The Importance of Annual Ear Exams

Did you know that roughly 30 million Americans experience hearing loss.  Roughly 10% of people experience tinnitus.  That is about 28 million people.  Since hearing loss usually occurs gradually, it is important to receive annual hearing tests to monitor your hearing levels.  People think to get their annual eye exams and physical checkups, but the forget about getting their ears checked.  It is recommended to get your hearing checked at least once per year, especially if you experience any of the following:

1. You ask people to repeat themselves
2. You can hear people talking, but speech sounds muffled and not clear
3. You have trouble understanding in background noise
4. You need more volume to hear on the telephone or television
5. You work or have worked around loud noises
6. You have a family history of hearing loss
7. You experience tinnitus which is ringing, buzzing, crickets, or roaring noises in your ears

So what happens when you come in for your hearing evaluation?  The process is painless and easier than you might think.  When you come into our office, a licensed audiologist will look in your ears to make sure you don’t have a wax build up or anything that is obstructing your hearing pathway.  You will get to see your ear canal on a big tv screen.  Then we will present some beeps and words to see what sounds you are hearing and what you might be missing.  We review the results with you and discuss options to fit your needs.  If you don’t have a hearing loss, we will use the results to help you monitor your hearing levels. Most insurance companies will pay for an annual hearing test and some will even pay for part of the cost of a hearing aid.  

Hearing aids have come a long way in the last few years.  Hearing aids used to be big and bulky and made background noise louder, so people did not like wearing them.  Advances in technology has made them smaller and less noticeable.  They also process sounds faster and reduce background noise such as road noise or restaurant noise so you can enjoy conversations in almost every situation again.  Hearing aids also have the ability to connect to your cellphones so you can hear over the telephone handsfree and understand what is being said on phone calls again.  Some hearing aids are rechargeable, so no more batteries to change.  Just put the hearing aids in the charger at night, and it holds a charge for 24 hours.  In short, hearing aids have lots of options to help you connect to family and the world around you.

If you or a loved one has difficulty hearing or understanding and wants to start feeling more confident and enjoying conversations again, call Better Hearing Systems of Northwest Louisiana at 318-747-9191.  We accept most insurances and we offer 12 months 0% financing plans with approved credit.  With any hearing aid purchase, you will receive a 60 day trial period to make sure you are as happy and satisfied with your purchase.  Better Hearing Systems of Northwest Louisiana provides personalized hearing healthcare you can trust.  

It’s Back to School Time - Don’t Forget Hearing Tests!

School starts soon and there’s lots to do to prepare for the upcoming year.  Clothes, supplies and books to be bought.  As preparations are made, more often than not, hearing screenings are overlooked.

Did you know that approximately five out of every 1,000 children have some sort of hearing impairment, with some cases being diagnosed between the ages of three and 17?*  A child’s ability to hear is important and plays a key role in the development of speech and language skills as they grow. 

When was your child’s hearing last tested?

While newborn hearing screening is the norm today, it’s just as important to monitor your child’s hearing as they mature.  In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics (https://www.aap.org/), suggests children be screened:

• At school entry
• At least once at ages 6, 8 and 10
• At least once during middle school
• At least once during high school
• For any student entering a new school system without evidence of previous hearing screening

Something else to keep in mind is that as our use of technology increases, how our kids use that technology is a factor.  Monitor their use of headphones!  If you can hear it; it’s too loud.  “Listening through headphones at a high volume for extended periods of time can result in a lifelong hearing loss for children and teens,” according to James E. Foy, D.O.  Oftentimes, young people just want to turn up the volume!

Let’s help your young scholar be successful in the classroom this year!  Call Better Hearing Systems to schedule a consultation and screening today.

*CDC’s National Health Interview Survey, 1997-2005

There’s No One Quite Like Dad

Each June, one Sunday is set aside to show him how much he means to you and has influenced you and your family over the years. Some like to have large family gatherings, shower him with gifts, sit and reminisce on days gone by, and others prefer a quiet visit just one on one. He may not show it, but he is overwhelmed with feelings of love and appreciation today and it means more to him than you know.

He taught you how to change a tire, how to manage money, how to cook the perfect steak, and he shaped you probably in more ways than you even realize. You may have planned to attend a ball game today, or a day fishing at the lake, but have you helped him plan for hearing loss?

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communicative Disorders (NIDCD), one third of Americans between ages 65-74 and almost half over age 75 have hearing loss. And men are twice as likely to have hearing loss than a woman. You know dads…getting them to the doctor can be a challenge!

Biological father. Adopted father. Stepfather. Father-in-law. Grandfather. There are many monikers, but DAD is just simply DAD. We all love him and want the best for him. He gave all he had to make your life as special as he could. Give back to him. Do this one small thing to show him how much he means to you, and how appreciative you are for all he’s given. Help give him the gift of hearing well again.

If you know, or suspect, the father figure in your life has hearing loss, please call for a consultation and hearing screening. The staff at Better Hearing Systems are here for you and him this Father’s Day.

May is Better Hearing and Speech Month!

Did you know that 1 in 6 U.S. adults have reported trouble hearing? Or that over 28 million adults nationwide could benefit from hearing aids?

Let’s look at several ways you can protect your ears and overall hearing health:

1. Use earplugs around loud noises – Once your hearing is damaged, it’s gone for good. That’s why raising awareness beforehand is so critical. If you’re in an environment where you must shout for the person next to you to hear, you should have earplugs in. 
2. Stop using cotton swabs – No, those swabs are not made for cleaning wax from your ear canal. Ears are self-cleaning organs, and some wax is a good thing to prevent dust and other particles from entering the canal. A wax removal solution is advised for use over the course of a few nights. The best option is always to seek a professional opinion.
3. Keep your ears dry – Excess moisture in the ear can allow bacteria to enter and attack the canal causing an ear infection. Towel dry your ears after bathing or swimming. Again, ear plugs are also a top option.
4. Take medications only as directed – Certain medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen can sometimes contribute to hearing loss. Discuss medications with your doctor if you’re concerned they’ll impact your hearing ability and take them only as directed. 
5. GET REGULAR CHECKUPS – This is the most important step you can take. Hearing loss develops gradually so an annual hearing screening with a hearing care professional is strongly recommended. You’ll be more likely to recognize signs of hearing loss and take action early on. 

If you haven’t had your hearing checkup in 2017 yet, there’s no better time than Better Hearing and Speech Month! Preserve your hearing, take good care of ears and be hearing healthy this May! You can find more information about what Untreated Hearing Loss Can Impact on our website under Blog.

TIME TO SPRING CLEAN…YOUR HEARING AIDS

Ah spring time! All things are renewed. The cold and dreary winter has subsided and all the trees and plants are in full bloom. As we come out of our hibernation, it’s time to clean, clean, CLEAN.

Most everyone will take the house, yard and car head on, digging into all the nooks and crannies and dispatching of the clutter and dirt that’s accumulated over the winter months. But what about those tiny handy devices you wear in your ears every day? Here are 3 steps to take your cleaning routine to the next level:

1.       REMOVE ALL WAX AND DIRT BUILDUP –

Daily maintenance consists of a simple soft cloth for a quick wipe down, but now is the time to make good use of that cleaning kit we supplied you with when you purchased your hearing aids. Use your brush or pick to clean every tiny opening in your device such as the microphone and vents.  If earwax is a chronic problem, you may want to ask me about wax guards.

2.       DRY THEM OUT –

My guess would be that you normally just take them out and lay them on a cloth for air drying, but this is SPRING CLEANING, so we need to take it up a notch. Using a dehumidifier made to treat hearing aids can significantly extend the life of your device and is much more effective than air drying. You can find a multitude of choices from several local store or on the internet.

3.       SCHEDULE A SERVICE CALL –

Spring is a great time to schedule a service call with me. We can look over your hearing aids and identify any maintenance needs you may have beyond your ability to take care of at home. Hearing aids that are properly cared for will last considerably longer than those that are neglected.

Just as your home, yard and car need a good SPRING CLEANING, so do your hearing aids. Please allow me to continue to provide you with our top notch service here at BETTER HEARING SYSTEMS of NORTHWEST LOUISIANA. 

Oops! I’ve Had My Hearing Aids in All Day!

Hearing aids in 2017 have gotten so small and so advanced that it’s easy to forget you even have them in after you’ve had them for a while. This is a GOOD THING!

First, there are two very good reasons not take them out.

• With loss of hearing comes the loss of processing sound. Our ears are designed to send sound signals to our brain. When that’s diminished or stopped all together, the sound processing center of our brain isn’t stimulated properly anymore. Wearing your hearing aids regularly will allow adequate stimulation and maintain our brain’s ability to process sound.
• The more you wear them, the more natural sound becomes. Hearing loss is a long and gradual process typically over many years. Sometimes it’s so faint, there are certain sounds we didn’t even realize we miss anymore. Once you are fitted for and begin using your new hearing aids, your brain basically has to be “re-trained” on how to hear sounds. This, too, takes time, but the more you keep them in the more natural running water will sound. The more normal hands clapping will be. At first, it may sound excessively loud, but you’re simply adjusting to your new world.

As far as reasons to take them out? Well…besides using loud machinery (i.e. power tools, mower) or being submerged in water (swimming or bathing), you really shouldn’t.

It’s kind of like turning on the lights after you’ve been in a dark room for a while. The light hurts yours eyes at first, but then they slowly adjust until you see clearly. The same can be said for hearing aids. The more you wear them, the more accustomed you will become to hearing all the wonderful sounds this world has to offer. 

“What Are My Ears Trying to Tell Me?”

If we listen to our bodies, they will often tell us of an imminent malady. So what do I mean by “Can my ears talk to me?” What I mean is when you have ear pain or just simple discomfort, do you stop and consider what that means to your overall health?

Did you know that an earache can be an early warning sign of heart disease? I bet you didn’t! And you would be in the majority. Most people don’t know that.

Most common in heart disease is the restriction of blood flow through arteries and vessels because of plaque buildup (commonly called atherosclerosis). The inner ear is EXTREMELY sensitive to blood flow and thus issues with hearing loss.

Professor and Vice Chair of Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences David R. Friedland, M.D., Ph.D. explains, “The inner ear is so sensitive to blood flow that it is possible that abnormalities in the cardiovascular system could be noted here earlier than in other less sensitive parts of the body.”

In fact, a study conducted by Harvard University cited a staggering relation between heart disease and hearing loss finding “hearing loss occurred 54% more often in people with heart disease then in the general population.” 

February is American Heart Month. With an average of 787,000 heart disease related deaths (that’s 1 in 3) annually in our region of the country, it is most definitely worth the time to have it checked out.

So do yourself a favor and have your heart AND your hearing checked in 2017. 

The Effects of Hearing Loss on Your Quality of Life

It’s 2017! A new year, a new you - especially with help from Better Hearing Systems of NorthWest Louisiana. When you improve your hearing, you improve your life. Approximately one out of every three Americans over the age of 65 has hearing loss to some degree and it’s important to be aware of it - especially as you age. The symptoms of hearing loss can be easy to ignore at first, until it has progressed to a level that has a noticeably negative impact on your life. Here are three ways in which hearing loss can impact your social, mental, and physical health:

Relationships & Social Health

Communication is arguably the single most important aspect of any human relationship. If you have trouble hearing, you may have trouble understanding what friends or family members are saying to you, which could harm your relationships. Hearing loss can be especially disruptive to a marriage, where solid communication is key to healthy and happy matrimony.

Mental Health

In a 2014 study, researchers from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) found a strong link between hearing loss and depression among US adults of all ages. Past studies have linked hearing loss to general cognitive decline and an increased risk of developing memory-related issues including Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia. Thankfully, studies have also shown that wearing  hearing aids can prevent or even reverse many of these issues in individuals with hearing loss.

Physical Health

Did you know hearing aids can make a person more active? A survey performed by The Hear The World Foundation found that 21 percent of those surveyed reported that they exercised more after getting hearing aids. 34 percent said they actively participate in sports at least once per week, and 69 percent believe that their hearing aids have a favorable effect on their general health. 

If you’ve discovered hearing loss is having a negative impact on your life, don’t waste another moment! Better Hearing Systems will get you fitted with a hearing aid that will suit your needs and help improve your life. Unsure if you’re experiencing hearing loss? We also offer free hearing consultations. Call us today at 318-309-4727!