#WellnessWednesday Tag

Partner Series: Stress and Hearing Loss

Partner Stress Series Part 1 Watch (with headphones is possible) till 1:13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce30oHq_lT0&feature=youtu.be Having just experienced a small example of what people with hearing loss deal with daily, how do you feel? Could you feel your stress level rising? Hearing loss is more complicated than not just being able to hear... it can create or add to the stress in our lives. In today's world, we have a lot of stress in our lives. According to the American Psychology Association, 75% of adults experience moderate to high stress on a monthly basis and the amount of stress has increased in the last year alone. With this much stress flying around everywhere it’s important we understand what stress is, how it is affecting us; both physically and mentally, and how hearing loss increases and maintains heightened stress levels. So what can we do about it? What is Stress? We all have some idea or definition we immediately think of for 'stress'. It may be a feeling we associate with it, a situation, or a scientific definition. But what is stress really? Stress is "the non-specific response [emotional or physical] of the body to a demand imposed on it”1. by strain or adverse circumstances. At its fundamental base, stress is an imbalance. Within our bodies, our systems are constantly trying to remain in homeostasis (balance). When things occur in our environment that increase the energy needed to accomplish a task, it changes how our body reacts. Chemicals in our brains change, our circulatory...

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stress and hearing loss

Client Series: The Stress of Hearing loss and Tinnitus

Client Stress Series Part 1 In 2020, I think we all understand that our lives are influenced by stress. This could be work stress, financial stress, physical, mental… global pandemic… etc. but we all have some idea of what stress is and what that means for us. Now add one more thing on top of your life stress: the stress of hearing loss and/or tinnitus. Both are not just an ear problem... they can create or add to the stress in your life. In today's world, we have a lot of stress in our lives. According to the American Psychology Association, 75% of adults experience moderate to high stress monthly and the amount of stress has increased in the last year alone. With this much stress flying around everywhere it’s important we understand what stress is, how it is affecting us; both physically and mentally, and how hearing loss and tinnitus increase and maintains heightened stress levels. So what can we do? First, let’s take a look at what stress actually is. What is Stress? We all have some idea or definition we immediately think of for 'stress'. It may be a feeling we associate with it, a situation, or a scientific definition. But what is stress really? Stress is "the non-specific response [emotional or physical] of the body to a demand imposed on it”1. by strain or adverse circumstances. At its fundamental base, stress is an imbalance. Within our bodies, our systems are constantly trying to remain in homeostasis (balance)....

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new hearing aids

Tips for a New Hearing Aid Wearer

Tips for a New Hearing Aid Wearer Congratulations on your new hearing aids! As a new hearing aid wearer, you've made a huge step to improving your hearing and ability to have conversations. We know from experience that wearers who receive proper instruction, have healthy expectations going in, and who practice consistently within the first 30-60 days of getting their hearing aids have the most success. So here are some exercises, tips, and encouragement to help guide you to get the most out of your new hearing aids in any situation.    Fitting your Hearing Aids On the day of your fitting appointment, your practitioner will physically fit your new hearing aids and adjust them to your specific hearing needs and perceptions. Things they might discuss include: Inserting and removing the hearing aids Red is for the Right; Blue is for the Left Batteries or charging Batteries are AIR activated; once the sticker is removed they will begin draining. On average they last between 5 and 7 days. For rechargeable, place them on the charger each night Usage and programs Turn your hearing aids off if not in use: done by opening the battery door or placing the hearing aids on the charger   Don't be afraid to ask questions! We try not to overwhelm you with too much information, but we also want you to be comfortable, confident, and informed. Here are some good questions to ask when purchasing hearing aids.  Tips for Hearing Success The first few weeks of...

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sound booth

What to Expect from your Hearing Test

You've already made the most important step, you recognized the need and made the appointment for your hearing test! From here on out, it's simple. Here is what to expect from your appointment...   The appointment involves 3 steps: Consultation and Hearing History Test (a combination of several little tests) Results & Recommendations (a little R&R) 1. Consultation After a bit of paperwork to get your personal information and hearing history, the practitioner will meet with you. They will discuss your concerns, questions, and generally, just get to know you and your lifestyle. The questions they ask will give them some indicators about what might be going on and begin the thought process for the best recommendations based on test results.  2. Hearing Test... what to expect Hearing tests are usually a combination of several little tests.   First, the practitioner will look in your ears, we call this otoscopy. They are checking for wax (too much wax can cause pressure, decreased hearing, and give us inaccurate results) and the general health of your ear canal and eardrum.   Next, you'll enter the sound booth. Depending on where you go the booth may look a little different, but they all have the same function, to be mostly soundproof. This provides the ideal environment to test where your hearing levels are really at. In the booth with headphones in your ears or on your head, you'll hear some beeping noises and do a couple of little tests with speech to show us...

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Buy Hearing Aids: Clinic or Online

Within the last five years (or last few months with Covid-19), like many other products, you can now buy hearing aids online. Sounds convenient right? It may seem convenient and like the easiest way to save money. However, that’s not necessarily the case. So, do you buy hearing aids in a clinic or online? Before you Decide It’s true, you can find hearing aids cheaper online than at a clinic. But here are a few things you should know before you jump in: Not all hearing aids are made equal, the technology inside makes all the difference. Hearing aids are complex pieces of medical equipment; they are like little computers! Your hearing aids need to be tailored to your unique hearing needs. Hearing aids are not like glasses. You can’t put them on and everything with sound ‘normal’ again. It can take time to get used to the feel and sound of the hearing aids. In most cases, several tweaks need to be made to get it just right. Depending on your hearing loss, you may need higher-end technology to give you the optimal volume and clarity you need. It really comes down to quality and service instead of price.    Buying Hearing Aids Online Online you may get a lower price, but there is no guarantee they will be the right hearing aids or the right fit for you. You also get no extended service after your purchase. You get the hearing aids from Amazon (maybe? They sell everything right?),...

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Hear CTA

What Do Hearing Aids Cost?

What Do Hearing Aids Cost? "So, what does it cost to get hearing aids?" We get asked this question all the time and it’s not the most straightforward one to answer. When it comes to hearing aids, it’s not like going to the mall, picking the style you like, and looking at the price tag. There are a few other considerations that ensure your hearing aids will work best for YOU. Here are a few things to consider:   Manufacturer and Style There are 6 global hearing aid manufacturers or the ‘big guys’ and their smaller companies they own. Each manufacturer puts out various styles and models of hearing aids; most of which get technology updates every few years. The technology with most of the manufacturers is similar, however, some do specialize in certain areas of hearing (i.e. Tinnitus, own voice sound, etc.). Manufacturers Signia* Starkey* Phonak Resound Oticon Widex Others include Beltone, Bernafon, Unitron, etc. * We typically use these two for their great technology and excellent customer service for you as a client and us as a clinic. Styles Behind the Ear (BTE) Receiver in the Canal (RIC) *most common hearing aid style In the Ear/Canal (ITE or ITC) Completely or Invisible in the Canal (CIC or IIC) The style of hearing aid you choose can depend on your degree of hearing loss, dexterity, if you want something more discreet, or simply your preference. Degree of Hearing Loss The main consideration is the degree of your hearing loss. The...

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brain waves

Hearing with our Brain

Hearing with our Brain: The Link Between Hearing Loss and Cognition Did you know, hearing happens with our brains, not our ears! It’s true! Although it is the ears take in the noise around us, it’s our brain that makes sense of it and tells us it’s sound. As our ears take in noise it moves through the outer, middle, and inner ear. This noise converts into electrical signals in the auditory nerve. After it is converted, the signal travels to our brain where it is interpreted as sound. This complicated process happens within milliseconds; amazing! Hearing loss is often the result of damage somewhere in the ear or the auditory nerve. When auditory signals either can’t reach the brain or are too weak to pick up, the brain begins to forget these sounds. This is one reason why it may take a few weeks to get used to wearing new hearing aids. You are essentially re-teaching your brain to recognize those sounds again. Hearing Loss and Cognition In older adults, the parts of the brain that are inactive begin to lose their ability or forget how to function. Several studies from Johns Hopkins University¹ found that hearing loss and accelerated cognitive decline are connected. This is due to areas of the brain experiencing decreased activation from the ears. This increases the cognitive load (energy needed to perform a task) on other parts of the brain. Although hearing loss is only one factor, the connection suggests that hearing loss can increase...

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Covid

Covid 19 and Hearing Loss

Covid-19 and Hearing Loss   For many with hearing loss, Covid-19 and the use of masks have made communication a bit more difficult, as John Watter describes in his article. But is there more of a connection between Covid-19 and hearing loss than just masks? In an article by Forbes, the author links several publications with preliminary research into the side effects of Covid-19. As the virus is new, these studies look at small groups of people that reported changes after recovery.  Although these studies are only looking at small groups of people, they are from all over the world. Thailand, the United Kingdom, India, and globally as this pandemic has touched the world. Studies noted individuals with hearing loss in either one2 or both1,3 ears, increased Tinnitus (ringing in the ears), or Vertigo4.  These first several studies have discussed two possible side effects with a positive Covid-19 diagnosis and how it relates to hearing... Note: these things are possible as many people have recovered without these side-effects. Covid-19 a Virus Historically, other viruses have caused hearing loss in some individuals. This includes herpes, HIV, and measles5. Viruses can affect the hearing systems if the virus makes its way into the middle ear or other parts of the auditory pathway3, 5. For some individuals with Covid-19, this might have occurred.  Ototoxic Treatment The other possibility is ototoxicity. Ototoxicity or ototoxic refers to medications that can be harmful to the organs of hearing or balance. As medical professionals are trying to find what...

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How to Talk about My Hearing Loss

Tips on How to Talk about your Hearing Loss Hearing loss is an invisible condition and one that affects people of all ages. Like most invisible conditions, it can be helpful to let people know about your needs and how they can best support you. Now with masks and social distancing due to Covid-19, this can be especially important. But, in order for that to happen, you need to talk about your hearing loss... But how do I talk about it? Won’t that be awkward? It doesn’t have to be! There are a few ways that you can talk about your hearing loss with the various people in your life.    Here are three ways to discuss your hearing loss: Basic Disclosure  A basic disclosure is to openly share about your hearing loss and any details about your condition that seems relevant in the moment.   “I have hearing loss caused by loud noises. I wear hearing aids to help. Could you please get my attention before speaking?" Having these conversations gives enough information for those around you to, understand the situation, shift their communication style, and provide general support for you. Non Disclosure This is a way to describe your hearing loss without necessarily sharing personal details. This could be used with cashiers, your server at a restaurant, or anyone really. For example, these would be phrases that provide a suggestion, but not giving specific detail about why...   “I can’t hear you, please speak up” "I didn't catch that, would you...

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Communicaton

They have hearing aids, but still don’t hear me!

"They have hearing aids, but still don't hear me!" Have you found yourself saying this before? Or more frequently now during the Covid-19 quarantine? Or asking your spouse, parent, friend, etc. with hearing aids if they have them in? It may not be them... it might be your conversation style... just track with me for a minute (even us in the hearing industry need these reminders too). Hearing aids are just that, AIDS. Those with hearing loss are doing their part by wearing their hearing aids, now those of us around them have to do our part to help them hear.  Communication has 2 parts! Communication, regardless of who with, is a two-way process. Each person has their part to play. When one person isn’t effectively doing their part that’s when breakdown and frustration can occur.  When someone has a hearing loss, the communication partner may need to take extra steps or ownership to ensure good communication strategies are being used so both are able to equally participate in the conversation. Lets swap shoes for a second. You're the person with a hearing loss having a conversation at a restaurant... (don't touch that volume dial). You can also view the video on Youtube here. https://youtu.be/PbBZjT7nuoA What did you notice? How did you feel?  Hearing aids can do a lot to make sounds louder and clearer, but even the best hearing aids can't make hearing perfect or compensate for poor communication. This is why you are so key to the conversation.  Walk...

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