Posted by HearUSA on January 7, 2011 under Hearing Loss | 
“Loss of hearing is a medical condition that is associated with physical, emotional, mental and social well-being. Depression, anxiety, emotional instability, phobias, withdrawal, isolation, lessened health status and lessened self-esteem have all been linked to uncorrected hearing loss.” (National Council on Aging: Untreated Hearing Loss Linked to Depression, Anxiety, Isolation in Seniors)
Even mild untreated hearing loss can be disabling by limiting meaningful communication and social connectivity leading to fatigue, tension, stress, and impaired memory, the ability to learn new tasks, and even reduced job performance and earning power.
A major reason why millions of Americans living with untreated hearing loss should take action is safety. Studies have linked untreated hearing loss to reduced alertness. Unheard and therefore unheeded traffic sounds, doorbells, telephones, alarms, and cries for help compromise the safety of those with hearing loss and everyone around them. The failure to hear smoke detectors and take quick action is the major reason adults 65 or older are more than twice as likely as any other age group to die in a home fire.
Why Seeking Help is So Important…
• Those living with untreated hearing loss may not be aware that failure to take corrective action could result in the brain actually “forgetting” how to hear and understand speech. This condition is called auditory deprivation and the longer the period before treatment, the more likely it is that the brain will forget how to process speech, even after treatment is implemented.
• Almost all (95 percent) of Americans with hearing loss can be treated with hearing aids.
• Nine out of ten hearing aid users report improvements in quality of life.
• Theuseofhearingaidsisassociatedwithreductionsinanger,frustration,paranoia,anxietyandoverallim- provements in quality of life and emotional stability.
• In November 2010, The Better Hearing Institute reported studies have shown that the use of hearing aids can help Alzheimer’s patients. Because there is a strong link between hearing loss and cognitive function, they, in partnership with Alzheimer’s Association, are encouraging hearing health professionals to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s, its early warning signs, and the related implications of unaddressed hearing loss.
• Treatment of hearing loss will improve interpersonal relationships and social activity. • Successful treatment of hearing loss with hearing aids is associated with greater earning power.
• Use of hearing aids will allow those with hearing loss to live more safely, securely, and independently.
Posted by HearUSA on December 29, 2010 under Hearing Loss |
I worked with a patient a few years ago that asked me on her follow-up appointment if the Siemens Music hearing aid was named Music because it played music in her head. She told me that when the doors opened at her grocery store she heard loud, clear choir music. She would hear the same song for hours on end. She was not experiencing hallucinations related to a psychiatric illness. The ‘music’ she was hearing was an Auditory Hallucination related to her severe sensorineural hearing loss.
Auditory Hallucinations (AH) are defined as perceptions that lack an external stimulus. They are perceived as sound, and are not under any voluntary control. AH are typically associated with psychiatric illness; however, they are also reported in hearing impaired patients with no psychiatric symptoms. While some may consider AH to be a form of tinnitus, they are differentiated from tinnitus by the type of sound perceived and the source. Tinnitus is often reported as a humming, clicking, frying or tonal-type sound, while AH tend to be complex signals like music or speech. Tinnitus tends to result as damage to the inner ear, while AH are assumed to be generated in the central nervous system.
The sudden onset of music playing in one’s head is frightening, and leads to a heightened emotional state. Your patient may come to you upset and convinced that the hearing aid is playing the music they are hearing. The musical hallucinations are most common among elderly women with moderate to severe hearing loss. They are possibly related to auditory deprivation and have been observed following a stroke. Certain medications can also trigger AH. Tension, anxiety and stress seem to make AH more common and more intense.
Treatment for AH is typically focused on ameliorating the underlying cause. In many cases the cause can not be identified and behavioral, acoustic, pharmacological and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapies are utilized. Our role in helping patients with AH is to counsel them, assist with the diagnosis through audiological testing, and refer them for medical/neurological consultation.
For a thorough review of the nature and treatment of Auditory Hallucinations, see the Sept 2007 Hearing Journal article by Frank Musiek, et. al, “Auditory Hallucinations: An audiological perspective”.
Posted by HearingAids on December 17, 2010 under Hearing Loss, Prevention |
Researchers report in a recent article in the American Journal of Medicine that analgesic use, which is the most commonly used drug in the United States, may be ototoxic and can substantially increase the risk of hearing loss, especially in men younger than 50.
Hearing loss is the most common sensory disorder in the United States, afflicting more than 36 million people. It is prevalent in the elderly, but about a third of those ages 40 to 49 already suffer some hearing loss. Common risk factors include loud noise, alcohol, hypertension, diabetes and the use of diuretic furosemide. Studies in animals and anecdotal reports in humans indicate high does of analgesics can interfere with hearing, but there have been few studies looking at regular use and none studying acetaminophen. This is according to the authors of the study.
The study looked at 51,529 men aged 40-74 who reported regular use of aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen. Regular use for the purposed of this study was considered 2 + times a week. Detailed questionnaires were filled out by each participant at the time the study was launched in 1986 and re-administered every two years to the 20 year mark. The researchers controlled for a variety of other risk factors. At the 20 year mark they had 26,917 men who fit the study criteria. Of those 3,488 cases of new hearing loss were reported.
Controlling for other risk factors, the researchers found that among all men who used aspirin at least twice a week, there was a 12% increased risk of hearing loss. Among those who used ibuprofen and related analgesics, there was a 21%increase; for those who used acetaminophen, a 22% risk. But the risk was much higher when they considered only men younger than 50. In that group, there was a 33% increased risk for aspirin use, a 61% increase for ibuprofen and related NSAIDs and a 99% increase for acetaminophen.
In other words use of acetaminophen more than twice a week by men younger than 50 was found to double the risk of hearing loss, use of ibuprofen and related NSAIDs increased the risk by nearly two-thirds and regular use of aspirin increased it by about a third.
It was explained that the reason is pathophysiologic changes in the cochlea. Depending on the drug it can effect the outer hair cells motor proteins and/ or can reduce cochlear blood flow, increasing the effect of noise induced hearing loss.
The study did caution that the study group involved only men and that most of them were Caucasian. It is not clear how the results might extrapolate to women and other racial groups.
References:
The American Journal of Medicine, Vol 123, No3, March 2010
Los Angeles Times, HEALTH Section, March 2, 2010
Posted by HearUSA on December 6, 2010 under Hearing Loss |
Suggestions for making holiday meals and celebrations more comfortable and enjoyable for people with hearing loss and for those around them.
• Speak clearly, distinctly, and not too fast. Never shout.
• If you must repeat something, try not to appear frustrated or annoyed.
• If your comment or question is still not being understood, re-word it. Some words are easier to understand than others.
• In a group situation, try to include that person in the conversation.
• Look directly at the person when speaking and place yourself no more than five feet apart.
• Your facial expressions, gestures, and overall body language are important aids in communicating; make sure you have the listener’s attention and that the room is well lit.
• Conversation is greatly enhanced when there is no distracting background noise, for example, from a radio or TV.
• When dining out, choose a quiet restaurant. Noisy conversations or the clatter of dishes and tableware are barriers to effective understanding.
• Conversation is much easier in a room with carpeting and upholstered furniture than in a room with tiled floors, high ceilings or wooden furniture.
Posted by HearingAids on December 2, 2010 under Hearing Aids, Hearing Loss, Product Reviews |
I’m a fairly new Hearing aid technician, so sitting with patients and discussing their recently acquired hearing aids is a rewarding, fun, and a challenging experience for me. I would like to think that the challenge is less for me than for most hearing professionals because I also wear the product; or at least a similar product to what each patient is wearing when they come into my office for instructions on how to use their new hearing aids.
I start the conversation by asking them if they are new wearers or experienced; this is important because I want to find out how much they know about hearing aids. I want to make sure that I can help them become satisfied hearing aid wearers. Typically the beginning point is to discuss and practice inserting and removing their hearing aids so they build a comfort level for taking them in and out.
Once we have accomplished this, we then move into how to use hearing aids; changing their programs and hearing aid settings. This is where the fun begins! I get to find out the different types of activities and events my patients partake in, and how much they feel they have been missing prior to their hearing aid purchase. Then I compare my experiences in similar situations and throw in a few antidotes to lighten up the tension in the room. I understand that someone wearing hearing aids for the first time may feel uncomfortable about not knowing what to expect or how to manipulate them in front of someone they don’t know.
I also understand that even an experienced wearer can be uncomfortable because they have been in their comfort zone with their existing hearing aids and now, with new technology, they are learning about a whole new product – in most cases, with many more features. So if I can tell some funny things that happened to me in the beginning and then give them some wonderful experiences with my newer hearing aid, it lightens the mood in the room and makes it much more comfortable for them to express their feelings to me.
By the way, if you’re wondering, I went from wearing Phonak hearing aids from 2006-2010, to now wearing the Siemens Pure 500 in the right ear. I am profoundly deaf in my left ear (no hearing aids would help me) and a slight hearing loss in my right ear. The Pure is a wonderful device and allows me to hear a lot more then I ever heard with my other product.
New hearing aid technology is amazing and being given the ability to share that with our patients is the most rewarding thing I’ve done in my career.
- Beth Johnson
Posted by HearingAids on November 30, 2010 under Hearing Loss, Prevention |
Vitamin B12, Cobalamin, is essential for the body to properly use iron and form red blood cells. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin which carries oxygen to all parts of the body. The nervous system also relies on Vitamin B12 for the creation and maintenance of the myelin sheath that lines the nerve cells. Deficiency can cause degeneration of the spinal cord, changes in the brain and peripheral neuropathy. Vitamin B12 deficiency can also lead to atrophy of the optic nerve.
Cobalamin is only found in animal sources; therefore strict vegetarians are at risk for deficiency. Vitamin B12 is bound to animal protein and released by gastric acids. It is stored in the liver and therefore it may take up to two years following the cessation of intake for signs of deficiency to manifest. The deficiency is found in approximately 10% of all individuals over the age of 80 years due to decreased production of intrinsic factor by the stomach, which binds to B12 for absorption. Absorption of Vitamin B12 can be enhanced by Vitamin C and can be inhibited by Antacids and Aspirin. Tea and coffee, which contain tannins, also inhibit absorption. Excessive use of nicotine and alcohol can deplete the body of Vitamin B12.
Most teens and adults need 2 micrograms of B12 per day.
There are many symptoms to Vitamin B12 deficiency. The most telling sign is glossitis (inflammation of the tongue). Other symptoms include unsteady gait, loss of position sense, weakness of the legs, numbness of the feet, pale skin, shortness of breath, irregular rapid heartbeat and loss of appetite. Occasionally there are complaints of memory loss, hearing difficulties, tinnitus and delusion.
A blood test (B12 level) to check the red blood cell count is the main diagnostic tool for identification of a B12 deficiency. Since unsteadiness is frequently reported; audiometry, ENG, and MRI are often performed. Most patients are relieved of their symptoms with B12 supplements either orally on a daily basis, monthly in the form of injections, or via nasal gel.
Audiologists may see B12 deficient patients due to their complaint of balance difficulties. Audiometry and ENG may reveal normal results; however downbeat nystagmus and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo have been recorded in patients with Cobalamin deficiency.
Submitted by: Susan Cuttler, Au.D., WFL QM
Posted by HearingAids on November 17, 2010 under Hearing Aids, Hearing Loss |
Tinnitus is a symptom, not a disease. It is the sensation or perception of sound that is not in the environment. It can be described as buzzing, hissing, whooshing, rushing, roaring, ringing, clicking or like crickets or steam. It can be localized to one or both ears. It can be constant, pulsating or intermittent and can change in pitch and intensity. It may or may not be associated with a hearing impairment. There are approximately 50 million Americans suffering from Tinnitus. It is estimated that 90% of those patients have some degree of hearing loss.
Two major clinical studies used hearing aids in tinnitus treatment:
◊ The Better Hearing Institute sent their newsletter subscribers an online survey on Tinnitus in August 2008. 230 Hearing Care Professionals responded with results suggesting that six out of ten patients (60%) experience minor to major relief of their Tinnitus when wearing hearing aids. One in five (22%) receive major relief. Less than 2% of patients had a worsening of their Tinnitus and 39% received no benefit.
◊ The Hearing Review published a study conducted in August 2006, “Using Open-Ear Hearing Aids in Tinnitus Therapy”, concluding that patients with mild to moderate sloping hearing loss in the 2-6kHz frequency range may experience benefit from open- fit hearing aids. The pitch of tinnitus is often perceived in the range of 2-6 kHz, and because open fit hearing aids do not occlude the canal and amplify low frequencies, good amplification with 2-6 kHz can be achieved. Sometimes 10-15dB is all that is needed to mask out the tinnitus.
There are ongoing studies, one with a target date of December 31, 2009 from a major hearing aid manufacturer. This company is examining a program originally designed for relaxation that has been used as a tool for tinnitus treatment. The open-fit technology uses a high frequency sound input for its relaxation program. This program has tones, melodies and other sounds that can be adjusted by the user. Data is being collected from hearing care professionals trained in tinnitus management on individuals who have used this program for 3 months or more and those who discontinued use because of no benefit.
Hearing aids may be used as a choice for tinnitus relief by:
◊ Amplifying outside sounds, which make the tinnitus less obvious.
◊ Distracting the patient away from the tinnitus by hearing other sounds.
◊ Decreasing the sensation of tinnitus by increasing the background noise.
◊ Increasing amplification of low level sounds for treatment.
Posted by HearingAids on November 15, 2010 under Hearing Loss, Prevention |
“ Soldiers exposed to the deafening din of battle have little defense against hearing loss and are often reluctant to wear protective gear like ear plugs that could make them less able to react to danger. But what if a nutritious daily “candy bar” could prevent much of that potential damage to their hearing?” (Joseph M. Miller, Ph.D., U of M Health System’s Kresge Hearing Research Institute, 28 March 2007).
About 10 million people in the U.S. alone are suffering from noise-induced hearing loss, including veterans and youth exposed to blaring music under headphones. Researchers at UM and UF are hoping to reverse the rise in NIHL by implementing a “cocktail” of vitamins and the mineral magnesium.
Recent studies at the University of Michigan, University of Florida, and NIDCD have revealed that noise exposure triggers the formation of molecules (free radicals) known to cause hair cell death. Free radicals are highly corrosive molecules that exist naturally within the human body and destroy the inner/outer hair cells during and after noise exposure. Free radical formation begins and then peaks several days after exposure.
Prior to these studies, scientists believed that exposure to loud noise damaged the hair cells by the pure force of the loud sound vibrations. In this case, the only prevention was to reduce exposure and/or to use hearing protection.
U-M researchers have discovered that the combination of vitamins, when mixed with magnesium, can prevent noise-induced damage by blocking some of the cellular reactions. Vitamins A, C, E and magnesium, antioxidants which protect cells from the damaging effects of free radicals, are already widely used supplements and therefore do not require FDA approval.
A clinical study investigating the combination of vitamins A, C, E and Magnesium (Auraquell-TM, UM Kresge Hearing Research Institute) taken one hour before noise exposure, as a once-daily treatment in pill form for five days, was very effective with an 80% success rate at preventing permanent NIHL in animals.
Testing has been implemented in a set of four multinational human clinical trials, all funded by the NIH – military trials in Sweden & Spain, industrial trial in Spain, and a trial involving students at UF who listen to music at high volumes on iPods and other PDAs.
Animal studies thus far have shown a reduction in threshold shifts, ranging from 45 dB to 10 dB, representing a greater than 1000 fold improvement in hearing sensitivity. Guinea pigs were treated one hour prior to noise exposure and again immediately post-noise exposure. Daily treatments continued for five days post noise exposure. Post-noise nutrient doses may scavenge the free radicals that continue to form post exposure. Ten days post treatment, auditory sensitivity was evaluated, revealing the improved thresholds.
Reduction in NIHL was achieved by prevention of sensory cell death in the Organ of Corti. The animal studies were done by using a control group (saline), Mg group, ACE group, and ACEMg group. When the antioxidants were administered alone, NIHL still occurred; only with the addition of Mg was the improvement in the post-noise thresholds noticed.
Magnesium is a vasodilator and may have the added benefit of reducing swelling of the auditory nerve by preventing the noise induced calcium influx. The calcium influx contributes to the free radical damage.
Auraquell-TM will be regulated in the U.S. by the FDA’s Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA), and label claims for the product will be made following 21 CFR 101.70 regulation and not through the IND/NDA process. This will allow the manufacturer, Otomedicine, Inc., to launch Auraquell-TM with defined and FDA-approved health claims in a shorter amount of time (4-5 years). Auraquell-TM will be a preventative treatment used in conjunction with conventional hearing protection.
In addition to prevention of NIHL, studies are underway to research the role of free radicals in drug-induced hearing loss and age-related hearing loss. Miller’s research has also shown that local application of “Thiourea” (antioxidant) can prevent hearing loss without compromising the efficacy of the anti-cancer medication, Cisplatin, to destroy cancer cells.
“Other people would likely benefit by consuming a pill or nutritional bar before going to work in noisy environments, or attending noisy events like NASCAR races or rock concerts, or even using an iPod or other music players,” (LePrell, Ph.D)
Posted by HearingAids on November 9, 2010 under Hearing Loss, Prevention |
Have you ever heard the phrase “If you don’t use it, you lose it?” I’m sure you have and guess what…this same philosophy about the rest of our body also applies to our ears. Our ears require auditory stimulation in order to help us process and understand speech.
What does this mean? This means that if you have a diagnosed hearing loss, even a mild loss, your ears are not receiving stimulation in the areas where your loss occurs. This, in turn, can cause a decrease in your ability to understand speech that worsens if it is ignored (Emmer, 1999). So, you are probably wondering how one goes about getting auditory stimulation?
Proper stimulation comes from hearing aids. Hearing aids provide amplification in the area of the hearing loss, which in turn provides auditory stimulation to the damaged inner ear hair cells. The faster we can diagnosis and treat hearing loss with hearing aids, the better the chances of maximizing your hearing potential.
As an Audiologist, the most important advice I can give you regarding hearing loss and hearing aids is “Don’t wait” and if you have hearing aids “Wear them full time.”
Rachele M. Orsini, Au.D., CCC-A
Posted by HearingAids on October 26, 2010 under Ask The Audiologist Q&A, Hearing Loss |
Dear HearingAids.com
I clean my ears with cutips every day, after I shower. Will that habit damage my hearing? What purpose does ear wax serve? Ok, and this part is gross: but what is the significance of the color and texture of your ear wax (being clear and oil-ish vs a deep yellow and thick)?
These really are my questions.haa Luckily I know about your blog and can ask! Thanks is advance!
Sincerely,
Vivian
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While Q-tips are very popular for cleaning ears, they can be very dangerous and are generally not recommended by hearing healthcare professionals. Earwax (cerumen) is made in the outer ear canal and is basically a mixture of 40 %secretions from cerumen glands, 40% dead skin sloughed off from canal skin, and 20% dust/dirt from our environment. This concoction presents itself in a variety of consistencies and colors based on genetics, age, and environment. The longer the earwax is exposed to air (“old” cerumen) the darker the color.
Ear wax is a good and useful “tool” of the human body as it is a natural deterrent to insects who might be looking for a home in the cozy and dark ear-canal space. Additionally, earwax will naturally keep the skin of the ear canal lubricated and free of dead skin sloughs. The ear canal hair naturally allows ear wax to migrate to the external ear canal entrance for easy removal with a washcloth.
- Suzanne
