The ear is an organ we use every single day.  First thing in the morning is the alarm clock or the sizzle of breakfast. It is nearly impossible to escape the sensation of sound. This is why it is so hard to tell when hearing loss is becoming an issue as the lesser sound of yesterday seamlessly becomes the lesser sound of today. Hearing is a dominant means of communication between self and the outside world. Unfortunately, most people do not realize that their hearing is fading.

Hearing loss happens a little each day. It is not sudden but the realization that a friend, acquaintance or loved one is experiencing hearing loss may come like a lightning strike, quick and unexpected. All of a sudden, things make sense. Volumes turned up way too loud, failure to participate in conversations and general ‘disregard’ for audio cues do not mean that a friend or loved one has lost interest. It may mean they are experiencing hearing loss.

So, armed with this knowledge, what now? First would be recommending a hearing test for that person to see if it truly is hearing loss and not some other ailment. When it comes to health, accurate information from professionals is much more valuable than simple hearsay. No matter how much a friend or loved one means well, always check with a medical professional before taking any action. 

A hearing test would be applied usually quickly and always painlessly. In a soundproof room, a patient would be given headphones to wear that would emit sounds and then the patient would indicate if they heard the sound and from which ear. It is recommended these quick, easy and painless tests be done every year, as would be typical for a yearly check up.

In this day and age with the advancement in technology, there is comfort in knowing there is help out there for hearing loss. Hearing aids come in many designs and are so subtle that they look like wireless earbuds. Most phones, cellular or landline, are built with the knowledge that those experiencing hearing loss will be using their products and have included features to accommodate them. Some phones will connect to hearing aids using wireless connection or have louder settings for phone calls. 

Hearing aids, like most devices, require maintenance and batteries. Maintaining these devices is integral to getting the most out of them and making sure that they do their job. Not much can be done to stop hearing loss as this condition is caused by many factors including environment or genetics but proper equipment can prevent hearing from going all together, too quickly.

Please schedule your hearing assessment / checkup with Southern Nevada Audiology today!  Learn more about the advancements in modern hearing aids.

When it comes to hearing loss, the news is most impactful especially delivered from a loved one. The ones closest to those experiencing hearing loss are most likely to notice it and also be in a position to prompt them to make a hearing health appointment.  For friends and family of those who may be experiencing hearing loss or may be suspected of such, here are some indicators to look out for:

The simple pleasure of a conversation may suddenly become an exhausting chore. A person experiencing hearing loss will either miss out on most of a conversation or ask for something to be repeated constantly which can make others frustrated and bothered.

Issues with technology, especially the volume, may arise. Whether it be the inability to hear someone over the phone properly or the volume on the tv getting louder is a sign that hearing loss may be the problem.

Extra effort put into conversations will make those experiencing hearing loss more fatigued and tired than normal. Some may even experience headaches from the extra effort. The extra time needed to recuperate will make them lose even more precious time with those they wish to have a conversation with.

Overall things can become difficult to hear. High pitched noises disappear in the wind and everyone seems to mumble their words all of a sudden. Not to mention the fact that the origin of a sound will be harder to decipher than before.

Alarms can lose their effectiveness as well, which can cause reminders on medication schedules, dates and appointments to be ignored.

Some people might not want to accept that they are experiencing hearing loss so if a loved one seems to be experiencing the above symptoms–take the initiative to discuss any concerns and options.  If they require extra care during the conversation, it might be best to get a check-up from an audiologist.

Please schedule your hearing assessment / checkup with Southern Nevada Audiology today!  Learn more about the advancements in modern hearing aids.

Hearing Loss can be a critical factor that affects a person’s social life, mental health and physical health. Despite that, hearing loss is not often discussed in detail and is often left untreated.  The idea of not being able to hear well might seem like “not such a big deal” but to the contrary this is a serious health matter.

When it comes to one’s social life, communication is key.  Depending on a person’s lifestyle, verbal communication can be used in varying amounts. With technology’s so closely intertwined with society’s well-being, it is possible to never have to verbally communicate with a person. This is not the case for everyone. For some, technology is the last thing on their minds and the ability to use their words is much more important. While at a barbecue or going for a jog in the park with a good friend, being able to talk is much more important than looking down at a phone.

Hearing Loss itself can be caused by a number of reasons such as exposure to loud noises for extended periods of time.  For some, there could also be a genetic variable that can also be influenced by outside circumstances such as dirty environments or varying pressures.  Without the ability to hear, social life can be near impossible to maintain. This can cause stress for those experiencing hearing loss as their friends and family drift away.  Even driving can suddenly become much more dangerous as audio alert signals that are so commonly used become less effective.

Though hearing loss can lead to plenty of problems, there exists a simple tiny solution – hearing aids.  Hearing aids are the most common and effective means to combat hearing loss. 

Please schedule your hearing assessment / checkup with Southern Nevada Audiology today!  Learn more about the advancements in modern hearing aids.

Summer is upon us once again! Time for vacations which means relaxing, bonding and water activities like swimming.

However, there are hidden concerns in getting those ears wet. Ears are both resilient and sensitive. The ear can manage itself well enough to make loud noises bearable but something as harmless as water can cause injury or infection that may lead to growths or conditions like Tinnitus.

Getting water out of an ear is easy and there are lots of ways to do it – tilting the head and wiggling the ear via earlobe, yawning or chewing movements, there are even over the counter medications available.  These are the most common and recommended methods of getting water out of the ear. Methods such as using a cotton swab are not recommended and can cause all sorts of issues – compacted earwax, scrapes that can become infected, introduction of other bacteria and fungi that can cause some serious problems.

Most conditions can be prevented and easily treated. If unpleasant or unfamiliar sensations such as itching, soreness, burning sensations, inflammation or if it feels like there is something in the ear then it may be time to get those ears examined at by a doctor. Conditions that are left unchecked can lead to vertigo or hearing loss. Sometimes, infections and fungi can spread to outside the ear and infect the skin on the face and head or inside the body.

This summer, just remember how easy it is to clean up wet, warm ears and how hard it can be to get rid of any infections or fungus that can grow and spread. Don’t let it spread, just tilt that head!

Please schedule your hearing assessment / checkup with Southern Nevada Audiology today!  Learn more about the advancements in modern hearing aids.

May is the month dedicated to celebrating better hearing and speech.  This month is all about raising awareness for speech and hearing issues in hopes to make people’s lives more productive, increasingly safer, and more enjoyable by promoting hearing loss screenings and prevention.

When it comes to communication, the first and most familiar method is through audio.  This includes speech and music.  Unfortunately, those with hearing problems can often feel excluded.  It is no one’s fault but it can hurt people nonetheless. Those who experience hearing loss are not always so eager to wear a hearing aid in fear of how others will see them.  This fear can cause people to become lonely and depressed as they isolate themselves from social interactions.  

On average, it takes seven years for a person with hearing loss to seek help.  Seven years is too long!  Everyone deserves to get the most out of every social gathering.  Hearing aids are a great way to get back to feeling comfortable around those important loved ones.  Support groups are also around to help new hearing aid users adjust to their devices.

Seeing people confidently wearing hearing aids helps remove the stigma that hearing aids have gained unjustly. Persons of all ages with hearing issues wear hearing aids to get the most out of life and doing so encourages others to confidently go forward with their own hearing aid journey.

Hearing aids are not about looking old, weak or feeble. They are about living fully and going forward with confidence.  Please schedule your hearing assessment / checkup with Southern Nevada Audiology today!  Learn more about the advancements in modern hearing aids.

Change in social climate has also caused noticeable change in the workplace. For those who work with groups of people, like educators, the change is drastic. From standing before a group to talking into a camera, it is very different from the norm. This new normal of video calls and video conferencing has brought with it a long list of pros and cons. Those who are deaf or hearing impaired would be the first to notice problems that the hearing public may not notice.  Some people are not comfortable or familiar with technology and can make little mistakes that can really affect the quality of a call or conference.

One common problem involves the microphone.  Being too close to the microphone can cause distortion making words difficult to discern or produce unpleasant noises and feedback that can be bothersome.  Testing the microphone prior to an important video conference call will help ensure audio is of a desirable quality.

Reading lips can be arduous if the speaker is not in a proper camera position.  Camera users should be mindful of this during video calls.  Making sure the camera captures the entire face ensures that attendees can read lips if need be and also see facial expressions which are also a huge factor in effective communication.

Telecoils and hearing aids are still top priority in these situations.  Be sure to connect to bluetooth if the hearing aid and device used for the call are compatible.  If there is any doubt, try using the devices before the meeting to check compatibility and save time.

Please schedule your hearing assessment / checkup with Southern Nevada Audiology today!  Learn more about the advancements in modern hearing aids.

Ears, both the inner ear and outer ear, are affected by the environment around them. The most common hazards are temperature, noise and particles in the air or water. Extreme temperatures both hot and cold have been known to affect the inner ear by causing conditions like ‘Swimmer’s Ear’. Construction sites and bodies of water are filled with all sorts of dust, dirt and other foreign bodies that can cause inflammation, tinnitus or infections if not properly treated.

Unlike the typical office job where someone can expect to be in an air conditioned room where elements like temperature, particles and pressure are controlled, there are many workers such as persons of trade who are exposed to environments that can be damaging to their ears.

Some jobs require a person to be put under pressure that can put their ears at risk. Both those who dive deep underwater and those who fly high above the clouds face differing altitudes that put pressure on their ears differently than most workers who stay on land. 

Jobs with loud noises tend to cause noise-induced hearing loss over time.  For the short term, loud and dusty environments can cause tinnitus and inflammation or infection.  Other jobs that cause pressure to the inner ear can cause long term effects to the inner ear over time and also may cause vertigo or dizziness.

Be mindful of the many dangers lurking and preying on the innocent ear.  Companies can help by keeping equipment and machinery well-maintained and up-to-date, soundproofing the workplace and providing employees quality hearing protection.

Loneliness and hearing loss, is there a connection? Yes. Before birth, humans connect to the world around them through their five senses and hearing is the most influential at that time of life. Hearing connects us to the world in many ways but the most valuable influences are the ones we share with family, friends and partners.

People usually love to talk to one another – telling jokes, stories or exchanging advice or ideas. With hearing loss, it can be hard to do these simple yet meaningful things. Without a tether, loved ones will drift away and leave behind a feeling of loneliness.

Feeling alone is never a good feeling but it can also have effects on the body too. Some signs of depression, anxiety and high blood pressure can be linked to loneliness as the starting factor. Quarantine procedures are definitely not helping those who find themselves with hearing loss. With social distancing and mask mandates, even reading lips can be a challenge.

Taking charge during any signs of hearing loss can prevent both loved ones from drifting away and any unwanted side effects of loneliness. Hearing aids can help a person stay connected to the world. Do not allow precious moments to slip away! Get a good quality hearing aid and enjoy life.

Hearing aids are a significant hearing health investment.  If maintained and cared for properly they can last for many years.  SNA recommends for hearing aids to be checked at least twice a year.  However, in between checkups, it is imperative to keep the outer and inner workings of hearing aids clean.  Here are a few tips for keeping hearing aids clean and at their optimal performance.

Create a Cleaning Routine

Creating and following a routine while using proper tools like a hearing aid wax pick, wire loop, bulb blower and a cleaning brush are key.  Ears and skin naturally build up their own debris like oil and earwax while also being exposed to outside elements like dirt and dust.  Hearing aid openings, such as microphone ports, are most vulnerable to these potentially clogging elements. 

Starting off with clean, washed hands will help ensure no transfer of germs & bacteria are passed on to the device.  Follow manufacturer’s directions for each cleaning tool for best results.

Don’t Forget The Batteries

Remove batteries from hearing aids and leave them open overnight, this will help the battery compartment to air dry and extend the life of the battery.

Get Them Serviced

Keeping hearing aids clean and dry is not the end of all worries.  Sometimes, hearing aids will have problems too deep inside for the average user.  Make sure to have them serviced to ensure a well maintained device and crystal clear audio.

Keep Clear From Health and Beauty Products

Health and beauty products like topical ointments, lotions, makeup or hairspray can damage hearing aids or clog vital outputs on the device.  Be sure to remove hearing aids if using these products and to clean the area before putting them back in.

Hearing Aid Checkups

Hearing aids should be periodically checked to make sure they are performing correctly and meeting your hearing needs.  Southern Nevada Audiology recommends that hearing aids are checked twice a year.  At this appointment our audiologist will perform a listening check to make sure your hearing aid is functioning correctly.  At this appointment any ear domes and wax filters will be changed.  Our audiologist can also make any adjustments at this time to make sure you are hearing clearly and comfortably.

Please schedule your hearing assessment / checkup today!  Learn more about the advancements in modern hearing aids.