Ask the Audiologist

Q:     I've heard that there is a link between hearing loss and dementia - is that true?

A:   For years researchers have suspected a connection between hearing loss and dementia, but just this year a study funded by the National Institute of Health determined that a mild hearing loss of 25 decibels can increase the development of cognitive problems by 30-40%.

When asked for an explanation of the cognitive decline, Frank Lin, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine otologist and assistant professor, and the study's lead author, offered as possible contributing factors the combination of social isolation and the extra mental effort it takes to understand sounds.

Dementia is on the rise in the US with over four million affected by the malady, and recent estimates place the cost on families and society at $157 billion to $215 billion a year, making it more expensive than cancer and heath disease.

While hearing aids aren't a cure for the effects of dementia, appropriately fit hearing technology is designed to alleviate the energy required to understand sounds and to decrease feelings of isolation by reengaging people with the world around them through better hearing.

Our staff of AudigyCertified audiologists are here to provide comprehensive evaluations, life-style-specific technology recommendations, and fine-tuning of hearing devices to ensure a better hearing experience for as long as you are in our care.

Please call us today at 419-534-3111 to book a complete diagnostic hearing evaluation for yourself or a loved one.

Shouting Won't Help

Do you know someone with hearing loss?  Shouting doesn't help.

• Look at them when you speak - almost all hearing-impaired people read lips. Don't lean into their ear when you talk. They need to see your lips.
• Speak in a normal voice and articulate as clearly as possible. Shouting won't help.
• If you are asked, "what?" or "sorry?" don't just repeat what you've said. Say it in another way - rephrase.
• If they don't hear what you have said after you have repeated it two or three times, don't say, "Never mind, it doesn't mater." To a person who cant hear, it dose matter. Write it down i all else fails.
• Always have the person with the hearing loss sit with their back to a window or bright lights, this makes it easier for them to read lips.
• People with hearing loss have a hard time hearing or understanding speech when it is noisy. Try to keep background noise to a minimum when trying to have a conversation.
• Don't talk to a hearing impaired person unless you have their full attention. Get the person's attention before starting a conversation.
• When in a group, try to avoid overlapping conversations; have just one general conversation.
• Give the hearing impaired person a chance to readjust their hearing aids after a performance, meeting or when changing situations. Sometimes they may need to change the listening program in the hearing aids.

Community Seminar

JOIN US on June 25 and June 26

Our very own Dr. Alison Friend will be giving a community seminar on connectivity with hearing aids with in-office demonstrations to follow.

Learn how you can better connect with your phone, your television and your friends and family.

Refreshments will be served - morning and afternoon times available.

Call for reservations! Spots are limited.

419-534-3111

A Simple Life Reminder

Sometimes our perspective needs to be adjusted.  Just remember, someone always has a bigger struggle than you do.

What Makes a Dad

     God took the strength of a mountain,

    The majesty of a tree,

     The warmth of a summer sun,

     The calm of a quiet sea,

     The generous soul of nature,

     The comforting arm of night,

     The wisdom of the ages,

     The power of the eagle's flight,

     The joy of a morning in spring,

     The faith of a mustard seed,

     The patience of eternity,

     The depth of a family need.

     Then God combined this qualities,

     When there was nothing more to add,

     He knew his masterpiece was complete,

     And so he called it

     DAD.

     ~Author Unknown

      HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

National Men's Health Week

This week - today through Father's Day - is National Men's Health Week.

Hearing? You think.  Health Week and hearing?

Absolutely.

We've told you before, but we'll tell you again. Untreated hearing loss can wreck havoc on numerous aspects of our life. Hearing well is part of our overall health.

Did you know:

• people with untreated hearing loss suffer far more from depression and feelings of social isolation than people with normal hearing or treated hearing loss?
• people with untreated hearing loss earn less money when compared to their peers who choose to wear hearing aids?
• people with untreated hearing loss are much more likely to have memory problems and are at greater risk for different forms of dementia?  There have even been recent studies linking untreated hearing loss to Alzheimer's.
• older adults with hearing loss are more likely to suffer from hypertension, heart disease and stroke?

“Recognizing and preventing men’s health problems is not just a man’s issue. Because of its impact on wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters, men’s health is truly a family issue.” Congressman Bill Richardson

If you've never had your hearing checked or at all question your ability to hear, please give us a call. We have three locations to serve the men (and women!) of the greater Toledo area.

Kids and Noise Induced Hearing Loss

If you've been reading this blog or scanning the internet for hearing-related news over the past couple years, you already know what I'm about to say.  But, a reminder is necessary as the weather is finally warmer and more people are out running and walking and mowing their lawns while wearing their iPods.

Noise-induced hearing loss.  It's real folks.  Of course, we know if happens to people who work in factories and other places with really loud noise. But what about your habits? Do you use an iPod or other music player with headphones?  Do you pay attention to how loud you are setting your volume?

What about your kids?

"Hearing loss due to noise exposure is the only type of hearing loss we have any control over. As a pediatric audiologist, I treat the effect of loud music on an alarming number of younger patients. As a mother, I understand that music is a part of every generation and today's youth has more opportunities to directly expose their fragile ears to outputs that can cause hearing loss." says Jacqueline Scholl, Au.D., The Scholl Center for Communication Disorders

Results from a survey done by MTV showed that about half of the 2500 respondents listen to their music players at 75-100% of the maximum volume.  Nearly half also reported symptoms of hearing loss - ringing in the ears, trouble hearing, ear pain when in loud noise.  This is alarming. What's more alarming is that even fewer (about 30%) said they thought this might be a problem.

We NEED to teach our children.  YOU as a parent, need to tell your children to protect their ears...just like you tell them to wear sunscreen or to brush their teeth.

A good piece of advice:  if you can hear the music your child is listening too, it's too loud. Simple. Easy. Tell them to turn it down, or make them use volume-reducing earphone/earbuds.

More questions? Need those safe earbuds? Give us a call.

Rare footage of Helen Keller speaking

with the help of Anne Sullivan. Amazing. What an inspiration.