Hearing Blog

Hearing aids are essential tools to effectively deal with hearing loss on a daily basis. Nowadays, with the rising cost of batteries, hearing aid manufacturers have developed rechargeable hearing aids. These do not need to have their batteries replaced and can be easily recharged. Although handy, these hearing aids require special care in order to operate them.

Hearing damage is caused due to numerous reasons, but one of the major causes of hearing loss is exposure to unsafe levels of noise over a prolonged period of time. Since noise-induced hearing loss is irreversible, it is important that we learn about effective techniques to protect our hearing.

We all take our hearing for granted, even though it is actually a very complex procedure that takes place in a matter of split seconds. The brain is responsible for deciphering the sound signals sent by the ears, and it regulates the amount of incoming sound signals each and every moment to prevent sensory overload.

Modern hearing aids really have come a long way since their clunky predecessors. Hearing loss currently affects around 37.5 million people in the adult population in U.S.A. This is why it is important to learn about the awesome technological developments about hearing aids so that you can help yourself or your loved ones who are suffering from hearing loss.

Your hearing examination results are back and it looks like you will be getting hearing aids to rectify your hearing loss. This can be an exciting time of your life but it can also make you nervous since it is a big change. First of all, congratulate yourself on taking proactive steps to rectify your hearing problem.

The most frequently reported symptom of a hearing impairment is the sensation of muffled hearing. A person with hearing loss often loses their hearing gradually, and initially they may simply feel as though the sounds around them seem softer than before. Muted hearing is not a reason to jump to the conclusion that you must be suffering from hearing loss, since muffled hearing can be caused due to several other reasons.

Tinnitus is the phantom ringing or buzzing sensation you get in your ears, in the absence of any such stimuli. Even though it is annoying to constantly be subjected to tinnitus, what is more annoying is that there is so much misinformation all over the internet about it.

We all deserve to live the good life, and a simple matter of hearing loss should not disrupt your desire to go and watch that movie you had been looking forward to all this time. However, recreational activities can sometimes become challenging in public places for those with hearing loss, since facilities for those with hearing impairment are not as easily accessible.

Tinnitus is the ringing or buzzing sensation within the ears in the absence of any such external stimuli. It is a common problem that affects almost 36 million people in America. Tinnitus may affect one or both ears with varying degrees of intensity and frequency. Only around 6% of people with tinnitus have it to a severe extent that interferes with their daily functioning. This amounts to around 7 million people in the United States.

We live in a very busy, fast-paced world where productivity matters most since time is money. If we can design our workplace more efficiently, we can cater to those who have unique hearing needs, such as those with hearing loss. This not only helps our hearing-impaired employees work more efficiently, it also makes for a happier and more productive work environment.

Hearing loss is a common problem in the United States. In fact, it is actually the third most prevalent health condition after cardiovascular disease and arthritis. With hearing loss being such a common ailment, it is surprising that there are still so many myths and stigma surrounding it. It is important to learn about the facts regarding hearing loss so that we can help ourselves and our loved ones.

Our hearing aids help us hear the world of sound that we would otherwise miss out on. Hearing aids are delicate devices that need special care in order to function at their optimal level. Daily dirt and grime can have a negative impact on them, which is why it is important to become aware of cleaning techniques that you can take care of by yourself in the comfort of your own home.

Tinnitus is the sensation of a ringing or buzzing sound within the ears in the absence of any such external stimuli. It can be temporary or permanent and its onset depends on various physiological and psychological conditions. It affects 50 million people across America, although only around 12 million of these people actually seek any form of treatment for their tinnitus.

When it comes to hearing loss, many of us tend to bury our heads in the sand like ostriches, so to speak, in order to avoid bad news! Unfortunately, neglecting our hearing will only make it worse. We always deny that our hearing is bad and put off getting a hearing examination, when in reality we would be a lot better off if we tested our hearing in a timely manner.

A business with offices in Harrison and Marion counties is helping to raise money for the Jack Strong Foundation. Nardelli Audiology using free hearing tests as a way to raise money for the Jack Strong Foundation.

Getting new hearing aids can be an exciting yet challenging new phase of your life. It can be slightly unnerving to be able to suddenly hear way more than you could before you got your hearing aids. Even your own voice might sound strange and unusual to you, and you may find it overwhelming to adjust to the huge amount of sounds you are suddenly able to hear all around you.

A whole new world awaits us. With so many advances in technology and an improved mindset about various disabilities, it is a wonder that people are still so shy about admitting to hearing loss. Having a hearing problem really is not as big of a deal as most people make it out to be, especially in today’s world where there are so many gadgets to help each and every individual with their unique hearing needs.

The weather is finally beginning to warm up. This means that it is time to spring clean your home as well as your hearing aids. Your hearing aids help you lead a comfortable life, so it is time to take good care of them so that they can continue to function at their optimal level.

People with hearing loss are often unaware of the dangers in their surrounding environment, simply because they are unable to hear it. Be it the sound of a car stopping in your driveway in the dead of the night, or the sound of breaking glass as a burglar breaks your window pane, untreated hearing loss puts you and your loved ones at risk of terrible danger.

Hearing loss is the third most commonly reported chronic condition reported in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control. They suggests that anyone over the age of 55 receive an annual hearing test.

Most clinical audiologists are directly involved in the identification and management of hearing loss. It is, after all, common practice for audiologists to complete a case history and basic assessment to determine if the individual has a medical condition requiring a medical referral. Those individuals that do not have a “red flag” medical condition involving the ear, assuming they are motivated, become candidates for other forms of remediation, usually hearing aids.

A common concern that most people ignore is the presence of tinnitus, which is the constant sensation of ringing or buzzing within the ears. Tinnitus can be a precursor to hearing loss, so make sure you get it checked by a hearing professional during your next hearing test.

The process of getting hearing aids fitted to perfection can take anywhere between an hour to two hours. Getting your hearing aids fitted can be an exciting new beginning for your hearing experience as you slowly begin to hear sounds that you may not have heard in a very long time. With so much to gain from obtaining hearing aids, it is surprising that people wait for as long as 7-10 years before they finally obtain hearing instruments to rectify their hearing loss.

Fatigue can occur at any time and with any organ within the human body. People do not think of the ears when they think of fatigue, and we often take our listening skills for granted as a result. People with hearing loss face listening fatigue, which is the exhaustion resulting from the constant need to focus and concentrate on sounds due to limited hearing.

Obtaining hearing aids can be an exciting time of your life. While you may be excited to be able to hear once more, the process of regaining your hearing takes a period of adaptation so that your brain can readjust to the sudden increase in sound input. The initial days wearing your hearing aids might be frustrating due to the sudden increase in various sounds that you may not have heard in a long time.

Hearing loss damages not only one of the major senses of the body, but also results in other detrimental effects. Over time, the constant strain to decipher speech and try to fit into fast-paced conversations can result in a sense of feeling left out or isolated. You may begin to withdraw from social situations and ruminate on your hearing loss as you struggle to remain an active member of the household conversations.

The problem with the world of hearing is that it is surrounded by several myths that are not only false; they can also damage your hearing. The first on this list of untrue myths is the notion that using cotton swabs is an effective way to clean your ears. This belief is not only untrue; it can actually damage your ears.

A recent study published in the Ear and Hearing journal indicates that you might have an increased likelihood of suffering from hearing loss if you had any earaches or other infections as a child.

Tinnitus (a ringing sensation in the ears in the absence of any external stimulus) is a problem that affects around forty five million people in the United States. Generally speaking people with tinnitus perceive a whistling, hissing, or buzzing sound in the absence of any such sound being present.

One in three cases of dementia could be prevented if more people looked after their brain health throughout life, according to an international study in the Lancet.

Sleep apnea affects a large number of adults worldwide and leads to poor quality of sleep and other health problems. Recent research found that sleep apnea can increase the likelihood of developing hearing loss resulting from other health problems such as cardiovascular and endocrine diseases, or generalized inflammation.

When we think of professions that lead to hearing loss we mostly think of construction work or factory-based professions; seldom do we think of musicians. Professional musicians endure loud noises during their practice sessions, at recording studios and especially at concerts. This constant exposure to loud sounds puts them at risk for hearing loss.

Job interviews are usually stressful without having to add hearing aids to the mix. Lawfully speaking, you do not need to disclose the fact that you have hearing loss to any potential employer if you do not wish to do so. According to the Equality Act 2010, disabled employees are protected from discrimination in the workplace. This means that your potential employer cannot eliminate you on the basis of your hearing disability at any stage, be it cover letters, interview arrangements, application forms, aptitude tests, or job offers.

Nardelli Audiology, is now offering ReSound LiNX 3D as part of their product line. ReSound LiNX 3D is a personalized hearing system designed to meet the need of all patients.

The key to healthy hearing is to maintain an optimal level of overall health. Certain health conditions increase the chances of developing hearing loss thus it is important to be aware of these ailments and address them in a timely manner so that they do not interfere with your hearing experience.

Research suggests that 48 million people suffer from some type of hearing loss in the United States. This means that one in five individuals is suffering from hearing loss, and this number increases to one in three people when we reach the age group of 65 and above.

A study conducted by researchers at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) found that older adults who used a hearing aid performed significantly better on cognitive tests than those who did not use a hearing aid, despite having poorer hearing.

Tinnitus is the sensation of a ringing or hissing sound when no external sound stimuli are present within the environment. This sound can range from a chirping or clicking sound to a buzzing or screeching sound that may even sound like music.

Going to your favorite sporting event and cheering for your team is a wonderful experience! Stadiums are loud venues filled with fans showing their pride in the loudest manner possible. But such loud noise for a prolonged period of time can lead to hearing loss. How do you protect your hearing in this type of event?

Your hearing evaluation can have much better results if you are accompanied by a relative or friend. Having someone with you can be a source of emotional support and can also help keep you motivated and on track to help you adhere to the specific instructions and suggestions. They can also help you clarify any questions you may have and also provide you moral support and company.

The most significant distinction between dementia and Alzheimer's is dementia is a part of pretty much each of us as we age, but Alzheimer's is a an actual disease that is a deterioration of the brain.

While adults usually do not include hearing tests as part of an annual physical exam, it is recommended that hearing be tested regularly. Scheduling a hearing test once a year around the same time as your annual physical would be a good way to make it a recurring part of your preventive health routine. Diagnosing hearing loss as early as possible is important so that it can be treated more effectively.

Buying a hearing aid is a major purchase and you may have many questions regarding performance, fit and cost. You have already taken the biggest step which is to have your hearing tested and determining that you need hearing aids. To make this process easier you should ask your hearing professional the necessary questions to ensure you choose the hearing aids which best fit your lifestyle and hearing needs.

The topic of hearing aid batteries will inevitably come up whether you are purchasing your first set of hearing aids or you are a seasoned user. Questions regarding batteries range from size, cost, frequency of replacement, and how to appropriately use and care for them.

As a first time hearing aid user you may not know what to expect. You may be uncertain about what you are about to experience. There is nothing to worry about, however, with some patience and determination your hearing will improve and you will enjoy regaining your hearing abilities.

Untreated hearing loss comes with a host of negative effects. From depression and deteriorating relationships with friends and family to reported lower quality of life, hearing loss casts a wide net. And now, a new study confirms those with hearing loss suffer yet another cost: higher medical bills.

The latest technological developments in hearing devices have brought new hope for those suffering from hearing impairments. For those experiencing severe hearing impairment it is recommended that they opt for hearing devices that are placed outside the ear.

People are often in denial about their hearing impairment. They find it embarrassing and unnecessary, and often delay in taking the hearing test out of fear of acceptance of having a hearing loss. The biggest fear most people have is the fear of the unknown. Most of this fear is based on a lack of information about the actual process of a hearing test, which is why this article provides a brief look at the actual process a hearing test entails.

You can blame a king in Denmark, Harald Bluetooth, for the silly name. More than a thousand years ago, he united warring Danish tribes into a single kingdom. The same is said of Bluetooth technology, which unites communication protocols, uniting them into one universal standard.

Fun Fact Friday: Treating hearing loss is a good thing. And doing it speaks volumes about who you are. Here are five illuminating things treating hearing loss says about you.

According to a recent study by Jamie Desjardins, PhD, an assistant professor in the speech-language pathology program at The University of Texas at El Paso, hearing aids improve brain function in people with hearing loss.

When is hearing loss not just about hearing? Although it sounds like the beginning of a riddle, the truth is hearing loss affects you in many ways beyond just having to turn up the volume on the TV or asking someone to repeat something they just said. Hearing loss is connected to your overall health and well-being in ways you might not realize.

Now that the new year is well underway, give a thought to those friends living with hearing loss. Hearing loss is largely invisible, easily misunderstood and quickly forgotten by others. Maybe 2016 is the year you make it easier for those friends. Here are three simple things you can do to help the people around you who live with hearing loss.

Hearing aids are getting smarter. Some of the tweaking and fine-tuning that used to be up to the audiologist is now being put in the hands of the user. I tried out ReSound"s Linx2 product at CES 2016.

I put a receiver-in-ear hearing aid in each ear; they were synced to an iPad (a smartphone would work too) in the busy convention center. I wanted to be able to hear the people in front of me amid all the background noise. I tapped the "Noise" tab at the bottom of the sound enhancer screen on the iPad and slid the control bar to the right. It worked—no chatter. For someone like me with no hearing loss, it was like having super hearing.

Need a mood boost? Maybe it’s time to check your hearing. Here’s why: Hearing loss is linked to a greater risk of depression in adults of all ages, especially in 18 to 69 year olds. But studies show treating hearing loss can boost quality of life. People with hearing loss who use hearing aids are less likely to feel down, depressed or hopeless, research from the Better Hearing Institute (BHI) shows — and they get more pleasure from doing things.

Conversing with a hard of hearing person is much easier if you, the ‘hearing’ person, are aware of the hearing loss. If you don’t know that the person you’re talking to has a hearing problem, you might be forgiven for looking in another direction (into space for example) as you prattle on, or mumbling, or putting your hands in front of your mouth. It’s understandable that you might continue to speak softly, indistinctly, or use unconnected phrases with no verbs.

Our veterans make sacrifices every day and many continue to make sacrifices long after they’ve left active duty. One of those sacrifices is their hearing. According to the Hearing Health Foundation, 60% of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan come home with hearing loss and tinnitus, which are the two most common service-related injuries. The U.S. Department of Defense Hearing Center of Excellence (HCE) estimates that in the past decade 840,000 service members have been diagnosed with tinnitus and just over 700,000 suffer from hearing loss.

A new long-term study that shows wearing hearing aids reduce cognitive decline associated with hearing loss may do more than just drive older adults with hearing loss to finally seek professional care, according to Oticon. The company believes the new study will also give the general public—especially health-conscious older adults—a new way of thinking about the importance of hearing care and hearing solutions that will have far-reaching implications for hearing care now and in the future.

In terms of our health, happiness is a miracle drug. It can help us live longer, be more optimistic — even increase marital satisfaction. How do you measure happiness? We’re all aware that smiling and laughing are physical signs of happiness and joy, yet characteristics of a perpetually happy person depend on how satisfied they are with various aspects of their life. And since finding happiness is a personal journey, here’s a tip to start you on your way: If you have hearing loss, wear hearing aids.

Untreated hearing loss has serious emotional and social consequences for older persons, according to a major new study by The National Council on the Aging (NCOA). The study was conducted by the Seniors Research Group, an alliance between NCOA and Market Strategies, Inc.

"This study debunks the myth that untreated hearing loss in older persons is a harmless condition," said James Firman, EdD, president and CEO of The National Council on the Aging. The survey of 2,300 hearing impaired adults age 50 and older found that those with untreated hearing loss were more likely to report depression, anxiety, and paranoia and were less likely to participate in organized social activities, compared to those who wear hearing aids.

Hearing loss is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions in the United States, affecting more than nine million Americans over the age of 65 and 10 million Americans age 45 to 64. But about three out of five older Americans with hearing loss and six out of seven middle-aged Americans with hearing loss do not use hearing aids.

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) reports that one in six US adults aged 18 and older reports trouble hearing without a hearing aid, according to new results from a nationally representative survey looking at hearing and hearing loss.

NIDCD has announced that data from the 2014 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) show age differences in self-reported hearing loss, use of hearing aids or assistive technology, and the likelihood of seeing a doctor or other health professional for hearing loss. The findings are published in a data brief released September 17, 2015 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).

September is World Alzheimer’s Month and September 21st is World Alzheimer’s day. In recognition the Better Hearing Institute (BHI) is providing information on important research regarding the hearing-cognition connection. Bridgeport, WV, September 9th, 2015-If you want to help your memory and cognitive performance, you may want to get a hearing test and treat hearing loss, says the Better Hearing Institute (BHI) in response to a growing body of research that shows a link between unaddressed hearing loss and cognitive function. BHI is encouraging people to visit www.BetterHearing.org to take a free, confidential online hearing check to determine if they need a more comprehensive hearing test by a hearing healthcare professional in recognition of World Alzheimer’s Month in September.

According to Brandeis University Professor of Neuroscience, Dr. Arthur Wingfield, who has been studying cognitive aging and the relationship between memory and hearing acuity for many years, effortful listening due to unaddressed hearing loss is associated with increased stress and poorer performance on memory tests.

Older Americans who have hearing loss have an accelerated decline in thinking and memory abilities, compared to those with normal hearing, according to a study published in JAMA Archives of Internal Medicine.

Those with hearing loss experience a 30% to 40% greater decline in thinking abilities compared to their counterparts without hearing loss, according to the findings published Monday.

Hearing loss is common among old older adults, affecting about two-thirds of adults 70 and older, and about one-third of adults younger than 60, according to lead study author Dr. Frank R. Lin of Johns Hopkins University. A large number of people with hearing loss are untreated, Lin explained, because they associate hearing loss with the stigma of getting older.

The Better Hearing Institute (BHI) is encouraging people of all ages to protect their hearing this summer so they can treasure the sounds of the season for a lifetime. Packing earplugs along with the sunscreen for summer outings is just one of six easy tips that BHI is offering.

While many noisy recreational activities are part of summer fun, it’s extremely important to take precautions to ensure that these activities don’t harm our hearing.

Prolonged exposure to loud outdoor concerts, lawn mowers, power tools, motorized recreational vehicles, target shooting, sporting events and fireworks can potentially damage our ears. In fact, the single bang of a firecracker at close range can cause permanent hearing loss in an instant, making it forever more difficult to hear the quieter sounds of summer.

Weakening sight – no problem, we do not hesitate at the idea of getting glasses. Most of us even see it as an opportunity to develop a personal style. But damage to hearing apparently has some kind of stigma attached to it. So many of us choose to suffer hearing loss in silence. But diminished hearing can cause so many embarrassing situations for us including misunderstandings and eventual withdrawal from social situations. We start avoiding friends and family and opportunities to meet new people. This is why individuals with hearing loss tend to experience sadness and depression. They reduce their social activities and eventually become emotionally withdrawn.

If you feel that you may be experiencing a hearing loss it is recommended that you have a hearing exam to determine the extent of the problem. Obtaining a hearing aid can remove this barrier to communication and you will be eager to resume your regular social activities with family and friends.