Better Hearing Blog
Unilateral Hearing Loss
Unilateral hearing loss makes it difficult to sense distance and sound direction. Known as the “head shadowing effect,” listeners with good hearing in only one ear must tilt their heads toward the sound source in order to compensate for the shadowing effect. Hearing instrument specialists can address this problem with a CROS (Contralateral Routing of Signals) system, which involves sending speech and sounds picked up via microphone on the non-hearing side to the better ear that is outfitted with a receiver. This setup enables sounds from the non-hearing side to be sent to the hearing ear by virtue of a radio signal. As a result, the good ear helps make up for the loss in the bad ear.
BETTER HEARING CENTER offers a full range of diagnostic and hearing-loss prevention services, hearing instruments and assistive devices. We continue the tradition of better hearing through education, technology, and customer service. To schedule an appointment, please call our hearing center. We are the only hearing center that has served the Concord, New Hampshire, area for more than 55 years. New Hampshire’s premier hearing care provider.
P.S. A BiCROS instrument is just like a CROS one except that the device on the good side is actually a fully capable hearing aid for hearing sounds from the good side. It is also capable of receiving the sound transmitted from the CROS aid on the other side.
Ease into Hearing Aid Use.
While many hearing specialists recommend that people with newly prescribed hearing instruments wear them all day when they are first fitted with the devices, not everyone can do so comfortably. Some individuals find that their sudden ability to hear sounds that they have not heard in some time is a bit overwhelming. Due to the abrupt reintroduction of ambient sounds such as traffic noise, air-conditioner hum, and background conversation, some people feel inclined to remove their hearing instruments. However, hearing instrument wear need not be an all-or-nothing proposition. According to a study of seniors who reported being unsatisfied with their hearing instruments, a gradual increase in hearing instrument use over 30 days produced greater satisfaction among half of the study participants.
It is fine to only wear your new devices in comfortable situations and environments for the first few days. Hearing professionals recommend that you eventually try to wear your hearing aids during your waking hours. The more sounds you are able to recognize and filter out as well as identify as bothersome can help your hearing professional make adjustments in your follow-up visits. For more information, please call BETTER HEARING CENTER. We’re excited to assist you in making decisions about your hearing health at New Hampshire’s premier hearing care provider.
P.S. If you are getting used to wearing a hearing instrument for the first time, try wearing it for increasingly longer periods of time at home, where you can have more control over what you hear.
Tinnitus, what is it?
It is estimated that one in ten U.S. adults has experienced “tinnitus” during the past 12 months. These people experience ringing in one or both of their ears when there is no external sound present. Tinnitus is not a disease. It is a symptom of a problem in the auditory system. It most often occurs when damage to the hair cells in the inner ear alters the signal that these cells send to the brain. This tinnitus-causing damage may be the result of age-related hearing loss, injury, exposure to very loud noises, certain medications, jaw joint disorders, anxiety, or head and neck trauma. By some estimates, about 75 percent of people with some degree of hearing loss also experience tinnitus.
Tinnitus often has a negative impact on a person’s physical and emotional well-being, causing increased stress levels, concentration problems, sleeping problems and a reduced ability to hear. These in turn may have a negative effect on a person’s social life, personal relationships, and ability to work. There is no magic cure for tinnitus, but there are methods that can help you live with it. For more information, please call BETTER HEARING CENTER. New Hampshire’s premier hearing care provider.
P.S. Many individuals suffering from hearing loss and tinnitus can benefit from being fitted with a hearing instrument with a sound generator.
Phonak Audéo™ B-R wins prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD 2017
As the leading provider of the most complete product portfolio of hearing instruments and wireless communication solutions, Phonak Audéo™ are pleased to announce that their Audéo B-R rechargeable hearing aid has been recognized for outstanding product design with the iF DESIGN AWARD, one of the most prestigious design competitions in the world.
Audéo B-R was selected from over 5,500 entries to receive the coveted seal of design excellence in
the category of product by a high-profile jury made up of independent experts from all over the world.
“It’s a great honor to receive the iF DESIGN AWARD recognition,” said Thomas Lang,
Senior Vice President Phonak Marketing. “The award underlines our efforts to pair
the highest standards in hearing performance, ease of use and innovation with
outstanding design to help people with hearing loss live better lives.”
We’re proud of the work our research and development team conducts in order to create best-in-class hearing products with sleek, practical designs for everyday use. We are pleased to share this exciting news with you and hope your patients enjoy the award-winning design of Audéo B-R.
Please visit phonakpro-us.com to read more about the iF Design Award presented to Phonak.
For more information on the latest lithium-ion rechargeable technologies by Phonak, please contact Better Hearing Center at [email protected] or (603) 224-9043.
Noise Effects
Regular readers of this column are continuously advised to shield their ears from noise, a common cause of hearing loss. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), noise pollution is one of the pressing threats to public health and is responsible for a range of health problems. Not only can persistent and/or overly loud noise damage the ears, but it can also give rise to sleep problems, stress, heart disease, and stroke. In addition, exposure to noise can even lead to weight gain. A 2015 Swedish study linked noise with expanding waist measurements and also found living under a flight path doubled the risk of obesity. It pays to wear earplugs and turn down the volume, as needed.
Because the damage from noise exposure is usually gradual, you might not notice it, or you might ignore the signs of hearing loss until they become more pronounced. Over time, sounds may become distorted or muffled, and you might find it difficult to understand other people when they talk. To learn more about hearing loss, please call BETTER HEARING CENTER. We’re excited to assist you in making decisions about your hearing health at New Hampshire’s premier hearing care provider.
P.S. The World Health Organization says that long-term exposure to sounds over 55 decibels (dB) can trigger high blood pressure and heart attacks.
Open-fit Discussion
Open-fit hearing instruments have become immensely popular because they deliver natural sound quality. This is due, in large part, to the fact that the open-fit design eliminates the muffled effect that might come with other hearing instruments. While similar to a traditional behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing instrument, an open-fit instrument has a much more compact design. As a result, an open-fit sits discreetly behind the ear of wearers with barely a hint of noticeability. Sound is delivered from the main body of the instrument through a slender, clear plastic tube and tip that practically disappears in the wearer’s ear. Because the tip leaves the ear canal open, wearers get only the frequencies they need without any stuffy feeling in their ears.
When you are fit for an open fit hearing aid, your hearing care professional will be able to choose from a selection of tips to find the size that fits your ear best. To schedule an appointment, please call BETTER HEARING CENTER. Hearing aids help put people back in touch with their family and friends by letting them enjoy participating in social activities again. We are the only hearing center that has served the Concord, New Hampshire, area for more than 55 years. New Hampshire’s premier hearing care provider.
P.S. Open-fit hearing instruments are particularly suited for addressing mild to moderate hearing loss.
