Most hearing aid users know that their hearing health, treatment, and their hearing aids are crucial. In fact, they probably see their doctor of Audiology more often than any other health care provider. They understand that their hearing capacity and their ability to understand and process speech is critical for effective communication and enjoyment.
First time hearing aid wearers do not realize that hearing aids can require multiple adjustments to obtain the best settings and the right sound for them. Custom hearing aids, especially the tiny, invisible ones, are often re-made several times for fit and comfort. Hearing aids require maintenance, regular cleaning and sometimes repairs. Hearing aids reside in a wax- filled, sweaty, oily and moist environment all day and expected to perform optimally all the time.
Hearing levels, processing ability, and prescriptions change. Yearly monitoring, reprogramming, and fine- tuning of your hearing aids are critical to your ability to communicate.
You are not “done” after you get your hearing aids. Just like with your internist, dentist, and ophthalmologist, your hearing care is ongoing and forever.
BENEFITS vs. DISCOUNTS
- Benefit (definition) – An advantage or profit gained. A payment or gift.
- Discount (definition) – A deduction from the usual cost of something.
“Benefits are far more reliable than perks or discounts and cover more basic needs. Perks are like bonuses that companies offer to make their offer seem better than the competition.”
Many insurance Companies and Medicare supplement policies lure new members by offering “hearing aid benefits.”
Are they really offering you a “benefit?” NO! The insurance Company is actually offering a perk that doesn’t cost them a penny. You, the member, get a discount on hearing aids if you call the 800-number to a 3rd party broker. The 3rd party broker rakes in a fortune from the referrals.
PROS AND CONS OF BUYING YOUR HEARING AIDS FROM A BROKER
PROS
- You get a discount on the purchase of your hearing aids.
- You can sometimes get them from your provider of choice.
- You can save money upfront on the purchase of your hearing aids.
CONS
- You are not purchasing your hearing aids or hearing treatment from your provider.
- The broker pays your provider a set fee for your initial consultation, delivery and fitting your hearing aids, and one or two follow up visits, even one year.
- Restrictions and limitations – Number of visits or specified time are included in your purchase. Thereafter, you pay the provider every time you walk in the door for an office visit. Every 6-month cleaning, annual monitoring, in-office repair, fed-ex shipping and handling to the manufacturer, adjustment, reprogramming, and fine-tuning.
- All of the restrictions and limitations are included with your hearing aid purchase from your provider. One or two re-programming charges alone may exceed your initial savings.
PROS AND CONS OF BUYING YOUR HEARING AIDS FROM A BROKER
Your insurance policy or supplement may have an agreement with any one of the numbers of 3rd party brokers of hearing aids. They all have different prices and limitations in the fine print.
We know them all. Before calling the 800 number and saying “yes,” call us and let us help you on your journey to better hearing.
Click here to schedule an appointment.
Protecting your hearing doesn’t mean skipping activities you love; learn how to get the most out of your concert experience.
Let’s face it: today’s world has become increasingly loud, yet people do not think about their ears when attending concerts. They may say, “I’m paying to hear the music, why would I plug my ears?” Well, there is plenty of research to suggest that loud noises damage your hearing, the most alarming is the fact that the average live concert clocks in at 100 decibels at the back of the venue. If you move closer to the stage, you not only are closer to the speakers but also the fans screaming all around you.
Your hearing health is integral to your overall well-being. While you could get away with using disposable foam earplugs that you buy in mass quantities of neon colors, there are earplugs that have been specifically engineered for music-goers. Rather than suffocate all noise reaching your ear, these earplugs use filters with a nearly flat frequency which dials back the volume rather than muting the audio. As you can expect, these plugs cost more than your bargain plugs you get at the drug store, but they are well worth the cost of hearing music without sacrificing your long term hearing health.
National Public Radio’s (NPR) Tiny Desk is an intimate concert series where artists play for an audience in a small, office-sized studio. The trick to these performances is that no musician plays louder than the singer can project their voice without amplification, ensuring a clear and balanced sound. Sound engineers are able to create this because the studio is a small space. However, when sound engineers need to balance a venue bigger than a typical office that balance goes out the window. As we know, the louder the sound is, distortion also increases. If you prefer to be close to the performance, being closer to the speakers inevitably can lead to hearing loss.
Hearing loss is an extremely common condition, especially as we age. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders states that prolonged exposure to sounds can damage the cells in the inner ear and cause noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and tinnitus. Any extended contact with noise of 85 decibels (sounds of heavy city traffic) can and will damage your hearing. Makes sense right?
If you or a loved one have experienced hearing loss, schedule a completely free appointment today.
To read full story, click here.
JUST AS TECHNOLOGY IN HEARING AIDS CHANGE, HEARING AID BATTERY TECHNOLOGY IS ALSO CHANGING.
HERE IS WHAT IS AVAILABLE AND SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER
TYPES OF BATTERIES
REGULAR, DISPOSABLE ZINC-AIR BATTERIES
Zinc-air hearing aid batteries are the traditional, pull-tab disposable batteries most frequently used in hearing aids. When the tab is pulled, the oxygen from the air oxidizes with the zinc in the battery and creates a charge.
ZINC-AIR BATTERIES
- Batteries are color-coded. Regardless of the manufacturer (Ray o vac, Duracell, Energizer, etc.), the color corresponding to the battery size is the same.
- All size 10 batteries (the smallest hearing aid battery) are yellow and last between 3-5 days.
- All size 312 batteries are brown and last between 5-8 days.
- All size 13 batteries are orange and last between 10-14 days.
- All size 675 batteries (rarely used today) are blue.
- After pulling the tab, you should wait 2-5 minutes before putting the battery in the hearing aid to allow time for oxygen to react with the zinc for the fullest charge and longest battery life.
RECHARGEABLE HEARING AID BATTERIES
Rechargeable hearing aids have been around for over 30 years, but they were never very popular because the charge did not last all day. Two new battery technologies in the last 18 months fixed that problem and rechargeable hearing aids are now all the rage. Every major manufacturer offers rechargeable hearing aid options.
LITHIUM- ION BATTERY TECHNOLOGY – all lithium-ion batteries (also used in computers, cell phones, even Tesla’s) are totally sealed (encased) in any device for safety reasons. They can be a fire hazard if mishandled or damaged.
PROS OF LITHIUM-ION RECHARGEABLE HEARING AIDS
- Eliminates expense of disposable batteries.
- No hassle of changing batteries every 3-7 days.
- Last battery life. Lasts 4 to 5 years.
- Gets the longest usage with one charge – 30 hours per charge and/or 24 hours of continuous use with 5 hours of streaming.
- Better moisture protection- water and perspiration problems are greatly reduced.
CONS OF LITHIUM-ION RECHARGEABLE HEARING AIDS
- The hearing aids are slightly larger and heavier
- No access to the battery compartment. You cannot use regular, disposable, batteries in an emergency.
- You must take the charger with you on trips and vacations
- Power limitations – if you stream phone calls and music a lot, the charge may not last all day. Streaming uses a lot of power.
- Your hearing aids are “out of commission” when they are being charged, and any problems with the battery require manufacturer repair.
SILVER ZINC RECHARGEABLE HEARING AIDS
PROS OF SILVER ZINC RECHARGEABLE HEARING AIDS
- Eliminates expense of disposable batteries. However, the cost of the hearing aid is slightly more expensive (They pretty much cancel each other out).
- No hassle of changing batteries every 3-7 days.
- 24 hours of continuous use with up to 5 hours of streaming.
- Flexibility – Because they are removable, the rechargeable battery can be replaced with regular, disposable hearing aid batteries in an emergency, you do not want to carry your charger with you and/or forget your charger at home.
- Silver-zinc is no- flammable, non- toxic and 100% recyclable.
- Silver-zinc is smaller than lithium-ion. Hearing aids are slightly smaller and lighter.
- Backwards Compatibility – Many manufacturer’s hearing aids can be changed or retrofit since the rechargeable component is in the battery door.
CONS OF SILVER-ZINC RECHARGEABLE HEARING AIDS
- Battery must be replaced once a year (replacement cost of rechargeable battery is about the same as purchasing disposable batteries)
- Power limitations – if you stream a lot of phone calls and music, the batteries may not last the full 24-hour day.
There is a lot to think about when it comes to rechargeable hearing aids. Both systems has its pros and cons. Just like with the style, technology, features and benefits of hearing aids, it is about what is right for you.
Your hearing care provider should be knowledgeable and familiar with every type of hearing aid available and know your lifestyle, hearing needs and you.
Everyone feels happier and more comfortable when they are recognized by their environment for their individuality, which is why Starbucks’ new location is so important.
This location is not just another coffee shop in Washington D.C. It may be another Starbucks, but the sign is spelled S-T-A-R-B-U-C-K-S in the hand symbols for American Sign Language (ASL).
The stores is run by 24 deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing employees and the store is designed towards accessibility and generating employment prospects for the deaf community.
In addition to the workers, the store has been specifically modeled to celebrate deaf culture. One wall is covered by a mural by Tiqiao Wang, a deaf artist who is a prominent member of the Gallaudet University faculty, which is just blocks away.
While exclusively employing staff who are all conversant in ASL, their focus on accessibility of technology and service is unparalleled. The store was modeled to maximize natural lighting and lines of sight, keeping in mind the needs of the hard-of-hearing.
Adam Novsam, a Starbucks utility analyst, was given a tour two nights before the store was set to open. As he walked down H Street to see the vibrant colors of the mural which celebrates deaf culture, he said, “The vibrancy moved me. It made me stop in my tracks. And it gave me tears.”
For the full story, click here.
Employees take an order at Starbucks first U.S. signing in D.C. (Joshua Trujillo/Starbucks)
Helen Keller said, “Blindness cuts us off from things, but the loss of the most vital stimulus – the sound of the voice – is much worse.” Remaining healthy has become a focus, even an obsession with Americans, particularly with baby boomers. Health issues do not happen in a vacuum; your body needs every sense for it to properly operate. Hearing health is of paramount importance to long term brain and heart health.
Prevention and early detection with regular heart, blood pressure, cholesterol, colon, liver, skin and every type of screening has become near-mandatory in today’s age. We want to live longer and make the most of our lives through remaining active which allows us to stay engaged with friends and loved ones, travel and partake in our favorite pastimes.
Yet we totally disregard our number one form of communication, engagement and way of maintaining relationships. We ignore our hearing. Doctors rarely screen for hearing disorders or even think to ask about a patient’s hearing health. Difficultly with hearing and understanding are rarely a problem, or evident, in quiet environments or when communicating face-to-face. “It’s not that bad” is what every audiologist has heard countless times.
All over the world, the one common element that brings happiness and joy is being with the people you care about and love. All over the world, sharing, laughing, telling stories and relating memories brings the greatest pleasure, warmth and feelings of love.
When your ability to hear and understand the spoken word diminishes, so do yours enjoyment of the things you love doing, the people you love being with and your ability to achieve happiness.
If that is not enough reason to get a hearing checkup immediately, the findings of every study in the last fifteen years should motivate you to run to your nearest audiologist.
Dr. Ronna Fisher, Au.D.
Founder & President
Hearing Health Center, Inc.
Medications
According to the Government Accountability Office, only 1 to 10% of all adverse side effects are reported to the FDA.
In a case of notable regulatory short-sightedness, drug companies are only required to report adverse effects they deem “statistically significant.” Many medications cause hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), cognitive disorders and memory loss. These adverse reactions are not listed in the manufacturer’s “warnings of adverse side effects.”
THE LINK
It is well known that drugs and treatment that save the lives of patients with cancer cause permanent and irreversible hearing loss.
It is also known that many antibiotics and pain relieving, anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, Motrin, NSAIDs) damage the auditory system. It is less well known and rarely acknowledged, that drugs such as Viagra and other erectile dysfunction drugs directly affect hearing.
In addition, diuretics used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure, statin medications to lower cholesterol and even many over-the-counter and herbal medications can cause hearing loss, balance disorders and severe tinnitus.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Get a baseline hearing test now. Bring a comprehensive list of the medications that you are taking. If you are associated with hearing, balance, tinnitus or dizziness, your audiologist will contact your doctor to discuss alternative medications that are not ototoxic.
Dr. Ronna Fisher, Au.D.
Founder & President
Hearing Health Center, Inc.
Falls and Balance
Hospitals and doctors’ offices nationwide might have avoided nearly 2000 patient deaths and thousands more emergency room visits if medical staff and patients communicated better. Those with hearing loss misunderstand over 50% of instructions given by physicians and health providers. According to a recent report published in the journal JAMA, there is a significant breakdown in communication with patients over 60. Patients describe not understanding therapeutic instructions, medication dosages or side effects which can lead to a myriad of other health issues and risks.
THE LINK
In hospitals and many medical care settings there is often competing noise in the background. Patients are often nervous and already stressed about their medical condition and the content is often extremely technical and unfamiliar. Those with hearing loss rely on lip-reading, facial expressions and visual cues when communicating. Hospitals and physician offices now require electronic medical records. Doctors and medical staff spend the majority of time typing notes into a computer thereby eliminating face-to-face doctor-patient communication.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Get a hearing test now. If your hearing is even slightly diminished, get treatment immediately to improve your clarity and ability to understand and communicate. Ask for as many repetitions as needed to comprehend physician instructions. Ask your doctors and care providers to stop typing and look at you when they speak. Your health and life are of paramount importance, protect yourself by being your own best advocate.
Your hearing, processing, clarity and ability to understand speech are vital to your happiness, your relationships and your enjoyment of life.
Your hearing ability and your hearing health are a direct link to your overall health and wellness. Do not wait until you have a problem. By the time you realize you have a problem with your hearing, irreversible damage to your brain has already occurred and may be too late to reverse or repair. Get your hearing checked regularly.
Dr. Ronna Fisher, Au.D.
Founder & President
Hearing Health Center, Inc.
Falls and Balance
Dizziness and balance problems increase significantly with age. Over 70% of those over age 65 seek treatment and one third of everyone over 65 will fall. (Center for Disease Control). Falls are the leading cause of death over age 65.
THE LINK
A recent study done by Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the National Institute on Aging found that hearing loss significantly increase the risk of falling. The news could have far-reaching implications when it comes to preventing falls and maintaining independent lives.
There are several reasons why a decrease in hearing increases balance problems and the risk of falling. Hearing loss decreases awareness of of people, pets or other sounds in the environment. Spatial awareness, i.e. where the body is positioned in relation to other people and objects around it, and is crucial for maintaining gait and balance. In addition, many researchers point to cognitive overload as a hindrance to balance
Research as to whether hearing aids helped maintain balance were resoundingly conclusive – the results were overwhelmingly YES. Sound information alone, coming through the hearing aids, plays a large role in maintaining balance.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Get a baseline hearing test now. Make a list of your current medications. Report any balance, dizziness or vertigo issues and symptoms to your audiologist. Physical therapy, balance training and exercises are effective in treating 85% of all balance and dizziness problems. If you have any balance, hearing or clarity problems, seek treatment immediately.
Dr. Ronna Fisher, Au.D.
Founder & President
Hearing Health Center, Inc.
Hearing loss is the most common chronic condition associated with depression in people 60 years or older (JAMA Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. 2017), particularly in women. The National Council on Aging found that wearing hearing aids helps prevent social isolation and depression. Most impressive is the study published in the Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics showing a marked improvement in emotional, social and cognitive conditions after wearing hearing aids for just three months.
Individuals with hearing loss show a 40% accelerated rate of cognitive decline (Frank Lin, MD., Ph.D., Johns Hopkins). With significant to profound the hearing loss, there is a greater the likelihood of developing a cognitive disorder and the steeper decline in mental function. Even those with a very mild hearing loss (even before the hearing loss becomes noticeable), these individuals show accelerated rates of gray matter shrinkage in the brain.
THE LINK
“Belongingness” is a basic and innate human emotional need. According to Roy Baumeister and Mark Leary, all human beings need a certain minimnum quantiy of regular, satisfying interactions. Inability to meet this need results in loneliness and mental distress. The desire to form and maintain social bonds is among the most powerful human motives. Without social bonds, the ability to self-regulate suffers. (Baumesiter, R. F., DeWall, C. N., Ciarocco, N. J., & Twenge, J.M. (2005), Social exclusion impairs self-regulation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, (88)4, 589.)
Humans have a profound need to connect with others and gain acceptance into social groups. When relationships deteriorate or when social bonds are broken, depression may set in. The world over, in every country, culture and religion, people are most happy when they are with those they care about and love. It is a frustrating and isolating feeling to be with those who you hold dear only to feel left out because you do not understand the conversations and cannot participate in sharing. According to Steger, M. F., & Kashdan, (T. B. 2009) people who are depressed often feel unable to satisfy their need for belonging, leading to having fewer intimate relationships. They also induce negative feelings and reactions in others, which consequently elicits rejections. The effects of rejection are more potent than the effects of acceptance because rejection causes emotional hurt and pain (Buckley, Winkel and Leary).
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Get a baseline hearing test and brain processing evaluation now. If you have any hearing or processing difficulties, seek immediate treatment.
Dr. Ronna Fisher, Au.D.
Founder & President
Hearing Health Center, Inc.
Dementia and Your Ears
You do not hear with your ears. Your ears are merely an appendage to collect sound and direct it to your brain where the sound is processed, sorted, filtered and deciphered so you are able to understand the world around you. As processing, sorting and filtering becomes increasingly more difficult, your ability to understand is negatively correlated as comprehension decreases.
Individuals with hearing loss show a 40% accelerated rate of cognitive decline (Frank Lin, MD., Ph.D., Johns Hopkins). With significant to profound the hearing loss, there is a greater the likelihood of developing a cognitive disorder and the steeper decline in mental function. Even those with a very mild hearing loss (even before the hearing loss becomes noticeable), these individuals show accelerated rates of gray matter shrinkage in the brain.
Johnathan Pelle at the University of Pennsylvania state, “As hearing ability declines, hearing aids should be seriously considered not only to improve hearing, but to preserve the brain.” (Science Daily) The Lancet, in 2017, published the findings of a study conducted by twenty-four international researchers who identified nine risk factors for dementia. Hearing loss is the highest contributing factor for developing dementia.
THE LINK
Lack of regular social interactions leads to mental stagnation and deterioration. It takes a great deal of extra effort and concentrated listening for those with hearing loss to comprehend what is happening around them.
This creates a significant strain on the brain (cognitive overload) and interferes with normal cognitive function. In addition, hearing loss causes individuals to withdraw socially as it becomes a burden and a barrier to meaningful connection to friends and family.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Get a baseline hearing test and brain processing evaluation now. If you have any problems hearing or understanding those in your life, seek out help and treatment immediately.
Dr. Ronna Fisher, Au.D.
Founder & President
Hearing Health Center, Inc.