Diabetes Sufferers May Also Suffer From Hearing Loss

The National Institute of Health (NIH) has found a connection between hearing loss and diabetes. According to the findings by NIH, diabetes sufferers are twice more likely to suffer from hearing loss, than those who do not have the disease. It also explains how “of the 79 million adults thought to have pre-diabetes, the rate of hearing loss is 30% higher than in those with normal blood sugar.”

As researchers explain, hearing health can be affected by small blood vessels and nerves found in the inner ear. High blood glucose levels can damage these blood vessels resulting in loss of hearing.

Signs that may indicate you may suffer from hearing loss should not be ignored. These including having to ask people to repeat themselves. Increasing the volume of your television. Being asked to lower your voice, among others.

If you suffer from diabetes and believe your hearing health might be damaged, contact your local New Generation Miami Hearing Center. An audiologist will be able to diagnose and treat the condition.

Using Hearing Aids with Wireless Devices

Hearing loss sufferers are on the increase due to constant exposure to loud noise, aging, among other factors. Hearing aids help patients deal with their hearing loss in today’s society. These aids can be used a few times a day and sometimes permanently.

Many people with hearing damage rely on television, MP3 players, computers, and other audio sources for entertainment and communication. Hearing aids can now wirelessly connect to these devices with the help of Phonak’s new iCom- the communication interface.

As the Phonak website explains, iCom “offers the most convenient way to interface any wireless Phonak hearing aid (excl. Petite models) to modern communication devices.” The iCom allows a hearing aid to connect wirelessly to devices with Bluetooth technology. According to Phonak, it also “offers a 3.5mm stereo jack for cabled connections and can integrate an FM receiver via europlug.”

You can choose which signal to accept or decline, whether it is a call or audio streaming. TO find out more about the ways in which you can improve your life when suffering from hearing damage, contact your local Miami hearing center.

Lyric: Phonak's Invisible Hearing Aid

Hearing aids have improved in quality and size since their creation. What used to be an ear trumpet that a person needed to hold to be able to hear has now become “Lyric” by Phonak. This is an invisible hearing aid, which allows you to wear it for long periods of time.

The Lyric can be worn 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for months at a time. According to Phonak’s website “Lyric is placed close to the eardrum and takes advantage of the ear’s natural anatomy to minimize background noise and to deliver natural sound quality.” It is the first hearing aid of its kind, allowing patients suffering from hearing loss to be able to hear properly.

Regular daily activities such as showering, talking on the phone, exercising and sleeping, can be done without taking off this aid. If you would like to learn more about this and other types of hearing aids, do not hesitate to contact your local New Generation hearing center. An audiologist such as Dr. Joseph Duran will guide you in choosing the right hearing aid for you.

NY Police Officers Not Allowed To Use Hearing Aids

Hearing loss can affect many people regardless of age, gender or profession. Anyone who has been exposed to loud noise over a period of time can suffer from hearing damage. This is the case of police officers, who during their years in law-enforcement are constantly exposed to loud noise. Once they are diagnosed with loss of hearing, officers are given hearing aids to help them deal with the condition and continue to do their job.

An article written by the New York Times goes over how New York City police officers are now prohibited from using these hearing aids on the job, thus forcing them to retire early. This is because good hearing health is a requirement to join the force.

The article interviewed former police officers Daniel Carione, 44, and Jim Phillips, 40 who are both filing a complaint with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Office Carione states “It sends a message to anyone who is suffering from hearing loss that if you come forward and make that known, we will end your career.” This is a worrying situation, since many of these individuals need to receive proper treatment and diagnosis from an audiologist, such as Dr. Joseph Duran, to help them lead a better quality of life.

The Improvement of Hearing Aids Over the Year

Hearing loss, which may be caused by exposure to loud noise, can be treated with the usage of a hearing aid. According to the Discovery Health website, the first hearing aid device was created in the 19^th Century.

Patients with loss of hearing used an ear trumpet to deal with the condition. It wasn’t until the 1950s, that a small hearing aid was created. As Discovery Health states, “Early transistor hearing aids were designed to fit within the frames of eyeglasses. Later, they were adapted to fit behind the ear. The first transistor hearing aid to hit the market in late 1952 was sold by Sonotone for $229.50.”

These days, hearing devices can be found in different styles and colors. The phonak brand carries three different styles:

Custom and Instant In-The-Ear (ITE)

Micro Behind-The-Ear (micro BTE)

Behind-The-Ear (BTE)

If you would like to learn more about the different hearing aids available today, that will greatly improve your quality of life, do not hesitate to contact your local New Generation Miami Hearing Center.

Study Compares Treatments For Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Hearing health conditions affect millions of Americans today, one of which is Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). This condition is due to constant exposure of loud noise, such as wearing headphones at the highest sound level for hours. An audiologist is able to diagnose SNHL with a hearing test, and provide the correct treatment.

The treatment of SNHL varies from oral prednisone or intratympanic corticosteroid therapy. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), compared both of these treatments. The results showed that any of these treatments are equally effective in treating this type of hearing damage.

According to Steven D. Rauch, MD, of Harvard Medical School "If all other factors are equal, oral prednisone remains the standard treatment. Oral treatment costs substantially less and causes less discomfort than IT treatment," he explained. "However, if there are medical contraindications to oral steroids, IT treatment is equally effective."

For more information about Sensorineural Hearing loss, as well as the different treatments available, do not hesitate to contact your local Miami hearing center. An expert will be able to guide you in finding the right treatment, which will help improve your hearing health.

Cytomegalovirus Found In Newborns Responsible For Hearing Damage

In previous articles we have discussed the importance of early detection of hearing loss in infants. A recent study done by the University of Alabama at Birmingham examined saliva tests to detect a virus which may cause hearing loss in children, if left untreated.

The virus called cytomegalovirus, can be treated effectively to reduce the risk of hearing health problems. This type of infection is passed from mother to child, and affects thousands of newborns each year.

The study examined mouth swabs from almost 35,000 infants from seven different U.S. hospitals. The virus was found in 97 percent to 100 percent of cases. Study co-author Dr. Suresh Boppana explains, "We now know that we have a test with saliva that works”, he goes on to say, "The challenge is, unlike the dried blood spot [heel stick], which is already used for newborn screening in hospitals across the country, we don't have a system in place for the collection of saliva. But we've shown that if you wanted to test a lot of babies for congenital CMV infection, it can be done."

This new finding will help in early diagnosis of a virus that might lead to loss of hearing. By doing so, children will have a better chance to develop their speech and language abilities normally and prevent hearing damage. If you believe your child might suffer from any kind of hearing condition, contact your local Audiologist.

Understanding Hearing Aids

Hearing aids help a person deal with their hearing loss. As the Phonak website explains, it is important to be patient and realize that getting used to a hearing aid takes time. The adjustment process begins slowly, using the hearing aid for a couple of hours and gradually increasing the duration as you begin to familiarize yourself with the unit.

Phonak, provides with four different exercises that will help in the adjustment process. The first one deals with listening to your own voice, and the sounds around you. Making sure to distinguish them between the familiar sounds and the sounds that seem strange. The second exercise deals with following a conversation. Begin by talking with an acquaintance on the phone, then talking with a person in a quiet environment, and finally watching TV in quiet surroundings.

The third and fourth exercises deal with tolerating loud noises and focusing your hearing. In the third exercise try to have a conversation in a loud environment; the fourth exercise deals with staying focused and becoming an alert listener. In the end, it’s all about practice and getting used to a hearing aid.

Don't forget to visit an audiologist, such as Dr. Joseph Duran, who will help better diagnose the level of loss of hearing and choose the right equipment that will greatly improve your quality of life.