Do You Have Hearing Loss?

Answering "YES" to any of the following questions should be reason enough to have your hearing evaluated by an audiologist:

Do you have trouble understanding conversation in noisy environments?

Do you notice that you can "hear" but cannot always "understand" what others are saying?

Do you remain quiet in conversations for fear of responding improperly?

Do you often ask others to repeat themselves?

Do you avoid certain social activities because you cannot hear well?

Do you strain to hear soft-sounding voices such as those of women and children?

Do your friends and family members complain that the television volume is too loud?

Do you have a problem hearing on the telephone?

Here comes the hard part

Although we've all been put out a little bit by the construction and changes that have been happening in our office for the past several weeks, I think the hard part is just getting started.

Our old waiting room is now torn up - we're still using it, so please excuse the mess!

Sarah's office now has a gaping hole in the wall!  It will eventually become part hallway, part closet.

NOISE!  It's everywhere.  Thankfully, these workers have been really great about accommodating us when necessary.  So don't fret - if you have a hearing test scheduled, it won't be affected by the added noise!  When we ask them to take a 15 minute break, they've been happy to comply. (at least they appear happy!)

We've been updating with some pictures on our facebook page - have a look HERE.

With every little annoyance to our business, comes double the excitement for the finished product.  We've picked out wall paper and carpet and furniture...the anticipation is killing us!

The end date? We're still not quite sure. Things have been pushed back quite a bit (obviously) from our original April 1 deadline!  LOL.  I think we've probably got at least 2 weeks left before we're construction free...but that is certainly just a guess!

10 Surprising Medical Causes of Hearing Loss

There are many diseases and conditions that can cause hearing loss even though they are not obviously connected to the ear. Listed below in alphabetical order are some of the more common diseases and conditions unrelated to the ear that affect hearing:

1. DIABETES:  researchers have found that patients with diabetes have more hearing loss than people who do not have diabetes. The National Institute of Health found that hearing loss is twice as common in people with diabetes than people without it. People with prediabetes also have a higher incidence of hearing loss.

2. HERPES ZOSTER:  also known as shingles. When it affects the ear, the virus can cause facial paralysis, dizziness and hearing loss. The hearing loss is a nerve loss and can range from mild to severe.

3. HYPERTENSION:  High blood pressure can harden arteries and several studies have shown that hypertension is associated with increased risk of sensorineural hearing loss.

4. HYPOTHYROIDISM:  hypothyroidism can be present at birth or can develop later in life. Once the hearing loss is present, it can't be reversed through thyroid hormone replacement and it's always sensorineural in nature.

5. LYME DISEASE: the bacteria that causes Lyme disease can also cause sudden hearing loss, tinnitus, and hyperacusis (sensitivity to loud sound). Patients with these symptoms in Lyme-endemic areas should be tested for the infection since treatment with antibiotics can help reverse them.

6. MEASLES: vaccinations have helped to nearly eliminate measles as a cause of hearing loss, but a few cases are still reported every year. The measles virus was once the cause of 10% of deafness in newborns.

7. MENINGITIS:  meningitis is an inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord and can cause hearing loss. The CDC estimates there are between 3000 and 6000 cases each year in the US. The incidence has been reduced due to vaccinations that are now available.

8. MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS): sensorineural hearing loss occurs in about 6% of people with MS. They hearing loss is due to inflammation in the brain stem and cochlear nerve. The hearing loss is rarely severe and can sometimes be reversed if the inflammation is controlled.

9. MUMPS: mumps is a swelling of the salivary glands between the ear and the jaw and can cause a permanent sensorineural hearing loss in one year. Mumps was thought to be completely eradicated, but recently there has been a resurgence of cases.

10. RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA): there is some disagreement as to whether RA can cause hearing loss, but recent research shows that between 30 and 40% of patients with RA will exhibit some degree of hearing loss.

While many of these conditions listed about lead to non-reversible  permanent hearing loss, some of the conditions can be prevented through basic lifestyle changes. By keeping a healthy weight and eating a sensible diet and staying physically active, you can reduce your risk of hypertension and diabetes. Also you should keep your immunizations up-to-date and seek early treatment of diseases that could lead to hearing loss.

For more information on health and hearing loss, go to www.hearinghealthmag.com for the full article.

What is involved with ear impressions?

So, you've decided to get some custome-fit ear protection, or earbuds for your iPod. Or perhaps it's time for hearing aids.

How do we do it? How do we make a product that fit your ear specifically?

Our friends at Westone shared this video of the procedure:

Dry, Itchy Ears

We have many complaints about dry, itchy ears.  It's annoying, frustrating and can flat-out drive you crazy!  Itchy ears can be caused by too much wax or even not enough wax, allergies, ear infections and other skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

The most dangerous thing you can do is stick something down in your ear to try and relieve the itch. We've heard of people using pen caps, toothpicks, paperclips, bobby pins and all sorts of other little potentially damaging tools.  These are all no-nos!  Come on...you remember the old saying, "Never stick anything in your ear smaller than your elbow!"

Actually, there are some over-the-counter products that can give your ears a rest, when it comes to that itchy irritation.  There is Eargene and Miracell (both available in our office), and we have had good luck with these products.

But one other good old-fashioned standby is glycerin.  Glycerin is thick, like honey.  Really!  Put a little dab on your hand and see what it does for your skin.  But remember, a little goes a long way...you don't need a ton to coat the small surface area of your ear canal.

Dizzy? Loss of Balance? Vertigo? Motion Sickness?

The natural aging process may affect any one or all of our five senses, as well as the central nervous system's ability to interpret and react quickly to them.

It is very common to hear from someone who has fallen that they saw the curb or step, but were not able to react fast enough or to keep their balance.

The National Institute of Health Statistics indicate that balance-related falls account for half of the accidental deaths in the over 65 population. In addition, nearly 300,000 hip fractures and $3 billion in medical expenses result from balance-related falls every year.

With proper diagnosis and therapeutic exercises, called Balance Retraining, many older adults are able to return to a more active lifestyle.

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American Institute of Balance&reg Patient Self Quiz

Have you ever felt:

__ a feeling of motion, spinning, or falling when moving your head quickly, or changing your position, e.g. getting in and out of bed?

__ uncomfortable trying to get around in the dark?

__ walking down grocery store aisles or through the mall is upsetting?

__ your feet just won't go where you want them to?

__ a sense of unsteadiness? A feeling you are not sure-footed?

__ a fear of falling or stumbling?

__ looking at moving objects such as escalators or looking out the side window of a car makes you queasy?

__difficulty keeping your balance as you walk on different surfaces, e.g. tile to carpet?

__a feeling like you are drifting or being pulled to one side when walking?

__ no one really understand how frustrating all of this is?

If you checked one or more of these questions, a vestibular and equilibrium evaluation should be scheduled.  Talk to your primary doctor or call an talk to one of our AudigyCertified Audiologists.