My Family feels I have a hearing loss. I don't think I have a problem. How do we settle this disagreement?
Your family may be right. Hearing loss typically occurs very slowly. Others are often more aware of the frequent repetitions and volume changes in the TV than you are, and they are usually the first to notice changes in your hearing ability. It is frightening to think that you may be losing your hearing, which is why you would want to seek help from an Audiologist.
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At Lambton Audiology Associates, your hearing is always evaluated by an audiologist who has graduate education, certification, and licensure, in audiology. This thorough evaluation determines the recommendations that are made including possible medical referral, counselling, hearing aids, and hearing rehabilitation services. Hearing aids are selected from a variety of manufacturers to find the solution for your needs.
Your hearing ability is unique. At Lambton Audiology Associates, we are your advocate. We look carefully at all your options and help you decide what solutions would best meet your needs.
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What are the early signs of hearing loss?
Over 20 million Americans have hearing loss. Early detection and intervention can make the difference between social isolation and successful rehabilitation. Here are some early signs of hearing loss:
- Difficulty hearing with background noise
- Hearing a mumbling sound when others talk
- Keeping the TV volume louder than others find comfortable
- Frequently asking to have things repeated
- Difficulty hearing at a distance, in places such as, a church, a theater, or cinema
If you suspect you have a hearing problem, ask your audiologist for a comprehensive hearing exam.
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A Friend of mine is considering purchasing hearing aids.
What should she look for?
Performance, price, and style are all considerations when purchasing hearing instruments. Individual differences in hearing loss and physical shape and size of the ears may make one type of hearing aid preferable over another. Good vision and nimble fingers are also important in changing the batteries of small hearing instruments.
Ask whether there is a trial period and how long it is. Also, find out how much she will owe if the hearing instruments need to be returned.
Finally, encourage your friend to discuss her preferences with an audiologist before the instruments are ordered. Good communication is essential for successful hearing!
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I had my hearing evaluated and was told I could benefit from two hearing aids.
Can't I get by with just one?
You use two ears to localize sound, to give sound depth, and to help you hear and pinpoint sound in noise. We know that individuals who wear two hearing instruments need less volume when both are used than if only one instrument is used. |
The positions and types of hearing aid microphones have a great deal to do with your ability to take advantage of these benefits. Completely-in-the-Canal instruments are designed to place the microphone inside the ear canal to take advantage of the acoustical shaping that the ear/pinna provides. Directional microphone technology in behind-the-ear instruments allow users to make their hearing aids less sensitive to sounds coming from behind them.
You may be able to "get by" with one hearing aid, but if your audiologist has recommended two hearing instruments, you owe it to your ears to give them a try.
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When are they going to computerize hearing aids?
Computers have been used for over ten years to select, fit, and program hearing instruments. Programmable hearing instruments are analog circuits controlled by a computer chip. They provide greater precision and flexibility in meeting your hearing loss needs and matching your comfortable listening range compared to conventional amplifiers. They can be reprogrammed over and over to meet changes in your hearing or changes in your listening life. Programmable hearing instruments come in a range of prices and a variety of styles (Completely-in-the-Canal to Behind-the-Ear). Programmable hearing aids are available from most major manufacturers and vary in the type of sound amplification strategy, type of filtering, and use of directional microphones. |
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Computers are used not only to select and fit hearing instruments, but are used inside hearing instruments to change the way they sound. Digital signal processing improves sound quality, dynamic range, and provides the audiologist with greater fine tuning ability to meet your individual hearing loss requirements. In the new digital hearing aids, computer chips are used not just for storing and controlling information, but for changing the sound itself. One example is in controlling feedback (whistling) on the telephone. The digital hearing instruments can automatically reduce acoustic feedback so that when the user holds a telephone to his / her ear, the whistling is controlled without sacrificing volume. Digital hearing aids may be combined with directional microphones for improved performance in noise. They are also optimized for battery consumption and size of the hearing instrument.
The computer is a tool to improve the accuracy of hearing instrument selection and fitting, and to provide alternatives in sound processing that meet your needs. Your audiologist combines the knowledge of your hearing loss and communication needs with the technical knowledge and sound processing capabilities of hearing instruments to recommend the most appropriate hearing instruments for you.
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What is the youngest age that hearing can be tested?
Lambton Audiology Associates is a member of the Ontario Infant Hearing Program (IHP), which is a province-wide program of the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. The aims of the program are to:
- Identify all infants with permanent hearing impairment
- Give parents the information they need to make timely, informed decisions
- Provide the services necessary to maximize family communication and language development, important for developing reading skills and school success
Every year in Ontario, about three to four in 1,000 babies are born with a hearing impairment, or will develop a hearing impairment in early childhood. It is important that hearing impairment be detected as early as possible in order for these babies to receive the support they need to develop language. An important part of the IHP is Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS).
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Why is Universal Newborn Hearing Screening so important?
Before the IHP, there were only a few hearing screening programs for infants in Ontario. Those programs focused mostly on infants who were considered to be at risk for hearing impairment. Infants at risk included those with a family history of hearing loss, very low birth weight, or any of several other medical conditions. However, many children with hearing impairment are not known to be at risk. These children were sometimes not identified until they entered school. This failure to detect hearing impairment early resulted in significant delays in speech and language development, which in turn affected readiness for school and relationships with family and friends.
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Now that the IHP is in place, newborns are screened before leaving the hospital or shortly thereafter. For some infants, a detailed hearing assessment is required and this can be completed within the first few months of life. Identifying hearing loss in infants as early as possible is important for several reasons:
- It reduces the delay in learning language
- It improves the family's ability to communicate with their child
- IHP services help inform and support parents so that they can make the best decisions
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I have ringing in my ears. What can be done about that?
Tinnitus or ringing in the ears can be caused by exposure to loud noise and also by many medical conditions. It can be temporary or permanent and can occur in one or both ears. An increase in stress can increase tinnitus.
The first step in evaluating tinnitus is to have a thorough general medical evaluation and history with particular attention paid to cardiovascular, pulmonary and neurological systems. Next, see your audiologist for a thorough evaluation of the hearing system.
There are a wide range of treatments for tinnitus including use of medications, and use of devices. The type of treatment plan is determined by the type of problem you have.
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After I went to a recent rock concert, my ears were ringing and they felt stuffed up. What's happening?
Your ears are saying, "OUCH!" The ringing and stuffed-up feelings are signs of temporary or permanent hearing damage. If the changes are temporary, they may resolve in a matter of hours or days. The problem is that there is no way to know ahead of time if you have tough ears or fragile ears. Once the damage is permanent, there is no way to repair it. Reducing your exposure and using hearing protection are the only ways to protect your hearing.
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There are many types of non-custom and custom molded earplugs. It is important to get the right kind for the type of noise (impulse, machinery, music) you want to soften. Solid plugs are great for mowing the lawn, but not satisfactory for music. So, next time you head for a concert, grab a pair of HI-FI earplugs from your local music store. Your ears will quietly thank you.
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I'm a medical professional who has hearing loss. What resources are there for me?
Try the Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Losses (AMPHL) at www.amphl.org . They have information about amplified stethoscopes as well as other professional information.
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What can I use for theatre and large area hearing assistance?
Many devices and services are available for free at theatres to improve your enjoyment of the entertainment offerings. There is definitely a "chicken and egg" relationship with theatres and their customers. Hearing-impaired customers complain that the devices are not well advertised (so they don't know that they are available), and managers of theatres say that customers rarely ask for these devices. Please ask your usher or the person selling tickets about these devices; it will not only improve your theatre experience, but it will improve access for other people with hearing impairments.
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