HearUSA.com
CRYSTAL CLEAR VOL 1 • ISSUE 3
Opening a Whole New World of Sound
Hearing Tests & Noise What to do About it.
Hereditary Hearing Loss
Could Your Family be Afflicted?
MEDICATIONS: Are Your Prescriptions Contributing to Your Hearing Loss?
by Nate Freyburger
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mart bulbs” are energy-efficient LED light bulbs that can be plugged into any appropriate fixture, be it a ceiling fan, lamp or just about any other bulb socket. These light bulbs have built in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and, depending on the type you purchase, can connect to smartphones, tablets, computers, and even the internet. And while smart bulbs have a variety of uses, including comfort and entertainment, these connective light bulbs will make the lives of the hearing impaired easier, even if the manufacturers never intended them to do so. Practically everything a person owns connects to Wi-Fi these days, including many household appliances. As a person with hearing loss, imagine an app that connects your stove to your lighting system, alerting you with blinks when your timer goes off, or another app that connects your doorbell to the smart bulbs in your overhead light. When your pizza arrives, the lights in your home will blink to let you know that it’s time to answer the door and feast.
Granted, there isn’t currently a way to use smart bulbs for all of the above purposes. But once independent developers get their hands on the technology and start experimenting with it, there’s little doubt that all of the above will become a reality. In fact, it’s already starting. Presently, smart bulbs can be connected to a smartphone to alert the user of incoming phone calls, text messages and e-mails. For the hearing impaired, this means the lights in your home will blink when the phone rings. Further, since many of these bulbs can be customized to pulse or change color depending on music, you can set them to react to a specific ringtone so that you know exactly who is calling based on the way the lights move. There are already a multitude of apps for smart phones and tablets that can make the lives of those suffering from hearing loss a lot easier, including programs that will type out phone calls and illuminate the phone’s flashlight when calls are coming in. Others have used video chat programs to communicate in sign language. But until smart bulbs, there was no convenient way to alert a deaf user to a cellphone call, unless they happened to have the phone’s flashlight facing them.
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Bright Ideas for Those With Hearing Loss
This seems like a natural use for smart bulbs, since the idea of using flashing lights to alert the hearing impaired to noises in the home has been around for decades. Hardwired devices can be connected to the doorbell or the telephone, sending notifications in the form of a blinking light. The problem is, these devices have limited uses, since they can only be placed in a single location. Now, thanks to smart bulbs and wireless technology, this idea has been improved upon. Now your entire home can be used to alert you to doorbell rings, phone calls and maybe even smoke detectors. The sky is the limit on this budding technology, and there’s no doubt that people with hearing loss will benefit greatly as it all continues to improve. Presently, smart bulbs are being released worldwide by a number of manufacturers. They range from $40.00 to $200.00 a piece. Most of these bulbs are incredibly energy efficient and can last for more than decade. So, while they may seem expensive compared to a traditional light bulb, remember this is a new technology. The price on smart bulbs will likely continue to drop, and there’s little doubt that the hardware behind them, and the mobile apps that make them work, will continue to improve at a rapid pace. Keep these on your radar, especially if you have trouble hearing. Opening a Whole New World of Sound | HearUSA.com
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Do School Hearing Tests How Accurate Are They?
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xams are an every day part of school for kids, but the most important exam a child receives could be the one that grades their hearing. Every student receives a hearing examination, and many parents and grandparents rely on them to determine hearing ability. But doing so may be a mistake. School hearing tests are largely unreliable for a multitude of reasons, including limited access to modern technology and excessive background noise during testing. Recently, a major study at Penn State revealed that school hearing tests are especially inefficient at detecting noiseinduced hearing damage. The study at Penn State involved a large group of 11th grade students who were given the standard school hearing test. After administering the test, several students returned to be examined by a licensed hearing care professional, and some of them were diagnosed with hearing loss, despite passing the school’s screening.
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by Nate Freyburger
The school’s testing equipment failed to identify when students had issues hearing high pitches, which is typically associated with damage caused by noise exposure. This is because school hearing tests primarily look for issues involving low-pitch hearing loss, which is typically associated with fluid in the ear or ear infections. The simple fact is, most schools do not have the latest diagnostic equipment, and the results of the tests are not as accurate as they otherwise could be. Many schools use a system that involves placing old headphones on the head of a student and having them press a button whenever they hear a noise. Granted, this basic technology is used in professional hearing tests; however, a school is not the most efficient place to conduct this exam for a variety of reasons. For starters, a test from a licensed professional is typically conducted in a room insulated from outside interference,
Work assuring that external noises from the environment do not lead to unwanted results. Second, the headphones used during a professional hearing test are of high-quality; they block out excess noise even further and present sounds clearly, so that every pitch can be heard. School hearing tests are typically given inside a normal room with little to no noise protection, and they are conducted by a school nurse. The lesson here is not to look at a school’s test as definitive. While they are a valuable way to identify some problems, especially for students from families who may not have access to healthcare services, the results should not be viewed as conclusive one way or the other. If a school’s test reveals that your child or grandchild’s hearing is fine, it is still important to have a test done by a trained professional, so that the findings of the school can be confirmed. On the flip side, if the school’s screening reveals that a child is suffering from hearing loss, testing by
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a hearing-care professional will determine the severity. An Audiologist can perform more sophisticated tests and determine exactly what type of hearing loss is present and how best to treat it. None of this means that school hearing tests are a bad idea. They do serve to identify potential issues. However, in the present economy where schools are receiving budget cuts and lack the proper diagnostic equipment, it is best to take any screening conducted by a school as a first step. Always seek a second opinion from a professional. Damaged hearing at a young age does not have to mean deafness as an adult, and diagnosing problems early improves the odds of successful treatment. Even if your child or grandchild receives a screening from his school, follow up promptly for a professional opinion.
Young People and Hearing Loss Hearing loss affects more than 62 million children worldwide. It is a very important global health issue that often gets overlooked and can be dangerous. Ignoring hearing loss in young people can have severe repercussions, including cognitive issues and problems with speech. The human brain does not stop developing until we reach • They are listening to the TV at a loud volume, or having issues understanding what is being said on TV. our mid 20s, meaning that young children and teens are at risk for mental underdevelopment if they have hearing prob• They cannot understand or hear voices on the telephone lems. The human brain requires sensory input to develop and are constantly switching the receiver between ears properly. If your brain is wasting too much extra energy tryduring a conversation. ing to hear, it will not have all the resources it needs to grow. • Your child cannot hear a sound or pitch that you are able to This can lead to learning and social issues that could last a hear, such as an unwanted noise from an appliance. lifetime. Have your son/daughter’s hearing evaluated frequently to assure they are hearing properly. Doing so is especially important if you notice any of the following warning signs:
• Your child has trouble responding or hearing your voice
in normal situations, especially if there is no other background noise present.
• Your child constantly seeks to confirm what you say (“Huh?”, “What?”).
• They are not startled or bothered by loud signs. • They have trouble locating the direction a sound is coming from. • Your child has trouble with speech or learning in school. • Some people with hearing issues will begin watching the lips of people as they speak.
If you notice any of the above issues, seek out an audiologist immediately. For young people, receiving hearing help sooner rather than later will provide a lifetime of benefit.
Opening a Whole New World of Sound | HearUSA.com
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Your First Hearing Test What to Expect
by Clair Cameron
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f you speak to just about any hearing care provider who conducts thorough hearing tests, they will tell you that, for some people, it is a spiritual experience, one that often makes them cry. For many, it is the first time they will face their hearing loss in a controlled setting, and they are afraid of what the results may be. For others, the sound-insulated room feels confining; voices bounce off the walls unnaturally, creating a sense of anxious uncertainty. But facing a hearing examination is nothing to fear in reality, since the HearUSA TotalCare Program considers the test with comfort in mind; it is painless and the results will help determine how best to treat your specific type of hearing loss. The hearing test measures your ability to hear spoken words, various pitches, and how well you can make out conversation in a noisy environment. It begins with earphones placed gently in the ear. These block outside noise and are equipped with an earpiece that sends sounds directly into your ear canal. A series of tones are sent through the earpiece, with the patient indicating every time the sound is heard. These tones will range from low to high, and the results will pinpoint the specific type and degree of hearing loss. From there, spoken words are asked to be repeated by the hearing care provider. This helps map out how clearly
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speech is heard during normal conversation. The third part of the test follows this line, attempting to measure hearing in a noisy environment, like a restaurant or a train station. Phrases are spoken into the earphones with background conversations put in place to provide distractions. Dominant spoken words are repeated while trying to separate the coherent phrases from the extra noise. Other parts of the hearing test are done outside the sound-proof booth. One portion of the examination determines how well your ear drum moves under pressure. It, too, does not hurt one bit. At HearUSA, every possible effort is made to ensure comfort, and a provider will be happy to offer an explanation during all parts of the examination. It is okay to feel a little anxious, but know that the entire process is relatively easy and designed with optimal health in mind. In order to determine what hearing aid would be best, a complete hearing test is an absolute necessity.
Hearing Loss: Were You Born with it
by Nate Freyburger
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enes are located on chromosomes, which are in every cell of your body. They provide a blueprint for everything about you – the color of your hair, your blood type, the color of your eyes, and even how well you will be able to hear. Genes can pass down positive attributes, like a resistance to certain viruses, or they can carry unwanted traits—like hearing loss. Hearing loss that comes about because of mutated genes can be dominant or recessive. Some people with these genes will show symptoms of hearing loss at some point in their life. Others will never notice symptoms at all, even if they carry the genetic trait. Some conditions will cause additional problems with balance and vision, while others may be limited to only mild hearing loss. There are presently over 400 genetic conditions known to cause problems related to the inner ear, and each manifests differently. 70% of inherited hearing loss is recessive, meaning that the gene in question was carried by both the mother and the father. A dominant genetic hearing-loss disorder would result from one parent having an unwanted gene while the other does not, which is far less likely to happen. Additionally, most of these inherited disorders will cause only hearing loss, and any associated loss will come about gradually.
Around 4,000 babies are born deaf every year, more than half of whom suffer from a genetic disease. However, not all hereditary disorders reveal themselves at birth. Some people may not experience symptoms until they are well into adulthood—If at all. For this reason, if you have someone within your family tree who goes deaf from an inherited disorder, it may be best to ask your doctor if this could happen to you as well. If you are at risk for developing hearing loss, frequent testing is the best way to catch it early and monitor any potential regression. While the science of genetics is improving rapidly, there still is not a complete understanding of how hearing conditions are transferred from one generation to the next. Genetic hearing loss can be difficult to diagnose and treat, and even more difficult to prevent in the future. Largely, genetic disorders, including those that cause deafness, can be unpredictable since they may leap over many generations. If you have any concerns related to your eyesight, balance, or ability to hear properly, it is always best to have a full examination. Standard treatments, such as hearing aids and drug therapy, may help ease hearing loss symptoms, even if the root cause of your symptoms is genetic. Hopefully as research in this area continues, scientists can find a way to end genetic hearing loss for good.
Opening a Whole New World of Sound | HearUSA.com
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Age Related Hearing by Dr. James Occhiogrosso
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earing loss can be the result of illness, many medications (especially over the counter pain-relieving drugs), direct head or ear injuries, or a myriad of other causes, including genetic inheritance. A common problem among adults over 50 is age-related hearing loss that results in a gradual deterioration of hearing over time. This kind of loss is often preceded or accompanied by a ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and differs from the myriad of other causes. Nearly all of us experience a gradual deterioration of hearing as we age, and this type of hearing loss usually develops gradually and painlessly. According to the National Institute of Health, “Approximately one in three people in the United States between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss, and nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing.� Thus, it is a very common condition affecting older adults. Age-related hearing loss is called presbycusis, and usually affects both ears equally, although it may progress at different rates in each ear. Since the loss is gradual, many often do not realize they are hearing poorly until it has progressed to the point where they find it difficult to understand or enjoy a normal conversation. This can sometimes lead to depression or feelings of isolation. Human hearing is generally accepted to span the frequency range of 20 to 20,000 Hz. The lower number represents the thump one hears (or feels) from a bass drum, and the higher number, the upper ranges of a violin, flute or piccolo. Sounds above the human hearing range are known as ultrasound, and those below as infrasound. However, the range varies significantly from person to person, and hearing sensitivity to the upper frequency range drops progressively with age. Other creatures, such as dogs and dolphins, have significantly different hearing ranges than humans. Dogs, for example, can hear sounds between 40 and 60,000 Hz. So, while they cannot hear the low bass sounds as well as humans, they can hear a high-pitched dog whistle that is far beyond the human range. While the sound of musical
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instruments may span the entire audio range, most human speech is confined to the frequency range of about 200 to 8,000 Hz, and the high-pitched end of the spectrum is very crucial for proper understanding of speech. As the ability to hear the higher frequency sounds deteriorates, it becomes more difficult for the brain to differentiate between certain sounds in speech that contain many highpitched components, such as the letters t, and s. This causes an inability to separate the high-pitched letters and other sounds. Speech then begins to sound garbled or unclear, especially when there is a high level of background noise. Also, people often raise the pitch of a word in speech to emphasize it to the listener. To the person with an age-related hearing loss, such sounds can become distorted and hard to recognize. Unlike some other types of hearing problems, agerelated hearing loss can be mediated by the use of tiny (and nearly invisible), hearing aids that enhance the upper-pitch sounds in favor of the lower-pitch ones. While this does not return a users hearing to that of a youth, the aids are very effective at allowing people to be able to easily understand speech. It is worthwhile for an older adult with a hearing loss to be tested to see if a hearing aid could help. Often, the use of a hearing aid can make the difference between isolation and living a full life.
Loss
Opening a Whole New World of Sound | HearUSA.com
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Are Your Prescriptions Hearing Loss by Garrett Chilson
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id you know that many of the medications people take every day can cause hearing loss? Ototoxicity, or hearing impairment caused by medication or supplements, is more common than you think. All sorts of medications can cause damage to the delicate hairs inside the ear responsible for hearing and balance, and sometimes these side effects can be permanent. The risk for developing hearing damage increases the longer you take a specific drug. There are currently over 200 medications and other substances known to cause issues with the inner ear, so talk to your doctor about possible side effects before you start any new medication. Remember to ask them if your hearing is at risk, especially if you take any of the drug types listed:
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Opening a Whole New World of Sound | HearUSA.com
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Inflammation
by Clair Cameron
Your Ringing Ears
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o you ever hear a ringing, buzzing, or humming sound in your ear, even though the room is silent? This could be an indication that you have tinnitus, a condition where the ears will frequently ring for seemingly no reason. It is estimated that over 15 million Americans experience these unwanted sounds on a regular basis, and the underlying cause can be hard to pinpoint. However, modern research has shown that many cases of tinnitus are a result of chronic inflammation in the body which could eventually damage your hearing. Luckily, there are steps you can take to improve your lifestyle, reduce inflammation and hopefully reverse tinnitus for good. In addition to inflammation, tinnitus can be caused by a number of conditions, including a build-up of ear wax, noise exposure, diseases of the ear, allergies, poor thyroid function and even tumors. Tinnitus is also a side effect of some common medications, including antibiotics and aspirin. But many cases are caused by chronic inflammation and related poor blood circulation to ear. Inflammation puts extra pressure on the delicate parts of your inner ear that can lead to scarring and permanent tissue damage. Chronic inflammation is caused by an overactive immune system, and is typically the product of disease or the modern human diet. The American diet consists of lots of sugars, grains, and vegetable oils, all of which cause an unwanted inflammatory response in the body. An antiinflammation diet can reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, and improve tinnitus and hearing loss symptoms. Additionally, it can leave your joints feeling younger and improve your energy levels, since the diet could help to stabilize your blood sugar.
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The basic anti-inflammation diet includes foods you eat every day: Quality Meats, Eggs, and Fish Whole Milk, Yogurt, and Cheeses Nuts and Seeds Fruits and Vegetables The aim of the diet is to reduce your carbohydrate intake to around 100 grams a day maximum, while increasing your intake of good fats and proteins. Good fats are those that can be found in avocados, nuts, and coconut oil, amongst other foods. The foods you will want to avoid include margarines, vegetable and seed oils, wheat, corn, rice, and fruit juices. Along with an improved diet, supplements have been shown to be beneficial for reducing inflammation and improving blood flow, particularly to the inner ear. Vitamin B12, the mineral Zinc, and Omega – 3 fatty acids from fish oil all encourage the production of healthy tissue and reduce the body’s inflammatory response. It may be difficult to permanently reverse tinnitus or the associated hearing loss, but taking steps to improve your diet and reduce bodily inflammation is crucial to helping your ears heal properly. Do not neglect treatment for your condition. Ask your doctor what steps you can take, in addition to diet and supplements, that may help silence the ringing in your ears.
Yummy Grilled Fish Steaks By Clair Cameron
High in Omega-3s and free of grains, this healthy fish steak will help to reduce inflammation and keep your brain working right. Serve with your favorite vegetable and enjoy!
Ingredients: Directions: •
1 clove of garlic, minced
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1 tsp of dried or fresh basil
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1 tbsp of dried or fresh parsley
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1 tsp of salt
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1 tsp of black pepper
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1 tbsp of lemon juice
2. Place the fish fillets in a glass baking dish. Then, pour your mixture over the fish and let it sit in the refrigerator for an hour. Turn the fillets over after a half hour to properly coat both sides.
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6 tbsp of olive oil
3. Preheat your grill to high heat, and use the butter to coat the grates.
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2 halibut fish fillets
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1 tbsp on butter
(fresh squeezed, if possible)
1. In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic, basil, parsley salt, pepper and lemon juice.
4. Remove the fillets from the refrigerator. Place the fish directly on the grill, and do not cover. Cook the fish for five minutes on each side, and serve them up as soon as they are done. Do not overcook the fish, or you will risk losing all of the good fats.
Opening a Whole New World of Sound | HearUSA.com
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To Hear Again A Personal Story...
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by Clair Cameron
Being a teacher, it is imperative that Chrystal hear and socialize properly in order to keep up with her students. She says hearing aids have extended the life of her career and have made it easier to participate in the things she loves.
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department. Musical theatre has been a lifelong hobby for Chrystal, and it is easy to imagine how gradual hearing loss made participation more difficult. After a fellow performer pointed out her inability to hear the loud commands of the director, Chrystal decided to get a hearing test. A short time later, she began using hearing aids.
of the singing has to be physical. I have to know physically how I’m singing in order to harmonize.”
For Chrystal, this came with some adjustment, especially since she spent a significant amount of her time singing in front of an audience. There is a learning period associated with hearing aids; after all, your brain has adapted to hearing without them for so long. But once acclimated, many wonder how they ever lived without them. Chrystal says she had to make some adjustments to get used to the way sounds are amplified by the hearing aids, especially since musical theatre involves so many competing noises.
There are a multitude of people in the world that would benefit greatly from hearing aids, yet many will not seek treatment because they believe there is a negative social stigma associated with hearing loss. Chrystal says she never understood the fear, stating how most people do not even notice that she is wearing them. She encourages others to seek treatment as soon as they notice there is a problem.
“If I’m singing on stage and other people are singing with me, I can hear them but I can’t hear myself,” says Chrystal. “So, part
When asked if she could do her work as a musical theatre teacher without the hearing aids, Chrystal’s response was quick and to the point: “No, I couldn’t work without them; I would not even be able to work without my hearing aids.”
“People who have hearing loss are missing out,” Chrystal says. “(Hearing loss) does affect them socially; they miss parts of a conversation and they can’t contribute as well as they used to … I didn’t know what I was missing until I got the hearing aids.”
Opening a Whole New World of Sound | HearUSA.com
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You Can Believe
What You Hear
Call HearUSA for a free hearing screening in your area
1-855-885-3481 or visit HearUSA.com
Matthew L. Christy, Au.D., Licensed Hearing Aid Dispenser #3501003413 Joan V.R. Hamill, Licensed Hearing Aid Dispenser #25MG00070100 Christopher Walton, Licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist, #265