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Blog Back Do You Have A Stubborn Loved One? Here’s How To Help Them Wear Hearing Aids. April 21, 2021 It probably is not news to you that some people can be very stubborn and set in their ways. This can be especially true of older people who do not want to wear hearing aids—and may not even want to acknowledge that they are experiencing hearing loss. If you have a loved one who needs hearing aids and is reluctant to do so, you are not alone.Here are some simple tips you can use to help your loved one be more willing to wear their hearing aids: Highlight the positives. It can be easy to talk about the negative effects of hearing loss, like social isolation, loneliness, depression, anxiety, and more. But put yourself in your loved one’s shoes—would you like it if someone only discussed negative effects with you? This approach can seem very heavy-handed and can put your loved one on the defensive.It can be much more persuasive to focus on the positive effects that hearing aids could bring to their life. Talk with your loved one about how they will be better able to enjoy music, hear the sounds of nature, communicate more easily with friends and family, and more. Focus on the facts. Instead of focusing on how hearing loss negatively impacts your loved one’s life (and your own), which can result in a very emotionally charged discussion, talk about the facts of hearing aids. Highlight features like Bluetooth connectivity, the ability to reduce background noise, and other impressive high-tech aspects of modern hearing aids. Be gentle. Take a soft approach to help your loved one wear hearing aids. Do not try to pressure them or guilt them into scheduling an appointment with an audiologist or hearing aid professional. Hearing loss can be a sensitive subject, so approach it with care. Try to understand your loved one’s feelings and work with them. Address the cost. One common concern among people who need hearing aids is the cost. Even if a person understands how hearing aids could positively affect their life, they may feel reluctant if they do not know how much they will be spending to get their hearing aids. Explain that hearing aids can range in price depending on the type and how high-tech they are. Your hearing aid professional can work with you and your loved one to find a solution that fits both their hearing needs and their budget. Go with them. Some people do not like to go to the doctor on their own. They might feel uncertain about going places alone with hearing loss because they might not hear a question from the staff, or they may feel nervous about discussing their health history. Offer to attend their appointment with them to assist them and offer emotional support. Ask them why. Your loved one might be feeling stubborn about wearing hearing aids for a reason that is completely different from what you assume! The best way to find out why they are being stubborn is to ask them. Be sure to make clear that you will not be judgmental or dismissive of their concerns. Listen attentively and respond with care to address their worries.If you would like more ideas on how you can help your loved one wear hearing aids, or if you need to schedule an appointment, please contact our hearing professional today. We are eager to care for you. Share :

Blog Back Face Coverings Highlight Hearing Loss March 8, 2021 The COVID-19 pandemic has given us all a new accessory to wear out in public: the face mask. Some people see the face mask as simply a tool to help prevent the spread of the virus. Others see it as a fashionable accessory that can be personalized to their tastes. And for some people, wearing a face covering has made hearing problems more obvious.According to the Hearing Loss Association of America, approximately 48 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss. However, people with hearing loss wait an average of 7 yearsbefore seeking professional help. Many of these people use lip and speech reading to help them understand any words or phrases they could not hear well. They could also use facial expressions and cues to pick up on the overall message of the speaker. In short, these people with hearing loss would adapt as best they could until the problem became severe enough that they had no other option than to seek help.In the age of COVID, however, people living with hearing loss can no longer rely on lip and speech reading or visual cues; these are all hidden by face coverings. Even transparent face masks can pose some degree of difficulty for those who read lips. In addition, wearing a face mask tends to muffle the volume of sound and affect the pitch range of speech, making it even more difficult for someone with hearing loss to understand what is being said.While those with mild to moderate hearing loss could have hidden or ignored their condition for a period of time prior to COVID, in today’s environment, they can no longer “get by” with adaptations. Audiologists around the world have seen an increase in patient visits as people with hearing loss come to the realization that they must seek help in order to function in a world where everyone wears a face mask.Even people who have previously sought professional help and now use hearing aids have found that they need additional help at this time. Hearing aid professionals have noted that many people who use hearing aids have come in for adjustments so they can better hear and understand people who speak while wearing a face mask. While they may have previously thought that their hearing aids worked well enough, the challenges posed by face masks have highlighted areas for improvement.If you suspect that you may have hearing loss, or if you have noticed increasing difficulty in understanding speech when people are wearing face masks, we encourage you to visit your hearing healthcare professional. A simple hearing evaluation can determine whether you have hearing loss, and your hearing professional can recommend the treatment that is best for your specific needs and preferences.If you already use hearing aids and still experience difficulty hearing while using a face mask, you can also benefit from speaking with a hearing aid professional. To learn more about how we can help you hear better, we invite you to contact our office today. Share :

Blog Back Kidney Disease And Hearing Loss March 1, 2021 In an 8 year study** it was discovered older adults (50+) with moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a higher prevalence of hearing loss than those of the same age without CKD.  A recent study found that more than 50% of the adults in the study with moderate kidney disease had some degree of hearing loss, while almost 30% suffered a severe hearing loss. 15% of US adults—37 million people—are estimated to have CKD.* Most (9 in 10) adults with CKD do not know they have it. 1 in 2 people with very low kidney function who are not on dialysis do not know they have CKD. While the study may not confirm a cause-and-effect relationship between CKD and hearing loss, it sends a clear message to primary-care physicians, urologists and nephrologists that it’s important for anyone with kidney disease to be given a formal hearing evaluation on a periodic basis. The connection between the parallels in tissue of the kidney and the inner ear.  Also, there are toxins that build-up in failing kidneys that can damage nerves including those in the ear.  Also, some treatments for kidney ailments are ototoxic, which means toxic (harmful) to the hearing system. “These findings could lead to a modification of the usual care of people with CKD,” said Dr. Kerry Willis, Senior Vice President of Scientific Activities at the National Kidney Foundation. “Earlier clinical hearing assessments and fitting of hearing aids in CKD patients can improve quality of life and lead to better management of underlying conditions which could, in turn, potentially preserve hearing function.”*** Be proactive and ask your doctor to order a formal hearing evaluation with a reputable audiology practice to have your hearing tracked while you are treating for kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension.  Treatment for hearing loss is much more effective when treated early.  If you have questions regarding your hearing and a possible kidney disease correlation contact your audiologist. https://www.ajkd.org/article/S0272-6386(10)00963-7/fulltext** https://www.kidney.org/news/ekidney/november10/HearingLoss_November10*** https://www.cdc.gov/kidneydisease/publications-resources/2019-national-facts.html#calculation* https://www.cdc.gov/kidneydisease/pdf/2019_National-Chronic-Kidney-Disease-Fact-Sheet.pdf Share :

Blog Back Smartphone Apps That Support Hearing Aids— How To Know Which Ones Work Well February 18, 2021 Have you ever heard the phrase, “There’s an app for that”? While this phrase was first used over a decade ago (Apple began using this slogan in their advertising in 2009), it has never been truer than it is now. You can download an app to your smartphone to do just about anything you want—to check the news, keep you updated on the weather in your area, chat with people halfway around the world, remind you to drink more water, do your banking right from your phone, keep an online journal, and much, much more.So, what about when it comes to your hearing aids? Yes, there’s an app for that, too. There are, in fact, numerous smartphone apps now available that support hearing aids. How do you know which ones work well? Here are a few key features you might want to look for when you are considering apps to support your hearing aids: Apps created by hearing aid manufacturers Many hearing aid manufacturers now have their own apps. The app created by the manufacturer of your particular hearing aids might be one of the best for you to use. These apps are typically custom made to work seamlessly with your specific hearing aids. So, if you are new to using a smartphone app with your hearing aids, start by downloading and exploring the app made by your hearing aid manufacturer. Adjust your hearing aids If you wear hearing aids, chances are good that you’ve been in a situation before where your hearing aid settings weren’t quite right. An app allows you to adjust the treble, bass, volume, and other sound settings right from your phone. Not only is this incredibly simple, but it can also be more discreet than reaching up your ears to adjust your hearing aids. Battery life notifications Choosing an app that notifies you when your hearing aid batteries are low can allow you to recharge or replace the batteries before they die. Direct audio connection Using Bluetooth, apps allow your hearing aids to connect directly to audio. This means music, podcasts, TV shows, and more can stream directly to your hearing aids. Custom hearing programs As mentioned above, your hearing aids might need to be adjusted for certain settings. For example, maybe you always find it challenging to hear well when you go to a particular restaurant. Using your app, you can create a custom hearing program that you specify to this setting, and then you can save the program to use again when you visit in the future. The app may also save the information so you can share it with your audiologist, which can help them better understand the settings that offer challenges. Statistics and location An app can offer statistics regarding your hearing aids, such as how many hours you wore them per day, week, or month. The app may also track the location of your hearing aids, which can be helpful if you misplace your devices. Hearing aid manual and instructions One of the benefits of using an app created by the hearing aid manufacturer is the availability of the manual and instructions for your particular device. This might be especially helpful if your hearing aids are new to you. Plus, it is certainly more convenient to access the manual via your smartphone than to carry the manual around with you! Communication with your hearing aid specialist For almost a year now, many audiology practices have limited in-office appointments. Even if you cannot see your hearing care professional in person, or if you want to avoid the health risks of doing so, you can communicate with them via your hearing aid app. These apps allow your hearing healthcare specialist to conduct a hearing test, adjust your hearing aids, fit the hearing aid, and much more.It may be hard to believe at first, but some hearing aid apps offer even more features than these! To learn more about how an app can help you control your hearing aids, we welcome you to contact our hearing care practice today. Share :

Blog Back Hearing Aid Use In The U.S.—Increasing Or Decreasing? February 8, 2021 If you or a loved one uses hearing aids, you know that these devices can make a huge difference in your daily life. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, not everyone who has hearing loss wears hearing aids. A new study has found some changes in the percentage of Americans who use hearing aids, and it’s a case of good news and bad news.The study, which was published in the medical journal JAMA: Internal Medicine in December 2020, tracked hearing aid use among older American adults from 2011 to 2018. The overarching good news that was uncovered in this research is that hearing aid use among older American adults is increasing. Between 2011 and 2018, hearing aid use among a representative sample of American adults over the age of 70 increased from 15 percent to 18.5 percent.While it is great news that overall hearing aid use is increasing, there was bad news as well. Hearing aid use did not increase as dramatically for older Black Americans—only a +0.8 percent change in seven years. Furthermore, hearing aid use did not increase at all among older adults living at less than 100 percent of the federal poverty level. In fact, hearing aid ownership actually dropped during this period from 12.4 percent to 10.8 percent. While this study did not look particularly at hearing aid use among older Hispanic Americans, other studies have found a similar disparity in hearing care.There are several possible reasons for the disparity among minorities and lower-income adults. Systemic problems in healthcare lead to fewer minorities and low-income individuals having access to the care they need, including audiology and hearing loss services. When they do receive care, it is often delayed.Even if these individuals have Medicaid or Medicare, they may not have access to the hearing healthcare they need. Medicaid hearing care depends on each state’s guidelines, while Medicare only partly covers hearing care. For many people in these minority and low-income groups, preventive care is limited or nonexistent. Hearing loss may go undiagnosed, and treatment may be out of reach due to cost and access. Stigma may also play a role among the percentage of the population who have hearing loss but do not use hearing aids.For those with hearing loss (whether or not it has been diagnosed) who do not use hearing aids, the consequences can extend far beyond simply not being able to hear as well. Research has shown that untreated hearing loss is linked to an increased risk of depression, social isolation, anxiety, falls, dementia, and auditory processing problems. Because of the hearing loss treatment gap among minorities, experts expect dementia rates to increase disproportionately in minorities in the coming years.What can be done to remedy this situation? First, be sure to have your hearing tested and follow your hearing specialist’s recommendations for treatment, including using hearing aids. If you have a loved one who you suspect may have untreated hearing loss, encourage them to have their hearing tested as well. Second, you can be part of ending the stigma surrounding hearing aid use. Never make fun of someone for using hearing aids or having a hearing loss. Instead, offer support and encouragement for seeking treatment.Researchers are optimistic that a federal law passed in 2017 (that may go into effect in 2021) may help. This federal law makes hearing aids available over-the-counter, which could help many Americans gain access to hearing aids.To learn more about hearing aid use in the United States or to schedule your appointment with our hearing specialist, we invite you to contact our practice today. We are here to assist you. Share :