Posted by HearingAids on August 23, 2011 under Hearing Loss | 
Think about the last time you thought that someone was “selectively” listening to your conversation. A usual thought is that you are being ignored because you’re boring or the person listening to you just doesn’t care. What if you discovered that there is more to selective hearing loss than just “ignoring?”
Selective hearing is common in most people because listening to a conversation requires effort. In some cases individuals are not ignoring you because you are boring them or they just don’t care, they are not able to hear what you’re saying due to circumstances happening around them.
For example, in a loud room, the sound of everyone talking tends to drown out the sound of your own voice traveling to that individual’s ear. When one has hearing loss, this increases the loss of your voice traveling through ones ears.
Not everyone in the world can pay attention 100% of the time, so individuals who do have hearing loss have to literally select when to hear and when not to hear.
Another issue that causes selective hearing is sleepiness. The more tired you are, the harder it is for you to pay attention. It’s not that you don’t care, it’s that your mind isn’t ready to receive the information that is coming in and you tend to shut out that voice by accident.
If you notice that it’s getting harder for you to listen to conversations or pay attention, we recommend you have your hearing tested by a professional.
And remember, your friend more than likely isn’t ignoring you… He just can’t hear past the baby crying and waiter dropping glasses on the floor. Give him the benefit of the doubt, and tell him or her what you said one more time.
Posted by HearingAids on August 6, 2011 under Prevention |
Christopher Spankovich, Au.D., PhD, MPH;Audiology Today, July/August 2011
Submitted by: Joanne Dwyer, Au.D., Sr. Quality Manager
The article looks at how what we consume, through foods and supplements, influences our hearing. It is difficult issue to address since our diet affects so many different systems in the body and is influenced by our own biochemistry, genetics, general health, and lifestyle.
The article primarily focuses on traditional dietary nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients that are essential in our diet. Here is a quick synopsis of how these components may affect hearing and hearing loss susceptibility.
Caloric Intake:
Animal studies have found that the number of calories consumed can influence vulnerability to age-related hearing loss.
Macronutrients:
Protein: The amino acids of proteins have also been linked to the propensity of hearing loss. Methionine, for example, may work as a protective agent against noise and drug induced hearing loss. However, there are negative repercussions of too little or too much protein. An increase in amino acid oxidation from too much protein can adversely affect the kidneys.
Fat: Several studies have linked a low fat diet with better hearing. On the other hand, “good fats” like omega -3 have been connected with lower risk of presbycusis in humans.
Carbohydrates: While there are few studies on how carbohydrates affect hearing, those who have studied it found that higher sugar and carbohydrate intake were associated with increased hearing loss while dietary fiber was associated with reduced risk of hearing loss.
Cholesterol: Dietary cholesterols influence on auditory function has had mixed reviews. Whether or not dietary cholesterol has any positive or negative influence on auditory function is not clear according to the research.
Micronutrients:
Vitamin A: The retinol acid in vitamin A may protect against hearing loss. Beta-carotene may also help ward off acquired hearing loss when combined with vitamin C, E, and magnesium. Lycopene however has shown the strongest relationship with better auditory function.
Vitamin B: There are mixed results in the studies involving B vitamins. Some studies have shown no relationship between hearing loss and B vitamins while others have shown a positive impact i.e. protection against temporary threshold shift and delaying the onset of presbycusis.
Vitamin C: There is evidence that Vitamin C when combined with other antioxidants protects human hearing.
Vitamin D: Studies in the late 1970s demonstrated that vitamin D deficiency negatively influenced auditory function.
Vitamin E: On its own and in combination with other micronutrients,
vitamin E has been shown to protect against acquired forms of hearing loss.
Calcium, Iron, Potassium, and Sodium: Calcium, iron, potassium, and sodium all have had an impact on the function of the auditory system.
Magnesium: Magnesium may protect hearing since it affects neural condition, helps transport ions across cell membranes, and is a vasodilator.
Selenium: Selenium when combined with vitamin C and E has shown protection against ototoxic hearing loss in cancer patients.
Zinc: Zinc deficiency has been associated with hearing loss and zinc supplementation has been suggested for tinnitus mitigation.
Flavonoids:
Flavonoids antioxidant activity has potential health benefits in humans.
Posted by HearingAids on August 4, 2011 under Prevention |
We have all heard the stories; we have all read the articles… Hearing loss is simply an unavoidable thing that happens with the beautiful aging process. However, we’ve done some research to help you keep those ears healthy.
- Remember to lower the volume on your ipod, phone or other media. The louder you make it, the more you add to the vibrations in your inner ear drum. This also applies to the distance between you and speakers at high volumes. While it may be fun to “rock out” in front of a loudspeaker blasting your favorite musical group, it is also severely damaging to your ears. Fun concert that lasts for 2 hours, or great hearing that lasts a lifetime?
- Earplugs. Yes, they really are not the most exciting thing mankind has ever created. But, they do help keep your ears from being smashed by the intensity of power tools, race cars and construction sites. You don’t have to buy the cheap orange “fill in your ear” plugs; you can always go for a headset or other type of earplugs.
- Eat Healthy. Wait, what? Yes sir, that’s right. Eating healthy helps keep your ears healthy as well. Your body would love some folic acid and magnesium. Ironically, these simple easy to find ingredients of a multivitamin can help keep those ears perky. Dr. Michael Roizen wrote an article for the Huston Chronicle about how these supplements will keep your ears healthy. One of the more recent studies about these supplements proved that hearing loss was halted dramatically when just 800 micrograms of folic acid was taken daily for three years.
You can find out more information about folic acid and magnesium on this site
If you want more information on how prevent hearing loss in children and adults, visit here
Remember, if you ever have or think you are having problems hearing; contact your local hearing professional.
