Hands down, the best piece of advice I can give any hearing aid owner is that their devices need to be worn full time, meaning at least 12-16 hours per day or all waking hours.
Ask anyone that has had their hearing treated at my practice and they’ll tell you that I’m fanatical (in the nicest possible way) about full time hearing aid use, it’s really, really important! Apart from bathing, swimming and sleeping, the more your devices are in, the more beneficial they’ll be in the immediate and long term. Yet, a surprisingly high number of Australians that own hearing aids don’t wear them adequately. We’ll discuss why this occurs, what can be done about it and the benefits of full-time use.
In a major study on 13,591 Australian hearing aid owners published in 2015, Dr. Anthony Hogan found that approximately one third of hearing aid users don’t wear their devices at all or less than two hours a day, one third wears them only 2-12 hours per day and only one third wears them 12+ hours a day, the necessary timeframe for the benefits you’ll soon read about. I’m not advocating that this lack of device use is in any way acceptable or advisable, the fact is, under use is a real thing. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Hearing Aid owners simply weren’t told. Perhaps the Audiologist that fitted the devices, was short on time, has a company restricted schedule or wasn’t across the benefits of full-time use? Not a week goes by that I explain the benefits of full time use to someone that has purchased them elsewhere and it’s as if the first time they’d heard it. It takes time, effort and persistence to encourage full time use and frequent checking of the inbuilt databases that all todays devices have. In my opinion, advising and checking on full time use it is the most important thing your Audiologist can do.
The initial acclimatization period was not fully completed. On average, it takes 7 years of struggle for Australians to address a hearing problem (we now know that’s seven years too late, but that’s another story). Whether its 3 years or 30 years delay, hearing loss has generally been around for a long time before it is dealt with. When we do address it and finally fit hearing aids, there’s much to get used to and it’s an adaptive process. Like a muscle that hasn’t been exercised, the neural pathways take time to strengthen. The brain also needs to ‘relearn’ to filter which sounds are useful and which are not, this resetting of the filters simply takes time. For most people, 7-10 days of 12-16 hours of use at conservative settings does the trick, sometimes adjustment is needed. It’s a personalized process depending on the degree of loss, how long hearing loss has been around for, personal preference and loudness tolerance. The early stages are the most challenging, but they are a crucial aspect of success, everything tends to get better from there.
The devices are not comfortable enough for full time use. If they’re not comfortable, they simply won’t be worn sufficiently. Normally the physical fit can be improved substantially in experienced hands. Loudness and noise reduction settings can also be made to be more comfortable in most cases, provided the technology level of the hearing devices allows it. Sometimes the look of the devices makes the wearer uncomfortable wearing them in all situations, a matter that can often be addressed with more cosmetically acceptable devices.
In the absence of encouragement for full time use, insufficient acclimatisation or if the devices are uncomfortable; too often hearing aids are left in the top drawer or treated like ‘reading glasses’ and put on only for conversation. Our sense of hearing is completely different to vision, the full benefits and value can only be experienced with full time use. For instance, reading glasses can assist with short sightedness which is an inability to appropriately focus at the eye level. The ability to focus on what you want to hear occurs at the level of the brain, not at the ear. Wearing hearing devices on a part time basis creates confusion because it is challenging for the brain to learn to focus at varying volume levels.
Another benefit of full time use that is attracting recent research attention is the reduced risk of falls that occurs when hearing loss is treated. Untreated hearing loss has been shown to result in a 300% increased risk of falls for 40-69 year olds, even at mild levels. Researchers have cited two main reasons for this, the first being environmental awareness. With untreated hearing loss, you’re less likely to hear that thing you’re about to trip on, that step you may miss or that bike or scooter whizzing past when you’re out for a walk. The second reason they cite is the sheer mental resources taken to compensate for hearing loss leaves less attention for steadiness and balance. Falls account for 25% of all hospital admissions, and 40% of all nursing home admissions 40% of those admitted do not return to independent living; 25% pass away within a year. As alarming as these statics are, they are an underestimate as many falls go unreported. Separate to this, a major cause of falls in the elderly is when they get up to answer the phone. Some of the latest hearing aids integrate to cell phones and are handsfree which could help prevent that happening. Falls can happen at any time; full time hearing aid use essentially nullifies the increased risk that comes with hearing loss.
When you think about it, you can’t turn your natural hearing levels on and or up and down. If you, or someone you care about owns hearing devices, know that 12-16 hours per day is critical to success and to maximise the value of these modern marvels. If comfort is an issue, let your Audiologist know. Indeed, we’d love to help you get back on track. click here
#hearingaid #tinnitus #hearingloss #WixBlog
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Ringing in the ears affects approximately 10-15% of people on a regular basis
Tinnitus, commonly known as ‘ringing in the ears’ is more common than you may think. Most people think they’re alone in experiencing it because it’s not something we typically discuss. No one goes out for coffee and says to their friends: “Hey, do you hear that? That high-pitched squeal?” Mostly it’s because tinnitus tends to be more noticeable in a quiet environment, like when you’re lying in bed at night, trying to go to sleep. But also, people often think tinnitus is ‘all in their mind’ so they tend not to bring it up in general conversation. The truth is, tinnitus is absolutely not all in the mind.
It’s believed that around 18% of Australians are affected by tinnitus. Studies have shown that as much as 98% of the population will experience tinnitus in a room that is quiet enough, such as an acoustics laboratory. For some, it comes and goes without rhyme or reason. For others, it’s constantly there. How much it disturbs your quality of life depends on a variety of factors. But first, let’s explore what tinnitus is.
Tinnitus is the medical term for ‘ringing in the ears’. The sounds don’t exist in the environment and only the sufferer can hear them, which is why it seems to be an imaginary condition. It generally sounds like a high-pitched ringing but for some people, it can sound like whistling, hissing, blowing, buzzing, humming, sizzling or roaring. The noises can be barely detectable, or they can be debilitatingly loud.
You may have heard of ‘phantom pain’ which is when a person who has lost a hand reports that they can still feel pain as if the hand was still there. Neuroscientists believe that since the brain is used to receiving sensory signals from that part of the body, when the signals cease, the brain steps in and generates its own signals around what the hand is doing. In tinnitus caused by hearing loss – however mild or significant the loss – the phantom pain theory suggests a similar mechanism is in play. The brain is used to receiving audio signals from the ear and when they are no longer detected, or are greatly reduced, the brain generates its own signals or sounds to compensate. This is a dysfunction and it’s undesirable but you really have to hand it to the brain for being so clever!
Frankly, tinnitus can affect people of all ages, genders, races and hearing abilities. Here are the most common risk factors:
Ageing – The older you get, the nerve fibres in your ears deteriorate, leading to gradual hearing loss and quite often, tinnitus.
Smoking – You have a higher risk of experiencing tinnitus if you smoke.
Gender – Though men and women get tinnitus, the number of men is higher.
Cardiovascular issues – Those with high blood pressure or atherosclerosis (narrowed arteries) have an increased risk of tinnitus.
Exposure to loud noise – People who work in noisy places such as factories and airport tarmacs are more susceptible. Of course, those who subject their ears to loud music such as at concerts or through headphones up too loud are prime candidates for tinnitus.
Just when you thought your tinnitus was mildly annoying, you find it gets worse sometimes. There are the three main factors that can cause it to worsen:
1. Silence – The quieter the environment, the louder the tinnitus. Unfortunately, as mentioned previously, your brain is going to try to compensate for those missing sounds, and in a quiet room such as your bedroom at night, you’ll notice them even more.
2. Sleep deprivation – Scientists the world over have documented that a lack of sleep worsens tinnitus.
3. Stress – To date, the exact link between tinnitus and stress isn’t known but they are undoubtedly related. When we are under stress, our bodies can experience a ‘fight or flight’ response. The body is on ‘high alert’ to deal with this unwelcome situation and one of the ways it responds is by heightening our sense of hearing. Of course, that makes even low-level tinnitus more noticeable. Most sufferers report that their tinnitus is worse when they are stressed and for many, their first experience of tinnitus was during a period of great stress.
It is important to note that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to tinnitus management and recent research recommends a personalised approach under the guidance of an Audiologist. Here are some broad strategies that will help you in your quest to deal with your tinnitus.
Have your hearing checked – One of the most common causes of tinnitus is hearing loss. Even mild hearing loss can cause tinnitus and many people are not aware that their hearing has deteriorated because it usually happens so gradually. Make an appointment with an Independent Audiologist who will test your hearing with state-of-the-art medical equipment that will accurately diagnose your hearing, from perfect to however impacted it may be. Aside from providing you with a proper diagnosis which will mean you’ll know how to treat your tinnitus, your Independent Audiologist will be able to reassure you about your specific situation. A word of warning though; consulting ‘Dr Google’ may unearth some misleading claims about tinnitus that could cause you unnecessary concern.
Avoid silence – You would already be aware that silence can make your tinnitus more noticeable. Some sufferers find that having the radio or TV on at a low volume can be helpful. White noise apps and devices designed to put babies to sleep can also be helpful in making the silence less stark to your ears. The volume of the tinnitus sound will be reduced against the background noise that you introduce. If using apps, the radio or TV when going to sleep, check to see if your smartphone or other device has a ‘sleep’ function which turns the sound off after a period of time that you choose. Or, you may prefer to leave it on all night.
Manage your stress – Find ways of reducing your stress. If you can’t avoid the stressful situations in the first place, then work on ways to take the pressure off, such as walking, having a massage, listening to relaxing music or reading a book you enjoy.
Unfortunately, there’s no complete cure for tinnitus but there most definitely are effective treatments. The goal is to take it from being troublesome and intrusive to something you may experience from time to time, and not at the same volume.
If you or someone you care about is bothered by tinnitus, contact us today for a hearing assessment. We’d really love to help.
#tinnitus #hearingaid #hearlingloss
Our priority, first and foremost, is to serve our patients and enable them a return to a fuller participation in life.
The best way we know how to this is to combine premium hearing solutions with targeted brain training and world class advice. A primary measure of our success is the extent to which our patients and seminar participants refer people they care about with confidence. Another measure of success that we focus on is our ability to retain patients over the long term. We understand that referrals, recommendations and patients for life are earned through great results and positive experiences in working with us. Referrals allow us to save time and money on expensive advertising and focus what we do best. Our ‘Change Two Lives’ program is our way of giving back and recognising the kind referrals to our practice.
In Australia, there’s a safety net for the less fortunate, with government programs to help children, indigenous populations and older Australians on low incomes. The people of Cambodia are not so fortunate. 2 million Cambodians live with disabling hearing loss and it is estimated that 85% of those live in abject poverty. Less than 1% of Cambodians than need hearing aids have them primarily due to cost, as one of the poorest countries in the world. Only 5% or older Cambodians are eligible for any sort of pension meaning many have no choice but to continue working. Poor health (including problems with hearing) directly affects their livelihoods, capacity to care for younger people and to participate in daily life.
All Ears Cambodia is a small, non-governmental audiology charity based in Phnom Pehn Cambodia. What makes All Ears Cambodia unique is their focus on training local clinicians. Unlike other charities that fly in and out of third world countries as a once off, the training and employment of local clinicians enables the continuity of care to make a real difference over the long term.
Our Audiologist Andrew Campbell has been supporting All Ears Cambodia since 2012, coordinating the donation of hearing devices at a total value of over $50,000, sending pre-loved devices from his practices and presenting sessions as a guest lecturer to their Audiology students. He is scheduled to return over the Easter period to deliver tuition on hearing device fitting. If you are interested in learning more about All Ears Cambodia, please visit www.allearscambodia.org
We’re pleased to announce that for every person you refer that is fitted with hearing devices, we’ll purchase and send a pair of new hearing devices to All Ears Cambodia to be fitted to a person that would otherwise go without .
We’re committed to changing 1,000 lives in Cambodia by 2025 via a combination of new devices purchased to recognise referrals and refurbished pre-loved devices. We see this target as a benchmark of our success in delivering great results to our patients. If you’d like to refer someone you care about, please visit www.helpuschange1000lives.com or call us on ph 3256 4666.
By referring someone you care about, you’re not only helping them return to a fuller participation in life, you are also helping to change the life of someone less fortunate.
