Hearing Aids Tips

Below are recommendations by the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) for new users of hearing aids. ASHA covers the process of not only purchasing a hearing aid, but also the steps required for you to obtain the right equipment.

The hearing aids you're going to by must be regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Although there is an option to purchase these aids online, it is very important to first receive a hearing test from an audiologist, to measure the level of hearing loss you suffer from. In order to receive all the benefits your hearing aid provides, you will also be instructed on its correct usage.

When visiting a certified audiologist, you will receive a hearing health evaluation as well as the right hearing aid for your hearing. When it comes to the price, ASHA explains, a hearing aid is based on “…the style, electronic features, and related needs for professional consultation and rehabilitation services. Hearing aid costs typically increase with more complex and sophisticated circuitry and smaller size.”

If you would like to learn more about the different hearing aids that can help you improve your hearing, do not hesitate to contact your local Miami Hearing Center.

Musical Ability and Hearing Loss

A study done by Northwestern University in Chicago has gone over the relation between musical experience and its effect on hearing health over time. In the study, 37 individuals from 45 to 65 years of age were placed into two different groups: those who have musical experience and those who don’t. The study found a correlation between music, its effect on auditory memory and the ability to hear speech in noisy environments.

As Nina Kraus, director of the Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory in Northwestern’s School of Communication states, “Lifelong musical training appears to confer advantages in at least two important functions known to decline with age -- memory and the ability to hear speech in noise,” She went on to state, “If the materials that you work with are sound, then it is reasonable to suppose that all of your faculties involved with taking it in, holding it in memory and relating physically to it should be sharpened.”

The study provides with information on how a musician’s hearing health development occurs from childhood to old age. Music ability may improve hearing and allow the person to avoid age-related hearing loss or hearing damage. For more information about your hearing health and how to prevent loss of hearing visit your local Miami Hearing Center.

Information on High-frequency Hearing Loss

There are many people who now suffer from some kind of hearing damage. This article will go over High-Frequency hearing loss. We will talk about how this condition affects your hearing health.

According to an article written by the website ehealthmd, “High frequency hearing loss often involves loss of ability to hear consonants such as s, f, t, and z, even though vowels can be heard normally. Consequently, people hear but cannot make out what is being said.”

Suffering from this or any other kind of hearing loss negatively affects a person’s quality of life, as they are unable to understand what is being said to them when interacting with others. Visiting a Miami hearing center and seeing an audiologist, will allow patients to obtain the treatment they need to be able to lead a better quality of life.

Often patients are fitted with a hearing aid, which helps them better understand the sounds around them. For more information contact your local New Generation Hearing Center, where an audiologist such as Dr. Joseph Duran will provide you with the service you need.

Jean-Claude Van Damme and Hearing Damage

Jean-Claude Van Damme is a renowned action movie star, known for films such as Bloodsport, Double Impact, Universal Soldier, among others. He has recently been diagnosed with High-frequency hearing loss. This condition could be the result of years of exposure to constant loud noise during his action films.

The audiologist dealing with his condition stated "There is a difference in hearing in high frequencies between both sides (of his ears), which means if many people are talking together in a group, it's quite difficult for you to understand someone speaking. You hear, but you can't understand.”

He explained, "That's the problem when there's a high-frequency hearing loss. What you can do is not make it worse, so use ear protection when you go out (and shoot) movies." It was recommended the actor wear protective ear wear to help him with his hearing.

This type of hearing damage can affect a person’s quality of life. If you or someone you know may suffer from this condition. Do not hesitate to contact your local New Generation Miami Hearing Center, where an audiologist will be able to not only diagnose but also help treat the condition.

Information Learned During Aural/Audiologic Habilitation

In a previous article we discussed how a child could undergo Aural/Audiologic Habilitation to help him/her better deal with hearing loss. Many different communication methods taught to help improve the child’s communication skills.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) states, “early detection of hearing loss and early use of hearing aids or cochlear implants are critical for the development of speech, language, and communication skills in children with hearing loss.” During habilitation the child is given an assistive device such as a hearing aid, as they go through a variety of treatments.

The correct use of the hearing aid is explained. If the child is very young, parents are taught how to care and use the equipment. As the child gets older the responsibility lies on him/her. ASHA states that one of the first things a child learns is to be aware of the sounds in his/her home environment.

The treatment also helps a child learn about cued speech or cued language, which uses different hand shapes to help with lip-reading. If the hearing damage is severe he may also learn about American Sign Language (ASL).

For more information contact your local Miami Hearing Center, where an audiologist will guide you through Audiologic Habilitation.