Hearing Loss: Me, You, & Thomas Jefferson

Hearing loss isn’t selective; it effects all different types of people – even United States’ Presidents. Thomas Jefferson was the third President and a key participator in the Declaration of Independence. During his presidency, the Louisiana Purchase was made and the Lewis and Clark Expedition occurred.

Also, like many Americans today, Thomas Jefferson suffered from hearing loss. In 1819 Jefferson wrote, “my hearing is distinct in particular conversation, but confused when several voices cross each other, which unfits me for the society of the table.” By 1825, he wrote, “this [hearing] dullness of mine causes me to lose much of the conversation of the world and much a stranger to what is passing in it.” Hearing loss can greatly impact not only conversations, but also lives. Our mission is to get you and your loved ones hearing well again. (–information from www.doctorzebra.com and www.widipedia.org)

In February we celebrate the United States’ Presidents and are grateful for those who brought this nation to its feet!

Share Your Thoughts with Our Newsletter Readers

Do you want to share ideas, tips, or thoughts about hearing aids, hearing loss, or anything hearing related? Perhaps, you’ve found an easy way to remember to put your hearing aids in each day, or have tips about using hearing aids with children, or heard an inspiring story about dealing with hearing loss. Send a reply to this newsletter with your thoughts, and your words may be in our March Newsletter or added to our website.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Tips for Helping Someone Realize They May Have Hearing Loss

Do you know someone who suffers from hearing loss? Help them enjoy conversations and relationships again by using these simple tips:

• Be considerate. The Better Hearing Institute (BHI) stated that people with untreated hearing loss may suffer more from social isolation and depression compared to their peers who wear hearing aids. So be considerate when discussing hearing loss.
• Explain effects of hearing loss (i.e. even mild hearing loss can significantly interfere with the reception of the spoken language, children with mild hearing loss miss 25 – 50 percent of speech in the classroom and may be inappropriately labeled as having a behavior problem, hearing loss may negatively impact income, etc. –facts from BHI and Better Hearing Loss Association of America).
• Volunteer to go with them to an appointment. It is extremely important to have someone familiar there at the appointment, as we can use that familiar person’s voice during the hearing test to make the most appropriate decision regarding hearing healthcare needs.

Copyright (C) 2011 Family Hearing and Sensory Neural Center.
All rights reserved.

An Easy Way to Improve Quality of Life in 2011

An article published in the Journal of the American Academy of Audiology (JAAA) (Volume 18, Number 2) stated that those with hearing loss who chose to wear hearing aids enjoy a better quality of life than those who do not. Hearing aids reduce “psychological, social, and emotional effects of sensorineural hearing loss.”

Want improved quality of life? Merely turn on and use your hearing aids.

Did you come across someone this holiday season who may need hearing aids? Help improve their quality of life by recommending The Family Hearing Center.

Christmas Presents and Permanent Hearing Loss for Children?

Put out by the Sight and Hearing Association, these toys from the 2010 Christmas season are too noisy. Noise-induced hearing loss occurs over time, and these noisy toys can contribute to hearing loss in children. The accepted threshold of noise is 85 dB. These toys, meant for children, come in way over that safety threshold.

• Bell Riderz Block Blaster from Bell Sports, Inc. – 129.2 dB
• Cars Shake ‘N Go Ramone from Mattel, Inc. -.119.5 dB
• Transformers Optimus Prime Cyber Sword from Hasbro – 110.1 dB
• True Heroes Sonic Battle Blasters from Geoffrey, LLC – 110 dB
• CAT Mini Mover from Toy State Intl Ltd. – 104.8 dB
• Rocket Boost Iron Man 2 from Hasbro – 103.2 dB
• Road Rippers Rush & Rescue Fire Truck from Toy State Intl Ltd.-101.6 dB
• Interaction Morris from Learning Curve Brands, Inc. – 98.7 dB
• Proto Bat-Bot Figure from Mattel, Inc. – 98.6 dB
• CAT Honk & Rumble Wheel from Toy State Intl Ltd. – 96.6 dB

Big Ears?

You don’t need big ears to hear. Use hearing aids.

Copyright (C) 2011 Family Hearing and Sensory Neural Center.
All rights reserved.

Happy Holidays: FREE Battery Stocking Stuffers

We want to help you celebrate the holidays this season. Bring in a copy of our newsletter, and you’ll receive a FREE package of hearing aid batteries. Hearing aid batteries will fit great as a stocking stuffer or will work well as a thoughtful gift. Just our way of saying we wish you a happy holidays!

Hearing and Earning a Higher Income

from NAPS Article “Making Yourself Marketable – Hearing Better May Mean Earning More”

“People with untreated hearing loss may see their income decrease by as much as $30,000 a year, according to a national survey by the Better Hearing Institute. But hearing aids were shown to reduce the risk of income loss by 90 to 100 percent for those with milder hearing loss, and from 65 to 77 percent for those with severe to moderate hearing loss…

In the study, those with unaided severe hearing loss had unemployment rates double that of the normal-hearing population, and nearly double that of their aided peers…

Half or all people with untreated hearing loss have never had their hearing professionally checked.” If someone you know may be suffering from hearing loss, refer them to our free online hearing test evaluation.

Fun Facts: Famous People with Hearing Loss

• Ludwig Van Beethoven: being completely deaf, Beethoven was still a masterful musician.
• Johnnie Ray: a singer and songwriter, Johnnie was partially deaf in one ear from an injury he had at age 13.
• Miha Zupan: In 2007, Zupan became the first deaf basketball player in the Euroleague.
• Juliette Gordon Low: Becoming completely deaf in one ear because of an ear drum puncture and infection, she went on the found the first girl scouts organization of America.

Copyright (C) 2010 Family Hearing and Sensory Neural Center
All rights reserved.

Hearing for the Holidays

With festive holidays fast approaching, make sure you get the most out of your time with family and friends. Consider the following regarding your hearing when enjoying your month of thanksgiving:

• Consider your environment. Time with family and friends can be more intimate and quiet or busy and loud. Try to cut down on loud music or noisy toys, so your hearing can focus on what’s most important.
• Enjoy a one-on-one conversation. Sometimes it hard to hear more than one person at a time, especially during the holiday season when more than one person is wanting your attention. Try to focus on one conversation at a time, and kindly tell others you’ll talk to them in a minute. This gives the advantage of being able to see nonverbal communication as well since you’re focused on that one person.
• Finally, if you need hearing aids, make sure you wear them. With family and friends, it’s easy to get busy and distracted. Make sure your hearing aids are in and that they’ve been cleaned and properly adjusted for your comfort.

Make an appointment today by calling 936-291-2414 if you need hearing aid cleaning or adjustment. AND those of you with our Worry Free Complete Hearing Healthcare Package, preparing for the holidays is the perfect time to take advantage of our FREE hearing aid cleaning, batteries, adjustment, and more!

News: Hearing and Alzheimer’s Disease

from the Better Hearing Institute

There is strong evidence that hearing impairment contributes to the progression of cognitive dysfunction in older adults. Unmanaged hearing loss can interrupt the cognitive processing of spoken language and sound, regardless of other coexisting conditions. But when an individual has both Alzheimer’s and hearing loss, many of the symptoms of hearing loss can interact with those common to Alzheimer’s, making the disease more difficult than it might be if the hearing loss had been addressed.

Hearing loss, when left unaddressed, can compound the difficulties that people with Alzheimer’s and their families already face. But in many cases, the appropriate use of hearing aids can benefit Alzheimer’s patients.

Copyright (C) 2010 Family Hearing and Sensory Neural Center
All rights reserved.

About Our Newsletter

Dr. Allred has been practicing audiology in Huntsville since 1979, and his goal is to treat every patient like family. What better way to keep in touch with family today then by email. Our monthly newsletter will be sent out at the beginning of every month and may contain tips about your hearing aids, facts about hearing loss, information regarding the Family Hearing and Sensory Neural Center, and more. We look forward to keeping in touch with you!

1 in 5 Teens Suffer Hearing Loss

by Rob Stein from The Washington Post

Data collected from 12- to 19-year-olds show the prevalence of hearing loss has increased about 31 percent since 1994. The majority of hearing loss was minor, but it was found that one in 20 children had mild or worse hearing loss. Boys were more likely to have lost some hearing.

What causes hearing loss in this age group? The researchers weren’t conclusive, but they did note that listening to music on portable stereo devices can play a role.

What are the implications? The researchers stated that even slight hearing loss can cause psychological, social and learning problems for kids.

Tips for Taking Care of Your Hearing Aids

• Avoid using hair care products while wearing hearing aids
• Turn off hearing aids when you’re not using them
• Keep hearing aids away from moisture and heat
• Replace dead hearing aid batteries immediately
• Keep hearing aids clean

Copyright (C) 2010 Family Hearing and Sensory Neural Center
All rights reserved.