Effects of Hearing Loss on Quality of Life

Untreated hearing loss has been known to have a significant impact on the quality of one’s life.  A multitude of emotions surround those with hearing loss.  To name a few: sadness, anger, frustration, embarrassment, feelings of inadequacy, isolation, loneliness and loss of concentration.  Often these feelings can lead to exhaustion, withdrawal and depression. 

Treatment of hearing loss, with the fitting of hearing aids, has been shown to improve:

      Earning power

   Communication in relationships

   Intimacy and warmth in family relationships
   Ease in communication

   Emotional stability

   Sense of control over life events
   Perception of mental function

   Physical health

   Group social participation

Additionally, hearing aids also reduces anger and frustration in relationships, feelings of anxiety and paranoia, depression and self-criticism.  Research by the National Council on Aging has demonstrated that hearing aids clearly are associated with impressive improvements in the social, emotional, psychological and physical well-being of those with hearing loss.   

May is Better Hearing Month.  Schedule a complete hearing evaluation.  If hearing loss is identified, consider the impact of an untreated hearing loss.  Fitting of hearing aids has the potential to positively change your life.

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

Hearing aids mentor Ohio

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/

Hearing Loss: The Third Most Common Health Problem in the United States

Hearing loss currently affects more than 36 million Americans today. Although hearing problems are commonly associated with the normal aging process, more than half of all hearing-impaired persons are younger than 65. With the increased use of personal music players (MP3s) and earbuds, the number of Americans experiencing hearing loss at a younger age is growing.

On average, most Americans consider hearing loss a condition that is simply associated with aging, and don’t know how to recognize the condition or who is qualified to diagnose and treat the condition. In an effort to raise public awareness for the growing number of Americans suffering from hearing loss, the American Academy of Audiology in conjunction with Advanced Audiology Concepts is celebrating Better Hearing Month this May.

As part of Better Hearing Month, we are encouraging people to be more aware of their hearing health and have a baseline hearing evaluation.

Hearing loss can be caused by exposure to loud noises; ear infections, trauma, or ear disease; harm to the inner ear and ear drum; illness or certain medications; and deterioration due to normal aging process.

An audiologist is a highly educated and clinically experienced health-care professional who specialize in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating people with hearing loss and balance disorders. They are the professionals with the most extensive training in hearing aid evaluation and fitting. Hearing loss can affect patients of all ages—newborns, infants, babies, toddlers, children, teens, adults, and the elderly.

You may have a problem with your hearing and need to see an audiologist, if you have trouble hearing conversation in a noisy environment such as a restaurant, are unable to hear people talk to you without looking at them, or have a constant ringing or pain in your ears.

The first step in treatment of a hearing problem is a hearing evaluation by an audiologist.

Advanced Audiology Concepts audiologists have a variety of specialties including:

Performing baseline and diagnostic hearing assessments

Prescribing and fitting hearing aids

Prescribing and fitting custom hearing protection, hunter’s plugs and iPod molds

Providing hearing training such as

o Listening training

o Speech reading

o Listening skills improvement

Although most hearing loss is permanent, an audiologist can determine the best treatment, which may include hearing aids, assistive listening devices, and hearing training.

Why Wait? Schedule an appointment for a baseline hearing evaluation.  Call 440-205-8848 in Lake County Ohio. 

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/

Take The Hearing Quiz!

Often a person with hearing isn’t aware of what he or she cannot hear.  As a result they don’t realize what they are missing and that it’s time to do something.  Here is a quick hearing quiz developed by the American Academy of Audiology.  You can take the quiz or have someone you love take it.  It may help you or them to realize it’s time to take action.

1. Do you find it difficult to follow a conversation in a noisy restaurant or crowded room?
2. Do you sometimes feel that people are mumbling or not speaking clearly?
3. Do you experience difficulty following dialog in the theater?
4. Do you sometimes find it difficult to understand a speaker at a public meeting or a religious service?
5. Do you find yourself asking people to speak up or repeat themselves?
6. Do you find men’s voices easier to understand than women’s?
7. Do you experience difficulty understanding soft or whispered speech?
8. Do you have difficulty understanding speech on the telephone?
9. Does a hearing problem cause you to feel embarrassed when meeting new people?
10. Do you feel handicapped by a hearing problem?
11. Does a hearing problem cause you to visit friends, relatives, or neighbors less often than you
12. would like?
13. Do you experience ringing or noises in your ears?
14. Do you hear better with one ear than the other?
15. Have any of your relatives (by birth) had hearing loss?
16. Have you had any significant noise exposure during work, recreation, or military service?

If you answered yes to 3 or more questions, it’s time for a hearing evaluation. Why wait? Call now for an appointment with one of our audiologists.  You'll be glad you did.

Life Sounds Great!  Enjoy Every Moment!

Jane Kukula, AuD

Paula Webster, MA

Advanced Audiology Concepts

8897 Mentor Ave

Mentor, Ohio 44060

440-205-8848

www.aacHEAR.org