Alone with hearing loss

Often we hear people with hearing loss say they feel alone.  This happens when one feels cut off from the group or left out with untreated hearing loss.  People with hearing loss are not alone.  Hearing loss remains one of the most common unaddressed health conditions in the United States. Unfortunately, the majority of those experiencing the negative effects of unaddressed hearing loss are men.

Hearing health is an important part of daily life. It not only affects quality of life but also well being.  Talk to your loved one about it.  There are many side effects of hearing loss that are rarely considered.  The obvious ones are the loss of communication and the enjoyment of sounds such as listening to birds and music.  The not so obvious ones include a negative impact on relationships and social life. 

Another consideration is that on the average those with untreated hearing loss earn $24,000 less a year then those who use hearing aids.

Fortunately, wearing hearing instruments mitigates the impact on income by about 50 percent. And there are simple things that men can do to protect their hearing before it becomes a problem. Listening to music at no more than 50 percent maximum volume, and wear earplugs while at rock concerts, using power tools, shooting and during any exposure to loud sounds.

We live in a busy world today.  Encourage the men in your life to take to care of themselves.  Call today for a hearing evaluation.

Life Sounds Great! Enjoy every moment!

Jane Kukula, AuD
Paula Webster, MA
Advanced Audiology Concepts8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848
http://www.aachear.com/

What to do when someone resists using hearing aids

Often times we are asked how to help someone who resists hearing aids to take action. This can be difficult situation to address. 

When someone with hearing loss resists using hearing aids, it lays the burden of communication on others.  As a result people learn to speak up, repeat and even translate for the person with hearing loss.  This typically happens just as you report, through a lack of awareness of what they don’t hear and of how others compensate for them.  It usually is not done intentionally. 

The trick is helping them to see how others are compensating for the hearing loss.  It’s tricky because it needs to be done a caring manner.  Otherwise, it will push them further away from receiving needed treatment.  Have an honest caring talk. Here are a few things to discuss.

• -          Let them know you are concerned about them just as you would with other health issue.
• -          Discuss the overall health effects including the emotional impact of untreated hearing loss.
• -          Let them know how you compensate for the hearing loss.
• -          Share your feelings about carrying the burden of communication.
• -          Come to agreement that for a week, you will point out every time you repeat something.  Have a code word you use just before you repeat the information or question to signal to her that you compensating for the hearing loss.
• -          Also for the week, don’t translate information. For example, when at a restaurant don’t automatically repeat the specials. This will help them realize what was missed the first time.
• -          After the week have talk about how it went.

Above all, be positive and encouraging.  Hearing aids can and do help.  They are discreet and comfortable.  Go to http://aachear.org/hearing_aids to learn more.  

Life Sounds Great!  Enjoy Every Moment!

Jane Kukula, AuD

Paula Webster, MA

Advanced Audiology Concepts

8897 Mentor Ave

Mentor, Ohio 44060

440-205-8848

http://www.aachear.org/

Successful Treatments for Hearing Loss

Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss.  It results from a decrease in function of the hearing nerves.  The nerves deteriorate for many reasons.  Once they are damaged, they cannot be rejuvenated causing permanent hearing loss.  The first line of treatment for sensorineural hearing loss is hearing aids. Combined with assistive devices and sometimes listening therapy, people can experience positive, life changing results.

A study by the National Council on the Aging looking at over 2,000 people with hearing loss and their significant others demonstrated that hearing aids are clearly impressive.  They result not only in better hearing but also improvements in the social, emotional, psychological, and physical well-being of people with hearing loss. Further, hearing aid usage positively impacts: 

• Earning power, people with hearing loss who use hearing aids earn more money,
• Communication, resulting in stronger more satisfying relationships,
• Intimacy and warmth in family relationships,
• Ease in communication, people with hearing loss do not have to “work” as hard to hear and understand conversation,
• Emotional stability, they experienced less frustration and anger related to hearing and miss hearing information,
• Sense of control over life events, greater self confidence,
• Perception of mental functioning, hearing well helps to stimulate the brain similar to crossword puzzles and other word games, and
• Physical health, with increased socializing comes an increase in physical activity.

Learn the various types of hearing aids available. Go to http://www.aachear.org/.  There are many options to suit personal preferences.

Often assistive listening devices can provide further help.  TV amplifiers, amplified telephones and personal FM systems can be very helpful for specific situations.  If you are experiencing difficulty hearing have an audiologist evaluate your hearing.  The audiologist can explain how hearing aids, assistive devices and listening therapy can be useful to you.  Why wait?  Call now for a hearing evaluation. 

Life Sounds Great! Enjoy Every Moment!

Dr. Jane Kukula, AuD

Paula Webster, MA
Advanced Audiology Concepts
8897 Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848
http://www.aachear.org/

Education and Training of Audiologists vs Hearing Aid Dealers

We often see confusion among our patients regarding the difference between an Audiologist and hearing aid dealer.  The big difference is in the education and training.  In most states, the minimum education and training is mandated by the state licensing board.  Usually there is big difference between the two.  Ohio is a great example to demonstrate how very different it can be.

In Ohio an established Audiologist needs a masters degree and young people entering Audiology must have a doctoral degree.  Both have 9-12 months of clinical hands on training and must pass a national examination.  The education and training covers all aspects of hearing, hearing loss, hearing aids and much much more.  Clinical training includes months of hands on experience in assessing the ears and hearing, and selecting, fitting and adjusting hearing aids for each individual.  Audiologists are uniquely trained to provide comprehensive hearing, balance and aural rehabilitative services. 

In Ohio hearing aid dealers are also licensed by the state of Ohio to perform measures of hearing in order to fit and sell hearing aids.  They are required to have a minimum of a high school equivalency education and pass a state mandated examination. 

Understanding the training and background of both helps in understanding why the services offered by the two groups are different.  When you notice changes in your hearing we recommend you schedule an appointment for diagnostic audiologic assessment with an Audiologist.  This will provide more complete information about your ears and hearing.

Life sounds great!  Enjoy every moment!

Dr. Jane Kukula, AuD

Paula Webster, MA
Advanced Audiology Concepts
8897 Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848
http://www.aachear.org/