Education

Hearing Health Information from A & A Hearing Group

Communication Habits

Good communication habits are necessary for the effective exchange of information during conversations. When you or someone you know has hearing loss, communication can be a challenge. An individual with hearing loss can improve their communication skills by doing the following: 

• Suggesting to others that they speaking at a natural pace
• Trying to reduce background noise
• Talking face to face
• Trying speech reading, when possible
• Wearing hearing aids

Enhancing Hearing Aid Success

Here are some easy things you can do to enhance your experience and success with hearing aids. The tips that follow reflect years of study and experience in caring for patients with hearing loss.

Keep your hearing aids clean. Wax is the single greatest cause of hearing aid malfunction for the in-the-ear models. Use only a wax tool specifically made the purpose of cleaning hearing aids. Anything else could damage the instrument. Be sure to be instructed by your audiologist about the proper use of this instrument.

Open battery door. When you are not wearing the hearing aids, open the battery door and break contact to extend the battery life.

Keep your hearing aids dry. Never expose hearing aids to water. During the humid summer months, if your hearing aids are intermittent, use a “Dri-Aid” kit from your audiologist to chemically dry the hearing aids. Do not use a hair dryer or oven to dry your aids.

Resist changing volume settings. If the hearing aids have user-adjusted controls, resist constantly changing the volume settings. Find the comfortable setting and leave it alone. Changing the volume setting frequently negates one of the purposes of the hearing aids — balanced hearing.

Keep track of your warranty. It is important that you track your warranty expiration dates. Manufacturers warranty aids for one to three years. After the warranty expires, however, there can be a significant charge for repairs that cannot be done in your audiologist’s office. If you are experiencing trouble with your hearing aids, do not delay contacting your Doctor of Audiology — especially if your hearing aid is still under warranty.

Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aid Wearers

Check your tubing and ear mold regularly. Tubing should be changed when it becomes stiff or brittle.

Beware of Dogs

Dogs seem to be particularly attracted to hearing aids. If you have animals, keep the hearing aids away from them to protect both your pet and your hearing aids. This advice goes for small children, too.

Telephone use

If you are having trouble using the telephone while wearing hearing aids, call us for a few phone tips.

Checkups

You should contact the Hearing Assessment Center for your annual checkup, or if you ever experience any changes in your hearing. Regular follow-up care is key to the successful treatment of hearing loss.

When to Not Wear Your Hearing Aids

Don’t wear your hearing aids while sleeping, working.

Tips for Musicians

Musicians are unique in the world of audiology. On one hand we must be concerned with and provide musicians with hearing protection. On the other hand, fidelity of music played must be kept intact in order for the musician to be successful.

There are different items that musicians can purchase, based on what is trying to be accomplished.

One option is a non-electronic filter, which is housed in a custom made earmold in each ear. These are referred to as “Musician's Earplugs” and are designed to reproduce the natural response of the open ear canal.

Music heard through these earplugs has the same quality as the original, only slightly quieter, which makes listening to loud music safer. The result is that speech and music remain clear. The fidelity of music is also kept intact, which is priority number one.

Types of Musician Earplugs

Three levels of filters are available with filter attenuations of 9dB, 15dB, and 25dB. A 15dB filter provides the flattest frequency response, and is usually the one we recommend.

Other popular items include ear monitors or custom earmolds for your current monitors. You simply have to let us know what type of monitor you have.

Tinnitus

Tinnitus is ringing or other noise in the ear or head. Some describe it as sounding like crickets, hissing, or other sounds. There are an estimated 18 million people who experience chronic and, at times, distressing tinnitus.

Possible Causes of Tinnitus

• Hearing loss
• Ear infections
• Medications
• Excessive ear wax
• Allergies
• Sinus infections
• High blood pressure
• Nutritional deficiencies
• TMJ (temporomandibular jaw joint disorder)
• Cardiovascular disease
• Acoustic neuroma
• Cervical vertebrae problem
• Neurologic disorders others

Things That Make Tinnitus Worse

• Overexposure to noise
• Certain medications
• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Excessive sodium intake
• Stress
• Some foods

Things That Can Make Tinnitus Better

• Relaxation
• Wearing hearing protectors around high noise
• Masking the symptoms with pleasant music or recordings of nature sounds (ocean, babbling brook, etc.)
• Learning about tinnitus and possible methods to treat it
• Patience with any therapy – it takes time

Possible Treatments for Tinnitus

• Hearing aids
• Tinnitus retraining therapy (auditory habituation)
• Masking
• Counseling
• Biofeedback
• Medications
• Others – hypnosis, acupuncture, herbal and dietary supplements, etc.

You should see your physician and have a thorough evaluation by a licensed audiologist to determine the cause and to recommend treatment options.
If your ringing sensation is a result of hearing loss, it can be addressed through a variety of methods, which may relieve or even eliminate the symptoms.
Resources for Additional Information: American Tinnitus Association.