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.  

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. 

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!

The Effects of Hearing Loss on Brain Function

Recent studies have found that the effects of hearing loss go beyond daily frustration, social isolation, and the inability to distinguish speech or enjoy music. Hearing loss is also linked to a decline in cognition and an increased risk of dementia. June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, so now is the perfect time to turn some attention to the effects of good hearing on brain health.

Neuroplasticity: The link between hearing loss and cognitive decline  

We tend to think of hearing as something we do with our ears, but it is actually the brain that processes the sounds we hear. Our ears carry electrical signals to the brain, which then turn those signals into sounds we recognize. When we experience hearing loss, the area of our brain that interprets those electrical signals becomes underused, and begins to decline.

Previously, it was believed that our brains remained mostly unchanged throughout our adult lives. We now know, however, that the brain reorganizes itself when it needs to adapt, a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity. This reorganization begins even in the early stages of hearing loss, where other areas of the brain that are responsible for higher cognitive function attempt to compensate for the loss of hearing. In the elderly adult, especially, this overworks areas of the brain needed for high-level functioning, which may explain why hearing loss is so closely correlated with dementia.   

Early Intervention: Protecting brain function

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders estimates that one-third of adults aged 65-74, and nearly one-half of those over 75, have trouble hearing. Although we tend to think of hearing loss affecting primarily older adults, hearing loss can occur at any age, with 65% of people with hearing loss being below retirement age. Yet, less than 25% of those who need hearing aids get them right away, waiting an average of 7 years, in which time preventative cognitive decline may be occurring.

If you believe you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss, schedule a hearing test with a licensed audiologist. Early intervention can help preserve cognitive function and lower the risk of dementia.       

At Better Hearing Systems of Northwest Louisiana, we are committed to comprehensive hearing care through state-of-the-art testing and fitting equipment. We offer cutting-edge hearing aids, hearing devices, and premium hearing accessories. To learn more about what Better Hearing Systems can do for you, visit our website or call (318) 309-4727 today to schedule a free hearing consultation.