Have you ever experienced a mysterious crackling sound haunting your ear, seemingly attacking you out of the blue? If so, you may be wondering about this irritating sound and if you should be concerned about it. This blog will unveil the secrets behind this peculiar yet annoying sound. Let’s dive into the captivating journey of crackling sounds in the ear, understand what it is, the early signs, and the treatments to explore.
You could be experiencing these crackling sounds, or if this sound has become an unwelcome companion in your daily life, our exploration will feature the knowledge to decode this mystery. Embark on this captivating auditory puzzle – understand what lies beneath the surface.
WHAT IS CRACKLING IN THE EAR?
Crackling in the ear symbolizes a peculiar sound, which sounds similar to the crinkling of paper or the rustling of leaves. It is often referred to as a clicking, popping sound in the ear or snapping noise that occurs persistently. This makes it difficult to focus on the work or their surroundings. Myriad factors, such as Eustachian tube movement, air pressure fluctuation, excessive earwax, and muscle contractions, often cause this auditory sensation. While this is harmless, crackling in the ear can be bothersome and sometimes refer to an underlying issue that warrants further investigation.
FIVE EARLY SIGNS OF A CRACKLING SOUND IN THE EAR
Early signs of crackling in the ear often vary on the underlying cause. Listed below are five common early signs that you must watch out for:
1.Popping & Clicking: You may notice broken popping or irritatingly clicking sounds in one or both ears, similar to bursting bubbles.
2.The sensation of Pressure: You might experience a feeling of pressure affecting the ear as if something is blocking or obstructing it.
3.Mild Discomfort: You may experience slight discomfort in the ear, which can be referred to as a sensation of mild pain or extreme itchiness.
4.Fluctuation in Hearing Sensitivity: You might observe subtle changes in your ability to hear or even a slight reduction in hearing sensitivity, especially in the affected ear.
5.Temporary Hearing Loss: Frequent episodes of temporary hearing loss or experiencing muffled sounds in your affected ear, lasting for short periods, are early signs of crackling in the ear.
It is essential to remember that these signs vary due to underlying causes. If you experience any of these signs or have concerns about crackling signs in your ear, it is advised to consult medical professionals or ENT experts for a proper diagnosis.
HOW TO PRESERVE YOUR EAR FROM CRACKLING SOUNDS?
For ear health preservation and to minimize the occurrence of crackling sounds, consider the measures listed below:
- Practice Good Ear Hygiene: Keep your ears clean and prevent excessive earwax build-up. Excessive ear wax is a key contributor to crackling sound.
- Protect Against Loud Noises: Using earmuffs or earplugs when working in noisy environments or exposed to loud sounds, especially at concerts or construction sites, is advised.
- Changes in Air Pressure: During activities like flying or swimming/scuba diving, it is advised to yawn or swallow to equalize pressure in your ears.
- Avoid Insertion of Foreign Objects: You must refrain from using cotton swabs, car keys, or any other object to clean your ears. Wonder why? They push earwax deeper, causing damage to your delicate structure.
- Stay Hydrated: Drinking enough water to retain proper Eustachian functioning, facilitating equalization of pressure, and minimizing the likelihood of crackling sounds.
HOW TO GET RID OF THE CRACKLING SOUND IN THE EAR?
Treatment for crackling sound in the ear depends on the underlying cause – it is important to look for medical tests to determine the specific reason behind the crackling. Listed below are recommended ear treatments:
1.Earwax Removal: In case of excessive earwax, a healthcare expert may perform ear irrigation or use special tools to remove the build-up in a safe manner.
2.Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Management: Techniques to improve this function help treat crackling sound caused by issues such as blockage, nasal decongestant, auto-insufflation exercises, and improper equalization of pressure.
3.Medication: In case of ear infection or inflammation, antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications should be prescribed to alleviate symptoms and resolve the underlying problems.
4.Tinnitus Management: If the crackling sound is accompanied by tinnitus, treatments like CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Sound Therapy, and TRT (Tinnitus Retraining Therapy) are recommended to help manage the symptoms.
5.Muscle Relaxation Exercises: For cases where muscle tension or spasm contributes to the crackling sound, techniques like physical therapy, jaw exercises, and relaxation exercises help eradicate the tension while offering immense relief.
Suppose you are experiencing any of the problems mentioned earlier. In that case, it is integral for healthcare professionals or an ear specialist to receive a proper diagnosis and bespoke treatment plan for specific conditions. They guide you through an accurate course of action to address the underlying cause of the crackling ear and help restore auditory comfort.
HOW TO SAFEGUARD YOUNG KIDS AGAINST LOUD NOISES?
Limit Exposure: Minimize exposure to loud sounds, especially during fireworks, machinery, and TV time.
Hearing Protection: Offer properly fitted ear protection such as earplugs or earmuffs to kids when in a noisy environment.
Set Volume Limit: Ensure that electronic devices, media, and toys have volume limitations. Use them to prevent prolonged exposure to loud volumes.
Create Quiet Spaces: Make separate quiet areas at home for young kids, where they can relax and take a break from the noise.
Be their Role model: It is advised to lead by example, mend your listening habits by keeping the volume reasonable, and practice ear safety.
By practicing these measures, parents can safeguard their kids against damage caused by loud sounds.
CONCLUSION
A crackling sound in the ear can be a bothersome experience. This signals individuals to pay attention to their auditory health. If you experience crackling in the ear with no pain, consult an ENT specialist or medical expert to identify the issue and assign treatment. It could be an earwax build-up, managing Eustachian tube dysfunction, or treating infections.
Consult our professionals at Hearing Health Center to get proper treatment, including ear wax removal. We have a team to help patients find the treatment suitable for their unique hearing needs.
Hearing ability is a precious gift that enriches us and helps us connect to the world. Unfortunately, due to hectic lifestyles and impractical choices, hearing loss has become increasingly common – affecting all ages. But the good news is that many of these hearing loss cases are preventable. By practicing healthy choices and taking proactive steps, you can safeguard your hearing health for ages to come.
Hearing loss is still the most common chronic health issue across the United States; it reduces your ability to decipher speech and sounds around you. Those who work in noisy environments, especially at construction sites, factories, or as road crews, may lose their hearing sooner than others due to constant noise without proper protection. Those who listen to loud music with headphones, attend open-air music festivals, frequent nightclubs or play games with constant loud noises in their ears – all get highly affected. The key to preventing or slowing down hearing loss is to understand what is “loud” and limit the exposure. Understand that the louder the volume, the less time you can listen to it before it impacts your hearing ability.
WHAT IS HEARING LOSS?
Hearing loss refers to a reduced or diminished ability to pick up on sounds or even understand them. Its severity can range from minor to extreme, depending on the underlying reasons – this includes ear infections, prolonged exposure to loud sounds, hereditary predisposition, head injury, side effects of a medicine, and aging.
WHAT ARE THE EARLY SIGNS OF HEARING LOSS?
It is important to note early signs, although they vary depending on the individual or specific type of hearing loss. Read on, and if you notice any of these signs or have concerns, connect with our hearing healthcare professionals to treat during the initial stage:
Difficulty Deciphering Conversations: One of the early signs of hearing loss is experiencing trouble or struggling to follow conversations, especially when in noisy environments. You may find comprehending what others are saying challenging, leading to repetitive questions or clarification.
Increasing Volume: Turning the volume up or if you find asking others to repeat themselves; a volume that others find too or extremely loud, indicates the onset of hearing loss. Gradually raising the volume over time is a major early sign.
Withdrawal from Social Events: Individuals experiencing hearing loss find themselves withdrawing from social gatherings or group conversations. Difficulty deciphering speech leads to feeling frustrated, embarrassed, and even isolated. This causes individuals to avoid situations that demand extensive communication.
Tinnitus: The perception of ringing, buzzing, or other ghost sounds in the ears, all are associated with hearing loss. If you often experience tinnitus, especially with other signs such as difficulty hearing, it is advised to check your hearing.
Misunderstanding: Another early sign of hearing loss is often misinterpreting or misunderstanding spoken words. You may find that certain sounds or speech patterns are muffled or unclear, leading to confusion as well as miscommunication.
WHY IS HEARING LOSS NOWADAYS AFFECTING PEOPLE AT EARLY AGE?
There are myriad reasons why hearing loss appears to affect people now at earlier ages. Before we discuss it any further, it is important to note that not everyone experiences hearing loss at a younger age. Listed below are some factors that contribute to the perception:
- Exposure to Noise: The ever-growing prevalence of loud environments and prolonged exposure to extreme volumes such as recreational activities, loud music concerts, and the constant use of personal audio devices set at high volumes are contributing majorly to hearing damage. Continuous exposure to excessive noise accelerates the onset of hearing loss. Sure, that favorite song of yours by Taylor Swift sounds great at volume 10, but it is affecting your ability to hear.
- Occupational Hazards: Certain occupations regularly expose people to high levels of noise. This includes those working at construction sites, manufacturing facilities; aviation, transportation, and entertainment are prone to noise-induced hearing loss, especially if you don’t wear protective gear for your ears.
- Lifestyle Choices: As mentioned at the beginning of the post, this modern lifestyle involves exposure to loud environments, such as clubs, sporting events, or concerts where high volume is evident and consistent – contributing to hearing damage. Additionally, the increased use of personal audio devices for extended periods, at high volumes, impacts hearing health.
- Medical Conditions: Some medical conditions, such as genetic disorders, infections, or autoimmune diseases, can lead to hearing loss, especially at an earlier age. Genetic predisposition affects individuals, making them prone to hearing issues.
- Increased Awareness: More and more people are now aware of the importance of hearing health, thanks to the cutting-edge diagnostic tools that led to improved identification and detection of hearing loss in the early phase. More and more people affected by hearing loss are seeking professional help and testing their hearing ability, contributing to the perception of early-onset hearing loss.
How to prevent hearing loss?
Listed below are important hearing loss prevention tips:
1.Protect Your Ears Against Noise
Exposure to loud noises is a major cause of hearing damage – you could be at a concert, power tool, or sporting event and wear earplugs or muffs to reduce the impact of excessive sound. Keep the volume at a normal level, especially when listening to music or watching TV – especially with headphones on.
2.Take Breaks from Noise
Giving your ears regular breaks is advised, especially when in loud environments or with headphones on. If you work at a loud site or in a noisy setting, take proper breaks in quieter areas, allowing your ears to recover. It is advised to let your ear calm down.
3.Be Cautious with Headphones
While earbuds and headphones offer entertainment with convenience, don’t forget that they can be harmful, especially when used improperly. Limit your use of headphones or earbuds, and when you do, keep the volume at a reasonable level. Consider using noise-canceling headphones since they block external sounds, allowing you to enjoy music without turning up the volume.
4.Follow a Healthy Lifestyle
Myriad lifestyle factors influence your hearing health. Avoid smoking; it can contribute to hearing loss. Manage chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes – they affect your auditory system. Stay physically active and practice a balanced diet to promote overall well-being – this includes the health of your ears.
5.Be Cautious with Medicines
Certain medications, also known as ototoxic drugs, damage your hearing. This means if you are prescribed medication, consult your healthcare professionals about potential side effects on your hearing. Be vigilant and report any effects or changes in your hearing during or post medication.
6.Schedule Regular Hearing Tests
Like any other routine medical check-up, regular hearing evaluations play a key role, especially in detecting any potential hearing loss early. Schedule an appointment with trusted audiologists or hearing healthcare experts to monitor your hearing health while addressing the concerns.
SUMMARY
Hearing loss can happen at any age and for many reasons, but fret not! Bear in mind that age-related hearing loss isn’t preventable or curable; however, you can take steps to prevent noise-induced hearing loss. You can avoid noise-related hearing loss by getting annual hearing health testing, avoiding ear-damaging loud sounds, wearing ear protection muffs around loud noises, practicing safe headphone listening, stopping medications that cause hearing loss, and quitting smoking that causes hearing loss.
ABOUT HEARING HEALTH CENTER
We at Hearing Health Center are a team of professional audiologists that don’t just treat ears but treat the brain. We understand that we don’t hear with ears since they are merely add-ons that catch sound and channel it to our brains. The brain then processes and makes sense – which is why your ear must send the correct amount and quality of sound. Hearing Health Center, being the leading and trusted hearing clinic, introduced digital hearing aid technology to Chicago.
Need help hearing better? Contact us today!
Did you know that 1 in 10 people in the US have diabetes? That’s 34.2 million Americans! Diabetes causes a partial or absolute deficiency of insulin. Insulin is responsible for creating enzymes that break down fat, starches, and sugar in the blood. An increase in blood sugar damages the inner lining of arteries. The body responds by creating plaque on the artery walls which restricts blood flow.
How does diabetes affect your hearing?
This thickening of artery walls affects an area of the inner ear called the stria vascularis, causing it to atrophy and prevent it from doing its job efficiently. The stria vascularis is responsible for controlling the chemical makeup of the inner ear, which allows the hair cells to change mechanical information into electrical information– a key part of how we hear! Some studies show that an abnormal stria vascularis can even cause hair cell death, permanently damaging your hearing.
A 2008 study by the National Institutes of Health showed that people with diabetes are twice as likely to have hearing problems. In fact, even the 88 million people in the US with prediabetes have a 30% higher likelihood of having hearing problems. That’s 1 in 3 Americans at an increased risk!
Get a baseline hearing test if you have diabetes
If you or a loved one have diabetes or prediabetes, it is important to have a baseline hearing test. Monitoring your hearing is vital to your overall health. Like diabetes, hearing problems can develop gradually, and early detection is critical. In honor of Diabetes Awareness, Hearing Health Center offers complimentary hearing check-ups at all five locations.
Click here to book an appointment
Whether you are a new patient that hasn’t had a hearing test since 3rd grade, or a patient who has been wearing hearing aids for years, you probably think you’re doing just fine.
Well maybe you are and maybe you’re not! The thing is, you probably don’t even know.
- Who knows you better than anyone? Most likely, it’s the person who is most important to you…the person whose voice you hear all the time. They may notice issues, difficulties and struggles you may not even be aware of. “The level of the TV has increased, he doesn’t want to go out to restaurants as often, he’s spending more time alone and seems depressed, he doesn’t remember what I say.” These are just some of the things the “familiar voice” often reports. We get a much better understanding of you when you bring someone who knows you.
- Testing and measuring your hearing is only a small part of your comprehensive evaluation. More important than the amount of hearing loss you might have, is assessing how well your brain processes speech. Even if the sound is loud enough, do you understand what is said? The results are most accurate when the voice you are trying to process is familiar, and important to you.
- Annual checkups and re-evaluations are critical to maintain your best hearing ability. Sometimes, the hearing levels remain the same, but behavior and processing ability change. A familiar voice often alerts and apprises us of these changes they’ve noticed in the past year.
In the past year, the phrase “staying in” has taken on a new meaning. The general public was encouraged to stay in their homes to reduce the spread of COVID-19, a recommendation that stayed in effect for months. For some, their duration of the “stay-at-home” orders were spent with immediate family. For others, it brought on months of isolation. But for many individuals who are hearing aid users, it left them wondering: what is the point of wearing my hearing aids if I am just sitting at home?
If you were to ask your hearing care professional how often you should wear your hearing aids, a common response would be in turn, “you should wear your hearing aids during all waking hours.” It is recommended that individuals with hearing aids wear their devices shortly after starting their day and take them out before going to sleep, a seemingly straightforward and simple concept. However, many hearing aid users found that they were not as inclined to consistently wear their hearing aids (to be consistent in terminology) throughout quarantine. Most rationalized that there was no reason to wear their hearing aids if they are just sitting at home, a considerable change from the hustle and bustle of their previous routines. Yet, research shows (or experts state) that there are multiple benefits to consistently wearing these devices, even in a mild environment like your home.
Audiologist Dr. Robert Martin from The Hearing Journal compares using hearing aids to exercising muscles. He explains that wearing hearing aids consistently not only allows you to hear better but allows you to listen more effectively. Hearing aids amplify sound based on an individual’s unique hearing loss. Initially, the hearing aid user may find that sound to be unnatural and strange, not what they are typically used to. With regular hearing aid use, that sound becomes more natural and starts to give the person more of that benefit they were looking for. When hearing aids are worn intermittently, you are not exercising the processing centers of your brain, and sound will continue to feel unnatural. Consistency is key in making those sounds more natural. According to Dr. Anu Sharma, research has found that sound is processed in unused parts of the brain, instead of the auditory cortex, after auditory deprivation. When sound is not processed in the auditory cortex, the listener may possibly find that it is far more taxing and exhausting to try to listen and understand the sound that they hear. When the listener begins to wear their hearing aids consistently, there is more auditory input, and the brain begins to change so sound is processed in the auditory cortex. Simply put, your brain needs sound.
Whether you live alone with mild background noise or have family that puts your ears to the test, the takeaway from today is that you should wear your hearing aids all the time. Give your brain the sound it needs, and make your hearing aids a part of your daily routine.
Sources:
Martin, Robert L. “‘Wear Your Hearing Aids or Your Brain Will Rust.’” The Hearing Journal,
vol. 57, no. 1, 2004, p. 46., doi:10.1097/01.hj.0000292405.09805.5a.
Beck DL. How might the brain change when we reintroduce sound? Interview with Anu Sharma,
PhD. Hearing Review. 2020;27(4)[April]. In press
Itchy, Itchy Ears: Common Causes and Solutions
By Dr. Hilary MacCrae, Au.D., CCC-A, F-AAA
When asking about ears, every audiologist has heard this: “My ears don’t hurt, but they itch a lot!” Whether or not a person uses hearing aids, itching in the ears is very common. But why?
A lot of things can cause itching all over the body, and the ear is no different. I’ve briefly listed some common causes and solutions, but saved an in-depth look for conditions related to hearing aid issues.
CAUSE: Dry Skin
Itchy, dry skin in the ear canal can be caused by your environment—cold winds and dry air in the winter and over-air conditioned air in the summer. It can also be caused by over-cleaning (especially with cotton swabs, which can absorb natural oils too quickly) and by natural aging.
SOLUTION: Moisturize
A drop or two of an oil like Miracell® in each ear at night will absorb while you sleep and often provides fast relief—but take care to never place oil in an ear that has history of holes in the eardrum. Lotion on a little finger or cotton swab can also be put inside the ear canal. Often a humidifier can be the answer to dry skin.
CAUSE: Medical Conditions
Medical conditions like allergies, outer ear infections like “swimmer’s ear” and eczema or psoriasis can cause or worsen itching inside the ear canal. Surprisingly, high levels of stress or anxiety can be felt as itching and discomfort all over, including inside the ears.
SOLUTION: Seek Medical Treatment
Ear, nose, and throat physicians: If allergies or ear infections are the issue, physicians specializing in the ears, nose, and throat (“ENTs” or “otolaryngologists”) can prescribe helpful treatments. Dermatologists: Skin-specialized doctors can help with diagnoses like eczema and psoriasis, for which there are many different treatments available. If you think stress might be the problem, talk it out with a licensed counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist. You may relieve yourself of more than just an itch!
Hearing Aid Issues
Although hearing devices don’t usually cause allergic reactions, there are other ways they might contribute to itching.
- Ear wax: If there is a build-up of ear wax inside the ear, a hearing aid can make it worse, causing itching or irritation until the ear is cleaned.
- Loose fit: If a hearing aid is sitting too loosely inside the ear, it can “tickle” the canal and cause itching.
- Tight fit/moisture: If a hearing aid has a very tight fit in the ear, and is worn for a very long time each day, moisture can accumulate behind the hearing aid and cause a damp, itching feeling (kind of like when you sweat in the summertime).
- Sensitivity to cleaning solutions: While the hearing aids themselves are usually hypoallergenic, clients will rarely experience allergic reactions to cleaning solutions either in our clinic or over-the-counter versions used at home.
SOLUTIONS: See Your Hearing Care Provider
- Audiologists, and audiology assistants: The hearing care providers at HHC can work with you to look at the fit of your hearing devices (loose/tight) and make recommendations of how to proceed with other changes and treatments. We can also look deeply in your ears, a process called “otoscopy,” to see if dry skin, ear wax, or allergic reactions are the problem. When in doubt, contact your provider!
Scratch Them…Gently!
There’s nothing else like scratching an itch, but we have some recommendations for how to go about it, to avoid causing more problems. Here are some techniques:
- Push and wiggle: Placing a finger on the space in front of the ear and “wiggling” can help ease itching with or without a hearing aid in place. This is using the flat of your finger, not your fingernail!
- Readjust your hearing device: If possible, remove and re-place your hearing aid, or pull the ear bud in and out, to apply some pressure inside the ear and scratch that itch.
- “Referred” itching: This one is a bit weird…Often used by people with missing limbs, “referred” itching is when you scratch itch by not scratching it at all! Instead of trying to reach deep inside your ear canal, gently scratching another part of the body (like the back of your hand) while thinking about your itchy ear (“referring” the itch to the ear), can provide a surprising amount of relief. I’ve used this myself when I get an itch on the bottom of my foot in the car. Sometimes it works!
- What NOT to do: Don’t place foreign objects like Q-tips, bobby pins, long fingernails, pens or pencils, paperclips, or golf tees (yes, we’ve been told someone used a golf tee!) in your ears for itching or wax removal. These objects can push ear wax toward the ear drum, or cut the skin inside the ear and cause bleeding. When that cut begins to scab over and heal…it will itch even worse!
No one likes to be uncomfortable, but itching is part of daily life. Try some of the solutions listed above, and don’t hesitate to contact your hearing care provider if you’d like more guidance or advice on how your unique ear needs to be treated.
It’s been a difficult, trying year – but now the Holidays are here. Hopefully it will be a joyous time to share with your family, and it might be the only time all year you get together with your whole family.
Of course, you want to talk to everyone, get to know new additions (spouses, grandkids, and friends), share stories and memories, and laugh. When you have hearing loss, the holidays can be stressful and worrisome.
Large dining room tables make conversation difficult. Everyone is talking at once and the football game and music in the background makes it almost impossible for you to participate.
You can do several things so you don’t feel left out, and not enjoy yourself.
- Limit background noise. Ask the host to turn down the TV or music.
- Try to sit in the middle of the table.
- Take breaks. Listening and concentrating so intently is exhausting. Go outside, find a quiet spot, and give your ears and your brain a rest. Then you will be ready for more socializing.
- Bring your humor. Forget being embarrassed. So what if you say the wrong thing or answer incorrectly. Laugh at the mis-hearings. They can be hilarious.
- Wear your hearing aids and make the most of them. You have two computers in your ears. They are smart, really smart, with special settings for different situations and environments.
- Hearing aids have special gadgets and accessories to make hard situations easier – tiny microphones to put on the table to pick up voices and deliver them to your ears, chair loops that connect directly to your hearing aids. Don’t be afraid of technology. It’s easier than you think. Experiment.
- Cupping your hand to your ear is a signal for others to talk louder
- Have reasonable expectations. You are not going to hear everything everyone says. That’s ok. With visual cues (facial expressions, lip reading), and context, you can usually get the gist of, and participate in the conversation.
- Don’t fake it. Don’t just nod and pretend you hear or laugh just because everyone else is laughing. It can end up being embarrassing for you or insulting to someone else. Be honest. Be brave. Ask them to repeat. Tell them you have difficulty hearing/understanding.
Enjoy the holidays. Have fun with your family. Every moment is precious, don’t miss it!
The bad news: It’s worse than we previously thought
Early stage hearing loss was formerly considered “mild,” and depending on your lifestyle, would not trigger symptoms of difficulty communicating.
However, studies¹ now show significant changes in the brains of those with early stage hearing loss in comparison with those whose hearing is normal. Specifically, even with minimal auditory deprivation, the brain actually re-organizes itself, which results in poorer speech processing in noise and deterioration of cognitive functioning. This is a problem.
The good news: the decline is reversible.
Following clinical treatment with high-quality, expertly fitted hearing aids, the brain re-organized itself back to the original state.
Just six months after wearing hearing aids, both visual and working memory improved. In addition, processing speed as well as executive cognitive skill* performance were increased
Even better news: You can change the number one risk factor for dementia.
Research shows that about two thirds of the risk for dementia is hereditary or genetic. Therefore, one third of the risk of dementia is from causes that are modifiable. Hearing loss accounts for about 9% of dementia risk, a greater proportion than factors like hypertension, obesity, depression, diabetes and smoking. According to distinguished medical journal The Lancet, “among all of the modifiable risk factors, hearing loss is the most significant modifiable factor leading to dementia.”²
*Executive cognitive functions are the prerequisite to any purposeful and goal-directed action. They allow one to generate plans, solutions to problems, or organizing structures that guide future action. They rely on working memory, mental flexibility, and retrieval of relevant information from memory stores.
Click Here to read the full article >>>
¹Sharma A, Glick, H. Cortical neuroplasticity and cognitive function in early-stage, mild hearing loss: Evidence of neurocognitive benefit from hearing aid use. Front Neurosci. 2020:14(93):1-22 ² Livingston G, Sommerlad A, Ortega V. Dementia prevention, intervention, and care. The Lancet 2017;390(10113):2673-2734
Hearing Health Center recently introduced the option to lease hearing aids. It certainly makes sense. After all, we lease our cars, our smart phones, and office equipment. Why not lease our hearing aids?
Although cost isn’t the number one reason for the 80% of Americans who need hearing aids but don’t wear them,* it can certainly be a barrier to getting help.
Why Leasing?
Most people think of cars when they hearing the word leasing. Today, more people lease their cars than actually buy them. Why?
- Because they want to upgrade to the latest model every couple of years
- Because as the car gets older, it will need more maintenance and more repairs.
- Because they can drive a better, more expensive car, with affordable monthly payments.
Leasing quickly spread to other industries, including office equipment, medical and laboratory supplies, computers and IT equipment. The latest leasing trend is our smartphones. By the time we’re done paying for it, in low monthly installments, we are really to trade-in for the latest and greatest phone on the market.
Leasing Hearing Aids
The average life of hearing aids is between 3 and 5 years. Nationally, hearing aid users get new devices every 3.6 years. The reason is not necessarily because their hearing aids are bad. People get new hearing aids because:
- The prescription changed. Hearing never gets better. The hearing aids you got 3 years ago may no longer be appropriate for you.
- Ears change. The size and shape of the ear and the ear canals change with age, and wearing hearing aids often stretch the ear canal. Weight loss and weight gain also have an effect on the ears. Hearing aids may not fit correctly after a while.
- Technology advances and improves. New hearing aids increase clarity, especially in background noise, and enhance ability to communicate and participate in important conversations and activities.
If one of the things holding you back is the expense, leasing is a great solution. Most hearing aids leases are for three years. Monthly payments are as low as $99, for good hearing aid technology. Payments for the best, most advanced, premium hearing aids are approximately $200/month.
At the end of the three year lease, you can buy the hearing aids outright at a discounted price, or better yet, simply sign a new lease and get the newest developments in hearing aid technology. You’ll always have the best hearing and clearest quality of sound.
The Advantages of Leasing Hearing Aids
There are a lot of reasons why a lease may be the right option for your circumstances. Just a few of the benefits of leasing include:
- Affordability
- No large, out-of-pocket expenditure
- Buy-out options
- Flexible payment plans and financing
- No maintenance, repairs, or follow up costs**
Is a Hearing Aid Lease Right for Your Needs?
Only you will be able to answer this question. If you intend to wear your device until it is completely worn out and do not care about having the best possible technology, this may not be the best option. If you are interested in having a technologically advanced device, the ability to upgrade your device and want any potential issues taken care of properly, a lease is the ideal solution.
*The number one reason for not treating hearing problems is that most people don’t think their hearing is “bad enough.”
**Many leasing options include all maintenance, cover routine maintenance, clearings, reprogramming and adjustments, and manufacturer repairs.
Your Voice on a Tape Recorder (or through a Hearing Aid)
Did you ever hear your voice on a recording or through a hearing aid? Bet you didn’t like it. You most likely thought it didn’t sound anything like you. In fact, in a study of subjects listening to recordings of their own voice, along with recordings of 19 unfamiliar voice recordings, only 38% of subjects recognized their own voice.
Whether you liked or hated the sound of your voice on a recording that is the “real” sound of your voice. That is the voice others hear when you speak. It is not however, the voice you hear. The sound waves, created when we talk, create vibrations in our vocal cords, the vibrations of our vocal cords, soft tissue, and bones in our head. This makes us sound richer and deeper to ourselves.
WHAT’S NORMAL? How Your Voice Sounds With a Hearing Aid
Nearly everyone that puts on a hearing aid for the first time hates the sound of their voice. After putting on the hearing aids, every audiologist hears, “Ewww, I hate my own voice.” “I sound hollow and like an echo.” “I sound like I’m in a tunnel.” “I sound so raspy.”
The response of every audiologist is, “Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it.” That is true. The majority of hearing aid users do quickly get used to, and accept, the sound of their own voice.
“Normal” is what you’re used to. You’re used to hearing yourself with a hearing deficit at many of the pitches of speech. Your hearing changed gradually over 15 to 20 years. You didn’t notice that, little by little, your voice changed subtly along with it. Suddenly, in one minute, you’re hearing all of the pitches that took 20 years to lose.
It’s shocking. You don’t like it. No one likes it. But really, you do get used to the sound of your voice through hearing aids. Your “new” voice becomes your “new” normal. Unfortunately, it doesn’t happen overnight
THE GOOD NEWS. Hearing Aids Deliver
Faster Adaptation and more immediate relief are on their way. By understanding, and then manipulating, the intricacies and dynamics of sound, hearing aid manufacturers have gone to great lengths to reduce the shock of hearing a new you.
Technology really is amazing (when your computer works).