

References
Better Hearing Institute (2008). BHI Factoids. Retrieved from: http://www.betterhearing.org/research/factoids.cfm
Sight and Hearing Association (2002). Health Issue of The Month. Retrieved from: http://www.sightandhearing.org/news/healthissue/archive/hi_0802.asp
The Nemours Foundation (2006). Your Ears. Retrieved from: http://kidshealth.org/PageManager.
jsp?lic=1&article_set=54031&cat_id=20607

Healthy Hearing (2008). Healthy Hearing (2008). Do Snakes Have Ears? How Do Snakes Hear Ssssssounds? Retrieved from: http://www. healthyhearing.com/hearing_library/article_content.
asp?article_id=847

Bess, F.H., Dodd-Murphy, J., & Parker, R.A. (1998). Children with minimal sensorineural hearing loss: Prevalence, educational performance, and functional status. Ear & Hearing, 19(5), 339-354.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Hearing loss with poor word understanding


Severe hearing loss with poor word understanding is difficult.  Sometimes when the word understanding is very poor hearing aids just can’t make up for it.  At those times when hearing aids aren't able to provide clear words, family members can see how hearing aids are of benefit.

Hearing loss causes a breakdown in communication.  This affects everyone.  Not using hearing aids puts the extra work on those who talk with the person with hearing loss.  Others often become short tempered when they are asked to repeat.  This leads to others saying things such as “Forget it, it’s not important” or “Never Mind,” leading to feelings of useless, not being important and/or feeling left out.   This can lead to low self-esteem, loneliness, isolation and depression.  Even anger and frustration can arise.

There are good reasons to wear hearing aids even when words are not clear.  Just like crossword puzzles or Saduko type activities stimulate the brain, hearing aids can also help keep the brain sharp.  Just wearing the aid can help maintain brain function!

Have an updated hearing and hearing aid evaluation to ensure you are receiving the maximum benefit from the hearing aids.  Try new hearing aids.  If you are still struggling you may be a candidate for an FM/DM system or remote microphone.  These types of devices are added to your hearing aids.  They can improve word understanding in noise and decrease difficulty when the speaker is at a distance.

Using hearing aids can also help memory.  When using hearing aids you use less energy to hear.  This leaves more energy for remembering.  Further, if you don’t hear something correctly there is no chance of remembering it.

Life sounds great!  Enjoy every moment!


8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848
Fax: 440-205-9818




Image obtained 10-14-13 from: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://daleirvin.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/a-word-search1.jpeg&imgrefurl=http://daleirvin.com/blog/?p%3D216&h=291&w=340&sz=74&tbnid=5o5Xp-FCS40a5M:&tbnh=118&tbnw=138&zoom=1&usg=__14MXSGqF1LIqWrzbW70MhqV2iNc=&docid=s6p0cbXnImRRWM&sa=X&ei=82lcUrOEFqrh2wX7poHIDA&ved=0CDAQ9QEwAA

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Things to consider when purchasing hearing aids


We are often asked what is important to consider when investing in hearing aids.  Typically we tell people to keep it simple.  There are three basic decisions to make.

First, question is whether to go with one or two hearing aids.  When you have hearing loss in both ears, then two hearing aids are recommended.   The ears work best when they work together.  This is especially important when listening in noisy places.  You need both ears to separate words from background noise. 

Second, question is what style hearing aid best suits you.  There are a few styles to choose from.  The newest type is the miniature behind-the-ear aid.  These rest at the top of the ear and have a slim tube leading into the ear canal.  They are discreet and well camouflaged.  Traditional behind-the-ear hearing aids have a thicker tube leading to an ear piece that fills the ear.  In-the-ear hearing aids fit all in the ear and fill the opening of the ear.  In-the-canal hearing aids are placed in the lower part of the ear and ear canal.  Completely-in-the-canal aids fit in the ear canal.  Hearing loss, dexterity of the hands and fingers and personal preference are considered when choosing the best style of each individual.

Third, is choosing the technology for the hearing aids.  The technology and features typically affect; how well the aids can adjust to various listening environments; the degree of fine tuning available to match your hearing loss and how aggressive the aids separate conversation from background noise.  The various technologies can be obtained in most styles of hearing aids. 
  
See an audiologist who will work with you to find the best style and technology for your hearing.  We will review the advantages and disadvantages of different hearing aids to find the ones that are best suited to your lifestyle.  Start by Scheduling an appointment for a hearing evaluation.   .  Start by Scheduling an appointment for a hearing evaluation.   

Life sounds great!  Enjoy every moment!



8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848
Fax: 440-205-9818





Image obtained 9-5-13 from : http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.accurateleads.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/senior-citizen-discount.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.accurateleads.com/senior-mailing-lists/&h=634&w=757&sz=499&tbnid=SQn3E5kQKm0MZM:&tbnh=91&tbnw=109&zoom=1&usg=__iuOGxSyeKiNY6WrK7KS-K0tXNZA=&docid=e3An-OhYKDed5M&sa=X&ei=-6goUozgCeiMyAGjzYDQAQ&ved=0CDYQ9QEwAg&dur=2621