A Couple of Random Items

We finally got a new sign for the front-- the old one faced West and was starting to melt.  Take a look when you are driving by on 300 North!

Secondly, as adults over 55 are the fastest growing group of technology users, we thought we'd pass along the following guide to texting abbreviations-- specifically for seniors.  Enjoy!

MIDDLE AGE TEXTING CODES:

• ATD -at the doctor.
• BFF -best friend fell.
• BTW -bring the wheelchair.
•  BYOT -bring your own teeth.
•  FWIW -forgot where I was.
•  GGPBL -gotta go, pacemaker battery low.
• GHA -got heartburn again.
•  IMHO -is my hearing aid on?
• LMDO -laughing my dentures out.
•  OMMR -on my massage recliner.
• ROFLACGU -rolling on floor laughing and can't get up.
• TTYL -talk to you louder

ConnectLine Microphone Helps In Difficult Communication Situations

At Timpanogos Hearing and Balance, we are constantly striving to provide the newest and best tools for our patients to communicate better with their loved ones.  Recently, Oticon has developed a new tool that has been very successful for some of our patients.

The Oticon ConnectLine system empowers users to take full advantage of their Oticon hearing instruments’ wireless connectivity by streaming audio from a variety of modern communication and entertainment devices. With ConnectLine Microphone, patients can capture audio from a much more personal source in even the most difficult listening situations. New ConnectLine Microphone is a discreet clip-on microphone designed to pick up a companion’s voice, filter out surrounding sound and transmit conversation wirelessly through the Streamer to the user’s hearing instruments. For users, the wireless transmission from the microphone to the hearing instruments means enhanced ability to engage in one-on-one conversations in environments that may have been difficult if not impossible before.

“There are listening environments that make it almost impossible for people with hearing loss to carry on one-on-one conversations,” says Oticon President Peer Lauritsen. “When driving in a car, face-to-face communication is not an option. Everyone is facing the same direction, eliminating the possibility of lip and facial expression reading. This scenario is exacerbated by sound bouncing off the windows and background road noise. Other noisy environments such as social gatherings or restaurants also reduce the likelihood that quiet conversation between two people can be understood and enjoyed. The ConnectLine Microphone can help to bridge those communication gaps, empowering people with hearing loss to stream their conversation partner’s voice wirelessly to their hearing instruments.”

The discreet ConnectLine Microphone is worn by the user’s companion and connects wirelessly to the Streamer, allowing the user to hear the other person’s voice directly through his/her hearing instruments. With ConnectLine Microphone and other Connectline solutions including the ConnectLine TV Adapter and Phone Adapter, hearing device users have the potential to participate more actively and interact more naturally in some of life’s most important situations.

Call our office at 801-770-0801 if you  are interested in trying out some of this fabulous new communication technology!

May is Better Hearing Month!

 Since 1927, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association celebrates Better Hearing and Speech Month each May. This month of awareness is a good time to analyze your own hearing and determine if you are one of the estimated 28 million Americans who have a hearing loss that can be treated. You may have a hearing loss if you:

• frequently ask people to repeat themselves

• often turn your ear toward a sound to hear it better

• understand people better when you wear your glasses or look directly at their faces

• lose your place in group conversations

• keep the volume on your radio or TV at a level that others say is too loud

• have pain or ringing in your ears

"People who see themselves in these statements should see an audiologist for a hearing test," said audiologist (your name).

"Even a very slight hearing loss can have an impact on your daily life," said Dr. Garrett.  "Hearing loss is treatable, and there is no reason for anyone to miss all the important sounds of life."

Annual hearing checkups is a good idea for people age 45 and up, according to audiologists, the professionals who specialize in preventing, identifying, assessing, and treating hearing disorders.

Audiologists can prescribe hearing aids and assistive listening devices, and they can teach people with hearing loss how to concentrate on hearing all sounds.  Call 801-770-0801 during the month of May to schedule your free hearing health check up!

Best of State!

Winners were just announced for Best of State 2011 and Timpanogos Hearing & Balance was named Best of State in Auditory Services!  We are so excited about this honor-- we are very proud of our staff and their never-ending care for our patients. 

If you haven't come into our office for a while, come in and say Hello and see the big improvements we've made in the last few months.  You'll be surprised!