Cranberry Hearing

Alternative medicine relief for tinnitus?

2011-07-22T12:54:00.000-07:00

Researchers have found that mindfulness techniques can help sufferers cope with the (sometimes overwhelming) ringing in their ears.

I believe that if people are open-minded enough to try alternate methods, then these techniques could really be of help to them.

Click here to check out the article. What are your thoughts?

Invisible-in-the-canal hearing aids

2011-06-24T13:56:00.001-07:00

Invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) hearing aids sit further down in the ear canal than even a regular completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing instrument, you benefit more from the natural resonance provided by your pinna and the outer portion of your external ear canal than any other style of hearing instrument. More of that natural hearing means better sound localization and directionality.

The fact that IICs sit very close to your eardrum means less gain is needed to provide the same benefit from amplification over any other style of hearing instruments. Less gain means less whistling (i.e. feedback). Less feedback means less embarrassment in front of your family and friends.

Some of the top manufacturers out there are now developing IIC hearing aids including Starkey and Siemens. Both of these companies have developed regular hearing aids that sit very deep in your canal that require your basic cleaning maintenance and the usual insertion and removal instances (e.g. taking showers, going to bed). By putting their world-class digital features inside these tiny devices, it makes it very comfortable for the wearer to hear in all sorts of different environments.

Insound Medical, Inc. has developed a slightly different IIC. They call their hearing instrument the Lyric and is touted as the first ever extended-wear invisible-in-the-canal hearing instrument. The extended-wear element of this aid is truly original. A hearing healthcare professional must insert the device and you are able to wear it continuously for two to four months at a time...without taking it out. You can shower in it, sleep in it, and exercise in it. The sound quality is free of distortion because it uses analog technology which makes everything sound crisp and clear.

You may have to pay a little extra for these types of devices, but it is truly worth it if vanity is near the top of your "concerns list". Keep in mind that not everybody's ear canals are going to accomodate these deep-seated hearing aids. But I do encourage you to ask your audiologist, ENT, or hearing aid dispenser if you're a candidate for these devices. They will be able to do the proper measurements and assement.

Also, one last thing to keep in mind: not all hearing losses can be fit with these IICs. Usually, mild to moderate losses do better with this technology. Severe and profound hearing losses are usually aided by behind-the-ear with custom mold technology.

Reduce Noise

2011-06-17T14:06:00.001-07:00

Recently, I purchased a set of custom earplugs for myself. Originally, I wanted them for when I go to a concert/show with friends, but I realized that I could also attach my cheap pair of headphones in the opening and make them into (sort of) custom headphones. What's great about this setup is that it reduces some of the annoying background noise when I'm listening to my iPod music (especially at the gym!). By lowering the background noise, I can lower the volume of my actual music, which in turn, reduces the risk of me listening to the music at a strenuous and potentially dangerous level.

Most times, we don't even realize that we're listening to the radio, iPod or TV at a really amplified level. For example on those beautiful summer days, have you ever noticed that when you have the car windows down and the music at a level in which you can enjoy it comfortably, the next day when you turn your car on, the music almost blasts you out of your seat? I've noticed. The wind noise is masking out the signal (the music) so much that I have to raise my signal above and beyond the noise level. In order for me to comfortably listen to my music, I either need to get my AC fixed so I can close the windows or I have to keep my music at an amplified level over the wind noise and live with the risk of potentially damaging my ears. (I really need to get the AC fixed.)

Those were just a couple of situations in which noise is a nuisance for people within the normal hearing range. Imagine the difficulty for a person with any degree of hearing loss. For some people with normal low frequency hearing and hearing loss in the high frequencies, the background noises certainly mask out the signals (mostly voices of people they're trying to hear).

When choosing a hearing aid, you want to make sure you choose technology which reduces noise somehow. Consider the levels of technologies with directional microphones, noise reduction features, and even FM and wireless technology if necessary. These features help lower noises and enhance signals making it easier for you to hear in difficult situations.

Directional microphones can cut out part of an area that contains a lot of noise. (And by cut out, I do not mean eliminate noise completely) For instance, in a restaurant you are sitting across from your spouse or friend. You only want to hear what the person in front of you is saying and not the noise coming from behind you. Directional microphones can hone in (to a certain degree) on the person in front of you and not amplify the noise from behind you. Some higher levels of technology can even hone in to the right or left or behind you --- good for sitting in the driver or passenger seats in cars. If you can afford a higher level of technology, the directional microphones can adapt and work automatically which makes it easier for you in the long run.

The noise reduction feature is one function of the digital signal processing chip of the hearing aid. In each of the channels of the hearing aid, it will analyze your environment and if it detects steady-state sound (usually background noise like the low hum of people at other tables chatting in a restaurant or a window fan in your home or your car motor running), it will lower that sound. If it detects the peaks and valleys that make up speech, then it will enhance those sounds. Noise reduction features used in conjunction with directional microphones help hearing aid users tremendously.

FM systems in hearing aids allow a person (e.g. school teacher, seminar speaker) to talk into a microphone and send the signal directly to the listener's hearing aid radio transmitters. Hearing aid manufacturers are now incorporating accessories to pair/hook up to your cellphone or TV which uses 2.4 GHz technology.

Other things you may want to consider:

Ask your family member or friend to be in the same room as you if you want to have a conversation.
Turn down the TV or noise source at home so you can hear what your family member is saying clearly.
Pick a quieter restaurant where the background noise isn't so intense.
Sit in the chair at the restaurant in which the majority of the background noise is behind you. The directional microphones will be very helpful if you use this tip.

The more active your life is the more you will need noises reduced. You won't want to go with the least expensive hearing aids in that case. Spend the extra money. It will be worth it.

Background noise will always be part of our lives. Even the best hearing aid technology cannot eliminate noises completely. But by considering these higher levels of technology, they will give you the best chance to hear in life's difficult listening situations.

The High Cost of Hearing Aids and the Hearing Aid Tax Credit

2011-06-10T13:15:00.001-07:00

I've consulted with many people about their hearing loss. Many of whom understand the importance of aiding their condition sooner rather than later. Several of those patients and their families are taken back when hearing the price of a pair of hearing aids - especially when they have never worn hearing aids before. They have the look of shock on their faces and sometimes make the comment that they thought and hoped the cost was in the hundreds instead of the thousands.

This is how I like to explain the high prices of hearing aids to them. Ideally, we, as hearing healthcare providers, would like to see hearing aid wearers use their hearing aids everyday to maximize the benefits. Hearing aids typically last 5-7 years. (I admit, there are a few patients I see that have had their hearing aids for even longer than that.) If you split up the final cost that you pay for your pair of hearing aids between the amount of time hearing aids last (considering that you wear them everyday), it actually works out to be very reasonably priced per day.

For many people who do not have any type of assistance to help them pay for hearing aids, there is hope out there. There is legislation that is being proposed in both the House and the Senate to give tax credits to those people who need hearing aids to treat their hearing loss. The legislation is called the Hearing Aid Tax Credit (HATC). Many congressional representatives support the HATC legislation. Click here to read the full news story.

Please take a moment to read the article and get involved if you or someone you know is one of the million people who need hearing aids.