Vivosonic Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Testing at HPOAL

Hearing loss is a leading birth defect among newborn babies, and updated technology at Hearing Professionals of Alabama is allowing audiologists to identify and diagnose hearing loss in a new way.

Statistics show that between four to six newborns in every 1,000 have some degree of hearing loss, which can range from a mild hearing loss to profound deafness. To address this issue, most states, including Alabama, have mandated that all newborns receive a hearing screening prior to discharge from the hospital. Every infant who does not pass this initial screening or who is at risk for hearing loss must be referred for outpatient testing.

Hearing Professionals of Alabama has become a new referral site for follow-up testing from newborn hearing screenings in East Alabama. Sedation or a patient being asleep and very still may be required in traditional testing methods to keep the infant in a still state in order to obtain accurate responses.  However, with our advanced equipment, auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing can be performed on an awake infant, child, or adult.

 

Hearing Professionals of Alabama is the first facility in East Alabama to have this technology, known as a Vivosonic Integrity Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) system. ABR testing has been used for several decades, but this particular system allows the audiologist to perform ABR testing for hearing assessment without sedation, making it ideal for testing children of all ages as well as other difficult-to-test populations. Patient can be awake and active (i.e. reading or playing with toys) during the test. This allows our audiologists to get complete and accurate test results easily, without repeated testing or referring them on for sedated testing.

Research has shown that the critical development stage for speech and hearing is from birth to three years of age. This has led health professionals to adopt what is known as a “1-3-6” rule where infants are tested by one month of age, diagnosed by three months of age, and intervention begun by six months of age. Even with this information, many children can go undiagnosed for a long time.

At Hearing Professionals of Alabama we have the luxury of taking the time to do what is needed. We are able to sit down and discuss the results with parents at the time of testing, which parents really appreciate.

Once a hearing loss has been identified, Hearing Professionals of Alabama can provide the appropriate intervention including hearing aid fitting, other assistive listening devices, parent counseling and also make referrals for speech/language therapy.

If you have questions about this test or need to make a referral, call our office (334) 521-7501.

BiCROS Aids — They’re Magic

BiCROS is a great option for people with single-sided hearing. Check out this blog from a patient’s perspective. Call us at (334) 521-7501 if you have questions about the BiCROS or would like to know if it would be an appropriate option for your hearing loss.

Wearable Technology

“Wearable technology” is something we are seeing more and more of these days.  Popular wearables today are the Apple Watch, Google Glasses, Moto 360 or the Fitbit. A “wearable” refers to electronic technologies or computers that are incorporated into items of clothing and accessories which can comfortably be worn on the body.

At a recent audiology conference we attended, the CEOs and executives of all of the major hearing aid manufacturers addressed the future, or next generation of hearing technology.  Several of them mentioned “wearables” and creating devices that are more than just a hearing device.  For some hearing aid manufacturers this “wearable” technology has already begun.  For a while now, hearing aids have been able to data-log a patient’s daily listening environments and can indicate if a patient spent a majority of their time in noisy environments or in quiet environments.  Hearing aids also have the capability to tell how many hours a day a patient wears their device. All data is important to the audiologist in order to make adjustments that will help the hearing aid perform better for the patient.  It is interesting to think that hearing aids were definitely one of your first “wearables” long before the Fitbit and Apple Watch were invented!

However, to be fair, hearing aids are quite different from the current array of consumer wearables. Hearing aids are medical devices designed to make up for a physical impairment. Consumer wearables like the Apple Watch are luxury items that let us read text messages and keep up with our daily fitness. This distinction has legal significance: The FDA tightly regulates any device that tries to either diagnose or treat a medical condition, which is why you can’t (or not supposed to) purchase hearing aids online, it must be dispensed through a licensed professional.

Both consumer and medical wearables share similar goals. These types of wearables aim to fill gaps in human capacity. Which if you think about it, all technology is assistive technology. While medical devices like hearing aids fill gaps created by disability or illness, consumer wearables fill gaps created by being human.

Both kinds of wearables perform best when they are attached to our bodies.  This seems pretty obvious for hearing aids, but it is just as true for consumer devices. Features of wearables works best when in close contact with your body for things like measuring heart rate.  Also, both types of wearables need to embed themselves seamlessly into our experiences. If a wearable obstructs your experience of the real world, or is a distraction, it’s likely to end up in the drawer instead of in your ears or on your wrist. That’s not to say that hearing aids do not take getting used to—it still can take a patient several weeks to adjust to a new set of hearing devices. But after that period, a well-made wearable should seem like a seamless extension of our bodies.

A man adjusts his hearing aid using his iPhone. Not only can a patient control their devices with their phones, they can now track their hearing aids on a map if they get lost, or create a special mode for their hearing aids to automatically adjust to when they geotag a certain location. 

The world a patient hears through hearing aids is a world interpreted and translated through millions of calculations a second.  For hearing aids, that role is enhancing sound, replacing the too-soft sounds of the real world with louder, more comprehensible ones. But modern hearing aids don’t simply make everything louder; instead, they provide a substitute soundscape tailored to a patient’s needs and environment. When a patient walks into a loud restaurant, the devices can identify the clatter of glasses and the din of conversation, and tune out those sounds, while tuning into the sound of a nearby voice. The result is an audio experience that is substantially different from the objective reality; the device replaces a reality that would be challenging with a substitute that is easier to understand and utilize. All of this is done through millions of calculations a second of a mini microchip that is small enough to house in something as small as your ear canal.

So, the next time you see a person with hearing aids, think about it as a new type of wearable- even though it was actually one of the FIRSTS!

Want to see the new hearing aid wearables in person and see the new things they can do? Contact one of our audiologists (334) 521-7501.

For more on wearables and hearing aids, see the Atlantic.

What is Tinnitus???

February 2-8, 2015 is National Tinnitus Awareness Week!

Have you ever gone to a concert and your ears continued to ring long after the concert was over? The ringing eventually goes away. But what if it didn’t?

Approximately 50 million Americans have permanent tinnitus or ringing in the ears. In fact, tinnitus is the most common service-connected disability for Veterans.  The majority of our patients report experiencing some level of tinnitus on an everyday basis, some cases more severe than others. If you experience tinnitus, know that you are not alone and there are ways to cope with it!

Tinnitus, pronounced /ˈtɪnɪtəs/ or /tɪˈnaɪtəs/, is a ringing, buzzing, clicking, roaring, or rushing sound in the ears.

Tinnitus is not a disease, but instead a result of some other condition like hearing loss from noise, exposure to explosions, hearing loss from age, infections in the ears or sinuses, head or neck injuries, cardiovascular problems, stress or anxiety, or certain medications.

3 STRATEGIES FOR COPING

There is no cure for tinnitus but treatment options are available to help patients cope.

1. Hearing aids and Tinnitus Treatment Devices can be used for individuals with tinnitus and hearing loss. Hearing aids and tinnitus devices allow you to hear better and may make the tinnitus less noticeable.
2. Sound generators or Tinnitus Maskers can be used to help you relax or fall asleep. Sound generators produce soothing, repetitive, sounds. Some sound generators can be worn in the ear and resemble a hearing aid in appearance.
3. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy can help you manage tinnitus by changing the way you react when you hear the ringing. One of the goals of counseling is to make the tinnitus less bothersome.

RISK FACTORS FOR TINNITUS

Many people experience tinnitus now and then but there are factors that can increase your risk.

• Loud noise exposure. Exposure to loud noise can damage delicate structures of the ear. It is important to protect your hearing with ear plugs when exposed to loud sounds.
• High blood pressure. Health conditions, such as high blood pressure or narrowing of the arteries, can increase your risk of tinnitus.
• Hearing loss from age. 
• Gender. Men are more likely to experience tinnitus than women.
• Smoking. Smokers have a higher risk of tinnitus.

If you think you have tinnitus, contact our audiologists (334) 521-7501 for an evaluation and to learn more about your treatment options.

 Information courtesy of Guard Your Health. For more information, visit the American Tinnitus Association website.  

How Loud is too Loud??

Noise…. it’s typically everywhere we go. From a screaming child (maybe it’s yours… but we won’t tell!), to dogs barking, to music blaring, or perhaps airplanes flying overhead. Noise is part of our lives. Most of us are more than likely accustomed to some level of noise in our daily routines, but we may not think about the damage it can cause to our hearing.

Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) results from damage to structures and/or nerve fibers in the inner ear, and is caused by exposure to excessively loud sounds. NIHL can result from a one-time exposure to a very loud sound, blast, or impulse, or from listening to sounds for an extended period of time. Check out this video: How Does Hearing Loss Occur?

Guard the Precious Little Ears

There have been a number of studies recently linking NIHL to sound machines. As parents, we tend to latch on to ANYTHING that will work to gain a few glorious hours of sleep with newborns; however, if that one thing is a sound machine, be aware of the potential damage it could cause. This article provides some additional insight and research on the topic. The biggest message…. Use in Moderation!

Once they no longer rely on that handy sound machine to fall asleep, the next hazardous noise that may enter their little lives will likely come from toys! Yes, Toys! Who would think that these lovely items designed to engage our children could be harmful?! Well… Here is a list of the top noisiest toys! Some tips for monitoring toys:

• If it seems too loud to you, it will definitely be too loud for your child
• Look for toys that have a volume control
• Put a piece of tape over the speaker of a toy to significantly reduce the volume

60 Minutes

No… We aren’t talking about the T.V. show! We are talking about the maximum amount of time that you/your children/your grandchildren should listen to music through earbuds in one sitting. With the accessibility of music today being at an all time high, this leads to an increase in the risk of noise induced hearing loss in those that frequently listen to music through their handheld devices. It is recommended that people listen through earbuds at 60% volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time. Another good rule of thumb is that if anyone else around you can hear your music through your earbuds… IT’S TOO LOUD!

Noise in the Workplace

Thanks to industry standards set by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) NIHL caused by noise exposure in the workplace has drastically decreased in recent decades. There are now requirements for proper use of hearing protection in areas that reach certain decibel levels. These regulations have saved numerous industry employees from the hazardous effects of noise.

Bottom Line… If you question whether it’s too loud… it probably is!!

If you, or someone you love, is experiencing difficulty hearing give one of our Audiologists a call at (334) 521-7501.

On the Rise: Teens with Hearing Loss

Are you a parent of a teenager that doesn’t seem to hear you? Consider scheduling a hearing health evaluation! Studies are showing that nearly half of teenagers are showing signs of potential hearing loss!  Hearing loss in teenagers can affect performance in school, and affect social interaction with peers and communication with family members.

Here are some ways teenagers can preserve their hearing and prevent hearing loss:

• Turn Down The Volume
  • Hear ringing, roaring, or buzzing after wearing headphones or earbuds? You could be damaging your ears.

• Move to the Middle
  • At a concert or loud event? Sit in the middle of the room and wear earplugs, musicians are wearing them too.

• Headphones Over Earbuds
  • The chance of over-exposure to loud sound can be reduced wearing headphones vs earbuds. Check out these stylish Puro headphones that were designed with hearing health in mind!

• Wear Ear Protection
  • Stop noise induced hearing loss before it happens.  The effects of loud noise exposure can damage your ears over time

• Custom Ear Protection
  • Musician’s and hunter’s ear plugs help seal out the noise! Custom ear protection is recommended for teens in bands, or who are often in loud environments.  We are providers of custom ear protection- call us to find out about all of the options! (334) 521-7501

• HELP a Friend
  • If you can hear their music sitting next to them, ask them to TURN IT DOWN

• Get a Baseline
  • Visit an audiologist to get a baseline hearing test to monitor hearing status

Read more about teens and hearing loss in the Hearing Review

Concerned about your teenager’s hearing, or just want to have it checked?

Call our office to speak to one of our audiologists! (334) 521-7501

Don’t Let Hearing Loss Keep You From Achieving Your Dreams!

Derrick Coleman Overcomes

Seahawk fullback, Derrick Coleman, has been recognized throughout the nation for something truly inspiring. Despite the odds, he has worked very hard to live the life that he always dreamed of! You see, Derrick Coleman is the first known NFL player to be considered legally deaf. He progressively lost his hearing around the age of 3.  His inspirational Duracell commercial on his turbulent yet beautiful journey to the 2014 Super Bowl has been viewed more than 22 million times on YouTube. You can see the video here:

He Inspires

Since this commercial aired, the awareness of hearing loss has spread like wildfire! In fact, upon hearing his story, two courageous young girls with hearing loss came forward to write a letter to Derrick Coleman. True to form, he responded, thanking them for their bravery and support! Their heartfelt letter sparked even more nationwide media attention. Days before last year’s big game, the hearing instrument organization, Oticon, invited these girls to pre-game media events. The girls even supported their team wearing their blue-and-green hearing aids!

Quite An Accomplishment

The Seahawks won the Super Bowl in 2014. That’s quite an accomplishment! Seattle’s home games have been measured to get up to 136 dB of volume. That’s some LOUD and proud support! (So… if you happen to go to a game, you may just want to bring along some earplugs – you’ll be glad that you did).

Thank goodness for people like Derrick Coleman! Because of his ability to tell his story, we as a society can become more educated on hearing loss and its effects. There needs to be better appreciation of the unique sets of challenges that hearing-impaired people face every single day. If you have hearing loss, don’t let it stand in the way of your dreams! Hearing loss shouldn’t hinder anyone from living the life that they want to live! Just ask Derrick Coleman.

5 Ways Addressing Hearing Loss can Make For a More Promising 2015

Do you want to stay active? Vibrant? Socially engaged? Professionally successful? Most of us do.

So maybe it’s time to do something about your hearing.

Addressing hearing loss really can add to quality of life year-round. Here’s what getting a hearing test and using professionally fitted hearing aids, if recommended by an audiologist, may do for you:

1. Strengthen ties with family and friends. Healthy relationships rest largely on good communication. In one Better Hearing Institute (BHI) study, more than half the respondents said using hearing aids improved their relationships at home, their social lives, and their ability to join in groups. Many even saw improvements in their romance.

2. Raise your spirits. People with untreated hearing loss often feel angry, frustrated, anxious, isolated, and depressed. But research shows that when they use hearing aids, many become more socially engaged, feel a greater sense of safety and independence, and see a general improvement in their overall quality of life.

3.Lead you to feel better about yourself. An important perk of using hearing aids can be enhanced emotional well-being. Research shows that when people with hearing loss use hearing aids, many feel more in control of their lives and less self-critical. One BHI study found that the majority of people with mild and severe hearing loss felt better about themselves and life overall as a result of using hearing aids.

4. Keep your mind sharp. Studies out of Johns Hopkins linked hearing loss with accelerated cognitive decline in older adults and found that seniors with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia over time. BHI studies found that many people with hearing loss report improvements in their cognitive skills with the use of hearing aids.

5. Unleash your earning potential. Hearing your best at work helps you do your best. One study found that using hearing aids reduced the risk of income loss by 90 to 100 percent for those with milder hearing loss, and from 65 to 77 percent for those with severe to moderate hearing loss. And people with hearing loss who use hearing aids are more likely to be employed than their peers who don’t.

For more information on hearing loss, visit http://www.BetterHearing.org.

Interested in learning more? Contact us and speak to one of our Audiologists (334) 521-7501.

Aren’t Hearing Aids just for “Old” People?!

“I’m not old enough for hearing aids.”

“My grandparents have hearing aids, I certainly don’t need them.”

“I don’t think it’s time for me to need one of THOSE just yet.”

These are some of the things that Audiologists often hear from patients the first time we tell them that they are a candidate for amplification. The truth of the matter is that there is no age criteria for needing hearing aids. People from age 6 weeks to 100 years wear hearing aids. In Audiology were are seeing a trend of patient’s being diagnosed with hearing loss at younger ages. This is likely due to the significant increase in noise exposure with the advent of the personal listening devices such as mp3 players, ipods, etc.. Everywhere we look we see people with earbuds, and the unfortunate truth is that most aren’t aware of the danger of over exposure to noise. Here are a few statistics that might surprise you!!

• About 2 to 3 out of every 1,000 children in the U.S. are born with detectable levels of hearing loss in one or both ears.
• One in eight people in the U.S. (30 million) aged 12 years or older have hearing loss
• About 2% of adult aged 45-54 have disabling hearing loss. This rate increases to 8.5% for adults aged 55-64.
• Nearly 25% of those aged 65-74 and 50% of those aged 75 and older have disabling hearing loss.

And then there is the scariest statistic of all for Audiologists….

• Fewer than 30% of patients aged 70+ have ever worn hearing aids, and an even smaller number (approximately 16%) of those aged 20-69 have ever worn hearing aids.

For the majority of the hearing impaired population, hearing aids are the most effective way to treat hearing loss. There are hearing aids available that are geared specifically for the pediatric patient. These hearing aids come in hosts of fun colors and designs and also have stuffed animal mascots and books that help the child feel comfortable with their hearing aids. Some companies even have cool comic posters with school aged kids talking to super heros that wear hearing aids! On the flip side, hearing aids for adults are becoming smaller and smaller (thus more discrete) and technological advances now allow for most hearing aids to connect to cell phones, tablets, televisions, and much more! To put it simply…. These are not the “big, beige, whistling” devices anymore!! 

Most importantly… hearing aids are not just NOT for elderly people only, they are going to help keep hearing impaired patient’s brains young!! That’s right folks… stimulating those audiotory nerves will keep that brain of yours going! Recent research has shown a significant correlation between untreated hearing loss and dementia. The greater the degree of untreated hearing loss, the higher the risk of developing dementia. Essentially something as simple as wearing your hearing aids can help keep your brain alive! If that isn’t important enough, isolation and depression is also very prevalent in those with untreated hearing loss. Before the hearing impaired patient realizes it, they have disconnected from family and friends because it becomes too difficult to communicate.

Long Story Short…. No one is too young, or too old for that matter, for hearing aids!! They are a valuable tool that can not only improve quality of life, but actually help prevent debilitating diseases of the psyche and brain!

There is nothing we love more than to see our patient’s after having their hearing aids for a few weeks…  hearing the stories of the “new world” that has been created by simply wearing hearing aids never gets old! It is a privilege to be in a position to see the work you do change people’s lives!!

Statistics gathered from http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/