Thursday, June 27, 2013

What type of noise is considered loud enough to require ear protection?

This is a great question to consider as summer begins and we are spending more time enjoying the great outdoors.  Recreational activities such as video arcades, fireworks, discos, music concerts, shooting guns, sporting events, motorcycles and even movie theaters, can be excessively loud.  Actually, even using appliances around your home (vacuum cleaner, hair dryer, dish washer, leaf blowers, lawn mowers and power saws), particularly if they are running at the same time, can be dangerous to your hearing. 

It is important to wear hearing protection when participating in these recreational or occupational activities.  If you work in an at-risk occupation, check with your employer to make sure your hearing is protected in accordance with OSHA regulations.  Limit the amount of time you are exposed to loud noise.

Custom hearing protection is available.  Ask your audiologist about more information regarding the appropriate ear plugs for your particular interests and activities.  We live in a very noisy world.  Through education and positive action, the incidence of noise induced hearing loss can be reduced. Have a Safe Fourth of July!  


Life sounds great!  Enjoy every moment!





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






Picture obtained from: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.conciergepreferred.com/media/k2/items/cache/b6120c313ac48a77675d5f5655b43f41_XL.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.conciergepreferred.com/navy-pier-fireworks/4679-fourth-of-july-fireworks-at-navy-pier-2012.html&h=744&w=900&sz=449&tbnid=dV9I52uoyTmeKM:&tbnh=109&tbnw=132&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dpictures%2Bof%2Bfireworks%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=pictures+of+fireworks&usg=__Lx702xxgOFg5AKKrmlewtRNIZpc=&docid=Os5UJpkzWuqsMM&sa=X&ei=hWzIUZrxEO-kyAGBsoHwCA&ved=0CFsQ9QEwDg&dur=483

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Alone with hearing loss

Hearing loss, especially when it is untreated can cause people to withdraw from social gatherings, feel alone, ignored and left out.  This can lead to feelings of paranoia and to social phobias.  These can have a negative impact on relationships, quality of life and the overall feeling of well being.

Even though hearing loss makes one feel alone and left out those with hearing loss are not alone.  Millions of people experience hearing problems.  There are over 36 million Americans with permanent hearing loss.  This number is rapidly increasing due to the number of baby boomers turning 65 and the prevalence of hearing loss later in life.  

Out of the millions of people with hearing loss, 20% of them seek treatment.  Left untreated hearing loss can result in reduced word understanding, further isolation, depression and social phobias.  There is no reason to delay seeking help.  Waiting could actually cause more problems. 

The important thing is there is help.  Start with a hearing evaluation.  This will determine if there is a medical problem or if you have permanent hearing loss.  If the loss is permanent and hearing aids are recommended, try them.  Hearing aids have a positive impact on life.  Hearing aids improve many things including communication and self confidence, and can reduce stress, paranoia and listening effort. 

Take the first step.  It could something as simple as a buildup of ear wax.  Call to schedule a hearing evaluation with an audiologist.   We can expect to live longer than our parents and grandparents.  With hearing aids you can live a full and active life.  


Life sounds great!  Enjoy every moment!





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




Picture obtained from:
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.thoughtful-self-improvement.com/image-files/beach-alone.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.thoughtful-self-improvement.com/Introverts-T2.html&h=1000&w=725&sz=50&tbnid=0b2779hHWNbrwM:&tbnh=93&tbnw=67&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dimages%2Bo%2Bf%2Bbeing%2Balone%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=images+o+f+being+alone&usg=__PjBIXlaycI9p3HNTSsrDc_dog9s=&docid=al8dNGCALFo6sM&sa=X&ei=hpWvUbr3F6HXygH564DoCQ&ved=0CFUQ9QEwDA&dur=1544

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Hearing, but not understanding is often a symptom of mild to moderate hearing loss.  Many people go through life simply “living with” hearing loss, never recognizing there are many solutions available.  The first step is a complete audiological (hearing) assessment.  This testing is performed by an audiologist and will identify the degree and nature of your understanding problems.  A complete evaluation includes inspection of the ear canals, testing of the middle and inner ear functioning, pure tone testing and an assessment of speech recognition abilities.  Cost of this testing is generally covered by Medicare and health insurance plans.

These results will be discussed fully with you and your family members.  Treatment may be as simple as removing wax from the ear canals.  If hearing aids, listening therapy, and/or use of assistive listening devices are recommended, the audiologist will guide you in the selection process.

Hearing aids are now quite small and practically invisible.  They provide many improved features for addressing the problem of hearing but not understanding.  Directional microphones, frequency specific amplification and automatic programs help to improve understanding in quiet and noisy environments.  Also, many models can be paired with wireless devices to improve understanding on the telephone, while watching television and while participating in very challenging listening situations. 

Assistive listening devices can make the activities of daily living more accessible.  Amplified telephones, vibrating alarm clocks, alerting doorbells and wireless TV amplifiers provide additional awareness of sound.  Listening therapies improve the ability to understand conversational speech in noisy environments.


Untreated hearing loss can impact your life in many ways.  Withdrawal, isolation and depression are often seen in those who have hearing loss.  Call an audiologist today and schedule a hearing evaluation.

Life sounds great!  Enjoy every moment!




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




Picture obtained from: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.families.com/wp-content/uploads/media/jigsawpuzzle2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.families.com/blog/when-people-do-not-understand-mental-illness&h=235&w=310&sz=24&tbnid=J8tLNgA1_WuQoM:&tbnh=96&tbnw=127&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dimages%2Bof%2Bpeople%2Bnot%2Bunderstanding%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=images+of+people+not+understanding&usg=__mAXrcEciQYADDRBLkII8AyPK40E=&docid=vq6tAz92_kjTkM&sa=X&ei=XJmvUfTXKMq5yAH8goCICg&ved=0CDUQ9QEwAg&dur=3061

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Why do people who use hearing aids still have trouble hearing?

Without a doubt, hearing aids improve hearing, communication and quality of life.  While they can have a significant positive impact on life, they are unable to restore hearing to normal.  They do a fabulous job when someone has a mild to moderate loss of hearing.  For those with a more severe or profound hearing loss, they at times mishear, misunderstand or miss something all together.

Most people who wear hearing aids have permanent hearing loss.  Permanent hearing loss is called sensory or sensorineural hearing loss. This type of hearing loss results from damage to the hearing nerves called hair cells.  Hearing aids do not repair this damage.  Hearing aids amplify and manipulate sound, and send sound to the ears.  Sound then passes through the damaged haircells.  These damaged haircells act similar to a damaged loud speaker in that they distort sound.  The more damage there is to the haircells, the more distorted words become.

There are things you can do to help someone with hearing loss to hear better.  Get the person’s attention, and speak slowly and clearly.  Reduce background noise whenever possible.  These changes can make a big difference in how well someone understands. 

The person with hearing needs to have regular audiologic care.  An annual hearing evaluation can determine if the hearing aids settings are appropriate.  Today’s digital hearing aids are easily adjusted to maximize hearing.  Call to schedule a hearing evaluation.    Don’t wait. 


Life sounds great!  Enjoy every moment!




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



Picture obtained from: http://www.google.com/imgresimgurl=http://srxa.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/hearingloss.jpg&imgrefurl
=http://srxawordonhealth.com/2011/12/19/&h=407&w=295&sz=136&tbnid=5RQ7CH_Qvc8dAM:&
tbnh=90&tbnw=65&zoom=1&usg=__ZabDfHyYkYkDnJ0rAys7qwaUECg=&docid=XSXIa_uBHxZ
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