The High Price of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is not just an ailment of old age. It can strike at any time and any age. Many people are aware that their hearing has deteriorated but are reluctant to seek help. Perhaps they don't want to acknowledge the problem, are embarrassed by what they see as a weakness, or believe that they can "get by" without using a hearing aid. And, unfortunately, too many wait years (sometimes even decades) before getting treatment.

But time and again, research demonstrates the considerable negative social, psychological, cognitive and health effects of untreated hearing loss . . . with far-reaching implications that go well beyond hearing alone. In fact, those who have difficulty hearing can experience such distorted and incomplete communication that it seriously impacts their professional and personal lives, at times leading to isolation and withdrawal.

Studies have linked untreated hearing loss to:

• irritability, negativity and anger
• fatigue, tension, stress and depression
• avoidance or withdrawal from social situations
• social rejection and loneliness
• reduced alertness and increased risk to personal safety
• impaired memory and ability to learn new tasks
• diminished psychological and overall health
• and as a recent study indicates, reduced job performance and earning power

People with untreated hearing loss lose as much as $30,000 in income annually, depending on their degree of hearing loss, according to the latest national study by the Better Hearing Institute (BHI).  When hearing loss is left unaddressed it can pose significant barriers to productivity, job performance, career success and lifelong earnings.  This loss in income for people with untreated hearing loss can be due to under-employment as well as unemployment.     

The good news: the use of hearing aids has been shown to reduce the risk of income loss for individuals with all degrees of hearing loss!  Unemployment rates also drastically drop from 15.6% for those with severe hearing loss that don’t wear hearing aids to 8.3% for those who do, much closer to the current unemployment rate of 7.8% for the normal-hearing population.      

Unfortunately, hearing loss remains one of the most commonly unaddressed health conditions in America today, despite the fact that about 11 percent of the U.S. population has some degree of hearing loss - the vast majority of whom could benefit from today’s advanced hearing aids.  

“The real tragedy in delaying hearing loss treatment is that when left unaddressed, hearing loss negatively affects individuals and their families for the rest of their lives in the form of lost wages, lost promotions, lost opportunities, lost retirement income and unrealized dreams,” says Sergei Kochkin, PhD (executive director of the Better Hearing Institute). “But when people with even mild hearing loss use hearing aids, they improve their job performance, increase their earning potential, enhance their communication skills, improve their professional and interpersonal relationships, stave off depression and better their quality of life.”

If you think you or a loved one suffers from hearing loss, don't delay another day. Take BHI’s online hearing test to assess the need for a visit to a hearing healthcare professional.  Take the first step toward a world of better hearing!

Excerpts from:

http://ehstoday.com/health/news/high-price-leaving-hearing-loss-unaddressed-8551/

http://www.betterhearing.org/press/news/Hearing_loss_income_and_unemployment_pr021811.cfm

http://www.betterhearing.org/hearing_loss/consequences_of_hearing_loss/index.cfm

Tinnitus (Ringing in the Ears)

Tinnitus is the perception of a sound that has no external source.  Some of the more common sounds that sufferers report are ringing, humming, buzzing, and chirping (crickets). The sound can be constant or intermittent and is heard in one ear, both ears or in the head. Tinnitus can originate in the middle ear (behind the eardrum) or in the sensorineural auditory system. 

Tinnitus is often accompanied by or a result of hearing loss, and can sometimes be associated with sensitivity to moderate and loud sounds. Some 50 million adults suffer from tinnitus, though it can also affect children. For 12 million, the problem is severe enough that it impacts their everyday life (sleep, communication, etc.). Because tinnitus can be a symptom of a more serious disorder, it is important to have an appropriate health evaluation, from an audiologist or physician.

Most Common Causes:

·         Noise exposure (i.e. shooting, heavy machinery at work)

·         A natural part of the aging process

·         Head injury (i.e. from a car accident or fall)

·         As a side effect of medications (i.e. aspirin, chemotherapy — see ototoxic drugs)

·         Hearing loss

Note: In many cases the cause(s) may be unknown.

Potential Impacts:

Tinnitus affects people differently. The most common areas tinnitus has an impact are:

·         Thoughts / emotions - Some are annoyed, bothered, depressed, anxious or angry about their tinnitus. Stress can often lead to an increased perception of the bothersome sound.

·         Hearing - In some, the sound of the tinnitus competes with or masks speech or environmental sound perception.

·         Sleep - Many tinnitus sufferers report that their tinnitus interferes with them getting to sleep. It can also make it more difficult to get back to sleep when they wake up in the middle of the night.

·         Concentration - Some tinnitus sufferers report that they have difficulty focusing on a task because of their tinnitus, particularly in quiet situations (i.e. reading).

Treatment Options:

For most tinnitus sufferers, there is no “cure”. There is no pill or surgery that has been shown to eliminate tinnitus in scientific studies that have been replicated and accepted by the healthcare community.

However, there are some important exceptions to this. Some forms of tinnitus, particularly middle-ear tinnitus, can be treated. Sometimes a medication can cause tinnitus, and changing or discontinuing medications can eliminate the tinnitus (always check with the physician who prescribed the medication before considering this option).

There are also several treatments that can help people adjust to their tinnitus:

·         Hearing Loss Treatment – If hearing loss is identified by your audiologist, amplification may be recommended.  The use of hearing aids may not only improve communication and reduce the stress associated with intensive listening, but can also partially mask the tinnitus.

·         Counseling - Counseling can be beneficial with thoughts and emotions, sleep and concentration. One example of this approach is Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT), which uses counseling in conjunction with sound therapy to help individuals learn how to manage their bodies reaction to tinnitus and suppress their perception of the sound.  In the Syracuse area, TRT services are offered at the Gebbie Hearing Clinic at Syracuse University.

·         Sound Therapy - Many tinnitus sufferers report that the presence of background sound reduces the prominence or the loudness of their tinnitus. The background sound can be present in the environment (i.e. fan noise). There are non-wearable devices that produce pleasant background sound (i.e. Sharper Image sound machine). Additionally, wearable maskers or sound generators are available that produce a 'shhh' noise (these can also be combined with hearing aids). Music can also be very effective in non-wearable and wearable devices.

If you or someone you know suffers from tinnitus, contact the primary care provider, an ear, nose and throat specialist or an audiologist as soon as possible to discuss possible causes and treatment options.

Excerpts from:

http://www.betterhearing.org/tinnitus/index.cfm Richard Tyler, PhD - The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

Heart Disease and Hearing Loss

Heart disease is the number one cause of death in America. It is estimated that more than 80 million Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease. February is National Heart Health Month, a time when communities across the country join together to raise awareness of heart disease and promote healthy lifestyles.

Heart Health Month is particularly important to us at J Waligora Audiology, as research has shown that hearing health and heart health often go hand in hand.  A recent study published in the American Journal of Audiology found that impaired cardiovascular health has a negative impact on the auditory system and the potential to affect an individual’s ability to hear.  We also know that untreated hearing loss can result in increased stress, isolation and depression – factors that contribute to an increased risk of heart disease. 

Staying connected to friends and family reduces stress and promotes positive attitudes.  Today's variety of advanced hearing aid solutions can be used to treat hearing loss, allowing folks to continue to take an active part in life.

Our goal is to educate and inspire people to adopt healthy heart and healthy hearing lifestyles.  The good news: It’s never too late – or too early – to make lifestyle changes!  Start with these simple healthy heart guidelines:

First Things First – Schedule a check-up to assess your risk factors: check of your blood pressure, weight, cholesterol and blood sugar. Determine with your doctor the best healthy heart steps for you.

Check your Hearing – Include hearing checks as part of your routine physical exams. Studies show that a healthy cardiovascular system – heart, arteries and veins – has a positive effect on hearing. Conversely, the negative influence of impaired cardiovascular health on both the peripheral and central auditory system has the potential to affect an individual’s capacity to hear.

Stay Connected – Staying connected to friends and family can improve your mood and reduce stress. If you find you are avoiding social situations because you are missing conversation or asking for too many repeats, talk to a hearing care professional about today’s advanced hearing solutions. Left untreated, hearing loss can lead to withdrawal, depression and social isolation.

Get Moving – Take the stairs instead of the elevator, park a bit farther out in the parking lot, walk a little faster around the mall or go on walks over your lunch break. Even moderate activity can help you burn calories, control cholesterol levels and diabetes and even lower blood pressure.

Clip on a Pedometer – These inexpensive devices measure the number of steps you take. Start with slow, specific goals and aim to build up to 10,000 steps or more per day (2,000 steps is roughly equivalent to one mile).

Eat Smart – Eat more fiber, fruits and vegetables. Choose foods that are low in saturated fats and watch sodium intake. Choosing healthier, plant-based and natural foods can also help you control your weight – another way to reduce heart disease risk.

Lighten Up - Excess weight increases the heart’s work. It raises blood pressure and blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, lowers HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels and can make you more likely to develop diabetes. By losing even as few as 10 pounds, you can lower your risk of heart disease.

Catch Some Zzzzzs – Sleep deprivation can make you more prone to hypertension, diabetes and other risk factors that contribute to the development of heart disease. Most people require 7 1/2 to 8 1/2 hours of sleep per night. Set a consistent bedtime and stick to it.

A Little Help from Your Friends – Enlist them to help you stay with your healthy diet resolutions or exercise plan. Make exercise a family affair and help the whole family take steps in a healthy direction.  (Having the support of family and friends is also very important for new hearing aid users.) 


Laugh Out Loud – It’s no secret that laughter lowers stress and helps build positive attitudes. Harvard researchers found that men with the most positive attitudes were half as likely to experience heart problems as those who were more negative.

Check out the following websites for more heart healthy support and advice: 

• American Heart Association - www.Americanheart.org 

• National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute - www.nhlbi.nih.gov

• American Dietetic Association - www.eatright.org

Excerpts from:

http://www.oticonusa.com/Oticon/News.html

http://www.oticonusa.com/Oticon/People_First/Post_Your_Progress.html

Listen Up, Teens!

In a 2010 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers noted a 31% increase in teenage hearing loss over the last 15 years.  For many of the teens surveyed only a slight hearing loss was indicated, but the trend is troubling because even if it does not impact their academics or social development now it may put them at risk for more significant hearing loss later in life (at even younger ages than previous generations).

Researchers could not identify one specific culprit for the rise in teenage hearing loss, but speculate that exposure to loud noise is a major contributing factor.  MP3 players and iPods are often singled out for being potentially damaging to teens' ears, but noise exposure can be found in many other aspects of their lifestyles as well including: living in noisy cities, video games, shooting firearms, loud car stereos, motorcycles, crowds at sporting events, NASCAR races, concerts, power tools, and working summer jobs around loud equipment (farm work, factories, lawn mowing, amusement parks, etc).

The National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders is working to reverse the trend of increased hearing loss in this age group and suggests teens follow these steps to protect their hearing:

1) Know how to recognize hazardous noise levels. 
The best rule to follow: if you have to shout to have a conversation at an arms length away ( approximately 3 feet), you are probably being exposed to dangerous levels of noise.  Check out the You Tube video below for some other common sources of noise exposure.  

2)Turn down noise at the source when possible.
Turn that music down or follow these steps to set a safe volume limit on your iPod: http://support.apple.com/kb/TA38403?viewlocale=en_US.  When listening to music you should be able to hear a conversation easily over the music.  Others should not be able to hear music coming from your headphones and should not have to shout for you to able to hear them speaking.    

3) Remove yourself from the noise source if you can.
The risk of damage to hearing depends on the duration and intensity of the exposure to noise.  Hearing loss initially may only be temporary after exposure to high decibel levels, but if exposure occurs repeatedly the ears lose their ability to bounce back resulting in permanent hearing degeneration.  When at concerts, sporting events or around loud equipment try to find a quiet place to give your ears a rest.        

4) Wear ear protection whenever steps 2 and 3 aren't feasible.
Earplugs are ideal for recreational listening, mowing the lawn, or using loud tools or firearms.  A variety of relatively inexpensive, disposable plugs can be purchased in retail drug or sporting goods stores.  Look for a good snug seal, comfort and a minimum noise reduction rating of 22 decibels.  Custom fit or high-fidelity plugs can be purchased through an audiologist and may be ideal for musicians. 

Parents, educators, physicians and hearing health care professionals should view this study as a wake-up call to educate adolescents about the long-term dangers of exposure to loud noise and encourage them to follow these 4 easy steps so they can look forward to a lifetime of listening enjoyment.         

Excerpts from:
http://www.drf.org/magazine/46/Winter+2011/article/377, 
http://appl003.lsu.edu/pubsafety/oes.nsf/$Content/Noise+Evaluation?OpenDocument
http://www.audiologyonline.com/news/news_detail.asp?news_id=4535
http://www.earbud.org/index.html

New Hearing Aid Technology - Winter 2011

The Wi Series is Starkey’s most advanced hearing aid on the market today. It features the latest in noise reduction and speech preservation, and virtually eliminates buzzing and whistling. It is designed to deliver incredible sound clarity even in the noisiest situations. Wi Series can also stream stereo sound directly from your TV, radio or computer to your hearing aids, like headphones. Check out the video below, visit Starkey's website, or call our office today at (315) 463-1724 to find out more about these exciting new hearing aids!  

Famous Faces of Hearing Loss

Check out these familiar faces and read about their experiences with hearing loss:

Jim Kyte - National Hockey League Defenseman

As the hockey player for the Winnipeg Jets Mr. Kyte hardly seems to fit the stereotype of a person with a hearing loss. He's young and virile, so active, and so much a part of life. We were pleased that Mr. Kyte, the first hard-of-hearing hockey play, came forward to publicly talk about his hearing loss and to encourage other young people to seek a solution for their hearing loss. Hearing aids helped him to become victorious over his hearing loss.

Curtis Pride – Baseball Player

Curtis Pride, deaf major league baseball player, was cited by the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce as of one of ten outstanding young Americans. Mr. Pride shared his "overcoming hearing loss" story in a number of public service announcements for BHI. "It was my most exciting moment-pinch-hitting for the Montreal Expos with runners on first and second base against the Philadelphia Phillies. I hit the first pitch for a two-run double, and received my first standing ovation. I was overwhelmed as I stood on second and saw all those people cheering. I've come a long way since being born with a 95% hearing loss. Major reasons were my exceptionally supportive parents, being first fitted with hearing aids as a baby, getting speech therapy from infancy through high school, and my determination to rely on oral communication. Such blessings helped me obtain my degree from The College of William and Mary, as well as excel in soccer, basketball, baseball and other sports. People wanted me on their team. My hope is that others will be encouraged by my experience to seek help-medically, with hearing aids, or other rehabilitation- if they suspect a hearing loss." Curtis is the fourth known deaf major league baseball player in history. There were three deaf ball players prior to Curtis Pride. 1) Dummy Hoy (he was the first) back in the 1800's. He was the person who instigated the hand signals for balls, strikes, safe, out, etc. 2) Dummy Taylor (who also worked at the Illinois School for the Deaf) played ball in the early 1900s and 3) Richard Sipek, played in mid 1940's for Cincinnati Reds.

Florence Henderson – Actress

A star of several Broadway musicals, Henderson was also featured as the matriarch of The Brady Bunch in the early '70s. From 1959 to 1960, she served as Dave Garroway 's "Today Girl" on the original version of Today. She also holds the distinction of being the first female host of the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. In the mid-1950s, she was diagnosed with a bone deformation of the inner ear (Osteosclerosis). She indicated in one of her BHI public service announcements "For the sake of my family, my happiness, and my career, I had something done about my hearing loss. Corrective surgery on both ears restored my hearing."

Deidre Downs – Miss America 2005

Deidre Downs, Miss America 2005, serves as national spokesperson for the Better Hearing Institute (BHI) on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of hearing loss, especially in children.

Her mission is to educate the 31 million Americans suffering from hearing loss on the need for early diagnosis and treatment with today’s modern technology solutions. As a pediatrician-to-be, she is focused on the one million children with hearing loss. She identifies with them because she has had a hearing loss since childhood.

Deidre’s hearing loss is genetic. Both her father and brother suffer from hearing loss so she was tested before starting school and diagnosed early in life. She began wearing hearing aids at age five and recalls feeling conflicted with everyday social situations.

“Hearing loss affected me dramatically as a child. I began wearing hearing aids in kindergarten, but I didn’t like looking different from other kids, so I was very self-conscious about them. Yet when I didn’t wear them, I felt a different type of social isolation because I had trouble following conversations.”

A native of Alabama, Deidre has been successful despite her hearing loss, but does not want other children to face what she had to.

“For years I chose not to wear hearing aids—even while participating in pageants and the Miss America competition. I simply learned how to get by without them. In school I sat in the front of the classroom. In social situations I made a point to always look at people while they were speaking.”

Deidre was valedictorian of her high school and a Rhodes Scholar finalist. She earned a volleyball scholarship to the University of Virginia, where she was an Echols Scholar. After transferring to Samford University, she graduated magna cum laude in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in history. After college, she was chosen Miss Alabama and later Miss America 2005.

Deidre currently travels the nation educating the public and serving as an enthusiastic advocate on the issue. As a medical student, public speaker and former athlete, Deidre knows well the onset of challenges hearing loss sufferers face and wishes to educate the public on the condition’s sharp increase and the life-changing technology available for its treatment.

“It wasn’t until I started medical school that I realized I couldn’t get by without hearing aids any longer. It was very hard to follow lectures in large auditoriums, interact with fellow students and professors (especially if they wore surgical masks), and interact with patients. I realized that I finally needed to face my hearing problem and find a solution that would help me to be the best doctor I can be for my patients."

“Wearing hearing aids again gave me the ability to better participate in life—school, family, and friends. Hearing aids have diminished the impact hearing loss has on my life. I finally feel like I can hear as well as a normal hearing person. My friends, family, and classmates no longer have to constantly repeat themselves. I don’t have to use closed captioning on TV anymore and I rarely miss pieces of conversations—even in noisy restaurants. It’s been an unbelievable life change for me, my family, and my friends.”

Deidre strongly encourages parents to have their children’s hearing professionally tested, and to assure that children with hearing loss obtain proper treatment.

”I didn’t wear my aids for years and now that I do my friends and family are happier – and I can participate in my life more than ever before. If you have untreated hearing loss, don’t wait another day. See your hearing health professional, ask for the right solution and be an active participant in your life again.”

Jim Ryun - World-class Runner & Congressman

World-renowned track star Jim Ryun, the first high school American to break the four minute mile barrier, used his experience with hearing loss to lead the Council for Better Hearing and Speech Month in 1993.

Ryun held the world record time for the mile at 3:51:1 for 9 years, and the high school mile record of 3:55:3 for 36 years. Proclaimed Sports Illustrated's 1966 Sportsman of the Year, Ryun has received numerous awards, including the AAU Sullivan Award for Best Amateur Athlete. A U.S. Olympic team member for three consecutive Olympics, Ryun received a silver medal for the 1500 meters in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico.

He is a frequent motivational speaker, an avid photographer and he represented the 2nd District of Kansas in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1996-2006. Ryun, a successful hearing aid user said of his public service work on behalf of better hearing, "I know what it has meant to me to be able to hear---a whole new world has opened up to me. So I am both grateful and excited to have the privilege of serving."

Congressman Ryun was the lead House sponsor of the hearing aid tax credit in the 108th and 109th Congress. The legislation would provide a tax credit for people who purchase hearing aids, and efforts continue to enact the legislation.

Mike Singletary - Football Hall of Famer

Star linebacker for the world champion Chicago Bears he finished as the team's first or second leading tackler each of his last 11 seasons. In his career he had 1488 tackles (885 solo), 51 passes defensed, 12 fumble recoveries and 7 interceptions. He was selected as all-pro eight times, all-NFC nine straight years, and to ten consecutive Pro Bowls. He was voted defensive player of the year twice. A constant force on defense, he missed playing just two games in his career with the Bears. He had 13 tackles and a sack in the playoffs leading up to the Bears' 46-10 defeat of the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX. The Bears' league-leading defense held the Patriots to a record low seven yards rushing, while the hard-charging Singletary contributed with two fumble recoveries. Mike and his wife Kim did joint public service announcements on television for BHI to emphasize the point that hearing loss is a family problem; and that often it is the spouse who encourages the person with a hearing loss to get help. Mike says "When it comes to sacking a quarterback, I don't let anything stand in my way. The same goes for my hearing problem." Mr. Singletary tackled his hearing problem with hearing aids.

Arnold Palmer - Legendary Golfer

Associated Press named him Athlete of the Decade in the 1960s. He has won 92 professional golf championships in his career including won the Masters Tournament four times, 1958, 1960, 1962 and 1964, the U.S. Open in 1960 and the British Open in 1961 and 1962. He is an esteemed golf course designer, holds six honorary doctorates and is the founder of the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children & Women. Having defeated hearing loss with hearing aids he devotes substantial time promoting the value of treating hearing loss. In a recent interview he stated the following: "I've noticed the sound of the golf ball being hit by the golf club is different and much more realistic with the hearing aids." The sound with the hearing aids makes sense and better represents what I know is happening to the golf ball. So you could say that the hearing aids help give me confidence regarding my golf game. "I've been wearing hearing aids for a long time," he says. "The technology available now is simply unbelievable. When I compare the new digital products to what we had 30 years ago, it's an amazing difference. The products have improved dramatically, and fortunately, they'll just continue to get better."

Jeff Float - Olympic Gold Medalist

Mr. Float was captain of the 1984 U.S. Olympic swim team, which set a world record in the men's 4 x 200-meter freestyle relay. He wears two hearing aids to correct his hearing loss. Jeff reported, "I had viral meningitis at the age of 13 months that caused a permanent loss of 60-80% of my hearing. My very supportive parents sent me to a famous clinic when I was three, where I was fitted with hearing aids and introduced to the fundamentals of communicating effectively in a hearing world. I owe thanks to the rapid advancement in hearing aid technology combined with lip reading and speech therapy techniques. Winning a gold medal and overcoming a hearing handicap took many years of parents, practice, keeping things in proper perspective and above all, a deep desire to excel to the best you can be. My motto throughout high school and college was "it is better to have tried and lost than to have never tried at all".

Excerpt from Better Hearing Institute: www.betterhearing.org

January 2011