Earplugs: 101

By now, we should all be aware of the damaging affects noise can have on our hearing. But what can we do about it when we have to be in loud environments?

Earplugs.

Earplugs are not only ideal for use in noisy work environments, they are ideal for recreational listening, mowing the lawn, using loud power tools or firearms.

custom hearing protection
available at Kenwood!

Disposable earplugs are available and can be purchased at any retail drugstore or even sporting goods stores. You MUST look for a good, snug seal for comfort and to ensure the noise rating is a minimum of 22dB for solid protection.  High-fidelity earplugs are also available - these earplugs have embedded filters that help reduce distortion, ideal for musicians.

At Kenwood Hearing Center, we offer custom-fit hearing protection. These require us to take an impression, or mold, of your ears. The earplugs are then custom-made to fit your ears. These offer the best protection as you can often get 30 to 45dB of sound reduction, depending on the frequency.

Energizer recently conducted an "All Ears" survey of 1,065 baby boomers whose spouses suffer from hearing loss. Here's what their survey reveled: 

1. Listen up: Being hard of hearing can cause hard feelings. About half (47.8 percent) of the respondents feel that their marriage has suffered because of their spouse's hearing loss. Nearly seven out of 10 (64.8 percent) respondents feel annoyed when their spouse cannot hear them. In addition, 16.4 percent feel ignored and 8.1 percent feel sad or hurt.

2. Loud talkers: Raised voices become more familiar. More than half (59.8 percent) find themselves in recent years talking louder daily so their spouse can hear them. And 83.4 percent feel that if they talk loud enough, it would help their spouse better understand what they are saying.

3. Sounds like a sandwich: Is it hearing loss, or selective hearing? While 45.3 percent of respondents believe their spouse doesn't hear chore requests, 77.5 percent say their spouse can hear them fix a snack.

4. In denial: Nearly half believe their spouse is in denial about their hearing loss. Of the boomers surveyed, 56.8 percent feel their spouse is reluctant to get his or her hearing checked. Nearly half (46.4 percent) feel that denial is the No. 1 reason their significant other is hesitant to get his or her hearing checked.

5. Time for checkup: Hearing screenings are few and far between. More than a third (35.6 percent) know their spouse hasn't had his or her hearing checked in more than three years. Moreover, 23.4 percent revealed that their spouse has never had his or her hearing checked.

How Loud is Too Loud?

For more than 75 years, May has been Better Speech and Hearing Month. According to the American Speech-Hearing-Language Association, it's a time to raise awareness about communication disorders, treatments and prevention.

The noise chart below lists average decibel levels for everyday sounds. Sounds that are louder than 85 dB can cause hearing loss after eight hours of exposure. The higher the decibel, the shorter the period of time it can take for hearing loss to occur.

Painful

• 150 dB = fireworks at 3 feet

• 140 dB = firearms, jet engine

• 130 dB = jackhammer

• 120 dB = jet plane takeoff, siren

Extremely loud

• 110 dB = maximum output of some MP3 players, model airplane, chain saw

• 106 dB = gas lawn mower, snowblower

• 100 dB = hand drill, pneumatic drill

• 90 dB = subway, passing motorcycle

Very loud

• 80-90 dB = blow-dryer, kitchen blender, food processor

• 70 dB = busy traffic, vacuum cleaner, alarm clock

Moderate

• 60 dB = typical conversation, dishwasher, clothes dryer

• 50 dB = moderate rainfall

• 40 dB = quiet room

Faint

• 30 dB = whisper, quiet library

Source: The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association website (www.asha.org)

Deborah J. Botti

Did You Know...

• Do you have a problem hearing over the telephone?
• Do you have trouble following the conversation when two or more people are talking at the same time?
• Do people complain that you turn the TV volume up too high?
• Do you have to strain to understand conversation?
• Do you have trouble hearing in a noisy background?
• Do you find yourself asking people to repeat themselves?
• Do many people you talk to seem to mumble (or not speak clearly)?
• Do you misunderstand what others are saying and respond inappropriately?
• Do you have trouble understanding the speech of women and children?
• Do people get annoyed because you misunderstand what they say?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be suffering from a hearing loss.  Call our office today to schedule an appointment for a Complete Hearing Evaluation! We have offices in Toledo, Bowling Green and Wauseon - call 419-534-3111 or toll-free 1-877-534-3277 to schedule an appointment at any location.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame...

Come celebrate Deaf Awareness Night with the Toledo Mud Hens and a post-game fireworks show

A leader of the Deaf Community will start off the game with the first pitch and school age children will entertain the crowd by signing either the National Anthem or the 7^th inning stretch "Take Me Out to the Ballgame".

Tickets can be ordered from the Deaf and hard of Hearing Center 419-241-6219(v) 419-386-2140(VP), in person at the Mud Hens stadium, or online at www.mudhens.com. If purchasing tickets at the stadium or online please use the PROMO CODE: deaf, this will ensure you are in the right section. Please contact Veronica McComb at 419-241-6219 ext. 216 or vmccomb@heartoledospeak.org with any questions or for more information.

Everyone is invited to the Toledo Deaf Club for an Open House after the game to continue the fun and socialization, for more information on the Toledo Deaf Club go to www.TDCnow.com This game will have a fireworks show and following the game the Toledo Deaf Club is hosting an open pricing and put you in the right section. This game will have a fireworks show and following the game the Toledo Deaf Club is hosting an open house.

We need to sell at least 100 tickets to be able to throw the first pitch, the pitcher will be a leader from the deaf community. The coordinator is looking into geting the ASL Mud Hens shirts, once we get more information on if the shirts the information will be posted.

We are also trying to set up a booth to recognize William Ellsworth "Dummy" Hoy, the coordinator is also looking into whether this will be allowed. We are hoping next year to have the information shown during the 7th inning stretch on the big screen...so come on out and show your support!

Any questions please feel free to contact me 419-241-6219 ext. 216 (v) 419-386-2140 (vp) or email vmccomb@heartoledospeak.orgpricing and put you in the right section. This game will have a fireworks show and following the game the Toledo Deaf Club is hosting an open house.

Place: 5/3 Field Downtown Toledo

Date: Friday, May 27. 2011

Time: 7:00pm

Price: $9.00