Reprinted from Voice on America
A new study links second-hand smoke to hearing loss in children.
Some 1,500 teenagers were given hearing tests in the study. They were also tested for cotinine, which is produced when nicotine is metabolized, so it's a good marker for exposure to tobacco smoke.
"What we found was that the higher the level of cotinine in their blood - and thus the higher the level of exposure to second-hand smoke - there was greater prevalence of the hearing loss," says Dr. Anil Lalwani of New York University Medical Center, who conducted the study.
In conducting the study, Lalwani wanted to extend what was known about the association between second-hand smoke and the ear. For example, children exposed to tobacco smoke get more ear infections.
"We also know that adults who smoke have an earlier hearing loss than adults who do not," Lalwani says. "And this made us wonder whether early exposure to second-hand smoke that children would be exposed to, is that also deleterious to the auditory system?"
Most of the 12- to 19-year-olds in the study who had measurable hearing loss weren't aware of it. They might miss things in class and not hear instructions. Lalwani says the loss could be enough to be causing real harm.
"Kids who have second-hand smoke exposure have behavioral issues as well as cognitive issues. So it's quite possible that even this mild hearing loss that these children might have may be impacting their development in school."
Why hearing is affected by second-hand smoke remains a bit of a mystery. Lalwani suggests it may be because of known effects of tobacco smoke on blood vessels, possibly compromising the flow to the inner ear. Another possibility is a toxic component of the smoke acting more directly.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Link Between Hearing Loss And Falls
Reprinted from Voice On America
Researchers have found an intriguing link between the risk of falling and hearing loss.
Among aging populations, falls are a major health hazard. A stumble that might lead to just a painful bruise in a younger person can result in a broken hip, disability, and even death in older adults.
Researchers analyzed data from an ongoing U.S. health study, called the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
Lead author Frank Lin, of Johns Hopkins University, said he and his colleague, Luigi Ferrucci of the National Institute on Aging, compared measurements of hearing loss in adults age 40-69 with participants' response to questions about any recent falls they might have had.
"And what we found is that someone's hearing ability is directly related to their chances of having falls in the past year," Lin said. "For someone with just even a mild hearing loss compared to normal hearing, they basically had about a three-fold increased chance of having falls over the past year."
Lin's study found a strong association, not cause-and-effect. But why might hearing loss contribute to falling? He says there are several possibilities.
Poor hearing could make people less aware of the environment around them. Or it may be linked to another function of the ear, specifically the inner ear, which isn't used just for hearing.
"It actually helps you maintain balance; so it provides balance information to the brain. But in the current study, we actually accounted for someone's balance ability, and we still saw this association between someone's hearing abilities and their chances of having falls over time."
Lin's findings, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, confirm several previous studies that have probed the link between hearing loss and falls.
Researchers have found an intriguing link between the risk of falling and hearing loss.
Among aging populations, falls are a major health hazard. A stumble that might lead to just a painful bruise in a younger person can result in a broken hip, disability, and even death in older adults.
Researchers analyzed data from an ongoing U.S. health study, called the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
Lead author Frank Lin, of Johns Hopkins University, said he and his colleague, Luigi Ferrucci of the National Institute on Aging, compared measurements of hearing loss in adults age 40-69 with participants' response to questions about any recent falls they might have had.
"And what we found is that someone's hearing ability is directly related to their chances of having falls in the past year," Lin said. "For someone with just even a mild hearing loss compared to normal hearing, they basically had about a three-fold increased chance of having falls over the past year."
Lin's study found a strong association, not cause-and-effect. But why might hearing loss contribute to falling? He says there are several possibilities.
Poor hearing could make people less aware of the environment around them. Or it may be linked to another function of the ear, specifically the inner ear, which isn't used just for hearing.
"It actually helps you maintain balance; so it provides balance information to the brain. But in the current study, we actually accounted for someone's balance ability, and we still saw this association between someone's hearing abilities and their chances of having falls over time."
Lin's findings, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, confirm several previous studies that have probed the link between hearing loss and falls.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Good Hearing = Good Mood
Reposted from Marketwatch.com
Investing in your hearing health is worth every penny and has self-esteem benefits. As many as 72 percent of U.S.-based respondents agree that getting a hearing aid was definitely worth it, and that their hearing aids are worth every cent. An overwhelming majority - 83 percent - of all hearing aid users surveyed agreed that their quality of life changed for the better once their hearing improved. Among all U.S.-based respondents, 76 percent with hearing aids said their devices have a positive influence on their general mood, and 68 percent report an improvement in their mental fitness, evidenced by heightened receptiveness and improved concentration.
People with untreated hearing loss also reveal the importance of good hearing for good mental health. Globally, respondents affected by moderate to severe hearing loss who did not wear a hearing aid reported feeling sad or depressed more frequently than hearing aid owners (22 percent without a hearing aid versus 15 percent with a hearing aid). Additionally, these individuals were more likely to feel insecure and anxious (21 percent without a hearing aid versus 13 percent with a hearing aid) and suffer from insomnia more often (31 percent without a hearing aid versus 24 percent with a hearing aid). These symptoms are often regarded as possible first indicators of depressive disorders.
"People with hearing loss lack some important opportunities for human contact," said Gail B. Brenner, AuD., Hearing Technology Associates LLC, Philadelphia, PA. "The consequences of this isolation can be the development of depression and increased anxiety, but also increasing mistrust of others. While the tendency for depression among people with untreated hearing loss is significantly higher, differences between people who use hearing aids and people who have no hearing loss are marginal. This shows that a hearing aid can support the prevention of depression for people who experience hearing difficulties."
Better Hearing = Better Love Life
Of all U.S.-based respondents who have hearing aids, 68 percent confirmed that their personal relationships improved since they started wearing hearing aids. Furthermore, almost half (44 percent) of U.S.-based respondents surveyed said that their love life had changed for the better since wearing a hearing aid.
You can take an online hearing quiz and read more about hearing loss here, or call 801-770-0801 for a free hearing consultation.
Investing in your hearing health is worth every penny and has self-esteem benefits. As many as 72 percent of U.S.-based respondents agree that getting a hearing aid was definitely worth it, and that their hearing aids are worth every cent. An overwhelming majority - 83 percent - of all hearing aid users surveyed agreed that their quality of life changed for the better once their hearing improved. Among all U.S.-based respondents, 76 percent with hearing aids said their devices have a positive influence on their general mood, and 68 percent report an improvement in their mental fitness, evidenced by heightened receptiveness and improved concentration.
People with untreated hearing loss also reveal the importance of good hearing for good mental health. Globally, respondents affected by moderate to severe hearing loss who did not wear a hearing aid reported feeling sad or depressed more frequently than hearing aid owners (22 percent without a hearing aid versus 15 percent with a hearing aid). Additionally, these individuals were more likely to feel insecure and anxious (21 percent without a hearing aid versus 13 percent with a hearing aid) and suffer from insomnia more often (31 percent without a hearing aid versus 24 percent with a hearing aid). These symptoms are often regarded as possible first indicators of depressive disorders.
"People with hearing loss lack some important opportunities for human contact," said Gail B. Brenner, AuD., Hearing Technology Associates LLC, Philadelphia, PA. "The consequences of this isolation can be the development of depression and increased anxiety, but also increasing mistrust of others. While the tendency for depression among people with untreated hearing loss is significantly higher, differences between people who use hearing aids and people who have no hearing loss are marginal. This shows that a hearing aid can support the prevention of depression for people who experience hearing difficulties."
Better Hearing = Better Love Life
Of all U.S.-based respondents who have hearing aids, 68 percent confirmed that their personal relationships improved since they started wearing hearing aids. Furthermore, almost half (44 percent) of U.S.-based respondents surveyed said that their love life had changed for the better since wearing a hearing aid.
You can take an online hearing quiz and read more about hearing loss here, or call 801-770-0801 for a free hearing consultation.
How Loud Is Too Loud?
Dr. Garrett's daughter just finished a science project where she won honorable mention. What kind of project would the daughter of an Audiologist do you ask? Something based on hearing, of course!
The gist of the project was on determining what form of hearing protection really works best in noise. She tested active noise-cancelling head phones, passive noise-cancelling headphone, foam earplugs, cotton, hands over ears, and fingers in ears. Surprisingly enough, the best results were for putting your fingers in your ears.
An important part of her project dealt with researching at what point sounds become "too loud" and are actually damaging your hearing. Here is a chart showing the Maximum Recommended Noise Dose Exposure Levels:
So, how do you know if the noise level is too high? If you have a smart phone, there are some new apps out there that work pretty well as sound level meters.
iPhone Apps:
1. dB Volume Meter
http://itunes.apple.com/us/
meter/id353432115?mt=8
(or http://tinyurl.com/6rtrbka if link is broken.)
2. TooLoud?
http://itunes.apple.com/us/
Android App:
3. deciBel SPL Meter
https://market.android.com/
search_result
(or http://tinyurl.com/7uqhf2y if link is broken.)
If you think that your hearing may have been damaged due to noise exposure, go to our website at www.utahhearingaids.com for more information or call our office for a free consultation with a Doctor of Audiology at 801-770-0801.
The gist of the project was on determining what form of hearing protection really works best in noise. She tested active noise-cancelling head phones, passive noise-cancelling headphone, foam earplugs, cotton, hands over ears, and fingers in ears. Surprisingly enough, the best results were for putting your fingers in your ears.
An important part of her project dealt with researching at what point sounds become "too loud" and are actually damaging your hearing. Here is a chart showing the Maximum Recommended Noise Dose Exposure Levels:
| Noise Level (dBA) | Maximum Exposure Time per 24 Hours |
|---|---|
| 85 | 8 hours |
| 88 | 4 hours |
| 91 | 2 hours |
| 94 | 1 hour |
| 97 | 30 minutes |
| 100 | 15 minutes |
| 103 | 7.5 minutes |
| 106 | 3.7 minutes |
| 109 | 112 seconds |
| 112 | 56 seconds |
| 115 | 28 seconds |
| 118 | 14 seconds |
| 121 | 7 seconds |
| 124 | 3 seconds |
| 127 | 1 second |
| 130–140 | less than 1 second |
| 140 | NO EXPOSURE |
So, how do you know if the noise level is too high? If you have a smart phone, there are some new apps out there that work pretty well as sound level meters.
iPhone Apps:
1. dB Volume Meter
http://itunes.apple.com/us/
meter/id353432115?mt=8
(or http://tinyurl.com/6rtrbka if link is broken.)
2. TooLoud?
http://itunes.apple.com/us/
Android App:
3. deciBel SPL Meter
https://market.android.com/
search_result
(or http://tinyurl.com/7uqhf2y if link is broken.)
If you think that your hearing may have been damaged due to noise exposure, go to our website at www.utahhearingaids.com for more information or call our office for a free consultation with a Doctor of Audiology at 801-770-0801.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
LACE Therapy For Better Listening Skills
Hearing better is a lot like physical therapy. It takes work and you tend to get out of it benefits proportional to what you put into it.
One type of therapy we offer at Timpanogos Hearing & Balance is called LACE (Listening And Communication Enhancement). This is a low cost training program that allows you to perform additional training in your own home. This program is proven to improve one's ability to listen more effectively especially in noisy situations, which is the main complaint of people with hearing loss.
LACE is done using a computer or DVD. LACE is designed to enhance listening and communication skills, get the patient involved in the therapeutic process, improve confidence levels, and provide communication strategies. The program consists of a variety of interactive and adaptive training tasks for listening to speech in noise, rapid speech, and auditory memory.
Besides the immediate feedback given for each task, LACE provides the patient with a graph depicting daily improvement and progress from the start of the training.
It should be reinforced at this point that better hearing is not a passive process where you simply let the hearing aids do all the work; success does not rest solely on the hearing aid and the expertise of the hearing healthcare professional. To optimize your hearing aid experience you must become an active participant. One of the best ways to do this is to become an active listener using software like LACE.
LACE training is conducted in the privacy of your own home at a pace comfortable to you.. LACE consists of twenty 20-30 minute listening exercises of progressing difficulty and can be completed in ten days, or longer if you wish. Research on thousands of people with hearing loss demonstrates that you can expect on average a 40% improvement of speech comprehension in noisy situations, if you complete the training program. Using the listening skills you will acquire with this software, along with communication strategies as well as the advanced features of your hearing aids such as directional microphones or wireless technology you could do even better depending on your degree of hearing loss.
Here are some questions and answers about LACE.
Q. How do I know if I need LACE auditory retraining therapy?
A. All people whose hearing loss is less than profound or deaf will benefit from auditory retraining therapy. In fact even normal hearing people can benefit by training their brain to listen better in noisy situations.
Q. Where do I get LACE software?
A. You can get LACE directly from your hearing healthcare professional at Timpanogos Hearing & Balance.
Q. How much does it cost?
A. If you purchased hearing technology from Timpanogos Hearing & Balance, we only charge $50 for the program. If you buy it online, you will pay $100 to $150.
Q. What equipment will I need to do LACE?
A. It is preferred while wearing your hearing aids that you use a computer with loudspeakers through your mouse or keyboard. If you do not have a computer the DVD version allows you to take the listening skills training using the DVD remote but for those with manual dexterity problems this may be difficult. In addition you will not be able to connect to the Internet to send your on-going results to your hearing healthcare professional, which is a helpful part of your therapy program.
Q. Will my acquired listening skills be permanent?
A. Yes they will; but some people may need refresher training with their software.
If you have questions about this program of about hearing better in general, you can call our office at 801-770-0801 or go to www.utahhearingaids.com.
One type of therapy we offer at Timpanogos Hearing & Balance is called LACE (Listening And Communication Enhancement). This is a low cost training program that allows you to perform additional training in your own home. This program is proven to improve one's ability to listen more effectively especially in noisy situations, which is the main complaint of people with hearing loss.
LACE is done using a computer or DVD. LACE is designed to enhance listening and communication skills, get the patient involved in the therapeutic process, improve confidence levels, and provide communication strategies. The program consists of a variety of interactive and adaptive training tasks for listening to speech in noise, rapid speech, and auditory memory.
Besides the immediate feedback given for each task, LACE provides the patient with a graph depicting daily improvement and progress from the start of the training.
It should be reinforced at this point that better hearing is not a passive process where you simply let the hearing aids do all the work; success does not rest solely on the hearing aid and the expertise of the hearing healthcare professional. To optimize your hearing aid experience you must become an active participant. One of the best ways to do this is to become an active listener using software like LACE.
LACE training is conducted in the privacy of your own home at a pace comfortable to you.. LACE consists of twenty 20-30 minute listening exercises of progressing difficulty and can be completed in ten days, or longer if you wish. Research on thousands of people with hearing loss demonstrates that you can expect on average a 40% improvement of speech comprehension in noisy situations, if you complete the training program. Using the listening skills you will acquire with this software, along with communication strategies as well as the advanced features of your hearing aids such as directional microphones or wireless technology you could do even better depending on your degree of hearing loss.
Here are some questions and answers about LACE.
Q. How do I know if I need LACE auditory retraining therapy?
A. All people whose hearing loss is less than profound or deaf will benefit from auditory retraining therapy. In fact even normal hearing people can benefit by training their brain to listen better in noisy situations.
Q. Where do I get LACE software?
A. You can get LACE directly from your hearing healthcare professional at Timpanogos Hearing & Balance.
Q. How much does it cost?
A. If you purchased hearing technology from Timpanogos Hearing & Balance, we only charge $50 for the program. If you buy it online, you will pay $100 to $150.
Q. What equipment will I need to do LACE?
A. It is preferred while wearing your hearing aids that you use a computer with loudspeakers through your mouse or keyboard. If you do not have a computer the DVD version allows you to take the listening skills training using the DVD remote but for those with manual dexterity problems this may be difficult. In addition you will not be able to connect to the Internet to send your on-going results to your hearing healthcare professional, which is a helpful part of your therapy program.
Q. Will my acquired listening skills be permanent?
A. Yes they will; but some people may need refresher training with their software.
If you have questions about this program of about hearing better in general, you can call our office at 801-770-0801 or go to www.utahhearingaids.com.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Why Ear Wax and Hearing Aids Aren't Friends
Cerumen or earwax is a self-cleaning agent produced in your ears with protective, lubricating, and antibacterial properties. Earwax is not really a "wax" but a water-soluble mixture of secretions (produced in the outer third of the ear canal), plus hair and dead skin. Earwax is not formed in the deep part of the ear canal near the eardrum, but in the outer one-third of the ear canal. It naturally works its way out of the ear through movement of your jaw while speaking and chewing.
But for patients who wear hearing aids, special attention must be paid to make sure earwax does not damage the aid or impair function. Cerumen in the ear canal can cause the hearing aid to fit poorly and not seal properly. If the hearing aid fits poorly, sound produced by the aid passes around it and out of the ear canal, where it is picked up by the microphone and reamplified. A positive feedback loop is created and audible, high-pitched feedback results. Cerumen removal eliminates feedback, when the feedback is due to excess cerumen.
Too much earwax can also damage the listening device. In fact, current estimates from various hearing aid manufacturers indicate that 60 to 70 percent of all hearing aids sent for repair are damaged as a result of contact with cerumen.
Patients who wear hearing aids should have their clinician examine the ears for impacted cerumen during a routine healthcare visits, but this does not need to occur more frequently than every three months. Examination is accomplished by removing the hearing aid and inspecting the ear canal with a handheld otoscope. If the patient has bilateral hearing aids, the second ear is examined after replacing the first hearing aid, to facilitate communication.
If your doctor finds evidence of earwax impaction, he or she may need to perform a variety of techniques to help remove the obstruction. These include:
- Flushing the ear with cerumenolytic (wax-dissolving) agents, which include water, saline, and other agents of comparable efficacy.
- Using irrigation or ear syringing.
- Manual removal with special instruments or a suction device, which is preferred for patients with narrow ear canals, eardrum perforation or tube, or immune deficiency.
Reposted from the American Academy of Otolaryngology
Thursday, February 9, 2012
New Study Shows Link Between Diabetes and Hearing Loss in Women
A recent study has proven that diabetes is often associated with hearing loss in women. The study, done by researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, examined the medical records of 990 men and women who had hearing tests between 2000 and 2008. Patients with diabetes were divided into two groups: well-controlled and poorly controlled. The poorly controlled diabetics had 28% worse hearing than those without diabetes.
The study also discovered that the younger the diabetic was, the more likely she was to suffer from hearing loss.
Because men are already more likely to experience hearing loss due to louder lifestyles and activities, the study was not able to prove any relationship between diabetes and hearing loss in men.
The implications in this study are significant. There have been previous links proven between diabetes and loss of sight, so many physicians recommend yearly vision exams when a patient is diagnosed with diabetes. This study implies that they should also be referred for yearly audiologic examinations as well.
This information was presented at a medical meeting and should not be conclusive until published in a peer-reviewed medical journal. You can find out more about hearing loss at www.utahhearingaids.com or call our office for a free hearing consultation at 801-770-0801.
The study also discovered that the younger the diabetic was, the more likely she was to suffer from hearing loss.
Because men are already more likely to experience hearing loss due to louder lifestyles and activities, the study was not able to prove any relationship between diabetes and hearing loss in men.
The implications in this study are significant. There have been previous links proven between diabetes and loss of sight, so many physicians recommend yearly vision exams when a patient is diagnosed with diabetes. This study implies that they should also be referred for yearly audiologic examinations as well.
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