Exposure to Smoke May Lead To hearing Damage

Hearing loss is a serious problem for many individuals in Florida. The use of electronic devices that allow many to listen to loud music on the go increases the risk of hearing damage. But this is not all, there’s now a new study conducted by Dr. Anil K. Lalwani from New York University, that links exposure to smoke to hearing damage.

The study states, “Exposed adolescents were 1.83 times more likely to experience low-frequency hearing loss than those who had no exposure. According to the study, there is a 2.72 fold increase of developing hearing loss, in individuals who are regularly exposed to serum cotinine levels found in cigarette smoke.

With this information in mind, those who are regularly exposed to smoke should avoid being in that environment as to prevent hearing damage. Those who believe they might suffer from loss of hearing should visit their local Miami Hearing Center where an expert audiologist will help in the diagnosis and treatment of the condition.

Applications That Help Hearing Loss Patients

Technology in the form of hearing aids, has helped hearing loss sufferers better deal with their condition. As we move ahead in a world, there are new inventions created to facilitate our lives, such as iPhones, iPods and iPads.

If you are the owner of any of these products, you can download the following applications to help you with your hearing health condition:

EarTrumpet by Praxis BioSciences, LLC: according to the itunes website “EarTrumpet is a hearing application suite that provides hearing testing and hearing enhancement tools. The hearing enhancer amplifies and adjusts sound to discretely improve hearing via the earphones attached to an iPhone, iPod, or iPad.” Price: $3.99

Tooloud? by RGB-Studio: This simple application, helps you determine whether or not the place where you are is too loud, and may be damaging your hearing. Price: Free

TapToTalk By Assistyx LLC: A free application that helps children who suffer from hearing loss improve their communication skills.

dB Volume Meter By Darren Gates: This is another application that measures the volume in your environment. This can serve as a tool to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.

These applications can also help in the prevention of hearing damage, but it does not replace the visit to an audiologist and the usage of a personalized hearing aid.

Urging Relatives To Get Checked for Hearing Loss

During the holiday season, families tend to spend more time together to celebrate. During this time, it may become easier for family members to notice signs of hearing loss in their older relatives. While those exhibiting the hearing loss may avoid visiting an audiologist, loss of hearing can actually have a very negative effect on one’s well-being and should not go untreated. For instance, hearing loss can hinder a person’s ability to interact with others and participate in family activities, eventually leading to isolation and depression.

If you notice a family member exhibiting signs of hearing loss during your holiday family gatherings, you should d take it upon yourself to encourage them to have their hearing health checked by a professional. An audiologist will be better able to provide a loved one with the right hearing aid, which will help improve their quality of life.

Waiting to be diagnosed will prolong the negative effects loss of hearing can have on your loved one’s life. Family members can help relatives understand the seriousness of their condition, and get the help they need.

How Hearing Loss Affects Social Functioning of Children

The social functioning of children is closely related to their hearing health. Suffering from loss of hearing negatively affects their quality of life, leading to isolation. As the American Speech Language Hearing association (ASHA) explains “These social problems appear to be more frequent in children with mild or moderate hearing losses than in those with a severe to profound loss.”

ASHA also suggests the early treatment of hearing loss, which will help children develop language on par with their hearing peers. This will prevent any negative effects hearing damage has on children’s ability to interact with others.

It is important to visit a Miami Hearing Center, where an audiologist, such as Dr. Joseph Duran, will be able to provide the correct diagnosis. Once this has been done, your child will be provided with the appropriate hearing aid, to help treat their condition.

Ambra M H2O Hearing Aid Treating Hearing Loss

As the number of Americans suffering from hearing loss increases, many have resorted to the use of hearing aids, to help deal with the condition. An audiologist will be able to prescribe you the right hearing aid for your level of hearing damage. A quality hearing aid will help improve your quality of life.

Phonak offers a variety of hearing aids according to every need. Shown above is Phonak’s Ambra M H2O hearing aid. As the Phonak website explains “ the H2O series is for people with a mild to severe hearing loss who are interested in high performing, highly reliable and discreet hearing aids. These products are water, sweat, moisture and dust resistant.”

Water sports and other sports involving water, can be performed while using this hearing aid. For more information about the different quality hearing aids available, visit your local Miami Hearing Center.