Friday, March 21, 2014

First steps to good hearing care



Having a hearing evaluation by an audiologist, is the first step.  Many people go through life simply “living with” hearing loss, never recognizing there are solutions readily available!  Diagnostic hearing testing will identify the nature and degree of your hearing and understanding problems.  Following the complete testing, recommendations for treatment will be made.

Ear Wax Illustration
The second step, treatment, may be as simple as the removal of excess earwax.  If necessary, a referral for medical treatment will be made.  Sensorineural hearing loss will cause speech to be difficult to understand, even if the volume of sound appears to be adequate. Recommendations may include hearing aids, listening therapy, and use of assistive listening devices and the support of counseling. 

Hearing aids provide the amplification of sound.  Digital technology allows the flexibility to cater to our individual lifestyles and needs.  Miniature behind the ear instruments (receiver in the canal aids) are now available and are practically invisible.  Several options include directional microphones, multiple programs and automatic programming, volume control and telephone switches.  We are now able to offer extended wear (Lyric) hearing instruments, also.

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 sound awareness.

The psychological impact of hearing loss should not be overlooked.  Often denial of the hearing loss leads to frustration, exhaustion, isolation and even depression.  The importance of seeking help for hearing loss cannot be emphasized enough!  

Life sounds great!  Enjoy every moment!


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



 Image obtained 3-21-14 at: http://www.medicinenet.com/ear_wax/article.htm

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Why do people deny having hearing loss?



Your question reminds me of a patient I recently saw.  He refused to wear his hearing aids at work.  When I asked why, he responded that he didn’t want the guys to make fun of him.  This raised two questions in my mind. 


First, would the guys at work really make fun of him?  I think not.  Most people aren’t going to make fun of someone’s health issues. There might be a little bit of good hearted ribbing.  But mostly, few if any will notice hearing aids.  Hearing aids are small, discreet and well camouflaged.  Typically, if someone sees them, they are impressed by the aids.  


Second, you can’t hide hearing loss from others.  People know when you don’t hear or mishear.  If he has a co-worker who would make fun of someone with hearing aids, then he is likely making fun of him already for not hearing well.  Wearing hearing aids will help, especially at work. Those with untreated hearing loss earn on the average $20,000 less per year than those who use hearing aids.  Further, if someone is mishearing or misses information all together, it leaves the impression that they are slow and/or stuck up.  These are good reasons to use hearing aids especially at work.


This case is a good example of how the stigma of hearing loss actually is a self-stigma. Self-stigma is self inflicted.  A self-stigma threatens one’s perception of self.  The stigma exists because the person with hearing loss feels misplaced shame, low self-esteem or even depression.  These feelings create a desire to hide hearing loss. The desire to hide it leads to denial and blaming others for mumbling or for having a soft voice. 


The first step to getting past self-stigma is being honest with one’s self, and recognizing and accepting hearing loss.  Become informed on the impact of untreated hearing loss; the loss of self-confidence, decreased earning potential, decreased intimacy, decreased overall health, the impression you leave when you don't hear or mishear and more.  Understanding the many ways hearing impacts life can be a motivator to seek help. 
  

Life sounds great!  Enjoy every moment!


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



Image obtained 2-21-14 at: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.pae300.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/recognising-hearing-loss.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.pae300.com/hearing-loss-stigma-and-how-to-avoid-it/&h=354&w=690&sz=54&tbnid=D440LIVlPK6DaM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=175&zoom=1&usg=__XjS9S-ymAuWNHV81KANR9n-PDNU=&docid=M2SuH0KgWvmEIM&sa=X&ei=kMMHU5zDAuGdyQHX7YHIDg&ved=0CDAQ9QEwAg


Thursday, March 6, 2014

Can hearing loss cause someone to withdraw from family and friends?



This is a topic we address quite frequently. Yes, withdrawal from communication interaction is often directly related to hearing loss.  Hearing loss can have a significant impact on our emotional, physical and mental well being. Those with hearing loss are likely to experience a number of negative emotions.  Often, the frustration and embarrassment of being unable to hear and understand conversation may lead to withdrawal (retreating into the background) and isolation from social situations. 


Concentration and active listening can also be very tiring, contributing to fatigue.  This becomes a vicious cycle:  If we are fatigued, it is difficult to pay attention, which results in understanding even less of what is being said, causing anxiety and physical tension.  This type of exhaustion can often lead to depression.


The first step is recognizing a loved one is beginning to withdraw from social interaction. This is an indication he/she could be having trouble hearing.  A complete hearing assessment would answer questions regarding hearing and the benefit one can receive from the use of hearing aids.  It is important to recognize these other implications of hearing loss.  Schedule a complete Hearing Evaluation with an audiologist. 


Life sounds great!  Enjoy every moment!


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



 Image obtained 2-7-14 at: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PK-I9iseM1-3TRnKtNAJJpB2OeyIsYwht9Bz41PLePl7UvKaTN70GxltDhatr3W_4aTntx90r3nZJYTcwzlXXHX6OZ8t6X_ajmItne3zuxOabSFS5Ef5eIyotgKwxviXOlnONZnGKEA/s640/family+talking.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.eatlivegrowpaleo.com/2012/08/what-is-paleo-diet-and-why-should-you.html&h=263&w=350&sz=43&tbnid=fQzWJa-PcRl0vM:&tbnh=95&tbnw=127&zoom=1&usg=__USzzZwXIQGGKitFzdUBeia3to2c=&docid=Qi-PlfBz453fVM&sa=X&ei=wQb1Urr4IYbeyAHp3ICgBA&ved=0CDAQ9QEwAg