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Communicating With The Hearing Impaired

March 31st, 2012

Believe it or not you don’t always need to know how to sign when it comes to communicating with the hearing impaired. That’s because many people who suffer from hearing loss have been trained to read lips. However, in order for that to work you have to actually be facing them when you speak and sometimes we all have a tendency to look away during a talk. Luckily, those who have suffered from hearing loss are pretty good at keeping up with a conversation be it about the weather, the time, cars, bills ADT packages, or whatever.

Another way you can communicate with a person who has lost their hearing is by carrying around a writing implement and a pad of paper. You can also gesticulate your needs or thoughts too, but be careful when you do this as you could prove more insulting than anything else. And, whatever you do, don’t shout at a person with hearing loss thinking it will not make a difference. There is nothing more insulting or rude than shouting for no reason and even if someone can’t hear what you are saying they still know you are being rude and disrespectful toward them and their condition.

Do You Feel Like You Live In A Barrow

August 19th, 2011

If you feel like you live in a barrow, you no longer have to live your life feeling that way. There are many ways that you can make your life happy again. You can invest in many different forms of communication. If you want to hear again, you can invest in hearing aids. Hearing loss does not always have to be a long lasting thing. You can learn sign language, and there are also many other devices that are meant for (more…)

Are You Asking Everyone To Repeat What They Say

July 15th, 2011

Do you find that it is becoming more and more difficult to understand what people around you are saying? Do you find yourself wishing you had the skill of reading lips when you are talking to someone in an environment with a lot of ambient background noises? Do you find yourself avoiding social situations because you cannot hear and understand those around you?

You are not alone. Approximately 15 of all Americans suffer from Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). However, Noise Induced Hearing Loss is not just a problem for the (more…)

Finding The Right Hearing Aid To Fit Your Needs

July 2nd, 2011

The look for the most excellent hearing aids for your special wants can be a tough one. If you are suffering from hearing deficit, then talking your hearing aid choices with an doctor may be your finest bet. The circuitry inside a hearing aid is used for passing sounds from the surroundings and magnifying them so you can listen better. Digital circuitry is perhaps the most comfortable, and also the most costly. Getting the right hearing aids to match your personal wants the affordable (more…)

What to do when you suspect your child has hearing loss

May 25th, 2011

Many parents’ worst nightmares are having a sick child, particularly if the illness is something that will affect them for life. If you suspect your child may have hearing loss, here are a few things you can do now to get the ball rolling on recovery:
Check it: The first step is to take your child in for a hearing test. You’ll need to find out how progressed their hearing loss is and what type of equipment they may be eligible for.
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Hearing loss rates are soaring

October 1st, 2010

A good song can be a form of escape, a relief after a stressful day of classes or work. That’s why high school and college students often retreat into the comforting sounds of music, turning up the volume to drown out their troubles. Unfortunately, this can have long-lasting physical effects, and a recent study shows that the prevalence of damage is increasing. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that 20 of Americans between 12 and 19 suffered from hearing loss in 2005-06. And as those students get older, those problems will only get worse. (more…)

Nipping hearing loss in the bud

July 16th, 2010

Any doctor will tell you that it’s easier to prevent a health problem than it is to cure it. Hearing loss definitely falls into that category. The world around us is getting faster and noisier than ever as people rush to keep up with changing technology. However, there are still simple (and natural) ways to keep your ears healthy. That way, you won’t miss it when life’s many opportunities knock.Noise is one of the quickest ways to affect your hearing. The ear contains sensitive structures called hair cells which convert sound into electrical energy which can be understood by the brain. Noise damages these receptors, and once damaged, they do not regenerate. Sounds that rank at 120 to 150 decibels, like motorcycles and gunshots, can easily cause hearing loss, while any long-term exposure to sounds over 85 decibels can also be potentially damaging. (more…)

Tackle Hearing Loss Head On

June 24th, 2010

When you first start to notice the initial symptoms of hearing loss, it is important that you step up and acknowledge the problem before it can progress. If you, or a loved one, starts experiencing muffled hearing, difficulty understanding conversations (especially when there is background noise), or the need to increase the volume of the TV/radio, bring the problem to the attention of your doctor. It may seem sillyso what if you have to turn up the volume a little bitbut technology today makes it possible to fight the problem of hearing loss head on. Previous generations tended to put off getting hearing aids much later than they should have. Studies show that untreated hearing loss can cause problems in multiple areas of your life. Socially, patients with untreated hearing loss are much more likely to be depressed and avoid social situations compared with those with hearing aids. Economically, it is proven that those hard of hearing without hearing aids get paid substantially less than those with treatment. (more…)

How Hearing Aids can Improve Life

June 24th, 2010

Apart from the obviousbeing able to hear betterhearing aids are proving to increase customer’s level of life satisfaction. In fact, a recent study reported increased happiness in 5 different areas of lifefor both the hearing aid user and their family members. The study of over 2,000 adults reported that relationships at home improved 66 for hearing aid users and 56 for family members. The feelings about self improved 60, satisfaction with life overall improved 62 (48 for family members), relationships with children and grandchildren improved 50, and the increase in social activities was around 30. On the other hand, the study determined adults 50 and older with untreated hearing loss are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, and paranoia. If you read these stats and think you could use some improvement in these areas, maybe a hearing aid would be good for you too. The first step is to get your hearing tested. If you have a hearing loss problem, there are many hearing aid options out there for you. We recommend asking your doctor about Miracle-Ear, Siemens, or Phonak. Miracle ear offers the new ME1000 Open Fit and ME1000 which are virtually invisible to the eyes of others. Siemens offers an online product finder to help you find the right hearing aid for you, and Phonak now features the new Audeo ZIP which fits deep inside your ear and delivers state of the art technology to get your hearing back up to par. Even if you only suffer the slightest side effects of hearing loss, get your hearing checked and talk to a doctor before it progresses any further. Remember that hearing loss is gradual, so catching it early means less severe consequences in the future. Hearing aids can change your life as well as the life of your friends and families. Stop asking ‘what?’, ‘can you repeat that, please’, and start focusing on the finer things in life.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Hearing Aids

June 24th, 2010

If you’re new to the hearing aid scene, your doctor has probably filled you in on most of the medical benefits and rules for your new hearing aid. Now that you’re hearing better and living happier, there are a few things you’ll need to know about your hearing aid that the doctor most likely didn’t tell you.First, for the Do’s of hearing aids:Be sure you wear your new hearing aid the entire day. Chances are you’ll need to make minor adjustments gradually over the course of several days. Always be sure to insert and remove your hearing aid over a soft surface to reduce the risk of damaging it should it fall onto a hard surface. Be sure to store the hearing aid in a dehumidifier case to prevent unwanted moisture. On a related note, be sure to keep your hearing aid out of the bathroom while bathing to prevent steam damage. At night, disengage the battery by partially opening the compartment door. Also, remember to take your hearing aid out during CAT or MRI scans. (more…)