Individuals with moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD) are more likely to suffer from hearing difficulties compared to healthy people of the same age, researchers have revealed in an article that appears in the American Journal of Kidney Disease.
Researchers from the Universities of Sydney, Melbourne and Macquarie in Australia examined the medical records of 2,564 people aged 50 or more, of whom 513 had moderate CKD.
More that 55 % of all the patients with CKD had some degree of hearing loss. Among people who had no kidney problems less than 30 % had hearing loss. Furthermore, severe hearing loss affected almost 30% of the CKD patients, compared to just 10% of the others.
The figures were adjusted for other risk factors that may affect hearing, such as age, sex, noise exposure, diabetes and more.
Possible explanations
University of Sydney, said:
The link between hearing loss and CKD can be explained by structural and functional similarities between tissues in the inner ear and in the kidney. Additionally, toxins that accumulate in kidney failure can damage nerves, including those in the inner ear. Another reason for this connection is that kidney disease and hearing loss share common risk factors, including diabetes, high blood pressure and advanced age.
What is chronic kidney disease?
Chronic kidney disease is a slow and progressive loss of kidney function. Over a period of several years the condition worsens until eventually there is permanent kidney failure. Many people don't know they have CKD until their kidney function is down to 25% of normal. The main causes of CKD are diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure).
Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Free Hearing Aids For Christmas
Christmas is a time for family. It is a time for music and laughter and enjoying memories with friends and loved ones.
None of these things is possible with a hearing loss.
Timpanogos Hearing and Balance in American Fork is happy to announce that they will be giving away a set of digital hearing devices to one recipient for Christmas—no strings attached.
“We’ve been able to help thousands of people to hear better over the last 7 years, but we realize that there are many more out there who need to hear better, but can’t afford it. I became an Audiologist to help people to hear better—as many people as I can. We are grateful to be in a position where we can give back to the community and help someone who has no other way to help themselves,” says Dr. Layne Garrett, owner of Timpanogos Hearing and Balance.
The hearing devices will be given away based on need and on their ability to truly make a difference in the recipient’s life. You may nominate yourself or someone else. To apply, write a 500 word description of how hearing better could make a difference for the applicant. Attach the person’s name, age, city of residence, and phone number. You can email this information to Christmas@utahhearingaids.com, fax it to 801-763-8282, or mail it to Timpanogos Hearing and Balance 321 E 300 N American Fork, UT 84003. You can also click here to fill out an online form.
Applications must be received by December 12th.
None of these things is possible with a hearing loss.
Timpanogos Hearing and Balance in American Fork is happy to announce that they will be giving away a set of digital hearing devices to one recipient for Christmas—no strings attached.
“We’ve been able to help thousands of people to hear better over the last 7 years, but we realize that there are many more out there who need to hear better, but can’t afford it. I became an Audiologist to help people to hear better—as many people as I can. We are grateful to be in a position where we can give back to the community and help someone who has no other way to help themselves,” says Dr. Layne Garrett, owner of Timpanogos Hearing and Balance.
The hearing devices will be given away based on need and on their ability to truly make a difference in the recipient’s life. You may nominate yourself or someone else. To apply, write a 500 word description of how hearing better could make a difference for the applicant. Attach the person’s name, age, city of residence, and phone number. You can email this information to Christmas@utahhearingaids.com, fax it to 801-763-8282, or mail it to Timpanogos Hearing and Balance 321 E 300 N American Fork, UT 84003. You can also click here to fill out an online form.
Applications must be received by December 12th.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Men Are More Likely to Experience Noise Induced Hearing Loss
For years, we've known that about 60% of our patients are men. We've come up with a few theories for this, but recently, we discovered a study that confirms one of them: men are more likely to experience noise-induced hearing loss.
In the first study of the demographics of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), researchers found men are 2.5 times more likely to lose their hearing due to noise than women. Over 5,000 participants between 20 and 69 years of age were analyzed with audiometric testing. More than 13 percent suffered from NIHL. Especially white married men are significantly more at risk than women concludes the report which was presented at the 2009 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO
NIHL is a preventable and increasingly prevalent disorder that results from exposure to high-intensity sound, especially over a long period of time. Researchers hope this study will put more focus on education and prevention and lead to increased screenings for the common problem.
The authors believe this is the first study of its kind to delve in to the demographics of NIHL using the most recent figures from 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). They believe this information can allow greater education, preventative, and screening efforts.
Source: Ivanhoe Broadcast News and redOrbit
In the first study of the demographics of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), researchers found men are 2.5 times more likely to lose their hearing due to noise than women. Over 5,000 participants between 20 and 69 years of age were analyzed with audiometric testing. More than 13 percent suffered from NIHL. Especially white married men are significantly more at risk than women concludes the report which was presented at the 2009 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO
NIHL is a preventable and increasingly prevalent disorder that results from exposure to high-intensity sound, especially over a long period of time. Researchers hope this study will put more focus on education and prevention and lead to increased screenings for the common problem.
The authors believe this is the first study of its kind to delve in to the demographics of NIHL using the most recent figures from 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). They believe this information can allow greater education, preventative, and screening efforts.
Source: Ivanhoe Broadcast News and redOrbit
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Seriously First Class Hearing
Every few years, something happens in the hearing technology industry which pushes everything forward by leaps and bounds. Open fit hearing aids did that a few years ago. Phonak has just released a new product with some features that promise to push that envelope again. They call it the Ambra.
The Ambra is a true First Class communication device. We refuse to call it a hearing aid for the simple reason that, if it works as promised, the Ambra will enable a person with a hearing loss to actually hear in certain situations as well as (and just maybe even better) than a normal hearing person.
You read right. Better.
Here's how they do it.
This is an illustration of standard, monaural directional microphones. Monaural directional microphones have a broad forward focus (gray beam) enabling improved audibility for all sounds within the beam. However, they have always had a problem with one-one-one communication in a noisy environment.
StereoZoom enables the wearer to narrow the beam further and focus on a single speaker, while suppressing other interfering sounds. Communication, even in situations which were considered impossible, is now possible.
The introduction of ZoomControl revolutionized directional hearing and set a benchmark for binaural
processing. It automatically tracks and focuses on speech, regardless of the direction, without the need to face the speaker. Once activated, auto ZoomControl automatically selects the direction of the dominant speech source. For example, when driving in a car, the hearing device will focus on whomever is talking-- regardless if they are in the front seat or in the back.
When focusing to one side, the speech signal is picked up and amplified by the instrument on that side; simultaneously the entire signal is streamed to the other ear. As a result, the desired signal is heard in both ears, dramatically improving the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). This unique feature provides natural binaural listening with all of its advantages.
It is this feature that will allow those wearing the devices (even if they have a hearing loss) to have a significant communication advantage in noisy places over those without the device (even those with perfectly normal hearing.) You may soon find people with normal hearing wearing these devices in restaurants, at trade shows, and in other noisy environments.
We are just fitting our first of these devices this week, but so far the results are encouraging. We will definitely keep an eye on this technology and let you know if it really is as good as it says that it is!
The Ambra is a true First Class communication device. We refuse to call it a hearing aid for the simple reason that, if it works as promised, the Ambra will enable a person with a hearing loss to actually hear in certain situations as well as (and just maybe even better) than a normal hearing person.
You read right. Better.
Here's how they do it.
This is an illustration of standard, monaural directional microphones. Monaural directional microphones have a broad forward focus (gray beam) enabling improved audibility for all sounds within the beam. However, they have always had a problem with one-one-one communication in a noisy environment.
The introduction of ZoomControl revolutionized directional hearing and set a benchmark for binaural
processing. It automatically tracks and focuses on speech, regardless of the direction, without the need to face the speaker. Once activated, auto ZoomControl automatically selects the direction of the dominant speech source. For example, when driving in a car, the hearing device will focus on whomever is talking-- regardless if they are in the front seat or in the back.
When focusing to one side, the speech signal is picked up and amplified by the instrument on that side; simultaneously the entire signal is streamed to the other ear. As a result, the desired signal is heard in both ears, dramatically improving the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). This unique feature provides natural binaural listening with all of its advantages.
It is this feature that will allow those wearing the devices (even if they have a hearing loss) to have a significant communication advantage in noisy places over those without the device (even those with perfectly normal hearing.) You may soon find people with normal hearing wearing these devices in restaurants, at trade shows, and in other noisy environments.
We are just fitting our first of these devices this week, but so far the results are encouraging. We will definitely keep an eye on this technology and let you know if it really is as good as it says that it is!
Friday, November 12, 2010
People With Untreated Hearing Loss Lose As Much As $30,000 Annually
Hearing loss can mean a lower income and higher prevalence of unemployment in people who do not use hearing aids. Unemployment is, however, not higher among hearing aid users than among those with normal hearing. Hearing aid users’ income is also almost as high as among people without hearing loss. This is shown in a study from the USA. The study also estimates that the loss of income for people with untreated hearing loss in the US is $176 billion.
In the US the MarkeTrak VIII study of more than 40,000 households has demonstrated that hearing loss has a deleterious impact on earnings and unemployment rates.
The study shows that there is a $14,100 income differential between subjects with mild and severe hearing loss. People with untreated hearing loss lose as much as $30,000 annually, depending on their degree of hearing loss.
Hearing aids were shown to mitigate the impact of income loss by 90%–100% for those with milder hearing losses and from 65%–77% for those with severe to moderate hearing loss.
The loss in income for people with untreated hearing loss due to underemployment is estimated at $176 billion, and the cost to society is estimated to be as high as $26 billion in unrealized federal taxes.
There was a strong relationship between degree of hearing loss and unemployment for unaided subjects. Those with severe hearing loss had unemployment rates of 15.6%, double that of the normal-hearing population (7.8%) and nearly double that of their aided peers (8.3%). Thus, one would expect that the cost to society of unemployment benefit payments is double that for normal-hearing households, depending on degree of hearing loss.
Unemployment rates for aided subjects were not significantly related to degree of hearing loss.
Source: The Hearing Journal, October 2010, Volume 63, Issue 10
In the US the MarkeTrak VIII study of more than 40,000 households has demonstrated that hearing loss has a deleterious impact on earnings and unemployment rates.
The study shows that there is a $14,100 income differential between subjects with mild and severe hearing loss. People with untreated hearing loss lose as much as $30,000 annually, depending on their degree of hearing loss.
Hearing aids were shown to mitigate the impact of income loss by 90%–100% for those with milder hearing losses and from 65%–77% for those with severe to moderate hearing loss.
The loss in income for people with untreated hearing loss due to underemployment is estimated at $176 billion, and the cost to society is estimated to be as high as $26 billion in unrealized federal taxes.
There was a strong relationship between degree of hearing loss and unemployment for unaided subjects. Those with severe hearing loss had unemployment rates of 15.6%, double that of the normal-hearing population (7.8%) and nearly double that of their aided peers (8.3%). Thus, one would expect that the cost to society of unemployment benefit payments is double that for normal-hearing households, depending on degree of hearing loss.
Unemployment rates for aided subjects were not significantly related to degree of hearing loss.
Source: The Hearing Journal, October 2010, Volume 63, Issue 10
Thursday, October 28, 2010
New Studies Show that Alcohol Consumption Leads to Hearing Loss
We've heard for a long time that certain drugs can cause a decrease in hearing, including pain killers and some forms of chemotherapy. A recent German study has now linked alcohol consumption over time to hearing loss. Studies have long shown that alcohol consumption shrinks the brain and does damage to the central auditory cortex. Researchers from the University of Ulm in Germany recently tested both heavy and social drinkers BAEP levels (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials) by testing the level of damage in the part of the brain that enables you to hear. The results indicate that drinking affects the ability to hear.
The alcohol researchers believe that drinking can result in brain damage, while the quantity of alcohol and the length of time needed to accomplish this remain unknown. So even though the ears may still be functioning perfectly, the brain is longer able to process the sounds.
People who suffer from alcoholism may also have damage within their ears. The high levels of alcohol in the bloodstream can create a toxic environment which can damage the delicate hair cells in the cochlea. This condition is known as ototoxicity.
According to a British study, alcohol and noise can cause temporary hearing loss in combination or separately. All of the participants in a study were found to have temporary hearing loss. The researchers also believe that a regular ingestion of alcohol may lead to permanent hearing loss in the long term.
The researchers showed that the more alcohol ingested the worse the hearing was, at least temporarily. In particular, the hearing of low frequency sounds like the ones in speech were most affected.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Did You Know That Hearing Aids Are Tax Exempt?
Did you know that, unlike many medical devices that are sold retail, hearing aids are exempt from the medical device tax? This saves the typical patient from $100 to $350 when they purchase hearing technology.
Here is an excerpt from that 2400 page law which was passed in March:
Subchapter E - Medical Devices
SEC. 4191. MEDICAL DEVICES.
IN GENERAL. - There is hereby imposed on the sale of any taxable medical device by the manufacturer, producer, or importer a tax equal to 2.9 percent of the price for which so sold.
TAXABLE MEDICAL DEVICE. - For purposes of this section - IN GENERAL. - The term 'taxable medical device' means any device (as defined in section 201(h) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act) intended for humans.
(2) EXEMPTIONS. - Such term shall not include - (A) devices classified in class I under section 513 of such Act, eyeglasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, and any other medical device determined by the Secretary to be of a type which is generally purchased by the general public at retail for "individual use." and by inserting after the item relating to subchapter D in the table of subchapters for such chapter the following new item...
Here is an excerpt from that 2400 page law which was passed in March:
Subchapter E - Medical Devices
SEC. 4191. MEDICAL DEVICES.
IN GENERAL. - There is hereby imposed on the sale of any taxable medical device by the manufacturer, producer, or importer a tax equal to 2.9 percent of the price for which so sold.
TAXABLE MEDICAL DEVICE. - For purposes of this section - IN GENERAL. - The term 'taxable medical device' means any device (as defined in section 201(h) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act) intended for humans.
(2) EXEMPTIONS. - Such term shall not include - (A) devices classified in class I under section 513 of such Act, eyeglasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, and any other medical device determined by the Secretary to be of a type which is generally purchased by the general public at retail for "individual use." and by inserting after the item relating to subchapter D in the table of subchapters for such chapter the following new item...
Monday, October 18, 2010
From Ear Trumpets To Space Age Technology
Fun Stuff From www.healthyhearing.com
The very first hearing aids were referred to as ear trumpets and were the pioneers, so to speak, of the entire field of hearing aids. The problem with ear trumpets was of course that they were too bulky to be portable and the invention of transistors signaled the end of the too-heavy and inefficient hearing aids. The digital age, specifically one of the latest innovations which is referred to as ADRO (adaptive dynamic range optimization) technology, came in the nick of time and has benefited literally millions of individuals with hearing loss issues almost instantaneously. Hearing aid technology has certainly come a long way since this time. With new designs that fit behind the ear or even in the ear with every color imaginable to fit personality, skin tone, hair color and design specifics these hearing aids are now part of the fashion instead of a detractor to the
overall wearer's look.
Bluetooth Excitement
One exciting new development in the world of hearing aids is that they can now be seen as personal Bluetooth headset devices thanks in part to the wireless capabilities and high technology breakthroughs that the digital age has presented to everyone. When tied in directly to hearing aids individuals can now watch TV or listen to music with the wireless signals being piped right into the hearing aid device! Talk about your high-tech hearing aid situation! There are even hearing aids that now adapt over time to your personal preferences so that there is no resetting of preferences or any type of manipulation of the device as the hearing aids are quite intuitive to say the very least.
Lost in Translation?
While this is all fine and good and high technology does have its benefits the importance of hearing aids cannot be lost in translation. Hearing aids exist to aid the individual person with regaining some or perhaps all of their previously lost hearing capacity. The ability to hear again is the number one reason and benefit to those that adorn these apparatuses of hearing aid benefit.
iPod Jamming
It is great that individuals can now hear their favorite music streamed in and piped in from their iPod or even watch 60 Minutes and have the audio streamed right into their ears! In the hearing aid industry the bottom line is that the wearers have improved hearing and the hearing aid device can be either stylish and seen and adored or unseen and hidden, the choice is now theirs!
Leap into Digital Age
If you were to ask 10 individual hearing aid wearers what their number one priority and goal would be most if not all will tell you the same thing, improved hearing. The beauty of high technology and our leap into the digital age has made everything smaller and better and this is why hearing aids are cool in today's high-tech age.
Better and Smaller
Just how far will the hearing aid industry go is anyone's guess but we can inform you that hearing aid manufacturers, researchers and scientists in labs and college universities across the nation and world for that matter are diligently working on better and smaller hearing aid devices. One of the obvious goals is to have the hearing aid physically become part of the human anatomy much like inter-ocular optical surgery now can do. By implanting the hearing aid into the ear canal of the individual wearer the industry could then say that they have done what started out with an ear trumpet, complete the cycle of restored hearing, invisibly.
Space-Age Technology
Although this sounds like space-age technology this is what was probably said when the people heard that one day we would be able to lose the ear trumpet for a smaller more advanced hearing aid and that the earth is flat not round! If you have a hearing issue or feel that you are not hearing as well as you used to then please have a hearing professional check your hearing and maybe you will be the one with the cool, sky-blue hearing aid listening and listening clearly to the Grateful Dead?
The evolution of hearing aids has gone from rudimentary and downright-unsightly earpieces to almost-unseen and ultra-sensitive hearing devices. While it may seem that this evolution from the bulky and larger hearing aids to streamlined and virtually invisible hearing aids was a normal course of events for individuals with hearing loss, it really shows that the marriage of high-technology and modern-medicine is a wondrous event to behold.
Big and Ugly no More - Hearing Aids Now Sleek and Stylish
Big and Ugly no More - Hearing Aids Now Sleek and Stylish
The myths are still out there concerning hearing aids and we will look at some of the most dynamic and untruthful right here and right now. For starters hearing aids are no longer big and ugly units that seem to extend the individual wearers ears out 6 to 12 inches. Currently there are hearing aids that fit inside the individual wearer's ear and cannot be seen at all by the suspecting or unsuspecting individual. Another myth is that the hearing aids are virtually ineffective along with the myth that they really are quite unsightly to gaze upon and wear as well. With improved technology, especially digital technology, hearing aids have been taken to a whole new level and this is in large part to a laser-focused mindset from the designers who are now making hearing aids as cool as dark sunglasses.
From big trumpets to.... cool hearing aids
How Did Hearing Aids Become Cool?
How Did Hearing Aids Become Cool?
The very first hearing aids were referred to as ear trumpets and were the pioneers, so to speak, of the entire field of hearing aids. The problem with ear trumpets was of course that they were too bulky to be portable and the invention of transistors signaled the end of the too-heavy and inefficient hearing aids. The digital age, specifically one of the latest innovations which is referred to as ADRO (adaptive dynamic range optimization) technology, came in the nick of time and has benefited literally millions of individuals with hearing loss issues almost instantaneously. Hearing aid technology has certainly come a long way since this time. With new designs that fit behind the ear or even in the ear with every color imaginable to fit personality, skin tone, hair color and design specifics these hearing aids are now part of the fashion instead of a detractor to the
overall wearer's look.Bluetooth Excitement
One exciting new development in the world of hearing aids is that they can now be seen as personal Bluetooth headset devices thanks in part to the wireless capabilities and high technology breakthroughs that the digital age has presented to everyone. When tied in directly to hearing aids individuals can now watch TV or listen to music with the wireless signals being piped right into the hearing aid device! Talk about your high-tech hearing aid situation! There are even hearing aids that now adapt over time to your personal preferences so that there is no resetting of preferences or any type of manipulation of the device as the hearing aids are quite intuitive to say the very least.
Lost in Translation?
While this is all fine and good and high technology does have its benefits the importance of hearing aids cannot be lost in translation. Hearing aids exist to aid the individual person with regaining some or perhaps all of their previously lost hearing capacity. The ability to hear again is the number one reason and benefit to those that adorn these apparatuses of hearing aid benefit.
iPod Jamming
It is great that individuals can now hear their favorite music streamed in and piped in from their iPod or even watch 60 Minutes and have the audio streamed right into their ears! In the hearing aid industry the bottom line is that the wearers have improved hearing and the hearing aid device can be either stylish and seen and adored or unseen and hidden, the choice is now theirs!
Leap into Digital Age
If you were to ask 10 individual hearing aid wearers what their number one priority and goal would be most if not all will tell you the same thing, improved hearing. The beauty of high technology and our leap into the digital age has made everything smaller and better and this is why hearing aids are cool in today's high-tech age.
Better and Smaller
Just how far will the hearing aid industry go is anyone's guess but we can inform you that hearing aid manufacturers, researchers and scientists in labs and college universities across the nation and world for that matter are diligently working on better and smaller hearing aid devices. One of the obvious goals is to have the hearing aid physically become part of the human anatomy much like inter-ocular optical surgery now can do. By implanting the hearing aid into the ear canal of the individual wearer the industry could then say that they have done what started out with an ear trumpet, complete the cycle of restored hearing, invisibly.
Space-Age Technology
Although this sounds like space-age technology this is what was probably said when the people heard that one day we would be able to lose the ear trumpet for a smaller more advanced hearing aid and that the earth is flat not round! If you have a hearing issue or feel that you are not hearing as well as you used to then please have a hearing professional check your hearing and maybe you will be the one with the cool, sky-blue hearing aid listening and listening clearly to the Grateful Dead?
Monday, October 11, 2010
10 FUN FACTS ABOUT HEARING
- Fish do not have ears, but they can hear pressure changes through ridges on their body.
- The ear’s malleus, incus and stapes (otherwise known as the hammer, anvil and stirrup) are the smallest bones in the human body. All three together could fit together on a penny.
- The ear continues to hear sounds, even while you sleep.
- Sound travels at the speed of 1,130 feet per second, or 770 miles per hour.
- Dogs can hear much higher frequencies than humans.
- Ears not only help you hear, but also aid in balance.
- Snakes hear through the jaw bone and through a traditional inner ear. In essence, snakes have two distinct hearing mechanisms, which helps them hear and catch prey.
- Sitting in front of the speakers at a rock concert can expose you to 120 decibels, which will begin to damage hearing in only 7 1/2 minutes.
- Thirty-seven percent of children with only minimal hearing loss fail at least one grade.
- Male mosquitoes hear with thousands of tiny hairs growing on their antennae.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Why Choose An Audiologist?
Your hearing care is a big deal. When surveyed, a majority of people would prefer to lose their sight than their hearing. However, the reality is that as we get older (and as life gets noiser), most of us will suffer some form of hearing loss.
95% of hearing losses are able to be corrected or aided with proper amplification. However, the success of the patient depends largely on the expertise of their health care provider in making the correct diagnosis, prescribing the most effective treatment plan, and setting reasonable expectations.
There are two groups of people who can prescribe hearing aids: audiologists and hearing instrument specialists. While both are licensed by the state, they are very different.
95% of hearing losses are able to be corrected or aided with proper amplification. However, the success of the patient depends largely on the expertise of their health care provider in making the correct diagnosis, prescribing the most effective treatment plan, and setting reasonable expectations.
There are two groups of people who can prescribe hearing aids: audiologists and hearing instrument specialists. While both are licensed by the state, they are very different.
Here is a side-by-side comparison of audiologists and hearing instrument specialists.
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Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Cookies and Cleanings In October
As part of our anniversary celebration, please join us for
October Cookies & Cleanings
When: Every Wednesday on October
Time: 1:00 to 5:00 pm
Address: 321 E 300 N American Fork, UT
Who: Anyone who wears hearing technology and would like to have
them cleaned for FREE!
Just our way of saying thank you to our wonderful patients and friends. Call us at 801-770-0801 if you have any questions.
Monday, October 4, 2010
What Does AudigyCertified™ Mean?
Timpanogos Audiology is one of only three AudigyCertified™ hearing and balance centers in the state of Utah.
But what does that really mean?
AudigyCertified™ professionals possess the highest credentials and are among the country's most experienced hearing care professionals. Our expertise is measured by our commitment to patient satisfaction, continuing education, and the application of current AGX hearing aids. AGX technology is the highest level of technology from the best manufacturers in the world. You can only get AGX technology at an AudigyCertified™ practice, such as Timpangos Audiology.
But what does that really mean?
AudigyCertified™ professionals possess the highest credentials and are among the country's most experienced hearing care professionals. Our expertise is measured by our commitment to patient satisfaction, continuing education, and the application of current AGX hearing aids. AGX technology is the highest level of technology from the best manufacturers in the world. You can only get AGX technology at an AudigyCertified™ practice, such as Timpangos Audiology.
We understand that "value" is not measured by price alone. Rather how well we meet your expectations for service - how well we translate our knowledge into customized hearing solutions and the quality of the experience we offer to you.
AudigyCertified™ professionals have demonstrated an ability to map individual hearing requirements to complex product and hearing aid choices in a simple, user-friendly, and efficient manner.
Simply put, because we have been designated as a superior hearing health care provider, we have access to superior technology, superior training, and superior resources for our patients. You can be assured that you will receive the very highest level of care available when you come into our office!
If you or someone you know may have a hearing loss, call us today to schedule your complimentary consultation with one of our AudigyCertified™ professionals. You will be happy that you did!
801-770-0801
Friday, October 1, 2010
It’s Our Anniversary!
We love fall. Cooler temperatures, changing leaves, football, AND October is our anniversary! This year, we are celebrating 7 years of serving the people of Utah County. Much has changed in the last 7 years—both in the hearing industry, and in our office. Here are a few of the significant events and developments of the past 7 years:
- Speaker-in-the-ear technology has revolutionized the way that hearing instruments are fit and worn. This development has made a huge impact in comfort and satisfaction.
- SMART technology which allows hearing aids to recognize and adjust to their environments.
- Technology which allows hearing aids to differentiate between speech and noise.
- Deep fitting, truly invisible hearing technology.
- Electronics friendly, Blue-tooth enabled technology that works with your cell phone, television, computer, etc.
- Timpanogos Audiology became AudigyCertified™, granting us status as one of the premier 170 practices in the country.
- Our office became an affiliate of the American Institute of Balance©, the only one in the entire state of Utah.
- Our office has grown from one audiologist and 2 part time staff to 2 audiologists and 3 front office staff members.
We can’t wait to see what happens in the next 7 years! Thank you for your support as we strive to help Utah County to hear better!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Hear Better Invisibly!
Introducing the World’s First Invisible-In-The-Canal Aid
100% Invisible
100% Amazing
Many patients have asked us why we don’t fit the Lyric© hearing system that has been so heavily advertised in this area. The answer is simple: first, we feel like that product is not a good value for our patients. Secondly, we knew that something better was coming down the line.Introducing AGX9—the world’s first 100% digital, 100% invisible hearing technology. Whereas other deep insertion products (like Lyric) used out-dated analog technology, AGX9 offers all of the functionality of the best hearing aids in the world, in the tiniest package that we’ve ever seen.
The red hearing aid in the above picture shows where a normal in the canal aid would fit in the ear-- slightly visible to someone looking straight into your ear. The black aid is the new AGX9 technology-- completely hidden in the ear.We could tell you all about the engineering and programming that make it possible, but what you really need to know is simple:
You will hear better and no one will be able to see how.
AGX9 features include:
- Invisible-in-the-Canal The only 100% custom, invisible, digital and fully programmable hearing aid
- PureWave Feedback Eliminator Virtually eliminates buzzing and whistling
- Voice iQ Designed to maintain speech understanding in noise and reduce listening effort*
- T2 Remote Lets you adjust memory or volume settings using any touch-tone phone
If you are interested in more information about this revolutionary hearing product, please give us a call to schedule an appointment with one of our AudigyCertified™ audiologists.
“I’ve never heard sound quality like this from a hearing aid.”
Larry, AGX9 wearer
“It’s like I got my ears back. I don’t even notice I’m wearing them—I just hear again.”
Dave, AGX9 wearer
AGX9 technology is only available in Utah County at Timpanogos Audiology. Call us at 801-770-0801 to schedule a free consulation to see if AGX9 is right for you.
Monday, September 27, 2010
The Effect of Not Wearing Hearing Aids
The Effect of Not Wearing Your Hearing Aids - A Case Study of Paul
by Rick Kirkham
Paul came into Ohana Hearing Care as a 50 year old male who had been wearing hearing aids for nine years. Paul had a moderate-severe hearing loss in both ears. The hearing loss was equal in both ears. Paul walked into the office wearing just the right hearing aid. He told me his left hearing aid had stopped working four years ago and he never replaced it.
Testing was done to find out how correctable Paul's hearing loss was. The results were as follows:
Paul's right ear, the ear which wore the hearing aid on a regular basis, showed a correctable hearing loss of 80% of what the average person would understand when Paul wore a hearing aid in the right ear.
Paul's left ear, the ear which went without a hearing aid for four years and had the same hearing loss as the right ear, showed a correctable hearing loss of only 40% of what the average person would understand when Paul wore a hearing aid in the left ear.
The ONLY difference between Paul's left ear and his right ear was he supported his hearing and level of correctable understanding with a hearing aid in the right ear and did not wear a hearing aid in the left ear.
The moral is use it or lose it.
Accept your level of hearing loss.
Accept that you may have limitations due to your hearing loss even with hearing correction.
Accept the help that you have available due to your hearing loss
Wear your hearing aids regularly each day to keep from losing more of your ability to understand speech.
Find out more at:
http://GlobalHearingServices.com
by Rick Kirkham
Paul came into Ohana Hearing Care as a 50 year old male who had been wearing hearing aids for nine years. Paul had a moderate-severe hearing loss in both ears. The hearing loss was equal in both ears. Paul walked into the office wearing just the right hearing aid. He told me his left hearing aid had stopped working four years ago and he never replaced it.
Testing was done to find out how correctable Paul's hearing loss was. The results were as follows:
Paul's right ear, the ear which wore the hearing aid on a regular basis, showed a correctable hearing loss of 80% of what the average person would understand when Paul wore a hearing aid in the right ear.
Paul's left ear, the ear which went without a hearing aid for four years and had the same hearing loss as the right ear, showed a correctable hearing loss of only 40% of what the average person would understand when Paul wore a hearing aid in the left ear.
The ONLY difference between Paul's left ear and his right ear was he supported his hearing and level of correctable understanding with a hearing aid in the right ear and did not wear a hearing aid in the left ear.
The moral is use it or lose it.
Accept your level of hearing loss.
Accept that you may have limitations due to your hearing loss even with hearing correction.
Accept the help that you have available due to your hearing loss
Wear your hearing aids regularly each day to keep from losing more of your ability to understand speech.
Find out more at:
http://GlobalHearingServices.com
Friday, September 24, 2010
Painkillers may cause hearing loss
Over-the-counter painkillers such as aspirin and paracetamol can lead to hearing loss if they are taken often. It is especially young men who risk hearing loss.
A study performed by researchers at among others Harvard University indicates that easily available painkillers can have a negative effect in the form of hearing loss. It is especially young men who need to be aware of this. The study also shows, that the younger the men, the greater the risk of hearing loss.
The younger, the greater the risk
The study suspects that by taking painkillers at least twice a week, you could double the risk of mild to severe hearing loss by the age of 50. Regular aspirin users under the age of 59 years of age had a 33% higher risk of suffering from hearing loss compared to the non-regular aspirin users. They noticed that men over the age of 60 did not have any association with hearing loss and regular aspirin intake.
Paracetamol/acetaminophen are especially under the spotlight. The study shows, that those under the age of 50 who use paracetamol/acetaminophen on a regular basis are 99% more likely to have hearing loss. In other words, the risk of hearing loss is doubled. Those between 50-59 years of age were 38% more likely to have hearing impairments, while those over 60 had a 16% higher risk of developing hearing loss compared to non-users.
The Study
The researchers studied data collected from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study of 26,000 men over an 18 year time frame together with a questionnaire about pain medications. Regular use of the drugs was defined as two or more times per week. In the analysis, the results were adjusted for other factors that may affect hearing. These included age, race, body mass index, alcohol intake, folate intake, physical activity, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease or elevated cholesterol.
Source: www.heraldsun.com.au
A study performed by researchers at among others Harvard University indicates that easily available painkillers can have a negative effect in the form of hearing loss. It is especially young men who need to be aware of this. The study also shows, that the younger the men, the greater the risk of hearing loss.
The younger, the greater the risk
The study suspects that by taking painkillers at least twice a week, you could double the risk of mild to severe hearing loss by the age of 50. Regular aspirin users under the age of 59 years of age had a 33% higher risk of suffering from hearing loss compared to the non-regular aspirin users. They noticed that men over the age of 60 did not have any association with hearing loss and regular aspirin intake.
Paracetamol/acetaminophen are especially under the spotlight. The study shows, that those under the age of 50 who use paracetamol/acetaminophen on a regular basis are 99% more likely to have hearing loss. In other words, the risk of hearing loss is doubled. Those between 50-59 years of age were 38% more likely to have hearing impairments, while those over 60 had a 16% higher risk of developing hearing loss compared to non-users.
The Study
The researchers studied data collected from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study of 26,000 men over an 18 year time frame together with a questionnaire about pain medications. Regular use of the drugs was defined as two or more times per week. In the analysis, the results were adjusted for other factors that may affect hearing. These included age, race, body mass index, alcohol intake, folate intake, physical activity, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease or elevated cholesterol.
Source: www.heraldsun.com.au
Friday, September 3, 2010
Not Your Grandma's Hearing Aids!
The following article is copied in part from www.hear-it.org.
Hearing aid technology is constantly evolving and becoming increasingly advanced. Modern hearing aids are small high-tech computers, constantly being refined and developed to provide better reproduction of natural human hearing.
The progress allows for increasing numbers of sophisticated features to be built into the hearing aids and providing improved sound reproduction. The ability to adapt the devices to individual demands with respect to your daily environment and type of hearing loss is constantly improving.
More programming
The most advanced modern digital hearing aids are constantly analysing the sounds of your environment and changing between built-in programs, automatically selecting the appropriate programming mode for the specific situation.
The entire sound reproduction is constantly adapted by the hearing aid to provide you with the best possible hearing.
Intrusive background noise cut out
Many hearing aids have two microphones, making it possible to focus on specific sound sources while reducing irritating background noise.
At a reception the voice of the person you are looking at can be accentuated while the voices of others around you are softened.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids used to make it difficult for the user to determine the direction of the sounds. This is no longer the case. Complicated calculations in the hearing aids now make it possible for the brain to determine where the sound is coming from. This type of hearing aid has also become sleeker and less obtrusive than earlier models.
Advancements
The technical advancements open up new possibilities, such as:
- Irritating echoes and hollow sounds can be reduced.
- Dedicated telephone software is activated when you put the receiver to your ear.
- Automated adaptation to loop or FM systems makes the hearing aid receive signals from the appropriate transmitters.
- Remote control, allowing you to change selections made by the hearing aid.
- Adaptation of extremely small ear molds in order to eliminate annoying feedback (occlusion).
- Bluetooth technology is being incorporated into hearing aids. It allows for wireless connection of your mobile phone to your hearing aid.
More effective adjustments
Hearing aids must be continuously adjusted to get the best possible results.
A built-in digital hearing aid log makes it easier for the audiologist to fine-tune the hearing aids to suit your daily environment. The adjustments can be based on your comments as well as technical data recorded in the hearing aids.
Personal style
While the technology is advancing, styling and design is deemed to be of great importance, as well. The hearing aids must look attractive and be as small and unobtrusive or stylish as possible. Color choices and different shapes are now available to suit your personal style. Some hearing aids are designed to be worn in combination with jewelry for your ears.
Bottom line: These are not your grandmother's hearing aids! Modern technology has made it more effective, more convenient, and more attractive to hear better!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Quick Fixes When Your Hearing Aid Isn't Working
Just like every other electronic device, every once in a while, hearing aids can stop working. Here are a couple of things to check before you bring your aid in for service:
* Try putting in a new battery.
* Check that the battery is in the correct way
* If your hearing aid has a volume control, check that it is not turned down completely.
* Check that you have not switched it to the “T” setting (for loop listening) by accident.
* If your hearing aid has a programme button/switch, it may be on the wrong programme, or be muted.
* Take your hearing aid out and check that the ear mould or ear tip is not blocked with wax
* Check that the tubing is not twisted, squashed or spilt
If none of these quick fixes seems to solve the problem, please bring it into our office so that we can get your technology working for you as quickly as possible!
* Try putting in a new battery.
* Check that the battery is in the correct way
* If your hearing aid has a volume control, check that it is not turned down completely.
* Check that you have not switched it to the “T” setting (for loop listening) by accident.
* If your hearing aid has a programme button/switch, it may be on the wrong programme, or be muted.
* Take your hearing aid out and check that the ear mould or ear tip is not blocked with wax
* Check that the tubing is not twisted, squashed or spilt
If none of these quick fixes seems to solve the problem, please bring it into our office so that we can get your technology working for you as quickly as possible!
Friday, August 6, 2010
Congratulations, Dr. Garrett!
Recently, Dr. Layne Garrett of Timpanogos Audiology was certified as part of the American Institute of Balance Worldwide Network of Vestibular and Equilibrium Specialists. This network is comprised of Audiologists, Physicians and Physical and Occupational Therapists who specialize in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with balance disorders.
According to the National Institutes Health, 90 million Americans will experience dizziness, vertigo or imbalance sometime in their lives. As the U.S. population continutes to age, with 78 million baby boomers on the horizon, increasing falls with aging and the dangers of fractures and loss of mobility and independence is of great concern. Dizziness is the number one complaint of adults over age 70. The good news is that research now clearly shows that with early evaluation and treatment, many cases of dizziness can be treated quickly and easily.
If you or someone that you love suffers from dizziness or balance issues, please call our office at 801-770-0801 for a free screening appointment.
According to the National Institutes Health, 90 million Americans will experience dizziness, vertigo or imbalance sometime in their lives. As the U.S. population continutes to age, with 78 million baby boomers on the horizon, increasing falls with aging and the dangers of fractures and loss of mobility and independence is of great concern. Dizziness is the number one complaint of adults over age 70. The good news is that research now clearly shows that with early evaluation and treatment, many cases of dizziness can be treated quickly and easily.
If you or someone that you love suffers from dizziness or balance issues, please call our office at 801-770-0801 for a free screening appointment.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
General Practicioners Often Miss Hearing Loss
A new Austrailian study has recently found that hearing loss-- especially age-based hearing loss-- is often missed by general practicioners.
One adult in five and over half of those 80 and older experience hearing loss that should be treated. Some reasons suggested by the study for the missed diagnosis or referral include: time constraints, inadequate remuneration or lack of awareness of simple tools to identify hearing loss. Prof Mitchell, the head of the study, said internet-based education programs could be used to educate GPs about the importance of early identification of age-related hearing loss.
As with most chronic problems, patients need to advocate for themselves. This means asking your physician about any hearing problems that you experience at your appointment.
One adult in five and over half of those 80 and older experience hearing loss that should be treated. Some reasons suggested by the study for the missed diagnosis or referral include: time constraints, inadequate remuneration or lack of awareness of simple tools to identify hearing loss. Prof Mitchell, the head of the study, said internet-based education programs could be used to educate GPs about the importance of early identification of age-related hearing loss.
As with most chronic problems, patients need to advocate for themselves. This means asking your physician about any hearing problems that you experience at your appointment.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
The 60 / 60 Rule
Most of us like to listen to music. iPods and MP3 players have made this much easier to listen to just what we want to hear.
The problem is, most of us are listening too loud.
Did you know that earphones turned up to maximum can actually exceed the noise level that you would hear at a rock concert? In fact, recent studies at Boston University have shown that when you use earphones other than those that come with the mp3 player (unfortunately, these are the ones that usually sound the best!), sound levels can reach as high as 139 dB-- about the noise of a jet airplane on take off! It only takes a few minutes of exposure to those levels of sound to start hearing loss.
The recommended rule of thumb is no more than 60 minutes at no louder than 60% of maximum output. Keep that in mind and your more likely to keep your hearing!
The problem is, most of us are listening too loud.
Did you know that earphones turned up to maximum can actually exceed the noise level that you would hear at a rock concert? In fact, recent studies at Boston University have shown that when you use earphones other than those that come with the mp3 player (unfortunately, these are the ones that usually sound the best!), sound levels can reach as high as 139 dB-- about the noise of a jet airplane on take off! It only takes a few minutes of exposure to those levels of sound to start hearing loss.
The recommended rule of thumb is no more than 60 minutes at no louder than 60% of maximum output. Keep that in mind and your more likely to keep your hearing!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Types of Balance Disorders
The following information was obtained from the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders. If you experience any of these symptoms, please call our office to schedule a balance evaluation at 801-770-0801.
There are more than a dozen different balance disorders. Some of the most common are:
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) or positional vertigo is a brief, intense episode of vertigo that occurs because of a specific change in the position of the head. If you have BPPV, you might feel as if you're spinning when you look for an object on a high or low shelf or turn your head to look over your shoulder (such as when you back up your car). You also may experience BPPV when you roll over in bed. BPPV is caused when otoconia tumble from the utricle into one of the semicircular canals and weigh on the cupula. The cupula can't tilt properly and sends conflicting messages to the brain about the position of the head, causing vertigo. BPPV sometimes may result from a head injury or just from getting older.
Labyrinthitis is an infection or inflammation of the inner ear that causes dizziness and loss of balance. It frequently is associated with an upper respiratory infection such as the flu.
Ménière's disease is associated with a change in fluid volume within parts of the labyrinth. Ménière's disease causes episodes of vertigo, irregular hearing loss, tinnitus (a ringing or buzzing in the ear), and a feeling of fullness in the ear. The cause of this disease is unknown. For more information, read the NIDCD fact sheet Ménière's Disease.
Vestibular neuronitis is an inflammation of the vestibular nerve and may be caused by a virus. Its primary symptom is vertigo.
Perilymph fistula is a leakage of inner ear fluid into the middle ear. It can occur after a head injury, drastic changes in atmospheric pressure (such as when scuba diving), physical exertion, ear surgery, or chronic ear infections. Its most notable symptom, besides dizziness and nausea, is unsteadiness when walking or standing that increases with activity and decreases with rest. Some babies may be born with perilymph fistula, usually in association with hearing loss that is present at birth.
Mal de debarquement syndrome (MdDS) is a balance disorder in which you feel as if you're continuously rocking or bobbing. It generally happens after an ocean cruise or other sea travel. Usually, the symptoms will go away in a matter of hours or days after you reach land. However, severe cases can last months or even years.
Next installment: How balance orders are diagnosed.
There are more than a dozen different balance disorders. Some of the most common are:
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) or positional vertigo is a brief, intense episode of vertigo that occurs because of a specific change in the position of the head. If you have BPPV, you might feel as if you're spinning when you look for an object on a high or low shelf or turn your head to look over your shoulder (such as when you back up your car). You also may experience BPPV when you roll over in bed. BPPV is caused when otoconia tumble from the utricle into one of the semicircular canals and weigh on the cupula. The cupula can't tilt properly and sends conflicting messages to the brain about the position of the head, causing vertigo. BPPV sometimes may result from a head injury or just from getting older.
Labyrinthitis is an infection or inflammation of the inner ear that causes dizziness and loss of balance. It frequently is associated with an upper respiratory infection such as the flu.
Ménière's disease is associated with a change in fluid volume within parts of the labyrinth. Ménière's disease causes episodes of vertigo, irregular hearing loss, tinnitus (a ringing or buzzing in the ear), and a feeling of fullness in the ear. The cause of this disease is unknown. For more information, read the NIDCD fact sheet Ménière's Disease.
Vestibular neuronitis is an inflammation of the vestibular nerve and may be caused by a virus. Its primary symptom is vertigo.
Perilymph fistula is a leakage of inner ear fluid into the middle ear. It can occur after a head injury, drastic changes in atmospheric pressure (such as when scuba diving), physical exertion, ear surgery, or chronic ear infections. Its most notable symptom, besides dizziness and nausea, is unsteadiness when walking or standing that increases with activity and decreases with rest. Some babies may be born with perilymph fistula, usually in association with hearing loss that is present at birth.
Mal de debarquement syndrome (MdDS) is a balance disorder in which you feel as if you're continuously rocking or bobbing. It generally happens after an ocean cruise or other sea travel. Usually, the symptoms will go away in a matter of hours or days after you reach land. However, severe cases can last months or even years.
Next installment: How balance orders are diagnosed.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Out of Balance?
We have recently purchased new state-of-the-art balance equipment. For the next few posts, we will be focusing on the balance system, including symptoms, causes, diagnoses and treatment.
What are the symptoms of a balance disorder?
If your balance is impaired, you may feel as if the room is spinning. You may stagger when you try to walk or teeter or fall when you try to stand up. Some of the symptoms you might experience are:
If your balance is impaired, you may feel as if the room is spinning. You may stagger when you try to walk or teeter or fall when you try to stand up. Some of the symptoms you might experience are:
- Dizziness or vertigo (a spinning sensation)
- Falling or feeling as if you are going to fall
- Lightheadedness, faintness, or a floating sensation
- Blurred vision
- Confusion or disorientation
- Other symptoms are nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, changes in heart rate and blood pressure, and fear, anxiety, or panic.
Some people also feel tired, depressed, or unable to concentrate. Symptoms may come and go over short time periods or last for longer periods of time.
What causes a balance disorder?
A balance disorder may be caused by viral or bacterial infections in the ear, a head injury, or blood circulation disorders that affect the inner ear or brain. Many people experience problems with their sense of balance as they get older. Balance problems and dizziness also can result from taking certain medications.
In addition, problems in the visual and skeletal systems and the nervous and circulatory systems can be the source of some posture and balance problems. A circulatory system disorder, such as low blood pressure, can lead to a feeling of dizziness when we suddenly stand up. Problems in the skeletal or visual systems, such as arthritis or eye muscle imbalance, also may cause balance problems. However, many balance disorders can begin all of a sudden and with no obvious cause.
Next post: Types of balance disorders and how they are diagnosed.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Choose the Right (Ear, That Is)
Having a hard time hearing in noisy situations? Try positioning your head so that the speaker you are trying to hear is aimed at your right ear.
Recent Italian and British studies have proved that people understand 58% better when spoken to in the right ear.
Professor Sophie Scott, of the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London, agreed.
"Most people process speech and language on the left-hand side of the brain and while it is not cut-and-dry a lot of what goes in our right ear will be dealt with by the left-side of the brain.
"The other side of the brain is more involved in things such as interpreting emotion and that is why we have these kind of findings.
"We can also see this tendency when people use the phone, most will naturally hold it to their right ear."
Recent Italian and British studies have proved that people understand 58% better when spoken to in the right ear.
Professor Sophie Scott, of the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London, agreed.
"Most people process speech and language on the left-hand side of the brain and while it is not cut-and-dry a lot of what goes in our right ear will be dealt with by the left-side of the brain.
"The other side of the brain is more involved in things such as interpreting emotion and that is why we have these kind of findings.
"We can also see this tendency when people use the phone, most will naturally hold it to their right ear."
Monday, May 17, 2010
The Real Cost of Hearing Loss
We've all been told that hearing loss affects our relationships and our mental health. Studies show that it also affects our wallets.
An American study "The societal costs of severe to profound hearing loss in the US", found that the societal cost of hearing impairment totals an average of US$300,000 over the lifetime of a hearing-impaired person.
The researchers estimated that 67 per cent, or $200,000 per individual, of these costs are due to lost work productivity.
The Better Hearing Institute in the U.S. made a similar estimate of the societal costs. BHI estimated the annual cost of untreated hearing loss to be US$56 billion in the United States and 92 billion euro in the EU, mainly due to lost productivity. According to the study, the estimated societal costs of not treating hearing loss in Europe in the years 2001 to 2005 amounted to a staggering 400 billion euro.
Compared to those costs, it is relatively inexpensive to treat hearing loss. The best technology available today costs around 3% of what you can expect to lose if you leave hearing loss untreated. Furthermore, the earlier you treat the hearing loss, the less likely that you are to suffer any financial loss from the condition.
Kind of puts the costs in perspective, huh?
An American study "The societal costs of severe to profound hearing loss in the US", found that the societal cost of hearing impairment totals an average of US$300,000 over the lifetime of a hearing-impaired person.
The researchers estimated that 67 per cent, or $200,000 per individual, of these costs are due to lost work productivity.
The Better Hearing Institute in the U.S. made a similar estimate of the societal costs. BHI estimated the annual cost of untreated hearing loss to be US$56 billion in the United States and 92 billion euro in the EU, mainly due to lost productivity. According to the study, the estimated societal costs of not treating hearing loss in Europe in the years 2001 to 2005 amounted to a staggering 400 billion euro.
Compared to those costs, it is relatively inexpensive to treat hearing loss. The best technology available today costs around 3% of what you can expect to lose if you leave hearing loss untreated. Furthermore, the earlier you treat the hearing loss, the less likely that you are to suffer any financial loss from the condition.
Kind of puts the costs in perspective, huh?
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Coping with Tinnitus
There are many ways to cope with tinnitus. The following are some suggestions:
- Rest and relaxation. Tinnitus tends to be exacerbated when you are tired and
under stress. Getting at least 8 hours of sleep each night along with relaxation
techniques (such as yoga and deep breathing exercises) can help to lessen the
effects of tinnitus. - Limit caffeine, alcohol and sodium. These things have been shown to have
adverse effects on blood pressure, which in turn makes tinnitus worse. - Protect your hearing. Hearing-loss induced tinnitus gets worse as hearing loss
increases. Protect your hearing by avoiding loud noises and wearing ear plugs in
noisy environments. - Avoid Aspartame and MSG, as a new study has recently linked these chemicals, often found in prepared foods and "diet" foods and drinks to increased tinnitus symptoms.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Tinnitus Treatment
Just as there are many causes of tinnitus, there are also many treatment options. Here are a few that are currently available:
Neuromonics: The treatment utilizes a customized neural stimulus combined with specific music, delivered according to a coordinated program. The treatment is designed to interact, interrupt, and desensitize tinnitus disturbance for long term benefit. Neuromonics has been shown to reduce symptoms quickly and provide significant, long-term relief. This treatment has been shown to be effective for 90% of suitable tinnitus cases.
Hearing Aids: Many people notice tinnitus only when they are in a quiet environment. This happens because the ambient noise prevalent in day to day life covers up tinnitus. When something happens to cause hearing loss, there is less ambient noise to cover the tinnitus, thus making it appear louder. For many people, treating the cause of the hearing loss can completely or partially cover up the tinnitus. Hearing aids are often a good option to treat certain types of hearing loss. A hearing exam performed by an audiologist can determine what type of hearing loss is occurring and he or she can recommend appropriate treatment.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) teaches the brain to recognize that tinnitus is not a threat and can be ignored. TRT in conjunction with maskers if often an effective treatment.
Sound Therapy: Oftentimes, external sound can “mask” the tinnitus and help the brain to not pay so much attention to it. This can be something as simple as turning on a fan, a radio or a simple sound generator. Sometimes, an audiologist will prescribe a masking device which creates a constant sound in the ear. A simple analogy behind this treatment is that of getting a new refrigerator. You notice the sound the refrigerator makes for a few days until your brain learns to ignore the sound. A masker works in much the same way. As the brain learns to ignore the sound being generated by the masker, it also begins to ignore the tinnitus.
Alternative Treatments: There are many “natural” remedies for tinnitus. However, at the present time, the American Tinnitus Association has the following to say about these treatments:
“Some people have taken minerals such as magnesium or zinc, herbal preparations such as Ginkgo biloba, homeopathic remedies, or B vitamins for their tinnitus and found them to be helpful. Others have experienced tinnitus relief with acupuncture, cranio-sacral therapy, magnets, hyperbaric oxygen, or hypnosis. A few of these therapies have been researched in an attempt to verify the anecdotal claims. But the results have not conclusively identified these treatments as helpful for tinnitus. Your doctor might give you clearance to try them for tinnitus anyway given that they generally carry little risk to health and some people find them helpful.” (American Tinnitus Association, http://www.ata.org/professionals/tinnitus-treatments November, 2009)
Drug Therapy:Many drugs have been researched and used to relieve tinnitus, but there is not a drug that has been designed specifically to treat tinnitus. Some drugs that have been studied include anti-anxiety drugs like Xanax, antidepressants like nortriptyline, antihistamines, anticonvulsants like gabapentin, and even anesthetics like lidocaine. All successfully quieted tinnitus for some people.
Next post, we'll discuss some coping strategies for living with tinnitus.
Neuromonics: The treatment utilizes a customized neural stimulus combined with specific music, delivered according to a coordinated program. The treatment is designed to interact, interrupt, and desensitize tinnitus disturbance for long term benefit. Neuromonics has been shown to reduce symptoms quickly and provide significant, long-term relief. This treatment has been shown to be effective for 90% of suitable tinnitus cases.
Hearing Aids: Many people notice tinnitus only when they are in a quiet environment. This happens because the ambient noise prevalent in day to day life covers up tinnitus. When something happens to cause hearing loss, there is less ambient noise to cover the tinnitus, thus making it appear louder. For many people, treating the cause of the hearing loss can completely or partially cover up the tinnitus. Hearing aids are often a good option to treat certain types of hearing loss. A hearing exam performed by an audiologist can determine what type of hearing loss is occurring and he or she can recommend appropriate treatment.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) teaches the brain to recognize that tinnitus is not a threat and can be ignored. TRT in conjunction with maskers if often an effective treatment.
Sound Therapy: Oftentimes, external sound can “mask” the tinnitus and help the brain to not pay so much attention to it. This can be something as simple as turning on a fan, a radio or a simple sound generator. Sometimes, an audiologist will prescribe a masking device which creates a constant sound in the ear. A simple analogy behind this treatment is that of getting a new refrigerator. You notice the sound the refrigerator makes for a few days until your brain learns to ignore the sound. A masker works in much the same way. As the brain learns to ignore the sound being generated by the masker, it also begins to ignore the tinnitus.
Alternative Treatments: There are many “natural” remedies for tinnitus. However, at the present time, the American Tinnitus Association has the following to say about these treatments:
“Some people have taken minerals such as magnesium or zinc, herbal preparations such as Ginkgo biloba, homeopathic remedies, or B vitamins for their tinnitus and found them to be helpful. Others have experienced tinnitus relief with acupuncture, cranio-sacral therapy, magnets, hyperbaric oxygen, or hypnosis. A few of these therapies have been researched in an attempt to verify the anecdotal claims. But the results have not conclusively identified these treatments as helpful for tinnitus. Your doctor might give you clearance to try them for tinnitus anyway given that they generally carry little risk to health and some people find them helpful.” (American Tinnitus Association, http://www.ata.org/professionals/tinnitus-treatments November, 2009)
Drug Therapy:Many drugs have been researched and used to relieve tinnitus, but there is not a drug that has been designed specifically to treat tinnitus. Some drugs that have been studied include anti-anxiety drugs like Xanax, antidepressants like nortriptyline, antihistamines, anticonvulsants like gabapentin, and even anesthetics like lidocaine. All successfully quieted tinnitus for some people.
Next post, we'll discuss some coping strategies for living with tinnitus.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
What Is That Ringing In My Ears?
It's called tinnitus. (Some people say it ti-NIGHT-us and some TIN-i-tus-- both are correct.) The clinical definition is when a patient experiences sound where no external sound exists. In layman's terms, it's when you hear a ringing, buzzing, whooshing, screeching or crackling sound, but no one else can hear it.
At some point, especially after being at a loud concert or sports event, nearly all of us will experience temporary tinnitus. For one in five of us, the condition becomes permanent. Twenty percent of those people will seek medical help. Worst of all, another twenty percent of that group will have such severe symptoms that they cannon function in their normal lives.
Tinnitus is often a symptom of hearing loss, but it can also be a symptom of many other diseases, as well as a side-effect of certain medications. It can cause irritability, depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, social withdrawal, and anger.
In our next post, we will discuss some of the treatment options for tinnitus.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Want a closer relationship with your children? Wear you hearing aids!
A recent survey among baby boomers indicates that hearing impairment affects their relationships with their adult children. The survey was based on responses from hearing impaired baby boomers (born in the two decades following World War 2), and adult children of baby boomers, one or both of whose parents were suffering from hearing loss.
Almost half of the adult children believed that their parents’ hearing loss had affected their relationships. One in three of the younger generation stated that their hearing impaired parents miss out on important things in their lives. Many said they have chosen to speak and share less with their hearing impaired parents because hearing loss gets in the way.
Even though a majority of the interviewed baby boomers were aware of the adverse effect of their hearing loss on their relationships with their children, only 11 percent of them used a hearing aid.
”Being hard of hearing is a personal struggle, but people with hearing loss often forget that their impairment can have a profound effect on the relationship they have with their friends and family,” said Barry Williams, an audiologist behind the study.
The survey polled two groups: 1,026 men and women born between 1946 and 1964, and suffering from hearing loss; and 1,006 men and women whose parents were born between 1946 and 1964 and were suffering from hearing loss.
Almost half of the adult children believed that their parents’ hearing loss had affected their relationships. One in three of the younger generation stated that their hearing impaired parents miss out on important things in their lives. Many said they have chosen to speak and share less with their hearing impaired parents because hearing loss gets in the way.
Even though a majority of the interviewed baby boomers were aware of the adverse effect of their hearing loss on their relationships with their children, only 11 percent of them used a hearing aid.
”Being hard of hearing is a personal struggle, but people with hearing loss often forget that their impairment can have a profound effect on the relationship they have with their friends and family,” said Barry Williams, an audiologist behind the study.
The survey polled two groups: 1,026 men and women born between 1946 and 1964, and suffering from hearing loss; and 1,006 men and women whose parents were born between 1946 and 1964 and were suffering from hearing loss.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Happy National Better Hearing Month!
May is a good month in the hearing world. The American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) has designated May as National Better Hearing Month.
This means a couple of different things for us in our office. It means that we are sending out a newsletter to our patients, full of great information which we will be posting on here over the next couple of weeks. It means that we will have a special drawing for great prizes for all of those who refer their friends and family in for hearing screenings. It also means that we will be working hard in the community to spread the word about protecting your hearing and treating hearing loss.
Most importantly, celebrating better hearing gives us each a chance to take note of the wonderful sounds we enjoy-- whether we wear hearing aids or not. Birds singing, children laughing, a gurgling stream-- what is your favorite sound? Do you hear it as well as you would like to? If not, what a great month to do something about it!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Welcome to the Timpanogos Hearing and Balance Blog!
Welcome to the Timpanogos Audiology Blog-To-Better-Hearing. Hearing loss is an issue that effects every aspect of life-- everything from relationships and health to economics and even safety.
The purpose of this blog will be to post hearing industry news, better hearing tips, success stories, and even information on balance and tinnitus issues. If you have a question or a topic that you'd like to see addressed, please feel free to comment and we will respond as soon as possible.
Thanks for reading!
The purpose of this blog will be to post hearing industry news, better hearing tips, success stories, and even information on balance and tinnitus issues. If you have a question or a topic that you'd like to see addressed, please feel free to comment and we will respond as soon as possible.
Thanks for reading!
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