Have you heard....WIRELESS HEARING TECHNOLOGY

Today our lives are made easier by the many devices and gadgets that allow us to live life on the go. Technology has given us mobile phones, iPods, televisions and much more but for hearing aid wearers and people living with a hearing  impairment, interacting with all of these different devices can prove   difficult.

Now there is a solution. Wireless technology that we see in so many other  applications has now been applied to hearing aids; making the devices more advanced than ever. Wireless hearing aids make connecting to the world and devices around you effortless and being truly wireless there are no cables, no neck loops and no wires!

Advanced wireless hearing aids such as 3 Series from Starkey Laboratories combined with their innovative SurfLink® devices not only deliver crystal clear sound but can also stream stereo sound from your TV, radio, computer and even your mobile phone directly to your hearing aids.

The volume level on the TV is often the first sign of hearing loss, and usually because of a partner, friend or family members frustrations rather than the hearing loss sufferers. Many clients visiting our centre may claim to have good hearing in most aspects of their lives but still admit to excessive volume when it comes to TV, but mainly because of “the mumbling presenter” or the “over use of background music”

Whatever the excuse may be; SurfLink Media from Starkey Laboratories is an easy solution to aid effortless TV listening. This set-and-forget media streaming solution connects to TVs, as well as MP3 players  and more to wirelessly stream audio directly to your Wi Series hearing aids,  so you can hear the volume at the level you want, while everyone else in the room can listen at the volume they want. The technology that sets this unit apart from other TV listeners on the market is its automatic  range response; no switching channels on the hearing aids or placing any neckloops on. When in range of the TV, something you set yourself, the sound is streamed, automatically to your ears. Simple as that!

Have you heard...Wind made

Widex first company in the world to become "WindMade"

Ref: http://www.widex.com/en/newsroom/2012/windmade/

Widex is the first company in the world to receive the recently established WindMade label – a new global consumer label for companies that use wind energy.

The label, which is backed by the UN Global Compact, requires participating companies to obtain at least 25% of their electricity from wind power. A wind turbine at Widex’ global headquarters in Denmark covers 95% of its energy needs, including production, thereby greatly exceeding the basic requirements for joining the WindMade programme.

"Being a high tech company, we have an uncompromising approach to innovation and we always strive to find the best solution. By completely eliminating the use of fossil fuels, we believe that we have created the best possible foundation for the future – both for our company and for society," says Richard Tøpholm, Manager at Widex and member of the Board.

The WindMade label was created to allow companies to communicate their commitment to renewable energy while providing consumers with the choice to favour companies and products using wind power.

“We congratulate Widex for becoming the first ever WindMade certified company. By committing to renewable energy and using the WindMade label, Widex has set a great example that will inspire companies and consumers all over the world”, stresses Henrik Kuffner, CEO of WindMade.

Read more about Widex' eco-friendly headquarters

Have you heard....Custom headphones

Music lovers are being warned that the popular 'earbud' headphones worn by users of iPods and MP3 players could lead to hearing loss.

The reason for the warning is because earbuds placed directly into the ear, can boost the sound signal by as much as six to nine decibels.

During the 1980s, when Walkman portable devices first hit the market, audiologists were warning users about potential hearing loss. Nowadays, with MP3 players topping the Christmas wish lists of people all over the world, history is repeating itself.

Hearing loss in younger people typically found in aging adults is becoming far too common. Unfortunately, the earbuds preferred by music listeners are even more likely to cause hearing loss than the muff-type earphones that were associated with the older devices because of this increase in volume.

As well as a more intense sound signal, today's music devices have longer battery life and the ability to store vast amounts of music, facts which encourage users to listen for longer periods of time than their 1980s counterparts.

MP3 devices now reach upto 110 to 120 decibels. That's a sound level that's equivalent to a jet engine and enough to cause hearing loss after only about an hour and 15 minutes.

So what can we do? One solution is the 60 percent/60 minute rule, whereby people use their MP3 devices for no more than about an hour a day and at levels below 60 percent of maximum volume.

Noise-cancelling headphones are another suggestion because they reduce or eliminate background noise eliminating the need to turn the device up to excessive levels.These headphones can be custom made; still as descreet as the fashionable ear-bud types and far more comfortable.

They come as a sleeve which fits over any ear-bud headphone, so even if the headphones need replacing the sleeve can simply be swapped over. At less than £100 they could be the last set of headphones you ever use.

Have you heard...Mini Aids

Traditional Completely in the Canal (CIC) hearing aids were made to sit in the ear canal with the faceplate positioned at the opening of the ear canal, previously this was the most discreet in-the ear hearing aid fitting available.

In 2010 Starkey introduced the first Invisible in the Canal or IIC hearing aid called ‘Soundlens’. Since then the other major hearing aid manufacturers have also brought out similar products, making Invisible In the Canal (IIC) the newest and competitive style of hearing aid.

Improvements in shell design and computer aided design technology, as well as miniaturisation of components mean that the IIC hearing aids can be made significantly smaller and therefore sit much deeper in the ear canal.
If the aid can sit beyond the second bend of the ear canal then it will be totally invisible, however results will vary depending of the physical size and shape of your ear canals.
There are also benefits to IIC hearing aids other than the invisibility:

1. Reduction of the ‘occlusion effect’ – the muffled or blocked feeling that happens sometimes with CIC hearing aids
2. Natural directional hearing and noise reduction due to the placement deep in the ear canal

How do I get an IIC hearing aid?
The first step is to come for a consultation, which will include a hearing test to see if an IIC would be appropriate. Next we need to examine your ear canal and take impressions of your ears. This involves putting some soft silicone based material into your ear canals in order to take their shape. The impression material sets in about 2 minutes and then is removed. These impressions are then used to make the hearing aids.

The importance of good impressions
In order for the manufacturer to make the hearing aids it is absolutely essential to have a detailed and accurate impression, which is deep enough to give all the information needed to make an invisible product. The deeper and more accurate the impressions, the more possibility there is of achieving a truly invisible hearing aid, which will be comfortable and fit properly.

Have you heard...Loop systems

The Hearing Loop System is a special type of sound system for use by people with hearing aids. It is important to know how loop systems tie in with sound systems in general, since they are frequently used together. This article will also include guidance on how to specify your own loop system and other general aspects of loop systems.

Sound systems for use in public places are generally used to reinforce or relay sound to a hall, church or auditorium or to other parts of the building from some central point.

Sound is said to be reinforced when the audience can hear the original sound (eg from stage or rostrum) both directly and via the sound amplification system. Hence the term sound reinforcement.

A sound system may also relay sound to areas of a building where the original performer, speaker or musician, cannot be heard without the use of the sound system. This may be used, for example, in a large sports arena or to relay speech or music to different parts of a building where the sound source is out of earshot. This type of a system is known as a public address system.

Any sound system may also incorporate a hearing loop system. Ideally they will be used together, as a fully integrated system.

A simple, complete sound system will comprise five main elements: at least one microphone, one sound amplifier, one loudspeaker, one induction loop driver and one induction loop cable. 

How the Hearing Loop System works

• Sound is collected by one or more microphones.
   
• The very small electrical output from these microphones is mixed with any audio required (e.g. CD player) and fed to the Induction Loop amplifier, usually referred to as an induction loop driver.
   
• The loop amplifier drives a powerful current through the loop, which changes with the variations in the speech or music patterns. This sets up similar patterns of speech or music in the hearing aid by magnetic induction. The hearing aid must therefore be switched to 'T' when using a hearing loop.
   
• In this way, any sound picked up by the microphones or from other sound sources, whether speech or music, is heard directly and clearly in the hearing aid.

Remember that loop systems are available anywhere that displays the loop symbol:

Dont forget to turn your loop function (T) on your hearing aid on, if you don't have one ask your Audiologist why not!

Have you heard...Ear Wax

Earwax is a waxy material that is produced by sebaceous glands inside the ear. It cleans, lubricates and protects the lining of the ear by trapping dirt and repelling water. 

Earwax is slightly acidic and has antibacterial properties. Without earwax, the skin inside your ear would become dry, cracked, infected or waterlogged and sore.

Earwax can be wet or dry and hard or soft. Soft earwax is more common in children and hard earwax is more likely to cause problems. Dry earwax is golden and flaky and more common in people of Asian origin.

Earwax problems

Earwax doesn't usually cause problems. However, producing too much earwax can lead to a blocked and painful ear or hearing loss.

Having repeated ear infections, flaky skin near your ear, or hair in your ear canals can also put you at risk of developing problems with your earwax.

Every year in the UK, over two million people have problems with earwax and need it removed.
To reduce your risk of developing problems with your ears, avoid putting objects in your ears, such as cotton buds, matchsticks and hairpins.

As well as risking damage to your ear canal or eardrum, sticking things in your ears can result in earwax becoming lodged in your ear canal.

When to see your GP

Visit your GP if you are having problems with earwax. If you have a large amount of earwax, it may need to be removed.

Earwax can usually be removed using eardrops. If eardrops don't work, another treatment called ear irrigation may be recommended. It involves using a pressurised flow of water to remove the build-up of earwax.

Do not attempt to remove earwax yourself, without first speaking to your GP.

Have you heard...History of Hearing Aids

The first documented evidence of the existence and use of a hearing aid dates back to the 16^th century. Its inventor is unknown but many sources from that time discuss several hearing aid devices. In 1588, in his book Magia Naturalis, Giovanni Porta describes hearing aids in the form of animal ears. Later on, other sources talk about horns, trumpets, speaking tubes and various devices worn around the body. However, these were hardly mass manufactured but more likely custom made for specific clients.

In 1800, Frederick C. Rein established in London the first company for commercial manufacture of hearing aids. The hearing aids he offered were non-electric and include acoustic urns, speaking tubes and ear trumpets.

Soon after, in 1836, Alphonsus William Webster patented a curved earpiece worn behind the ear, known as the first British patent for a hearing aid.  Even more patents were issued in the upcoming decades. One belonged to James A. Maloney for his ear trumpet with a diaphragm earpiece in 1887. With the beginning of the 20^th century hearing aid research and the associated industry developed rapidly. In 1923, vacuum tube hearing aids were introduced and in 1934 they were upgraded to operate with batteries.

In the early 1950s, the vacuum tube hearing aids were replaced with the transistor hearing aids. These led on to the development of the behind the ear and the eyeglass temples models, which in 1954 were already electronic. In 1955, in the ear hearing aid was introduced.

From the 1970s onwards, the hearing aid models began to resemble the modern devices for hearing impairment we know today. The introduction of the electret/FET microphone played an important role in every hearing aid thatmeant that the receiver and the microphone could be kept in one case as forbehind the ear, in the ear and in the canal hearing aids.

The invention of in the canal hearing aid in 1983 was followed by the completely in the canal hearing aid introduced in 1993. Soon after, in 1996, the first successful digital hearing aid device was a fact.
By 2005, 90% of the hearing aid fittings used digital signal processing technology as opposed to the analogue technology.

Nowadays, hearing aids are various and come in many different shapes and sizes including behind the ear, in the ear, in the canal, completely in the canal, open fits, receiver in the ear, body worn, bone conduction, CROS, BiCROS and disposable hearing aids.

New research could forge future cure for hearing loss

New research funded by Action on Hearing Loss has brought scientists closer to being able to trigger the regeneration of damaged cells in the inner ear and gives hope to the 10 million people in the UK affected by a hearing loss that a cure can be found.
 
Most hearing loss is caused by the loss of sensory hair cells in the inner ear that detect sound vibrations. The human ear cannot replace these cells, so hearing loss is permanent - but remarkably, zebrafish can regenerate these cells and were used in the study to discover drugs that may lead to the restoration of hearing.

Researchers tested 1680 different drugs and discovered two that enhance the regeneration of sensory hair cells in zebrafish and six drugs that block or slow regeneration.
Professor Rubel who led the study at University of Washington said: ‘This study demonstrates that it is possible to screen large libraries of compounds to find drugs and drug targets that influence hair cell regeneration. It provides some useful targets for future studies. Moreover, it demonstrated the usefulness of and extension of this approach to screen a much wider range of compounds.’

‘Discovering compounds or drugs able to influence regeneration is important as it will help us understand the biological processes involved, providing clues as to how we might be able to trigger regeneration in the human ear. The drugs discovered so far have been shown to interfere with cell division suggesting that the ability of cells to divide in a damaged ear will be key to triggering regeneration.’

Dr Ralph Holme, Head of Biomedical Research at Action on Hearing Loss said: ‘We are very excited by this research as it opens the door to the possibility that drugs able to trigger the regeneration of hair cells in the inner ear will be found in the future, revolutionising the way hearing loss is currently treated.’

Have You Heard...Hearing Loss

Hearing loss, or deafness, is the partial or total inability to hear sound in one or both ears.

The human ear is amazing. It is one of the smallest and most complex organs in the body, capable of turning the tiniest disturbances in air molecules into a form the brain can understand - and doing so instantaneously, over an enormous range of pitch and loudness. Considering the ear's delicacy, it is remarkably resilient. Nevertheless, illness or injury can impair our ability to hear properly.
In recent years, substantial advances have made it possible to determine the cause of hearing impairment in nearly all cases, and to treat the hearing loss in many ears.

How Does Hearing Loss Affect One's Life?

Virtually no condition in medicine can have as profound an effect on quality of life as even moderate hearing loss in some people.
Hearing loss makes even routine communication difficult. High frequency hearing loss often involves loss of ability to hear consonants such as s, f, t, and z, even though vowels can be heard normally. Consequently, people hear but cannot make out what is being said.
This may result in frustration, withdrawal from social activities, depression, and marital discord. People lose the ability to take in the sounds like bird songs, rustling of leaves, and the voices of children. In general, these infringements on the quality of life can be overcome through medical or surgical treatment or with hearing aids.
When hearing loss occurs early in childhood, its devastating consequences are more obvious than when it occurs late in life. A hearing deficit in infants can interfere with psychological, emotional, and speech development. It also makes learning a mammoth task and can cause frustration or isolation.
Even more mild forms of hearing loss early in life can cause great difficulties, including poor attention and bad grades in school. Frequently, such children are considered "not too bright," before anyone realizes that a hearing loss is present. When it is corrected, the changes in the child's performance, attitude, and interactions are often remarkable.

Key facts

• In 2004, over 275 million people globally had moderate-to-profound hearing impairment, 80% of them in low- and middle-income countries.
• Infectious diseases such as meningitis, measles, mumps and chronic ear infections can lead to hearing impairment. Other common causes include exposure to excessive noise, head and ear injury, ageing and the use of ototoxic drugs.
• Half of all cases of deafness and hearing impairment are avoidable through primary prevention.
• A large percentage can be treated through early diagnosis and suitable management.
• Depending on the cause of hearing loss, it may be treated medically, surgically or through devices such as hearing aids and Cochlear Implants.
• Production of hearing aids meets less than 10% of global need. In developing countries, fewer than 1 out of 40 people who need a hearing aid have one.

Newspaper information piece; "Have You Heard"

Each and every single week from Friday 27th onwards Bexhill Hearing Centre will be dispensing a little bit of knowledge in the Bexhill, Hastings, Rye and Battle Observers as well as the local Resident. Tiny snippets of information about the world of hearing, to remind our customers that our knowledge and advice is always available.

From the latest audio technology to hearing loss management, there will be something for everyone, whether you suffer from a hearing loss or not.

Items to be covered in the first 6 weeks include: (in no particular order)

Hearing loss; why it happens
Ear Wax maintenance
History of Hearing Aids
Coping with Tinnitus
Waterproof Hearing
Ototoxicity

We are hoping that the articles will become Blog like, allowing the public to follow the story. They will also be teamed up with further information here and on our website (www.BexhillHearingCentre.com) so that more complete information can be provided.

Famous quotes from history about Hearing

George Bernard Shaw

That is what all poets do: they talk to themselves out loud; and the world overhears them. But it’s horribly lonely not to hear someone else talk sometimes. "(Marchbanks, in Candida)

Bible

Does not the ear test words, as the palate tastes its food? - Job 12:11

Pete Townshend

I have unwittingly helped to invent and refine a type of music that makes its principal components deaf. Hearing loss is a terrible thing because it cannot be repaired.

Samuel Johnson

"In order that all men may be taught to speak the truth, it is necessary that all likewise should learn to hear it."

Bible

He who has ears to hear, let him hear. - Mark, 4:9

Mark Antony

"Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears."

Beethoven

"Oh you men who think or say that I am malevolent, stubborn, or misanthropic, how greatly do you wrong me. You do not know the secret cause which makes me seem that way to you. Oh how harshly was I flung back by the doubly sad experience of my bad hearing."

"But what a humiliation for me when someone standing next to me heard a flute in the distance and I heard nothing, or someone standing next to me heard a shepherd singing and again I heard nothing. Such incidents drove me almost to despair; a little more of that and I would have ended my life - it was only my art that held me back. "

Our Shop

Have you seen our new shop front?

Installed by Jordan at Thomas Design and Graphics

Tinnitus - "Just ignore it"

With no visible signs of what sufferers are going through, tinnitus can leave people feeling isolated and depressed. And with about one in ten people affected by tinnitus, there is a need for greater awareness among both the general public, and GPs specifically.

Typically referred to as a ‘ringing in the ears’, tinnitus is the sensation of hearing a noise when there is no external sound. What that noise is, can vary from person to person but can include ringing, whistling and buzzing. Sometimes the sound is continuous but sometimes it is sporadic.

But the British Tinnitus Association (BTA) is concerned that GP awareness and training of the condition is not sufficient, leading to inconsistent and inadequate advice being given to patients.
In a study part funded by the BTA, a third of patients said they were dissatisfied with the treatment they had received from their GPs, citing their doctors’ lack of knowledge and insensitivity to living with tinnitus. Only 37 per cent of tinnitus patients were referred for further assistance.

David Stockdale, chief executive of the BTA, said: “Thousands of tinnitus patients are being short-changed by their GPs. They are being either completely dismissed, told to ‘learn to live with’ the condition and are being given inaccurate information, or are not being referred to tinnitus clinics for specialist care.”

The BTA is encouraging audiology consultants to host seminars for GPs to tell them about the services available in their hospitals. Although there is currently no cure for tinnitus, there are different treatments and behavioural techniques that can help to alleviate the condition.

The precise cause of tinnitus is not known and can affect people of all ages, especially after being exposed to loud noise. Frequent and/or prolonged exposure to loud noise can damage the hearing system, which increases the risk of getting tinnitus or can make it worse in those already suffering from the condition.

Hearing loss, depression, anxiety, high blood pressure and post-traumatic stress disorder are all factors that can increase the risk of experiencing tinnitus.
Advice on how to manage tinnitus includes strategies such as:

• Exercise - regular exercise boosts endorphins which improves your sense of well-being and lowers stress levels.
• Relaxation - stress exacerbates the experience of tinnitus so relaxing as much as possible helps; some specific techniques include acupuncture, homeopathy and reflexology.
• Music - listening to music can help as it distracts from the tinnitus noises, but avoid prolonged exposure to high-volume levels, which can make it worse.
• Diet - if you are healthier and fitter it can make you feel better when you experience tinnitus. Stick to soft drinks and herbal teas, and keep well hydrated.
• Products - sound therapy systems, mood lights, pillow speakers and relaxation CDs can all help.
• Support groups - join a tinnitus support group in your area.
• Family and friends - make sure your family and friends understand tinnitus; the more they know, the more they can help and support you.
• Expert help - The BTA’s freephone helpline 0800 018 0527 and website www.tinnitus.org.uk offers more advice and help

http://uk.health.lifestyle.yahoo.net/Tinnitus-what-GPs-need-to-know.htm