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The Digital Age and Hearing Loss
How Emerging Technology and Stylish Hearing Aids are Reducing Stigma
By Jennifer Dumke | Sioux Falls Woman
Just take a short walk and you’ll likely notice the popularity of pedestrians wearing headsets, Bluetooth devices, wireless earbuds and other ways to connect to mobile devices or music. In fact, most of the general population has become accustomed to either wearing in-ear devices or seeing them frequent the streets and shopping malls. So, what’s the big deal about wearing a hearing aid? That question is getting asked more and more often making it easier for those who struggle with hearing loss to cope with the adjustment of wearing a hearing aid.
Bob Froke, MA, CCC-A is a licensed audiologist at Midwest Ear, Nose and Throat and has worked with patients for over three decades and sees first-hand the advancements made in hearing aid technology. “With the onset of the digital revolution, not only are we seeing improvements in communication and home technology but hearing aids have also come a long way.” Having personally worn a hearing aid for over 4 years, Froke goes on to say how integrating with technology to stream music and connect with mobile devices significantly reduces the stigma for those needing hearing aids. “In general, society has become acclimated to using and relying on external devices.”
8 Rousing Reasons To Put a Hearing Test At The Top Of Your “Done” List
Of all the life hacks for better living, taking care of your hearing is among the smartest — and it yields an incredible ROI. In short, getting a hearing test is worth it.
No matter what your age, untreated hearing loss can take its toll. The catch is, hearing loss is stealthy. It's usually hard to notice at first. In fact, it tends to come on so gradually that it tricks you into oblivion. Then it robs you of more than you realize, sooner than you realize.
From pilfering away at your relationships and quality of life, to putting you at risk for other health conditions, untreated hearing loss is a silent thief. And don't think for a minute that you're too young to think about hearing loss — you're not.
It's a noisy world. You're part of it. And the numbers show that hearing loss is becoming more common among younger adults — in their 20s and 30s. So make sure you value your hearing. It's a treasure worth keeping.
To give you an extra push, here are eight reasons why you should get a hearing test today.
Myth Busting: 4 FACTS About Your Hearing Health
Is hearing loss just an inevitable part of growing older? Can a simple sound amplifier take the place of hearing aids? Is there nothing I can do about that ringing in my ears? Common myths and misconceptions can sometimes get in the way of continuing the journey to better health. We’re busting a few myths with some helpful facts. Read on, and get empowered to improve your hearing today.
Myth:
Hearing impairment simply comes with aging.
Fact:
“Age is the strongest predictor of hearing loss among adults aged 20 to 69,” according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, but did you know that some 2 to 3 of every 1,000 U.S. kids enter the world with a detectable impairment in one or both ears? Plus, noise-related hearing damage — a common, cumulative and preventable public-health problem — widely affects adults and youth.
Stay Connected to the World of Sound - New Advances in Hearing Aids
Over 28 million people across the country are affected in their ability to communicate effectively because of hearing loss. While some may find a solution through medication or surgery to correct or improve hearing loss, others are forced to either live with the condition or opt for a hearing aid. Robert Froke from Midwest ENT has specialized in hearing aid technology since 1990. During that time, he has witnessed many exciting changes to improve the lives for those who struggle with hearing loss. "Digital advances and micro-chip technology are allowing our patients to hear more clearly and naturally than every before, especially when dealing with background noise," adds Froke.
What We Know About Hearing Loss and Alzheimer’s
It’s the brain that controls hearing, but it needs good signals from the ears. With this said, aging adults with mild, moderate and severe hearing loss are more at risk to develop Alzheimer's disease and dementia. According to recent studies, scientific proof even puts hearing loss and the dementia connection above other factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, age, sex and race.
Jane O'Connell, Aud, CCC-A, FAAA, has worked as an audiologist since 1988 and is currently working with patients at Midwest Ear, Nose and Throat Hearing Center. Throughout her career, she has encountered many patients who have had Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia in addition to their hearing loss.
And although the reason people with hearing loss are more likely to develop dementia is unknown, O'Connell says there have been some breakthroughs to uncovering the connection. "One thought is that the increased cognitive load that occurs from having to "de-code" words, which arrive in the brain with missing parts brought on by hearing loss, reduces the cognitive reserve or resiliency, placing them at higher risk for dementia.
Since Alzheimer's and dementia are not treatable conditions, this gives new hope for a better quality of life if hearing loss is detected. "Once a medically treatable condition has been ruled out, a hearing aid is often the best and only treatment for hearing loss" says O'Connell. "Hearing aids, of course, are not a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The goal with hearing aids is to restore as much of the spectrum of hearing for conversational speech as possible."
Bob's Story - A look into our audiologist's personal journey through hearing loss
I have been a practicing audiologist for the past thirty-three years, and have always taken good care of myself and considered myself to be in very good health. Little did I know on how my health would hit so "close to home" with my profession this past March. It was during the State "B" basketball tournament in Aberdeen, that I took seriously ill with what was diagnosed as influenza B, and for the next five days, I was absolutely miserable. When I finally felt well enough to go back to work, I found that I was dealing with an annoying ringing in my left ear. It was so loud it was disrupting my focus and concentration. In addition to that, my three colleagues pointed out to me that I was "missing" things being said, or misinterpreting people in conversations. I usually have a pretty good sense of humor about those kind of things, but inside, it was starting to bother me.