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HELPING THOSE WITH HEARING LOSS

It can be sad and frustrating knowing someone is obviously struggling with hearing loss but won’t seek help. Hearing loss affects their physical, social and mental well-being. Here are a few myths we see, along with corresponding reality checks: Myth: I cannot afford hearing aids. Reality: Many insurance plans help to cover hearing aid costs. We also offer interest-free financing options that help to make cost more manageable. For individuals who truly cannot afford new hearing aids, we often have donated devices available to fit for a small fee. Lastly, we offer over-the-counter (OTC) devices. However, it is recommended you let us test your hearing before fitting yourself so we can rule out any treatable conditions. The bottom line is, whatever it takes, we work with our patients to get them the help they need to hear better. Myth: I don’t want the stigma of looking old with hearing aids. Reality: Hearing aids today are virtually undetectable. They are smaller than ever. Not to mention they are becoming more acceptable and even desirable to younger generations due to their cool capabilities, including connecting to Bluetooth devices. Myth: The quality of hearing is so poor through hearing aids, why even bother? Reality: Hearing aids are not the same as they were even five years ago. The technological advancements are impressive. Hearing in background noise is one of the biggest challenges hearing loss brings, but we have made tremendous strides in improving hearing in this type of environment. We always offer the latest hearing aid technology. The newest product is equipped with Auracast technology allowing you to stream audio from public locations right through your hearing devices including airports, movie theaters, and places of worship.  Our mission has always been to serve this community. Come hear with us.

My family and I just returned from a wonderful northwestern road trip where we visited the Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Devil’s Tower, Grant Teton and eventually Yellowstone. It was a once-in-a-lifetime trip, especially for our seven-year-old son. The more than 3,500 miles of mountainous vistas, emerald-green meadows, waterfalls, geysers, hot springs and hiking trails were amazing sights to behold. Looking back on it now, though, the sounds were every bit as magical. We experienced wolves howling, prairie dogs squealing and buffalo grunting. The hikes were a real escape, with the soothing backdrop sounds of rushing rapids, bubbling mudpots, and spewing geysers. Whether on vacation or engaging with their everyday environment, I hope people appreciate their hearing as much as I do. This “invisible sense” is an important part of how you interpret the world around you. At Amanda’s Family Hearing, fellow audiologist Dr. Kevin Burkitt and I perform comprehensive diagnostic testing. First, we do a consultation, going over the patient’s medical history. We then diagnose the type and severity of their loss and recommend the best course of treatment. Oftentimes, we see patients who have self-diagnosed a hearing problem and bought over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. Not only could the quality of hearing they get with these devices be sub-standard, but they could also miss a more serious medical condition. Additionally, if hearing loss is improperly treated, it could lead to more devastating effects later on, such as early onset dementia or depression.  Our goal is to have everyone fully enjoy every sound they hear for the best quality of living.

PROTECTING YOUR SENSE OF HEARING IS VITAL, THAT’S WHY DR. AMANDA BARBUR, OF AMANDA’S FAMILY HEARING, OFFERS THESE TIPS, TRICKS AND DEVICES TO HELP YOU DO JUST THAT

Hearing is an important part of life and there are many risks of untreated hearing loss, including social isolation, depression, job-related issues, relationship struggles, imbalance, and now even earlier onset dementia. However, recent research shows the risks of dementia are lower for hearing aid users. It is never too early to get a hearing test, but you should get checked at least by 45 years of age. Hearing loss often occurs gradually and may go unnoticed for years. It is not uncommon for my first-time hearing aid users to be surprised at how much they have been missing once they hear it again. People with associated comorbidities and other risk factors are more at risk for hearing loss. These include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity, dizziness or balance issues, loud noise exposure, tinnitus and smoking. Hearing loss can be frustrating and downright exhausting due to a condition known as auditory fatigue. When you can’t hear everything, your brain has to first work to fill in the pieces of conversation it missed. Only after that can it then process and comprehend what was said. It’s like the brain is working overtime. This is often why people with hearing loss socially withdraw, because it’s just too tiring to go out and socialize.  I love when my patients tell me how happy they are after they’ve decided to seek professional help and are fit with hearing aids. I’ve never had a patient say they regret making the step toward better hearing, and in turn a better quality of life. So don’t wait and come hear with us.

AN UPDATE FROM AMANDA

People usually consider ear wax to be an icky, unsightly bodily secretion they are quick to get rid of. In reality, this protective, hardworking unsung hero serves several beneficial functions to your ears. It traps stray dirt, dust and debris from entering your ear canal. The anti-microbial chemical composition of ear wax is slightly acidic, so not only does it inhibit the growth of viruses and bacteria, but it also repels bugs from flying into your ear, as the scent is unpleasant to them. With so much going for it, in general, we recommend people stop worrying about removing ear wax and leave it where it’s supposed to be. For the record, the proper way to clean your ears is with a warm, damp washcloth just around the outside of the ear. Never clean the inside of your ears with a cotton swab. It’s a shock to us when a patient tells us he or she is still engaging in this dangerous practice. All it accomplishes is to push ear wax further into your ear, and you can damage the ultra-sensitive mechanisms by doing this. Ear wax only becomes a problem if it becomes too dry or too wet or there’s too little or too much of it. Too little can cause dry, itchy ears and leave you more susceptible to infection, and too much can build up and create a symptom of hearing loss. Oftentimes we see patients who think they are suffering from hearing loss, then after we perform a cleaning, find out their hearing is fine.  If you think you have an excessive amount, come see us. As licensed doctors of audiology, we routinely perform cleanings and can make an evaluation as to whether ear wax is the issue or there are other medical conditions happening. Come hear with us.

I wanted to share an experience I had earlier this week. If you did not know, my family recently rescued a puppy this past summer. Her name is Ruby. She is now about 6 months old, and a cute little ball of energy! She just recently graduated from her first 6-week puppy training class. Her last session was this week, and I did something different that I wish I had done the entire time. The room that training takes place in is quite large and reverberant. At times the teacher is not facing you, other dogs start barking, and sounds echo throughout the area. It is really a tough listening environment to be in, especially if you have hearing loss! For the last class I decided to try using my remote microphone accessory. I simply asked the teacher to clip the small microphone to her shirt at the beginning of class, and I connected to the mic by pressing the button on my hearing aid.

With the holidays here, we look forward to gathering with family and friends we might not often see during the year. I hope people use this as a time to detect signs of hearing loss from those who might be around their table, especially older folks. Since losing your hearing can be a very gradual process, many people might not realize it’s happening to them. Numerous studies have shown links between hearing loss and social isolation, dementia, and even depression. Early detection and treatment are essential to a person’s long-term health and wellness. If you notice someone is asking you to repeat things often, not following conversations, giving inappropriate answers, or you notice they seem withdrawn, you’re doing your loved one a favor by mentioning they should see an audiologist. In some cases, even after hearing loss is suspected, people avoid having their hearing checked because of cost. At our practice, we offer several options to help make costs more manageable. We offer interest-free financing and a leasing program. We also maximize a patient’s insurance coverage and accept Medicare Advantage Plans. We always verify each patient’s insurance to make sure they get all the benefits. If someone is unable to afford hearing aids, we do our best to find ways to help them hear better, even if it is fitting used or reconditioned hearing aids that have been donated. We believe everyone deserves to hear better, and we want to help make that possible.  It’s easy to call our office and schedule a 90-minute test and consultation. Tests are covered by most insurances, and consultations are complimentary.