Be Nice To Your Ears!

Our ears are a vital part of our daily lives. These small, yet mighty, organs allow us to communicate with one another and experience the world around us. Unfortunately, they are also delicate and can be easily damaged. Noise-induced hearing loss is a growing concern, and it’s important to take the necessary steps to protect your ears. 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set regulations to ensure that employees are enrolled in the hearing conservation program and that their ears remain healthy while at work. But this isn’t just an issue for the workplace. In all settings, it’s critical to be mindful of the volume and duration of noise exposure. 

Two major factors affecting noise-induced hearing loss are the sound level or the volume of noise and the duration of exposure. The louder a noise or music, the less amount of time you should spend listening. This is where NOISHA comes into play. NOISHA is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and they have set the recommended exposure limit for noise in non-occupational settings. It’s essential to be aware of these guidelines, as overexposure to loud sounds can cause permanent damage to our ears. 

Our Lives Are Noisy!

There are several examples of non-occupational exposure to loud sounds. This includes shooting guns, riding on motorcycles, attending a NASCAR race, going to a concert, and even listening to music with headphones or earbuds. If you’ve ever found that after a concert your hearing seems muffled or notice you have a slight ringing in your ears, your ears are giving you a warning. This change in hearing post-concert is what we call a Temporary Threshold Shift (TTS). TTS occurs  after noise exposure but recovers back to normal after 10 to 72 hours. When you are younger, your ears typically bounce back after a loud concert, although not always. However, repeated exposure can change temporary shifts into a permanent threshold shift, which is irreversible. 

How Do I Protect My Ears?

So, what can you do to protect your ears? The first step is to simply be aware of the nose levels in your environment. If you’re attending a concert or working in a loud place, make sure you are using earplugs or other protective gear. Also, take breaks by stepping away from the noise when possible to give your ears a chance to rest and recover. 

Additionally, you can take steps to promote your overall ear health. This includes avoiding the use of cotton swags, no matter how good it feels, and other objects to clean the inside of your ears. If you experience any change in hearing or have pain or discomfort in your ears, seek medical attention.

The ears are a precious gift that should be properly cared for, just like other parts of your body. By taking proper precautions and using protection when necessary, you can ensure your hearing remains healthy and vibrant for years to come. 

Stay tuned for next month’s blog where we will cover the best forms of hearing protection. 

Concerned about noise-induced hearing loss?

To make an appointment with our audiologist you may schedule online, or call us today, and we can help get you on the path to better hearing! To learn more about our other services check out our website!

We’re sure you’ve heard the phrase “if you don’t use it, you lose it,” about a million times before. This common expression simply describes the concept that if you aren’t actively using something, you may use the ability to do it altogether. This is particularly true when it comes to physical exercise, but it also rings true for mental exercise. 

Did you know you should be exercising your brain just as you exercise your body? That’s right, your brain needs some attention! Our brains need constant training, just like our muscles, to maintain its health and function as well as memory and knowledge, two key processes that deteriorate with age. So, in order to live a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle, you should be working all parts of your brain. 

Auditory Stimulation is Key.

The significance of keeping the brain strong through auditory stimulation is vital. The auditory nerve, which connects the ear to the brain, must be exercised constantly. The hearing system is constantly working and is incorporated into most everything we do. Even when we’re not actively listening, our brain is still processing sounds and making sense of the world around us.

For individuals with hearing loss, there is a possible circular chain of events that can take place. These individuals may withdraw from social interactions because concentration may become difficult. Family and friends may perceive this as unsociable, preoccupied, or forgetful. These perceptions, however, can lead a hearing-impaired individual to be mistakenly labeled as angry, confused, or senile, which may cause withdrawal. Withdrawing can lead to emotional turmoil and even a decline in exercising your brain and the auditory system. Can you see how this is a slippery slope?

The good news is that exercising both your brain and your auditory system is simple and can be fun! For example, playing games that challenge your brain, such as puzzles, crosswords, and Sudoku can help improve memory and cognitive function. Reading books, newspapers and blogs helps to improve vocabulary as well as memory and cognitive function. Or maybe you would be interested in learning a new skill such as a musical instrument! Even trying out new experiences such as traveling to a new place can also help keep your brain active. Let this be your new excuse to travel somewhere on your must-see list! 

It’s important to note that hearing loss is not always preventable, and some people may require hearing aids or other assistive devices to help them hear. However, even with the use of these devices, it’s important to continue exercising the brain and auditory system to maintain healthy function. 

Exercise your Brain.

Your auditory ability, cognitive ability, and communicative ability are all linked with your motivational level. Here at Ecoutez, we want everyone to stay motivated and enjoy life to the fullest, and an easy way to do so is by taking great care of your ears. Make an appointment today so you can start your journey to better hearing!

You’re not alone – getting used to hearing aids can be challenging. One aspect of this adjustment process that can be particularly difficult is getting used to hearing your own voice. Since the microphone on the hearing aid is located close to your voice, it picks up and amplifies the sound of your own voice, which can be disorienting at first.

To help speed up the acclimatization process, we recommend that patients try reading out loud to themselves for 15-20 minutes each day. This can help you get used to the sound of your own voice and make conversations with others more comfortable.

It Takes Time

However, it’s important to note that real-world listening situations cannot be perfectly replicated in a clinic setting. That’s why we offer hearing aid demos with trial periods to help patients experience life outside of the clinic with their hearing aids. This process helps patients fully understand and experience the adaptation process before committing to buying the expensive hardware.

Our goal is to improve our patients’ communication and quality of life through the use of hearing aids. We understand that this is not an overnight change, and that it takes time and patience for patients to fully adjust to their hearing aids. But we are here to support our patients every step of the way.

Not All Ears Are The Same

It’s also worth noting that the adjustment process is different for everyone. Some patients may acclimate quickly, while others may take several weeks or even months. It’s important to be patient and to communicate with your audiologist throughout the adjustment process. Your audiologist can make adjustments to your hearing aids as needed to ensure that you are getting the most benefit from them.

Getting used to the sound of your own voice with hearing aids can be a strange process, but it’s an important part of the adaptation process. By reading out loud and taking advantage of trial periods with hearing aid demos, patients can speed up the acclimatization process and improve their overall communication and quality of life. Remember to be patient and communicate with your audiologist throughout the adjustment process to ensure that you are getting the most benefit from your hearing aids.

It is our intention that  Ecoutez will remain open to serve our patients’ hearing needs because we know that hearing is essential healthcare.  However, like many offices, we are instituting regulations to ensure patients, as well as audiologists and staff, safety, and wellbeing.

In addition to an increase in regular, disinfectant cleaning, we require the following.

• If you are sick (or think you are sick); have a fever; have traveled to any of the coronavirus “hot spots,” such as China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, New York City, San Francisco, etc; or been exposed to someone with coronavirus, please do not come into the office.  If these conditions apply to you and you have an appointment, please call to reschedule.
• We will refrain from shaking your hand.  Please accept our nod or hand raise as a welcome.  
• If you need to come inside, or have an appointment, you’re welcome to come in while wearing a mask only.
• Our staff will be wearing gloves when we are cleaning your hearing aids.  If you need us to help you with your cell phone, we will guide you through the process and refrain from touching your phone.
• We will gladly mail your supplies and take payment over the phone if you don’t or can’t come to our office
• Patient, audiologists and any others present will be required to wear a mask for the duration of the visit. We ask that you limit the number of individuals present and please call to reschedule if anyone in the home is feeling ill or had possible exposure to an individual with Covid-19.

If you have any concerns, please call us, and we can update you on any changes we may make in the future.  Please check your email, our website, or our Facebook page for continued updates.

Fact or Myth?

I am sure you have heard them all, the great myths in regard to hearing instruments today. As a society, we seem to have certain ideas embedded in our minds about what hearing aids are. The truth is, as children we may have had older family members who wore hearing aids and that image, from 25 years ago is still what we think of when someone mentions the word hearing loss or hearing aid. Well, I am here to tell you that a lot has changed! Let’s take a look at some of the myths regarding hearing loss and hearing instruments today.

1. My hearing is not that bad

On average, hearing aid users wait 10 years before seeking help for their hearing loss. 10 years is a long time to go without appropriate stimulation to the auditory system and the brain. Over this time, communication with friends and loved ones becomes more difficult, increasing chances for isolation and health risks. Just know that any hearing loss is important to address so if you feel that you may be having a difficult time hearing or understanding those around  you, its never too early to have a hearing test.

• I don’t like the way hearing aids look

This is a big one! And let’s face it, it is great to take pride in your appearance. But what is even better is caring about your health and well being while maintaining your standards of appearance. The days of big beige whistling hearing aids are over! Hearing instruments today are inconspicuous and unobtrusive. Most hearing aid wearers find them to be comfortable, and not very noticeable. Sometimes, I will ask a client what their spouse or children think of their hearing instruments, and they respond that they didn’t even see that they had them on.

• Hearing aids don’t really work

A hearing aid is just that, an aid to help improve hearing when it is impaired. Realistic expectations play a big role in the success of a hearing aid fitting. Depending on the shape and degree of hearing loss, and how long the hearing loss has been present, different individuals perceive different amounts of improvement when they are first fit with hearing instruments. It takes the brain some time to adjust to hearing the sounds that it was missing out on when the hearing loss was untreated. Most people adjust nicely and perceive a good amount of benefit from the hearing instruments. It is also important to remember that the hearing instruments should be worn at all times when awake (and not swimming or showering), not just when the wearer is in a difficult listening environment.

• Wearing a hearing aid means I’m old and I am not ready for that

It is a normal reaction to feel that wearing a hearing aid makes you seem old or helpless and I am here to tell you different. Clients of all ages experience hearing loss, and addressing it makes you empowered and capable, not helpless and old. The technology available today is so high tech that you will be wanting to show your family and friends all of the cool things your instruments can do rather than hide them for fear of being judged. Don’t miss out on life or sit silently and disconnected, take matters into your own hands, and give yourself the quality of life you deserve!