A company from Fort Worth Texas, Sam-Go Products, has recently introduced a new see-through surgical mask and respirator mask. This mask would allow people with hearing loss communicate better with their physicians, dentists, and nurses! It gives a person with hearing difficulties access to much needed facial cues and lip reading.
Genius!
An added bonus - the mask is Green! It's reusable and reportedly has a life expectancy of over a year.
To learn more, visit: http://samgoproducts.weebly.com/
Monday, March 28, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Can my baby hear?
Parents don't always think about their new babies hearing right away. At first, you count their fingers and toes, marvel at the color of their eyes and the amount of (or lack of!) hair on their head.
But, did you know that hearing loss is one of the most frequently occurring birth defects? According to the NIDCD (the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders) approximately 2-3 of every 1000 babies born have significant hearing loss or deafness.
Countless studies have supported the fact that the earlier a child is diagnosed with hearing loss, the better. Undetected and untreated hearing loss in early childhood can hinder the normal development of speech, language and cognition, which in time can lead to significant learning disabilities and exorbitant educational costs. The National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM) reports that detecting and treating hearing loss at birth for one child saves $400,000 in special education costs by the time that child graduates from high school.
Most states have programs in place that ensure babies are screening within their first month of life. In Ohio, legislation requires each hospital or free-standing birthing center to conduct hearing screening on each newborn before discharge (unless transferred to another hospital). It goes on to require a complete follow-up test before 3 months of age on any baby who fails the screening, and after that, if hearing loss is confirmed, treatment must be in place by 6 months of age. (Yeah Ohio!) For information on Ohio's newborn hearing screening program, visit http://www.ohiohelpmegrow.org/parents/infanthearing/infanthearing.aspx
However, there a babies born who pass a newborn hearing screening and lose hearing later in life. It is important to know the normal auditory development of babies, so you can follow along with your child's development and talk to the pediatrician if questions arise. Just remember - not all babies develop exactly the same way, that's why there are such age ranges here. And, trust your own motherly (or fatherly) instincts. If you have a concern, don't hesitate to ask someone who knows.
But, did you know that hearing loss is one of the most frequently occurring birth defects? According to the NIDCD (the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders) approximately 2-3 of every 1000 babies born have significant hearing loss or deafness.
Countless studies have supported the fact that the earlier a child is diagnosed with hearing loss, the better. Undetected and untreated hearing loss in early childhood can hinder the normal development of speech, language and cognition, which in time can lead to significant learning disabilities and exorbitant educational costs. The National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM) reports that detecting and treating hearing loss at birth for one child saves $400,000 in special education costs by the time that child graduates from high school.
Most states have programs in place that ensure babies are screening within their first month of life. In Ohio, legislation requires each hospital or free-standing birthing center to conduct hearing screening on each newborn before discharge (unless transferred to another hospital). It goes on to require a complete follow-up test before 3 months of age on any baby who fails the screening, and after that, if hearing loss is confirmed, treatment must be in place by 6 months of age. (Yeah Ohio!) For information on Ohio's newborn hearing screening program, visit http://www.ohiohelpmegrow.org/parents/infanthearing/infanthearing.aspx
However, there a babies born who pass a newborn hearing screening and lose hearing later in life. It is important to know the normal auditory development of babies, so you can follow along with your child's development and talk to the pediatrician if questions arise. Just remember - not all babies develop exactly the same way, that's why there are such age ranges here. And, trust your own motherly (or fatherly) instincts. If you have a concern, don't hesitate to ask someone who knows.
BIRTH – 3 MONTHS | - Reacts to loud sounds - Is soothed by your voice - Turns head to you when you speak - Is awakened by loud voices and sounds - Smiles when spoken to - Seems to know your voice and quiets down if crying |
3 – 6 MONTHS | - Looks upward or turns toward a new sound - Responds to changes in voice tone - Imitates his/her own voice - Enjoys rattles and other toys that make sounds - Begins to repeat sounds (such as ooh, aah, & ba-ba) |
6 – 10 MONTHS | - Knows words for everyday objects (i.e. cup) as well as common sayings ("bye-bye") - Makes babbling sounds, even when alone - Starts to respond to requests such as "come here" - Looks at things or pictures when someone talks about them - Responds to his/her own name, telephone ringing, or your voice |
10 – 15 MONTHS | - Plays with own voice, enjoying the sounds & feel of it - Points to or looks at familiar objects or people when prompted - Imitates simple words & sounds; may use a few single words meaningfully - Enjoys games like peeka-boo & pat-a-cake |
15 – 18 MONTHS | - Follows simple directions such as "Give me the ball" - Uses words he/she has heard often - Comments, points to objects, vocalizes or uses word approximations or single words |
18 – 24 MONTHS | - Understands simple "yes-no" questions ("Are you hungry?") - Understands simple phrases ("in the cup") - Enjoys being read to - Points to pictures when asked - Uses 2-word combinations to talk about or ask for things |
24 – 36 MONTHS | - Understands "not now" - Follows simple directions such as "get your shoes" - Understands many action words (run, jump) - Begins to use articles ("a" "the") and word endings (e.g., "ing, "ed") - Engages in short dialogues |
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Tinnitus Research Update
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center hypothesize that tinnitus may be produced by an unfortunate combination of structural and functional changes in the brain. According to the study, tinnitus - the phantom ringing heard by about 40 million people in the US today - is caused by brains that try, but fail, to protect their human hosts against overwhelming auditory stimuli. Researchers add that the same process may be responsible for chronic pain and other perceptual disorders.
The researcherrs say that the absence of sound from hearing loss in certain frequencies due to normal aging, loud-noise exposure or an accident, forces the brain to produce sounds to replace what's missing. Tinnitus results when the brain's limbic system (which is involved in processing emotions and other functions) fails to stop these sounds from reaching conscious auditory pathways.
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I liken Tinnitus to a "phantom limb." When someone loses an arm or a leg, it's common for them to have the sensation that they can still feel that limb - they can feel it moving or feel temperature changes. Tinnitus is similar. You have lost a part of your hearing, but your brain still has the sensation that sound is still there. So you are, in essence, getting a false-firing of that hearing nerve - something is triggering a sound when there is not a sound there.
Monday, March 21, 2011
YOU are doing it better!
from The ASHA Leader, February 15, 2011
American adults hear better than their grandparents did at the ame age, according to a study in the December 2010 Ear and Hearing.
Researchers compared hearing data from two national surveys (1959-1962 and 1999-2004) and discovered that men and women todya across the age spectrum have better hearign then their counterparts decades earlier, primarily in the higher frequencies (2000-6000Hz), although hearing in the middle frequency of 1000Hz was roughly the same.
Although the cause for improvement is not clear, researchers noted a viariety of possible factors, including fewer perople who smoke, better health care for people with diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and better care for childhood otitis media.
In addition, vaccines developed in the intervening years protect children from rubella and meningitis. Researchers also noted a decline in noisy manufacturing jobs and an increase in workplace hearing consrvation programs.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
ZEPHYR: Now available at Kenwood!
Monday, March 14, 2011
SPECIAL: Spring Tune-Up!
Call today to scheduled your appointment for
a Spring Tune-Up!
$39.99
Includes hearing screening, reprogramming of your
hearing aids (if necessary) and in-office repairs.
Expires: April 30, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
We Proudly Announce Kenwood is a member of Audigy Group!
Did you know...We are the only AudigyCertifiedTM practice in our area?
Did you know...We have been hand-selected and certified as being the most elite practice in this region?
Did you know...No other practice can provide you with the services and experience we offer?
Did you know...We have been hand-selected and certified as being the most elite practice in this region?
Did you know...No other practice can provide you with the services and experience we offer?
THE KENWOOD HEARING CENTER DIFFERENCE
AudigyCertified professionals possess the highest credentials and are among the country's most experienced practitioners of hearing and diagnostic services. We are one of the 250 most-elite private practices nationally, all of whom adhere to the same set of unsurpassed patient care standards.
Our shared mission and vision is to deliver
- Unsurpassed patient satisfaction.
- Excellence through continuing education.
- Effective analysis and diagnosis of your hearing or balance condition.
- Customized technology solutions that effectively integrate speech comprehension back into your life.
- Ongoing investment in the most advanced processes, procedures and technology to ensure superior results for each patient.
Our written Service Excellence Guarantee includes the following comprehensive programs
- We offer a 45-day trial and retraining period to ensuer the recommended solution will meet your needs.
- We exclusively have access to AGX technology, which utilizes platforms from the world's leading manufacturers, and is desinged and customized by AudigyCertified professionals based on years of experience fitting a wide range of patients.
- Based on your listening lifestyle, AGX technology comes with a one or three year full warranty and loss and damage coverage.
- All check-up appointments and cleanings of your hearing system are 100% covered within your warranty period.
The ENTIRE staff of Kenwood Hearing Center - all audiologists and all support staff - are currently in Dallas, TX attending an intensive training program with other members of Audigy. We look forward to putting our new-found knowledge into practice when we return!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
From Silence to Sound
an award-winning documentary from Brooklyn Girl Productions: a deaf man takes a chance on a risky surgery in hopes of hearing for the first time in his life.
The film documents the life-changing journey of Justin Garrett, a man profoundly deaf since birth. He undergoes bilateral cochlear implantation in Oklahoma in 2006. Prior to the surgery, Justing had less than 2% hearing in both ears. Today he has nearly 98% hearing delivered via his cochlear implants.
Read more: From Silence to Sound
The film documents the life-changing journey of Justin Garrett, a man profoundly deaf since birth. He undergoes bilateral cochlear implantation in Oklahoma in 2006. Prior to the surgery, Justing had less than 2% hearing in both ears. Today he has nearly 98% hearing delivered via his cochlear implants.
Read more: From Silence to Sound
Monday, March 7, 2011
Why all the maintenance?
Q: My hearing aids seem to require more maintenance and repair than other electronic devices around my home. Is this normal? Is there anything that I can do to reduce these problems?
A: It is very common for hearing aids to require more care and attention that other electronic devices, such as your television, radio, or microwave, for example. There are a few reasons for this. First, hearing aids are very complex miniaturized devices. Especially today's style hearing aids, which contain at least a microphone, battery, amplifier, microchip and a speaker, all within a thin, lightweight, custom-made, polyurethane shell.
Secondly, most people use their hearing aids for longer periods of time each day than other electronic devices. For instance, compared to a radio or TV that may only be in use for 2-4 hours each day, you wear your hearing aids for 14-16 hours at a time. During that time, the hearing aids are working very hard, continuously analyzing the sounds in your environment and making millions of calculations every second to help you hear as clearly as possible.
The third, and most important reason that hearing aids often require more attention and repair is related to the environment. In contrast to an electronic device such as your TV, which remains in a relatively controlled temperature, hearing aids work in one of the harshest environments - the ear canal. In the ear canal, the hearing aid experiences shell pressure from jaw movement, wax buildup moisture and perspiration, dust and dirt, all of which can be extremely damaging to the intricate components of the instrument.
What you can do to reduce the potential for repairs and minimize problems is check and clean your hearing aids once a day. Consult your user's manual or contact your audiologist for proper cleaning, care and maintenance tips. Additionally, we recommend that you let us professionally clean your hearing aids at least once a year.
A: It is very common for hearing aids to require more care and attention that other electronic devices, such as your television, radio, or microwave, for example. There are a few reasons for this. First, hearing aids are very complex miniaturized devices. Especially today's style hearing aids, which contain at least a microphone, battery, amplifier, microchip and a speaker, all within a thin, lightweight, custom-made, polyurethane shell.
Secondly, most people use their hearing aids for longer periods of time each day than other electronic devices. For instance, compared to a radio or TV that may only be in use for 2-4 hours each day, you wear your hearing aids for 14-16 hours at a time. During that time, the hearing aids are working very hard, continuously analyzing the sounds in your environment and making millions of calculations every second to help you hear as clearly as possible.
The third, and most important reason that hearing aids often require more attention and repair is related to the environment. In contrast to an electronic device such as your TV, which remains in a relatively controlled temperature, hearing aids work in one of the harshest environments - the ear canal. In the ear canal, the hearing aid experiences shell pressure from jaw movement, wax buildup moisture and perspiration, dust and dirt, all of which can be extremely damaging to the intricate components of the instrument.
What you can do to reduce the potential for repairs and minimize problems is check and clean your hearing aids once a day. Consult your user's manual or contact your audiologist for proper cleaning, care and maintenance tips. Additionally, we recommend that you let us professionally clean your hearing aids at least once a year.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Clean Your Earmolds! It's Important!
The ear is a dark, warm, moist place where bacteria and other germs - some good and some bad - like to grow. These bacteria or germs get on the surfaces of your hearing aid or earmold and continue to grow. Some of these bacteria or germs are not part of your ear's normal environment and can easily infect the skin of your ear canal. This may cause itchiness, redness, swelling, pain and ear odor.
Poor maintenance is a common reason why hearing aids to don't work. Most of the time, hearing aid repairs are necessary due to: earwax, body oil, various moisture, dirty hands, oily hands.
All of the above can cause clogging and breakdown of hearing aids. If you don't clean your hearing aids appropriately, in a short period of time earwax, dirt or moisture will clog up components such that your hearing aids will need to be repaired. If they're out of warranty, the repair will cost you money. More importantly, you'll be without your hearing aids during the repair period, which could be up to two weeks, and we'd like to avoid that.
Cleaning your hearing aids the right way is important! Wiping them with a tissue is NOT enough! Using alcohol pads is NOT a good idea.
Your hearing aids will become contaminated with bacteria or other germs. Since these devices are worn in the ear, it is important to make sure that your hearing aids are cleaned and disinfected properly. Your hearing aids are made from special material that requires special cleaning. using alcohol will ruin surfaces quickly. Only use what is recommended by your audiologist.
Poor maintenance is a common reason why hearing aids to don't work. Most of the time, hearing aid repairs are necessary due to: earwax, body oil, various moisture, dirty hands, oily hands.
All of the above can cause clogging and breakdown of hearing aids. If you don't clean your hearing aids appropriately, in a short period of time earwax, dirt or moisture will clog up components such that your hearing aids will need to be repaired. If they're out of warranty, the repair will cost you money. More importantly, you'll be without your hearing aids during the repair period, which could be up to two weeks, and we'd like to avoid that.
Cleaning your hearing aids the right way is important! Wiping them with a tissue is NOT enough! Using alcohol pads is NOT a good idea.
Your hearing aids will become contaminated with bacteria or other germs. Since these devices are worn in the ear, it is important to make sure that your hearing aids are cleaned and disinfected properly. Your hearing aids are made from special material that requires special cleaning. using alcohol will ruin surfaces quickly. Only use what is recommended by your audiologist.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Sign Language Alphabet
Have you ever wanted to learn some sign language?
It's definitely not something you can learn overnight - it's a LANGUAGE in itself, however, you can quickly learn the letters of American Sign Language and "finger spell"
(Click Image to Enlarge)
Practice by learning to spell you own name.
The names of your friends, family and pets.
Your favorite food.
Common household words...
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