EXPERIENCE BETTER HEARING

EXPERIENCE BETTER HEARING & GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK THIS FATHER'S DAY. Enjoy a COMPLIMENTARY 60 minute therapeutic massage with Terrie Stacy just for trying INTIGA hearing aids. We will give you a gift certificate for a free massage that you or a loved one can enjoy!

29 YR OLD WOMAN HEARING OWN VOICE FOR THE FIRST TIME

A video of a deaf woman hearing her own voice for the first time with the help of a hearing implant has gone viral and has received over 12 million hits! 

The video of Sarah Churman, shot in October, 2011, was posted on YouTube and shows herself hearing her voice loud and clear for the first time after being implanted with Envoy Medical’s Esteem device. The video went viral, Envoy Medical’s sales spiked and Churman and the company shared the spotlight on The Today Show, Ellen DeGeneres, Fox and Friends, and CNN’s Anderson Cooper and Dr. Sanjay Gupta, among others. The story was also covered on 150 local television stations.

Churman, 29, was born deaf and relied on reading lips and hearing aids until she received a surgically-implanted device. On her YouTube channel, Churman wrote, “I was born deaf and eight weeks ago I received a hearing implant. This video of them turning it on and me hearing myself for the first time.”

In the video shot by her husband and posted on video-sharing website YouTube, Churman cries as she hears sounds, including her own voice and her husband’s laughter for the first time as the implant was activated.

During her appearance on “Ellen,” Churman learned that Envoy was giving her an implant for her other ear. That happened earlier this year, and, again, Churman recorded her reaction.

After Churman received her second implant, her husband again videotaped the moment the device was activated. While you don’t get the pure, unadulterated joy that you did in her first video, it is still interesting to see someone hear in stereo for the first time. Churman first describes it as “weird” but really tarts to like the new sensation after about a minute.

According to the company’s website, the implant is the only fully surgically-implantable hearing device for sensorineural hearing loss that uses the natural ear as a microphone.

The implant, which is not visible on the user, has a sound processor implanted behind the outer ear and two transducers implanted in the middle ear to use the eardrum as a microphone, picking up the sounds through the ear canal.

Study shows Mild Hearing Loss TRIPLES Risk of Having a Fall

The risk of falling rises threefold even with the mildest hearing loss, according to a study. For moderate deafness, the chance of an accident doubles again – probably because such people have a poorer sense of their surroundings and are more likely to trip.

The researches also suggested that the brain may not be able to focus on balance and gait when it is struggling with hearing. 

The study at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, was based on the health records of more than 20,000 patients aged from 40 to 69.

Dr. Frank Lin at Johns Hopkins, and his colleague Luigi Ferrucci of the National Institution on Aging, used data from the 2001 to 2004 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

The ongoing survey has gathered health data from thousands of Americans since 1971.

During those years, 2,017 people aged 40 to 69 had their hearing tested and answered questions about whether they had fallen over the past year. 

Researchers also collected personal information including age, sex and race and tested participants’ vestibular function, a measure of how well they kept their balance.

The findings show that people with a 25-decibel hearing loss – classified as mild – were nearly three times more likely to have a history of falling. Every additional 10-decibels of hearing loss increased the chances of falling by 1.4 fold, says a report in the Archives of Internal Medicine journal.

A further 20-decibel hearing loss over the “mild” classification would push up the risk by threefold again.

Explanation: Dr. Lin, a hearing specialist and epidemiologist, says people can’t hear well may not have good awareness of their overall environment, making tripping more likely. 

This finding still held true, even when researchers accounted for other factors linked with falling, including age, sex, race, cardiovascular disease and vestibular function.

Even excluding patients with more moderate to severe hearing loss from the analysis didn’t change the results.

He said another reason hearing loss might increase the risk of falls is cognitive load, in which the brain is overwhelmed with demands on its limited resources.

“Gait and balance are things most people take for granted, but they are actually very cognitively demanding” he said.

“If hearing loss imposes a cognitive load, there may be fewer cognitive resources to help with maintaining balance and gait,” he added.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2107312/Losing-hearing-means-lose-footing-Study-shows-mild-hearing-loss-triples-risk-having-fall.html#socialLinks

Hearing Aids will Change Your Life

Excessive drinking can cause loss of hearing.

Excessive alcohol consumption may affect our hearing, new research has found. While many people are aware of the obvious risks associated with binge drinking, it is not commonly known that excessive drinking can cause loss of hearing.

The Hearing Professionals explain that high alcohol consumption over a long period of time can result in damage to the central auditory cortex of the brain and may lead to brain shrinkage. As the damage to the auditory nerves adds up, even moderate drinkers may risk nerve damage and hearing loss.

Researchers from the University of Ulm in Germany tested both heavy and social drinkers’ Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials (BAEP) levels, by testing the level of damage in the part of the brain that enables one to hear. The results indicated that drinking affects the ability to hear.

The research shows that alcohol can result in brain damage, but the quantity of alcohol and the length of time needed to accomplish this remains unknown. Although the ears may continue to function perfectly, the brain is no longer able to process the sounds.

The study also shows that people who suffer from alcoholism may suffer damage within their ears.

The high levels of alcohol in the bloodstream can create a toxic environment known as ototoxicity, which can damage the delicate hair cells in the cochlea. We all know that alcohol can cause nerve and brain damage. However, this new research suggesting the link between alcohol and hearing loss is very interesting and would warrant further investigation. As people’s ability to hear reduces, it can often lead to other problems, such as less social interaction, lack of confidence, depression and irritability.

A previous British study has shown that alcohol and noise can cause temporary hearing loss. All of the participants in one study were found to have temporary hearing loss.

Researchers also believe that a regular ingestion of alcohol may lead to permanent hearing loss in the long term.

Best place to get your hearing aid fixed

If you suspect your hearing aid needs repair, take it back to the hearing care center where you purchased it, or another reputable office. Many times, hearing aids will require programming after repair.

Due to the complex circuitry in today’s hearing aids, having them repaired by the original hearing aid manufacturer is the bestoption. If your hearing aids are under warranty from the manufacturer, this can be done at a minimal charge to you, the hearing aid user.

Online or mail-order repair services may not be able to program your hearing aid back to its original settings. This can cause many problems, including difficulty in hearing, whistling and even severe feedback. It is best to return to the local office where your records, including fitting notes and hearing aid settings, are available to the provider and they can restore the hearing aid to the optimal settings for your hearing loss.

If your hearing aid is not under warranty, most manufactures will offer a 6-month or 12-month warranty with the new repair. Contact your local hearing care provider for specific charges in your particular situation.

If you have any questions about hearing loss or hearing aids, contact Hearing & Balance Associates at (850) 553-4327 or (850) 298-8407

What exactly is Sudden hearing loss?

Sudden hearing loss or sudden sensorineural hearing loss is defined by a sudden loss of hearing within a 72 hour period, resulting in greater than a 30 dB drop in hearing for at least three consecutive test frequencies.

Sudden Hearing Loss Symptoms – Sudden hearing loss most typically occurs in one ear and varies in severity from patient to patient. For some, the onset of the sudden hearing loss is reported to have been noticed instantaneously, often in the morning. Others report the onset of hearing loss occurred over a period of hours or often days.

Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) typically accompanies sudden hearing loss. Vertigo (dizziness) has also been reported to be present in roughly 40% of sudden hearing loss cases.

Sudden Hearing Loss Causes – Although the exact cause of sudden hearing loss is unknown for most people, there are many potential causes of sudden hearing loss, including viral infections, neurologic issues, metabolic and immunologic disease, toxicity, trauma to the inner ear, circulatory problems of the inner ear such as Meniere’s Disease, idiopathic (unknown) and others.

Sudden Hearing Loss Diagnosis and Treatment – People who experience a sudden loss of hearing should seek medical attention immediately from a qualified health professional.

The diagnosis of sudden hearing loss begins with having a full hearing evaluation to assess the amount of hearing loss that has occurred. Based on the audiogram and a full evaluation by a physician, the sudden hearing loss is diagnosed.

The physician may suspect possible causes based on case history and the physical evaluation. Blood work and image tests are also recommended to rule out possible medical causes.

Treatment for sudden hearing loss has been controversial and inconsistent among physicians due to the fact the cause of sudden hearing loss is often unknown. According to research presented at theAmericanAcademyof Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery Foundation meeting in 2008, there are no official guidelines or position statements regarding the evaluation and treatment of sudden hearing loss (Friedland and Shemirani, 2008).

Currently the most common forms of treatment including oral steroids and anti-viral medication prescribed typically by either a family physician or an Otolaryngologist (ENT).

Between 32% and 65% of patients who experience sudden sensorineural hearing loss will recover. Recovery is more likely to occur if the time between onset of symptoms and treatment is a short interval, vertigo is absent, a mild to moderate hearing loss, a mid-frequency / upsloping audiometric pattern, and the patient’s age is of 15-40 years old. Because the chance of recovery is greater if the hearing loss is treated early – and because a significant percentage of patients do not recover their hearing – evaluation of treatment option is critical.

What is an Acoustic Neuroma?

What is an Acoustic Neuroma? An acoustic neuroma is a tumor of the cells surrounding the nerve that transmits balance information from the inner ear to the brain. It is not malignant; that is it does not produce cells that travel to other places in the body and start additional tumors. Nonetheless, an acoustic neuroma is a problem because it slowly grows toward the brain’s hearing, breathing, and blood pressure centers and compresses them. Untreated, acoustic neuromas can create serious neurological problems and even become life-threatening.

Normal healthy nerves are covered by a layer of cells called Schwann cells which function the same way that rubber or plastic coating on electrical wires work, providing insulation and support for nerve impulses. When these cells begin to grow and multiply at an abnormal rate, an acoustic neuroma occurs. Acoustic neuromas occur in only 1 out of 100,000 people per year and they generally happen in people who are between the ages of 30 and 60.

What Causes An Acoustic Neuroma? There are no well-defined causes for an acoustic neuroma. Some studiesperformed in the past have linked the tumor with prolonged exposure to loud noise, but this has not been confirmed. Other studies have indicated there maybe a link to radiation, but again this has not been confirmed. The vast majority of tumors are sporadic, meaning there is no genetic inheritance pattern.

What Are The Symptoms Of An Acoustic Neuroma? A symptom is something the patient senses and describes, while a sign is something other people, such as a doctor, notice. For example, drowsiness may be a symptom while dilated pupils may be a sign.

The first symptoms of an acoustic neuroma include gradual hearing loss in one ear with near normal hearing in the other ear, decrease in sound discrimination, especially when talking on the telephone and ringing in the affected ear, called tinnitus. More than 80% of patients have reported tinnitus, most often a unilateral high-pitched ringing like a steam kettle.

How Are Acoustic Neuromas Diagnosed? The gold standard for diagnosing an acoustic neuroma is an MRI scan of the brain. This is often performed with the contrast material, gadolinium, which helps to define the tumor precisely. An audiogram should be performed along with the MRI to test hearing function in both ears. Finally, some patients may undergo an auditory brainstem response test. This test measures the conduction of the electrical impulses along the nerve to the brain. A defect in conduction through this nerve may suggests the presence of a tumor.

What Are The Treatment Options? There are currently three man treatment options and physicians can choose from 1) observation; 2) surgery; or 3) radiation. Left untreated, an acoustic neuroma may cause neurological problems, including facial paralysis which can lead to blindness and brain damage severe enough to cause death. An acoustic neuroma always requires specialized and prompt treatment.

Conclusion. An acoustic neuroma is a complex medical problem requiring skilled care at all stages from diagnosis to rehabilitation. The audiologists and staff at The Hearing Professionals are not medical doctors and we do not give medical advice. We are, however, in a unique position because of the large amount of testing that we do for hearing loss and we are often the first people who will notice the possibility of a medical condition or possible acoustic neuroma.

New INTIGA Hearing Device from OTICON

Call Us today and speak with a hearing professional and try the NEW INTIGA from OTICON

FREE YOURSELF FROM HEARING LOSS

How often should i buy hearing aids?

Patients often ask me, “Is there anything available that will work better than my current hearing aids?” Since hearing aid circuits are miniature computers and their changes parallel the advancements in computer technology, you will see marked improvements every two to three years. The leading manufacturers are focusing their research and development in the following areas:Better Fidelity – Widened bandwidth results in a cleaner, more realistic sound quality due to refinements in microphone and receiver development.

Better Understanding in Background Noise – New directional microphones have a narrowed width of focus that shuts out noises from the sides and rear.
Improved Control of Acoustic Feedback – High-resolution phase cancellation techniques create a negative waveform to eliminate the feedback immediately.
Computer Circuitry Enhancements – Faster, more intelligent microprocessors and more efficient software identify and amplify the speech you want to hear and reduce the noises you don’t need to hear.
Cosmetic Advantages – Miniaturization allows for packaging more technology into smaller hearing aids.

Connectivity – Hearing aids can connect effortlessly and wirelessly to other audio sources you use daily, such as cell phones, televisions, iPods, etc.
You’ll never know how much improvement you can experience from new technology without taking a “test drive.” I suggest you reflect on listening situations that you experience routinely and honestly assess how well you perform. Would you like to hear more clearly on the phone? Is background noise interfering with your understanding in restaurants? Does music sound as rich and full as you would like? The newest hearing aids are designed to overcome many of the obstacles that older technology could not address. Together, we should evaluate how the benefits of new hearing instruments can optimize every listening situation you encounter.

How can noise cause hearing loss?

We hear sounds everyday, sounds like those of traffic, television, radio and other surroundings. Usually we hear these sounds at very controlled volumes so that it’s comfortable for our ears to receive it. But when the sound is too loud or a loud sound is played for too long, sensitive parts of our ears are exposed to these sounds, which damage them, thus causing Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL), one of the more common types of hearing loss found in the modern world.

These harmful sounds, which are called noise, harm hair cells present in our ears. Hair cells are responsible for converting sound
energy into electrical energy, which is then sent to the brain. These hair cells are very sensitive and once damaged cannot grow back again.
The cause can be exposure to either a very impulsive sound such as an explosion, which has hard-hitting effect, or continuous exposure to loud sounds over a period of time, such as noise generated in mining and woodworking areas. To understand the nature of the sounds, which cause NIHL, we need to understand the nature of sound. Sound is measured in decibels. The noise from a refrigerator is about 45 decibels, an average conversation is about 60 decibels and heavy traffic noise can go up to 90 decibels. According to a study, sound of more than 75 decibels can cause NIHL. Sound such as that of a lawnmower, motorcycle or hedge cutter / trimmer, which come in the range of 120 – 150 decibels, are known to cause NIHL. Sounds which are less than 75 decibels, even after a long exposure does not hold a threat.
Exposure to such sounds not only cause damage to the hair cells but also damages auditory organs of the ear. The subtlest effect of

NIHL is the occurrence of tinnitus – a ringing, buzzing or roaring in the ears – which might become sever with time. And this may occur in one or both ears together.

Another side effect of NIHL is temporary occurrence of hearing loss. If a person regains hearing after a certain time, it is called a temporary threshold shift, which means in most cases disappears within 12-38 hours of occurrence.
The symptoms are not very clear and one has to observe with time as they increase gradually. With time the person starts hearing distorted and muffled sounds and might find it hard to interpret speech. In some cases the affected might not even realize. The best method is to conduct a hearing test.
As this is a hearing loss disorder there is no specific age of the affected people. Sports and recreational activities such as shooting,
hunting, woodworking or other activities such as standing too close to speakers in a concert or performing in a live band might also cause NIHL.

NIHL’s prevention and cure are sorely dependent upon how careful an individual is. People should have good hearing habits in their everyday life so as to have a healthy live. Some of the precautions that can be taken are:

• One should know which noises cause it
• One should be alert to such noises
• One should wear earplugs and other safety equipment while visiting areas with higher noise exposure risks
• Spread the awareness to others

If you have any questions about Noise Induced Hearing Loss or any aspect of hearing loss, CALL US (850)553-4327)

What a wonderful month!  Beautiful weather and working with so many patients to help them reconnect with their family and friends through better hearing.  Audiology is very rewarding work.  Thank you to all of my wonderful patients!

Finding the right Audiologist as important as finding the right hearing aid.

I've received quite a few emails from people asking what the best hearing aid is, and it’s a great question to ask. But just as important – and maybe even more important – is finding the best audiologist to fit that hearing aid.

When you purchase a new hearing aid you’re not only buying the device itself, but you’re also paying for the audiologist’s time as well. You’re paying for the audiologist to test your hearing and fit your new device as well as for follow-up visits in order to make adjustments to the new sounds that you’re hearing. With some devices (mainly entry level) the audiologist’s time may be more expensive than the actual piece of plastic that you’re putting into your ear.

You can buy the most expensive hearing aid in the world and get little benefit from it if you don’t have an audiologist who is prepared to take the time – and who has the knowledge – to properly adjust it to your own personal needs. All modern digital hearing aids have a vast array of settings and can be programmed to sound completely different for each person. Of course, your audiologist needs to program it to compensate for your loss, but most hearing aids have several programs which can be set for different types of listening environments, such as being in a noisy restaurant, listening to music or on a telephone.

Once you’ve been fit with your new hearing aids, don’t be afraid to go back for additional follow-up visits. You might get lucky and walk out after the first visit and be quite pleased with your purchase. However, getting used to wearing new hearing aids can be tough and if this is your first pair of hearing aids, getting used to them can take several weeks to months – not a few hours or days.

A few guidelines for choosing the right audiologist:

Convenience – Look for an audiologist who is conveniently located. The last thing you want to do when you need help is to drive a long distance just for an appointment.

Trust – You’re investing a lot of time and money into your new purchase so you want to make sure that you trust the audiologist who you’ll be working with.

Experience – This may be one of the most important items to look for. Common sense tells you to find professionals who are experienced in their field and finding an experienced audiologist is just as important. Fine tuning a hearing aid to can be just as much of an art as it is a science. Look for someone who has at least 5-10 years of experience dispensing.

Knowledge of Product – You can choose the best product on the market, but unless your audiologist has a good working knowledge of the product, you’re going to be out of luck. Don’t be afraid to ask the audiologist how many of the devices that you’re looking at have they dispensed.

Product Mix – Look for an audiologist who offers hearing aids from several manufacturers. Yes, most manufacturers offer a broad range of hearing instruments to fit most everyone’s needs. But there isn’t one manufacturer who has the right hearing aids for everyone. You wouldn’t go to a grocery store that only sells one brand of food, right? So why go to an audiologist who only sells one brand of hearing aids?

Before you find the “right” hearing aid, you need to find the “right” audiologist. Remember our tips and you shouldn’t have any problems. But always remember, if you ever have any questions, CALL US (850) 553-4327 or EMAIL US tallhba@yahoo.com. We’re always here to help!

3 - DAY SPECIAL EVENT

How Does My Hearing Aid Work?

On a basic level, all hearing aids are small amplifiers. With today’s digital technology, this amplification can be finely manipulated to suit a patient’s hearing loss and needs. There are 3 main parts to every analog and digital aid: a microphone, receiver (small loudspeaker), and battery.

Sound first enters the aid through the microphone on the outer casing. On in-the-ear styles, the microphones are typically located beside the battery door. On behind-the-ear styles, the microphones are typically located above the battery door. The acoustic input is converted into an electric signal, amplified, and then converted back to an acoustic signal. The receiver then plays the amplified sound back to your ear. A very small button like zinc-air battery will power the aid, allowing the parts to function to perform this process. Digital aids also have a computer chip that converts the incoming signal into digital codes that can be very specifically manipulated to allow complete user customization.

While these aids are becoming more and more sophisticated, they are still a form of amplifier and cannot restore hearing to normal. Patients may need time to adjust to the “new” sounds they are hearing. Many people lose their hearing so gradually; they do not realize all of the daily everyday sounds they have lost. Ice clinking in a glass, the hum of a computer, or the noise of the road as you drive may seem suddenly loud or bothersome. Over time with consistent wearing, the brain will acclimate to these sounds and perception of benefit should increase! Most people will notice instant benefit with one-on-one communication and increased ease of daily listening. 

It is also very important to note that aids will probably improve large group listening situations, but that in larger, noisier situations listening may still be difficult. It is good to remember that when a large amount of background noise is occurring, even persons with normal hearing will have greater difficulty communicating. Modern digital aids do help to reduce the amplification of background noise, but cannot remove them entirely. Digital hearing instruments understand what is speech-like and noise-like, but cannot determine definitely the difference in speech and noise. Noise tends to be more steady, static, and unchanging (e.g., a fan running). Speech tends to be more varied and changing over time. More static sounds will be recognized as noise and amplification will be reduced for those sounds. However, when you are at an event where many people are talking in the background, the aid may not be able to pick up the difference in speech and noise and will reduce the background much less. When this occurs, other adjustments may be necessary to improve your listening experience. Speak with your hearing healthcare professional about how your hearing aids can help you!  

Digital hearing aids – Hearing Your future!

Digital hearing aids can be the key to hearing your future! Digital technologies have taken the world and the field of hearing aids by storm. Gone are the days of analog equipment, and in are they days of computer programmability. With today’s technology, very specific individual programming can be completed to customize your hearing to best suit your hearing impairment, desires, and lifestyle needs. Digital options are also easily made smaller and sleeker than older analog equipment.

Analog hearing aids once were the only available option to those with hearing loss. In very simple terms, analog aids are amplifiers. Taking in the sound, and outputting it louder. Over time, some adjustments were made available to do some general custom changes to loudness and pitch, but very specific, precise adjustments were nearly impossible. With analog aids, what you put in (for the most part)…is what you got out, only louder. That meant that background noise and feedback (whistling) were big issues.

Digital hearing instruments have vastly improved the hearing experience. Using modern computer processing, digital aids convert sound into coded signals that are readily altered to fit the needs of the user. Algorithms have also been created to process the incoming sound to amplify less noise and to prevent bothersome feedback issues. A pleasant listening experience can be achieved through this improved sound quality.

If you are currently a user of analog aids or you have yet to purchase hearing aids, consider your digital options. Your hearing future is at stake! Ask your hearing healthcare provider about purchasing digital hearing aids today!