Thursday, December 26, 2013

Hearing loss and diabetes

Recent studies show that there is higher incidence of hearing loss among people with diabetes then in the general population.  This suggests there is a tie between the two diseases.  The specific relation is still unknown.  They believe diabetes may damage the hearing nerves and blood vessels in the inner ear.

A National Institutes of Health study, revealed hearing loss to be twice as common in adults with diabetes.  Adults with elevated blood sugar but not high enough to be diabetes, have a 30 percent greater chance of developing hearing loss. 

Diabetes poses a multitude of health risks to the over 300 million people worldwide. Despite these findings, hearing screenings typically are not part of the recommended regimen of care for people with diabetes. Most people do not understand the threat the disease also poses to hearing health. 


When diagnosed with diabetes, have a baseline hearing evaluation. This allows us to track changes in hearing. Most insurance plans including Medicare cover the evaluation. 

Life sounds great!  Enjoy every moment!


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



Image obtained 11-18-13 from: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.dlife.com/diabetes/export/pics/dLife_Images/pwd_or_diabetic.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.dlife.com/diabetes/lifestyle/diabetic_or_person_with_diabetes&h=270&w=303&sz=24&tbnid=V8JmoFf3YL8HKM:&tbnh=119&tbnw=134&zoom=1&usg=__3fnzLaxX9OtFuq3kt4FHvHrF4qk=&docid=ZW4Gm77Lc1ivZM&sa=X&ei=LEeKUviqGafuyQHg54HwCA&ved=0CFQQ9QEwAA

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Talking with someone with a hearing loss

Quite often, when understanding conversation in group settings is challenging, those with hearing loss tend to withdraw and isolate themselves from group settings.  

Keep these tips in mind when communicating with someone with a hearing loss:
  1. Speak face to face.  Those with hearing loss, even when wearing hearing aids, depend on facial expressions and lip movements to fully understand what is being said.
  2. Always carry on conversation in the same room.  It is not possible to carry on a conversation from a different room, particularly if there is other noise, i.e. the dishwasher, fan, water or television set.
  3. Try not to converse with food or gum in your mouth.  This makes it difficult for him to read your lips.
  4. Speak clearly and distinctly.  It is not necessary to raise your voice or “yell”.
  5. Seat your father away from noisy environments, away from heating ducts, running water, entryways or restaurant kitchens.  If seated in a restaurant, be sure to find a quiet location and sit across the table from your father.
  6. If it appears he is not following the conversation, ask him exactly what he has heard and patiently guide him back into the conversation.


Hearing aids do not restore hearing to normal.  They are very helpful in improving the ability to communicate, but it is necessary for everyone to contribute toward a successful conversational situation.  The person with hearing loss needs to advocate for themselves.  Family, friends and co-workers must be told what is needed to help improve communication.  Hearing loss is invisible and it is easy to forget that someone has a hearing loss.  If you use these simple tips, your loved one should be able to participate successfully in all of your family gatherings, making this a Happy Holiday season.  


Life sounds great!  Enjoy every moment!


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






Pictured obtained on 11-26-13 from: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/people-communicating-2600509.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-images-people-communicating-image2600509&h=997&w=1300&sz=103&tbnid=UW0XMJTAzTAerM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=117&zoom=1&usg=__OUVfWPyuV7IR8fBXT7Qz0d9vl2U=&docid=khoX76K94oPEyM&sa=X&ei=W_WUUo-hF6nWyQHBsAE&ved=0CDYQ9QEwAw

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Noise induces hearing loss in children and teens

Noise induced hearing loss among children and teens is on the rise.  We believe this is related to the increase in noise in our life style.  There are many ways young people are exposed to loud sounds.  Some of them are music players, car races, and toys such as a fire truck with a siren, all of which can be loud enough to harm hearing.

It’s often difficult to know when a sound is loud enough to be harmful. It is not just about how loud a sound is, “too loud” is a combination of the volume of the sound and how long one is exposed to it.  The louder a sound is, the shorter the permissible length of exposure. 

Sound is measured in decibels (dB). An exposure to a sound at 85 dB over 8 hours is acceptable.  For every three dB increase in the sound, 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, 94 dB for 1 hour, etc.

Plus, the effects of loud sound add up.  For example, if he listens to music at 91 dB for four hours and mows the lawn (90 dB) for one hour, then he is hurting his hearing.

Here is a guide to help you determine the volume of some common sounds. 

60 dB—Normal conversations or dishwashers
80 dB—Alarm clocks
90 dB—Hair dryers, blenders, and lawnmowers
105 dB—Music 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

Here are a few “rules of thumb” for judging when sound is too loud.  It’s too loud if; you have to shout to be heard, if the volume causes pain, if noise makes your ears ring or if you have decreased or muffled hearing after being exposed to the sound.

If you are concerned, schedule a hearing evaluation for him.  It is good to establish a baseline of his hearing.

Life sounds great!  Enjoy every moment!


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



Image obtained 11-18-13 from: http://www.123rf.com/stock-photo/listening.html

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Adjusting to hearing aids

To start with, I want to congratulate you on obtaining your first pair of hearing aids!  It’s a big step.  While you will find them to be of great assistance, things will sound different with hearing aids, including how you hear your own voice.  Because of this, first time wearers typically go through an adjustment period.

The more you wear your hearing aids, the quicker you will adjust to them.  Wear your hearing aids even if you send time alone during the day. Hearing birds, creaks in the floor, the telephone and other sounds, will help train your brain to listen again.  Over time hearing the sounds around the house becomes normal.  The more you wear them the quicker this will happen.  If you find sounds to be overwhelming, remove the hearing aids for an hour or two.

Add to what you hear by looking.  Everyone does some lip reading.  The brain puts together what you hear and what you see to make more sense of the information. 

Also, the way people speak can make a difference in how well you hear.  Here are some tips for family members and friends.
  • Get your loved one’s attention prior to speaking.  This allows them to focus and concentrate on what is about to be said.
  • Speak slowly and distinctly.
  • Rephrase information when it is not heard correctly.
  • Reduce background noise whenever possible, for example, mute the TV when talking.

Keep in mind that hearing aids can make a big difference in communication but they do not restore normal hearing.  This means that you will at times, miss words.  When this happens it’s important to keep your sense of humor.  Know that when your loved ones laugh about something you misheard, they are not laughing at you, just at a humorous misunderstanding.  Laugh with them. 

If you are having trouble adjusting to your aids after a few weeks, talk to your audiologist.  The hearing aid settings may need to be adjusted.  


Life sounds great!  Enjoy every moment!


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




Image obtained 11-18-13 from: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://fisher.osu.edu/blogs/internship/files/Communication.jpg&imgrefurl=https://fisher.osu.edu/blogs/internship/2010/04/13/power-of-assertive-communication/&h=1200&w=1200&sz=258&tbnid=VjJpSDDMU8tdfM:&tbnh=126&tbnw=126&zoom=1&usg=__AzReCsycDpqRDLsmPbDz8Ll-CsY=&docid=ozOLzx-p8hjETM&sa=X&ei=00CKUqG-E-HhyQGi_oDwAQ&ved=0CDAQ9QEwAA