What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus (“TIN-a-tus” or “Tin-EYE-tus”) is the medical term for the sensation of hearing sound in your ears when no external sound is present. In most cases, tinnitus is a subjective noise, meaning only the sufferer can hear it. Typically, sufferers describe the sound as “ringing in ears,” though others describe it as hissing, buzzing, whistling, roaring and even chirping.

Tinnitus is a common byproduct of hearing loss. The damage to your cochlea, or organ of hearing, can result in ringing in your ears. Oftentimes, hearing loss and tinnitus go hand-in-hand.

Some tinnitus quick facts:

- Approximately 50 million adults suffer from tinnitus (1 in 5 people).
-Tinnitus is the #1 disability for military veterans.
-Tinnitus can occur at any age, and may begin suddenly or progress gradually.
-The most common causes of tinnitus include noise exposure, aging, head injury, and side effects from medication.

Sadly, there is no known cure for tinnitus. No surgery or pill has been shown to get rid of it in any clinically accepted study. However, there are options for relief.

There are new hearing devices available today which offer amazing relief for tinnitus. They are known as Tinnitus Maskers. They are very small, discreet ear-level devices the person wears on a daily basis. They will amplify sounds around you to help you understand speech better and deliver a low-level white noise to your ears which “masks” or covers up the ringing in your ears. This generated noise can be adjusted by your audiologist to specifically mask your tinnitus thereby offering you relief from the ringing in your ears. Many of our patients that have used these devices report great success! As always, if you would like to try a tinnitus masker/hearing aid we offer a 30-day trial period in which you can try the device out for yourself to see if it will work for you. If not, you simply return it for a full refund of your deposit.

There are habits that can exacerbate the tinnitus. Suggestions to lessen the severity of your tinnitus:

-Limit salt.
-Limit caffeine.
-Limit alcoholic beverage intake.
-Reduce stress.

Remember, we are here to help you. Please call our office at 901-682-1529 to speak with an audiologist or make an appointment.

Statistics taken from Starkey Labs.

Measuring Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is measured by our Audiologists during a comprehensive hearing evaluation. During a comprehensive hearing evaluation, the ability to hear speech and frequency-specific tones as a function of the loudness required to hear them is assessed. In other words, hearing is essentially measured as “loudness versus pitch.” Results are plotted on an audiogram. Loudness is plotted on the y-axis with softest sounds closest to the top and loudest sounds at the bottom. Frequency is plotted on the x-axis with low pitch sounds farthest to the left, increasing in frequency as you move along the axis to the right. Hearing loss (HL) is measured in decibels (dB) and is described in general categories:

Degree of Hearing loss Audiometric Thresholds

• Normal hearing (0 to 25 dB HL)
• Mild hearing loss (26 to 40 dB HL)
• Moderate hearing loss (41 to 70 dB HL)
• Severe hearing loss (71 to 90 dB HL)
• Profound hearing loss (greater than 91 dB HL)

If it is determined that a hearing loss is present, we then perform a comprehensive hearing aid evaluation to see if hearing amplification is recommended for you.  We discuss your lifestyle, budget, and preferences to find the exact hearing aids that meet your needs.  Everyone is different and there is no one perfect hearing aid solution to meet the needs of every person. At Memphis Hearing Aid we are able to fit hearing devices from many hearing aid manufacturers which allows us to more closely meet  your hearing needs.  Call us today at 901-682-1529 for an appointment for you or a loved one if you feel your hearing needs to be checked.

Welcome to Better Hearing

As Audiologists at Memphis Hearing Aid, our number one goal is to help people hear and understand speech better. This is vital to communication. An audiologist at Memphis Hearing Aid, Dr. Krisha Boren, has written an article which clearly explains the difference hearing aids make in helping restore one woman’s ability to communicate. Please read her story…

In the summer of 2010, I evaluated a family friend, a 53 year old woman who was having difficulty hearing. This lady is active, attractive, and a caregiver. She owns and operates a day care center and even though she is young she is considered to be the matriarch of the family. Many people depend on her for numerous things. 

Test results showed a mild to moderate sensorineural hearing loss in both ears. At that time, she was not ready to obtain hearing aids for fear of the aids making her feel old and did not feel as if her hearing loss was to the degree she needed assistance yet. Patient C has a long and significant history of conductive hearing loss as a child.

Less than 2 years later, her hearing dropped to a moderate to severe loss bilaterally. She was ready for assistance. She could no longer hear the children at the day care or her grandchildren. Communication was challenging even in a quiet room.

She was fit with bilateral wireless hearing aids. She cried when these aids were turned on. She was shocked at how much she was missing and how much she had to concentrate just to follow a conversation. Patient C was now able to sit back, relax, and follow a conversation.

This is no unusual story. It is hearing aid fittings like this which makes us get out of bed in the morning and come to work. However, what makes Patient C’s story stick out in my mind are her comments and reactions. She called later on the day of the fitting; she said she had spent hours outside just listening to sounds she had not heard in years. She enjoyed the birds, wind chimes, and the wind. Her family was amazed at her new ability to communicate.

Because it is sometimes difficult for patients to admit assistance is needed, I asked Patient C to write a few sentences about her experience. Her quote was, “My hearing aids are the best thing I have done for MYSELF. I can be a part of conversations that never could have happened.” This woman is selfless and is always doing for others; however, in this instance she did for herself and others in her family and co-workers were benefitted as well.

Krisha Boren, Au.D.

Doctor of Audiology

Causes of Temporary Hearing Loss

When one notices temporary hearing loss, it can be quite a scary experience.  There are a number of reasons why it is possible to lose the ability to hear, so finding out the reason for hearing loss is the key to restoring it.  Luckily, many of the reasons why this type of hearing loss occurs are due to situations that can be quickly remedied. 

Exposure to Loud Noise            

For employees who work in a high noise workplace, protecting the ears should be of utmost importance.  Even short amounts of time spent in these types of environments can lead to temporary hearing loss.  Chronic exposure to noise that is loud enough to cause ringing in the ears can eventually lead to permanent hearing impairment.  The same holds true for those folks who listen to their headphones too loudly or frequently attend loud concerts.   Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) often follows noise exposure. When you are exposed to loud noise, it is always recommended that you turn down the volume or wear protective ear equipment to reduce the chance of developing permanent hearing loss.

Accumulation of Ear Wax

Even though production of ear wax is a normal process of the body protecting the ear canal, there are times when the wax becomes impacted or blocked in the ear canal.  This blockage can hinder the ability of sound waves to travel through the ear canal to the ear drum.  When the ear drum is unable to function properly, hearing can be negatively affected.  The easiest way to restore normal hearing when a wax impaction is present is to visit a health care provider who can easily flush or remove the wax from the ear canal.  For many people, the procedure is quick and fairly painless. 

Middle Ear Infections   

When the area behind the ear drum is invaded by bacteria, an infection is very likely to develop.  Because the middle ear contains a passageway to the back of the throat, many times ear infections will develop while one is suffering from a cold virus.  When the accumulation of phlegm starts to invade the passageway between the ear and the throat, an infection could develop that can affect the ability to hear. 

An infection that is affecting the middle ear can cause a build-up of fluids when the body is trying to fight the infection.  These fluids can put pressure on the structures of the ear that are used in hearing.  Sometimes these fluids cause so much pressure that the ear drum can rupture.  Many people with ruptured ear drums will notice blood and pus-like fluids leaking from the ear.  A ruptured ear drum is also very painful.  Treatment for ear infections is typically a course of antibiotics. A ruptured ear drum will sometimes heal itself or require minor surgery to repair.

Getting Help

If you think that you may be experiencing temporary hearing loss, the best way to find out for sure is to visit an audiologist or ear physician.  Many times, a few simple tests can be conducted to assess one’s level of hearing.  Take the time to be proactive about your ear health and visit our office. Call 901-682-1529 for your appointment today.

Why Wait?

We have seen thousands of patients over the years seeking better hearing. The vast majority of these individuals visit our offices willingly. Others need a bit of encouragement from family and friends. There are many reasons why people are reluctant to get hearing help. They range from vanity to cost to denial. One particular patient took a leap of faith and took the first step…made an appointment with me to have her hearing checked. Below is her story, in her own words, about her experience and the thoughts and feelings she had leading up to the day she came to Memphis Hearing Aid.

Can You Hear Me Now?         by Susan W.

In the past few days I’ve discovered that grocery stores play music, my van is making some funny noises, and my kids are really loud. The last one I knew…I just didn’t realize how loud. You see, last Thursday I got a pair of hearing aids, and I feel like a whole new world has opened up to me.

 I’ve had hearing loss for as long as I can remember. I had it as a child, and it has gotten progressively worse. I am not alone. According to the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, approximately 17 percent (36 million) of American adults report some degree of hearing loss. It is estimated that untreated hearing impairments cost the U.S. economy $56 billion in lost productivity, special education and medical care—an annual per capita tax of $216.

 While I do not totally understand the above statistic, I do understand what having a hearing impairment has cost me. It’s cost many moments of frustration, withdrawal from certain social situations and even ministry opportunities, and the ability to relax and enjoy conversations. I could hear that people were talking, I just had to work really hard sometimes to understand what they were saying.

 Although I knew I would most likely benefit from hearing aids, getting them was something I did not seriously consider until recently. I am not alone there either. Four out of five Americans with hearing loss do not use hearing aids. In a study by the National Council on the Aging to examine barriers to wearing hearing aids, those surveyed cited cost, vanity, and the stigma of wearing a hearing aid. The most common reasons cited, however, were “I can get along without one” and “they will not help with my specific problem.”

 And those were my reasons too. I could quickly get over the vanity aspect because with my hairstyle, I knew that they would not even be seen. But I had gotten along “fine” so far without them, and I wondered if they would really even help that much. The greatest factor that held me back, however, was the cost. Hearing aids are expensive, about $1,500 to $2,000 each, and since God gave us two ears, we’re talking between $3,000 and $4,000. If you are fortunate to have health insurance, most plans do not cover these costs.

 So, how did I end up in the offices of Memphis Hearing Aid and Audiological Services last Tuesday to have my hearing tested and pick out the hearing aids that would best suit my needs and lifestyle? It was actually the result of an answer to prayer.

 In the last couple of years, I have gotten more and more frustrated by not being able to hear well. I think my family has gotten a little frustrated as well. I began praying that God would provide a way for me to get hearing aids. Then, out of the blue, my mom, who herself has hearing loss but wears hearing aids, offered to help us pay for them. She knew what I was missing out on, understood my frustration, and was confident that hearing aids would help.

A few weeks later, another amazing thing happened. When we reviewed my husband’s employee benefits for 2012, we saw that they had added hearing aid reimbursement for employees, spouses, and dependents. They would cover 80 percent of the cost. I was floored and could not wait to make an appointment.

 Since I’ve gotten my hearing aids, I’ve been able to enjoy conversations and hear sounds I’ve never heard before. I’ve watched a movie with my family without having to use the subtitles or close captioning. I can hear my kids fighting from any room of the house. I can hear them being sweet too.

 Being able to hear everything was a little overwhelming at first, but after some fine-tuning to the hearing aids by my audiologist, I am adjusting and absolutely loving it. I am so thankful for the financial assistance my mom and husband’s employer have provided, but knowing what I now know, I would save to pay every penny of it myself if I had to.

 One reason I wanted to share my story is that someone reading it may have hearing loss and wonder if a hearing aid will really make a difference. Of course only a licensed audiologist can answer that for each individual, but if they did recommend hearing aids, I would definitely check it out (most places allow you to try them for 30 days with no obligation). I only regret that I didn’t do it sooner.

 The other reason I wanted to share is that many of you probably know someone who has hearing loss but cannot afford the cost of hearing aids. Quite possibly, it is someone you love or someone who works with or for you. If you are financially able, I would encourage you to offer to help them with the cost. If you own a business, consider adding hearing aid reimbursement to your benefits, or petition your employer to add this benefit. I know that if I had a job, (outside of my full-time wife/mom/freelance writing gig) I would be a much more effective and productive employee due to my new ability to hear. You could really make a profound difference in the quality of someone’s life.

 Of course, if you are going to approach someone about helping them purchase a hearing aid, you would want to do so with sensitivity and tact. Most likely they will be very grateful, but at times I could be defensive about the fact that I couldn’t hear well. If they don’t think hearing aids will help them or that they “get along fine” without one, put them in touch with me. You can bet it is a conversation I will hear and would love to have.

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. We are here to help. If you or someone you love is having difficulty hearing or understanding conversations, please call our office at 901-682-1529. We would love to help with hearing amplification. There are so many wonderful sounds to hear. They may not even know what they are missing!

How Long Do Hearing Aids Last?

The lifetime of a hearing aid can vary. Hearing aids typically last five to six years, although in some cases they may last much longer. The average life of a hearing aid in the Southeast is 5.9 years. The miniature components in hearing aids tend to wear out over time, and even when repaired, do not have the same integrity as new components. The daily use of hearing aids, while critical to improving your hearing, can cause the hearing aid to experience normal “wear and tear”.  Hearing aids are fragile miniature electronic devices. Daily they are exposed to humidity, perspiration, earwax – and sometimes rain, hairspray and other factors which aren’t ideal for a tiny medical device. These factors and the constant inner workings of the aids will lead them to begin to break down and require repairs. Use of special hearing aid dehumidifiers, which help remove moisture from the hearing aids when not in use, has been shown to prolong the life of hearing aids.  These devices can be obtained from our office.  Additionally, cleaning your hearing aids regularly will help ensure they have a long life.

In many cases, hearing loss tends to gradually worsen over time.  Therefore, new hearing aids may be required to fit your hearing loss as it changes. While today’s digital hearing aids can be re-programmed in many cases to accommodate changes in hearing, some people choose to purchase new hearing aids in order to benefit from new features that come with advancements in hearing aid technology. 

If you feel as if you have not been hearing well with your 5-6 year old hearing aids, or if you are putting a lot of money into reparing your older hearing aids, it may be time for you to visit our office to discuss the latest hearing technology.  Tremendous advancements have been made in the last couple of years that offer you exciting solutions to your hearing difficulties. Imagine…listening to your TV wirelessly through your hearing aids! We have the technology available to do this now! Please call us today to hear about what’s new in hearing amplification.

Link Between Hearing Loss and Certain Chronic Diseases

Hearing loss isn’t a harmless condition to be ignored. In fact, hearing loss often coexists with other serious health problems. There is a growing  body of research which indicates that there may be a link between the two. Studies show that people with heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and depression may all have an increased risk of hearing loss.

When left untreated, hearing loss alone can lead to a wide range of physical and emotional conditions. Impaired memory and the impaired ability to learn new tasks, reduced alertness, increased risk to personal safety, irritability, negativism, anger, fatigue, tension and stress are among its more common side effects. When untreated hearing loss coexists with a chronic illness, the likelihood is even greater that the individual will experience higher levels of stress and decreased quality of life.

Here’s the good news: Research also indicates that professionally fitted hearing aids can help improve quality of life for people with chronic diseases when hearing loss does coexist.                    

Today’s Tiny Hearing Aid

According to researchers at the Better Hearing Institute (BHI), “in the vast majority of cases, hearing loss can be addressed with hearing aids to help people hear better and improve their quality of life”. People with heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, Alzheimer’s, and/or depression are strongly urged to talk with their doctor or visit an audiologist to routinely have their hearing checked.

 

The link between hearing loss and certain chronic diseases:

Numerous studies have long linked untreated hearing loss to diminished psychological and overall health. But an emerging body of research is now revealing a link between hearing loss and other chronic health conditions.

For example, hearing loss is about twice as common in adults with diabetes compared to those who do not have the disease, according to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Another study, published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases found that older adults with moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a higher prevalence of hearing loss than those of the same age without CKD. Other studies have shown that a significantly higher percentage of people with Alzheimer’s disease may have hearing loss than their normally aging peers. In fact, older adults with hearing loss appear more likely to develop dementia, and their risk increases as hearing loss becomes more severe, according to a study published in the Archives of Neurology. The researchers also found that the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease specifically increased with hearing loss. The link between unaddressed hearing loss and depression also is compelling. An Italian study found that working adults aged 35 to 55 who were affected by mild to moderate hearing loss in both ears reported higher levels of disability and psychological distress — and lower levels of social functioning — than a well-matched normal control population.

With so much evidence emerging on the potential link between hearing loss and various chronic illnesses, it becomes all the more pressing for people to identify and address hearing loss early on. And be assured that in most cases, today’s state-of-the-art hearing aids, programmed to the specific hearing requirements of the individual, can help people hear better and improve quality of life.

“We have helped thousands of hearing impaired individuals hear and understand speech better.” says Dr. Rena Booth, Audiologist.  “I have seen tears shed the first time a hearing aid was fit and have listened to spouses give a cheer when their loved one hears them talking from across the room. It truly is amazing to observe the quality of people’s lives begin to improve with the help of hearing amplification”.

(Research taken from an article by BHI.)