#WellnessWednesday Tag

Troubleshooting your Hearing Aids

Cleaning and Troubleshooting your Hearing Aids Has your hearing aid ever just stopped working? Or maybe the sound becomes distorted or softer? These are common issues many hearing aid wearers face. But what happens if you can't get into the clinic? If something goes wrong here are 4 troubleshooting steps to check your hearing aids.  Check the battery May you need a new one or got a dud (this does happen from time to time) Check that it’s not in upside down; there is a positive and negative side to hearing aid batteries too! For rechargeable batteries - make sure you charge them each night. When in doubt put them on the charger for 20 minutes and check again.  Look for wax or dirt build-up around the microphones, domes, and wax guards (under the dome)… when these get clogged the sound can’t pass through into your ear. For more information on how to change the wax guards, you can check out our video here. If they may have been exposed to moisture (i.e. accidentally went in the shower, rain, sweat on hot days, etc.) leave the batteries IN and place them in a dry aid kit. If you don’t have one, a bit of rice will work in a pinch. Here is more detail on what to do if they got wet.  If they still aren’t working well or at all, give us a call.  During Covid-19 we are still in the office for emergencies like hearing aids not working!  ...

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5 Steps if Your Hearing Aids Got Wet

We all know the importance of keeping our electronics dry, including our hearing aids, but sometimes accidents happen.  First off, don’t panic!  We understand that your hearing aids are a valuable part of your daily life and a valuable piece of equipment. Remember hearing aids, like other technology, can be dried, repaired, or replaced. While trying to avoid unnecessary expenses; getting your hearing aids wet is not the end of the world. Deep breath. Follow these 5 simple steps for if your hearing aids get wet 1) Remove your hearing aids from any water or moisture; move far away from the water source if possible 2) If your hearing aids are on, turn them off! Leave them off until fully dry With rechargeable hearing aids, hold down the button for about 10 seconds With zinc-air batteries, remove the batteries and throw them out 3) Shake any water off and gently dry with a paper towel or cloth 4) Leave them to dry. You can do this in one or a combination of ways Leave in a warm spot to air dry Note: Keep your hearing aids away from sources of heat. Extreme heat can damage internal components. With this in mind, keep your hearing aids away from radiators, microwaves, hairdryers, etc.  Place in your Dri Aid kit If you don’t have a Dri aid kit, place your hearing aids in a bag of rice [yep, just like your cellphone, rice will work in a pinch] 5) Call your hearing clinic to...

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sudden hearing loss

3 Steps in the case of Sudden Hearing Loss

Sudden hearing loss can be a scary thing. You go to bed, all is fine, but the next morning you wake up and can't hear out of one side. So, what do you do first? Call your doctor, wait, panic...? If this happens to you, follow these 3 steps #1 GO TO THE ER. Don't wait! We can't stress this enough. Depending on what has caused the sudden hearing loss (viral infections, blood clots, etc.), there is medication that can reverse it, but only if taken within a small window of time. *The ears and their surrounding structures are very delicate, so even small changes in the body can have a large effect. When it comes to your hearing, don't hesitate to seek medical attention. #2 After going to the hospital, book an appointment to see your family health practitioner as a follow-up. They may recommend you see an ENT (ear, nose, and throat specialist) if there are any residual effects. #3 Have your hearing tested. It's helpful to know if your hearing levels have changed, whether it be temporary or permanent. [This is why having a baseline test can be very helpful.] If it has changed, the practitioner can make a recommendation to keep you hearing and understanding conversation with ease; such as communication strategies or hearing aids.   What Causes Sudden Hearing Loss Well, it can be a few things... It simply could be wax that has finally blocked your ear. In this case, it's very easy to take...

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Tinnitus: Ringing in the ears

Tinnitus: Ringing in the ears   Tinnitus is the formal name for the condition of ringing in the ears. Which comes from a Latin word meaning “to ring”. It’s the perception of sound with no actual external source. This occurs due to damage in the connection between the ear and the brain, so the brain, to fill in the silence, begins to create it's own sound. 1 in every 6 adults in North America has some form of Tinnitus.  This ‘ringing’ may also sound like... Humming Buzzing Whistling Clicking Hissing Two-toned It varies from person to person... What Causes the Ringing? Tinnitus is not itself a cause of the ringing, but a symptom of some other damage in some part of your ear. Causes may include: Damage or changes to your middle ear or the little bones in your ear Exposure to loud noise (i.e. construction or rock concerts) for a prolonged period of time Earwax buildup Meniere's Disease TMJ joint disorder or jaw problems caused by teeth grinding Chronic neck muscle tension or injury to the head/neck Some blood vessel disorders including high-blood pressure Ototoxic (ear damaging) medications. These medications including some antibiotics, cancer drugs, diuretics, certain antidepressants, aspirin taken in very high doses for a long time, and other drug.  Sometimes finding the cause can be difficult. Regardless, current treatments can be effective.  Tinnitus Triggers For some people, their Tinnitus can worsen by certain triggers in their environment. Some of them include: Barometric pressure (changes in environmental pressure usually before...

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Feeding your Ears: Nutrition and Hearing

Feeding your Ears You’re probably aware that certain foods can help with vision (carrots, anyone?) and others are good for bones (dairy products, calcium) or your heart (tomatoes), but did you know your nutrition can affect your hearing?   According to research studies, there are a few foods to have and some to avoid as another step to protecting your hearing.    Hearing Healthy Foods Potassium - Potassium handles regulating fluids in your body. This is important for our hearing because sound travels through the fluid in our inner ear as electrical signals so our brain can 'hear' the sound. Potassium can be found in... bananas potatoes spinach black beans tomatoes melons oranges yogurt… the list goes on. Zinc - Zinc boosts the body’s immune system and healing, meaning it's helpful at fending off ear infections and reducing the intensity of Tinnitus. It can be found in protein-rich foods like... beef seeds nuts including cashews and almonds spinach dark chocolate Magnesium - Magnesium seems to act as a protective coating for the tinny hair cells in the inner ear. This helps prevent hearing loss caused by loud, excessive noise. Magnesium can be found in most fruits and vegetables such as... bananas potatoes spinach tomatoes broccoli Folic Acid - Folate, or Folic Acid, improves blood flow. The inner ear requires a regular flow of blood. Research suggests that more blood flow reduces inflammation. Less infiltration reduced Tinnitus and age-related hearing loss. Folic acid is found in... spinach bok choy romaine asparagus broccoli...

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Traveling with Hearing Aids

Traveling with Hearing Aids: Tips to keep your hearing aids safe and working great Whether you’re heading out on a road trip over the holidays, to the cottage, or jet setting to the other side of the world (away from this cold Canadian weather), traveling can be fun, adventurous, and enriching. When you have hearing aids, they can add a few more things to your travel checklist. Here is a handy guide for all your needs when traveling with hearing aids.  Packing List Extra batteries Charger  Charger cable [If traveling internationally, make sure you have a converter!] Cleaning tools - brush, cloth, and wax filters Dehumidifier kit Accessories - like your remote or mic Traveling By Plane Wear your hearing aids through security and on the plane. According to travel legislation in Canada and the USA, hearing aids and cochlear implants are a branch of medical devices that do not need to be removed. *Note, that x-rays and scanners could affect the hearing aids. If you're concerned, you can ask for a full-body scan or a physical search.  Put your hearing aids in 'airplane mode.' If your hearing aids have Bluetooth, you may have to put them in airplane mode (turns off the service, data, and wifi). You can ask your hearing aid professional the best way to do this or the flight attendants in a pinch. Reduce distractions. If you need to, turn down your hearing aids while going through security or on the plane to help with distracting background...

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TED Audiogram

Understanding my Audiogram

How to Understand Your Audiogram   You’ve made an appointment to have your hearing tested. The Audiologist or Hearing Instrument Practitioner puts you in this booth, you hear a whole bunch of beeping sounds and then… they hand you this piece of paper with some X’s and O’s (when did this become a game of tic-tac-toe!). Welcome to your audiogram, which is a fancy term for the graph we use to record your hearing levels. So what do all these lines and symbols mean?   Lines and Symbols At the top of the graph is the frequency (Hz) of sound or the pitch. As the frequencies go from left to right they go from low to high pitch. Vertically on the left side are decibels (dB), the intensity or the volume of the sound. As the decibel number gets bigger so does the volume and potential hearing loss. During your hearing test, we go through each pitch at different volumes to determine the softest sound you can hear. This is where the X’s and O’s come in! We mark the quietest sound you can hear for each frequency: X’s for the left ear and O’s for the right. This gives us a visual representation of where your hearing is. Another way to think about it - Every sound, including speech [the speech banana as it’s called], is made at a particular pitch and volume. A lawnmower is rather loud at 100dB and has a low-frequency sound. The human voice can range...

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Ah! I need hearing aids

I need hearing aids... “That must mean I’m old.” We hear this so often in the office when people first visit us. With such a common association between needing hearing aids and being ‘old’ it’s no wonder there is hesitation and fear attached to having your hearing tested. But you know what, it’s not true! Hearing loss is not just an ‘old person’ phenomenon. Hearing loss affects everyone… all ages, genders, and races.  Statistics According to the World Health Organization (WHO) around 466 million people across the world suffer from hearing loss and 34 million of these are children. In 2013, Statistics Canada reported 4.6 million Canadians (19% of the population) ages 20-70 reported having hearing loss; 55% being under the age of 60!  Age may have a strong connection to hearing loss, but it’s not the ONLY one.    Causes of hearing loss I would say close to half of our clients have what we call ‘noise-induced hearing loss’. Meaning they’ve worked in factories, construction, around machinery, or other ridiculously loud sounds for a prolonged period of time. Other causes may include Meningitis, diabetes, some medications, genetics… the list goes on.  Age does not equal hearing loss So hearing loss really isn’t just an age thing. I know what you’re thinking, ‘okay Taylor, you can give me all the stats you want, but that doesn’t change how I feel.’ That’s fair, so let’s look at it this way... Would you have the same fear of being told you need glasses,...

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How Loud is Too Loud?

So... how loud is too loud? Did you know that the human ear can hear over 20,000 different frequencies! These range in pitch and volume from the faintest high pitch buzz of a mosquito to the loudest rock concert you’ve ever heard.  In terms of volume, this means the human ear can hear sounds from 0 decibels (dB) to over 140dB and everything in between. That’s like hearing a pin drop (10dB) or rustling leaves (10-20dB), all the way up to a motorcycle (100dB) or a jet engine (140dB). So how loud is too loud? Noise-Induced Hearing Loss is one of the most common causes of hearing loss. The World Health Organization reports nearly 24% of adults (1 out of 4) between the ages of 20 to 69 have this kind of hearing loss. And it all comes down to how loud and for how long a person is exposed to noise.  According to the Canadian Hearing Society and the new Ontario Works standards, any sound over 85dB for an extended period of time unprotected is NOT safe. If you've worked in noise around or over these levels causing damage to your ears, you may be eligible for WSIB covered hearing aids.  The louder the sound gets, the less time you have before damage to your hearing is inevitable.  Damage to your ears can occur at: 75dB of continual exposure for 24 hours or more 85dB for 8 hours or more 90dB for 2 hours 95dB for 1 hour or more...

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