When is it time to have a hearing evaluation?

You can’t always tell when it’s time to have your hearing evaluated.  It is rare for hearing to change suddenly or in a noticeable way.  Typically, hearing changes very slowly.  So gradually, that most people aren’t aware of it.  Your family and friends are likely to notice it before you. 

Hearing needs to be checked regularly throughout life.  Hearing evaluations should be as routine as eye and dental exams.  Regular hearing checkups will help you maintain your maximum hearing and listening abilities, and avoid mishearing information.  If your hearing evaluation reveals hearing technologies are needed to maximize your hearing ability and decrease mishearing, move forward.  You will be pleasantly surprised by how well they work and look.  

Celebrities and performers use them to maximize their ability to do their jobs, to hear cues and to provide appropriate answers and information to questions.  Others use them to hear the boss, to be part of the discussion at a meeting and to increase their awareness of things happening at work.  They aid in daily life activities such as talking to shop clerks or servers in a restaurant and enjoying the company of family and friends.  It’s impossible to know who uses hearing aids today.  Hearing instruments range from invisible to successfully camouflaged

. 

Have regular hearing checkups.  When hearing is stable check it every five years.  When changes are noted, annual evaluations are necessary.  Call and schedule an appointment for your baseline evaluation. 

Life sounds great!  Enjoy every moment!

Jane Kukula, Au.D.
Paula Webster, M.A.

Advanced Audiology Concepts

8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848

Fax: 440-205-9818

http://www.aacHEAR.org

Image obtained 4-22-14 at: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/audiologist-education-requirements.html

What is an extended wear hearing aid?

Lyric® Hearing Aids are the world’s first and only extended wear hearing instruments.  These unique instruments are worn 24 hours a day, 7 days a week up to 4 months.  They are a hassle-free, 100% invisible hearing solution. 

Effortless Hearing

Lyric is the only hearing aid that can be worn without daily insertion or removal and there are no batteries to change.  It can be safely worn through daily activities such as showering, exercising, sleeping and talking on the phone. 

100% Invisible

Lyric is placed deep in the ear canal, approximately 4 millimeters from the ear drum.  This allows for both the microphone and receiver to fit in the ear canal, assisting with natural sound quality.  It cannot be seen from any angle, at any time.  The programmable device is comfortably placed during a routine office visit.  It is not an implant and it can be removed with a special tool. 

Unique Design

Two soft foam seals are engineered to contour to the ear canal.  They are coated with a technology developed to protect them from moisture and earwax.   The designed team of ENT physicians, audiologists, and engineers built the device around three key concepts:

1.  Sound Quality improves with proximity to the eardrum 
2.  Many people with hearing loss are dissatisfied with their hearing aid options
3.  Many people with hearing loss want a hassle-free, invisible solution

Natural Sound Quality;

Lyric uses the natural anatomy of the outer ear to direct sound to the microphone, where it is then amplified at the ear drum.  Because Lyric takes advantage of the ear’s anatomy, users experience natural sound quality and improved directionality and localization (the ability to hear where sounds come from).  Eighty six percent Lyric users agree that the sound quality is very good.

Risk Free Trial

Phonak, the manufacturer of Lyric offers a 30 day risk free trial with the device.  If your hearing ability, and the size and shape of your ear canal are appropriate, you may be fit with the device immediately.  Simply see a Lyric provider.  Click here to find one in your area.

Life sounds great!  Enjoy every moment!

Jane Kukula, Au.D.
Paula Webster, M.A.

Advanced Audiology Concepts

8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848

Fax: 440-205-9818

http://www.aacHEAR.org

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!

Jane Kukula, Au.D.
Paula Webster, M.A.

Advanced Audiology Concepts

8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848

Fax: 440-205-9818

http://www.aacHEAR.org

 

 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