October is Protect Your Hearing Month

October is Protect Your Hearing Month, a time to raise awareness about noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and talk about some of the ways it can be prevented.

The CDC is committed to helping young people understand the danger of loud noise, especially given recent statistics on the subject. While NIHL had been on the decline for a number of decades, it is on the rise again. About 10% of Millennials have NIHL, and 17% of Gen-Z’ers have it. These statistics are troubling, especially considering that Gen-Z is younger than Millennials.

Why Are Young People Incurring More NIHL?

While it is not completely clear why young people are incurring more NIHL these days, there are a few obvious culprits. Personal listening devices (PLDs) are more popular and prevalent than ever, and the maximum volume they can produce is even higher than the PLDs of previous generations. When young people listen to music loudly in headphones, they are likely to damage their hearing after only a few minutes.

Another reason may be the increased efficiency of PA systems. Speaker systems have become smaller while at the same time producing more volume than before. As a result, high school dances, music events, and sports events are louder than ever.

It’s estimated that about half of American teenagers listen to music at unsafe volume levels on a regular basis, and about 40% are frequently exposed to dangerous noise levels at sporting events and rock concerts.

About NIHL

Sound levels as low as 85 dBA (decibels A-weighted) can cause permanent hearing loss after about 8 hours of exposure. 85 dBA is about the noise level produced by a gas-powered lawn mower, or a noisy vacuum cleaner.

For every additional 3 dBA of sound level, the safe time of exposure is cut in half. That means by the time we reach 100 dBA (the noise level of an average high school dance, or riding a motorcycle), permanent hearing loss will set in after only 15 minutes of exposure. At 110 dBA (the noise level of a rock concert, or a jackhammer) it takes less than 2 minutes.

If you’re not sure of the noise level in a given environment, you can download an SPL (sound pressure level) meter app for your smartphone. These apps will give you a reading of the average noise level in dBA.

Preventing NIHL

While NIHL is permanent, it is also 100% preventable. It is the easiest type of hearing loss to prevent!

If possible, move away from the source of sound. If an ambulance or other loud vehicle goes by, cover your ears with your hands for a moment.

We can’t always move away from loud sound, and many of our favorite activities involve loud sounds. During these activities, we should protect our ears. Earmuffs and earplugs are the best way to do this.

Earmuffs

Earmuffs block sound by creating a barrier around your ears. They are usually very effective, and they are fast and easy to put on and take off. Those who wear glasses may not get the full benefit of earmuffs, as the temple of the glasses create a breach in the seal between the earmuffs and your head. They also tend to make your ears warmer, which can be a benefit or a drawback depending on your environment.

Earplugs

We should all carry a set of earplugs with us at all times, just in case. Maybe you find out at the last minute that your friend’s band is playing tonight, or your coworker has tickets to the game and you’ll have to leave straight from work. Carry a set of earplugs and you’ll be ready for what may come.

Earplugs are a diverse category of hearing protection. There are disposable foam earplugs that cost somewhere around $0.50–$1.00 per pair, reusables that range from about $15.00–$30.00, and custom-molded designs that will cost a few hundred dollars. As you might guess, there is a major difference in quality between these types.

Disposable earplugs are effective, but they can be uncomfortable after a while and they tend to block high frequencies much more than lower ones, creating an unnatural listening experience. Many reusable earplugs try to solve the frequency problem, and indeed they are much more realistic than foam earplugs. Custom-molded options are the best solution to this problem, and also the most comfortable for long periods of wear.

Those who spend a lot of time around loud sound—especially where a more natural representation of environmental sound is desirable—will appreciate the sound quality, comfort, and durability of custom-molded earplugs. Make an appointment for a hearing test today and see if custom-molded earplugs may be right for you!

Know Alzheimer's Disease

September is World Alzheimer’s Month, hosted by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI). ADI is an umbrella organization connecting over 100 Alzheimer’s associations from around the world. This year’s focus is on diagnosis, thanks to recent developments in the treatment and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. ADI says that when we ‘Know Dementia’ and ‘Know Alzheimer’s,’ we “can be armed with the information, advice and support that helps [us] to prepare and adapt.”

Last year, in July 2020, The Lancet reiterated 12 important modifiable risk factors for dementia, including:

 ●    Excessive alcohol consumption

●     Head injury

●     Air pollution

●     Less education

●     Hypertension

●     Hearing impairment

●     Smoking

●     Obesity

●     Depression

●     Physical inactivity

●     Diabetes

●     Infrequent social contact

 They indicated that addressing these modifiable risk factors could delay or entirely prevent up to 40% of dementia cases.

The Link Between Hearing Loss and Alzheimer’s / Dementia

Hearing loss is a major factor in the risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s, with the risk increasing with the severity of the hearing loss. Those with severe hearing loss are 5 times more likely to develop dementia than those with normal hearing, while moderate hearing loss increases the risk threefold.

The increased risk of dementia seems to be a mediated risk, rather than resulting directly from hearing loss. This means that simply having hearing loss does not make a person more likely to develop dementia—it is the inability to hear, and the changes that hearing loss can engender, that actually increase the risk. Those who cannot hear normally tend to be more exhausted at the end of a day and have more trouble sleeping. They tend to see less social activity, and when they do it is more exhausting and they struggle to engage.

A set of hearing aids effectively restores hearing ability, and returns a hearing aid wearer’s risk of dementia to that of a normal-hearing person. The increased exhaustion and social isolation that is seen in those with hearing loss are, likewise, eliminated. Those who get hearing aids even have a higher anecdotal assessment of their own memories, while those with even mild untreated hearing loss tend to report having more memory issues.

Hearing Aid Training Programs

When hearing loss sets in, the brain starts to undergo changes in the auditory cortex. As less information comes in from the ears, there is less activity in the auditory cortex. Over time, the auditory cortex begins to collapse in on itself. It’s not that brain cells “die,” but the structure that supports them shrinks in size. This neuroplasticity can cause someone to lose the ability to understand speech, even when they start wearing hearing aids and can fully hear what is being said.

The ability to understand speech can be regained, but not without effort. Training programs are available for new wearers, many of which can be taken online, that help regrow the auditory cortex and restore the ability to comprehend speech again. It has been noted in studies that these training programs are crucial to reducing the risk of dementia. When hearing loss has been an issue for many years, simply starting to wear hearing aids is not enough to immediately reverse the increased risk of dementia.

Hearing Aids Are Better Than Ever

Hearing aid manufacturers have more resources than ever to make their hearing aids more functional than was ever thought possible. The continuously shrinking size of computer chips and batteries, as well as advanced plastics and metal alloys, allows them to improve the standard at regular intervals. Hearing aids today can reduce background noise better than ever, while enhancing speech and directionality. Many models can even automatically adjust their programming for different environments as you move! While they seem to be more complicated than ever, the result is an easier experience for the wearer at the same time.

Hearing aid wearers are not only reducing their risk for dementia. When asked after one year, about 95% of hearing aid wearers say they’re satisfied with their hearing aids. They tend to report getting better sleep and being generally less tired. They’re at a lower risk for depression, and tend to report a higher sense of optimism about not only their own lives but the state of the world in general.

Treating Hearing Loss with Hart Hearing & Balance Centers

If you or a loved one has been having issues with hearing, there’s never been a better time to start treating hearing loss with hearing aids. To commemorate the upcoming World Alzheimer’s Month, schedule a hearing test and start taking the steps to live better than ever! Contact our team of professionals at Hart Hearing & Balance Centers today.

Don’t Let Your Social Life Suffer Because You Can’t Hear!

Warmer weather and summer on the horizon often boost social engagement. Additionally, this particular year with more people becoming vaccinated, people will be reuniting with friends and family.  

With much of social life on pause over the past year, many are looking forward to reconnecting and spending time with others. Being able to completely enjoy this time is incredibly important. Treating hearing loss provides the critical support needed to maximize hearing which supports people fully participating in and enjoying their social life. 

Hearing Loss Symptoms & Impact 

It is important to recognize hearing loss symptoms and intervene to address those symptoms as early as possible. Early intervention can significantly help the transition into better hearing with greater ease. Hearing loss results in a reduced ability to absorb and process sound which produces numerous symptoms including the following: 

• Tinnitus: a buzzing, ringing, clicking like noise in one or both ears 

• Sound is slurred or muffled making it difficult to identify individual words

• Increasing the volume on electronic devices like TV, smartphone, speaker etc. 

• Regularly asking others to speak loudly, slowly, and/or repeat themselves

• Difficulty hearing in environments with background noise, and in conversations with multiple people

• Needing to move to a quieter area to have a conversation 

• Being able to hear more clearly in one ear compared to the other 

These symptoms can be mild to severe, disrupting daily life. Hearing loss often interferes with a person’s capacity to manage personal and professional responsibilities by:

• Straining communication:

  Symptoms create barriers for effective communication. Having and following conversations becomes difficult when you cannot hear clearly. People with untreated hearing loss often use coping strategies like pretending to hear, reading lips, asking others to repeat the sentence etc. This can be exhausting and create unpleasant interactions. 

• Leading to social withdrawal:

  Strained communication and the kind of fatigue it produces often leads to social withdrawal. People may want to avoid this kind of interaction altogether because it requires extra work and energy. This means spending less time with others which can take a toll on relationships by creating distance and tension. Social withdrawal also impacts mental health by contributing to isolation, loneliness, anxiety etc. 

In addition to these major risks of untreated hearing loss, it can also impact health outcomes. Untreated hearing loss increases the risk of developing other conditions including cognitive decline, experiencing accidental injuries, and depression. The best way to alleviate symptoms and associated risks is to address and treat hearing loss with a hearing healthcare specialist. 

Impact of Masks on Communication 

Another challenge to an active social life for people with hearing loss is masks. Though necessary protection, masks present unique challenges for people who have a more challenging time hearing. A few challenges include: 

• Covers Mouth:

  The most obvious challenge to communication is that a mask covers the entire mouth. This blocks visibility of the mouth which prevents people from being able to access useful visual cues like lip reading. This is a useful way people, especially who have impaired hearing, follow a conversation. 

• Muffles Sound:

  Wearing masks also restricts the movement of the mouth which impacts sound. The fabric over the mouth prevents the mouth from fully moving the way it typically would to annunciate words. This can muffle sound, making it unclear and hard to hear. 

The combination of untreated hearing loss symptoms and the impact of masks on daily communication can drastically limit one’s ability to engage with others. But as we approach this exciting time of increased vaccinations and reuniting with others, you can take part by treating your hearing loss. 

Treating Hearing Loss with Hart Hearing and Balance Centers

The first step in addressing hearing loss is scheduling an appointment for a hearing test. Conducted by our audiologists, hearing tests involve a noninvasive process that measures hearing ability in both ears. This process identifies any impairment and the degree of hearing loss you could be experiencing. 

Once your hearing needs are established, we are able to determine the most effective treatment option to successfully meet those needs. The most common treatment for hearing loss is hearing aids which provide ample sound support, maximizing hearing capacity! 

If you’re ready to experience the benefits of hearing loss treatment, contact us at Hart Hearing and Balance Centers today!

How Treating Hearing Loss Can Help Your Relationships

We all understand that communication in relationships is essential, yet many romantic partners struggle with it! People struggle to express their emotions and opinions and then get irritated because their partners do not hear them. Many individuals don't know how to interact with their partners in simple and meaningful ways. People fall short in their communication despite good intentions, and this can derail relationships. 

That's why this Valentine's Day, forget the flowers and chocolate. The best gift you can give your significant other is the gift of communication. But what happens when one person is unable to keep communicating as usual? This is what hearing loss can do to our relationships.

Hearing loss is a common medical condition that can significantly impair interaction that affects all aspects of a person's life. Nearly 1 in 8 people over the age of 12 has a degree of hearing loss in one or both ears, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Hearing damage happens so gradually that it can go unnoticed and untreated for quite a while. This could have disastrous effects on the relationships with the people we love, as suggested by recent studies.

Can hearing loss harm our romantic relationships?

In a 2009 British survey involving 1,500 respondents, 44% said they attributed the hearing loss to issues in their relationships with friends, relatives, spouses, and partners, with 34% saying the issue had gotten so bad that relationships, including some marriages, had ended. 

Another survey from 2007 discovered that 35 percent of respondents said their relationship with their significant other was the most impaired due to hearing loss.

As hearing loss progresses, people with untreated hearing loss notice their relationships breaking down, no matter how hard their significant other tries. They talk about how their partners fail to realize how tiring hearing loss can be. Partners of those with hearing loss report frustration with having to be the ears of their spouse even as they refuse to get their hearing treated. 

The stronger the hearing ability, the stronger the relationship?

The persons with whom we spend the most time are the ones who will feel the most damage from our hearing loss. Relationships are founded on communication - not just routine conversations, but on thousands of small everyday interactions. It's easy to take for granted just how much these little moments add to our feelings of connection with the other person before hearing loss begins to make them difficult. 

Intimacy means being "in tune" with each other. Think back on your current or former relationships, and you might remember the quieter, more subtle moments as being some of the most special. There's a disconnect that can widen overtime when we can't communicate clearly with our partners and loved ones.

We can rekindle this intimacy by treating hearing loss with hearing aids. Both parties tend to report that hearing aids significantly improve the relationship.

Hearing aids and friendship and family relationships.

Untreated hearing loss can also affect our relationships with our friends and family very adversely. Many individuals with untreated hearing loss tend to socially withdraw and prefer not to partake in social activities they used to enjoy. It is simply too much to hold interactions with groups of people in loud environments when hearing loss is untreated. It can lead to anxiety, loneliness, and depression when you are at a social event and cannot hear the conversation.

Today's hearing aids are packed with technology primarily focused on promoting and enjoying interactions with groups of people, including in busy and noisy settings. Hearing aid users are more likely to engage in social events vital to keeping friendships and family relationships alive and safe.

Treatment of your hearing loss has several other advantages. Wearing hearing aids, in addition to better communication, can also lead to improvements in your mental, emotional and physical health. A correlation between hearing treatment and slowing cognitive loss is starting to be identified by researchers.

It all starts with a hearing test!

Treatment starts by making an appointment to have your hearing tested with a hearing healthcare specialist. Hearing tests are a non-invasive procedure that measures the ability to hear in both ears and diagnoses the degree and nature of any hearing loss that you might be experiencing. To schedule an appointment, contact us today!