FOREWARNED IS FORARMED

While safety and careful handling is top the list on the proper use of a firearm, the use of hearing protection is not far behind. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders says that 10 million Americans have already suffered irreversible hearing loss due to noise, and 30 million more are exposed to dangerous noise levels daily. This includes noise from firearms, which, when experienced at close range, can cause noise-induced hearing loss from even a one-time exposure. It can also occur from exposure to gunfire over an extended period. The noise from firearms can reach an ear-piercing 140-170 decibels.  For these reasons, hunters and target shooters are urged to wear hearing protection. Ask any hunter who never protected his or her ears. Better Hearing Systems of NWLA LLC provides a range of custom hearing protection options to help protect your ears from loud noises. 

People exposed to constant high noise levels should be quite concerned about hearing loss. The first step in hearing improvement is to have a comprehensive hearing test to determine the extent and type of loss. Most insurances will pay for your hearing evaluation and some insurances will pay for hearing aids.  We offer payment plans to suit everyone, if hearing aids are needed. We look forward to helping you get the best results from your hearing aid experience. We offer personalized and accurate solutions for all your hearing needs. Don’t wait any longer.  Call us today at 318-747-9191 to set up your hearing appointment!!

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.  

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. 

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!

What Is Tinnitus?

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders claims that roughly 10 percent of the adult population has experienced tinnitus lasting at least five minutes in the past year.  Tinnitus is not a disease but rather an auditory condition in which there is ringing or buzzing in the ears.  Although it is typically a ringing sound, tinnitus can also be hissing, clicking or whistling.  It may be soft or loud, high pitched or low pitched, depending on external sounds.

The noises we expose ourselves to everyday can have an effect on our hearing if they are too loud.  Both loud and long-lasting noises can damage sensitive structures in the inner ear and cause noise-induced hearing loss.  Because tinnitus originates in the inner ear, it often damages the sensory hair cells that are vital for hearing and balance.

One of the easiest ways to prevent tinnitus is avoiding excessive noise exposure.  A great way to lessen your risk is defending your ears with hearing protection like earplugs.  While you are in loud environments like concerts or health clubs, position yourself as far away from the source of sound as possible.  If you are listening to music with ear buds or headphones, adjust the volume to a low level.  The most important step you can take for your hearing is to make sure you limit your time in noisy environments and keep the volume down.

If you are experiencing ringing, buzzing, hissing or whistling in your ears, you may be suffering from tinnitus.  There is no cure for tinnitus but treatment options are available to help people cope with the condition.  If you are in need of tinnitus treatment, contact Better Heating Systems for a consultation.  We offer both counseling and state-of-the-art hearing instruments that will help you cope with tinnitus.

To set up your appointment with Better Hearing Systems, give us a call at (318) 309-4727 and let us help you get back to your daily life!

Discover The Possibilities At Better Hearing Systems

Did you know hearing loss affects 1 in every 10 Americans? Located in Bossier City, Better Hearing Systems of Northwest Louisiana offers audiology services customized to each patient's individual needs. Our caring and trained professionals provide a suite of audiological services including prevention, diagnostic care, hearing aids and accessories, counseling, rehabilitation and personalized aftercare. We will guide through every step and will help you find the right hearing solution that best matches your lifestyle.

Take a look at our hearing services designed for a range of needs:

Hearing Evaluations

• Comprehensively diagnostic audiological evaluations and hearing tests for adults and school-aged children
• Video otoscopy for detailed viewing of your ear canal

Hearing Aids

• Full line of hearing aids, specializing in digital hearing aid technology
• Assistive listening devices
• Follow-up fine-tuning visit to ensure maximum benefits 

Hearing Accessories

• Premium batteries and other hearing aid accessories
• Custom ear molds for hearing aids, iPods, and MP3s
• Water protection earplugs

Additional Services

• Hearing aid repair services for all makes and models
• Hearing aid cleaning services
• Routine maintenance and cleaing
• Rehabilitation Services
• Counseling for hearing loss and Tinnitus
• Seminars for groups and organizations, including support groups

Led by licensed audiologist Sarah Smith, the staff at Better Hearing Systems of Northwest Louisiana is certified and trained to understand your hearing needs. We promise to provide outstanding customer care using cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art instuments that will enhance your hearing.

If you're ready to improve your hearing and get back to your daily life, visit www.betterhearingsystemsla.com or call 318-309-4727.