HEARING LOSS

May Is Better Hearing And Speech Month

May 16, 2019thg HEARING LOSS

I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Better Hearing And Speech month than by getting your hearing tested. Did you know that 25% of people with hearing loss don’t seek help for their hearing? Did you know that on average it takes 7 years for someone who has been diagnosed with hearing loss to finally get help. Approximately 15% of American adults (37.5 million) ages 18 and older report some trouble hearing, according to government data. Although nearly all newborns are getting their hearing screened, many who are flagged with a potential hearing problem are not getting the follow-up care that they need. When it comes to adults, only approximately 1 in 7 (14%) over the age of 50 with a hearing loss who could benefit from amplification uses a hearing aid.

Unaddressed hearing loss can affect people across the lifespan in the following ways:

Impact on Young Children’s Development: Hearing is critical to language, speech, and cognitive development and can impact communication and learning. Areas of development that hearing loss may affect if early intervention does not occur can include vocabulary, sentence structure, sound production and understanding speech.

Impact on School-Age Children: Children who have hearing loss that is left unaddressed can have problems with academics (may include problems with language arts and vocabulary; delays in reading, spelling, math, and problem solving; and lower scores on achievement and verbal IQ tests); behavior and social interactions (may include problems working in groups); and communication (may experience delays and/or difficulty with tasks involving language production and comprehension and/or memory).

Impact on Adults: Hearing loss can affect every area of an adult’s life, including physical health, mental health, career success, social life, personal relationships, and overall quality of life. A serious condition on its own, it is associated with other conditions, as well, including dementia, diabetes, falls, and depression.

Audiologists diagnose, treat, and help people manage their hearing loss

Call The Hearing Group today at 973-542-4031 to schedule your hearing test.

October Is National Audiology Awareness Month

October 26, 2017thg HEARING LOSS Uncategorized

Help The Hearing Group raise awareness of hearing loss. Fact…there are over 36 million people with hearing loss in this country and most of them are under the age of 65 years. Call our office to schedule a free hearing screening to establish a base line. If you know that you do have hearing loss and are struggling to hear the conversation, think everyone mumbles when they talk or maybe feel left out of the conversation call our office to schedule a complete audiological evaluation. We can be reached at 973-542-4031.

The Use of Hearing Aids Can Cut Your Risk Of Dementia by 35 Percent

July 31, 2017thg HEARING LOSS

An article published by Vox Media tells of 9 behaviors that can help you reduce your risk of Dementia by 35 percent. One of those behaviors was to use hearing aids even if diagnosed with mild hearing loss. If you suspect you or a loved has hearing loss please call our office at 973-542-4031 to schedule an appointment for a hearing test. Below is the article:

https://www.vox.com/health-care/2017/7/31/16049300/9-behaviors-could-cut-dementia-risk-35-percent

Mala Bawer a Finalist in 2017 Oticon Focus on People Awards

July 17, 2017thg HEARING LOSS

Please join us in congratulating all of the finalists in this years Oticon Focus on People Awards. We are especially proud of our long time patient Mala Bawer for being selected as a finalist. Mala shares a passion for making the world a better place for everyone. Please read her story below then click on the link to cast your vote for Mala.

https://www.oticon.com/inside-oticon/we-put-people-first/people-first/fop/bios-adult

Mala Bawer

Bernardsville, NJ

Mala Bawer, who has lived with hearing loss for more than 30 years, understands the ways that technology — in the form of hearing aids or digital resources — empowers life-changing possibilities. Co-founder of CyberSmart Education, she is passionate about the importance of fostering digital literacy. She pioneered the development of the first digital literacy curriculum now modeled internationally. Her initial work in Sub-Saharan Africa inspired Mala’s production of the internationally acclaimed feature film TALL AS THE BAOBAB TREE. Today, Mala and the CyberSmart Africa team work in partnership with the Senegalese Ministry of Education and The Earth Institute at Columbia University tackling the challenge of delivering a 21st century education to millions of youth in Sub-Saharan Africa with extremely limited access to school books. Mala’s team is piloting an innovative digital learning platform to deliver up-to-date learning and teaching resources to schools across the developing world.

The Hearing Group Celebrates National Women’s Health Week May 14-20, 2017

May 15, 2017thg HEARING LOSS

West Orange, NJ, May 15, 2017—The Hearing Group is urging women of all ages to talk hearing health with their doctors—a topic often overlooked in the discussion on women’s health. Studies link unaddressed hearing loss to other serious health issues, including depression, dementia, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, moderate chronic kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, sleep apnea, and an increased risk of falls and hospitalization. Research also shows that when people address hearing loss, it often has a positive impact on their quality of life.

During National Women’s Health Week, The Hearing Group invites people in for a complimentary hearing screening to determine if they need a comprehensive hearing test by one of our hearing healthcare professionals.

Hearing loss affects women of all ages. About 1 in 13 women in their 40s say they already have hearing difficulty, according to BHI research, along with 1 in 10 women in their 50s, and 1 in 8 in their 60s. The numbers rise sharply from there, but across all age groups, about 1 in 11 women (18 and older) have hearing loss, BHI research indicates.

The good news is that when women address hearing loss, they tend to see improvements in their quality of life.

In fact, most women who wear hearing aids say it’s true. They see a notable improvement in their overall quality of life, their overall ability to communicate and participate in group activities, and they’re especially likely to see improvements show up at work—specifically, in their work performance and relationships.

What’s more, most women who buy hearing aids say they’d recommend them to a family member or friend with hearing problems. That includes women who buy them in middle age (40-59). At least 90 percent of women in this age group say they would recommend them. Women of all ages even say they’re happy with the look of their hearing aids—at least 8 out of 10 female hearing aid users surveyed said so.

The reality is, most people tend to address hearing loss in stages. They may notice they’re having difficulty hearing but not do anything about it, or they may start down the road to find information about hearing loss and treatment options.

It’s important for women to know about the tremendous advances in hearing aid technology in recent years. Given that there is so much emerging research on the connection between hearing loss and other significant health issues, it makes sense for people to talk with their doctors about hearing loss sooner rather than later.

Women have so much to gain by addressing their hearing loss early.

And so do the people in their lives. Not only do 94 percent of women make healthcare decisions for themselves, but 59 percent of all women—whether or not they’re married or have children—make healthcare decisions for others as well, research from the Center for Talent Innovation shows.

Given the wide circle of influence that women have, when a woman takes hearing health and hearing loss seriously, it has the potential to benefit many others too.

During National Women’s Health Week, The Hearing Group is urging all women to talk hearing health with their doctors.

National Women’s Health Week is an observance led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health. This year’s National Women’s Health Week kicks off on Mother’s Day, May 14, and runs through May 20, 2017.

Eddy The Ear Talks Hearing Loss

April 28, 2017thg HEARING LOSS

Eddy The Ear Talks About Hearing Protection

April 5, 2017thg HEARING LOSS

Meet Eddy the Ear

We’d like to introduce you to Eddy the Ear – the ear-resistible star of a new video series, “Conversations with Eddy the Ear”, sponsored by CaptionCall. This video is the first in a series of entertaining short video segments created to help your patients be ear-responsible. Eddy is a quirky, puny, lovable, giant ear who embarks on a journey of discovery, from recognizing he’s having a little trouble hearing in certain settings to eventually taking action by seeking treatment for his hearing loss. In the first video, you get a peek into the life of Eddy the Ear and how his human could have been more proactive with hearing protection.

Click here to enjoy: https://captioncall.com/meet-eddy-ear/

The New York Times Reports Kid’s Headphones Carry Risks

December 7, 2016thg HEARING LOSS

An article in yesterday’s New York Times reported that headphones made specifically for children that claim to restrict volume did not do as good of a job as they claim. The times compared 30 sets of children’s headphones and found that one half of them did not restrict the volume as much as they reported to do. Keep in mind that the only kind of hearing loss that we can prevent is hearing loss caused by exposure to loud sound.

Want a memory boost? Try a hearing test

November 2, 2016thg HEARING LOSS

Intrigued by all the brain-training products out there to keep your mind sharp and spirits young? You may want to consider something else: A hearing test.

That’s right. Mounting evidence links untreated hearing loss to impaired memory and diminished cognitive function. What that means is, if you keep brushing off that suspected hearing loss of yours, your cognition may pay.

Researchers have found that when people with unaddressed hearing loss strain to hear, they tend to do more poorly on memory tests. They may figure out what is being said, but because so much effort goes into just hearing it, their ability to remember what they heard often suffers.

Experts believe this has to do with what they call “cognitive load.” That is, in order to compensate for the hearing loss and make out the words, people with untreated hearing loss may draw on cognitive resources they’d normally use to remember what they’ve heard. Experts say that untreated hearing loss may even interfere with the person’s ability to accurately process and make sense of what was said or heard.

In fact, research shows that people with poorer hearing have less gray matter in the auditory cortex, a region of the brain needed to support speech comprehension.

Other research shows a link between hearing loss and dementia. One Johns Hopkins study found that seniors with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia over time than those who retain their hearing. Another found that hearing loss is associated with accelerated cognitive decline in older adults. And a third revealed a link between hearing loss and accelerated brain tissue loss.

Some experts believe that interventions, like professionally fitted hearing aids, could potentially help.

The bottom line is we actually “hear” with our brain, not with our ears.

So if you think you may have hearing loss, do something about it. Make an appointment with a hearing healthcare professional, and get a hearing test.

After all, research suggests that treating hearing loss may be one of the best things you can actually do to help protect your memory and cognitive function.

Please call The Hearing Group at 973-542-4031 to schedule a hearing consultation today.

New hearing aids? Here’s what to expect

October 17, 2016thg HEARING LOSS

Contributed by Lisa Packer, staff writer, Healthy Hearing | Tuesday, September 27th, 2016

So, after years of family and friends complaining about your hearing loss, you have finally decided to get hearing aids. That’s great! Congratulations on taking a big step towards improving your relationships, career and enjoyment of life. How do you know what to expect? What is “normal” versus “not normal” when it comes to hearing aids? The process is a little different for everyone, but here is a general guide for what to expect before getting hearing aids, during the initial adjustment period and in the long term.

Before

clinician showing man a large selection of hearing aids — Knowing what to expect can help you
succeed with your new hearing aids.

If you decide to shop around and see a couple of different hearing healthcare professionals about hearing aids, expect that they could have different recommendations. There isn’t one brand of hearing aid that is considered “best” for everyone, and the one your friend raves about might not be the right one for your particular needs.

Expect hearing aids to be a significant investment. They are a big ticket purchase – cost for a high-quality pair can range from nearly $2,000 to more than $7,000 depending on the level of technology.

Expect a thorough assessment, one that takes not just your hearing, but also your health, lifestyle, priorities and budget into consideration.

Expect to purchase two hearing aids if you have hearing loss in both ears. Even if you think you only need one device, human hearing is binaural by design. Most people get optimal results when the brain receives input from both ears.

Expect to be offered a trial period with a money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with your hearing aids. Remember: Hearing aids should provide benefit to you during the trial period in the form of improved hearing. If the hearing aids provide no improvement in hearing, it’s possible they are not the right devices for you. Most hearing healthcare professionals will work with you until the best solution is found.

During

Expect a period of adjustment when you first start wearing your hearing aids. The average time a person with known hearing loss takes to finally get hearing aids is 5-7 years, so it has likely been a while since you have been able to fully hear all of the sounds around you. From the dripping of the faucet to the sound of the air conditioning unit running to the sound of your feet hitting the floor as you walk, the world is full of sound.

Remember: even people with very good hearing sometimes have trouble hearing in challenging situations.

Expect to return to your hearing healthcare professional several times during the trial period for adjustments. Today’s hearing aids can be fine tuned to address your needs, and your provider will want to make sure you are hearing your best.

When you first begin wearing hearing aids, expect your voice to sound funny. Hearing aids work by amplifying sounds, and that includes your own voice. Many hearing aid styles at least partially occlude the ear canals which can also make your voice sound different. You can experiment with this “occlusion effect” by talking out loud while plugging your ears with your fingers. Most hearing aid wearers notice this effect at first, but then quickly adjust to it.

Don’t expect perfection. Hearing aids are not a “cure all,” but are simply one tool to help you hear better. They are not a perfect replacement for normally-functioning ears. Although today’s hearing aids are miles above where they used to be, you might still have trouble hearing in certain situations, such as a noisy restaurant or at a party. Keep in mind that even people with very good hearing also still have trouble catching every word of a conversation in these environments.

Expect your hearing aids to be comfortable. You should know they are there, but you should never experience pain, soreness, bleeding or rash. If any of these occur, remove the hearing aids immediately and see your hearing care professional for an adjustment in fit.

Expect to wear your hearing aids for all waking hours after the adjustment period, except when you are showering or swimming. People who wear their hearing aids are more successful in retraining their brains to hear all of the sounds they have been missing. And, just like wearing glasses, you will quickly adjust to your corrected hearing and will most likely not want to be without your aids for any length of time.

Expect to be able to hear soft sounds once again and to be able to hear louder sounds comfortably. See a hearing care professional, however, if “normal loud” sounds, such as the roar of a car engine or a door slamming, are painful.

Expect whistling (feedback) as you put your hearing aids in unless you turn them off while inserting. The hearing aids should not continue to whistle after they are secure in your ears. See your hearing healthcare professional for an adjustment in fit if this happens.

Long term

Expect to do some minor maintenance on your hearing aids in order to keep them functioning properly. Daily cleaning with a soft cloth, wax removal, use of a dry kit overnight and changing the batteries are all tasks that are easy to accomplish.

Expect to see your hearing care professional on a regular basis for adjustments or for any larger maintenance issues.

Expect to purchase a new set of hearing aids approximately every 5-7 years. Like any electronic device, they will wear out eventually. Also, technology is being constantly improved, and you’ll have the benefit of the latest innovations.

Your hearing care professional has a vested interest in your success with your new hearing aids.

Although hearing aids improve the quality of your life and allow you to get back to doing the activities you love, there is no doubt they are a significant life change. With just a little bit of knowledge about what to expect, you can make the adjustment to hearing aids as smooth and stress-free as possible for yourself and those around you. Remember to see your hearing care professional if you have any questions or concerns during the process. They have a vested interest in your success and will help you achieve it!

If you have any questions for our audiogists or would like to make an appointment for a hearing aid evaluation please call our office at (973) 542-4031

Reprinted with permission from healthyhearing.com. For the complete article please visit www.healthyhearing.com