Blog Layout

Protecting your Hearing is Vital

Patricia Nugent • Jul 13, 2023

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


After becoming an audiologist, and for years working at the former MaryAnn’s Family Hearing, Dr. Amanda Barbur purchased the practice in 2020 and it became Amanda’s Family Hearing. “I chose to be in private practice so I can treat each individual the way I feel is most appropriate,” she says. “Being a smaller practice also allows us to give each patient the time and attention they need and deserve, and really get to know them and their needs. We love that our relationships with patients are life-long and enriching.”


Protecting this Precious Sense
Dr. Barbur explains preventing damage to your hearing is something everyone can do. How loud is too loud?


“Exposure to noises above 85 decibels (the sound of an idling bulldozer) for a prolonged period can produce NIHL, or noise-induced hearing loss,” she says. “If you’re listening to music through earphones and someone can hear your music from an arm’s length away or more, it’s too loud.”


For some people the hearing can return afterward, but with each recurring exposure, it may bounce back less and less, often becoming permanent and irreparable.


Dangerous levels of sound can come from places like rock concerts or noisy workplaces. The good news is damage is preventable. Along with fellow audiologist Dr. Kevin Burkitt, Dr. Barbur can take an impression of a patient’s ear for the best-fit custom molded earplugs.

“There’s a night-and-day difference in terms of effectiveness and sophistication between generic and custom-molded earplugs,” she says.


She reports they work with highly specialized products suited to the noise. For instance, for patients who are hunters or shooters, they offer a smart product that reduces the loud gunshot sound yet allows them to hear safe sounds and conversation.


Swimmers can benefit from custom-molded earplugs if they have a history of ear infections or “swimmer’s ear.”


For musicians, they offer plugs with special filters to allow minimal change in sound quality so that music is still enjoyable yet safe. “Recently, I am seeing more and more band students purchasing these plugs, which I think is wonderful.” she says. “Being a musician myself throughout most of my student life, and now a current hearing aid user, I can really appreciate these kids and their parents taking the initiative to save their hearing.”


Why Testing Matters
Though there are a myriad of reasons you could be suffering from hearing loss, Dr. Barbur points out there’s only one proper way to get a diagnosis: an evaluation by a licensed audiologist.


“Unfortunately, hearing loss could be caused by many different factors, such as ear wax buildup, or it can be related to other serious conditions such as acoustic tumors or middle ear pathologies,” she says. “People who self-diagnose their loss as ‘just part of getting old’ and go out and buy one-size-fits-all hearing aids could be putting themselves in harm’s way and missing a more serious issue. More often than not, over-the-counter hearing aids are inadequate and improperly self-fit leading to disappointment, wasted money, and further deterioration of the ability to communicate with others.”


She says people often ask her at what age they should have a baseline hearing test, and her answer is any age.


“The sooner we find out what’s going on, the better the outcomes,” she says. “Hearing loss unchecked can lead to falls, social isolation, depression and even early-onset dementia. Most times, hearing loss is so gradual it’s difficult to detect. It’s usually the people around you who notice first.”


At the first visit, they begin by getting to know the patient and learning about their medical history and activities, then through an exam they use an otoscope or video otoscope to inspect the ears to look for obstructions or any other abnormalities in the ear canal. Next, they perform a hearing test to assess the type and extent of impairment and recommend the best course of treatment.


Dr. Barbur and her staff are passionate about education. You’ll find them participating in all sorts of community events and health fairs, like Senior Day at Great Lakes Mall and visiting senior care facilities throughout Lake County.


“Our mission has always been to serve this community,” she says. “Come hear with us.”

HELPING THOSE WITH HEARING LOSS

By Amanda Barbur, Doctor of Audiology; Amanda’s Family Hearing • 19 Jan, 2024
HELPING THOSE WITH HEARING LOSS

Hearing aid myths vs. reality

By Amanda Barbur • 03 Nov, 2023
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.

Testing the invisible sense

By Amanda Barbur • 12 Sep, 2023
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.

Hearing loss and dementia

By Amanda Barbur • 05 Apr, 2023
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.

March 2023

By Amanda Barbur • 08 Mar, 2023
AN UPDATE FROM AMANDA

Is ear wax really bad for you?

By Amanda Barbur • 09 Feb, 2023
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.

Meet Ruby

By Amanda Barbur • 19 Dec, 2022
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.

Pay attention to family

By Amanda Barbur • 29 Nov, 2022
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.

The treatment for tinnitus

By Amanda Barbur • 04 Oct, 2022
At some point in their lives, about one in five people will experience tinnitus. This perceived noise in the ears that doesn’t correspond to an external sound can be related to hearing loss or other issues such as noise exposure, high blood pressure, earwax buildup or certain medications. Tinnitus is sometimes the brain’s way of compensating for the sound it isn’t getting due to hearing loss. Other times, it can result from a more serious medical condition that needs to be addressed. Tinnitus can be any perceived sound such as a ringing, buzzing, clicking or hissing. In some cases, it can become so severe it is difficult to concentrate or sleep. As doctors of audiology, we are well educated on tinnitus and the different treatment methods available. The first action is to get to the root cause. We obtain a thorough medical history followed by an otoscopic examination of the ear. We will remove ear wax if necessary, such as if it is obstructing the view of your eardrum, or if it may be impeding your hearing. After that, we administer a comprehensive hearing test to determine if there is loss, and what type and severity it is. If there is a hearing loss, it is common for amplification with hearing aids to not only help you hear better, but to also reduce tinnitus significantly. For the cases we encounter where amplification is not appropriate or does not offer enough relief, there are other approaches we can take to suppress or mask the tinnitus such as a combination of counseling and ear worn masking devices. Ringing in the ears is not something people should let go in hopes it will improve on its own. We’re here to help. Come hear with us.

Over-the-counter hearing aids

By Amanda Barbur • 08 Sep, 2022
Recently, the FDA finalized a rule that allows people aged 18 or over, with a perceived mild to moderate hearing loss, to buy over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids directly without being seen by a medical professional or obtaining a prescription. While we’re happy that more people will have access, there are reasons it’s recommended to see a medical professional, first. You shouldn’t treat any condition unless you have identified what it is. There are often underlying issues that cause hearing loss. Sometimes ear wax removal is all that is needed, which we can help with. Other times it may be a more concerning issue that needs further medical attention, such as an ear infection or a tumor. We do not encourage self-treatment of any hearing loss and highly recommend seeing an audiologist prior to purchasing an OTC hearing aid, especially if you have any of the following symptoms: tinnitus, dizziness or vertigo, ear pain or drainage, sudden hearing loss or asymmetric hearing loss. Audiologists perform comprehensive hearing testing to assess the type and degree of impairment. After we have a proper diagnosis, we create a treatment plan and provide ongoing follow-up care.  Only about 16% of adults with hearing loss use a hearing aid. That’s a number we are dedicated to changing for the folks here in Lake County and beyond.
More Posts
Share by: