Hearing Articles
What is the best hearing aid?
The best hearing aid is the one that meets your hearing needs, is as cosmetically pleasing as possible, and fits within your budget. In short, the one that works for you. That can mean many different things for many people.
Is there one hearing aid that is overall best for everyone? No! We are unique individuals with different likes and dislikes. The music one person loves another hates. The same is true with clothing, cars, food, even vacation destinations! So is it any wonder why there are so many different hearing aids and opinions about them?
Troubleshooting tips for hearing aids
When your hearing instrument is not operating appropriately, it may be the result of several factors. Here are some tips that may resolve any difficulties you may have:
1. Be sure that the battery is inserted and operating correctly.
2. Make sure that the battery does not have a film ( i.e., body oil) or corrosion on it preventing electrical conduction.
3. Make sure that the battery terminals in the hearing aid do not appear to be corroded.
4. Be sure the hearing device is switched to the “on” position. This may be as simple as closing the battery door.
5. Make sure that the earmold or eartip is not blocked, preventing sound from entering the ear.
6. If there is a tube between the hearing aid and earmold/tip, make sure it is not blocked by water, perspiration, earwax, a bend or crack in the tubing.
7. If your hearing aid whistles constantly, this could mean that your ear has excessive earwax that needs to be removed or that an adjustment to the aid needs to be made.
The effects of hearing loss on the spouse
Numerous studies have been performed on the negative effects of hearing loss on the individual. People with untreated hearing loss are more likely to report depression, anxiety, short-term memory loss and less likely to participate in social activities. Few studies have examined the effects of hearing loss on the spouse, family and significant others of the individual. It stands to reason that hearing loss would definitely affect the spouse also. Hearing loss is not just an individual problem but a family problem too.
A recent study in Australia conducted by Scarinci, et al. (2008) examined the effect of hearing loss on the spouse. In-depth interviews were obtained with spouses of hearing impaired adults whose ages ranged from 63 to 80 years and whose hearing loss ranged from mild to severe. The investigators examined several areas of interest: 1) strategies used by the spouse, 2) effects on communication, 3) effects on the relationship and 4) effects of acceptance/denial.
Hearing Loss Prevention Tips
Here is a riddle for you. What is painless, odorless, tasteless, invisible and toxic? For those of you who don’t know, the answer is ..... a noise induced hearing loss of course! When we expose our ears to loud sounds, it takes a toll on the little hair cells in our inner ear. Once these hair cells are damaged, our hearing sensitivity is compromised. These hair cells don’t grow back!! You have a permanent, irreversible hearing loss. Many of you may be saying to yourself…..but I’m not around that much noise. I don’t work in an industry, I don’t shoot guns or hunt anymore. My ears are safe. Well, this may not be a correct assumption.
Hearing Aid Tax credit
You most likely know someone who has a hearing loss. Whether it affects a relative, child, friend or co-worker, or even yourself, hearing loss is a prevalent and often neglected concern. Hearing loss affects over 30 million Americans or 1 in every 10 people. In fact, it’s the second most common birth defect. Despite these statistics, and the fact that hearing aids could treat 95% of all hearing loss, Medicare and most insurance policies exclude coverage, making treatment an out of pocket expense. The Hearing Aid Tax Credit is legislation drafted with these concerns in mind. If enacted, it would provide a $1000 tax credit for two hearing aids for dependents and adults 55+ every five years.
Better Hearing can be your New “Fountain of Youth”
The qualities of youth - strength, independence and health - have long been prized throughout the history of western civilization. It’s no wonder that the New World explorers were on a quest to find the mythical “Fountain of Youth”. Since these times, we’ve learned that there is no actual fountain of youth to reverse the effects of aging, but modern technology has provided many tools to counteract the negative effects age has on quality of life.