Stay at home order has families spending extra time together.  While great memories are being created those with hearing aid issues can have a different experience.  The volume on the TV or a mobile device might be an indication of a hearing issue or a hearing aid on the fritz. 

If you find a loved one does not seem to be paying attention, is having trouble communicating or raises the volume way too loud then they might have a hearing problem. Try turning on closed captions for them so they will not be tempted to raise the volume. When talking to them, make sure you are in their line of sight and your lips are visible so they can read your lips which will help them to better understand you. 

If you or a loved one already have a hearing aid but find your hearing aid simply is not helping, then it may be time to have it checked out. Just like any technical device, a hearing aid is an invaluable tool and should be treated as such with regular cleaning, maintenance and proper handling.

Experiencing problems with your hearing or hearing aids?  Give Southern Nevada Audiology a call!

Staying physically active and socially engaged may be more challenging at this time but not impossible! Here are a few tips to stay active physically, socially and mentally during the Stay at Home Order.

The most fundamental tip would be to create a new routine, one that takes into consideration all the things you need throughout the day such as keeping in touch with family and friends, staying physically active and learning new things. Although you may have a lot on your plate, make sure you always make time to enjoy a meal, clean up and relax.

One of the best ways to wind down after exercising or engaging in a favorite hobby is to call someone. This is easy to do while maintaining social distancing.  Face timing over the phone or computer, is a better choice, if you rely on facial cues and lip reading to help you hold a conversation. If they are busy, send them an email or a text and it will be the same as sending a letter without the pesky trip to the post office.

One of the most important things you could do during this time is to create an emergency plan. Keeping your pantry stocked of supplies such as food, water, soap, paper towels and even batteries for your hearing aid is a great way to plan ahead.

Doing your best to help slow the spread of COVID-19 will not be easy but if we all do our part, we will get it done! Enjoy your new routine and party responsibly with your friends and family, at a distance. Should you experience any problems with your hearing aids, you are welcome to give Southern Nevada Audiology a call!

Tinnitus is a condition in which a person perceives sound that is not actually present in the environment. It is often described as “ringing in the ears” but can include virtually any type of sound including whooshing, hissing, or whistling. Tinnitus is a common health issue that impacts between 10 – 30% of people.  According to the American Tinnitus Association, about 80% of tinnitus patients report relief by utilizing hearing aids. Sound therapy also helps, which is sometimes built into devices or via an app, and adjust sounds corresponding to personal preference. As a result, people experience a reduction in the harshness of tinnitus.

Hearing aids can help reduce the experience of tinnitus by subtly magnifying background sound to help reduce the perception of tinnitus. This means the brain can concentrate on the preferred sounds to hear instead of the sound of tinnitus.

Hearing aids can additionally help keep tinnitus from obstructing with the ability to partake in conversations and other social situations by gently amplifying sounds that are aimed right at the ear. This will help focus on the clarity of speech, the television, or anything else there is a struggle to hear, instead of tinnitus. If these desired sounds are rendered to be slightly louder than tinnitus symptoms, then it will no longer disrupt the capability to enjoy desired sounds.

In an article by scientists Heller and Bergman, they revealed that 94% of people with regular hearing experienced tinnitus when in a quiet atmosphere. With these quiet conditions, the brain can pick up on active soft-level sounds that we do not register in a loud world. Therefore, if hearing loss is not being appropriately amplified, the experience we have in more quiet environments can make tinnitus more noticeable.

Many of today’s hearing aids contain a technical element intended to precisely work with a person’s tinnitus. They emit white noise or synthetic sounds directly into the ear to deliver a sound designed to reduce the signal-to-noise ratio of the vexing tinnitus sound. This form of tinnitus treatment helps reorient the brain to “turn down” the volume of tinnitus symptoms throughout daily living. Hearing aids that link to cellphones can also play sounds to promote a sound-enhanced environment through specialized smartphone apps. Make an appointment with Southern Nevada Audiology to discuss options for further assistance and help with treating tinnitus.

When hearing aids are medically advised to be worn, it is not just to help people hear better. It also helps maintain what hearing capacities remain. Neglecting instruction to wear aids is likely to result in further hearing loss. It is important to wear them, as it helps to maintain strong and healthy social connections, making conversations easy to follow.

Hearing loss does not have to be the course plotted to sail. The stress that comes with consistently misunderstanding discussions can altogether be avoided. These devices not only aid in hearing, but safety as well.

According to Ivy League research[1], the incidence of Alzheimer’s, Dementia and cognitive decline is all mitigated by adopting the habit of wearing hearing aids. Serious implications may be avoided for those who seek out proper care.

With the help of hearing aids, lives become enriched. Deeper social and professional connections can result from the clarity of sound.

To get the most out of hearing aids, everyday use is a must. With consistency, an audiologist is better able to fine-tune and calibrate hearing aids. These adjustments are made to the patient’s personal needs and preferences.

Proper maintenance is also mandatory, for long-lasting effectiveness. Ask Southern Nevada Audiology for tips on proper use and keeping the device clean.

---

[1]Lin FR, Yaffe K, Xia J, et al. Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline in Older Adults. JAMA Intern Med. 2013;173(4):293–299. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.1868