September 2021

middle ear bones

Middle Ear Bones… They’re small!

Bones of the Middle Ear Did you know, the smallest bones in the human body are in the Middle Ear! It's true! These 3 little bones, collectively know as the ossicles, are the Malleus, Incus, and Stapes. Also know as the Hammer, Anvil, and Stirrup based on how they look. Middle Ear Fun Facts I don't know about you, but I like random fun facts, so here are a few about the middle ear! These bones are the smallest in the human body! They are small enough all 3 can fit on a dime. You can see the Malleus (Hammer) on the eardrum when looking into someone's ear. If damaged, these bones can now be surgically replaced! Talk about a tiny replacement part! They can vibrate as much as 20,000 times per second. The ear bones are the only ones that do not continue to grow after birth. Without these small bones, you would have moderate to severe hearing loss. You can have arthritis of the middle ear. It's true! This is called Otosclerosis, a hardening of the bones. Amazing how something so small can have such a large impact on our hearing. See Them In Motion To see how the ear works and how the middle ear bones move, check out the video below. Middle Ear from 0:22 to 0:47 Youtube: https://youtu.be/eQEaiZ2j9oc Do you know any other fun facts about the middle ear bones? Or the ear in general? Leave them in the comments below. For more fun facts, check...

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first pair and new pair of hearing aids

When to Replace Hearing Aids

When to Replace Hearing Aids Hearing aids in 2021 are pretty sophisticated. It's amazing how technology continues to improve each year from the processing speed, Bluetooth capabilities, etc. ... the possibilities are endless! However, just like any technological device, hearing aids do occasionally break down and need to be repaired or replaced. So when do you know it's time to replace your hearing aids? Hearing aids are meant for daily use, similar to our cellphones for example. With that daily wear and tear, they get exposed to dirt, dust, and moisture in our environment. But just like cellphones, with that daily use and changes to technology there are a number of reasons it may need to be replaced; most of the time for functionality. Based on best practices, here is the typical lifespan of a hearing aid in order for it to work at its best for you. The Hearing Aid Lifespan Typically, the lifespan of a hearing aid averages about 5 years with regular care and maintenance. Have we seen hearing aids that are older than that, absolutely! But we know that within that 5 years they've been exposed to a lot of wear, the technology has changed significantly, and repairs can be more costly as parts aren't as readily available. For some clients that have 3rd party coverage, like Workers Compensation (WSIB) or Ontario Disability (ODSP), it is also their standard to replace hearing aids every 5 years. If you are coming up on that 5-year mark, consider the...

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