Cancer and Hearing Health

Posted on September 1, 2015 by admin

Anyone who has ever been given a cancer diagnosis knows that it quickly becomes one of Cancer Treatment & Hearing Lossthe biggest concerns on your mind. Thinking about treatment, outcomes, side effects and quality of life after diagnosis become the main focus of your thoughts. Surprisingly though, one of the most overlooked, underreported and yet prevalent, side effect of cancer treatment is hearing loss. Three of the most widely utilized cancer agents are carboplatin, cisplatin and mechlorethamin; they do wonders for eradicating cancer cells, however they are severely ototoxic.

All three of these cancer agents have been proven to cause hearing loss, tinnitus and/or dizziness during treatment and even in the years after treatment. The sad part is that the damage is oftentimes irreversible, but if hearing loss is caught early on in the treatment process, there are intervention measures that can be taken to limit or prevent further damage. This is why many doctors are recommending that cancer patients obtain a baseline audiogram before starting any sort of chemotherapy and frequently monitor their hearing acuity throughout the treatment process.

If you are already undergoing chemotherapy treatment, and think you are suffering hearing loss, the Cleveland Clinic recommends the following guidelines for when to call your doctor or health care provider:

  • If you develop any sudden severe ear pain
  • If you have a temperature greater than 100.5 F (38 C)
  • If you experience vomiting more than 4-5 times in a 24 hour period
  • If you have a sudden loss of vision, or if you lose your hearing
  • If you fall down or lose consciousness as a result of dizziness or hearing loss
  • Severe uncontrolled nausea and vomiting, unrelieved by anti-nausea medications
  • If your symptoms worsen within 3 days of treatment
  • As always, notify your doctor or healthcare provider if you are concerned about any of the symptoms you are experiencing.

If you are currently undergoing cancer treatment or even if you are a cancer survivor, it is certainly recommended that you visit at audiologist to schedule an exam. There are several options to help you deal with ototoxic complications; even if you aren’t experiencing any hearing concerns at this time, knowing the status of your hearing health today can help protect it for the future.

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Hearing Aids Could Prevent Cognitive Decline

Posted on August 24, 2015 by admin

Jigsaw puzzle, of senior man, falling apart

Everyone has a different routine when they wake up, whether it’s watching the news, drinking coffee on the porch listening to the birds sing, or singing along to your favorite song on the way to work. What if one morning you woke up and could barely or not at all hear the sound coming from your television, the birds singing or the music on the radio? According to the World Health Organization (WHO) up to 360 million people have impaired hearing nationwide.

Growing older comes with many advantages along with disadvantages, one being hearing loss. In older adults hearing loss is the third most prevalent chronic health condition.  Two-thirds of Americans have hearing loss by the time they reach their 70’s.  The failure to hear can cause a devastating toll on an individual.  It is hard enough to suffer from hearing loss and now there are many studies that show a link between hearing loss and developing dementia.

In 2013 Frank Lin, M.D. published a study in the Journal of American Medical Association, Internal Medicine. The conclusions he and his colleagues found showed older adults with hearing loss had a greater chance of developing problems with memory and thinking than other people who were the same age and still had normal hearing. The question is why would hearing loss presage cognitive loss?

Lin and his colleagues proposed that hearing loss can lead to social isolation, and social isolation and loneliness in turn might lead to cognitive decline. Loneliness in older adults has been linked in past studies with cognitive decline and dementia.

The ability to communicate with family, friends or any other individual is one of the most important aspects of our lives.  There are a number of contributing factors to hearing loss such as age, genetics, noises and chronic diseases. Even though we cannot control hearing loss only 20% of the individuals who may benefit from treatment actually pursue help.

Researchers at John Hopkins University have been performing studies since 1990 to determine if hearing aids can reduce the chance of cognitive problems. Participants were tested on memory, learning, attention and language.  Participants who did not wear hearing aids had the greatest decline in cognitive abilities. However, the participants who wore hearing aids after 20 years were barely below those with normal hearing.

If you start to have any symptoms of hearing loss seek help immediately.  Waiting to speak with a professional can develop into worse complications. To learn more information on cognitive decline and hearing loss speak to an audiologist today.

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Is it REALLY a Hearing Aid?

Posted on July 29, 2015 by admin

hearing aidsJust recently, we had an older gentleman come in to our audiologists‘ office who had been suffering from hearing loss for several years and his existing hearing aid just didn’t seem to be working. We checked out the “hearing aids” he had been using the last few years only to discover that it wasn’t even a hearing aid! Unfortunately, this is an all too familiar story. Many retailers, especially those offering low cost hearing aid solutions, sell what is known as amplifiers instead of real hearing aids. There is a distinct difference between the two and an amplifier cannot offer treatment for hearing loss. In fact the deputy director of the FDA’s Division of Ophthalmic, Neurological, And Ear Nose and Throat Devices stated that using an amplifier as a substitute for a hearing aid can lead to more damage to your hearing.

A personal sound amplification product (PSAP) is not intended to make up for impaired hearing according to FDA guidelines; they are intended for non-hearing-impaired consumers to amplify surrounding sounds. They are usually utilized as an adjunct to hear soft or distant sounds, for instance by hunters attempting to hear prey, bird watching or listening to distant conversations or performances. They do not treat, nor are they intended to treat, hearing impairment.

Hearing aids on the other hand are designed and intended to treat hearing impairment. They are fairly simple devices that consist of four basic parts and come in a variety of sizes, shapes and price points. First, there is a battery compartment that provides power to the hearing aid. They all have a microphone that picks up surrounding sounds and then converts it into an electrical signal which is then sent to the amplifier. The amplifier then increases the volume of sounds and sends it on to the receiver. The receiver will convert the electrical signal back into sound and send it into the ear canal for the brain to process.

An audiologist  is able to manipulate the electrical signals to accommodate the type of hearing loss an individual has. For instance, say the patient has a hard time hearing the lower range of sounds, an audiologist can adjust the lower sound ranges to have them more amplified than the upper ranges. There are several different types of hearing aids and they are all adjustable and customizable to a degree; your doctor will do an audiogram to determine which type, size and customization level would best treat your hearing impairment.

If you have, or suspect you have, a hearing impairment, don’t just assume you will be fine with any hearing device, particularly one that you find in the back of a magazine that offers no followup care. Make an appointment to see an audiologist, who is able to treat your hearing impairment appropriately and help alleviate any further damage to your hearing.

 

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Hearing Loss Linked to Several Health Issues

Posted on July 16, 2015 by admin

Untreated hearing loss here in the United States is a growing epidemic. The statistics are alarming. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), 36 million Americans have a hearing loss—this includes 17% of our adult population. The incidence of hearing loss increases with age. Approximately one third of Americans between ages 65 and 74 and nearly half of those over age 75 have hearing loss. Hearing loss is the third most prevalent chronic health condition facing older adults. Unfortunately, only 20% of those individuals who might benefit from treatment actually seek help.

Hearing loss is known to be linked to a range of health issues, with feelings of depression and social isolation being some of the most well-known. But actually, there are several other health issues that recent studies have linked to hearing loss. Some of these related health issues include osteoporosis, diabetes, kidney disease and even teeth grinding. Hearing health is closely related to general health, so properly monitoring your health could have positive hearing benefits at some point in your life.

The relation between hearing loss and osteoporosis can be found in a study published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. People who have osteoporosis face a 1.76-fold higher risk of developing sudden deafness than those who do not have the bone disease, according to the study. That would be helpful information for anyone suffering from weak and deteriorating bone structure. With more than 40 million people nationwide already have osteoporosis or are at risk of developing the condition due to low bone mass, thousands of people are at risk of hearing issues.  How does this happen? Well, a study from the University of Illinois linked osteoporosis and hearing loss, theorizing that demineralization of the three middle ear bones may contribute to or cause a conductive hearing impairment.

Kidney disease has also been associated with hearing loss, as shown in a report published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases, the official journal of the National Kidney Foundation. This report concludes that toxins that accumulate in kidney failure can damage nerves, including those in the inner ear. Another reason for the link between hearing loss and kidney disease, according to experts, is that both conditions share common risk factors, including diabetes, high blood pressure and advanced age.

Hearing loss is also linked to teeth grinding which is probably one of the least known connections. The explanation for hearing loss is not always simple; it can sometimes be the symptom of another condition such as grinding or clenching teeth. Doing so can cause problems with the jaw joint, putting stress on the muscles and making them inflamed. Severe teeth grinding can cause an earache, ringing or buzzing in the ears known as tinnitus and sometimes loss of hearing in one or both ears, possibly caused by muscular spasms of the muscles of the inner ear. While there is a possibility of treating this, you will need the help of an audiologist who can diagnose and select your best course of action with you.

Treating hearing loss with a professional audiologist could help alleviate some of these problems. Hearing loss treatment includes and will have a positive effect on your overall well-being and your quality of life. Isolation and embarrassment no longer plays a role in everyday life and you can get back to doing the things your life while feeling better, and living a bit healthier. Don’t be one of the statistics of people who put off hearing loss treatment any longer. We are waiting to help. Patients with a conductive hearing loss can wear hearing aids and enjoy better hearing for many years to come.

 

 

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Allergies and Your Ears

Posted on July 7, 2015 by admin

The pollen is swirling, air quality warnings are widespread and allergy suffers are taking refuge indoors while keeping a jaundiced eye on the trees and flowers. Yes, it must be allergy season again! If runny noses, itchy eyes and sneezing aren’t enough of a problem, many allergy suffers also complain of stuffy ears accompanied by hearing loss from allergies. Fortunately, allergy induced hearing loss is treatable but it can certainly be uncomfortable, annoying and disruptive to your daily activities. So what is the relation between allergies and hearing loss and what can be done to treat it?

When you have an allergy to something, your immune system responds by producing certain antibodies that release histamine into your system. The histamine triggers an increase in mucus production which causes the symptoms we see in allergy sufferers. The problem with all this excess mucus is that it can build up in your middle ear causing it to become blocked, which diminishes its conductive ability. This type of hearing loss is (obviously) called conductive hearing loss. It can occur when anything interferes with sound wave conduction such as mucus or excessive ear wax.

There are also times when the outer ear reacts to an allergen and swells up; the swelling can block the opening to the middle year causing the Eustachian tube to not drain effectively. A buildup of fluid and pressure can occur which not only causes hearing problems, but it also creates a condition that is ripe for infection. Allergies can affect your ears in other ways as well, such as chronic itching of the outer ear canal, frequent infections in either the outer or middle ear, dizziness and tinnitus.

The good news is that hearing loss or other ear problems associated with allergies is usually temporary and only lasts for a short period of time. By treating the allergies with medication containing a decongestant, drinking plenty of water and avoiding caffeine, alcohol, salt and tobacco products which affect your circulation can help relieve your hearing loss. If the hearing loss is severe however and doesn’t seem to go away, you might want to check with your audiologist to see if there is another underlying condition causing the hearing loss.

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How do hearing aids work?

Posted on June 30, 2015 by admin

Have you ever been getting ready to put your hearing aid in your ear and wondered to yourself, “How does this tiny device have the ability to help me hear better?”

When it comes to the actual device there are four important components work together to make the smallest whisper become loud and clear to you, even in a room full of multiple, distinctive, high and low pitched noises.

First there is the microphone that sits on the outside of the hearing aid. The microphone will take that tiny whisper then convert the sound waves to electrical signals sending them to the amplifier. Next the amplifier increases the power of the signals sending them to the ear through a speaker. The last important part to your hearing aid is the battery. The battery is the power source for your hearing aid. Finally, you ear detects the sounds vibrations and convert them to neural signals. In the inner part of your ear there are hair cells. These hair cells pick up the vibrations that your hearing aid is transmitting and convert the vibrations into nerve signals. Without these hair cells your hearing aid may not work.

There are two types of hearing aids, either analog or digital. Most likely you’ll have the digital. The analog hearing aid will end up amplifying every sound identically. Analog basically is taking every sound that is around you and making it louder. Digital hearing aids contain a chip called Digital Signal Processor (DSP). This chip takes in an analog signal, translating it into digital format, delivering sound signals to your ear canal. Both the digital and analog can be programmed for different listening environments.

Did you know that your hearing aid functions can now be controlled by an App on your iPhone? The new iPhone hearing aids not only help you hear better, they also enable you to connect with your iPhone. Android is currently developing similar apps and hearing aids.

Part app, part hearing aid, these amazing devices provide increased sound clarity on your iPhone, enhanced phone communication, and clearer sounding music and media – and it’s all controlled by an easy-to-use app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod.

Working like a normal hearing aid, these products utilize an app on your iPhone enabling you to move seamlessly from your phone to conversations. They can even come equipped with a GPS feature adjusts noise-reduction and directional microphones based on your GPS location.

The technology also works as wireless stereo headphones, streaming your phone calls, music, videos, apps and even FaceTime directly into your ears with elevated sound quality.

If you have any questions about your hearing aids or how it functions, talk to your Audiologist.

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Hearing Aid Technology More Discreet Than Ever

Posted on May 29, 2015 by admin

Hearing loss is a normal part of aging for most adults, but even with its commonality the majority of those people are hesitant to get hearing aids. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) estimates that there are 28 million people in the United States who are deaf or hard of hearing. Probably, close to 27 million of them could benefit from using hearing aids, but there are about six million of these people who have hearing aids.  That leaves too many people living life without the quality they deserve.

A recent article from Journal Online discusses newer, more discreet hearing aid technology and the advances that have been made. One patient controls her hearing aid with her smart phone and the app eliminates the need for a remote control or having to wear an accessory such as a pendant. Pretty neat, right?

But there are multiple reasons someone may not get a hearing aid. Some have cosmetic or vanity issues, others fear feeling or looking older, cost is always an issue and some people just feel that it is one more thing to have to take care of. These are all issues that our audiologists hear on a daily basis but we will tell you is that those same people who had concerns are also the same people who are glad they have hearing aids now because their quality of life is so much better.

Hearing aid technology, though, is not what is used to be. Hearing aids are no longer plainly visible to those around you. They are smaller and much more discreet, much less noticeable than in the past and people are feeling much better about this. With this smart phone app, when the user needs to adjust the hearing aid, other people don’t need to know. These advances in hearing aid technology can be seen right here in our office. We offer variety of hearing aid styles and manufacturers representing the very best technology. We help you select the style and type of hearing aid that works best with your type hearing loss and fits best into your lifestyle. Manufacturers have developed hearing aids that are significantly smaller in size and able to provide greater satisfaction in noisy social settings. Come check it out and meet our experienced audiologists.

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Celebrate Better Hearing & Speech Month This May!

Posted on May 24, 2015 by admin

May is designated by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) as Better Hearing &Speech Month as a way to raise awareness about communication disorders and role of ASHA members in providing life-altering treatment. Hearing loss affects about 20 percent of adults in the United States, or 48 million. This year, ASHA has made the theme “Early Intervention Counts.” This is important because good is critical for the development of speech, language, communication skills, and learning. The earlier that hearing loss occurs in a child’s life, the more serious is the effect on the child’s development. Similarly, the earlier the hearing loss is identified and intervention begun, the more likely it is that the delays in speech and language development will be diminished, according to ASHA.

It is estimated that about 2-3 of every 1,000 children are hard of hearing or deaf and that 30 school children per 1,000 have a hearing loss. The earlier we can do something about it, whether it be with hearing aids or aural rehabilitation services, the better the chance the child will have for success both in school and socially. The earlier children with hearing loss start getting hearing services, the more likely they are to reach their full potential.

Early intervention counts with adults, too. Catching and treating hearing loss early can slow, or stop, its progression. Adults who do not do anything about hearing loss symptoms could end up dealing with impaired memory, the inability to learn new tasks, reduced alertness, compromised personal safety, irritability, anger, fatigue, stress, depression, and diminished overall health.

If you suspect you or your child is having an issue with hearing loss or if you are feeling uncertain about your ability to hear, talk to your doctor or an experienced audiologist. Some hearing problems can be treated and cured if they’re caught early. Wouldn’t you want to give your child the best possible support for developing language and communication?

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Signs that it’s time for ear wax removal

Posted on May 20, 2015 by admin

It sounds worse than it is; ear wax impaction. Many people have it and too many do not seek medical help. When it becomes time for a professional like one of our audiologists to remove the ear wax that has built up in your ears, there will be a number of signs for you to identify. You may feel fullness in your ear or have a hard time hearing – or a number of other symptoms. Each of the signs is a reason to consult one of our offices and have the ear wax removed so that you can improve your hearing and life more comfortably.

Ear wax, also called cerumen, is made by the body to protect the ears. The ear wax has both lubricating and antibacterial properties. It can become impacted when it has built up in the ear canal to such a point that there may be signs that something is not quite right. For most people, the ears are designed to remove ear wax on their own. But with some people, wax buildup and blockage often happens when people use items like cotton swabs. This only pushes the ear wax farther into the ears and can also cause injury to the ear. Some of the most common signs of ear wax impaction include:

  •  A feeling of fullness in the ear
  • Pain in the ear
  • Difficulty hearing, which may continue to worsen
  • Ringing in the ear (tinnitus)
  • A feeling of itchiness in the ear
  • Discharge from the ear
  • Odor coming from the ear
  • Dizziness

Ear wax can buildup in the ears of just about anyone, but it is more likely for people who have developmental disabilities, people who insert cotton swabs or other items into their ears, aging adults, people with abnormally shaped ear canals and especially people who use hearing aids, ear molds or ear plugs. For those patients with hearing aids, ear wax is the leading cause of hearing aid malfunction, worsening hearing loss, hearing aid feedback or added pain. The current guidelines from the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation recommend that people who wear hearing aids get professional ear cleaning once or twice a year.

In our office, ear wax removal may be done through a variety of means including the use of a curette (a tool used to scoop or pull wax out of the ear), and flushing the ear with water. Each clinician chooses which technique based on the severity of impaction as well as personal preference. You can see the procedure firsthand with our video and also recognize the importance of monitoring your own hearing and hearing loss symptoms. If you have these symptoms, feel free to contact one of our trusted audiologists. You’ll be on your way to better hearing!

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Our Diet and Hearing Health

Posted on April 27, 2015 by admin

We have written many articles on how to protect your hearing and prevent hearing loss; healthy foodthe majority of them focus on turning down the noise, wearing hearing protection, stop smoking and avoiding ototoxic medications. Along with check-ups with your audiologist, these are some of the most effective ways to prevent hearing loss. Today however we are going to focus on another way we can help to protect our hearing and hopefully stave off age related hearing loss and other acquired hearing loss.

You have most likely heard the expression “you are what you eat.” If you put junk food into your body it has absolutely no health benefits and some potentially serious negative effects on your health. Well the same is true for hearing health. Our hearing health is positively impacted when we eat a diet high in certain vitamins and minerals and negatively impacted when we indulge in foods high in saturated fats and cholesterol.

A study conducted by researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, discovered that women participants who consumed two or more servings of fish per week had a lower risk of hearing loss than those who didn’t. It didn’t seem to matter what type of fish was consumed, any type such as light fish, dark fish, tuna or shellfish showed a decreased risk of hearing loss. In fact there was a 20 percent lower risk of hearing loss in those who consumed two or more servings of fish a week when compared to those who rarely consumed fish – this is a quite significant decrease.

There have been other studies done that show a correlation between nutrition and hearing health. The Journal of Nutrition suggested that individuals over the age of 50 with low levels of the B-vitamin folate had a 35 percent higher risk of developing hearing loss than those whose levels were in the normal range. Folate deficiency is a known risk factor for heart disease which could be why it affects the ears as well. Folate deficiency causes homocysteine levels to rise which could restrict blood flow to the cochlea causing damage.

More research needs to be done in this area, but it stands to reason that healthy eating habits can slow the onset of hearing loss. Some other minerals in foods that are thought to protect hearing are:

  • Omega 3 Fats and Vitamin D – tuna, salmon, and sardines
  • Vitamins C and E – most fruits and vegetables
  • Anti-oxidants and Folic Acid –asparagus, spinach, broccoli, beans, liver, eggs and nuts
  • Zinc – oysters, lamb, liver and dark chocolate
  • Magnesium – artichokes, avocados, bananas, broccoli and potatoes

 

 

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