Millions of Americans suffering from hearing loss are hesitant to correct it. One of the primary reasons is the prohibitive cost — even inexpensive custom hearing aids can run in the thousands of dollars, and are rarely if ever covered by insurance. While people of all ages suffer from hearing loss, older people — who are often on fixed incomes — are affected in much higher percentages. Because of this, mass-produced sound amplifiers from retailers like Radio Shack are gaining in popularity.

These inexpensive hearing aid-like devices retail for less than $50. However, while pricier hearing aids come equipped with nifty features and can be programmed to fit your level and type of hearing loss, these inexpensive sound amplifiers do that and just that: make sounds louder. They won’t mask tinnitus or help you hear high frequency sounds. Despite this, they still have some usefulness: if you are watching television at home, and don’t wish to wake anyone else up, this devices can help augment the sound.

In the end, however, using the most inexpensive hearing aids as an everyday device can be dangerous. While sound amplification is better than nothing at all for those suffering from hearing loss, there are still safety and lifestyle issues they are unequipped to properly combat. Reviews suggest that they fare poorly in crowded or noisy environments, where being able to focus on certain sounds is of more importance than just the level of the volume. If you live in a big city, relying strictly on one of these devices while walking around could be dangerous.
Custom hearing aids are pricey, but the technology can help improve or even save your life. But, if you need a quick stopgap for personal home use, inexpensive mass-produced hearing aids could be of help.

Protecting your child’s hearing is as important as protecting the rest of her well-being. With Christmas right around the corner, here are some toys to avoid if you want to ensure that your child’s auditory health.

1. Fisher Price Learning Letters Mailbox

2. Sesame Street Help Along Sing a Song

3. Black & Decker Junior Chainsaw

4. LeapFrog Fridge Farm

5. Transformers PowerBots Megatron Action Figure

6. Road Rippers Turbo Wheelie Corvette

7. First Act Discovery Rockin’ Rhythm Guitar

8. Learn & Groove Counting Maracas

9. VTech Learn and Discover Driver

10. Road Rippers Rush & Rescue Ambulance

All of these toys produce sounds about 90Db, a level which has been linked to hearing loss. Because hearing loss is culmulative and the direct causes are difficult to pinpoint, these toys are all freely available.
If you do purchase these toys, know that they carry an increased risk of hearing loss for your children. To minimize this risk, try taking out the batteries, putting tape over the speakers, or making your child wear ear muffs while playing with them.

Specifically, men eating foods higher in folate.

That’s the conclusion come to by American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) according to research presented at their annual San Diego expo. They found that men over 60 with diets high in folate intake were 20 percent less likely to suffer from hearing loss, the most common sensory disorder in the United States.

High folate foods include leafy vegetables, asparagus, dried beans and peas, sunflower seeds, baker’s yeast and fortified cereal products. These foods are all high in folic acid, otherwise known as B-9. Deficiencies in folic acid have been linked to heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

Hearing isn’t all about what goes into your ears. Sometimes, it’s about what goes into your mouth.

Hearing aid technology can be intricate and complicated; this makes it all the more frustrating when something goes wrong. There are many places that specialize in hearing aid repair, but before you send yours off to be fixed, you might want to try a few simple possible solutions at home. Here a few tips for dealing with a few common problems:

If the volume on your hearing aid has become inadequate:

• Check the temperature of the aid and battery; a too-cold aid can lead to decreased volume.

• Check that there is nothing blocking the hearing aid or battery, such as dirt, debris, or wax.

• Make sure the battery is secure in the hearing aid and has not been jarred loose.

If the level of the volume is fine, but you are hearing a “whistling” noise.

• You might be experiencing hearing aid feedback. Make sure your mold is set properly and your volume is not up too high.

• Remove any caps or scarves that might be blocking the hearing aid, as sound can bounce off of objects and cause feedback.

• If you are still hearing a whistling noise, your hearing aid may no longer fit properly and you should see an audiologist.

If your hearing aid is not working at all:

• Start by making sure the on-switch is fully engaged.

• If the hearing aid is turned on, but is still not working properly, test the battery using a battery tester. Make sure it is properly installed into the hearing aid.

• If the aid is on and the battery is strong, the hearing aid may be blocked by wax or other debris: inspect the aid to be sure it is free of dietrus.

If you have used this troubleshooting tips and your hearing aid is still malfunctioning, a trip to a hearing aid professional may be in order.

First of all, wear your hearing aid! Between the hustle and bustle and (occasional, I’m sure) glass of sherry, it can be difficult enough to hear, even with the aid. Make sure your hearing aid is installed and functioning properly so you can get the most out of it.

Choose your environments well: If you have difficulty hearing, you should consider choosing a quiet venue. Hearing aids work best when they don’t have to compete with the loud bangs and squawks that can be only-too-common at certain places. Cut down on your personal hearing frustration by giving your aid a chance to work.

Don’t be afraid to speak up! This doesn’t just mean talking louder; you shouldn’t feel any shame about asking your host to lower the music slightly, or the person you’re talking to to move to a quieter corner. What’s the point in going to a party if you can’t hear a thing anyone is saying?

Try talking to one person at a time. By focusing on the nonverbal cues of the person to whom you’re talking, you can get a lot of context you might otherwise have missed. If you’re at the dinner table, try asking your relatives or friends to address you one at a time rather than randomly shrieking at you. Note: this is worthwhile advice even if you don’t have hearing loss.

‘Tis the season…: Hearing aids can be expensive, especially the more advanced models. If your family or friends have a tradition of gift-giving, it might be a good time to receive or give a custom hearing aid.

The holidays should be a fun, if busy time. Don’t let hearing loss impede on that good cheer!

If you need a hearing aid in New York, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Happy holidays from Dunshaw Hearing Centers.

Hearing aids help you connect to the world around you.

So do cell phones.

So why can’t they get along?

Unfortunately, phones emit radiofrequency waves. While it doesn’t happen for all cell phones, when it does it can lead to an irritating and invasive buzzing noise. At best, it’s intrusive; at worst, it renders your cell phone useless.

Quite the issue; many people are reliant on cell phones in their day-to-day lives, just as many people are reliant on hearing aids. What can you do to make sure those two crucial devices work in harmony?

Luckily, cell phone compatibility is improving, and the FCC has regulations in place to help you choose the right phone. These standards require cell phone manufacturers to test their product’s compatibility with hearing aids and clearly state it on the packaging. For microphone hearing aids, this rating is designated with an M. The higher the better — cell phones with a rating of M3 or M4 rate as “good” or “excellent” for usage with microphone hearing aids.

A similar rating system exists for usage with hearing aids with a “T-Coil“. A phone rating of T3 or T4 is most desirable if you have one of these sort of hearing aids.

In addition, hearing aids manufacturers use a similar system. By combining the ratings, you can get a rough estimate of how well the two devices will interact; again, the higher the better. Nonetheless, everybody’s hearing is different — try before you buy!

You’ve taken your audiologist’s advice and gotten a hearing aid.

You’ve stored your batteries to ensure it’s working properly.

What else is there to do?

If you don’t want to risk costly and unneeded damage to your expensive hearing aid, buying cleaning products are a good next step. Cleaning hearing aids is simple and easy, and there are a battery of products sold to help you keep your aid working properly. Dirt and sweat can have a severely negative effect on the functionality of your hearing aid, so follow these steps to make sure your aid stays clean:

• When you remove your hearing aids at night, wipe them down with a soft cloth.
• Pay careful attention to the portion that goes into the ear canal; if there is wax built up, use a manufacturer-provided tool to remove it.
• Place hearing aids back in their special cases to avoid accidental breakage
• Avoid using the hearing aid in situations where you are likely to get wet; water can severely affect the ability of your hearing aid to work.
• Ask your audiologist or hearing aid vendor about any additional steps that should be taken for your particular style of aid.

Hearing aids are extremely valuable and important. Don’t undermine this letting dirt and grime sap their ability to function properly.

No poems about how clogged and greasy thine lover’s ear is. No movies about how fascinating and dynamic it is. There is not a single-hour long television drama where the primary plot is driven by anything having remotely to do with earwax.

So what’s good about it?

Plenty good, it turns out. Earwax, the common name for the yellowish liquid secreted by the cerumen glands, assists in cleaning and lubrication, protects the ear canal, and can also serve as a flypaper like buffer system to keep out insects, dirt and debris. Like most secretions it serves a useful, if not sexy function in maintaining proper body function.

But what if you have too much?

Hearing loss problems can be the result. Not only can an excess of hearing loss block the aural cavity and cause conductive hearing loss, it is the culprit in an estimated 70% of hearing aid malfunctions.  Luckily for sufferers of conductive hearing loss for whom this is the primary issue, there are treatments available. Jaw movement can loosen wax, so chewing gum or talking can help. Wax can be softened with olive oil or syringed with warm water. One common practice which is actually counterproductive is use of a cotton  swab: while they remove a small portion of wax that happens to adhere to the swab, they actually push 95% of wax further into the ear canal.

Because of this, and earwax’s function in ear health, in 2008 the American Academy of Otolaryngology issued new guidelines advising against removing earwax unless it is causing health issues. If you are suffering hearing loss from too much earwax, you may want to consult a doctor to determine the best course of action.

Without properly functioning batteries, hearing aids are little more than extremely expensive earplugs.

The most common type of battery is known as “Zinc Air”. This type of battery is operated by the oxidation of zinc with the oxygen present in air around us. Because Zinc is readily available, these batteries are easily produced and retain terminal voltage until 80-85% depletion. Furthermore, they are easily stored and last a long time – provided the tab isn’t pulled.

Zinc-Air batteries for hearing aids come equipped with a tab, that, once pulled, will activate the battery and begin the process of depletion. When pulled, the tab allows water and oxygen in the air to mix with particles of zinc and an electrolyte (usually potassium hydroxide), forming zincate and releasing electrons. Once this process is started, the tab can’t be reattached, so it is best to keep tabs on until the battery needs to be used. Because t he tabs are held in place with sticky glue, they can come off in hot environments without the wearer knowing . It is generally not a very good idea to place these batteries in extremely hot environments for extended periods (for example in cars in the summer).

No matter your hearing aid, proper battery usage is crucial to maintaining good function.

This October, we celebrate the anniversary of the creation of that awareness month. Many people are reluctant to see a doctor at the onset of hearing loss and get fitted for proper devices. The AAA seeks to educate and dispel the stigma that comes with using hearing aids and devices to mask tinnitus (ringing in the ears.)

While hearing loss is often associated with the elderly, there are many adults, adolescents and children with hearing loss. Throughout October, the AAA seeks to provide information on hearing loss that affects not only those over 65, but all ages. They provide literature on all types of deafness and hearing aids, from those that go directly into the ear to those hearing aids that go around the ear.

This is a great time to analyze your own hearing. Visit an audiologist to determine if your hearing is impaired, and, subsequently, whether you need a hearing aid.