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!

Smart Hearing Aids Are Changing the Hearing Industry

If you suffer from hearing loss, now is the time to invest in the latest technology for hearing aids. Like a flip phone’s revolution to a sleek smartphone, hearing aids are making leaps and bounds in the technology of hearing assistance. Did you know that smart hearing aid technology has hit the market and it is now possible to connect a smart hearing aid with your Android or iPhone?

New hearing aid technology can make a huge difference in anyone’s life. For example, Daymond John, star of the reality TV show Shark Tank, states that he listened to loud music in his early years and is now suffering from a hearing disability at age 43. Luckily, technological advancements in hearing aids have improved his daily life. In his interview with CNNMoney, Daymond John says, “You think of your grandparents wearing hearing aids – not me… But I’m talking to you through my hearing aids ... and you’d never really know I’m wearing something.”

Daymond John uses advanced hearing aids from Starkey Hearing Technologies that work with iOS devices to stream calls and listen to music all through his earpieces. John didn’t realize he had a real hearing problem until he went to a Starkey Hearing Foundation event and tried on a hearing device. He says, “… at the event, they invited everyone to try on a hearing device, and it was like night and day. I was suffering from tinnitus in one ear and something else was going on in the other.”

Like Daymond John, we see advancements from Starkey Hearing Technologies as the future of hearing aids. Starkey Hearing Technologies places an importance on research, science and innovative technology when creating cutting-edge hearing solutions. Better Hearing Systems of NorthWest Louisiana is proud to offer Starkey Hearing products including Muse and Halo 2. If you would like to schedule a FREE demonstration of the latest hearing aid technology, contact Better Hearing Systems today!

The Starkey Hearing Foundation

Better Hearing Systems of Northwest Louisiana is a proud supporter of the Starkey Hearing Foundation, a charitable organization that brings the gift of hearing to people in need. According to the World Health Organization, more than 360 million people have disabling hearing loss, but less than 3% of those affected can afford hearing aids or have access to the care they need (source). The Starkey Hearing Foundation has given more than 1.8 million hearing aids around the world and have provided over 200,000 free hearing aids and care to people in need annually for over thirty years!

Starkey works to accomplish their hearing missions by building strong partnerships, empowering local teams, and expanding their Community-Based Hearing HealthCare Model, which consists of three phases:

1.    Patient Identification - Includes identifying and training partners and community-based health workers, providing primary ear-care services to potential hearing aid candidates, taking ear impressions, and creating custom earmolds.

2.    Hearing Mission - Fit hearing aids and custom earmolds on qualified hearing candidates, counsel and train hearing aid recipients, teachers, student ambassadors, and patients on how to care for and operate the hearing aids, and select and train local program teams to execute ongoing program activities.

3.    AfterCare Program - Conduct outreach to patients within the first month of receiving their hearing aids to provide AfterCare, provide ongoing AfterCare services to offer patients counseling, batteries, and free services to repair or replace hearing aids when needed.

As proud members of the Starkey Hearing Alliance, Better Hearing Systems of Northwest Louisiana is part of a national network of hearing care professionals that are leading the way in helping people experience healthier lives. Starkey Hearing Alliance Members specialize in fitting Starkey Technologies hearing instruments.  These state-of-the-art hearing aids ensure you are receiving superior comfort, unmatched technology and best-in-class features. When you get a hearing aid from Better Hearing Systems of NWLA, you're not only changing your life for the better, but in some small way you’re also helping improve the lives of millions of people in need. To learn more about the Starkey Hearing Foundation or to donate to this wonderful cause, click here.

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.