Hearing Loss
HEARING LOSS
4 main causes of hearing loss

4 main causes of hearing loss

To treat and prevent hearing loss, it is also necessary to understand the factors that cause hearing loss in daily life, early detection and early treatment. There are four common causes of hearing loss, and these four must be paid attention to.

good health, good life

1. Ear diseases

Hearing loss may be caused by ear diseases, such as otitis externa, foreign body in the outer ear, etc. Sometimes acute and chronic middle ear problems can cause hearing loss and tinnitus. If you have ear diseases, it is best to go to a regular hospital for relevant examinations and receive treatment. Don't delay, otherwise it will develop in a bad direction.

2. Hearing loss caused by noise

Many users have nervous tinnitus, which is because the ears hear some noise for a long time, or the living environment is relatively noisy. Long-term exposure to noise will greatly reduce the function of our inner ear, so we avoid being in such an environment, we can wear earmuffs, earplugs, etc. to buffer some noise and reduce the negative impact of noise.

3. Bad living habits

How important it is to develop good living habits can keep us in a healthy state and full of vitality. For example, long-term drinking, drinking coffee, etc. Excessive intake of alcohol and caffeine will aggravate the symptoms of nervous tinnitus, resulting in hearing loss. In addition, smoking can cause blood oxygen to drop, and heavy smokers generally have symptoms of tinnitus. Therefore, if you want to get rid of tinnitus and hearing loss, you must start with developing good living habits.

4. Hearing loss caused by excessive stress

Excessive stress may lead to hearing loss. This is real. Nowadays, social pressure is increasing, which leads to decreased immunity, disordered endocrine system, and hearing loss caused by insufficient brain congestion.

This article can basically solve for you: causes of hearing loss, medical causes of hearing loss, how is hearing loss caused? What can cause hearing loss? What are the main causes of hearing loss? And so on. If you need help, please contact us.

Tip: Wearing hearing aids is one of the best ways to deal with hearing loss. Austar - A leading manufacturer and supplier of hearing aids in China.

2022-12-16
3 Questions to Ask Your Child’s Audiologist

3 Questions to Ask Your Child’s Audiologist

As a parent, it’s scary to consider the effects of a hearing impairment on your child’s development and future. With modern treatment options provided by an audiologist, children with hearing conditions don’t have to suffer from developmental delays, endangered safety or living with less than adequate hearing. Many people visiting an audiologist’s office with their child have never experienced hearing problems, so it’s normal to feel uncertain. To fill in knowledge gaps and boost your reassurance, be sure to ask your child’s audiologist the following questions.

1. What kind of hearing loss does my child have and how severe it is? Please explain the terms to me.
Words like sensorineural, conductive and auditory neuropathy are foreign to the everyday person. If your audiologist is explaining your child’s hearing condition and these terms pop up, be sure to ask for definitions and simplified explanations. The more you understand about your child’s hearing condition, the better prepared you’ll be to stay involved in the treatment process and help them get the right care for years to come.

2. Is my child’s hearing condition permanent and will it change or get worse?
Some hearing conditions children are born with can be treated with surgery and therapy, while others will continue to require treatment and monitoring throughout the child’s lifetime. Your audiologist may not have all the answers for how your child’s body will respond, but they have the best knowledge and experience base to give you a realistic outlook and provide the most comprehensive treatment options as your child grows and his hearing needs change.

3. How will the hearing loss affect my child’s speech and language development?
If caught early enough, hearing conditions don’t have to interfere with a child’s early speech and language learning. The longer a hearing condition goes undiagnosed and untreated, the harder it will be for a child to make up for lost time, even after they receive surgery, hearing aids and speech therapy. Your audiologist will be honest with you about how your child’s hearing condition may or may not affect them as they grow older.

Discovering your child has a hearing problem isn’t easy, but with the right treatments, therapy and counseling from an experienced audiologist, children can live healthy, normal lives despite it. Seek out the answers to these questions during your first visit to make sure you’re ready to help your child in every way possible.
2020-10-27
Types of Hearing Evaluations

Types of Hearing Evaluations

Ready for your first audiology appointment?

If you’re like many, going to an appointment with an audiologist can be intimidating, mainly because many people do not understand what goes on during the visit.

Understanding what occurs during your first appointment with an audiologist can help reduce anxiety and provide peace of mind knowing that you’re not getting yourself into something scary.

What happens during an audiology appointment?
Keep in mind that an audiologist is a hearing healthcare professional who can test, diagnose and provide a solution for hearing loss. During your visit, you’ll undergo a series of tests that will help identify the type and degree of hearing loss you suffer from. Hearing tests determine:

 * If hearing loss is present
 * The cause of the hearing loss
 * The degree of hearing loss
 * If hearing loss is in one or both ears

 * The best treatment options

Types of hearing tests
There are many types of tests and evaluations available to identify and diagnose hearing loss. The method an audiologist will use depends on a patient’s age, among other factors. Types of hearing tests include:
 * Pure-tone test: This type of test will determine the faintest tone a person can hear at varying pitches, or frequencies. During the test, the patient wears earphones; the test will record information picked up through each earphone in order to determine the type and degree of hearing loss in each ear.
 * Speech test: During a speech test, an audiologist will record the faintest speech an individual can hear. The results also record whether or not the patients can recognize the word. Speech testing can be conducted in a quiet or noisy environment.
 * Middle ear test: Audiologists can use a battery of tests to determine if an individual has hearing loss due to issues with the middle ear. Such testing includes tympanometry (detection of fluid in middle ear), acoustic reflex measures, or static acoustic impedance, which provides information about the location of the hearing problem.
 * Auditory brainstem response (ABR): This test provides the audiologist information about the inner ear and the brain pathways required for hearing. During an ABR evaluation, a patient will wear electrodes on his or her head. Sounds will be played but, unlike other tests, no physical response is required, as the electrodes pick up the brain’s response to the sound.

 * Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs): Testing for otoacoustic emissions, or the sounds emitted by the inner ear when the cochlea is stimulated by sound, can determine if a person has normal or abnormal hearing.

Your audiologist wants to make sure you get the most out of your appointment, so don’t hesitate to ask questions or discuss any concerns with your professional. Your audiologist will be happy to talk through any steps you may be nervous or anxious about in full detail!
2020-10-25
How to Treat Tinnitus

How to Treat Tinnitus

If you’re one of the 50 million Americans who have been diagnosed with tinnitus, you probably already know there’s no one singular treatment for the issue. That’s because tinnitus isn’t actually a condition in and of itself. Rather, it is a symptom of some greater issue, such as hearing loss, cardiovascular disease or jaw deformities, like temporomandibular joint disorder.

Having an issue like tinnitus, where perceived noises like chirping, whistling, buzzing or whooshing, are present, can be frustrating. When it comes with no treatment, the frustration can easily double. While there isn’t a set cure for tinnitus, there are many treatment options that can help reduce the tinnitus or make it easier to live with.

Treatment options
After being diagnosed with tinnitus by a healthcare professional such as a primary care physician or, more likely, an audiologist, a patient will be able to begin a pathway toward recovery. The treatment depends entirely on the cause of the tinnitus. The following causes of tinnitus are treated as such:

 *  Tinnitus caused by hearing loss is usually alleviated with hearing aids. Augmenting the reception and perception of noises often provides relief from the perceived internal sound caused by the tinnitus.
 *  Tinnitus caused by ototoxic medications is often cured with a change in medication. Sometimes, other medications or drug therapies can be used to counteract the ototoxic properties of a medication. This may be an option if a patient is taking a medication that is necessary for their health and well being.
 *  Tinnitus caused by internal issues, such as blood pressure or other cardiovascular issues can be alleviated with sound therapies. Sound therapies can mask the sound to help an individual deal with tinnitus on a day to day basis.
 *  Chronic tinnitus can be dealt with using behavioral therapies. Sometimes tinnitus can crate strong, negative emotions, including depression, anxiety and ager. Patients suffering from tinnitus can learn to control such emotional reactions and have morecompassion and patience.

 *  Tinnitus caused by jaw malformations, such as TMJ can be cured by attacking the TMJ problem. Such therapies include braces, mouth pieces, head gear and other orthodontia. These therapies may be able to eliminate or drastically reduce tinnitus symptoms.


If you’re experiencing symptoms of tinnitus, schedule a visit with an audiologist in your area today. The audiologist will be able to evaluate your condition and help you select the right course of treatment if necessary.
2020-10-23
4 Questions to Ask Your Audiologist

4 Questions to Ask Your Audiologist

Finding an audiologist is an important step when it comes to taking control of your hearing health. Before settling on an audiologist that’s simply the closest to you, put some research into finding the right candidates to fit your needs. Curious how to tell if an audiologist is the right one for you? Consider asking these four questions when determining whether or not you found the right audiologist.

1. Where are you located?
While this may seem like a simple question and answer, it’s a good one to start off with. You want to make sure you select an audiologist with a location convenient to your home, work or school. In the event you are diagnosed with hearing loss and need hearing aids as treatment, you may need to visit your audiologist frequently in the first couple of months. Finding an audiologist located close to your home, work or school allows you to easily make appointments and not have to fight traffic or drive the opposite way. Additionally, find out if there are any charges for parking, if the parking lot is located on site or if it’s in a garage shared with a hospital or other office buildings. These minute details can make or break your first experience with an audiologist.

2. What are your hours of operation?
Are you easily able to take off work or school for an appointment, or do you require special hours? While some audiologists offer evening appointments during the week or open on Saturdays to better accommodate patients, some do not. If you require non-traditional hours, make sure you select an audiologist capable of meeting your needs.

3. What services do you offer?
Whether you’re seeing the audiologist for hearing loss, tinnitus or to have custom ear protection made, it’s important to find out if your audiologist specializes in the particular needs you require. While all audiologists are familiar or treat these kinds of issues, if you’re seeking certain hearing aid technology, tinnitus therapy or custom noise protection, it’s a good idea to select an audiologist who offers these services.

4. What payment plans do you offer?
While many insurance companies are beginning to provide coverage for hearing tests and exams, most still do not offer benefits when it comes to purchasing hearing aids. Talk to the audiologist you’re considering about what payment plans or credit lines the offer to ensure you’ll be able to comfortably afford treatment.

Selecting an audiologist is a big decision and you want to make sure you find one whose care you are comfortable and confident in. Talk more with your potential audiologist about what care and services they can offer you.
2020-10-22
Headphones, Earplugs and Custom Hearing Protection

Headphones, Earplugs and Custom Hearing Protection

Do you love working with power tools or is playing the electric guitar more your style? Do you insert earbuds and go for a run or workout at the gym? These are all activities that put you at risk for noise induced hearing loss. Headphones, earplugs and custom earmolds may protect your hearing and still let you enjoy your hobbies.

Noise-induced hearing loss
This type of hearing loss occurs when exposure to loud noise damages the hair cells in your ears. These cells are part of your cochlea. They aren’t really hairs, but look like hairs. They take incoming sound and convert it to the electrical impulses your auditory nerve sends to your brain. Damage to these cells is not reversible. When they are damaged, they are damaged. Much of the damage hair cells receive is due to exposure to loud noise. The exposure over a long period of time just makes the amount of hearing loss worse. Chainsaws, rock concerts and even hairdryers produce sounds at damaging levels. That’s why it is important to protect your ears.

Headphone protection
When it comes to protecting your hearing, headphones do more than just protect you from noise that surrounds you. If you are a devoted music lover, headphones will allow you to hear a richer sound at a lower level than earbuds. Earbuds deliver the sound directly to your ear, but they do not block out the ambient noise. As a result, you turn the volume up. An iPod can go up to 103 decibels, far above what is safe. Headphones block out the surrounding noise. You can hear your music better and at a lower volume. Some headphones actually listen for noise in the environment and then cancel it out by preprocessing the signal.

In the workplace, headphones can fit over the ear or behind the neck. There are even models that attach to your hard hat. Headphones will not irritate your ear canals.

Earplugs for protection
Earplugs come in a wide variety of styles. There are reusable, disposable, banded and electronic earplugs on the market.

On the high end, electronic earplugs allow you to customize your protection based on your surroundings. Different modes offer different levels of protection so you can still hear conversation to keep you safe while still protecting your hearing. You can turn them on and off with ease.

On the opposite end of the spectrum are disposable bullet shaped plugs made of foam. These are made for single use and are a one size fits all item.

In between, you will find reusable foam plugs on cords for easy retrieval when they are removed. Vinyl half-moon shaped plugs block out harmful noise while remaining comfortable enough to wear for an entire shift.

Custom noise protection
If you are a professional musician or an avid shooter, talk to the audiologist about custom noise protection devices. These digital hearing protectors are made from a custom earmold, just like a hearing aid. They can be plain or fitted with electronics to help you hear the sounds you must hear while blocking out noise at harmful decibel levels.
2020-10-22
What Happens at a Hearing Test

What Happens at a Hearing Test

If you haven’t had your hearing tested recently, you may wonder what happens at a hearing test. Don’t let that wondering stop you from scheduling an appointment! Just as you have periodic vision checks, the same goes for your hearing. An audiologist is a trained professional who examines several aspects of your hearing to diagnose any hearing loss. Here’s an overview of what to expect.

A physical examination
A hearing test appointment lasts about an hour. Your audiologist meets with you to discuss the tests prior to any examination, and then again after to discuss the results. The audiologist does more than just administer audio tests – they will physically examine your ears for any earwax blockages, infections, or past or present injuries. You’ll also be asked about any medications you take – some medicines can affect hearing.

Several hearing tests
Depending upon the findings of the physical exam, you may have two or more hearing tests. The most common tests performed are the pure tone test, the speech test, and the conduction test. A pure tone test checks how well you hear volume and pitch. You sit in a soundproof room and wear headphones. Tones are played in each ear – some loud, some soft, some high-pitched, some low-pitched. You identify the ear in which you hear the sound. The speech test involves repeating words back to the examiner. The words may be recorded or spoken live, and are spoken softly or whispered. A conductive test checks for nerve issues. A tuning fork may be used to determine how well your inner ear hears sound.

Consultation and results
Your audiologist shows you the results of your test and discusses any hearing loss. He or she provides a detailed printout with a chart showing where your hearing falls within normal range and where there may be issues. Remember, no one has perfect hearing! The audiologist takes these results along with the physical exam to determine how best to treat any hearing loss. Options may include earwax removal, hearing aids, or surgery.

If hearing aids are recommended, you will have a fitting during this appointment. During the consultation, you will learn the different types of hearing aids available and any options that are suited to improve your hearing. Some people leave the appointment with hearing aids while others require a custom-fit and a follow-up visit. You’ll visit your audiologist regularly to have your hearing aids checked and you will return annually for hearing tests.

Hopefully your anxiety level is reduced when you know what happens at a hearing test. These tests are painless and frankly, many people say their quality of life improves greatly with hearing aids. Hearing tests are performed on infants in the hospital after birth, and are recommended for children throughout the school years. After that, you should consider hearing tests every three to five years. If you’re over 60, you should have annual hearing checks.
2020-10-21
4 Reasons to See an Audiologist

4 Reasons to See an Audiologist

About one-fifth of Americans have some sort of hearing loss. Once we reach 65, one in three Americans have hearing loss. Yet we often put off seeking treatment. Audiologists can perform several hearing tests to determine if you have hearing loss, but they also do much more. Here are four reasons to see an audiologist.

1. Excessive earwax
For many people, earwax takes care of itself. Our ears are actually self-cleaning and do the job of moving earwax away from the eardrum to the outer ear where it can be swept away. But some people produce more earwax than others. This commonly occurs in those who wear hearing aids or earplugs on a regular basis. The production of additional earwax can cause a painful build-up known as an impaction. Audiologists are able to remove an earwax impaction without causing damage or irritation to your ears.

2. Ringing in your ears
The American Tinnitus Association says nearly 50 million Americans suffer from some form of tinnitus. The condition causes you to hear a buzzing, ringing, whistling, hissing or swooshing sound in the ears when no external sound is present. Tinnitus is a symptom of hearing loss and audiologists can help reduce ringing in the ears through treatment with hearing aids. They also diagnose and treat other tinnitus issues such as sinus pressure, head trauma, high blood pressure or TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder).

3. Changes in your hearing
If you notice that you’re not hearing some sounds as well as you used to or that you are often turning up the volume on the television, you may have some hearing loss. Audiologists perform several hearing exams as well as a physical check to determine the cause of any hearing loss and how best to treat it. It’s important not to delay scheduling a hearing exam if you suspect that your hearing is diminishing. While aging is a major cause of hearing loss, audiologists also check for other issues related to hearing loss. It’s especially important to have a hearing examination if you notice a sudden change due to trauma or exposure to loud sounds.

4. For hearing aids
Audiologists are trained professionals with advanced degrees. Most audiologists hold a doctor of Audiology (Au.D) or similar degree. Because of their extensive knowledge of the ear, audiologists can provide the best advice and guidance when it comes to treating hearing loss. If you suspect you need hearing aids, see an audiologist for a hearing exam. Your audiologist will discuss the results with you and help you choose the best hearing aids for your budget and your lifestyle.

When it comes to your hearing, an audiologist provides comprehensive treatment and care. These four reasons to see an audiologist are the most common. If you have severe ear pain or sudden hearing loss, it’s best to see an audiologist or your primary health care provider as quickly as possible.

2020-10-16
4 Signs You Need a Hearing Test

4 Signs You Need a Hearing Test

Clear hearing is one of the greatest natural blessings that any human can possess. Therefore, you must take the necessary steps to protect your ears at all times. One of the most important ideas revolves around regular hearing tests.

Hearing loss can be more difficult to spot than bad eyesight or physical damages. Nonetheless, problems with your ears can cause negativity in several daily interactions. Aside from the struggles with communication, it can even put your health at risk. Therefore, it’s vital that you seek professional help from an audiologist whenever those killer signs surface. Here are the ones to look for.

Turning up the TV volume
Some TV shows are broadcast with the sound volume equalized while others are far more lenient. As such, most people find themselves turning up the volume from time to time. Nonetheless, if you find yourself listening to the box at a higher level than you used to, it’s quite likely that you are suffering from a form of hearing loss.

Likewise, if you find that friends and family members comment on the high volume, it’s safe to assume that you don't hear things as clearly as you should. Booking a hearing test is imperative.

Struggling to communicate in public spaces
Hearing loss doesn’t always stop you from hearing people in quiet areas. In many cases, the ear-related damage is more likely to make it difficult to separate background noise from voices. Whether it’s a party atmosphere at a music gig or sitting on a plane, these issues are likely to take their toll on your enjoyment.  

If you find yourself asking people to repeat themselves because you didn’t catch what they said, now is the time to get tested by an expert.

Ringing noises and buzzes
Hearing a continued or periodic noise is commonly referred to as tinnitus, and it’s a condition that can impact your daily life in a negative manner. Moreover, it’s an issue that is often a sign of lost hearing. Hearing aids can combat those noises, but the first step is to confirm that this is the right cause of treatment. Seeing a specialist is the only option.

Whether it’s hearing loss, tinnitus, or something else doesn’t matter. Getting seen ASAP is the only way to find the best solution. In turn, this’ll enable you to restore a sense of normality.

Not noticing daily sounds
The problem with hearing loss is that you often won’t notice anything unless someone points it out. However, if you sit back and analyze your life, it should be easy to spot whether there could be a problem. If you regularly fail to notice your phone text sounds and beeps on various household items, a hearing test is advised.

Similarly, if you fail to notice the emergency service vehicles until they are in sight, there could be a problem. Or if you can’t remember the last time you heard wildlife on a walk, this could be another crucial indicator.

It’s always better to be safe than sorry. So, if you feel that a hearing test will be beneficial, now is the time to book it.
2020-10-16
Four FAQs About Ear Cleaning

Four FAQs About Ear Cleaning

Your audiologist can perform a wide range of tests and offer a lot of assistance when it comes to protecting and improving your hearing health. However, sometimes what they’re concerned with is just how much earwax is in those ears. One in 20 people have issues with earwax blockages and build ups, so you might get an ear cleaning the first time you visit an audiologist. Here are a few of the most common questions about ear cleaning answered.

Is all earwax bad?
If you’ve had some evidence of wax in your ears, that’s no reason to start panicking about getting them cleaned. Some people produce too much earwax and that can become an issue, especially when it affects your hearing. In general however, earwax is important to the health of your ears, protecting them from dehydration and trapping bacteria and dust so that it doesn’t build up inside the ear. When it feels like your ear is plugged up or your hearing is becoming muffled in one ear, that’s a sign you have too much and you need a cleaning.

What happens if I don’t clean my ears?
There’s a good chance that nothing bad is going to happen if you don’t get an ear cleaning. Most people don’t produce any more earwax than is completely necessary and they can go their whole lives without it becoming an issue. However, when you do need your ears cleaned, it’s best to go to an audiologist. For one, you might suspect that earwax is the issue, but there could be other treatments necessary. What’s more, there are a lot of dangerous home cleaning methods that you should avoid.

What will an audiologist do for me?
Audiologists take different approaches to ear cleaning depending on what they see to be the issue. Carefully using tiny scoop-like instruments, they can shift some of the bigger, harder block-ups of earwax. In other cases, they can irrigate the ear with safe cleaning fluid. In some cases, especially where the wax has built deeper in the ear, they might use micro-suction tools, where a camera is used to guide the vacuum to suck out the wax. Different kinds of blockages need different kinds of treatments, and an audiologist is much more likely to tell which is necessary than the average person trying to clean their own ears.

Can I do it myself?
You can most definitely take some measures to clean your own ears. However, you need to be careful in how you do it. Oil drops sold specifically for cleaning ears are the safest home remedy there is, which help soften up the wax so that it breaks down and comes to the surface more naturally. What you should avoid is any intrusive means of cleaning, like using cotton swabs. Without the kind of precision and perspective an audiologist offers using their own scooping tools, it’s a lot more likely you will push wax down into the canal, worsening the issue and potentially even causing damage.
2020-10-14
4 Signs You Have Tinnitus

4 Signs You Have Tinnitus

Over 50 million people in the US suffer from tinnitus. It’s such a common condition and is caused by a plethora of different things. Most people suffer from tinnitus after being around loud noises for a long period of time - for example, attending a concert or working around loud machinery. However, it can also occur randomly, or be the result of an ear infection.



Tinnitus isn’t a serious medical condition, but it’s well worth seeing an audiologist if you have it. They can diagnose the type of tinnitus you have, and assess whether or not it’s permanent. In this blog post, we will be talking about four telltale signs you have tinnitus. If you spot any of these signs on yourself, then book an appointment with your audiologist today.

There’s a constant ringing in your ears

A major symptom of tinnitus is this persistent ringing sound in your ears. Most people describe this sound as a ringing one, but it can also be more of a whistling or buzzing sound. This can often happen after you’ve been exposed to loud noise, and the important thing to note is that other people can’t hear the same sound. If you’re the only one hearing it, then it’s happening inside your head.



You hear music when none is being played
This is a sign of a specific type of tinnitus often referred to as musical hallucinations. Essentially, you keep hearing little bits of music even though none is being played at all. If you’re watching TV or walking around a mall, then it can be easy to assume you just hear background music. So, check when you’re home alone and have no music playing. If the tunes persist, then it’s a telltale tinnitus sign.

You feel a thumping sound in your ears

Another sign of tinnitus is when there's a constant thumping sound in your ears. It’s almost like the sound of a bass guitar repeating over and over again. You’ll find that the thumping goes along to the same rhythm as your heartbeat as well. This is a sign of pulsatile tinnitus, which is something of a rare breed.




Your hearing has changed
Finally, a change in your hearing ability is another sign of tinnitus. Many people with this condition complain that they can’t hear as well as they used to, or that their ears are overly sensitive - particularly to loud or high-pitched sounds. While tinnitus doesn’t cause hearing loss and isn’t always an indication that you’re losing your hearing, it can still cause temporary issues inside your ears. So, if your hearing feels strange for a week or two, then it’s best to get checked out as you may have tinnitus.

Generally speaking, your symptoms will go away by themselves with time. Some cases of tinnitus last a couple of days, some last a few months. If you’re diagnosed with permanent tinnitus, then your audiologist will set you on a treatment plan to help calm the symptoms and make it less aggravating for you.
2020-10-12
What is Tinnitus and How is it Treated?

What is Tinnitus and How is it Treated?

Tinnitus is often described as a ringing sensation in the ear. Actually trying to describe it can be difficult because everyone experiences it in a different way. While a “ringing” sound is the most common way to explain it, some people would also attribute it to whooshing, hissing, whistling or even buzzing. Regardless of how one chooses to describe tinnitus, the effects are usually the same.



What causes tinnitus?

Tinnitus itself is often caused by hearing loss or other conditions that are related to damage in the ear. For instance, exposing yourself to loud noises could cause tinnitus, but neck and head injuries can also lead to tinnitus. There are also times where it can be related to a serious underlying medical condition. In some cases, people might even associate their tinnitus with music or singing.

Tinnitus can also be caused by a buildup of earwax. For instance, if someone is prone to using cotton swabs on their ear, then it could push earwax back into the canal and cause a buildup, leading to impacted earwax and also tinnitus. In addition, conditions like an inner or middle ear infection could also lead to tinnitus.


Is tinnitus a serious problem?


Although possible, tinnitus is rarely a sign of a serious underlying medical condition. For most people, tinnitus comes and goes because their ears automatically adjust to it, but for others, it can become a life-long problem that doesn’t have an immediate solution. Tinnitus can become problematic once it has a significant impact on your life. For instance, if it causes you stress or if it distracts you from the noises around you.



Is there a cure for tinnitus?

There are no cures for tinnitus. It’s usually treated by identifying the underlying cause and finding ways to overcome it. If the underlying problem can’t be cured or identified, then there are ways to manage it such as wearing hearing aids that are recommended to you by an audiologist. However, your tinnitus will typically improve over time as your body adjusts to it and often requires no intervention.



Can tinnitus be managed?

Managing tinnitus is perhaps one of the most common ways to deal with the condition. This is often done with a combination of sound therapy, counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT aims to help change the way you think about your tinnitus in order to make it less noticeable to you. Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) is another type of therapy that helps to retrain the way your brain reacts to the tinnitus.

However, these types of therapy are only used if the underlying condition cannot be found or managed. In most cases, managing tinnitus will involve finding the root cause and dealing with that, but if the cause cannot be found then the next best solution is to focus on managing it with therapy.



While tinnitus can be a frustrating condition to deal with, it’s important to remember that there are many ways to deal with it if you speak to the right audiologist.
2020-10-09
4 Signs You Need a Hearing Test

4 Signs You Need a Hearing Test

A hearing test can be extremely beneficial as it helps you check the health of your ears and discover hearing loss at an early stage. It’s common to assume that these tests are reserved for people who are already hard of hearing. On the contrary, you can get a test whenever you like, regardless of your age.



This begs the question: when is the best time to get a hearing test? More often than not, the best thing to do is wait until you see any of the four signs listed below:


You need to ask people to repeat what they say

This is a huge telltale sign that it’s time to see an audiologist and get your hearing checked out. If you’re continually saying pardon, or asking people to repeat themselves, then this shows your hearing is fading, especially if you’re having a conversation with multiple people and no one else is having trouble hearing what everyone is saying. If it takes two or three times for you to accurately hear what someone has to say, then you should probably book a test today.


You keep turning the volume up high on your devices

Most people will watch TV, listen to the radio, or use any other devices that produce sound. If you keep turning the volume up as high as can be — because you can’t hear clearly — then that’s a sign you need a hearing test. A lot of devices, like smartphones, come with volume warnings when you turn it up too high. If you’re constantly going beyond these warnings, then that’s definitely a bad sign. There’s obviously no way of telling if you’ve gone too high or not when you watch TV, but a good indication is when other people keep complaining that you’ve got it up too loud.



Your ears are constantly ringing

Persistent ringing in your ears is known as tinnitus. This is a hearing problem that most audiologists treat on a daily basis. Tinnitus usually occurs when you listen to loud sounds for too long or are exposed to loud noises. While tinnitus doesn’t mean you have hearing loss, it can be a symptom. It’s worth getting a hearing test just to make sure that your hearing hasn’t suffered any permanent damage.


You can’t tell where sounds are coming from

This is a sign that many people miss as you can usually still hear sounds, but the problem is that you don’t know where they’re coming from. If you were sat in a room with loads of noise going on around you, then it can be hard to pinpoint where the sound comes from. This is an indication that something is wrong with your hearing, and a test will help figure out what.



We highly suggest that you book an appointment to see an audiologist if you’ve noticed any of these signs recently. Or, going forward, if you start to notice them, then take a hearing test as soon as can be. The sooner you take the test, the sooner you can find out if you have any hearing loss, and the sooner you can sort it out.



2020-10-09
When Should You See an Audiologist?

When Should You See an Audiologist?

Going to see an audiologist might seem scary but often there is nothing to worry about. Many auditory issues don’t cause permanent damage and progression in hearing aids means that many people who are struggling with their hearing experience a new lease on life.

Many people have a difficult time recognizing their hearing issues because it usually develops gradually. However, if you’ve been experiencing any of the following issues, schedule a visit with your local audiologist.

You are experiencing gradual hearing loss
Yes, this one is obvious, but given how many people are in denial about their hearing, it is important to note. Though gradual hearing loss can be difficult to spot as soon as you notice a problem, you should always book an appointment to see your audiologist to see what is going on.

There are many causes of hearing loss and diagnosing these will help find the right treatment.

You have sudden hearing loss
Sudden loud noises or changes in pressure can cause you to have sudden hearing loss and you must always consult an audiologist if this happens. Trauma to the ear must be assessed and diagnosed as quickly as possible to help mitigate any damage and to start a treatment plan.

You are struggling to balance
The inner ear isn’t just about hearing, your balance is also managed here. Vertigo or symptoms such as dizziness may be an indication that there is a problem in your inner ear and should be treated carefully. While these symptoms are most often caused by a virus, it is vital that you get checked over to rule out other possibilities.

Your ears are ringing
There are some instances where ringing ears are completely normal. For example, if you have been on a night out in a loud bar, your ears are likely to ring afterwards. However, in most cases, your ears should stop ringing after a few hours.

If your ears have been ringing for a much longer period of time, you should always go to see your audiologist as you may be experiencing tinnitus. Your audiologist will be able to diagnose your condition and may also be able to give you a masking device or specialized hearing aid to reduce your symptoms.

Impacted earwax
One of the most common reasons for ear discomfort is impacted earwax. This is where too much earwax has made it down to the eardrum and is causing pressure. An audiologist will be able to diagnose this problem with test and can treat you quickly to relieve the pressure by removing the wax using specialist tools. You should never try to remove excess wax yourself as you may cause further damage. Avoid cleaning your ears with cotton swabs too.





2020-09-30
The Most Common Signs of Hearing Loss

The Most Common Signs of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is something that many people are worried about but don’t take precautions to avoid. You might be noticing that your hearing is not what it once was, but are unsure if these are signs of you losing your hearing. Here are some of the most common indicators you may be experiencing hearing loss.

Turning up the TV
You might have to turn the TV or radio up to a higher volume just so you can hear what the people are saying. It might be the case that other people have come into your room and told you that it is too loud and they can hear it through the walls. If you are finding that you need things to be extremely loud for you to hear them, you need to acknowledge this as a sign of hearing loss and should make an appointment with your audiologist to address the problem.

Frequent repetition
People may be getting harder to hear. You might think that they are talking quieter than they used to and that’s why you can’t hear them. So, you ask them to speak up and repeat what they said, but you might find yourself doing this three or four times before you can clearly understand them. Asking people to repeat themselves constantly is another sign of hearing loss.

Conversation sounds muffled
Another common symptom of hearing loss is that you think people sound muffled when they are talking to you. Because hearing loss can impact different pitches and frequencies, you may struggle to hear women and children or simply hone in on conversation when surrounded by background noise. If you find that this is happening to you, then you should make an appointment to see an audiologist so they can properly diagnose and treat your condition.

Ringing in your ears
If you are experiencing ringing in your ears, or tinnitus, then this may be a sign of hearing loss. In this case, it may be temporary or it could be the first sign that your hearing is deteriorating. Only an audiologist will be able to help you determine which it is but you should seek help quickly if this is happening to you. Tinnitus may not only impact your hearing, but it may start to affect you emotionally as it can become very hard to live with if it is constant. Seek help when you first notice this ringing, as the quicker you get it checked, the better.
2020-09-29
Ear-Cleaning Methods to Avoid

Ear-Cleaning Methods to Avoid

A lot of people believe that they know the best way to clean their ears at home. In fact, many of these people are not trained in hearing health and therefore, do not know the safest ways and often end up doing things that could end up damage their hearing. We all clean our ears at home to stop that build-up of wax getting to a point where we can’t hear properly anymore. But what methods are you using? Here are some of the ear cleaning methods that you should avoid.

Ear drops
While ear drops are popular among people who don’t like to put physical things in their ears, but they don’t just do the job that you think they’re doing. Ear drops don’t just remove the wax from your ear. Instead, it breaks it down and makes it softer so that the wax can come out naturally. But the use of ear drops can come with a variety of risks and one of these is an infection. If you are using these drops constantly, you are putting yourself at higher risk to get an ear infection. This is going to be especially likely if there is any form of bacteria on the injector when you put the drops in.

Instead of doing this, you should visit your audiologist and ask them to clean your ears out properly for you. You won’t just get a professional clean, but this way is a lot safer than other methods.

Cotton swabs
This is the most common method that people use when trying to clean their ears. However, if you insert these cotton buds too far in, you are at risk of causing damage to your inner ear. As well as this, they are large pieces of cotton being inserted into your ear, which often means that you are pushing the earwax deeper into your ear, rather than cleaning it out. This will mean that in the end, the wax buildup will be so bad that removing it is going to be much more difficult than if you would have got it cleaned by an audiologist in the first place.

Ear scoops/picks
This is another popular method to clean your ears. These are small instruments that are inserted into your ear to scoop out the wax. What many people don’t realize is that the ear is very delicate and even the slightest wrong move could cause damage to your inner ear. Or, you could have picked up various forms of bacteria if you have not cleaned them properly when you used it previously. Any small metal objects should be kept out of your ears at all times. Consult your audiologist about the best ways to clean your ears. Or, get a professional ear cleaning appointment to make sure that everything is done in the safest possible way.

2020-09-26
Innovative Hearing Protection

Innovative Hearing Protection

Your hearing is one thing that’s always worth protecting. You don’t want to risk losing your hearing or experiencing some form of reduction in the quality of your hearing just because you didn’t take the right precautions to make sure your hearing was properly protected. There are many things you can do to protect your hearing, but it all depends on the situation and what the risk to your hearing actually is.

There are all kinds of innovative new ways to protect your hearing. We’re going to look at a variety of situations in which you might need to protect your hearing. We’ll then discuss the variety of options available to you when choosing the best hearing solution out there for each of those situations.

Industrial hearing protection
There’s a range of different needs when choosing hearing protection for industrial uses. Industrial ear protection comes in many forms and the level of protection offered must be dictated by the decibels you’re going to be exposed to when working. The basic level of protection is generally offered by earmuffs and then earplugs of various kinds.

Earmuffs that are attached to a safety helmet are often used in industries when there’s a risk of falling objects and things like that. Stronger hearing protectors are also available for industrial workers. The strongest levels of protection are required for people working in airports, police and military settings. This is when 140+ dBs can be regularly reached. In factory settings and the construction industry, 70-90dBs is usually the norm.

Hearing protection for motorcyclists
The wind rushing past your eyes when you drive your motorcycle at 50 mph can have a significant impact on your hearing. The sound levels associated with that can surpass 100dBs, which is pretty shocking to many. That’s why it’s so important to use hearing protection whenever you’re riding a motorcycle. Hearing loss and damage will occur if you ride a motorcycle regularly without protection.

General hearing plugs are generally used by motorcyclists who want to protect their hearing better, but there are some more advanced options entering the market right now. For example, some biker earplugs now come with ceramic filters that offer more protection against dangerous levels of noise. It’s important that these are designed in a way that still makes it possible for bikers to hear sirens from emergency services vehicles too though.

Hearing protection for musicians
Musicians also need to be protected from very loud noises because they’re often standing on stage next to huge speakers. That proximity to speaks puts their hearing at risk and it’s not at all uncommon for musicians to experience tinnitus as a result. Hearing protection tailored to the needs of musicians has come a long way in recent years, with protection becoming more comprehensive than ever before.

Custom and made-to-fit hearing protection is most commonly used by musicians. These types of earplugs allow performers to block out all the noise and that’s possible because the plugs they’re using are specifically designed to fill their ear and we all have different shaped ears. Specialists make these just for musicians and they can block out quite a lot of noise. Dynamic molds tend to be used by singers because they don’t interfere with jaw movement at all, which is obviously key for singers.

General use earplugs
There are all kinds of situations in which you might want to use earplugs to protect your hearing better. Staying on the topic of live music, it’s not just the musicians who are at risk. People who attend live shows regularly and who are often exposed to very loud speakers also need to be protected. That’s especially the case for people standing near the stage where the sound is loudest and potentially most damaging.

There are all kinds of options out there. It’s always good to have your own pair of general-use, all-purpose earplugs that you feel comfortable with. Some people find that they help when they’re on planes and things like that too. They’re useful whenever your ears are going to be strained.
2020-09-24
What is 'Ringing in the Ears?'

What is 'Ringing in the Ears?'

The term "ringing in the ears" is usually used to describe a particular medical condition: tinnitus. You can experience a variety of sounds; however, ranging from a ringing to a buzzing. Learn more about tinnitus to fully understand what you are experiencing and the best methods of managing it.

What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a condition that causes an individual to hear sounds that have no physical source; essentially, the sound is coming from inside of someone's ear, rather than the individual hearing an external sound.

What type of sounds do people with tinnitus hear?
The types of sounds caused by tinnitus tend to vary, with ringing sounds perhaps the most common – hence why "ringing in the ears" is often used as a synonym for tinnitus itself. However, tinnitus can also cause a range of other sounds; buzzing, humming, clicking, whistling, beeping and hissing are all fairly common.

The volume of the sounds produced by tinnitus tend to vary between individuals; some will hear loud noises, others fainter, more distant sounds – or perhaps both loud and quiet sounds, depending on the time of day. In addition, tinnitus can also be near-constant, or only occur – or be noticeable – occasionally.

How does living with tinnitus affect a person's life?
Tinnitus is a disruptive condition that can have a significant impact on a person's quality of life. The sounds an individual hears are a distraction and can cause issues such as loss of focus, insomnia (and resulting fatigue), anxiety, stress or depression.

What causes tinnitus?
In some cases, tinnitus does not always have an identifiable source – the condition appears, and disappears, over time without explanation.

However, tinnitus is often a sign of several underlying causes, including – but not limited to - the following:

 *  Hearing loss: There is a high comorbidity between hearing loss (that is either age-related or noise-induced) and tinnitus.
 *  Ear injury or damage: Injuries can cause both short and long-term damage to the ear, which can result in tinnitus.
 *  Ear infections: Tinnitus can develop as a result of fluid buildup inside the ear or infection-related swelling.
 *  Tumors: Tumors – which can be either benign or malignant – can cause be a cause of tinnitus in some individuals.
 *  Hypertension: Otherwise known as high blood pressure, people with hypertension can develop tinnitus as a secondary symptom.
 *  Anemia: People with low levels of red blood cells can develop tinnitus, again as a secondary symptom.

 *  Side effects from other treatments. In some cases, tinnitus can be a side effect of treating other health conditions; for example, some chemotherapy drugs have been linked to tinnitus.



Is tinnitus chronic or acute?
Both. For individuals who are experiencing tinnitus as a result of an injury to their ear, infection, or conditions such as anemia or hypertension, the tinnitus may resolve when its primary cause has been successfully treated.

However, tinnitus can also be chronic, especially if hearing loss is the suspected cause of the condition.

How is tinnitus treated?
The first route most people explore when seeking to manage tinnitus is to identify and treat the underlying cause. For example, if an individual is experiencing as a result of hypertension, then treating the hypertension will be the main priority, with the hope being that resolving the primary issue will also see the tinnitus resolve.

If treating the underlying condition does not provide relief, then attention tends to turn to managing the tinnitus itself. Unfortunately, tinnitus cannot be directly 'cured,' especially in cases where the specific cause is unknown. As a result, the focus is primarily on management.

There are a variety of different ways that tinnitus can be managed, but perhaps the most popular is a combination of masking techniques and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). People can wear hearing aids that are equipped with tinnitus masking capabilities, which works by effectively preventing the person from clearly noticing the tinnitus-related sounds. In addition to using tinnitus masking, people can attend CBT to help control their mental and emotional response to living with tinnitus, which many people find to be highly effective.

Also, some people with tinnitus combine masking and CBT with small lifestyle changes; drinking less alcohol, focusing on relieving stress, and even acupuncture can all be helpful in this regard.

What should you do if you suspect you are experiencing tinnitus?
Speak to your audiologist if you are experiencing tinnitus, especially if you have already been diagnosed with hearing loss.

For those who experience it, tinnitus is an undeniably troubling condition. However, with the right treatment, it can be successfully controlled to a point where people with tinnitus can enjoy an excellent quality of life.





2020-09-23
Are You Losing Hearing in One Ear?

Are You Losing Hearing in One Ear?

In the majority of cases, hearing loss is bilateral - as in it affects both ears simultaneously. However, for some people, hearing loss can be unilateral; affecting only one ear. Below, you'll learn more about unilateral hearing loss, why it happens and what treatments are available.

What are the symptoms of unilateral hearing loss?
The main symptom of unilateral hearing loss is an inability to hear clearly, but only in one ear. Individuals with the condition may only hear muffled sounds or, in some cases, cannot hear anything at all in the affected ear. As a result, those experiencing the condition may have to turn the volume up on media devices or ask friends and family to repeat statements frequently throughout a conversation.

In addition to the above, there are some symptoms that those with unilateral hearing loss particularly seem to experience. Many begin to favor their unaffected ear, to the point where they will turn their head to follow sounds with the unaffected ear. In addition, many people with unilateral hearing loss find it particularly challenging to follow conversations in a busy environment; this symptom can occur in bilateral hearing loss but is especially noticeable when only one ear is affected.

What are the causes of unilateral hearing loss?
As with bilateral hearing loss, there are two different types of hearing loss: sensorineural and conductive.

Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by damage to the inner ear and or hearing-related nerves. It is most commonly caused by:

• Age
• Frequent exposure to loud noises (known as noise-induced hearing loss)
• Medication side effects
• Ménière's disease (a disorder of the inner ear, which also causes balance issues and tinnitus)

Obstructive hearing loss involves the passage of sound being blocked by some form of obstruction in either the middle ear or the ear canal itself. Common causes of obstructive hearing loss include:

• Ear infections

• Tumors within the ear

• Injury to the ear


What are the treatment options for unilateral hearing loss?
First and foremost, you will need to visit a hearing health professional to identify the cause of your unilateral hearing loss, as this will govern the direction of any future treatment. In some cases, unilateral hearing loss can be remedied simply by solving the cause of the condition; for example, if you have an ear infection, then a course of antibiotics should clear the infection and allow your hearing to return as a result.

However, many cases of unilateral hearing loss are simply a case of a person experiencing hearing loss related to age or noise exposure, but for some reason, are only affected in one ear. If you or your audiologist suspects that this may apply to you, then you will usually first undergo a hearing test to confirm the diagnosis, and a suitable treatment plan will be recommended. Most commonly, the same treatment that is used for bilateral hearing loss will be suggested: a hearing aid.

How do hearing aids for unilateral hearing loss work?
The hearing aid you will require depends on the cause of your hearing loss.

For sensorineural hearing loss, simply wearing a single, conventional hearing aid is an option. However, there are also specific hearing aids designed for people with unilateral hearing loss. These hearing aids utilize a system called Contra-Lateral Routing of Signal (CROS), which works as follows:

• A receiver is fitted to the ear without hearing loss.
• A microphone is fitted to the ear that is experiencing hearing loss.
• When a sound is heard by the receiver, it is transferred to the microphone sitting in the affected ear, which gives the user the impression that the sound is being heard in both ears.

A similar system, known as BiCROS, can be used in instances of unequal hearing loss - for example, if your left ear has mild hearing loss, but your right ear has severe hearing loss.

Your audiologist will be able to discuss which of the above options might be most suitable for you, which is why it's crucial you seek treatment if you notice any symptoms of hearing loss. Untreated hearing loss can have several impacts on your life, including health, emotional, personal and professional. Luckily, there are a variety of hearing aids available – in different styles and sizes – that can help you hear your best again.
2020-09-23
Protecting Against Extreme Noise

Protecting Against Extreme Noise

Are you worried about harming your hearing? Many people don’t realize that our hearing is incredibly sensitive to the environment around us. It’s easier than most people think to impair our ears and begin to experience hearing loss. It’s also not true to say that hearing loss is confined to an age group or time in your life. It can happen at any time and it is becoming more prevalent in the younger demographics. Why is this?

Well, this is likely since people are not taking the necessary precautions and protecting their hearing as well as their ears. Any sound over 80 decibels has the potential to permanently harm your hearing. This is going to be more likely if you are regularly exposed to the sound or if you are exposed to the sound for a long time. Louder noises are also far more likely to harm your hearing. 

Sounds that fall into this category include the noise of a train passing close by, a jet engine, a road drill and a music concert. As such, in your personal and professional life, you could regularly be exposed to noises like this. So, how can you protect your hearing?

Careful with devices
You need to make sure that you are using devices in your personal life the right way. The classic example would be a portable listening device. This is particularly dangerous as it will blast sound directly into your ear. You may not be aware that most devices do allow you to set the volume at a safe volume and will even tell you what this is. This won’t usually be set automatically but you can take this step yourself. This means that you won’t be able to turn up the device over a fixed volume when your favorite song starts to play. It can certainly help protect your ears. 

Of course, it’s not just personal devices. Even listening to the car radio can be dangerous. You must make sure that you are not constantly turning up the volume on your drive to work or morning commute. Eventually, this will be loud enough to impair your hearing. 

You should also try and avoid environments with loud noises where possible. Imax theaters proudly boast that they can replicate the noise of a jet engine taking off. The reason for this is that the sound levels are often high. At the very least you should limit how often you are visiting a business like this. Of course, sometimes sounds like this are unavoidable. That’s when you need protective devices for your hearing. 

Hearing protection 
There are a few different options when it comes to protecting your hearing from loud noises. For instance, you can consider selecting earmuffs. The benefit of earmuffs is that they will completely cover your ear. They provide a layer of foam and a layer of plastic or similar material. They won’t allow any sound in which also means that you won’t be able to hear quieter sounds. This can be useful on job sites but is not much of an advantage where you want to hear people talking or other types of noise. 

For that you’ll need something like earplugs. Earplugs only provide the foam layer and are not as nearly as advanced as similar options on the market. They aren’t often used much for protecting your hearing and instead are typically chosen for preventing annoying noises. However, they do limit the sound that you can hear significantly and can provide a certain level of protection. 

Earbuds are often the best choice for general use when protecting your hearing. These will mold to fit your ear and provide an airtight seal. However, rather than blocking the sound completely, you will still be able to hear. But the weight of the noise will be removed. This ensures that you don’t have to worry about potential significant damage which is fantastic. These can be made of material that automatically molds or they can be custom designed for the shape of your ear. You can speak to your audiologist about this.

Remember, that devices like this won’t just protect your ears from hearing loss. You can also avoid issues with tinnitus that can develop after being exposed to loud noises. 
2020-09-22
 Hearing Loss Linked with Chronic Disease, Reduced Earnings

Hearing Loss Linked with Chronic Disease, Reduced Earnings

Recently, the Better Hearing Institute announced a campaign encouraging employers to emphasize hearing health in their workplace wellness programs.

The vast majority of people with hearing loss can benefit from hearing aids. In fact, three out of four hearing aid users report improvements in their quality of life due to wearing hearing aids. And studies show that 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.

The Institute noted research linking hearing loss to such chronic conditions as Alzheimer's, kidney disease, diabetes, and even heart disease. Additionally, hearing loss is linked to a greatly increased risk of injury-causing falls among people aged 40-69.

Further, untreated hearing loss is linked to reduced earnings, increased workplace absenteeism, and lower workplace productivity, as well as depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline.

BHI is promoting an online hearing test (http://www.hearingcheck.org/) that allows people to assess their own hearing. While the online test is not a substitute for a comprehensive audiologist-administered exam, it can serve as a "wake-up call" that encourages people to seek professional care.

"Hearing loss is far more serious than people realize," says Sergei Kochkin, PhD, BHI's executive director. "When left unaddressed, [it] negatively affects virtually every aspect of an individual's life. And in the workplace, especially, untreated hearing loss can take a significant financial toll."

In fact, a study published in the International Journal of Audiology found that employees with hearing loss are as much as five times more likely than their co-workers with normal hearing to experience stress so severe that they must take more sick-days. One reason may be that only four in ten people with moderate-to-severe hearing loss use hearing aids. Even fewer people with mild hearing loss use them--just one in ten.

In a large national study, BHI found that people with untreated hearing loss lose as much as $30,000 in income annually, depending on their degree of hearing loss; that the aggregate yearly loss in income due to underemployment for people with untreated hearing loss is an estimated $176 billion; and that the fiscal cost to society in unrealized federal taxes is an estimated $26 billion. Use of hearing aids was shown to reduce 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.

"I cannot emphasize strongly enough the importance of both protecting the hearing of America's workforce and addressing workers' hearing problems," says Kochkin. "When hearing is lost, it cannot be regained. But when hearing loss is appropriately acknowledged and addressed, it does not have to interfere with job performance, earnings, or quality of life. I urge all employers to make hearing health a routine part of their wellness programs."
2020-09-15
 Hearing Loss Linked to Brain Atrophy in Older Adults

Hearing Loss Linked to Brain Atrophy in Older Adults

A study published in August 2011 by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania showed that declines in hearing ability may accelerate gray matter atrophy in auditory areas of the brain and increase the listening effort necessary for older adults to successfully comprehend speech. The results hint at even greater benefits from hearing aids than simply improving hearing.


Hearing Aids May Help 
"As hearing ability declines with age, interventions such as hearing aids should be considered not only to improve hearing but to preserve the brain," said lead author Jonathan Peelle, PhD. "People hear differently, and those with even moderate hearing loss may have to work harder to understand complex sentences."

In the studies, researchers measured the relationship of hearing acuity to the brain, first measuring the brain's response to increasingly complex sentences and then measuring cortical brain volume in auditory cortex. Older adults (60-77 years of age) with normal hearing for their age were evaluated to determine whether normal variations in hearing ability impacted the structure or function of the network of areas in the brain supporting speech comprehension.

The studies found that people with hearing loss showed less brain activity on functional MRI scans when listening to complex sentences. Poorer hearers also had less gray matter in the auditory cortex, suggesting that areas of the brain related to auditory processing may show accelerated atrophy when hearing ability declines.

 
Be Careful with that iPod

In general, research suggests that hearing sensitivity has cascading consequences for the neural processes supporting both perception and cognition. Although the research was conducted in older adults, the findings also have implications for younger adults, including those concerned about listening to music at loud volumes. "Your hearing ability directly affects how the brain processes sounds, including speech," says Dr. Peelle. "Preserving your hearing doesn't only protect your ears, but also helps your brain perform at its best."

The research appears in the latest edition of The Journal of Neuroscience and was funded by the National Institutes of Health.

2020-09-09
 Hearing Loss & How to Prevent It

Hearing Loss & How to Prevent It

Over 36 million Americans face high hearing aid costs, and the problem is likely to get worse in coming years. Hearing aid prices continue to rise, and the incidence of hearing loss is steadily increasing.

There are a couple broad reasons for this trend. First, the population is aging. Around half of Americans with hearing loss are 60 or younger – but it’s still true that all else equal, an aging population will suffer a greater degree of hearing loss. This age-related hearing loss is called presbycusis, and its incidence increases with age.

Second, hearing loss is becoming more prevalent within each individual age range. The leading cause of preventable hearing loss is prolonged exposure to loud noises. The ubiquity of iPods and in-ear headphones means that large portions of the population listen to volumes of 100 dB for prolonged periods of time. As the “iPod generation” ages, all expectations are that it will suffer greater hearing loss, at younger ages, than generations before them. But of course, iPods are not just for young people, and older generations are at just as much risk.

Genetics play a role – age-related hearing loss tends to run in families. But many other common causes are avoidable. Here are a few tips for avoiding preventable causes of hearing loss:

 * Stop smoking. In addition to facing numerous other health problems, smokers are more likely to develop hearing loss
 * Get your hearing tested. Periodic hearing tests are the only way to measure changes in hearing ability over time.
 * Keep music at a moderate volume. A good rule of thumb is that you should still be able to hear someone talking from a few feet away. This is especially important as iPods and other MP3 players can produce sounds of up to 100dB, which can cause damage over extended listening periods.
 * Invest in sound-isolating or noise-cancelling headphones. A common issue is that headphone listeners turn up the volume in noisy environments to achieve the same “effective volume” and drown out background noise – but this is hard on your ears! Using noise cancelling headphones that block out ambient noise, rather than simply increasing the volume of your music, lowers your absolute noise exposure.
 * Avoid loud noises. Jackhammers, lawnmowers, etc. can be damaging to your ears, especially with repeated exposure. A rule of thumb supported by OSHA is that sounds over 85dB should be avoided.
 * Give your ears a rest. Listening to your iPod at 90dB for a few minutes may be fine, but hours on end is likely to cause damage over long periods of time
 * Respect your genes. You can’t do much to alter your genetic tendency for hearing loss – but if you know hearing loss runs in the family, you may benefit from taking extra precautions to protect your hearing
 * Consider Hearing Aids. While hearing aids can't prevent hearing loss, they can measurably improve quality of life.

2020-09-08
Facts about hearing loss

Facts about hearing loss


If you suffer from hearing loss, you are not alone, because it can happen to all people, and it usually appears and worsens with age. Ten red flags of hearing loss


If you notice one or more of the following warning signs frequently, you may suffer hearing loss:
* If feels ambiguity when people speaking frequently;
* A sharp sound like ringtone appears in your ears;
* You often let people repeat their speeches;
* The people in family complains that the sound is too loud when you play the radio or TV;
* Some small sounds in the house are difficult to hear, such as the sound of dripping water from the tap or the door bell;
* When there are many people, it is difficult for you to get what others are talking about;
* In the conversation, you have difficulty understanding all words;
* You find it difficult to communicate when answering the phone;
* When you turn your back to the speaker, it is difficult to hear what the other person says;
* You are told that you speak too loudly;
* Common hearing loss caused by age;


This is a simple audiogram sample. The letters represent the frequency of common speech in English. Click on the Speech Banana in the lower right corner of the audiogram to see where the frequently used voices are located in the audiogram. The age range (Age) can be selected on the right side of the audiogram. For each age, you will see the position of the normal hearing group in the audiogram (the blue part), and above the line is the voice frequency that you may miss  after hearing loss .
2020-09-04
alert! Noise can cause heart disease

alert! Noise can cause heart disease

From the aspect of environmental protection, all the sounds that affect people's normal study, work and rest, and the "unwanted sounds" of people on certain occasions, are collectively called noise. Such as the roar of machinery, the sound of various vehicles, the sound of horns, the noise of people and various sudden sounds, etc., are all called noise.

The scope of the impact of noise on people's health will be wider and wider. Existing large amounts of data have shown that not only severely damaged on hearing ability, but also people's health.


Supplement:
① 30~40dB is an ideal quiet environment.
② 70 decibels will affect the conversation.
③ Long-term living in an environment above 90 decibels will severely affect hearing and cause neurasthenia, headaches, high blood pressure and other diseases.
④ If you are suddenly exposed to a noise of up to 150 decibels, the slighter Tympanic membrane will ruptures and bleed, and the ears will completely lose hearing ability; the severer will cause heart resonance and cause death.


Denmark recently announced the results of a study showing that street noise may be one of the causes of high heart disease. It is recommended not to stay in the car for too long. These researchers included 57,053 healthy people aged 50 to 64 between 1993 and 1997, and conducted long-term monitoring and follow-up. The average follow-up time for these patients was 9.8 years. From 1988 to 2006, these people were exposed to street noise and different air pollution.
w cases of cardiovascular disease patients was first discovered. There is an obvious causal relationship between these noise exposures and cardiovascular diseases.
2020-09-03
 Hearing loss - Helpful steps to finding a solution

Hearing loss - Helpful steps to finding a solution

Hearing loss can come in many forms and levels of severity: a slight ringing in your ears or difficulty hearing high-pitched voices all the way up to challenges hearing the majority of sounds. But no matter the severity, it’s important to understand how hearing loss actually works and the steps you can take to cope with it, whether it’s key questions to ask your physician or ways to manage your important relationships.

To truly understand hearing loss, it helps to understand how we hear in the first place. Remember, when dealing with your health, equipping yourself with the proper information can be enormously empowering. If you understand the issue, it’s much easier to figure out how to cope with it.

How Hearing Works

When we hear a sound, we are actually interpreting sound waves that enter our ears and reach our brain via nerves. Sound waves travel into the ear via the ear canal and through the eardrum, which passes vibrations through a series of small bones into the inner ear. Once sound reaches the inner ear, thousands of hair cells pass the waves to the auditory nerve, which carries it to the brain.



How Hearing Loss Works

Over time, the component parts of the ear can begin to fail. One of the most common age-related issues is the gradual loss of hair cells in the inner ear, making it more difficult for sound waves to travel through the inner ear and into the brain. This process can be exacerbated by years of exposure to loud noises (such as live music and gas powered motors or machinery), which can cause a buildup of damage in the ear.

The National Institutes of Health estimates that nearly 50% of adults over age 75 have some form of age-related hearing loss.

There are other complications that can lead to hearing loss, too, although age-related loss is most common. Infections, trauma to the head, tumors, and severe allergies can all play a role in a loss of hearing ability.

It’s important, if you think you’re suffering from hearing loss, to consult your physician, who will likely recommend a hearing test to better understand the type and severity of your loss.




How to Cope: Ask Questions

Once you find out that you’re suffering from hearing loss—and have an understanding of why it’s happening—it’s time to figure out what to do next.

One of the most important steps in the process is to consult with your physician and the audiologist who carried out your hearing test. They can examine your audiogram (the graphical results of your hearing test) to determine the most appropriate next steps.

For many hearing loss sufferers, perhaps the best first step they can take is to simply ask questions. Here are a few common questions you may want to consider asking your doctor or audiologist:

 *   How severe is my hearing loss? Though you may think you understand how severe your hearing loss is, your physician or audiologist has access to diagnostic tools that can provide you answers with much greater detail. For example, an audiogram can reveal the severity of hearing loss through multiple measurements—so make sure to ask your physician or audiologist to explain the severity of your hearing loss to you and provide you with your test results.

 *   Why should I treat my hearing loss? One of the most common questions facing many hearing loss sufferers is why they should treat their hearing loss at all, as many have figured out coping mechanisms to deal with their hearing issues. But most doctors and audiologists will tell you that hearing loss left untreated can result in everything from social isolation to trouble with balance and movement. For example, a 2012 study found that hearing loss even at low levels tripled the risk of falls, while another found it doubled the risk of developing dementia.

 *   Am I a good candidate for hearing aids? Many hearing loss sufferers believe that hearing aids will restore their hearing to the same level they enjoyed prior to loss. While hearing aids can be a major step forward in terms of quality of life and overall health, not every hearing loss sufferer is a good candidate for using them. Make sure to ask a hearing professional whether your type of hearing loss is the right fit for hearing aids. If your doctor does recommend hearing aids, don’t be daunted by the retail sticker price of $4000 to $7000. High-quality hearing aids can be purchased online, at retailers like Embrace Hearing, for about $1,500 to $2,000. 

 

How To Cope: Take Care of Yourself

“Hearing loss can create a psychological solitary confinement,” wrote Dr. Claudia Dewane, who suffers hearing loss herself and counsels others through the process. Despite this, Dewane notes, “many older adults with hearing loss deny the disability or the impact it exerts on their quality of life.”

Dewane and other professionals urge hearing loss sufferers—whether they have struggled with hearing loss for a long time or are suddenly learning to cope with it—to make recognizing the issue the first, and most crucial, step.

While this may seem obvious, statistics say otherwise: an estimated 22 million Americans suffer from hearing loss but don’t seek out hearing aids for help.

If you’re able to recognize that your hearing loss is an issue, you can take positive steps to help yourself cope mentally, too, including:

 *   finding a support group or engaging with your peers who also suffer hearing loss;

 *    learning more about hearing loss and the technologies that exist to help, including hearing aids and hearing loops;

 *   visiting a therapist, counselor or other professional who can help teach coping strategies, including boosting your self-esteem.

For many people, hearing loss is a natural part of life—but that doesn’t mean you can’t understand it and learn how to cope with its effects. The more you know about your own hearing loss, the more proactive you can be in finding solutions that work for you.





2020-08-31
Adjusting to Hearing Loss - The brain

Adjusting to Hearing Loss - The brain

When neuroscientists talk about the brain’s flexibility, they often use the term “plasticity.” What they mean is that your brain is able to adapt to changes it experiences over your lifetime, so that as your circumstances change, so does the way your brain works.

Researchers have studied how the brains of the blind have reconfigured themselves to cope without sight, and how other circumstances can lead the brain to favor one capability over another. They have even found that London’s famed cab drivers have brains better adapted to navigating the city’s streets.



So what does this mean if you are suffering hearing loss?

First, the good news: your brain will adapt to your loss of hearing. A research team found in 2015 that even in people suffering from mild hearing loss, the parts of the brain responsible for hearing are instead increasingly used for vision or touch, senses that are likely to become more acute to compensate for the loss of your ability to hear.

“Cross-modal recruitment of the hearing portion of the brain by the senses of vision and touch happens not only in deaf patients, but is also clearly apparent in adult patients with only a mild degree of hearing loss,” researcher Anu Sharma of the University of Colorado told the Acoustical Society of America when announcing her findings.

In other words, even small amounts of hearing loss can lead the brain to compensate for its new handicap.

But now, the bad news: even though the brain is trying to adapt to its new reality, it may actually inadvertently be doing damage. That same 2015 study indicates that when the portion of the brain devoted to hearing shrinks with hearing loss, the brain must devote additional resources to processing any sound at all. Though there isn’t a clear understanding of the impact of this “cognitive overload,” the research team believes that it might account for the high rates of dementia among patients who also experience hearing loss as they grow older.



Now the good news: the sooner you get hearing aids, the better it is for your brain.

The moral of the story is clear to Sharma and her colleagues: anyone experiencing even mild hearing loss should seek medical help to make sure they aren’t making harder to improve their hearing in the long term.

“Given that even small degrees of hearing loss can cause secondary changes in the brain, hearing screenings for adults and intervention in the form of hearing aids should be considered much earlier to protect against reorganization of the brain,” she advised.



And just like your brain adapted to life with hearing loss, it will also adapt to life with improved hearing courtesy of hearing aids. But the process can take some time. Most audiologists advise wearing your hearing aids consistently to give your brain ample time to re-adjust to hearing certain sounds.

The brain is highly adaptable and tries to adjust to limitations as best it can. But do your brain a favor and seek the help you need to understand and treat your hearing loss, if possible. You’ll be doing yourself—and your brain—a favor.
2020-08-31
 Human Ear Anatomy: How Hearing Works

Human Ear Anatomy: How Hearing Works

We hear sounds all day long. But how does this vital sense actually work? Take a closer look at the human ear and all the integral parts at works that allow us to hear.

Overview
 *   Parts of the Human Ear
 *   How Does Hearing Work?
 *   Air Conduction vs. Bone Conduction

audiologist explaining the anatomy of the human ear and hearing loss

Parts of the Human Ear
What we commonly call "The Ear" is only a small part of the overall organ of hearing. At first glance, we really only see the outer ear or "auricle". Though the auricle is important it only represents small portion of the hearing system, the rest being located and protected withing the skull. Anatomically, the human hearing system can be thought of in three parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. These three components are connected to each other via the ear canal. All acoustic systems run through it.

The tones, sounds, and speech we hear are actually nothing but oscillations of the air. Before sound waves are turned into acoustic information with specific meaning they have to pass from the outer to the inner ear via the middle ear. On this path, the sounds reach all parts of our hearing system via the auditory nerve to finally arrive in the brain as a signal.

Diagram of the anatomy of the human ear and auditory system


How Does Hearing Work?


The Outer Ear

When looking at someone’s ear, what you generally see is the the-outer-earauricle and part of the outer ear canal extending into the head and up to the ear drum. All of this makes up the Outer Ear. This is where the sound waves arrive first and from here, much like in a funnel, they are guided inwards through the auricle.

The shape of the outer ear by design helps amplify the oscillating air (sound) like a resonator while at the same time prevent wind and other air movements from causing strong background noise.  The resulting effect improves our hearing.


The Middle Ear
The area directly behind the ear drum is called the middle ear. The ear drum itself is a thin membrane that is hit by incoming sound waves. From it, minute oscillations are conducted to three tiny ossicles (bones): the Hammer, the anvil, and the stirrup – the smallest bones in the human body.

Thanks to their unique location, they are capable of amplifying oscillations 20-fold, guaranteeing proper conduction through to the inner ear. From the middle ear, the Eustachian Tube extends to the nose and throat area. This tube ventilates the middle ear and equalizes pressure there.

The Inner Ear

the-inner-earThe inner ear begins where the Stirrup hits the next membrane – the “Oval Window”. Located in it are the organ of equilibrium and the cochlear. Approximately the size of a pea, the cochlear actually resembles a snail shell. It contains three canals filled with a liquid. Via one of these canals, the signals conducted into the liquid are directed to the tip and back via a second canal. The central canal is home to the actual organ of hearing, the organ of Corti. The bottom of the organ of hearing is covered in thousands of tiny hairs – the hair cells.

The wave movements in the liquid-filled canals change depending on frequency. The hair cells are only triggered when the amplitude is particularly great. The deeper the tones the further back in the cochlear the tiny hairs move, while high tones trigger the hair cells at the front of the cochlear. Over the years, it is common that these tiny hairs wear thin and is the main reasons for age related hearing loss.


Signal Conduction to the Brain

Even when the sound waves have arrived in the inner ear they still have no meaning. Once conducted to the auditory nerve, the sound waves are converted to electrical signals that first hit the brain stem. The signal is conducted to the areas of the brain responsible for emotional assessment. Thus meaning is attached to tones which are then connected to existing patterns in the cortex. This allows humans to understand speech, recognize the voice of a friend, and judge hazardous situations.


This means that our hearing only works if the conduction of signals from one station to the other works perfectly and only once oscillating air has been turned into a warning signal, pleasant music, or a coherent sentence.

Air Conduction vs. Bone Conduction

The stations described above show how sound waves reach the inner ear via so-called air conduction. But sound waves can also reach the inner ear via bone conduction: Oscillating air hits the outside of the skull and makes it oscillate slightly.

Conducted by the liquids in the ear, oscillations also reach the hair cells via this path. In cases where hearing loss is caused by an interruption of the oscillating air, bypassing that system through bone conduction devices like Cochlear Implants is an option. However, bone conduction is not as effective as air conduction hearing.


Did You Know?
Bone sound wave conduction is the reason that we think our voices are strange and different when we listen to a recording of ourselves. By playing our recorded voices through speakers, we hear our voices only as air conduction. When we speak, we hear our voices through both air conduction and bone conduction, which is the reason they sound different.

2020-08-28