All About Earwax

What is earwax?
Earwax is a naturally occurring substance that is produced by wax glands in the external ear canal.  Its exact purpose is unknown but earwax does play an important role in keeping your ears healthy by repelling water and preventing dust/dirt particles from reaching the eardrum.  The technical name for earwax is cerumen (pronounced seh-roo-men).
     
What causes excessive earwax buildup?
Several factors are associated with earwax buildup, but 2 of the most common are aging and the use of devices that either cover or are inserted into the ear (like hearing aids, earbuds, headsets, etc.)

How common is excessive build-up of wax? 
It is rare in people between the ages of 33-44 (only 9% incidence rate), but affects over 40% of people between the ages of 75-85.
 
What are the symptoms of earwax buildup?
Excessive earwax buildup can result in itching in the ears, muffled hearing, tinnitus and sometimes ear pain.  For patients wearing hearing aids, excessive earwax buildup can cause hearing aid malfunction and failure.  


Why shouldn't I use cotton swabs to clean my ears?
Products like cotton swabs often actually push the earwax further into the ear canal making it more difficult to remove.  If inserted too far into the canal, these products can also cause damage to the ear drum.  Most of the time the ear canals are self-cleaning - old earwax is constantly migrating from the ear canal to the ear opening where it typically dries, flakes and falls out.  Most people never have to clean the ear canals.

How do I remove excessive earwax?
First you should consult with your primary care doctor, otolarnygologist or audiologist to determine if earwax removal is necessary.  The degree of buildup and where the buildup is located in the canal will help to determine how best to remove the wax from the ear.  Options may include use of earwax softening drops and/or flushing or suctioning the wax out in office.  If you are prone to excessive wax buildup your doctor may also prescribe a maintenance regimen.

Please contact J Waligora Audiology at 315-463-1724 with any further questions.   

"Made for iPhone Hearing Aids"

Recently, Apple^® announced that they have developed new technology that will result in "made for iPhone^® hearing aids." Since this announcement, some blogs have incorrectly reported that Apple is building hearing aids.  In reality, Starkey Hearing Technologies is working with Apple on products that can leverage iPhone technology and Starkey Hearing Technologies' hearing aids to create exciting new experiences for patients.

So to clarify, made for iPhone hearing aids will mean that the iPhone will be capable of providing some interaction with Starkey hearing aids. The details of this new interaction are not entirely available yet, but we look forward to bringing you more information about this exciting development as we receive it.

Recall Notice: Oto-Ease ear lubricant

Westone Laboratories is voluntary recalling all sizes and packaging configurations of Oto-Ease® ear lubricant.  If you purchased this product here or elsewhere please discontinue use immediately and read on or contact this office for further instructions.

Reason for the Voluntary Recall:
The products have been found through a consumer complaint and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sample analysis to be potentially contaminated with pathogenic bacteria and mold. The scope of this recall extends to all sizes and packaging configurations of Oto-Ease as the distinction between lots
cannot be determined.

Risk to Health:
Use of the product as directed for easing the insertion of custom fit ear molds and hearing instruments could result in infectious complications of the ear canal and surrounding tissues.  No injuries or illnesses have been reported to date.

Actions to be taken by the Customer/User:
Consumers who have any size or packaging configuration should stop using the product and contact their
healthcare provider. Packaging configurations include the following:

1) 0.5 oz semi transparent flexible plastic bottles with orange or semi transparent plastic screw-on
dispensing caps
2) aluminum foil single use sample packs with red or black print writing.

The Oto-Ease unit containers are not identified with a lot number, expiration date, or UPC Code.

If you have any of these products, please destroy or return them. Consumers with questions may contact Westone Laboratories at 1-800-357-3240 between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm MST or email at otoeaserecall@westone.com.

This recall is being made with the knowledge of the Food and Drug Administration.  Any adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of these products may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Events Program either online, by regular mail or by fax:

• Online: www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm
• Regular mail: use postage-paid, pre-addressed Form FDA3500 available at www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm
• Fax: 1-800-FDA-0178

Updates:
Westone is currently researching a substitute product for sale in the future and will notify customers when that product is available.

Are your kids' toys causing hearing damage?

Came across an article in this month's Parents Magazine that raises an excellent point about toy safety:

Hear This
Toys that beep or play music may pose a serious health hazard to your child, say researchers at University of California, Irvine.  They measured ten of the loudest most popular toys and found that all can exceed 90 decibels, a level that can lead to hearing damage over time.  Several were as loud as a chain saw when held close to the ear.  "Children are more sensitive to loud high pitched noises," says physician and researcher Hamid Djalilian, MD, director of the university's Hearing and Balance Center.  Toys with sound should be less than 85 decibels when held 20 inches away from the ear - but kids rarely hold them that far away.  Put non-toxic glue or heavy-duty masking tape (with glued down edges) over a toy's speaker to muffle the sound.  When shopping for toys place them against your ear: If it hurts, it's too loud. 

For more information visit the Sight & Hearing Association's list of noisy toys, updated annually to include the worst offenders, or the World Against Toys Causing Harm website: toysafety.org.

Captioned Telephone - a free, easy solution for those struggling to hear on the phone

Having hearing loss shouldn't mean losing touch!  The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is currently funding a program that allows individuals with hearing loss to obtain a FREE CaptionCall telephone.

Who needs CaptionCall? 
CaptionCall can help people of all ages with hearing loss to stay connected to friends and family, work confidently and maintain business relationships, or preserve independence.  If you have trouble hearing on the phone then CaptionCall is for you!  

How does it work?
It works just like a regular telephone – simply dial and answer calls as usual – speak and listen using a phone handset like always with the added benefit of easy to read text of everything that is said.  Never worry about missing a word again!
 

View free, nearly instant captions of what your callers are saying on the large, easy-to-read display screen of your CaptionCall Phone. With the CaptionCall Service, you get captioning that is:

• Free—No new bills and no monthly charges; captioning is fully funded by the FCC.
• Automatic—No need to dial through the Captioning Service.
• Secure—Safe, encrypted, FCC-regulated transcription.

What do I need to get it set-up?
The basic requirements to get the phone set up in your home are:

• High speed internet connection
• Standard home phone connection
• Ordinary home electrical outlet

For more information call J Waligora Audiology at 315-463-1724 to schedule a demo and get started or visit CaptionCall's website.

Do I need hearing aids for both ears?

Our patients often ask us: "Do I have to have hearing aids for both ears?"  Most of the time the answer is YES for several important reasons: 

1) You have to use both ears equally in order to tell where sounds are coming from.
Did you know that you don't just hear with your ears?  The ears are responsible for picking up sounds around you and sending them to the brain where they are processed.  Having the ears balanced by wearing 2 hearing aids allows your brain to sort out where sounds are happening in the environment. 

2) Things will sound clearer when listening with 2 hearing aids.
 Here's an easy experiment you can conduct to demonstrate the importance of balance between the two ears: Tune your car radio to your favorite station.  First adjust the speaker balance to one side alone, then try both sides balanced equally - notice the improvement in sound quality?  

3) You will hear better in background noise with 2 hearing aids.
Listening in background noise is challenging for everyone - even individuals with normal hearing - but it is especially tough for those with hearing loss to hear in a noisy place like a restaurant or party.  Wearing 2 hearing aids can help your brain sort out the speech you want to hear from the background noise much more effectively than only 1 hearing aid.  

However, it is important to know that 2 hearing aids may not be necessary if:

• There is only hearing loss in 1 ear
• The hearing loss is too severe to benefit from conventional amplification
• The word understanding is too poor
• There are certain ear conditions / medical issues that prevent use of a hearing aid 

That's why it is so crucial to have a full hearing evaluation conducted by a licensed audiologist if you are considering hearing aids.  Call J Waligora Audiology at 315-463-1724 to further discuss the process of obtaining hearing aids or to schedule an appointment today!  

Medicare and Hearing Aids

The cost of hearing aids is a major concern for many people with hearing loss.  Our patients are often eager to know about insurance coverage for hearing tests and hearing aids, so here are the basics:

Medicare will generally cover a diagnostic hearing evaluation (conducted by our audiologists here at J Waligora Audiology) to determine if there is a medical cause for your hearing loss.  Speak to your primary care doctor if you have concerns regarding your hearing and he/she can write you a script to have the hearing evaluation completed.  Unfortunately, Medicare does not provide coverage for hearing aids or for routine hearing evaluations thereafter.

If you have secondary coverage or private health insurance, call the number on the back of your insurance card to locate a participating provider and determine if there are hearing aid benefits.  If there is insurance coverage for hearing aids, be sure to ask about the maximum amount covered, if the amount is per ear or total, and how often the benefit can be used.  For example, under the Empire Plan hearing aids are covered up to a maximum of $1500.00 per ear once every four years. The doctors here at J Waligora Audiology are participating providers for Medicare, most major insurance carriers including the Empire Plan, and other 3rd party payments.

If you do not have insurance coverage, we offer several interest free payment options through Care Credit and can counsel you on other financial assistance programs that you may be eligible for.  Here at J Waligora Audiology we will work with you to select hearing aids that are appropriate for your hearing loss, lifestyle and economic needs.  Call us to make an appointment today 315.463.1724.      

 

How to Make Your Hearing Aids Last Longer

J Waligora Audiology's top 10 tips for making your hearing aids last:

1) Moisture control - Always take the hearing aids out before swimming, getting into the shower and having your hair washed at the hairdresser.  Also keep in mind that humidity and perspiration can be harmful to the hearing aids.  Consider using a hearing aid dehumidifying jar (Dri-Aid) regularly to extend the life of your aids.

2) Frequent cleanings at home - Wipe the hearing aids off with a cleaning cloth or tissue (free of aloe/lotion) each time you take them out of your ears and use the cleaning tools given to you by your audiologist as needed.

3) Periodic checks by your audiologist - Depending on the style of hearing aid you have, we recommend visiting your audiologist every 3-6 months for routine maintenance and tubing changes if needed.  At J Waligora Audiology all of your visits are FREE for 3 years with the purchase of hearing aids under Complete Hearing Health Care.

4) Safe storage - Store your hearing aids in the case provided to you or in your Dri-Aid jar every time you take them out of your ears. Be sure to keep them out of reach of pets and small children! 

5) Wax prevention - If you are prone to wax build-up your primary care doctor may recommend in-office ear cleanings or a maintenance regimen.  If your hearing aid has a wax prevention system, your audiologist will counsel you on how to check and change the wax guards and provide you with the necessary supplies.

6) Hold the hairspray - Wait until you have finished styling your hairdo before putting the hearing aids on, as hairspray and gel can clog up the microphones and diminish the sound quality of your aids.

7) Maintain good ear health - Don't just let an earache go ... consult with your primary care doctor if you think you may have an ear infection.  Drainage from infected ears can be very corrosive to hearing aids. 

8) Environmental considerations - Keep your hearing aids away from dust and debris, remove them for physical activity if you are prone to excessive perspiration, and never leave them in your car in direct sunlight.

9) Monitor fit - Your ear size can change as you age or if you lose even 5-10 pounds.  If your hearing aid is feeling loose, check with your audiologist about a remake.  Most hearing aids only have loss insurance for 1-2 years after purchase, so it's important to take the necessary steps to prevent losing an aid. 

10) General gentle, loving care - Don't drop your hearing aids, sit on them, run them through the washing machine, etc.  They are an investment in your quality of life - treat them like gold!

Custom Earpieces for Every Lifestyle

With all of today's mobile technology, the earphone has become a necessity for many.  While stock earbuds can certainly get the job done, new custom products are available to help enhance the comfort and sound quality of all your listening devices.  And when you're ready to unplug, custom hearing protection can provide some much-needed peace and quiet!

Check out some of the products we offer here at J Waligora Audiology from the earmold experts at Westone:

 

iCustom

Upgrade virtually any stock earbud with iCustom earpieces - they easily couple with iPod® earbuds (and most other brands) to reduce distracting external noise for better sound. 

Great for your MP3 player, computer, Bluetooth headset, etc. and the custom fit assures that your device will stay securely in the ear when walking, jogging, or riding.  Special colors options are available.

Custom Hearing Protection
It is a Loud World Out There! Filtered custom earplugs are a great option for musicians, hunters, workers and motor sports participants and are available in different attenuation levels (9 dB, 15 dB, 25 dB, ~30 dB) - reduce your exposure to harmful levels of sound and still perform at your best!  

Swim Plugs
Originally designed for use while surface swimming or showering to prevent moisture from entering the ear canal these plugs are also great for those who spend a lot of time in noisy airports or have to sleep next to a snoring spouse!




There's a custom product available for virtually every need!  Call for more information or to schedule an appointment: 315-463-1724.

Hearing Aid Consumer Beware

Many people in need of hearing aids are dismayed to discover hearing aids are not covered by Medicare or most health insurance plans. It has been a historical problem and efforts by many groups to change the lack of coverage through congressional legislation have so far been unsuccessful. The recent announcement by United Healthcare (UHC), the largest U.S. Insurer by revenue, to offer an online diagnostic, treatment and distribution model for hearing healthcare is not the change hoped for and has prompted growing concerns within the health community.

Hearing aids are medical devices regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and must be recommended, sold and fit by qualified health professionals. Omitting an evaluation and treatment by a licensed audiologist or hearing healthcare professional puts the patient at risk to have a missed diagnosis of a serious underlying health condition that requires medical intervention as well as subsequent hearing loss as a result of improper fitting of hearing aids. The UHC model also limits the choice of hearing aid manufacturer, model and technology.

Dr. Eric Hagberg, president of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology said “This undermines every good practice with regard to hearing healthcare as this diagnosis and delivery model is unsound, unsafe and unreliable. Without the proper diagnosis, counseling, hearing aid fitting and follow-up evaluations, successful treatment for hearing loss cannot be achieved. The purchase and use of hearing aids without a proper examination, diagnosis and counseling is a recipe for poor treatment outcomes and increased risks.”

The Academy of Doctors of Audiology, American Academy of Audiology, International Hearing Society, and Better Hearing Institute are all warning against “do-it -yourself hearing care” and urge consumers who suspect that they have hearing loss to seek treatment from a licensed audiologist or other hearing healthcare professional to ensure the proper diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss, and to identify potentially serious underlying medical conditions. Further, they remind consumers that even when hearing loss is detected through comprehensive examination, hearing aids are not always the recommended course of treatment for hearing loss.

This article by Dr. Jane Waligora, AuD, CCC-A was published in the January 2012 edition of Prime newspaper (page 8):  http://issuu.com/eaglenewsonline/docs/jan_2012_prime_1-12