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.
Dr. Ronna Fisher, Founder of the Hearing Health Centers in Chicago, demonstrates how to insert and remove a Lyric Hearing Aid. To learn more about Hearing Aids, visit https://hearinghealthcenter.com/hearing-aids-chicago/
Dr. Ronna Fisher, Founder of the Hearing Health Centers in Chicago, demonstrates how to insert and remove a Lyric Hearing Aid. Learn more about Hearing Aids here
Our world has become increasingly loud in the past 20 years; think cars, trains, subways, and the general hum of the city life. Our exposure to these sounds alone is most likely not enough to be considered a hazard to our hearing, but they do influence how we listen to other mediums which may be a danger to our hearing.
Since the turn of the century, our access to sound has increased; personal music players and blue tooth headsets. We have really taken our access to sound “on-the-go” into what could be a 24/7 experience. The ability to listen to music on your walk to work or during a workout is fun and exciting, and the ability to make a phone call while grocery shopping or multi-tasking is surely convenient- but I have to wonder…where is your volume set?
Most personal headsets are offered of a generic fit of “one size fits all”. The problem with this non-custom fit model is that it allows room for acoustic leakage, which means that sound is able to leak in and out through the cracks. If ambient sound is leaking in, the result is an increase in volume so that we can hear our phone call or music over the background noise.
This is where we go from loud to TOO LOUD.
The best thing that you can do to avoid hearing loss due to exposure to loud sound from your headphones is to purchase custom-fit sleeves for your ear-buds. A mold of your ear canal, taken by an Audiologist, will be used to create a soft custom piece that will fit right over your ear-bud, giving you the isolation from the ambient sound that you need in order to turn the volume down.
A good rule of thumb is the 80% rule; always keep the volume at no more than 80% of full on volume. In addition to keeping your ears safe, you always want to be able to hear other things going on around you, and never want someone from the other end of the bus to be able to know exactly what song you’re listening to. And when in doubt, consult your Audiologist!! We are here to help!
Have you ever wondered if there are foods you can eat to help improve your hearing? Read on!
by Ali Marquess, Audiology Technician
Recent studies have shown the correlation of magnesium intake along with antioxidants may prevent hearing loss due to noise exposure and even genetics. At the University of Michigan Kresge Hearing Research Center, two studies focused on just this. A drug cocktail of Vitamins A, C, and E mixed with magnesium, slowed down hereditary deafness in mice with a specific genetic mutation (connexin 26 gene deletion) that is known to cause genetic hearing loss in humans. A very similar cocktail was given to guinea pigs prior to noise exposure and they found the combination of the four micronutrients blocked about 80 percent of the noise-induced hearing impairment. This has since been brought to human trials on military bases in Spain and Sweden. Specifically given to a military population because statistics show that one-third of returning soldiers fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq cannot be redeployed specifically because of hearing impairment, likely caused by noise exposure. These studies are still ongoing in human populations.
As for right now, Audiologists, researchers, and other medical professionals suggest eating a well-balanced diet with Vitamins, minerals and antioxidants specifically in mind to keep your hearing and overall health in good standing.
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is important for normal vision, immune system, proper organ function and reproduction. There is a lot of research showing a link between lack of Vitamin A and hearing loss, and a correlation between high levels of Vitamin A and better hearing.
Foods: Beef liver, carrots, sweet potatoes, kale, spinach, apricots, broccoli, butter, eggs and squash.
Click here for a list of correlation.
Vitamin B-12 keeps the nerve and blood cells healthy, and also assist in making DNA. B-12 deficient people are more at risk for tinnitus (ringing in the ears), noise-induced hearing loss, and possibly presbycusis (age-related hearing loss) especially combined with low folate levels.
Foods: meat, poultry, dairy. Beef liver, salmon, sardines and clams are specifically high in B12. Animal products are the only source to get B12 naturally. If you are vegetarian/vegan, try a supplement.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant found in most fruits and vegetables. It is helpful in providing a strong immune system, fighting off infections (like those of the middle ear) and preventing damage to the hair cells within the cochlea (inner ear).
Foods: oranges, strawberries, pineapple, mango, Brussels sprouts, bell peppers, kiwi, and broccoli.
Vitamin D is primarily responsible for bone health. A vitamin D deficiency can cause osteopenia (bone loss) and otosclerosis (abnormal bone growth/calcification) in the bones of the middle ear, which can lead to hearing loss and deafness.
Foods: fatty fish like tuna, mackerel and salmon, dairy products, fortified foods, beef liver, cheese, and egg yolks.
Vitamin E has antioxidant properties and improves circulation. This is said to be beneficial for the hair cells in the inner ear (cochlea). Also- your entire body!
Foods: Almonds, spinach, sweet potato, avocado, wheat germ, sunflower seeds
Magnesium regulates muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure. It also makes protein, bone and DNA. Magnesium also regulates glutamate, which is a neurotransmitter produced in the inner ear/hair cells. Those who are magnesium are more likely to develop tinnitus.
Foods: Dark chocolate, nuts, avocados, tofu, seeds, whole grains and some fatty fish.
Potassium is an electrolyte that conducts electricity in the body in conjunction with sodium, chloride, calcium and magnesium. Potassium is one of the fluids present in the inner ear. Regulating this electrolyte can help keep potassium levels high in the inner ear, which tends to drop off with age. This is one of the leading causes in presbycusis (Age related hearing loss)
Foods: potatoes, spinach, lima beans, tomatoes, raisins, apricots, bananas, melons, oranges, yogurt and low-fat milk.
- Sources:
- Bill Sardithe Vitamin Supplement Answer Man.” Knowledge of Health RSS, knowledgeofhealth.com/lack-of-vitamin-a-may-be-overlooked-root-of-tinnitus-and-hearing-loss/.
- “Can Vitamins and Minerals Prevent Hearing Loss?” Can Vitamins and Minerals Prevent Hearing Loss? | Michigan Medicine, 10 Nov. 2008, www.uofmhealth.org/news/824vitamins-and-minerals-prevent-hearing-loss.
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- Windsor, Amie. “Foods That Boost Hearing Health: The Power of Vitamins.” Healthy Hearing, 14 Mar. 2016,
www.healthyhearing.com/report/51182-Foods-that-boost-hearing-health-the-power-of-vitamins.
Walter Jacobson interview Dr. Ronna Fisher, founder of the Hearing Health Centers in Chicago and the Fisher Foundation for Hearing on hearing loss and cancer treatment. Visit www.fisherfoundationforhearing.org to learn more.
Author: Dr. Jaclyn Riel
Walking into a busy restaurant, a work meeting, or even a family gathering, you may feel overwhelmed and frustrated with all the sounds your hearing instruments are picking up. This is normal! Even people with normal hearing have difficulty in these situations. Here are some tips to help you hear your best:
1. Always sit facing the person that you are trying to hear, and put your back to the crowd/noise! Do not sit with your back to a wall and face the crowd.
2. Make sure there is adequate lighting. A dark restaurant makes it difficult to read facial expressions and lips.
3. If you are in a large meeting, ask if the room is looped or if they have assistance for the hearing impaired.
4. Use a remote microphone to hear the speaker (if your hearing aids are compatible).
5. Turn down the noise if possible (turn off the television, turn down the radio).
6. Do not be afraid to tell people when you didn’t hear them! If you do not understand something, ask that the speaker repeat or rephrase. You would be surprised by how many other people also missed what was said!
7. Find a quiet place to talk. Stay away from speaker systems and music while talking with others.
Hearing aids, like all electronic or mechanical devices, need routine maintenance! No matter what style of hearing aid you have, they are all electronic devices that are put in a sweaty, waxy, moist environment for an average of 18 hours a day so they need daily maintenance to function properly and consistently.
Below, are some tips to help keep your hearing aids functioning well:
- Wipe down hearing aid and/or dome daily with a tissue or moist wipe
- Brush microphones, receivers, and other parts of hearing aid daily– you can use what was given to you by your audiologist, or a small soft baby toothbrush
- Hearing aids that have wax guard systems—check and change at least once month, or anytime the wax guard is clogged and you’re not hearing well. Wax guards are available for purchase at all offices!
- Domes should be replaced if they start to get loose or saggy, so they don’t get stuck in the ear canal. Consider changing your domes every couple of months to prevent this from happening.
- Open battery door at night to turn your hearing aids off and let air into the battery compartment. This should also save you some battery life!
- Do not store the hearing in a humid environment (i.e. bathroom).
- Put the hearing aids in a Drying Unit at night! Most units have fans to circulate the air, UV lights to kill bacteria, and a desiccant to remove moisture and humidity from the hearing aids. If you don’t have one, GET ONE!
IT’S VERY IMPORTANT TO PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT
Remember—daily maintenance will improve the performance of the hearing aid, but it will not necessarily extend the life of a hearing aid. National average lifetime of a hearing aid is 3.8 years—at that point it is time to consider upgrading technology so that you can continue to hear as best as you can!
Author: Dr. Alissa Nickerson
We live in a digital age. With a click of a button, you can download your favorite movies. You can order the latest clothing trends. You can even have your groceries delivered right to your door. So what about having your hearing aids delivered to you? Sure, the convenience and relative ease might be convincing. But how do you know you’re really getting the hearing help you need?
The hearing industry has grown tremendously in the last 25 years. We no longer see the “big beige bananas” that plagued those with hearing problems in the past. Now, hearing aids are small, discrete and more technologically advanced than ever. But, it’s not just the hearing aids that help the user. It’s the trained Doctor of Audiology fitting the hearing aids. This is true in not just the hearing industry but many health-related fields. Consider a doctor performing a knee surgery: sure, the prostheses helps the patient, but it will only work well if the doctor performs the surgery appropriately. The same is true for your hearing! Unless your hearing aid is programmed directly for your needs—your physical ear, your lifestyle, your audiometric hearing loss—you won’t be getting the hearing help you need.
In addition to the knowledge the Doctor of Audiology can provide in a professional appointment, there are so many other aspects of hearing health that need to be addressed when you get hearing aids:
- Diagnosis: Before ever discussing hearing aids with you, Doctors of Audiology perform extensive testing to determine the root cause of your hearing problems. In some instances, hearing problems can be easily fixed, such as removing a build-up of earwax from the ear. Without a doctor’s diagnosis, you could be scammed into paying for a hearing aid online that you do not need.
- Programming: Hearing aids are not just volume controls. Hearing aids have to be specifically programmed to help you hear the sounds you are missing. Without a comprehensive test, even the best hearing aids can’t help you because they won’t be programmed to your needs.
- Fit: The fit of the hearing aids has to be customized to you. If you buy online, there is no guarantee that the hearing aids will fit your ears.
- Repairs: Hearing aids can, and do break, just like any piece of technology. When this happens, it’s important to have a professional nearby to help you with issues.
So are you really getting a bargain online? Is it really convenient if you aren’t hearing your best? I’ll let you be the judge. The Doctors of Audiology at the Hearing Health Center are here for you— we look forward to evaluating your hearing and balance problems.
Anyone that has a behind-the-ear hearing aid will use either a dome or a custom mold- this is the piece of rubber or plastic that goes directly into the ear. These pieces of your hearing aid live in a wet, humid environment- so it’s important to know when to change them out! Additionally, sometimes the dome or ear mold just doesn’t fit right, which will not only affect the quality of your hearing, but it will also affect your experience with the hearing aids themselves.
DOMES
The dome is the rubber tip that sits inside the individual’s ear canal. Domes are usually clear or black, and can range in a wide variety of sizes- one for every possible ear canal! As the dome is the first point of contact with your ear canal, it can very easily become blocked with wax or debris, and prevent sound from coming out of the hearing aid. We see a lot of patients whose hearing aids have “stopped working”- when upon closer inspection, they just need a clean dome! When the dome becomes plugged, you can use a cleaning tool with a brush on the end to brush off any debris or wax. So, when should you change your dome with a new one? You should change your dome if it is ripped or yellow. If you see that your dome is ripped or has turned a yellow color, it is time to visit your audiologist and change your dome- or, change it at home!
CUSTOM EAR MOLDS
Many patients with behind-the-ear hearing aids have custom molds that fit into their ear.
You may need to get a new ear mold if:
- Your ear mold is not fitting right or coming out of your ear.
- Your ear mold is ripping or very discolored.
- You are getting feedback or whistling from your hearing aid. If your ear mold is not fitting in your ear correctly, sound may be leaking out of your ear and getting picked up by the microphones of your hearing aid.
In any of these cases, call your audiologist to see if it’s time for a new ear impression!