SIEMENS micon - because the future belongs to Soundability

SIEMENS Micon has generated much interest in the hearing industry with their leading edge technology offering up to 48 channels of signal processing making it the highest and fastest so far.

Come and have a listen to a SIEMENS Micon for yourself at Jensen Hearing, Melaka.

Getting ready for school

Getting ready for school? Children's Hospital Los Angeles Experts suggest the following 10 items to look into before starting school. And at No. 7 is Full Diagnostic Hearing Test.

Why is hearing test important for school? Children need to hear clearly to learn at their best but younger are unable to tell if their hearing is ok or not. As such a full diagnostic hearing test would ensure the hearing status of a school going child. That they are hearing the teacher well. Also this would remove the guess work as to how well the child is hearing. It also helps the teachers to gauge if the child is not paying attention due to inability to hear well or if the child is merely bored.

Some children have been mis-labled as dreamy just because instructions have to be repeated to them a few times, when in actual fact, they have a mild hearing loss which causes them not to be as attentive as normal hearing children. 

Jensen Hearing fully supports the recommendation and is able to provide diagnostic hearing test for school going children. Call us for an appointment if your child is getting ready for school. 

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Experts Offer 10 Back to School Tips for 2013-14 School Year

1. Is Your Child Snoring at Night?
2. Back to School Jitters
3. Avoid Processed High-Salt Foods and Drinks in Packed Lunches
4. Busy and Distracted Children can Encounter Health Issues
5. Bullying in the Classroom
6. Annual Eye Screenings
7. Full Diagnostic Hearing Test
8. Asthma and Allergy Action Plans for Teachers and School Nurses
9. Playground Safety
10. Update Your Child’s Vaccinations

Source : Business Wire

Naída CI Q70 - Cochlear Implant - Hearing Aid Hybrid

VALENCIA, Calif., August 28, 2013 – Advanced Bionics (AB), a global leader in cochlear implant technology and a company of the Sonova Group, announced today that the new Naída CI Q70 (Naída CI) sound processor is commercially available in the United States. Earlier this year, the Naída CI processor received regulatory approval for distribution in Europe, Canada and several other countries in the world. The innovation DNA of AB and Phonak have merged together for the introduction of the world’s newest, most advanced behind-the-ear sound processor. With Naída CI, AB delivers a quantum leap forward in performance and wireless connectivity with a chic, modern instyle™ design. Now cochlear implant recipients have access to the combined technologies of the innovation leaders in cochlear implants and hearing instruments.

“While AB is unique in our tireless focus on performance, we also understand that people want to wear beautiful products. With Naída CI, we have delivered a quantum leap forward in performance and wireless connectivity in a small, attractive package”, said Hansjuerg Emch, President of Advanced Bionics and Group Vice President of the Sonova Medical Division where AB resides. “We are especially excited to deliver a world first—the combination of the most advanced cochlear implant technology with state-of-the-art Phonak technology available in hundreds of thousands of hearing instruments. If you use Phonak products and get a cochlear implant from AB, you now have the opportunity to enjoy many of the same Phonak features and accessories.” Source: Advanced Bionics

Bacteria-caused middle ear infections mystery solved.

Dr Thornton and her team discovered that sticky nets of DNA hide the bacteria in the ears of kids with recurrent middle-ear infections, and evade antibiotic treatment by creating impenetrable slimy biofilms. The researchers are targeting these nets with a drug that has already proven its ability to help kids with cystic fibrosis by breaking up thick secretions in their lungs.

A study on the DNA net discovery was published in the online science journal Plos One in February and clinical drug trials are now underway. "Bacteria in the ear hide in a sticky glue made up of big nets of DNA from the children's own immune system," Dr Thornton said. "It is similar to what happens in the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis, where a treatment known as Dornase alfa is used to break up this sticky DNA." "We are now trialling this treatment in the ears of children when they have grommets inserted. We believe this could get rid of these bacteria and stop children getting more infections and needing more ear surgery."

 Source: Medical Express

Don't just get hearing aids, Get better hearing!

When one has difficulty hearing another person, we seek better hearing so why go and buy hearing aids?

Audiology is the study of sound and how we hear. There is much research and technology available to help us hear better. Research to discover how people hear has given rise to the development of implants that can help the very deaf hear again. Studies also have shown that recovery of hearing function takes time and involved rehabilitation.

The keen desire to give better hearing has given rise to algorithms and hearing aid prescription rules that offer more speech understanding.

Thus audiologist use this knowledge to assess hearing abilities and how to best help people hear better.

So next time you want better hearing see an Audiologist.

Imaging printing your own ears.

The human ear is something we often take for granted. Some have big ears, some have small ears. Some show off their ears, some hide their ears. some have no ears. But that would change with the advancement in printing technology. We were amazed when we could print instead of just write. Then colour printers came along. So we were awed by the depth of colours that can be replicated on the colour laser. Some even went as far as trying to print counterfeit notes. Then came 3D printing. We could print just about anything we can imagine. A chair, a table, a computer part, a gear. But the trophy today goes to the team at Cornell University who came up with the idea of printing ears and they did it.

 Congratulations to the Cornell University team on their innovation to help people get their ears printed. Not just on plastic but with real cells.

 Read more at: http://www.geekosystem.com/3d-printed-human-ear/ and here: http://singularityhub.com/2013/03/04/human-ear-created-with-3d-printer/

SEO for hearing aids trending

There is an interesting trend and shows that more people are searching for hearing aids also known as "Alat bantu pendengaran" or "alat bantu dengar" from Malaysia and Indonesia.The awareness is growing and it is important that they get to know their options that they have.

Caring for your hearing aids

Jensen Hearing has started a YouTube channel to help people understand how to care for their hearing aids and how to hear better. You can visit the YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/jensenhearing Hearing aid care is essential for the hearing aids to perform at their best and thus ensuring better hearing.

Cholesterol Fine Tunes Hearing

Did you realise that while we try to reduce our cholesterol intake in our daily meals, cholesterol plays an important role in our hearing?

Check out this article at - http://callierlibrary.wordpress.com/2007/12/17/cholesterol-fine-tunes-hearing/

Cochlear Implant Upgrades for FREEDOM users

Good new for Freedom Cochlear Implant Users.
Upgrade your Freedom processor to the latest Nucleus 5 technology.

The all new Nucleus 5 Sound Processor, along with the Nucleus 5 Remote Assistant are designed to give you access to your best hearing potential. The clinical results that Nucleus Freedom upgrade users are experiencing with Nucleus 5 are very exciting, and we look forward to offering them to you.
Nucleus Freedom implant users who upgrade to a Nucleus 5 Sound Processor will have access to advanced features including:

1) Cochlear’s Smallest Sound Processor - In fact, 36% smaller than Freedom

2) Even Better Hearing in Noise - Clinical results shows the Nucleus 5 Sound Processor offers superior hearing performance in a range of noisy settings when compared with Freedom.

3) Industry’s First Two Way Remote Assistant - The Nucleus 5 Remote Assistant is designed to help you easily monitor and control your hearing with an easy user interface.

4) Exclusive Dual Microphone Technology with Zoom Power Option - ZOOM, a superior, unique
option provides extra directionality through your microphones for even greater clarity in noise.

5) AutoPhone for Easier Phone Conversations - The industry’s first and only automatic phone detection through auto telecoil for easier phone detection.

Total Laryngectomy Voice Rehabilitation Workshop on 22 & 23 FEB 2011

Total Laryngectomy Voice Rehabilitation Workshop would be held from the 22-23 February 2011 in Singapore.

Download the Total Laryngectomy Voice Rehabilitation Workshop brochure here.

Quota International helps two children and their families pay for hearing aids

By LYDIA GEHRING

Living Editor

WOOSTER -- Sitting in the classroom and listening clearly to what a teacher is saying is one of the most important keys to a student's success. So when that is jeopardized by the child's inability to hear clearly, accomplishments are harder to earn.

Such was the case for 7-year-old Travis Roe and 6-year-old Kenzie Beckler, until their parents heard of the help available from the cooperative effort of Quota International and Siemens Hearing Instruments.

Travis wasn't passing his hearing exams when an audiologist diagnosed him with mild hearing loss, which doctors are unsure how he developed. After he was written a prescription for hearing aids for both ears, his parents, Rachel and William Roe, learned their Medicaid provider would not pay for them. They were referred by doctors to the Wooster Quota Club's "Sound Beginnings" program, which provides vouchers for hearing aids for children 18 and under.

The hearing aids Travis now has have made a huge improvement for him, his mom said, making it possible for the Orrville first-grader to enjoy learning.

Read more at http://www.the-daily-record.com/news/article/4956819

Would be good to hear of such commitments from companies in Malaysia

News and Updates Section restarted

Dear visitor,

This blog has not been updated as Jensen Hearing has moved to its official website at http://www.jensenhearing.com

This blod would be having a breath of fresh air in 2011.

Mean while go over to the main site for the latest news or drop by an intersting website by another audiologist http://tukangtelinga.blogspot.com

Speech Therapy Services

Jensen Hearing is pleased to announce the availability of Speech Therapy Services beginning on 15 September 2008. Our Speech Language Pathologist is a member of MASH and graduated from Brisbane University. She is able to provide a wide spectrum of services from voice disorders, speech delays and even swallowing problems.

For an appointment please call +606 - 2881407.

Seminar in Muar Hospital

Hospital Pakar Sultanah Fatimah, Muar, Johor organized a one day seminar for parents of hearing impaired. Mr Ngiow Jen Sen, our audiologist, was invited to speak on hearing impairment and caring for hearing aids. Many parents came for the talk. Some even brought their hearing aids for consultation.

More talks would be planned to increase public awareness in Malaysia.

Please contact Jensen Hearing should there be an inquiry for public talks or seminars or workshops relating to hearing.

Ins and Out of Down's Syndrome

Our Audiologist, Ngiow Jen Sen, from Jensen Hearing was invited to speak on "Hopes of Hearing" in Petaling Jaya. It covered detection of hearing loss, technology available to help hearing loss.

It was organized by SpeecHelp for parents and professionals that are related to children with Down's Syndrome. There was a good turn out of participants and many asked interesting questions relating to Down's Syndrome.

Advances in Hearing

FRom CIHear

Message: 20
Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2005 20:17:55 -0500
From: "Robert MacPherson"
Subject: Press Release: U-M Scientists Develop First Micro-Machined
Cochlea

The University of Michigan news service, Feb. 2, 2005
-----------------


U-M scientists develop first micro-machined mechanical cochlea

ANN ARBOR, Mich.—Scientists at U-M have developed the first
micro-machined, life-sized, mechanical
cochlea, the tiny organ responsible for converting acoustic vibrations
into electrical signals for
the brain to "read" and interpret as different sounds.

Most people with hearing loss have lost the ability to translate
acoustic sound waves into
electrical signals for the brain, so developing a device capable of
simulating this function is an
important step in the effort to help at least some of the estimated 560
million people who will
experience hearing loss by this year. While the U-M system is not yet
ready for use as an implant,
the 3-centimeter device could potentially be used as part of a cochlear
implant. More immediate
applications include a low-power sensor for military or commercial
applications, said College of
Engineering associate professor Karl Grosh.

The three advantages of the mechanical cochlea built at U-M are its
life-sized dimensions, its
suitability for mass production, and its use of a unique low-power
mechanical method to do acoustic
signal processing, Grosh said. The human cochlea is a snail-shaped
organ measuring about a cubic
centimeter in the inner ear. If you unwind the spiral, it would equal
the length of the U-M
mechanical cochlea. Researchers micro-machined the device using a
technique similar to those used to
make integrated circuits, which means it can be mass produced.

The mechanical cochlea works in the same way as its biological
counterpart. In the biological
cochlea, the basilar membrane, which winds along the cochlear spiral,
is stiffer at the base and
becomes softer as it approaches the center. In the engineered cochlea
developed by Grosh and
doctoral student Robert White, a fluid-filled duct etched onto a chip
acts as the cochlear spiral.
When sound waves enter the mechanical cochlea's input membrane, a wave
is created, which travels
down the duct, interacting with a tapered micro-machined membrane,
analogous to the basilar
membrane. This process allows the device to separate different
frequency tones. In the biological
cochlea, sensory hair cells in the spiral detect the sound waves
traveling through the fluid, and
translate the sound waves into electrical signals, which the auditory
nerve carries to the brain.
The ear hears different sounds depending on where the wave vibrates in
the cochlea.

The goal is to use the mechanical cochlea as a sensitive microphone,
perhaps in tandem with a
cochlear implant, Grosh said, the same way an external microphone, a
microprocessor and an antenna
work together in present implants. Cochlear implants work by sending
signals for different
frequencies to electrodes implanted in the cochlear spiral. The
auditory nerves then transport these
signals to the brain. Researchers are adding arrays of sensors to the
mechanical cochlea, which
would make it possible to use the new device to drive the electrodes in
a cochlear implant.

Grosh and White co-authored a paper "Microengineered Hydromechanical
Cochlear Model," which appeared
in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Feb. 1, 2005.

The work is primarily funded by the National Science Foundation and the
Office of Naval Research.

The University of Michigan College of Engineering is ranked among the
top engineering schools in the
country. Michigan Engineering boasts one of the largest research
budgets of any public university,
at $135 million for 2004. Michigan Engineering has 11 departments and
two NSF Engineering Research
Centers. Within those departments and centers, there is a special
emphasis on research in three
emerging industries: Nanotechnology and integrated microsystems;
cellular and molecular
biotechnology; and information technology. The College is seeking to
raise $110 million for capital
building projects and program support in these areas to further
research discovery. The CoE's goal
is to advance academic scholarship and market cutting edge research to
improve public heath and
well-being.

News from Overseas

The Tartan Online

Waldron to aid elderly
By Noelle Selb
nselb@radford.edu

February 01, 2005

It is easy to take for granted the resonating call of the Muse clock alerting students when they are late for class, the unmistakable whistle of the train passing through Radford at night, the voice of the waitress asking for an order. However, for many elderly in the New River Valley, these sounds are silenced.

In an attempt to reach out to the community to ease this problem and other health issues affecting older adults in the area, the Carlot Endowment recently awarded Waldron College of Health and Human Services over $12,694 to aid the lower-income adults in Southwestern Virginia.

The endowment was created in memory of the late professor of emeritus of design, Fernande Gard, by her mother Fernande Carlot Gard and her grandfather Albert Carlot, and is dispensed by the RU Foundation.

The money was apportioned to three programs that professors from Waldron College supported. These programs include Dr. Ken Cox’s “Hearing Healthcare services for the Needy Elderly in Southwest Virginia,” Dr. Mary Hope Gibson’s “Chronic Illness Clinic,” and Dr. Virginia Burgraff and Grace Shortt’s “Case Management and Assessment of Rural Elderly (CARE) Project.”

In an effort to serve the uninsured and underinsured adults over 55 years old, the CARE program will use case management to serve older adults in the Dublin, Pulaski and Radford City areas. Burgraff describes case management as an overall process where the care providers look at the patient as a whole and try to meet his or her needs, in addition to performing a functional assessment.

In her piece of the grant, Burgraff is using graduate student Sarah Gilbert, to implement the functional assessment of patients, as well as looking at other aspects of health, such as depression, sleep and eating.

“Functional assessment means I can perform activities of daily living, which include cooking, bathing, toileting. Advanced activities of daily living include going to the store to buy food, preparing my meals, using the telephone. If I can’t do these things, then are there resources in the community that can assist me?” Burgraff explained.

Gilbert, a Registered Nurse who graduated from RU in 1980 with a degree in nursing, mentioned that the types of assessments the patients will undergo will include a standard assessment, which encompasses information about their living situation, the availability of transportation, as well as the patient’s ability to perform the functions of everyday living, such as grocery shopping.

Cox’s program provides an important service to the elderly in the community yet focuses more on a physical need than a functional need. For the two and a half years since funding to provide hearing aids for the local Lion’s Club was discontinued, Cox has been trying to re-establish the grant to provide hearing aids for Southwest Virginia.

Since most insurance companies do not pay for hearing aids and others only pay a portion of the cost, many of the individuals on the waiting list to receive hearing aids have done without any sort of hearing device for over two years. The Carlot Endowment is set up to provide money to purchase hearing aids from the Starkey Hear Now Foundation, which provides assistance to those with financial need.

Cox’s “Hearing Healthcare Services for the Needy Elderly in Southwest Virginia” program will provide 20 hearing aids over the course of the next six months to a year for those who qualify based on financial need as well as who meet the age requirements.

Graduate students who participate in the audiology clinic within the RU clinics will participate in the counseling, fitting and follow-up of the eligible older adults involved in the program. They will work with audiologist Joanne Dillon, an RU graduate and a licensed audiologist and hearing aid specialist.

Cox has also submitted a large grant for the Lions of Virginia Foundation which is in the process of being reviewed. If the money is granted, Cox says that it would help a lot more people in the community.

Gibson’s “Hearing Healthcare Services for the Needy Elderly in Southwest Virginia” received $4,594 to assist primary health care services in RU Clinics for older adults. The aspiration of Gibson’s project is to prevent complications which could arise from existing health conditions and to prevent contracting new illnesses among clients unable to afford health services in other locations.

Through the Carlot Endowment, students and their professors implementing these programs can follow through to the mission statement of the RU School of Nursing and fellow departments within Waldron College, helping a generation that comprises 11 to 17 percent of the population in the NRV.

Surviving a hearing loss

"Surviving a loss and letting go is only half of the story. The other half
is the secret belief that we will find, in one form or another, what we have
lost. And it is that potential, shimmery as a star on a clear night, that helps us survive." -- Veronica Chambers

Happy New Year 2005

Greetings and a Happy New Year to you. Thank you for dropping by at Jensen Hearing's website. We are glad to announce that we are able to offer more services this year as more clinical equipment has been added. Babies as old as 24 hours after birth can be screened for hearing loss. Age specific tests for different age group. Otoacoustic Emission tests screen for hearing loss. Brainstem Evoked Response tests hearing in children that are too young to cooperate.

We are also happy to introduce speech therapy services to our services. Our speech clinic is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Just give us a call and make an appointment.

Better Hearing Starts at Jensen Hearing