Better Hearing Blog
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.
A Balanced Approach
The inner ear contains the “cochlea,” which produces nerve impulses that are transmitted via the auditory nerve to the brain, as well as the “vestibular system,” a collection of structures that provides the body with a sense of balance and spatial awareness. These structures include three semicircular canals that are lined with sensory hair cells that continually detect the head’s position by virtue of tiny calcium carbonate crystals (“otoliths”), which help sense the body’s orientation. The trouble is that these crystals can become dislodged to the point where their momentum in the canals may give a false sense of movement even after the head stops moving. The resultant “benign paroxysmal positional vertigo” (BPPV) produces dizziness and a loss of equilibrium.
Although BPPV can be bothersome, it’s rarely serious except when it increases the chance of falls. You can receive effective treatment for BPPV during a doctor’s office visit. To schedule a hearing assessment, please call BETTER HEARING CENTER. We perform hearing tests, fit patients for hearing aids, and provide one-on-one consultations. We are New Hampshire’s premier hearing care provider.
P.S. Once diagnosed, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) may be effectively treated using the Epley maneuver, which involves maneuvering the head so that the otoliths move out of the semicircular canals to an open space.
When Size Matters
As its name suggests, a “completely-in-the-canal” (CIC) hearing instrument fits entirely into the ear canal of the user, where it is all but invisible to onlookers. For this reason, CIC instruments are preferred by those who want to remain completely discreet about their hearing losses. The positioning of CIC instruments in the ear canal also provides users with overall natural sound quality that stems from use of the outer portions of their ears (auricles) to gather sound and direct it inside the ear. This least visible of all hearing instruments is also well-suited to treating hearing loss that ranges from mild to moderately severe. However, CIC instruments may require a bit more maintenance.
Choosing the right hearing aids involves working with a trustworthy provider to find a product that fits your type of hearing loss, your lifestyle, and your budget. Contact BETTER HEARING CENTER today to schedule your hearing evaluation. We’re excited to assist you in making decisions about your hearing health at New Hampshire’s premier hearing care provider.
P.S. Completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing instruments are less prone to feedback.
