WHAT?

If your kid thinks it's cool to listen to his iPod at full blast, or to have her ears ringing after a Justin Bieber concert, it's time to speak up about the dangers. nearly half of the 2,500 respondents in a 2010 mtv.com survey said they listened to MP3 players at 75 to 100 percent of their maximum volume. Nearly half also said they experienced symptoms of hearing loss (ringing in the ears, trouble hearing, ear pain from loud noise) but only 32 percent said the considered it a problem.

"Hearing loss is so prevalent that it has become the norm," says study author Roland Eavey, M.D., director of the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center. "Parents need to tell kids to protect their ears, just as they tell them to wear helmets and sunscreen." A good gauge and house rule: if you can hear the music your child is listening to on his MP3 player, it's too loud. Also consider nipping the problem in the earbud with healthy headphone options. like volume-reducing earphones (we have some available in our office for $19.99 plus tax).  They make great stocking stuffers!

Why You Should NOT Clean Your Ears with a Cotton Swab

There are some people that swear by sticking a cotton swab (Q-Tip) into their ears to remove excess wax and debris. Anyone in the medical field can tell you that they have seen many catastrophes resulting from using cotton swabs. From punctured ear drums to super impacted wax, there are many negative consequences associated with "do-it-yourself" ear cleaning.

There are a number of "bad" items that people use to clean their ears, some of the most interesting seen in the doctor's office are:

• cotton swabs (q-tips)
• hair pins
• tweezers
• pens and pencils
• straws
• paper clips
• children's toys

The ear canal has specialized cells that produce cerumen, commonly known as ear wax. For some people, ear wax accumulates must faster than others. This can lead to wax build-up that causes decreased ability to hear and ni some instances, pain.  As an easy way to avoid seeing a medical professional, many folks resort to using swabs to remove the excess wax. while this may seem like an excellent alternative to spending countless minutes waiting in a doctor's office waiting room, using a cotton swab may do more harm than good.

The ear drum is easily reached with a swab. Because the ear drum is so delicate, it can be easily ruptured by using even the gentlest pressure when using a swab. Ask anyone who has experienced a punctured ear drum - it isn't a pleasant experience. The pain is quite severe and the ear may also leak a clear fluid.  While a punctured ear rum will heal, it typically takes awhile and can even lead to conductive hearing loss.

So this leaves us with the question, do we really need to clean out our ears? The answer is a little confusing, as both a "yes" and a "no" are appropriate.  The outer ear that can be sen does need a good cleaning every now and then. This can be accomplished with a little soap, water and a washcloth.

In most cases, the ear canal does not need to be cleaned. During hair washing or showers, enough water enters into the ear canal to loosen the wax that has accumulated. Additionally, the skin in your ear canal naturally grows in an outward, spiral pattern. As it sloughs off, ear wax goes with it. most of the time the wax will loosen and fall out on its own while you are asleep. The need for a cotton swab isn't really necessary.

For those that have heavy wax build-up, a trip to the doctor may be needed. Doctors can easily remove ear wax in various ways.  Never stick anything into your ear canal, including your own fingers. This could further impact the wax or damage the ear drum. As a good rue of thumb, if you aren't  sure if what you are doing is safe, contact a health professional.

Noise and Hearing Loss

What is noise induced hearing loss?
When exposed to harmful impulse noise or loud sounds over a prolonged period, sensitive structures in our inner ear can be damaged causing noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). These sensitive structures, called hair cells, are small sensory cells in the inner ear that convert sound energy into electrical signals that travel tot he rain. Once damaged, hair cells cannot grow back. Recent studies have shown that exposure to harmful noise triggers the formation of molecules inside the ear that can damage or kill hair cells.

How much noise is too much?
Sounds louder than 85 decibels (dB) can damage your ears. A decibel is a unit that measures the intensity of sound on a scale from 0 to 150. a normal conversation is about 45 dB. Jack hammers and dump trucks ring in at over 100dB and mp3 players can exceed 120dB!

What are the affects of NIHL?
Exposure to harmful sounds causes damage to the hair cells as well as the auditory, or hearing, nerve. Impulse sound can result in immediate hearing loss that may be permanent. This kind of hearing loss may be accompanied by tinnitus,  a ringing, buzzing or roaring in the ears or head, which may subside over time. Hearing loss and tinnitus may be experienced in one or both ears, and tinnitus may continue constantly or occasionally throughout a lifetime.

The Wonders of the Cucumber!

(this is just fun, absolutely not hearing related at all!)

The information was found in the New York Times several years ago as part of their "Spotlight the Home" series that highlighted creative and fanciful ways to solve common problems.

1. cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc!

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices of cucumber in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals i the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite.  Works great on wrinkles to!.

6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free.  Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and a headache!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon and evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explorers for quick meals to thwart of starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

9. Out of WD40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila! The squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don't have time for a massage, facial or visit to the salon? Cut up and entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water. The chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber will react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown to reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Looking for a "green" way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but it won't leave streaks and won't harm your fingers or fingernails while you clean.

12. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber ad slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!

Two Ears ARE Better than One

Being able to hear with both ears is just as important as being able to see with both eyes. If you have difficulty hearing with both ears, you will almost certainly benefit from a binaural fitting - that is, wearing a hearing instrument in each ear.

The most important benefits of wearing two hearing instruments are:

• your ability to localize sounds will improve
• it will be easier to understand speech in noisy surroundings
• the risk of "auditory deprivation" is considerably reduced
• you will experience a fuller, more comfortable sound

Why do people have 2 ears? Because the brain needs input from both ears to tell us which direction sounds are coming from. Think about a car honking its horn, for example. Our ears alert us to the danger, sending sound signals to the brain. Within a split second the brain compares the information received from both ears - such as the power and intensity of the sound wave, and how long it to reach each ear. This tells us instantly which direction the care is coming from, and how far away it is.

Background noise makes it difficult to follow what people are saying. For people who don't hear equally well with both ears, it suddenly becomes much harder to separate individual voices from background noise. The brain needs input from both ears in order to separate sounds effectively.

Another risk that is significantly reduced by wearing two hearing aids is the risk of auditory deprivation. This is when the brain gradually loses some of its ability to process information from the unaided ear because of a continued lack of sound stimulation. Auditory deprivation most often occurs when the ear goes unaided over a long period of time - so the earlier you consider wearing two hearing instruments, the better your chances are of minimizing this risk.

If you hear equally well with both ears, sounds are more comfortable to listen to. You don't have to strain to hear, and sounds have the kind of clarity and depth which give you a sense of space and volume. Imagine listening to your favorite program on the stereo. It has two amplifiers and two speakers, to give music and speech a natural depth. However, if only one amplifier and speaker is working, the sounds become shallow and flat.

How healthy are your PETS' ears?

Silence mites and other ear problems that can make your pet miserable:

It's easy to experience ear envy when comparing out hearing power with that of our dogs and cats. The design of their ears allows them to raise, rotate, and tune in to the faintest sounds. Which explains why your cat rushes in at the first sound of the electric can opener or why your dog alerts you to the mail carrier who's still half a block away.

But that heightened sensitivity comes at a price. Their ears can also be sensitive to health problems, unless we regularly check them and practice preventive maintenance. Mites, bacterial or yeast infections, allergic reactions, excess water and dirt can wreak havoc in our pets' ears, causing them to scratch, itch, shake their head, lose their balance  and even develop deafness. Dogs, particularly those with floppy ears, are especially at risk because their ear flaps can trap dirt and debris  setting the stage for infections or parasites. Cats tend to develop fewer ear woes because of their fastidious nature and upright, open ear design, says Dawn Logas, DVM, a board-certified veterinary dermatologist in Silver Spring, FL.

"The size and length of their ear canal, the amount of hair in the ears, whether the ears are erect or floppy, and how much wax is produced can all be factors in the health of your pet's ears," explains Emily Rothstein, DVM, a veterinary dermatologist at the Animal Allergy and Dermatology Service in Plantsville, CT.

The weighty floppy ears in breeds such as cocker spaniels and basset hounds close off the ear canals from ventilating air. This low-oxygen environment creates a sauna-like haven for yeast and bacteria to grow.

from Prevention magazine, June 2003

Holidays and Hearing Loss: how to help your loved ones

I guess we are officially smack in the middle of the holiday season, right? This is a great time to encourage your loved ones to take control of their hearing problems.

Hearing loss is one of the most common health conditions that people ignore, and yet it is one of the more simple to help.  Affecting more than 31.5 million Americans, I am certain someone you love is affected.  Left untreated, hearing loss can lead to depression and feelings of isolation - feelings that are often more prevalent this time of year as it is.

"The holiday season is meant to be a time of thanks, celebration, and joy," says Sergei Kochkin, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Better Hearing Institute. "But for many people, it is a time of year when unaddressed hearing loss can cause them to feel particularly isolated and depressed. Even when surrounded by loved ones, a family member's impaired ability to hear and actively participate in conversation cuts them off. Oftentimes, they are left with a sense of sadness, inadequacy, and emotional isolation. This is especially true when the hearing loss is either unrecognized or is being 'hidden' by the family member with hearing loss."

Keep a close look on loved ones who you have suspected might have some hearing loss in the past. Help keep them included in your holiday conversations, but also encourage them to start taking the steps toward better hearing.

"When a family member experiences unaddressed hearing loss, it silently erodes the loved one's quality of life—undermining family relationships, interfering with short-term memory, and creeping into virtually every aspect of daily living," says Kochkin. "The good news is there are solutions to help loved ones with hearing loss regain the gift of sound so they don't need to draw back in silence. Hearing loss can be easily diagnosed, and there are modern-day solutions that can help people hear better."

Happy Turkey Day!

Holiday Schedule

We just wanted to let you all know our schedule for this holiday week:

Monday (Nov 19) Toledo and BG offices: normal business hours

Tuesday (Nov 20) Toledo: normal business hours

                              Fulton County: closing at 3:30

Wednesday (Nov 21) Toledo: closing at 3:00

                              Fulton County: normal business hours

Thursday (Nov 22) all offices closed, Happy Thanksgiving!

Friday (Nov 23) Toledo: regular business hours

Saturday (Nov 24) Toledo: regular Saturday hours of 9:00-noon

Technology

The decision to purchase hearing aids can be a tough one. What do I do? What do I need?  I invite you to visit a website that explains the hearing aid technology we use in our office. There are several interactive questionnaires that you can use to help determine if you have the need for hearing aids and what type of technology is most appropriate for you.

Visit www.agxhearing.com or click on the image below:

Hearing Loss Simulation: the Flinstones

I just found this video on YouTube. Watch it! (and listen) As the Flinstones and the Rubbles go one playing their boardgame and talking, the audio is changed to simulate how one would be hearing the conversation with various degrees of hearing loss.

Have a Great Weekend!

Some weeks are better when they're over, right?

See you Monday!

Emotional Effects Linked to Untreated Hearing Loss

This is a good read. Hearing loss doesn't just affect your hearing. It can have far-reaching consequences that can be life-changing.

Emotional Effects Linked to Untreated Hearing Loss

How can I tell if I'm losing my hearing?

One morning, you're sitting in a small office, having a very nice conversation with a co-worker. You're functioning fine. You have no problems hearing or understanding Dan tell you about his son's first soccer game and his mom's recent health problems.

That evening, you're in a busy restaurant with your entire family celebrating Grandma's 83rd birthday. Someone at the table tells a joke. Well, you assume it's a joke because everyone else is laughing, but truthfully you didn't hear everything that was said so you just laugh anyway.

So what's going on?

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This experience is typical of someone whose hearing is starting to decline. Hearing loss most often happens so slowly, so gradually, that we don't actually realize it is happening. And it's very hard to really know if you aren't hearing as well as you used to.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Are you asking friends and family to repeat themselves?
• Do you have difficulty understanding people on the telephone or on TV?
• Is it hard to follow conversations in noisy places like restaurants?
• Do you feel like people often mumble or just don't speak as clearly as they used to?
• Are loved ones getting frustrated because they feel you do not understand them?

Hearing loss is not "all-or-none." We often think that if someone has hearing loss, they have trouble hearing everything. Very commonly, people lose the hearing of higher-frequencies (pitches) first, while their low-frequency hearing might still be fine. This makes people feel like they can hear fine, but people are just mumbling.

The first step for anyone who even just thinks they might be experiencing some hearing loss is to have a hearing evaluation.  Having a full diagnostic test by an audiologist will help you determine why you are experiencing the problems you have been more aware of recently.  Your audiologist will then make recommendations to you - from annual hearing tests to monitor your loss, to a referral to a physician and maybe even hearing aids. But don't be afraid, we don't know what you need (if anything) until we know what is going on.

November 1

As the excitement of Halloween and trick-or-treating winds down, I feel like I should remind you all that CHRISTMAS is just 53 days away!

53 DAYS!

Are you looking for something to give a loved one with hearing loss? There are lots of accessories available for those with hearing loss that make great gifts and stocking stuffers.  From hearing aid batteries to TV Ears...you can find the perfect gift in our office.

Ah, that Benjamin...

Benjamin Franklin once said:

"The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten."

Boomers benefit from hearing aids as they stay in the workforce longer

(ARA) - Let’s face it. The Great Recession put a kink in many American’s retirement plans. Combine that financial blow with the general uncertainty regarding Medicare and the future cost of private health insurance.

As a result, more boomers are staying in the workforce longer. In fact, between 2006 and 2016 the number of older people in the workforce is expected to soar, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Workers between the ages of 55 and 64 are expected to increase by 36.5 percent; the number of workers between 65 and 74 is expected to climb by 83.4 percent, and even the number of workers who are 75 and older is expected to grow by 84.3 percent. By 2016, the BLS says, workers age 65 and over are expected to make up 6.1 percent of the total labor force—a steep jump from their 3.6 percent share in 2006.

So what does this mean for individuals? It means people need to do what they can to age productively. It means they need to take charge of their health - including their hearing health - so they can maximize their chances for success on the job. Along with maintaining a healthy lifestyle, it’s important that boomers routinely get their hearing checked - and that they address any hearing loss so it doesn’t undermine their efforts on the job or their quality of life.

Gone are the days of ignoring hearing difficulties. There are no more excuses. And given the technological advances of modern hearing aids, and the compelling data that illustrate the downside of leaving hearing loss unaddressed, there’s only one reasonable course of action. Maturing workers should be getting their hearing checked. And if there is hearing loss, they should discuss with their hearing healthcare provider whether or not hearing aids could help.

Consider this: More than 34 million Americans suffer from hearing loss - about 11 percent of the U.S. population - and 60 percent of them are below retirement age, according to the Better Hearing Institute (www.betterhearing.org). Research shows that the use of hearing aids reduces the risk of income loss by 90 to 100 percent for those with milder hearing loss, and from 65 to 77 percent for those with severe to moderate hearing loss. Those with moderate-to-severe hearing loss who use hearing aids are twice as likely to be employed as their peers who do not use hearing aids. And three out of four hearing aid users report improvements in their quality of life due to wearing hearing aids. The vast majority of people with hearing loss, in fact, could benefit from hearing aids.

More good news: Today’s employers recognize the changing demographics of the modern aging workforce and increasingly are making efforts to hold onto their older workers. Employers value the experience that mature employees bring to the job - along with the strong work ethic and other positive attributes that older workers tend to possess.

More and more companies, in fact, engage in workplace wellness programs to help keep their employees in good health. And hearing health - including hearing checks - is increasingly included in  these programs.

“Never before has good hearing been so important - or so attainable,” says Dr. Sergei Kochkin, Executive Director of the Better Hearing Institute. “When people with even mild hearing loss use hearing aids, they improve their job performance, increase their earning potential, enhance their communication skills, improve their professional and interpersonal relationships, and stave off depression.

“I urge anyone planning to stay in the workforce longer to take that first, most critical step to optimizing your hearing health and enhancing your chances for career success by taking a confidential, online hearing check at www.hearingcheck.org. It will help you determine if you may need a more thorough hearing test by a hearing health professional,” Kochkin continues. “Your hearing health and continued job success are within your control.”

Information from the Better Hearing Institute, www.betterhearing.org

Speaking of Tinnitus...

We recently stumbled across an incredibly informative website regarding tinnitus.

Something we thought might be most useful for our patients and others seeking answers for their tinnitus is a comprehensive list of medications that can cause tinnitus.  *Remember though, you NEED to talk to your physician about the other possible risks associated with changing or stopping your medication.  We think this list is great, but only to be used as a tool to have a conversation with your doctor.

Ototoxicity: Medications that Cause Tinnitus

While you're there, make sure to investigate the other articles they've posted. Wonderful information!

More on Tinnitus

We received this update from the Better Hearing Institute.  

TINNITUS:

Prevalence: Approximately 10% (30 million) of the U.S. population have persistent tinnitus while 50% of people with hearing loss experience tinnitus. We found 13 million people who reported they have tinnitus but they were not aware of their hearing loss; it is generally recognized that most people with tinnitus have hearing loss. Thus, the hearing loss population is much larger than previously thought.

Hearing loss population: A recent John Hopkins study quantified the hearing loss population at 48 million (>25dB loss in one or both ears). MarkeTrak VIII quantified the populated of people who were aware of their hearing loss at 34.3. million; including the 13 million people with tinnitus not aware of hearing loss we come up with a similar number at 47.3 million people with hearing loss.

Efficacy of treatments: In assessing the efficacy of nine treatments no one method was tried by more than 7% of people with tinnitus. The most effective methods for mitigating tinnitus were (median mitigation): hearing aids (34%), music (30%), and relaxation techniques (10%).

Impact of hearing aids: In directly querying hearing aid users on the impact of their hearing aids on tinnitus 46% reported mild to moderate mitigation of their tinnitus with hearing aids, 3 out of 10 report moderate-substantial relief; 67% of those who use hearing aids and report mitigation of tinnitus indicated that their tinnitus was lessened "most of the time" to "all of the time" and 3 out of 10 reported their tinnitus was completely mitigated while wearing their hearing aid and a small minority (3.4%) even when they took their hearing aid off.

Best practices: hearing healthcare professionals with "best practices" in fitting hearing aids can nearly double the rate of efficacy of hearing aids in mitigating the effects of tinnitus.

Make your own Cochlear Implant for a doll!

A few weeks ago, Alison was talking to a woman who had brought her parents in for their appointments.  She was telling Alison about her 6 year old granddaughter who uses a cochlear implant.

Alison remembered seeing something on the internet about a woman having a hard time finding a doll with a hearing aid or cochlear implant for her daughter, so she decided to make one herself.  (Since then, the American Girl company has come out with hearing aids for their dolls, see our past post HERE.)

But, what this woman did for her little girl is adorable!  And easy!  She used puffy paint to draw a cochlear implant on her daughter's doll.

Here is a link to her blog: Pattyanny: Made

We Heard it from You!

"I am happy with my hearing aids. They help more than I ever would have imagined."  - Mr. Cordes

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"I am very well pleased with my hearing aids. they have enabled me to hear like I have never heard before."  - Mrs. Tate

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"The hearing aids have definitely helped. I feel like they have given me my life back. I can attend board and committee meetings again and hear what's going on. I can actually understand my grandchildren which is so wonderful. My day to day life is greatly improved. The aids are so comfortable, I forget I am wearing them."  - Mrs. Smith

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"My husband and I both have hearing aids from Kenwood Hearing Center. We are very pleased with the quality of the new hearing aids and with the help we have been given from the staff."  - Mrs. Meller

Custom Crated for You and Your iPod

If you like your music on the go, you may have found that your earpieces can't always keep up with you. and have you noticed that with standard earbuds, the outside world often intrudes on your music?

Your ears are unique. The music you've selected to carry with you is unique.  Shouldn't your earpieces be just as unique?

Style 7i earpieces from Westone adapt to iPod earbuds and are custom made to fit your ears perfectly. you'll find unsurpassed comfort and whether you'er running through an airport or on a treadmill, you'll no longer have to worry about the earbuds falling out. The custom design also helps reduce external noise and brings you closer to the music.

Call Kenwood Hearing Center today to order yours! 419-534-3111
Available in several different colors and finishes. (iPod and earbuds not included)

Ototoxic medications and Tinnitus

In his excellent article, “What you should know about ototoxic medications,” published in Tinnitus Today, September 1996, Stephen Epstein, MD, lists the six categories of medications that can be ototoxic and the signs of ototoxicity:

“1 – Salicylates – Aspirin and aspirin containing products
Toxic effects usually appear after consuming an average of 6-8 pills per day. Toxic effects are almost always reversible once medications are discontinued.

2 – Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) – Advil, Aleve, Anaprox, Clinoril, Feldene, Indocin, Lodine, Motrin, Nalfon, Naprosyn, Nuprin, Poradol, Voltarin. Toxic effects usually appear after consuming an average of 6-8 pills per day. Toxic effects are usually reversible once medications are discontinued.

3 – Antibiotics – Aminoglycosides, Erythromycin, Vancomycin
a. Aminoglycosides – Streptomycin, Kanamycin, Neomycin, Gantamycin, Tobramysin, Amikacin, Netilmicin. These medications are ototoxic when used intravenously in serious life-threatening situations. The blood levels of these medications are usually monitored to prevent ototoxicity. Topical preparations and eardrops containing Neomycin and Gentamycin have not been demonstrated to be ototoxic in humans.
b. Erythromycin – EES, Eryc, E-mycin, Ilosone, Pediazole and new derivatives of Erythromycin, Biaxin, Zithromax. Erythromycin is usually ototoxic when given intravenously in dosages of 2-4 grams per 24 hours, especially if there is underlying kidney insufficiency. The usual oral dosage of Erythromycin averaging one gram per 24 hours is not ototoxic. There are no significant reports of ototoxicity with the new Erythromycin derivatives since they are given orally and in lower dosages.
c. Vancomycin – Vincocin. This antibiotic is used in a similar manner as the aminoglycosides; when given intravenously in serious life-threatening infections, it is potentially ototoxic. It is usually used in conjunction with the aminoglycosides, which enhances the possibility of ototoxicity.

4 – Loop Diuretics – Lasix, Endecrin, Bumex
These medications are usually ototoxic when given intravenously for acute kidney failure or acute hypertension. Rare cases of ototoxicity have been reported when these medications are taken orally in high doses in people with chronic kidney disease.

5 – Chemotherapy Agents – Cisplatin, Nitrogen Mustard, Vincristine
These medications are ototoxic when given for treatment of cancer. Maintaining blood levels of the medications and performing serial audiograms can minimize their toxic effects. The ototoxic effects of these medications are enhanced in patients who are already taking other ototoxic medications such as the aminoglycoside antibiotics or loop diuretics.

6 – Quinine – Aralen, Atabrine (for treatment of malaria), Legatrin, Q-Vel Muscle Relaxant (for treatment of night cramps)
The ototoxic effects of quinine are very similar to aspirin and the toxic effects are usually reversible once medication is discontinued.

The signs of ototoxicity, in order of frequency, are:
1 – Development of tinnitus in one or both ears.
2 – Intensification of existing tinnitus or the appearance of a new sound.
3 – Fullness or pressure in the ears other than being caused by infection.
4 – Awareness of hearing loss in an unaffected ear or the progression of an existing loss.
5 – Development of vertigo or a spinning sensation usually aggravated by motion which may or may not be accompanied by nausea.”4

Dr. Epstein advises that if any of these symptoms develop while taking any medication, stop the medication immediately and call your doctor.

Just as each of us is ultimately responsible for our own health, those of us with tinnitus must be particularly careful of medications that may cause our condition to worsen. Please read all medication labels and information carefully and review possible side-effects with your doctor before using.

Antidepressants
It should also be noted that, while not strictly ototoxic, prescription antidepressants can cause or worsen tinnitus for some people. Both the older, tricyclic, and the newer, SSRI, antidepressants have this capability. Among the tricyclics, Clomipramine and Amitriptyline are among the most frequent offenders. The SSRI antidepressants include Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa and Luvox. These are listed in the Physician’s Desk Reference as frequently causing tinnitus. One good choice for many people with both tinnitus and depression is the older medication Remeron, which has not been reported to cause tinnitus.

If you must take ototoxic medications, you should also be taking antioxidants and have your hearing monitored with periodic audiological evaluations.

List of Ototoxic Medications
Here is a complete and updated listing of all ototoxic medications, derived from the 2006 Physician’s Desk Reference.

Noise in the Workforce...in unexpected places

We've all been there - in bars or restaurants or perhaps even the gym when the noise is just outrageous. It's so loud that conversations are difficult to have.  Yes, we've all been there. But, have we ever really thought about that noise?  What about the people working there?

We all know that factories are held accountable for the levels of noise their employees are exposed to. OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is responsible for monitoring workplace noise.  They're the ones that mandate those loud factories to administer annual hearing checks on their employees and provide them with hearing protection.

BUT, did you know that some restaurants and other public places can be just as dangerously loud?  An article was published in The New York Times in July 2012 that sites at least one restaurant in New York City to often have noise levels averaging 96dB!  That's as loud as a power lawn mower and can cause hearing damage in as little as 30 minutes.

(Read the article here: Working or Playing Indoors, New Yorkers Face and Unabated Roar)

Curtis Pride, deaf major league baseball player, was cited by the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce as of one of ten outstanding young Americans. Mr. Pride shared his "overcoming hearing loss" story in a number of public service announcements for BHI. "It was my most exciting moment-pinch-hitting for the Montreal Expos with runners on first and second base against the Philadelphia Phillies. I hit the first pitch for a two-run double, and received my first standing ovation. I was overwhelmed as I stood on second and saw all those people cheering. I've come a long way since being born with a 95% hearing loss. Major reasons were my exceptionally supportive parents, being first fitted with hearing aids as a baby, getting speech therapy from infancy through high school, and my determination to rely on oral communication. Such blessings helped me obtain my degree from The College of William and Mary, as well as excel in soccer, basketball, baseball and other sports. People wanted me on their team. My hope is that others will be encouraged by my experience to seek help-medically, with hearing aids, or other rehabilitation- if they suspect a hearing loss." Curtis is the fourth known deaf major league baseball player in history. There were three deaf ball players prior to Curtis Pride. 1) Dummy Hoy (he was the first) back in the 1800's. He was the person who instigated the hand signals for balls, strikes, safe, out, etc. 2) Dummy Taylor (who also worked at the Illinois School for the Deaf) played ball in the early 1900s and 3) Richard Sipek, played in mid 1940's for Cincinnati Reds.


Information obtained from the Better Hearing Insitute: www.betterhearing.org

Nervous about having your hearing tested?

We know there can be some anxiety about having your hearing tested.  You might be afraid of the process, you might be worried about the outcome...we understand.

It is our goal at Kenwood Hearing Center to work with YOU.  To make YOU feel comfortable with every decision that you make. We are hear to serve you and we strive to make your experience in our office pleasant and enjoyable.

To ease your mind, if only a little bit, we want to share with you what happens when during your first appointment in our office.

STEP 1: We talk. We sit down with you and your companion and talk about what you are experiencing, your hearing and medical history, and most importantly, how you FEEL about what you are experiencing.

STEP 2: Using an otoscope, we take a look in your ears.  We want to determine if any of the concerns you have are a result of an obstruction or damage to your ear canals or ear drums.

STEP 3: The test.  You will be seated in a sound-proof room. You will wear headphones and respond to various beeps/tones and different speech signals.  This will determine the nature of your problems.

STEP 4: More talking.  We sit down again to explain the results of your diagnostic test(s) and discuss what needs to be done next.  This might include amplification or hearing aids, or it might include a referral or follow-up with a physician, or quite simply, it might mean a return trip in a year to re-evaluate your hearing.

Whatever it is that draws you (or pushes you!) into our office, rest assured that we WILL take good care of you. If you have any questions about our office, the hearing evaluation process or anything else pertinent to hearing, ears and hearing aids, PLEASE give us a call.

We look forward to working with YOU!

Quick Hearing Check

Are you curious about your hearing ability? Have you ever wondered if maybe you have some hearing loss?  But maybe you're nervous to take that first step?

We have found a quick, yet effective, online tool for you to use to help you decide what to do next.

click the image below, it will take you to a site to complete a short questionnaire.

If the recommendation is for you to have a hearing test, please call our office at 419-534-3111 to schedule a complete hearing assessment.  Please note that they online questionnaire is just a screening tool, it is not the equivalent of a professional hearing exam.

You Decide

Information for Patients with Dizziness

IF you have a balance disorder as a result of an ear problem you should know:

The ears work together to create balance. The ears send a balance signal to the brain, and the brain compares the two signals. Normally these signals are the same. Vertigo is triggered when the balance signals are unequal, such as when one ear sends a strong signal and the other is a weak one.

Sedating medications do not help the healing process. Medications like Antivert (Meclizine), Valium (diazepam), and some antihistamines suppress the vestibular and central nervous systems. This delays the healing process because the medication reduces the neural response as the brain tries to balance the two signals, and delaying rehabilitation makes balance problems worse.

The ears need to learn to work together. Some patients do not want to move because they are afraid of creating vertigo, but this is a mistake. The brain needs to relearn how to coordinate the balance signals from both ears. The more often the brain deals with the signals from the ear, the quicker the dizziness problem will be resolved.  When the brain learns how to coordinate the signals from both ears, balance results.

Balance exercises help. Vestibular rehabilitation is a series of instructions and exercises to help your brain adjust to a weak ear signal. Remember, professional ice skaters and ballerinas learn to spin rapidly without getting dizzy. Rehabilitation classes help patients adapt to the signal imbalance coming from the ears.

You do not have a life-threatening disease. Dizziness, vomiting, and nausea are not fun, but they are not dangerous and your condition is not life-threatening. You can learn to suppress and control vertigo so they disappear altogether.

Commone Myths about Hearing Loss

1. My hearing loss cannot be helped.

In the past, many people with hearing loss in one ear, with a high frequency hearing loss, or with nerve damage have all been told they cannot be helped, often by their family practice physician. This might have been true many years ago, but with modern advances in technology, nearly 95% of people with a sensorineural (nerve) hearing loss CAN be helped with hearing aids.

2. My hearing loss is normal for my age.

Isn't this a strange way to look at things? But do you realize that well-meaning doctors tell this to their patients every day? It happens to be "normal" for overweight people to have high blood pressure, but that doesn't mean they should not receive treatment for the problem.  Yes, hearing loss can be common as we age, but it shouldn't be ignored.

3. Hearing aids will make me look older and handicapped.

Looking older is clearly more affected by almost all other factors besides hearing aids. It is not the hearing aids that make one look older, it is what one may believe they imply.  If hearing aids help you function like a normal hearing person, for all intents and purposes, the stigma is removed.  Hearing aid manufacturers are well aware that cosmetics is an issue to many people, and that's why today we have hearing aids that are extremely tiny, and some that fit totally in the ear canal.  But more importantly, keep in mind that "a hearing loss is more obvious than a hearing aid." Smiling and nodding your head when you don't understand what's being said makes your condition more apparent than the largest hearing aid.

Information obtained from The Better Hearing Institute

Jeff Float

Jeff Float - Olympic Gold Medalist

Mr. Float was captain of the 1984 U.S. Olympic swim team, which set a world record in the men's 4 x 200-meter freestyle relay. He wears two hearing aids to correct his hearing loss.

Jeff reported, "I had viral meningitis at the age of 13 months that caused a permanent loss of 60-80% of my hearing. My very supportive parents sent me to a famous clinic when I was three, where I was fitted with hearing aids and introduced to the fundamentals of communicating effectively in a hearing world. I owe thanks to the rapid advancement in hearing aid technology combined with lip reading and speech therapy techniques. Winning a gold medal and overcoming a hearing handicap took many years of parents, practice, keeping things in proper perspective and above all, a deep desire to excel to the best you can be. My motto throughout high school and college was "it is better to have tried and lost than to have never tried at all".



Information obtained from the Better Hearing Insitute: www.betterhearing.org

ATTENTION: Oto-Ease Recall

Westone is voluntary nationwide recall of all sizes and packaging configurations of Oto-Ease® ear lubricant. The products have been found through a consumer complaint and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sample analysis to be potentially contaminated with pathogenic bacteria and mold. Use of the product as directed for easing the insertion of custom fit ear molds and hearing instruments (including hearing aids) could result in infectious complications of the ear canal and surrounding tissues.

This product was previously recalled in October 2011 within the United States and from Australia (without FDA knowledge).

Consumers who have any size or packaging configuration should stop using the product and contact their healthcare provider. Packaging configurations include the following:

1) 0.5 oz semi transparent flexible plastic bottles with orange or semi transparent plastic screw-on dispensing caps; and

2) aluminum foil single use sample packs with red or black print writing.

The Oto-Ease unit containers are not identified with a lot number, expiration date, or UPC Code.

No injuries or illnesses have been reported to date. This recall is being conducted with the full knowledge of the FDA.

The products were distributed to hospitals, health professionals, and retailers nationwide and to Belgium, Greece, Canada, Thailand, Australia, Panama, Singapore, Russian Federation, Ireland, The Philippines, France, Korea, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Brazil, Japan, Germany, Mexico, Hong Kong, Sweden.

Consumers with questions may contact Westone Laboratories at at otoeaserecall@westone.com.

Any adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of these products may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Events Program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

Online: www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm

Regular mail: use postage-paid, pre-addressed Form FDA3500 available at www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm

Fax: 1-800-FDA-0178

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If you use Oto-ease regularly and are in need of a replacement lubricant, please contact Kenwood.  We have several options available for you!

Deidre Downs

Deidre Downs - Miss America 2005

Deidre Downs, Miss America 2005, serves as national spokesperson for the Better Hearing Institute on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of hearing loss, especially in children.

Her mission is to educate the 31 million Americans suffering from hearing loss on the need for early diagnosis and treatment with today’s modern technology solutions. As a pediatrician-to-be, she is focused on the one million children with hearing loss. She identifies with them because she has had a hearing loss since childhood.

Deidre’s hearing loss is genetic. Both her father and brother suffer from hearing loss so she was tested before starting school and diagnosed early in life. She began wearing hearing aids at age five and recalls feeling conflicted with everyday social situations.

“Hearing loss affected me dramatically as a child. I began wearing hearing aids in kindergarten, but I didn’t like looking different from other kids, so I was very self-conscious about them. Yet when I didn’t wear them, I felt a different type of social isolation because I had trouble following conversations.”

A native of Alabama, Deidre has been successful despite her hearing loss, but does not want other children to face what she had to.

“For years I chose not to wear hearing aids—even while participating in pageants and the Miss America competition. I simply learned how to get by without them. In school I sat in the front of the classroom. In social situations I made a point to always look at people while they were speaking.”

Deidre was valedictorian of her high school and a Rhodes Scholar finalist. She earned a volleyball scholarship to the University of Virginia, where she was an Echols Scholar. After transferring to Samford University, she graduated magna cum laude in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in history. After college, she was chosen Miss Alabama and later Miss America 2005.

Deidre currently travels the nation educating the public and serving as an enthusiastic advocate on the issue. As a medical student, public speaker and former athlete, Deidre knows well the onset of challenges hearing loss sufferers face and wishes to educate the public on the condition’s sharp increase and the life-changing technology available for its treatment.

“It wasn’t until I started medical school that I realized I couldn’t get by without hearing aids any longer. It was very hard to follow lectures in large auditoriums, interact with fellow students and professors (especially if they wore surgical masks), and interact with patients. I realized that I finally needed to face my hearing problem and find a solution that would help me to be the best doctor I can be for my patients."

“Wearing hearing aids again gave me the ability to better participate in life—school, family, and friends. Hearing aids have diminished the impact hearing loss has on my life. I finally feel like I can hear as well as a normal hearing person. My friends, family, and classmates no longer have to constantly repeat themselves. I don’t have to use closed captioning on TV anymore and I rarely miss pieces of conversations—even in noisy restaurants. It’s been an unbelievable life change for me, my family, and my friends.”

Deidre strongly encourages parents to have their children’s hearing professionally tested, and to assure that children with hearing loss obtain proper treatment.

”I didn’t wear my aids for years and now that I do my friends and family are happier – and I can participate in my life more than ever before. If you have untreated hearing loss, don’t wait another day. See your hearing health professional, ask for the right solution and be an active participant in your life again.”






Information obtained from the Better Hearing Insitute: www.betterhearing.org

Alzheimer’s and Hearing Loss: Early Detection Can Alleviate Symptoms

According to a study attributed to the Alzheimer’s Association (AA), in conjunction with the Better Hearing Institute (BHI), there is strong evidence to suggest that hearing impairment contributes to the progression of mental impairment in older adults.

Hearing Devices and Alzheimer’s

The BHI’s research has uncovered that people with Alzheimer’s who regularly wear hearing devices in combination with a consistently practiced aural retraining therapy program – which includes, but is not limited to: hearing device retraining, speech reading, and various listening strategies – are able to diminish the wide range of Alzheimer’s symptoms.

If you are concerned you or a loved one might be experiencing the early warning signs of Alzheimer’s, it is recommended that you maintain your regular hearing tests.

Changing Playtime for Children with Hearing Loss!

American Girl dolls are now available with a hearing aid! This is adorable, and imagine how proud a little girl with hearing loss might be that her doll is just like her!

From the American Girl Website: 

There's now one more way to personalize your 18" My American Girl® doll: hearing aids. When you admit your doll to the Doll Hospital, our experts will perform a permanent piercing behind her ear to ensure the hearing aid is expertly fitted—in one or both ears. For more details or to order a My American Girl doll with a hearing aid, call 800-845-0005. 

The hearing aids, which are removable, cost $14 and are also available for My American Girl® dolls at time of purchase and at retail locations.

Arnold Palmer

Arnold Palmer - Legendary Golfer

Associated Press named him Athlete of the Decade in the 1960s. He has won 92 professional golf championships in his career including won the Masters Tournament four times, 1958, 1960, 1962 and 1964, the U.S. Open in 1960 and the British Open in 1961 and 1962. He is an esteemed golf course designer, holds six honorary doctorates and is the founder of the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children & Women. Having defeated hearing loss with hearing aids he devotes substantial time promoting the value of treating hearing loss. In a recent interview he stated the following:"I've noticed the sound of the golf ball being hit by the golf club is different and much more realistic with the hearing aids." The sound with the hearing aids makes sense and better represents what I know is happening to the golf ball. So you could say that the hearing aids help give me confidence regarding my golf game. "I've been wearing hearing aids for a long time," he says. "The technology available now is simply unbelievable. When I compare the new digital products to what we had 30 years ago, it's an amazing difference. The products have improved dramatically, and fortunately, they'll just continue to get better."

Information obtained from the Better Hearing Insitute: www.betterhearing.org

Leslie Nielsen

I'd like to share some information on celebrities or well known people who have dealt with hearing loss and/or tinnitus.  It is estimated that at least 20% of Americans experience hearing loss, so chances are you know someone who does! 

Leslie Nielsen - Actor

He was a good, solid actor who spent 30+ years in movies and on TV playing good, meaty roles before achieving significant success in slapstick comedy. The Canadian born actor, a nephew of character actor Jean Hersholt, was a radio announcer and disk jockey before turning to acting. He played an impassive spaceship commander in Forbidden Planet, Debbie Reynolds' love interest in Tammy and the Bachelor , a Howard Hughes prototype in Harlow , the ill-fated captain in The Poseidon Adventure, and more cops, doctors and attorneys than you can count. Prior to 1980 history would view him as a dramatist. That all changed in 1980, when he was one of several solid actors (along with Robert Stack, Lloyd Bridges and Peter Graves---also a spokesperson for better hearing) hired for the hit spoof Airplane! He enjoyed it so much that he signed on to play bumbling cop Frank Drebin in the cult TV series Police Squad! and in the ever popular The Naked Gun series of films. Nielsen, who overcame his sensorineural hearing loss with hearing aids stated to the Better Hearing Institute (BHI), "I have no goals or ambitions. I do, however wish to work enough to maintain whatever celebrity status I have so that they will continue to invite me to golf tournaments". Among his many media appearances on behalf of BHI to educate the public on hearing loss and its treatment, Mr. Nielsen was one of many celebrities to participate in BHI's "Help America Hear" golf tournament.

Information obtained from the Better Hearing Insitute: www.betterhearing.org