#WellnessWednesday Tag

Tinnitus sounds

Tinnitus and Its Causes

Tinnitus and Its Causes Tinnitus or ringing in the ears is an extra-sensory perception of sound. Meaning it's not caused by something in the environment that other people can hear; only you can hear it.  According to statistics 1/6 people in North America experience Tinnitus, but what causes it? The ringing, whistling, buzzing, etc. is typically caused by another underlying condition, which we'll discuss shortly. Treatment is then related to the underlying causes as well or the symptoms of the tinnitus. Causes and Risk Factors Causes* *and/or aggravators (some of these can make existing tinnitus worse) Hearing Loss - with damage to the ear from age or noise, we lose the ability to hear certain sounds. Since the brain can no longer receive or interpret those sounds, in some cases it will create its own sound (aka tinnitus) to fill the quiet. This doesn't happen in every case of hearing loss, but they are most common together. Ear infection or wax blockage of the canal - fortunately, this tends to cause temporary tinnitus. As with hearing loss, when the ear is not receiving sound, the brain likes to make it's own. Significant wax or fluid in your ear from an infection can cause this to happen. Head or neck injury - as hearing is partially occurring in our brains, any injury to the head or neck can disrupt the flow of nerve signals in the hearing process. Medications - certain medications are known to be ototoxic, meaning one of the side...

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types of earmolds

Types of Earmolds

Types of Custom Earmolds Did you know, most hearing clinics do more than just hearing aids! There are several types of earmolds with uses outside of hearing aid care. Custom earmolds are all made with the same technique, but the specifications of the final product allow for various purposes. Let's check it out! Earmolds Hearing aid molds The obvious one is for hearing aids. Based on a person's hearing loss, custom earmolds can provide a better fit and sound quality. They can limit feedback (that annoying squealing sound) and for some people just make them more comfortable. Like anything custom, these can be made in a variety of styles based on client needs. Noise protection The orange foam earplugs from the hardware store do an okay job protecting your hearing. These are recommended for basic yard work and small amounts of noise exposure. Yet, customs can do so much more. In environments with extremely loud noise or long periods of loud noise, protecting your hearing is crucial as noise exposure (CAUSES OF HEARING LOSS) is the second leading cause of hearing loss. Custom protection molds have a better fit and we can also account for a larger reduction in attenuation (noise dampening). Meaning you can have molds that cut almost all the sound or others that cut a lot of it, but the filter allows you to hear people talk. For anyone working in a factory, around big machinery, or in other noisy environments, these are the way to go. Sleep plugs/Swim...

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guessing game

Stages of Guessing

The 4 Stages of Guessing We've all experienced guessing during a conversation. You're in a crowded room and it's loud, your attention was on something else for a moment, the person talking turned their head, etc. and a piece of information was missed, so you guess. However, when you add hearing loss to the equation, guessing becomes more of a common occurrence. Guessing happens in stages and these can be a slow progression. When we start guessing more than 50% of the time is when it becomes a problem. So, let's look a the stages of guessing. Stage 1: Guessing Correctly At this stage, you might be guessing a few words here and there and getting them right. Soft sounds like 'z,' 'v,' and 'p' may be becoming harder to hear. This one I think almost everyone has experienced. Some sounds when heard sound very similar, but we can usually glean enough from the context of the conversation to guess the word correctly. With a mild hearing loss, some sounds may be harder to hear, but you can typically follow the conversation with very little problem. Stage 2: Guessing Incorrectly Are you guessing at what people are saying most of the time but guessing part of the word correctly or guessing a similar word? At this stage, more sounds are becoming difficult to hear like 'j,' 'm,' 'd,' and 'b.' This is because all of the sounds made in the English language fall into a very specific pattern of where we...

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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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several causes of hearing loss

6 Causes of Hearing Loss

6 Causes of Hearing Loss When we think about hearing loss, most people equate hearing loss with aging. However, natural aging is not the only cause of hearing loss.  While aging accounts for a large percentage of hearing loss in adults, there are other factors to consider as well. Here are the 6 most common causes of hearing loss. Loud Noise Exposure Other than aging, exposure to loud noise is the 2nd leading cause of hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). This type of exposure can occur after one incident of extremely loud noise. For example, having a shotgun go off beside your ear with no hearing protection, sitting beside the speaker at a loud concert, etc. Secondarily, it could be from daily exposure to louder than average noise; for many that work in the trades, this is a common occurrence. This could be driving a semi-truck, working in a factory, construction, etc. Although most workplaces now post the noise exposure within their facilities and require workers to wear ear protection if there are loud levels, this was not a common practice until the 1970s and 1980s. If you've worked in noise and have subsequent hearing loss, you may be eligible to apply for coverage through Workers Compensation (WSIB). Click HERE for more information on this process. Heredity Our genetics are fascinating and strange things. While we can predict some things based on genetics, others we can't. Some combinations of parents' genetics can contribute to childhood deafness, abnormalities of...

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Sweating

Hearing Aids and Sweat

Hearing Aids, Sweat, and Moisture Ah, summer, the heat is great, but sweat... well maybe not so much, especially if you wear hearing aids. Like any form of technology, moisture is not a friend of electronics. Yet sweat isn't' really something you can control all the time. So how do you protect your hearing aids from sweat? In addition to having your hearing health clinic clean and maintain your hearing aids on a regular basis, there are several at-home moisture kits that are effective in keeping your hearing aids dry. Let's check them out... In-Home Drying Kits Rice - in a pinch, rice isn't a bad option. Just like when your phone gets a little wet, popping your hearing aids in a bag of rice is better than nothing! Dri Aid Kit Dri Aid is one of the most common in-home driers. Depending on the brand, they come with silica or clay beads that absorb the moisture. Some can even be reactivated once they've absorbed all they can by putting the bead in the oven. They are great for regular maintenance of your hearing aids and for those who sweat a fair amount.   Dry Lux The Dry Lux is the next step up from a jar drier. The Dry Lux uses UV-C light to both dry and disinfect your hearing aids.       Ear Gear For an additional layer of protection, Ear Gear may be a great choice for you. These microfiber sleeves fit over your behind the ear...

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Warning signs

Warning Signs of Hearing Loss

Early Warning Signs of Hearing Loss For many people, hearing health and hearing loss are not something they think about on a regular basis. But hearing loss doesn't just effect babies and the elderly. Acquired hearing loss does happen gradually, typically why many people don't know about it or address it until they are older, but it can happen to ANYONE at any age. Here are some early warning signs of hearing loss you should watch out for... *Hearing loss can occur for different reasons and there are several types of hearing loss, but for our purposes, we will be discussing signs of gradual sensorineural hearing loss. This type of hearing loss is the most common and can occur due to noise exposure, genetics, and aging. Warning Signs of Hearing Loss These warning signs are not just about how you are hearing, but how you feel about your hearing. Here are a few early warning signs we hear from clients or ask regularly: Sounds and speech seem muffled Misunderstanding words in conversation You have difficulty understanding conversation, especially in crowds or with background noise Feeling lost in conversation, especially with a group You frequently ask others to repeat themselves, speak slower, or louder Needing to turn up music or TV; sometimes loud enough that others comment on the volume Having difficulty understanding women's and children's voice Difficulty hearing on the phone Avoiding social settings like parties, noisy restaurants, etc. Not participating in conversation Feeling physically and/or mentally exhausted after listening to...

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Meniere's Ear

What is Meniere’s Disease

Meniere's Disease Meniere's disease, maybe you've heard of it, maybe you have it, but what is it? A disease of the inner ear, Meniere's specifically affects the snail-looking structure called the cochlea (the blue structure in the figure below). The cochlea plays a large role in our balance and transmitting sound into electrical signals the brain can understand. Meniere's affects roughly 600 people out of every 100,000; 80% of which only have it in 1 ear. Although, it can eventually move to the other ear. Yet even with so many people having it, there is still much unknown about this disease. Causes As mentioned above, we still don't know much about Meniere's, especially what causes it. Professionals suggest there are 4 possible causes: A build-up of endolymphatic fluid (fluid of the inner ear that creates the electrical signals) An autoimmune disease A viral infection Genetics Or a combination of the above Although we aren't certain, there are theories that support each of these possible causes. Symptoms Because of the organ it affects, the cochlea, Meniere's has 3 very distinct symptoms that appear in unpredictable episodes. Episodic hearing loss - usually with a low-frequency loss Vertigo Roaring Tinnitus Sometimes also accompanied by a feeling of fullness in the ear These symptoms can occur together or separately. Episodes of Meniere's can last for a few hours, days, or months and seem to happen at random. Although, some individuals with Meniere's can feel an episode coming on. Treatment The treatment protocol for each patient...

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supporting your partner

Partner Series: Self-Regulation and Partner Stress

Partner Stress Series Part 2 In part 1 of our stress series, we discussed what stress is and how it relates to hearing loss and tinnitus. Off the top of your head, I'm sure you could come up with several strategies to reduce some of the stress caused by those. However, the most important thing about these strategies is their ability to regulate stress in a consistent way. This is where self-regulation and partner stress (or your own) comes in. Self-Regulation Dr. Stuart Shanker has created a framework for life and stress called Self-Regulation (or Self-Reg). Dr. Shanker is not the first to use this term, but his particular perspective on how it can affect our lives is unique. Self-reg is not self-control or stress management; it’s a way of looking at stress and working out the root cause rather than just trying to control or manage the behaviour. So what is Self-Reg? Mindful self-reg involves learning to recognize and respond to stress in our environments to bring ourselves back to homeostasis (balance or calm). It's about... exploring and testing out the ways in which relationships, environments, routines, and activities can enhance self-regulation recognizing stress behaviour (behaviour that is reactive or caused by excessive stress) noticing subtle signs of stress behaviour that we never saw or understood before finding our own self-reg so we can help those around us learn how to regulate themselves in the same way We do this by understanding there is positive and negative stress. Stress is...

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self-reg

Client Series: Self-Regulation and Stress

Client Stress Series Part 2 In part 1 of our stress series, we discussed what stress is and how it relates to hearing loss and tinnitus. Off the top of your head, I'm sure you could come up with several strategies to reduce some of the stress caused by those. However, the most important thing about these strategies is their ability to regulate stress in a consistent way. This is where self-regulation and stress come in.  Self-Regulation Dr. Stuart Shanker has created a framework for life and stress called Self-Regulation (or Self-Reg). Dr. Shanker is not the first to use this term, but his particular perspective on how it can affect our lives is unique. Self-reg is not self-control or stress management; it’s a way of looking at stress and working out the root cause rather than just trying to control or manage the behaviour. So what is Self-Reg? Mindful self-reg involves learning to recognize and respond to stress in our environments to bring ourselves back to homeostasis (balance or calm). It's about... exploring and testing out the ways in which relationships, environments, routines and activities can enhance self-regulation recognizing stress behaviour (behaviour that is reactive or caused by excessive stress) noticing subtle signs of stress behaviour that we never saw or understood before finding our own self-reg so we can help those around us learn how to regulate themselves in the same way We do this by understanding there is positive and negative stress. Stress is on a curve... We...

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