WARNING: ADA Urges Consumers to Seek Proper Diagnosis, Treatment and Counseling for Hearing Loss

This was received at Kenwood Hearing Center in email form, but we find it highly important for all hearing aid consumers.  Please read yourself and share with anyone having difficulty with their ears or hearing.

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November 11, 2011

THE ACADEMY OF DOCTORS OF AUDIOLOGY WARNS CONSUMERS AGAINST OBTAINING HEARING AIDS WITHOUT PROPER DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND COUNSELING

(Lexington, Ky.)--The Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA) urges consumers who suspect that they have hearing loss to seek treatment from a licensed audiologist or other hearing healthcare professional to ensure the proper diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss, and to identify potentially serious underlying medical conditions. Further, ADA reminds consumers that hearing aids are not always the recommended course of treatment for hearing loss.

“Even when hearing loss is detected through a comprehensive examination, hearing aids are not always a recommended course of treatment,” said ADA President Eric Hagberg, Au.D., “The purchase and use of a hearing aid without a proper examination, diagnosis and counseling is a recipe for poor treatment outcomes and increased risks.”

Key risks of omitting an evaluation and treatment by a licensed audiologist or hearing healthcare professional include the missed diagnosis of a serious underlying health condition that requires medical intervention and subsequent hearing loss as a result of improper fitting and/or programming of hearing aids.

According to the ADA, there are many possible causes of hearing loss including:

• Aging– Hair cell loss from the nerve endings in the cochlea, stiffening of the cochlear structure, or loss of nerve endings on the acoustic nerve, may be age-related causes of diminished hearing.
• Blockages in the outer ear– Almost anything can block the ear canal and cause hearing loss. Common blockages include earwax, foreign bodies, swelling from allergies or infections, injuries, and birth defects.
• Ear infections– Generally, ear infections cause swelling in the middle ear, which in turn causes a build up of fluid behind the eardrum .
• Fistula– A fistula is an abnormal opening between the middle and inner ear that causes fluid to leak from the inner ear. Symptoms include dizziness, as well as hearing loss.
• Head injury– A head injury can damage nerves in the hearing centers of the brain.
• Medication– Some medications have been identified as ototoxic and can cause hearing loss.
• Meniere’s Disease – Pressure in the inner ear may cause fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing sensation), dizziness and nausea.
• Noise– The single most common cause of hearing loss is exposure to loud noise.
• Otosclerosis– This is a hereditary disease. New bone grows around one of the small bones that transmits sound from the outer ear to the inner ear. This new growth of bone disrupts sound transmission.
• Tumors– Tumors can be benign or malignant. Depending on where the tumor is located, the resulting hearing loss may be either conductive or sensorineural.

Many of these conditions cannot be treated with a hearing aid—and several require immediate medical intervention for treatment.

United Healthcare (UHC), the largest U.S. insurer by revenue, announced on October 3, 2011, that it will provide subscribers and the general public with online hearing testing and allow the purchase/obtainment of hearing aids via the Internet through its subsidiary hi Health Innovations.

This announcement came on the same day that UHC’s parent company, United Health Group, introduced its 2012 Medicare Plans and began marketing to elderly subscribers. The announcement also ironically coincided with United Health Group’s (United Health Foundation) announcement that it would provide a $50,000 grant to the National Council on Aging (NCOA) so that NCOA can “expand outreach efforts to seniors and aging services organizations, reminding them to work with health care professionals for appropriate (hearing) screening.”

The announcement by United Healthcare to offer an online diagnostic, treatment and distribution model for hearing healthcare has prompted growing concerns within the health community.

“This undermines every good practice with regard to hearing healthcare as this diagnosis and delivery model is unsound, unsafe and unreliable,” said Dr. Hagberg. “Without the proper diagnosis, counseling, hearing aid fitting and follow-up evaluations, successful treatment for hearing loss cannot be achieved.”

On October 26, 2011, the Minnesota Department of Health released a statement stressing the importance of seeing a hearing health practitioner for hearing loss and advising that failure to do so “skirts state and federal legal protections and could result in harm.” Read the full release here:http://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/2011/hearing102611.html. United Healthcare, UnitedHealth Group, and hi Health Innovations are all based in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

On October 12, 2011, the Better Hearing Institute (BHI) released a press release warning consumers against “Do it Yourself Hearing Care.” Read the full release here: http://www.betterhearing.org/press/news/Internet_direct_mail_hearing_aids_pr10122011.cfm

On October 26, 2011, an attorney retained by the International Hearing Society (IHS) sent a letter to hi Health Innovations requesting that the company cease and desist selling hearing aids through its website. Read the full letter here: http://ihsinfo.org/pdf/IHS_Letter_to_HealthInnovations.pdf

On October 31, 2011, ADA and the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) sent joint letters to Lisa Tseng, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of hi Health Innovations and Rhonda Medows, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of United Health Group, expressing concerns and requesting additional information regarding the insurer’s plans for an online hearing healthcare delivery system. Read the letters here:
http://www.audiologist.org/_resources/documents/UHC%20letter%20Oct%2011%20Tseng.pdf
http://www.audiologist.org/_resources/documents/UHC%20letter%20Oct%2011%20Medows.pdf

Intricon Corporation, headquartered in Arden Hills, Minnesota, has been contracted to manufacture the hearing aids sold by hi Health Innovations, whose parent company is UnitedHealth Group. This goes against the common practice within the hearing aid manufacturing community. In fact, most hearing aid manufacturers have made public statements that they will not allow their hearing aids to be sold online.

 “Thankfully most hearing aid manufacturers will not allow their hearing aids to be sold or purchased without a face-to-face consultation with a licensed practitioner, because they too recognize the inherent risks associated with the purchase and use of hearing aids without the proper counseling and fitting that only a licensed hearing healthcare professional can provide.”

Hearing aids are medical devices regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and must be recommended, sold and fit by qualified health professionals.  http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?FR=801.420

Further, all 50 states require licensure for the dispensing of hearing aids. http://www.audiologist.org/resources/state-licensure.html

The ADA urges consumers to seek proper diagnosis, treatment and counseling for suspected hearing loss.  To find a licensed ADA member in your area, visit http://www.audiologist.org/audiologist-directory.html.

Other Useful Resources

• Consumer Reports Hearing Aid Checklist: http://www.consumerreports.org/health/healthy-living/home-medical-supplies/hearing/hearing-aids/buying-tips-a-checklist/hearing-aids-before-you-buy.htm
• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD):http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/pages/hearingaid.aspx
• Better Hearing Institute (BHI): http://www.betterhearing.org/
• Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) Position Statement on Hearing Aids for People with Hearing Loss: http://hlaaleaderswiki.wikispaces.com/file/view/Position+Statement+on+Hearing+Aids+for+People+with+Hearing+Loss.pdf

 
About ADA
The Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA) is a leading national organization of practicing audiologists. ADA is dedicated to the advancement of practitioner excellence, high ethical standards, professional autonomy and sound business practices in the provision of quality audiologic care. For more information, visit http://www.audiologist.org/.

Just for FUN!

Hang On Sloopy is the official rock song of Ohio.

Hershey's Kisses are called that because the machine that makes them looks like it's kissing the conveyor belt.

Honeybees have hair on their eyes.

Human teeth are almost as hard as rocks.

Human thigh bones are stronger than concrete.

Hydroxydesoxycorticosterone and hydroxydeoxycorticosterones are the largest anagrams.

Hypnotism is banned by public schools in San Diego. 

Jury Duty...with hearing loss?

Do you have hearing loss?

What are you going to do if you are called to serve on a jury?


Do you know what accommodations you need in order to serve effectively?


Are you going to request accommodations and take the time to educate the court administrator and/or judge about what you need so that you can serve?


The law requires courts to provide effective communication access for people with hearing loss.

Under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and as amended in 2008, people with disabilities have a right to effective communication.  In the United Stated Department of Justice (DOJ) Technical Assistance Manual for the ADA it says:

"The ADA provides for equality of opportunity...The foundation of many of the specific requirements in the Department's regulations is the principle that individual with disabilities must be provided an equal opportunity to participate in or benefit from a public entity's aids, benefits, and services."

DOJ goes on to note that courts proceedings are one area where care must be taken to provide effective communications:

Because of the importance of effective communication in state and local court proceedings, special attention must be given to the communication  needs of individuals with disabilities involved in such proceedings.  For individuals with hearing impairments who do not use sign language, other types of auxiliary aids or services, such as assistive listening devices or computer-assisted transcription services, which allow virtually instantaneous transcripts of courtroom argument and testimony to appear on displays, may be required.

Under the Title II, cost is not a factor in considering whether to provide effective communication. the benefit of providing ways for people with disabilities to participate far outweighs the cost of an individual accommodation.  People with mobility disabilities often use ramps to ensure access to the courtroom. CART, assistive devices, oral interpreters are ramps for people with loss. We should not hesitate to support building the kind of ramps that allow people with disabilities to participate in all aspects of society.

In the end, each individual must decide whether what you need to hear will work for you in the courtroom.  But the law is on your side, including your right to accommodations in the courtroom.

TIPS for Serving on a Jury:

• Notify the court administrator about your hearing loss immediately after you get your summons.
• Be clear and specific about any accommodations you need:
• Assistive listening system with neckloop, headset or earbuds.
• CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation)
• Interpreter (oral or sign language)
• A combination of the accommodations listed abover - or any other accommodations needed
• Request that instructional videos provided for jurors be captioned.
• Offer to meet with the court administrator to discuss what accommodations you need and what the court has to offer.
• Consider visiting the court before the jury date to have a better understanding of the courtroom acoustics and lighting.

Information from Hearing Loss Magazine. Written by Lisa Hamlin - director of public policy at the Hearing Loss Association of America.  She can be reached at lhamlin@hearingloss.org.

Just for FUN!

Facetious and abstemious contain all the vowels in the correct order, as does arsenious, meaning "containing arsenic."

February 1865 is the only month in recorded history not to have a full moon.

Fingernails grow nearly 4 times faster than toenails.

Fortune cookies were actually invented in America, in 1918, by Charles Jung.

Gilligan of Gilligan's Island had a first name that was only used once, on the never-aired pilot show. His first name was Willy. The skipper's real name on Gilligan's Island is Jonas Grumby. It was mentioned once in the first episode on their radio's newscast about the wreck.

Giraffes have no vocal cords. 

Just for FUN!

Einstein couldn't speak fluently when he was nine. His parents thought he might be retarded.

Emus and kangaroos cannot walk backwards, and are on the Australian coat of arms for that reason.

Eskimo ice cream is neither icy, or creamy.

Even if you cut off a cockroach's head, it can live for several weeks.

Every person has a unique tongue print.

Every time Beethoven sat down to write music, he poured ice water over his head.

Every time you lick a stamp, you're consuming 1/10 of a calorie. 

Fall Allergies: the 20 worst hotspots in the US

Original article can be found HERE.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (non-profit) compiled a list of the 100 worse metro areas for seasonal allergies.

Here are the top 20:

1. Knoxville, TN
2. Dayton, OH
3. McAllen, TX
4. Jackson, MS
5. Oklahoma City, OK
6. Louisville, KY
7. Wichita, KS
8. Madison, WI
9. St. Louis, MO
10. Tulsa, OK
11. Chattanooga, TN
12. Memphis, TN
13. Birmingham, AL
14. Springfield, MA
15. San Antonio, TX
16. Greensboro, NC
17. Omaha, NE
18. Columbia, SC
19. Little Rock, AR
20. Charlotte, NC

Other Area Notables:
37. Grand Rapids, MI
43. Columbus, OH
48. Youngstown, OH
50. Detroit, MI
52. Toledo, OH
55. Akron, OH
56. Cincinnati, OH
61. Cleveland, OH

Just for Fun!

• David Prowse was the guy in the Darth Vader suit in Star Wars. He spoke all of Vader's lines, and didn't know that he was going to be dubbed over by James Earl Jones until he saw the screening of the movie.
• Dogs and cats consume almost $7 billion worth of pet food a year.
• Dolphins sleep with one eye open.
• Donald Duck comics were banned from Finland because he doesn't wear pants.
• Dr. Samuel A. Mudd was the physician who set the leg of Lincoln's assassin John Wilkes Booth... and whose shame created the expression for ignominy, "His name is Mudd."
• Dr. Seuss pronounced "Seuss" such that it rhymed with "rejoice."
• Dueling is legal in Paraguay as long as both parties are registered blood donors.
• During your lifetime, you'll eat about 60,000 pounds of food, that's the weight of about 6 elephants.

Just for FUN!

• Camel's milk does not curdle.
• Cats can produce over one hundred vocal sounds, while dogs can only produce about ten.
• Chewing gum while peeling onions will keep you from crying.
• Cleo and Caesar were the early stage names of Cher and Sonny Bono.
• Columbia University is the second largest landowner in New York City, after the Catholic Church.
• Charles Lindbergh took only four sandwiches with him on his famous transatlantic flight.

Senior Citizens and Fall Risks

What are some statistics on senior citizens falling?

• One-third of all seniors fall every year.
• 20,000 will die as a result of the fall every year.
• Fall risks can be reduced.
• Fall prevention programs work.

Who is at risk for falling? Everyone, but especially those who are...

• over 80 years of age.
• female
• prone to osteoporosis or other physical problems
• dependent on ambulatory assistive devices (wheelchairs, canes, etc.)
• taking certain prescriptive medications, especially when used with alcohol.
• known to have a history of falling.

Fall Prevention:

Hearing: Get your hearing check regularly!

• if you use hearing aids, wear them and have them cleaned and checked regularly.
• consider use of hearing aids with t-coils and looping your home, or hearing aid technologies that provide connectivity to telephones, televisions and other devices via Bluetooth or similar circuitry.

Vision: Get your vision checked regularly!

• if you need glasses, wear them regularly.
• ensure adequate lighting when walking, both inside and outside of the home. If you go out and will be returning after dark, be sure to leave a light on. Do not try to save on electricity by not using good lighting. Remember, the costs of injuries due to falls from inadequate lighting far outweigh the savings on electricity that might be had from not using lights!  Carry a small flashlight or keychain light so you can see to unlock doors.

Bones: Keep your bones strong!

• Have your bone density monitored.
• Take calcium supplements if your phsyician recommends them.
• exercise regularly
• avoid getting up too quickly to answer the door or telephone, especially after sitting for long periods when leg muscles can go to sleep or cramp.

Hazards: Safeguard your home!

• remove throw rugs, clutter and other obstacles from your floors
• ensure adequate lighting both inside and outside, especially on porches and walkways.
• install handles and railing, especially in bathrooms and on porches
• be sure to check for pets or children under foot
• avoid wet spots both inside and outside, especially rain and ice
• make sure to wear shoes with sturdy, flat soles that make good contact with floors and other surfaces; avoid use of slippers and flip-flops.
• always use a walker or wheelchair if appropriate; canes may help, but be aware that they mainly only prevent falls in one direction - walker are superior.
• get and use a First Alert or similar system for use in emergencies
• make sure your neighbors, physicians and audiologist shave a list of family or other contact persons in case of emergencies.

Medications: Ask your physician or pharmacist about drugs causing dizziness!

• know which of your medications (singularly or in combination) cause dizziness or vertigo, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), hearing loss and/or cognitive impairment
• investigate alternative medication with your health-care professional(s)
• avoid using alcohol with medications
• keep an updated list of your medication with you
• do not self-medicate

Sedentary Lifestyles: Stay Active!

• join an exercise or swim class
• walk every day
• discuss any peripheral neuropathies (numbness and tingling in feet, legs or arms) with your physician
• maintain a good sense of humor, be with other people, laugh a lot, and have fun
• take extra care driving, avoid driving at night or in inclement weather, and know when it is time to pass over the keys and give up driving

Be sure to contact your primary care physician if you have any sudden onset of dizziness, unsteadiness or lack of mobility.

If you should have an accident, be sure to report it and any injuries immediately to your family and your physician.

Do not get in the habit of falling and not telling anyone!

Just for FUN!

• Bats always turn left when exiting a cave.
• Ben and Jerry's send the waste from making ice cream to local pig farmers to use as feed. Pigs love the stuff, except for one flavor: Mint Oreo.
• Bird droppings are the chief export of Nauru, an island nation in the Western Pacific.
• Barbie's measurements if she were life size: 39-23-33.
• Babies are born without knee caps. They don't appear until the child reaches 2-6 years of age.
• Babe Ruth wore a cabbage leaf under is cap to keep him cool. He changed it every 2 innings.
• Baby robins eat 14 feet of earthworms every day.