Hearing and Health

Source:
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/healthy_aging/healthy_body/the-hidden-risks-of-hearing-loss

The Links Between Hearing and Health

Brain scans show us that hearing loss may contribute to a faster rate of atrophy in the brain, Hearing loss also contributes to social isolation. You may not want to be with people as much, and when you are you may not engage in conversation as much. These factors may contribute to dementia. Even without going into details we will start to notice that hearing does affect our health. This is true anywhere in the world even in Melaka, Malaysia.

As you walk, your ears pick up subtle cues that help with balance. Hearing loss mutes these important signals, Lin notes. “It also makes your brain work harder just to process sound. This subconscious multitasking may interfere with some of the mental processing needed to walk safely.” Now that people know the links between Hearing and Health there are still myths that keep them back from getting the best help they need.

These are some of the myths still being perpetrated:

• “My hearing’s not that bad.”

Hearing aid users wait, on average, 10 years before getting help for hearing loss. But during that time, communication with loved ones becomes more difficult, and isolation and health risks increase. “Our findings emphasized just how important it is to be proactive in addressing any hearing declines over time,” says Lin.

• “Wearing hearing aids means I’m old, and I’m not ready for that.”

It’s normal to feel worried that hearing loss means you’re aging—and to want to hide it. Plenty of people with a hearing impairment sit silently rather than joining in conversations and activities, because they fear that hearing problems will make them seem helpless or less than competent. The truth: Connecting with others can help your brain stay younger and keep you involved with life.

• “I don’t like the way hearing aids look.”

Forget the old days of big, whistling earpieces. Today’s hearing aids and cochlear implants are smaller (and less conspicuous) than ever before. Even celebrities (like former president Bill Clinton and football Hall of Famer Mike Singletary) are wearing them proudly.

• “I heard that hearing aids are difficult to use.”

There is a breaking-in period as you—and your central auditory system and brain—adjust to life with hearing aids. That’s why most doctors and hearing centers include a trial period, so you can be sure the type you’ve chosen—whether it’s a miniature behind-the-ear model or one that fits into your ear—is right for you.

• “Hearing aids cost too much.”

At present, very few states require health insurers to cover the cost of hearing aids for people of all ages. As a result, 61 percent of users pay the bill themselves. At an average price of $1,675 per ear for equipment, fittings and evaluations, hearing aids can take a bite out of your budget. Factor in the high cost of hearing loss, however, and it is money well spent.

Hearing aids - no sound?

Why my hearing aid has no sound? This question would come to a hearing aid user who has worn a hearing aid for a few months. First thought would be because the hearing aid is faulty. 

Among the causes of a non functioning hearing aid is the earmold. In the picture above the patient could not hear because the earmold is blocked with wax. Even though it may seem just a little bit of wax in the sound bore or tubing, sound completely cannot pass through the wax. Other materials can also completely obstruct such as dirt sometimes even a drop of sweat. When a person is working hard and sweating, water vapor may condense within the sound tube. This little droplets can combine and complete block the sound tube and the patient cannot hear any sounds coming from his or her hearing aid. 

Cleaning the earmold is easy and can be done at home.

Firstly remove the earmold from the Hearing Aid to ensure the hearing aid is not exposed to water. We need to soal the earmold in solutions to disinfect from germs. 

After soaking for 15-30 mins, wash the earmold in clean running water. Run water through the tubing to check if the tubing is blocked.

Then wipe the earmold clean and dry. Also use an air syringe or puffer to clear any remaining water or moisture within the earmold tubing.

Once properly dry, insert the tubing of the earmold into the tonehook of the hearing aid. You should hear the clear sounds from your hearing aids again 

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

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.