Television amplifiers

I recently had a patient looking for something to help with just the television.  I recommended a television amplifier.  With a television amplifier you can adjust the volume for television based on your needs without increasing the volume for the entire family. Television amplifiers not only allow the user to increase the volume without disturbing others, they also separate the voice track from the background sounds and music.  This way the words come through stronger then background noise.

There are several models available some work with hearing aids and others work without hearing instruments.  The ones that work with hearing aids work with the telephone feature on some hearing aids.  With the telephone feature the television signals go through the hearing aids at the prescribed settings.

The amplifiers that work without hearing aids use a headset.  The volume I usually adjusted through the headset.   These are especially great for people who have some hearing loss and do not use hearing aids.  With a television amplifier, the family can set the volume on the TV to a comfortable level.

They are easy to set up.  The transmitter is plugged into the audio out on the TV and into a wall socket.  Typically the transmitter is also used to store the headset and recharge batteries.  Stop in for a free demonstration and see for yourself. 

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/

Advantages of Wearing Two Hearing Aids

Your brain needs to hear from both ears to be able to locate a sound.  For example, if you hear with one ear, you will hear keys fall off the counter but not be able to tell exactly where they fell.  When both ears hear equally, the brain can quickly locate the spot the keys fell.  This is one reason why we typically recommend two hearing aids when you have hearing loss in both ears. Hearing aids work as a system.  This way the brain receives more accurate information keeping you in touch with your surroundings.

The second benefit of wearing two hearing aids is better hearing in noisy places.  With two hearing aids, the brain better separates words from background sounds.  The more information the brain has the better you can focus on the conversation.  This allows for easier communication even though there is background noise.  

Today many hearing aids operate wirelessly.   With wireless hearing aids, the aids communicate with each other maximizing hearing.  This binaural processing coordinates sound giving the brain more accurate information.  You have a better idea of things happening around you.

Research shows those who wear two hearing aids are more satisfied and those who wear one. Those who wear wireless hearing aids are the most satisfied.

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/

Hearing for the Holidays

The holidays can be a joyous time and often a loud hectic time of the year.    For those with hearing loss and hearing aids it can be especially stressful.   With hearing loss, hearing does not come naturally, people need to pay attention, focus and concentrate.  Listening in noisy places takes effort on the part of the person with hearing loss. 

Gatherings with family and friends, whether in a home or a restaurant can be loud, interfering with conversation.  When having difficulty hearing in a group conversation, try one- on-one conversations.  Make sure you are able to see speaker's face and pay attention to gestures.  Keep as much of the noise behind you as you can.  Be ready to ask people to speak slowly or to rephrase the information when needed.  Conversing loved ones is well worth the effort.  

When talking to someone with hearing loss, first get their attention.  This can be as simple as starting a sentence with their name. This way they can give your comments their attention.  Speak slowly and distinctly.    If they miss hear what was said rephrase it, state it differently.  Whenever possible reduce background noise. 

The first and best step to hearing well for the holidays starts with good audiologic care.  Have an audiologist perform a hearing evaluation and when recommended, wear hearing aids.  Hearing aids do a great job improving hearing and communication.  Get started now.

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/

Things to consider when purchasing hearing aids

I am often asked what is important to consider when investing in hearing aids.  I typically tell people to keep it simple and break it down into three basic decisions.  The first two are simple.

First, for most people if you have hearing loss in both ears, then you need two hearing aids.  There are few exceptions to this rule.  The ears work best when they work together.  This is important when in noisy places.  You need both ears to separate speech from background noise.

Second, you will need to decide on the style of the hearing aids.  There are four basic styles.  Among the newest instruments are miniature behind-the-ear aids.  These rest at the top of the ear and have a slim tube leading into the ear canal.  They are discreet and well camouflaged.  Traditional behind-the-ear hearing aids have a thicker tube leading to an ear piece that fills the ear.  In-the-ear hearing aids fit all in the ear and fill the opening of the ear.  In-the-canal hearing aids are placed in the lower part of the ear and ear canal.  Completely-in-the-canal aids fit in the ear canal.  Hearing loss, dexterity of the hands and fingers and personal preference are considered when choosing the best style of each individual.

Third, you will choose the technology for the hearing aids. This is the most complex of the decisions and has the greatest impact on the cost of the aids.  The technology and features typically affect; how well the aids can adjust to many different listening environments; the degree of fine tuning available to match your hearing loss and how aggressive the hearing aids will be at separating speech from background noise.  Any hearing aid technology and feature can be added to most any style instrument. 

Your audiologist can discuss the advantages and disadvantages of style and technologies and further explain the benefits best suited to your lifestyle.  Get started with an Audiologic Evaluation. In Mentor Ohio call 440-205-8848.

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/

I have ringing in my ears!

Tinnitus is the perception of a sound when that sound does not exist.  The most common sounds are ringing, buzzing, clicking or humming.” It is estimated that 50 million Americans experience tinnitus.  For some, it is constant, for others it is occasional.  It can be heard in one or both ears.  The most common cause of tinnitus is exposure to loud sounds.  Tinnitus has also been associated with ear infections, aging, excessive ear wax, high blood pressure and hearing loss.  Other activities which can cause tinnitus include smoking, drinking alcohol or caffeine and taking excessive amounts of aspirin or antibiotics.

Unfortunately, there is no magic pill that relieves tinnitus.  Obviously, reducing stress, alcohol and caffeine consumption, keeping blood pressure under control and reducing exposure to loud noise will all be beneficial.  Tinnitus can be a very troublesome symptom.  It should be investigated, evaluated and treated.

First, rule out a medical problem. If there is a medical cause, treatment of the underlining problem may resolve the tinnitus.  In many cases, those who have tinnitus also have some degree of hearing loss possibly even a mild loss of hearing.  An Audiological Evaluation can identify the nature and degree of hearing loss, as well as evaluate the frequency and intensity of the tinnitus.  If hearing aids are appropriate, use of hearing aids often “cover up” or “mask” the tinnitus, making it less distracting.  Sometimes a noise generator called a tinnitus masker is used.  This creates a noise to cover up the tinnitus.  If these solutions are not successful, behavior modification and relaxation techniques may be recommended.  

Start with a hearing evaluation and medical examination.  Call today to schedule an appointment.

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/