The Whistling in Your Ears Can be Stopped, Here’s How
By: Jude Liptak Au.D : April 24, 2019
For many people, admitting and dealing with the truth of hearing loss is a tough pill to swallow. Because you realized that it was best for your health, you made the decision to go and get fitted for a hearing aid by a hearing specialist. Most likely, you quickly realized the benefits one receives by wearing a hearing aid, including the ability to hear speech (even among the buzz of background noise), the potential to recover from mental decline and the ability to treat tinnitus.
But on occasion you get a loud, piercing, shrieking negative among all the life changing positives. You get a loud squealing noise from your hearing aids. The squealing you’re hearing is more typically known as feedback. It’s just like what happens to a sound system when you bring a microphone too close, but it’s directly in your ears. Fortunately, this is a problem you can correct relatively easily. Stopping your hearing aid from whistling can be accomplished using the following suggestions:
1. The Way Your Hearing Aid Fits Can be Adjusted
Perhaps the most prevalent reason for feedback or whistling in the ear involves the placement of your hearing aid in your ear or the earmold it’s connected to. The sound can escape and reverberate through the microphone of the hearing aid if it doesn’t fit properly. The consequences of that leakage can be a whistling that’s either intermittent or constant, depending on how much sound has escaped and how poorly the fit actually is. With some hearing aid models, a plastic tube will connect the actual device with the earmold. Over time, the earmold can become unseated from its proper position due to hardening, cracking and shrinking. This movement can cause whistling, but you can improve the issue by switching the plastic piece.
2. Excessive Earwax Should be Removed
Earwax is really beneficial for our bodies, even though, ironically, we tend to think of it as unwanted or even nasty. Dirt and other substances are prevented from entering the ears by this gooey substance which acts as a defense. While your ears will self-regulate the quantity of earwax you hold, through actions such as Talking and chewing, there are times when an accumulation of too much earwax can have negative repercussions. When you put a hearing aid on top of an extreme amount of earwax, you’re bound to get feedback. Because of the blockage from earwax, the amplified sound has nowhere to go and this is the reason for the feedback. With no clear place to go, the sound comes around and goes through the microphone once more. There are a few ways to eliminate an overabundance of wax from your ears such as letting a warm shower run into your ears. However, the best idea may be to speak to a hearing specialist about correctly cleaning your ears to prevent undue accumulation and subsequent whistling.
3. Make Sure The Microphone is Uncovered
Often the most apparent solution is the most effective. Have you ever noticed someone trying to take a picture which didn’t come out, only to discover that the lens cap was still on? The same idea is applicable here. Anything covering the hearing aid can cause them to whistle. If you cover the microphone with your hand or another object, you get the same result, like if you bury your ear in someone’s shoulder while hugging them. This problem should be easy to fix simply by uncovering the hearing aid.
Here’s a bonus tip: A new hearing aid might be the best choice. Some causes for concern are being alleviated by modern hearing aid models and manufacturers are integrating new technology all of the time. Give us a call if you are interested in learning about new hearing aid technology or if you are having a problem with your current hearing aids whistling.
The Whistling in Your Ears Can be Stopped, Here’s How
By: Jude Liptak Au.D : April 23, 2019
For many people, admitting and dealing with the truth of hearing loss is a tough pill to swallow. Because you realized that it was best for your health, you made the decision to go and get fitted for a hearing aid by a hearing specialist. Most likely, you quickly realized the benefits one receives by wearing a hearing aid, including the ability to hear speech (even among the buzz of background noise), the potential to recover from mental decline and the ability to treat tinnitus.
But on occasion you get a loud, piercing, shrieking negative among all the life changing positives. You get a loud squealing noise from your hearing aids. The squealing you’re hearing is more typically known as feedback. It’s just like what happens to a sound system when you bring a microphone too close, but it’s directly in your ears. Fortunately, this is a problem you can correct relatively easily. Stopping your hearing aid from whistling can be accomplished using the following suggestions:
1. The Way Your Hearing Aid Fits Can be Adjusted
Perhaps the most prevalent reason for feedback or whistling in the ear involves the placement of your hearing aid in your ear or the earmold it’s connected to. The sound can escape and reverberate through the microphone of the hearing aid if it doesn’t fit properly. The consequences of that leakage can be a whistling that’s either intermittent or constant, depending on how much sound has escaped and how poorly the fit actually is. With some hearing aid models, a plastic tube will connect the actual device with the earmold. Over time, the earmold can become unseated from its proper position due to hardening, cracking and shrinking. This movement can cause whistling, but you can improve the issue by switching the plastic piece.
2. Excessive Earwax Should be Removed
Earwax is really beneficial for our bodies, even though, ironically, we tend to think of it as unwanted or even nasty. Dirt and other substances are prevented from entering the ears by this gooey substance which acts as a defense. While your ears will self-regulate the quantity of earwax you hold, through actions such as Talking and chewing, there are times when an accumulation of too much earwax can have negative repercussions. When you put a hearing aid on top of an extreme amount of earwax, you’re bound to get feedback. Because of the blockage from earwax, the amplified sound has nowhere to go and this is the reason for the feedback. With no clear place to go, the sound comes around and goes through the microphone once more. There are a few ways to eliminate an overabundance of wax from your ears such as letting a warm shower run into your ears. However, the best idea may be to speak to a hearing specialist about correctly cleaning your ears to prevent undue accumulation and subsequent whistling.
3. Make Sure The Microphone is Uncovered
Often the most apparent solution is the most effective. Have you ever noticed someone trying to take a picture which didn’t come out, only to discover that the lens cap was still on? The same idea is applicable here. Anything covering the hearing aid can cause them to whistle. If you cover the microphone with your hand or another object, you get the same result, like if you bury your ear in someone’s shoulder while hugging them. This problem should be easy to fix simply by uncovering the hearing aid.
Here’s a bonus tip: A new hearing aid might be the best choice. Some causes for concern are being alleviated by modern hearing aid models and manufacturers are integrating new technology all of the time. Give us a call if you are interested in learning about new hearing aid technology or if you are having a problem with your current hearing aids whistling.
Your Hearing Aids Need to be Checked Regularly, But How Often?
By: Jude Liptak Au.D : April 17, 2019
If you haven’t had your hearing tested since your grade school days, you’re not by yourself. Unfortunately, we have a tendency to treat hearing loss reactively instead of proactively, and a routine adult physical generally doesn’t include a hearing test. As a matter of fact, even when they recognize they have loss of hearing, the majority of people disregard it for as many as seven years which can severely impact your health. As a matter of fact, untreated loss of hearing has been shown to increase your healthcare costs over time.
The good news, hearing exams are simple, pain-free, and provide a wealth of information for our professionals to assist you, both for diagnosing hearing concerns and evaluating whether interventions like hearing aids are working. When you were younger, you might remember the audiometry test from school, but a full hearing exam will give you a clearer understanding of your hearing without a sticker or a lollipop.
While you may not give the state of hearing as much thought as you would the health of your eyes or your teeth, it is important that you routinely have your hearing tested. It can be a considerable time before you recognize that there is a problem with your hearing. Loss of hearing usually occurs gradually, and the earlier you detect a problem with your hearing, the sooner you may be able to fix it.
When Should You Get Examined?
Normally the hospital will test newborns for hearing loss before they send them home. Teenagers should be screened during regular exams with their physicians and children should have formal hearing assessments at the ages of 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 years old according to The American Academy of Pediatrics.
If you are between the ages of 18 to 45, it is suggested that you have your hearing examined every five years and then more often as you get older. After you turn 60 you need to get checked every two years and if you are between 46 and 60 every three. But you might need to get tested more often. Your individual circumstances will determine when you should get a test. You should get your hearing checked immediately if you find that it isn’t as good as it once was. Untreated loss of hearing has been connected to cognitive decline, depression and a greater risk of falling and other health issues. Your ability to work effectively and your relationships can also be influenced.
And you need to have a hearing exam, in some circumstances, as soon as you can if you have hearing loss that is getting worse quickly. An immediate hearing test is advisable if:
- There is earwax buildup or you had an ear infection
- Conversations are difficult to hear when you are in a crowded area especially
- It is difficult to pinpoint where sounds are coming from
- You are experiencing vertigo
- Your ears have constant ringing in them
- Asking people to repeat themselves is something you have to do constantly
Another factor is whether you are at a greater risk for hearing loss. As an example, if loss of hearing runs in your family or you are exposed to loud noises on a regular basis you should get your hearing tested more often.
Also, over 200 ototoxic medications exist. From Aspirin to some antibiotics, these medications can be very bad for your hearing. Consult your doctor to make certain any medicines you are taking aren’t impacting your hearing. If you need to take a medication that you know is ototoxic, think about getting more regular hearing testing so you can manage any hearing loss immediately.
Also, take into consideration how your habits might be impacting your hearing loss. Frequently using your earbuds? Hearing loss has substantially increased in younger people, and many experts think that this is caused by the use of headphones and earbuds. Loud concerts, shows, or machinery can also do considerable damage to your hearing. If you think that it’s time for you to have your hearing checked, schedule an appointment today.
Hearing Loss is Not an Age Issue, Here’s Why
By: Jude Liptak Au.D : April 10, 2019
Hearing loss isn’t just a problem for older people, in spite of the prevalent idea. While age is a reliable predictor of hearing loss, as a whole hearing loss has been on the rise. Hearing loss remains at around 14-16% among adults 20 to 69 years of age. World wide, more than 1 billion people between the ages of 12-35 are at risk of developing hearing loss, according to the united nations and The World Health Organization. In children between 6 and 19, around 15% already have loss of hearing as reported by the CDC, and the number seems to be closer to 17% based on current research. Only 10 years ago hearing loss in teenagers was 30% lower as reported by another report. Worse still, a study from Johns Hopkins projects these trends out into the future and estimates that by 2060 approximately 73 million people over the age of 65 will have hearing loss. That’s a staggering increase over current numbers.
We Are Getting Hearing Loss at a Younger Age, Why?
In the past, unless you spent your days in a loud and noisy surrounding, damage to your hearing would happen fairly slowly, so we think about it as a side effect of getting older. That’s why you aren’t surprised when your grandmother uses a hearing aid. But at a younger and younger age, our hearing is being effected by changes of lifestyle.
Technology, and smartphones, in particular, can have a significant impact on our hearing. Whether it’s chatting with friends, listening to tunes, or watching movies, we are doing all the things we love to do and wearing earbuds for all of it. Most people have no clue what is a harmful sound level or how long it takes to do damage and that’s an issue. Instead of doing our best to protect our ears, we often even use earbuds to drown out loud sound, purposely exposing our ears to hazardous noise levels.
Little by little, an entire generation of young people are damaging their hearing. That’s a huge concern, one that will cost billions of dollars in treatment and loss of productivity in the economy.
Loss of hearing is Not Well Understood
Keeping away from extremely loud sounds is something that even young kids are usually wise enough to do. But it isn’t well understood what hearing loss is about. The majority of people won’t know that medium intensity sounds can also damage your hearing if exposed for longer time periods.
But hearing loss is normally associated with aging so the majority of people, especially young people, don’t even think about it.
However, the WHO says irreversible ear damage may be occurring in those in this 12-35 age group.
Suggested Solutions
The problem is particularly widespread because so many of us are using smart devices on a regular basis. That’s why providing additional information to mobile device users has been a recommended answer by some hearing specialists:
- Adjustments of volume for hearing health can be made by parents by using built in parental control settings.
- High-volume alerts.
- It’s how long a sound lasts, not just how loud it is (warnings when you listen at a specified decibel for too long).
And that’s only the start. There are a lot of technological methods to get us to start paying more attention to the health of our hearing.
Turn Down The Volume
The most important way to mitigate damage to your hearing is to minimize the volume of your mobile device. Whether your 15, 35, or 70, that holds true.
Let’s face it, smartphones aren’t going anywhere. Everyone uses them all the time, not just kids. So we have to deal with the fact that hearing loss is no longer associated with aging, it’s associated with technology.
Which means we’re going to need to change the way we discuss, prevent, and deal with hearing loss.
Also, decibel levels in your environment can be measured by app’s that you can download. 2 steps to protect your hearing. Ear protection is one way but also making sure you’re not doing things such as trying to drown out noises with even louder noises. If you drive with the window down, for instance, the noise from the wind and traffic might already be at a damaging level so don’t turn up the radio to drown it out. Schedule an appointment with a hearing care specialist if you have any questions.
Is One Hearing Aid Enough or do I Need Two?
By: Jude Liptak Au.D : April 3, 2019
For most people both ears rarely have exactly the same amount of hearing loss. One ear is commonly a little worse than the other, sparking many to ask the question: Can I just use one hearing aid for the ear that’s worse.
One hearing aid, in most situations, will not be preferable to two. But one hearing aid may be more appropriate in certain less common situations.
It’s Not an Accident That Ears Are a Pair
Your ears efficiently work as a pair whether you know it or not. That means using two hearing aids has certain advantages over wearing one.
- The Ability to Properly Localize: In order to figure out where sounds are coming from, your brain is not only working to interpret but also to place it. This is much easier when your brain is able to triangulate, and in order to do that, it needs solid signals from both ears. It is a lot more difficult to determine where sounds are coming from when you can only hear well out of one ear (which may be crucial if you happen to live near a busy street, for example).
- Make The Health of Your Ears Better: Just as unused muscles can atrophy, so can an unused sense. Your hearing can begin to go downhill if your ears don’t get regular sound input. Wearing hearing aids in both ears guarantees that the organs connected with hearing get the input they need to maintain your hearing. If you have tinnitus, using two hearing aids can minimize it and also increase your ability to identify sounds.
- Focusing on Conversations: The whole point of using a hearing aid is to help your hearing. One of the things you want to hear is other people and the conversation happening near you. Because your brain has more sound input when wearing hearing aids, it is better capable of filtering out background noise allowing it to decide what sounds to concentrate on because they are closer.
- Modern Hearing Aids Work as a Set: More modern hearing aid technology is made to work as a pair in the same way as your ears are. The artificial intelligence and state-of-the-art features work well because the two pieces communicate with each other and, much like your brain, determine which sounds to focus on and amplify.
Are There Circumstances Where A Single Hearing Aid Is Practical?
Using two hearing aids is the better choice in most cases. But the question is raised: If a person is wearing a hearing aid in just one ear, why?
Usually we hear two specific reasons:
- One Ear Still Has Perfect Hearing: If only one of your ears requires a hearing aid, then you may be best served by having a hearing aid in just one ear but it’s certainly something you should have a conversation about your hearing professional about (having one better ear is not the same as having one perfect ear).
- Financial concerns: Some people think that they can spend less money if they can wear just one hearing aid. Purchasing one hearing aid is better then not getting any at all if you can’t really afford a pair. However, you should understand that with time untreated hearing loss has been confirmed to raise your overall healthcare expenses. Even neglecting hearing loss for two years has been shown to raise your healthcare costs by 26 percent, and ignoring any hearing loss in one ear can elevate your risks for things like falling. So in order to find out if using one hearing aid is right for you, contact a hearing care specialist. We can also help you figure approaches to make hearing aids more budget friendly.
Two Aids Are Better Than One
Two hearing aids, however, will be better than one for your ears and hearing in most circumstances. The benefits of having strong hearing in both of your ears are simply too plentiful to dismiss. In most instances, just as having two ears is better than having only one, having two hearing aids is definitely preferable to having only one. Schedule an appointment with a hearing care pro to have your hearing tested.
Your Hearing Can be Protected if You Follow These Tips
By: Jude Liptak Au.D : March 27, 2019
Eating right and safeguarding your hearing have some parallels. It’s hard to know where to start even though it sounds like a good idea. If there aren’t any obvious noise risks and you don’t think your environment is especially loud, this is especially true. But your ears and senses can be stressed by day-to-day living, so your auditory acuity can be preserved if you practice these tips.
If you want to continue to enjoy the sounds around you, you need to do everything you can to slow down the impairment of your hearing.
Tip 1: Hearing Protection You Can Wear
Using hearing protection is the most sensible and simple way to safeguard your ears. This means taking basic steps to minimize the amount of loud and damaging noises you’re exposed to.
For many people, this will mean utilizing hearing protection when it’s warranted. Two basic forms of protection are available:
- Ear Muffs, which are put over the ears.
- Ear Plugs, which are put in the ear canal.
Neither form of hearing protection is inherently better than the other. Each style has its benefits. What’s significant is that you get some hearing protection that you feel comfortable with.
Tip 2: When Sound Gets Dangerous, be Aware of It
But how can you tell when to wear hearing protection? Noise that is painful is commonly considered harmful. But much lower levels of sound can harm your ears than you might believe. The sounds of traffic, as an example, are loud enough to start damaging your hearing after just a couple of hours. A vital step in safeguarding your hearing, then, is recognizing when sound becomes harmful.
The following threshold is when sound becomes harmful:
- 95-100 dB: This is the normal volume of your earbuds or the level of farm equipment. This volume of sound becomes damaging after 15-20 minutes.
- 85 decibels (dB): This volume of sound is dangerous after roughly two hours of exposure. Your hairdryer or a busy city street are both scenarios where you will find this volume of sound.
- Over 100 dB: This is where you can damage your hearing very rapidly. Anything over this limit can damage your hearing in minutes or seconds. For example, rock concerts and jet engines will injure your ears in 30 seconds.
Tip 3: Use Your Phone as a Sound Meter
We can take precautions to minimize our exposure, now that we have a concept of what volumes will be hazardous. The trick is that, once you’re out in the real world, it can be difficult to gauge what’s too loud and what isn’t.
That’s where your smartphone can become a handy little tool. There are dozens of apps for iPhone, Android, and everything in between that turn your device’s microphone into a sound meter.
In order to get an idea of what harmful levels of noise really sound like, use your sound meter to confirm the decibel level of everything you are hearing.
Tip 4: Monitor Your Volume Settings
A smartphone with earbuds is commonly the way people listen to music these days. Your hearing is put at risk with this setup. Your hearing can be considerably damaged if you keep your earbuds too loud over a long period of time.
Somonitoring the volume control means safeguarding your ears. You should not increase the volume to drown out sounds somewhere else. in order to make sure that volume doesn’t get too loud, we recommend using volume settings or app settings.
If your hearing begins to decline, earbuds can become a negative feedback loop; in order to compensate for your faltering hearing, you may find yourself continuously rising the volume of your earbuds, doing more harm to your ears in the process.
Tip 5: Have Your Hearing Examined
You may think of a hearing test as something you get when your hearing has already started to decline. Without a standard to compare results to, it’s not always easy to identify a problem in your ears.
Scheduling a hearing screening or exam is a good way to generate data that can be used for both treatment and analytic purposes, ensuring that all of your future hearing (and hearing protection) decisions have a little bit of added context and information.
Keep an Eye on Your Ears
It would be perfect if you could continuously safeguard your hearing without any problems. But there are always going to be challenges. So anytime you can and as often as possible, safeguard your hearing. You should also get your hearing examined regularly. Hopefully, these guidelines will help you get a good start.
There is Hope For People Who Have Sudden Hearing Loss if They Get Early Treatment
By: Jude Liptak Au.D : March 20, 2019
In today’s society, delaying health care is a situation that takes place more often than we’d like to admit.
Think of the parents who regularly put the needs of their children before of their own, ensuring their kids get proactive and reactive care when needed, but neglecting to do the same for themselves. What about professionals who won’t squeeze in a doctor’s appointment because they are to busy going to meetings. Then there are those who abide by an “ignorance is bliss” attitude and stay away from the doctor’s office for fear of what they might hear.
But what would you do if you needed more than just your annual preventive flu vaccine or something to deal with a sinus infection? What would you do if you woke up one day with unexpected and complete hearing loss in one if not both ears?
There’s a good possibility your hearing will not ever come back if you just attempt to put it off. Hearing specialists warn that sudden, temporary hearing loss could progress to permanent hearing loss without immediate treatment, particularly if the damage is at the nerve level.
What is Sudden Hearing Loss?
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), only about half the individuals who experience sudden hearing loss–the rapid loss of 30 decibels or more of hearing ability–will regain some or all of their hearing naturally.
Sudden hearing loss is more likely to occur than some might believe. As a matter of fact for every 5,000 people, between one and six are estimated to experience sudden hearing loss. But according to the NIDC, if undiagnosed claims were included, that number would be significantly higher. That means that around 400,000 (or more) Americans may develop sudden hearing loss every year.
Sudden hearing loss can actually happen over several hours or days so the term is somewhat of a misconception.
What is The Cause of Sudden Hearing Loss?
Due to the fact that the onset can take place over hours or days, doctors are seldom able to learn what causes most cases. The sad reality is that determining a cause is possible in just about 10 percent of individuals diagnosed with sudden hearing loss. Infections, head trauma, autoimmune diseases, exposure to certain drugs, blood circulation problems, neurological disorders and disorders of the inner ear are some of the most common causes that hearing specialist can pinpoint.
As mentioned, getting treatment as soon as possible after the start of sudden hearing loss gives you the best possibility of recovering at least some of your normal hearing.
Sudden Hearing Loss; How do You Treat it?
In the majority of cases, particularly those where the cause is not known, the usual course of treatment consists of corticosteroids. As with all steroid use, the purpose is to minimize inflammation and decrease swelling.
The recommended method of treatment has changed since researchers have done more studies on sudden loss of hearing and medicine has modernized. Pill form is how these steroids were historically prescribed, but for individuals who were worried about the side effects of medication or were not able to take oral steroids, this presented a challenge.
A 2011 clinical trial supported by the NIDCD discovered that an injection of steroids into the eardrum proved to be just as effective as oral steroids, even making it possible for the medication to flow directly into the inner ear, without the disadvantage of the oral alternatives. These injections are now a normal approach to treatment in the offices of ear, nose and throat specialists around the country.
A panel of tests that may diagnose the underlying problem causing your sudden hearing loss can be set up by your doctor and that’s another reason why seeking prompt medical attention is essential. These tests can even test your ability to keep your balance as well as performing blood-work and several imaging techniques.
We Might be Getting Close to New Treatment For Sudden Hearing Loss
Researchers continue to work on the issue but honestly, there is a lack of concrete facts about the cause of sudden hearing loss. A potentially safer way of administering steroids is the new advancement of infusing the drug into microspheres.
Researchers have shown that even though they might not have all the answers about sudden hearing loss, your chances of getting your hearing back is increased by getting early treatment. Contact a hearing expert if you have hearing loss of any type.
Try Avoiding These 10 Things if You Have Tinnitus
By: Jude Liptak Au.D : March 13, 2019
For people who don’t have tinnitus, there aren’t many conditions more difficult to understand. The problem with tinnitus is that if you are not afflicted with it, you won’t see, feel, or hear the symptoms in the same way you would other conditions.
But for the almost 50 million Americans who suffer from some form of tinnitus, the problem is very real and is often very difficult to manage. Ringing in the ears is the best classification of tinnitus, but the American Tinnitus Association says, it can present sufferers with whistling, hissing, swooshing, clicking, and buzzing. Maybe the most discouraging part of tinnitus is that these noises aren’t detectable by others, which can lead to confusion, disorientation, depression and delayed diagnosis.
The number is truly astonishing when you consider that 15 percent of the general public suffers from tinnitus. A report put out by the U.S. Center for Disease Control says that 2 million of those people experience symptoms that are debilitating and extreme while another 20 million have what’s known as burdensome and chronic tinnitus.
There’s a common link between loss of hearing and tinnitus, which is why people often turn to hearing aids to augment their hearing and to drown out the ringing. While a hearing aid has proven to be a reliable method of reducing the symptoms associated with tinnitus, there are behavioral changes you can make to minimize the ringing.
If you have tinnitus here are 10 things to avoid:
- Alcohol; Your cholesterol and heart health can be positively affected by drinking a small glass of wine each day, or so the old saying goes. But with regards to alcohol and tinnitus, you can have too much of a good thing. Drinking too much alcohol increases your blood pressure, which makes the ringing more evident for many people.
- Harmful blood pressure levels; If you want to keep your tinnitus under control you should keep track of your blood pressure which can also help protect you from other ailments. It’s significant to note that both high and low blood pressure levels can worsen tinnitus, so you should be persistent about routinely checking your blood pressure.
- Poor sleeping habits; When mom said you should get your eight hours of sleep every night, she wasn’t joking. Getting a sufficient amount of sleep can help you to avoid tinnitus triggers and also offers a wide array of other health benefits.
- Certain medicines; Certain medications like aspirin, as an example, are good at decreasing pain but they could also induce tinnitus. Tinnitus can also be impacted by other medication such as prescription cancer drugs or antibiotics. But before you stop taking a medication that was prescribed by your doctor, you should get a consultation.
- Caffeine; Here’s another influencer of blood pressure that can cause a spike in levels. You might also find that too much caffeine changes your sleeping habits.
- Smoking; Your blood pressure can definitely be harmed by smoking. Also, it can make the tinnitus worse by shrinking the blood vessels to the ears.
- Excess earwax; There’s no doubting that earwax is helpful in the grand scheme of how your ears work. But actually dirt is trapped and our ears are protected by this gunk that we hate. Even so, tinnitus can get worse if too much wax builds up. To make sure it doesn’t build up to a dangerous amount, your doctor can clean some of it out and help with prevention.
- Infections; Since a lingering cold can quickly turn into a sinus infection there has always been commentary about the need to find a cure for it. Infections in both the ears and sinus have been known to intensify tinnitus, so be certain you’re doing everything you can to limit your exposure to infections.
- Jaw issues; If you’re having jaw pain, you should already be contacting a doctor, but particularly if you also have tinnitus. Relieving jaw pain may have some impact on your tinnitus because the jaw and ears share nerves and ligaments.
- Loud noises; It may be obvious but the noises you’re hearing internally can be made worse by loud sounds. If a situation appears where you will be exposed to loud sounds, be careful. This includes construction sites, concerts, and loud restaurants. Think about shielding your ears with earplugs if you can’t steer clear of the noise. Earplugs can be particularly helpful for individuals whose job involves working around loud machinery.
You can take back your life and regulate your tinnitus symptoms even though there is no official cure. Give these 10 suggestions a try, and you may be pleasantly surprised with the improvements in your symptoms and your overall health. If these don’t help, make an appointment with a hearing care professional.
Rechargeable Hearing Aids, do They Really Work?
By: Jude Liptak Au.D : March 6, 2019
Rechargeable hearing aids are manufactured so that you’ll have to stress less about losing battery power, but the technology might also make you a little nervous when you depend on your devices to hear. Do rechargeable hearing aids work, and do they work as well as advertised?
Those questions are understandable, as is the accompanying stress. A hearing aid is often as necessary for the enjoyment of a television show or a movie as it is for a trip to the supermarket or any other part of everyday life. It’s important that a piece of technology functions correctly and dependably, especially when it affects so many facets of life.
How Do I Know What Type of Battery I Have?
By default, most contemporary hearing aids come with rechargeable batteries, so if you purchased your hearing aids recently it’s likely that your hearing aids will have one of two battery types. Silver-zinc batteries, which can usually be distinguished by a battery door on the device, are rechargeable, but the batteries may need to be changed every so often. A Lithium-ion battery, however, will not have a battery door because the batteries will last as long as the hearing aid does.
Rechargeable Hearing Aids Need Special Care
For the most part, rechargeable hearing aids do work, and they work well. The dependability of these devices has enhanced considerably in the last few years, as battery technologies have improved. And, like any other electronic device, however, there are some easy maintenance steps that users can practice to increase the reliability of their rechargeable hearing aids.
- The Charging Station is Where Your Hearing Aids Should be Stored: If you regularly store your rechargeable hearing aids on their recharging station you can increase the life of your battery. Charging a battery that is not completely drained does not shorten the long term life of your battery. As a matter of fact, ensuring that your hearing aids are charging when not in use can actually boost your long-term battery life. A convenient reminder, for most people, to charge their device when not used, is to put the charging station on a table near their bed.
- Keep Your Hearing Aids Clean and Dry: Your hearing aids will collect debris, dust, and moisture regardless of how often you use them. Your hearing aid may not fully charge if it is subjected to any of these three things. That’s why it’s crucial to keep your hearing aids clean and dry specifically when connecting your hearing aid to its charging station.
- Be Mindful of Wires: Most hearing aids will contain a wire element of some kind, either on the charging station or on the hearing aids themselves. Being careful of these wires is essential for hearing aid users; do not pull or hold your device by these wires as this will damage the connections that allow your hearing aid to charge.
How to Replace a Rechargeable Battery
Lithium-ion batteries will normally last the lifespan of your device. Because of this, you shouldn’t need to worry about changing those batteries. Simply keep recharging your hearing aids as long as necessary.
However, you will want to occasionally change the batteries if you have a hearing aid that utilizes silver-zinc batteries. Changing batteries in the correct way can help increase the lifespan of your hearing aids. Because of this, hearing experts recommend the following:
- Don’t eliminate any plastic tabs or packaging until you’re ready to use batteries.
- Clean and free of moisture is the state that your battery compartment should be kept in.
- Before replacing batteries, be sure you wash your hands.
- Let the batteries sit out at room temperature for at least five minutes before removing any tabs that may be attached.
- Store batteries in a room temperature spot that is also sure to be dry.
Non-Use For Long Periods
If you are planning not to use your hearing aids for long periods of time, leaving them on the charger may no longer be the best way to store your devices. Just unplug your hearing aid and put it in a dry cool place if, for instance, you know you won’t be wearing them for several weeks or a month.
If your hearing aids use silver-zinc batteries, you might also consider leaving the battery door open in order to prevent moisture from corroding your batteries.
Rechargeable for Everyday Use
All your general requirements should be met if you charge your hearing aids once a day. A lithium-ion battery, as an example, will usually require only 3-4 hours to charge enough battery power for a 24 hour period.
Do rechargeable hearing aids work? They don’t only work, they are becoming more common all the time. To see all the different models, schedule an appointment with your local hearing aid retailer.
Here Are Some Things You Can Try if You Are Having Trouble With Your Hearing Aids
By: Jude Liptak Au.D : February 27, 2019
We tend to notice technology the most when it stops working. With hearing aids that’s especially true: To most people who wear them, hearing aids are more than a piece of technology; they’re a critical lifeline to the rest of society.
So discovering solutions for a malfunctioning hearing aid, and discovering those solutions quickly, is crucial for both physiological and emotional reasons. Whether you’ve been using your hearing aids for a week, a year, or decades, troubleshooting can be a risky, troublesome process. But if you want to get your hearing aid working properly again there are some simple steps you can take.
Avoiding Trouble Before it Occurs
Hearing aids are no exception to the rule, like any other piece of technology, they need routine upkeep. Despite the fact that the casing may look simple and robust, the electronics inside can be amazingly sophisticated.
Which means upkeep is a must. There are some easy ways you can make certain to take care of your hearing aids while you’re wearing them.
Keeping Your Hearing Aids Clean is a Must
Every day, a certain amount of wax is naturally and normally created by your ears. And, the ear wax is, to a certain degree good for your ears. But your hearing aids don’t do as well with it. Keeping your hearing aids clear and clean of wax can help improve the longevity of the devices. The fact is that most hearing aids will come with a built-in wax filter that should also be cleaned periodically.
Don’t Allow Your Hearing Aids Get Wet
Moisture and electronics don’t go well together. And despite the best protection technology can produce, repeated subjection to moisture can gradually wear down the internal electronics of your hearing aids, decreasing their performance.
This Means using your hearing aids in the shower or while swimming is a bad idea. Also, dry your hearing aids with a towel if they get wet. Don’t use a hair dryer because it can harm them.
Make an Appointment With Professional Cleaners
Hearing aids are delicate (and often expensive) technology, and as such, they call for specialized cleaning practices. Even if you’re pretty rigorous about your own cleaning habits, there are just some things that can be better accomplished by a specialized cleaner.
That’s why it’s recommended you take your hearing aids in to be cleaned every 4-6 months.
How to Diagnose Existing Problems
Preventative steps are essential if your hearing aids are currently functioning correctly. But if you’re experiencing issues, if your hearing aids aren’t working properly anymore, you’re probably more interested in some quick fixes.
If your hearing aids aren’t working properly, try one of the following steps:
- Inspect your hearing aid for debris or wax build up. If you find any wax accumulation or debris, clear them away.
- Change out your power source or battery, even if your batteries are rechargeable.
- Examine your own ears. It’s possible that earwax accumulation in your ear canal is interfering with the sound from your hearing aid.
- Examine your hearing aids for blemishes, cracks or other visible signs of damage. Your hearing aid may need to be repaired if you notice any of this type of damage.
- Adjust the volume. There will either be a volume dial on the hearing aid or a remote you can use to do this. If your hearing aid has both options, try both ways.
- Look inside the battery compartment. Look for corrosion or loose wiring. If you see any corrosion, you can attempt to carefully clean out, but significant damage will have to be fixed professionally.
- Adjust the settings or toggle between programs. How you deal with it will depend on the model because they’re all different in this way.
- Reboot the device (turn it off and turn it back on). This will correct the issue in some cases.
It’s likely that you will have to get the device fixed by a professional if you want it back to peak performance if none of these steps help.
What if Nothing I Try Helps?
You will likely have two options if you’ve tried to troubleshoot your hearing aid and it still won’t work: you either need to get a new set or send them in for repair. Which choice works best for you will vary depending on your circumstances, how old your hearing aids are, and other variables.
If your hearing aids aren’t working well right now, take the time to try some troubleshooting. If that doesn’t work, you can move on to the next steps, including a discussion with your hearing specialist to determine a solution. Schedule an appointment to find a solution today.
