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I hear you! The first two weeks with new hearing aids

You get your new hearing aids, everything is clearer, and things are louder, but man, does your own voice sound weird! This is a common experience with new hearing aid users. I promise it gets better. Those first few weeks after you get aids are a significant adjustment period. Not just because they are new to put on each morning but because your brain is adjusting too. This blog will discuss what to expect when hearing during those first two weeks with your new hearing aids. Here we go! Am I hearing too much? Hearing aids are excellent tools to provide tailored amplification and speech clarity for those with a loss. They help you hear what you've been missing. At first, certain sounds might feel overwhelming, but they are totally normal. There is an adjustment period that comes with hearing aids. Things like the furnace coming on, how your clothes move, road noise, etc., may seem extra loud or distracting. This is because your ears and brain are hearing them for the first time again. Hearing loss means the full array of sound is not transferred from your ears to the brain. After some time, the brain forgets how things sound. When sound input is reintroduced through hearing aids, it takes a little bit of time to make sense of all those sounds. After a few days to about a week, those things should fade into the background and sound more natural. Tips and Tricks Start small! Try to wear your hearing aids all day,...

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cellphone technology

Cell Phones and Hearing Aids

In 2023, cell phones, Bluetooth, and other technology are a big part of our daily lives. Updates to Bluetooth and the latest hearing aid chips have made these everyday used devices even more functional and convenient for hearing aid users. The future is bright with direct Bluetooth hearing aid compatibility now available for iPhone and some Android phones. In this blog, we'll break down some of the latest features for both Apple and Android devices. Features making cell phones and hearing aids more useful than ever before. Cell phones, in general All cell phones will come with a Hearing Aid Compatability (HAC) rating regardless of make and model. From 1 to 4, these ratings indicate how well a phone will work with two hearing aid factors: T and M. T stands for Telecoil or a particular coupling feature in the hearing aids. M is the measurement of immunity to radio frequency interference for hearing aid without a telecoil.  The higher the rating of these two factors, the better the two devices' compatibility. For example, the iPhone 14 rates at M3, T4, the Google Pixel 3a M3, T3, etc. You generally want something with a minimum rating of 2 to work well with your hearing aids. Additionally, any cell phone bought in the last ten years has Bluetooth capabilities. With updates in the last few years, direct connectivity between Bluetooth devices became much easier. Made for iPhone hearing aids have had this ability for years. But for Android users, a secondary device...

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treatment and management

Tinnitus Management

Tinnitus, also known as ringing in the ears, is a highly individualized phenomenon. While 1 in 6 people in North America experience tinnitus, the sounds, sensations, and experiences are highly variable. So, why should treatment be generic? Tinnitus management can and should be tailored to you, not one-size-fits-all. What is Tinnitus Tinnitus, derived from the Latin word tinnire, meaning to ring, is most often associated with the extra-sensory experience of ringing. But only some experience 'ringing.' Other common descriptors of tinnitus are humming, whistling, buzzing like cicadas, hissing, etc. It can also vary on the pitch (most often a high pitch), one or multi-toned, and the frequency (all the time or intermittent). Regardless of how you experience tinnitus, the sound is created by your brain.  Understanding Causes and Triggers Tinnitus is not a disease or disorder but a symptom of something else. Unfortunately, we don't always know what that is. Some causes include hearing loss, loud noise exposure, medications, inflammation, etc. Still, the exact reason why the tinnitus started is often a mystery. Regardless of why it started, it's still there, and the tools you can use to manage it are independent of the source. However, there are things we know can make it worse. Being aware of triggers can help you avoid them or understand you might have a flare-up after the fact. Triggers in our Diet include caffeine, alcohol, sugar, and salt. Elevated levels of any of these are known to increase the experience of tinnitus. It's theorized it's because the...

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High-End Hearing Aids; What makes them high-end?

Hearing aids, like many other technological devices, come in a variety of levels. You have your basic level with certain features, mid-level, and premium high-end. But what, outside the price tag, makes high-end hearing aids high-end and different from the other options? Think of the hearing aid levels like if you were to buy a new car. You start with the basic model, it has everything you need to drive, but that's about it. It will still get you to point A to point B. The mid-level adds some features like a sunroof and Bluetooth radio. The premium level is tricked out with all the bells and whistles. You have all the same things as the basic and mid-levels, but now you have heated seats, parking assist, and backup cameras. Hearing aids are just like that!  In this blog, we'll be discussing key features of what makes high-end, high-end. Microchip Features The major components of hearing aids are relatively standard across manufacturers and hearing aid types. The big difference in what makes the levels of technology different is the microchip. his tiny piece of technology allows the internal components to intake, process, and amplify sound in an instant. Widex Microchip As technology continues to innovate (and get smaller), microchips are also becoming smaller and can process more data in shorter periods of time. In the hearing aid industry, this means smaller hearing aids that can process thousands of environmental and speech sounds within milliseconds, giving you the best possible hearing environment....

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illusion

Auditory Illusions – Can your ears be tricked?

You've heard of optical illusions (and I'm sure experienced them), but have you heard of auditory illusions? Just like our eyes, our ears can be tricked into hearing things that aren't there... here are 3 of the coolest auditory illusions, can your ears be tricked? What are Auditory Illusions Hearing is subjective; that's right, what you perceive may differ from person to person. These illusions, which are auditory stimuli that seem real but are not, are a great example of how different our perceptions can be. These centuries old illusions are all around us but most of us don't realize and the results are pretty amazing! A simple example is hearing song lyrics. I'm sure we've all experienced singing along to the radio to find out we've heard the lyric wrong or been saying it wrong for a while. It's all about what your brain expects to hear and fills in the blanks for you. Here are some other Auditory Illusions to try out. The McGurk Effect One of the best-known auditory illusions is the McGurk Effect. This phenomenon demonstrates the power of visual cues on auditory perception. To put it simply, what you see and what you hear aren't necessarily the same. Check it out... https://youtu.be/2k8fHR9jKVM In conversation, the visual input of how words look on the mouth impacts how we hear them. This is why talking face-to-face is best for those with hearing loss or even just having important conversations. The Shepard Illusion The Shepard Illusion is one of...

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Hearing Aids for Millennials

Believe it or not, millennials are not kids anymore. The millennials, or generation 'y', were born between 1981 and 1996 (in 2022, the age range is 41 to 26). This generation is established in careers, some own their own homes, have children... they are adults! Although age may not cause hearing loss in this generation yet, several factors have led to the need for hearing aids for millennials. The Millennial Experience Millennials grew up in a time when technology was still new but rapidly changing. Specifically the use of hand-held or personal music players like the Walkman or the iPod. These devices are capable of loud volumes, and the use of earbuds that gets the sound closer to the eardrum has contributed to an increased rate of noise-induced hearing loss. The World Health Organization's report on hearing (2021, pp 25-26) suggests that hearing loss is on the rise, and in the younger generations, the noise from earbud use is a large contributor. Other theories around why we are seeing noise-induced hearing loss in this, and younger generations include: media volumes too highsound pollutionmedia and technology that is always on We live in a loud society! Besides general environmental noise, there is always media present to some extent, and we like our music loud. Does this mean that all millennials will have hearing loss? No. But, it does indicate that we need to prepare for the possibility and promote hearing health hygiene to the next generation better than we have done in...

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young children, holidays

Explaining hearing loss to young children

The holidays are fast approaching, meaning here comes the family get-together and spending time with kids and grandkids (maybe even great-grandkids)! This time of year is so special, especially seeing the wonder and joy on those little faces. But kids' fast-paced, high-pitched voices can be challenging to understand for those with hearing loss. [Even for those without hearing loss, it can be tricky; if anyone can interpret my toddler, that would be helpful!]. Here are five strategies for explaining hearing loss to young children in your life. 1. Tell them you have hearing loss Simple but effective. Using kid-friendly language and explanation, let your littles know you don't hear as well as you once did. This can be as short as "Nana doesn't hear that well, so can you ....." You can get into more detail for older kids if you feel inclined to do so. This may also include showing them your hearing aids and explaining how they can help you hear them better. Others can only help or adjust if they know something needs to change. Kids are no different. 2. Encourage questions Kids love to ask questions, as I'm sure every parent/grandparent has experienced. Encourage questions so you can teach and explain your hearing loss to them. You never know what their little minds might come up with, but allowing open communication lets them explore and answer their burning questions. 3. Get on their level Kids need connection, and the easiest way to do that is to get...

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client-centred

Client-Centred Care in Hearing

In the field of hearing, the idea of client-centred care, in its basic form, is implicit as there is a subjective perspective along with the technical. Yet, many hearing clinics still adhere to a biological or sales model when dispensing hearing aids. In this article, I'll discuss what client-centred care could look like in audiology and how to ensure your needs are met by your chosen hearing health team. Client-Centred Care Defined So, what is client-centred care? This concept includes client-centred care, patient-centred care, or patient activation. They all refer to the same framework of clinical practice. Generally, client-centred care changes the focus from a professional-centred authority to the individual client. Additionally, it considers that "the whole person is understood," acknowledging the "full range" of human experience; biological, emotional, psychological, and social in treating hearing loss. Hearing is more than just how the ears respond to sound, it significantly affects the individual and those around them. Shift to Care Approach Traditionally, medical fields have centred around biomedical or disease-oriented models. Simply, a problem is identified, and only the problem/symptoms are fixed. Also known as "doctor-knows-best." In this, the client is a passive recipient. The client-centred framework is a shift away from this style of care. In contrast, client-centred care is more holistic in nature. The goal is to understand the client's personal experiences and empower them to be active, engaged participants in their health care. This shift is especially evident in treating chronic conditions like hearing loss. Thus individualized treatment is...

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Hearing Health Practitioners

Hearing Health Practitioners: Who they are and what they do Dr. Cliff on HIS vs Aud When people think of a hearing practitioner, most think of an Audiologist. Yet, for many clinics, like The Ear Depot, we have Hearing Instrument Specialists (HIS) on staff. So what's the difference between these hearing health practitioners? What can a HIS do? Does it matter which I see to get my hearing tested or get hearing aids? In this blog, we hope to answer those questions.  Hearing Instrument Specialists, Practitioners, or Dispensers Hearing Instrument Specialists (HIS), or Practitioners (HIP), are hearing healthcare professionals certified in testing hearing and fitting hearing aids for adults (anyone over the age of 18). Areas in which they work include: To provide consultation on hearing, communication, tinnitus, etc. Performing hearing testsCounsellingProviding a hearing aid selectionTo customize hearing aid fittingsMaking of hearing aid or noise protection ear moldsInstruct in the maintenance and use of hearing aidsAdjust and repair hearing aidsRemove wax from the ear (this is a specialized certificate) In Ontario, the main difference between an Audiologist and a HIS in practice is the ability to see children. All prescriptions (hearing aids and medication) are still done through your family doctor. Hearing Instrument Dispensers (HID) are individuals who have graduated from a hearing instrument specialist program yet are awaiting their licencing exam. HID can still dispense hearing aids under licenced HIS supervision. Education With a growing adult population who will need hearing aids, HIS provides another avenue to receive quality care....

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face to face strategy

Coping Strategies for Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is not something we hope for, even in old age, but the reality is that a large portion of those over 65 years of age will experience it. While hearing loss is a big change to how we communicate, there are things that individuals with hearing loss and those around them can do to help. Here are 6 coping strategies for hearing loss to try. 1. Tell people you have hearing loss This can honestly be the hardest part. It's not all the time comfortable to ask for help or tell people what you need, but it's the simplest strategy. This is what we would call disclosure and it has several forms. You can disclose all, part or non-specific information to get your point across. For example, full disclosure would sound like "I have hearing loss and wear hearing aids, I need you to..." Partial disclosure "I have a hard time hearing, could you please..." or non-specific disclosure "I didn't hear you, can you speak up?" The way you disclose information may change based on the relationship between you and the person you are talking to. Your family will likely know you have hearing loss, but the bank teller doesn't know and may not need to know specifics. Including a bit of information as to the why and a productive strategy to help can make a big difference. 2. Speak face to face When possible, speak face-to-face with people. This strategy is called speechreading and helps speech understanding by...

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