Why One-Size-Fits-All Solutions Don’t Always Work
When it comes to something as personal as hearing, a cookie-cutter approach doesn’t always deliver the best results. Every individual experiences sound differently, shaped by unique hearing challenges, lifestyle needs, and preferences. Yet, many still believe in generic solutions that promise quick fixes for hearing loss. The truth is that custom approaches are the key to ensuring effective care and lasting outcomes.
Brain hearing is a complex and deeply individual experience. What works for one person may not suit another, and overlooking these differences can leave gaps in care. Understanding the limitations of one-size-fits-all solutions can shed light on the value of tailored approaches, such as custom hearing evaluations.
Individual Hearing Profiles Demand Custom Solutions
Since every person’s hearing profile is unique, factors like the type and degree of hearing loss, age, and even daily routines play a role in shaping individual needs. Standardized solutions often miss these nuances, leaving some individuals underserved.
Custom hearing evaluations focus on these specific factors. Hearing health professionals recommend solutions that truly address a person’s hearing challenges by tailoring the assessment to the individual. A custom approach ensures hearing aids or other devices are optimized for clarity and comfort, which significantly improves day-to-day communication.
Hearing Environments Are Different for Everyone
No two environments are the same, and neither are the listening demands placed on an individual. Some people navigate bustling workplaces, while others spend their days in quieter settings. Generic hearing solutions are designed for average conditions, often failing to adapt to specific soundscapes.
Custom hearing care takes these diverse environments into account. Advanced technology allows devices to be fine-tuned for dynamic conditions, like crowded restaurants or outdoor activities. Tailored solutions provide greater flexibility, ensuring the wearer can transition seamlessly between different environments without straining to hear.
Personal Comfort Influences Hearing
Physical comfort is an important factor in how often individuals use their hearing aids or assistive devices. Standard designs may fit poorly, leading to discomfort and eventual disuse. Over time, this can exacerbate feelings of isolation and frustration associated with untreated hearing loss.
Custom hearing devices are designed with the wearer’s ear shape in mind. They provide a snug, comfortable fit that enhances the listening experience and encourages consistent use. When devices feel natural to wear, individuals are more likely to embrace the benefits of improved hearing.
The Emotional Impact of Generic Solutions
Hearing loss often comes with emotional challenges, including frustration, anxiety, and diminished self-confidence. Generic solutions can amplify these struggles by failing to meet the person’s needs effectively. Miscommunication and strained relationships are common outcomes when hearing difficulties are not fully addressed.
A custom hearing health exam and personalized care plan consider these emotional factors. Tailored approaches help promote confidence by providing effective, user-friendly solutions that restore connection and reduce the stress of misunderstanding. This attention to emotional well-being reinforces the importance of individualized care.
A Life Lesson in Healthcare
My first impression of the medical field was my Grandfather; who was a general practitioner in a small town in South Georgia. In fact, for a number of years he was the only physician for our little rural town. He did a little of everything, worked every day of the week and saw many patients in their homes. My father learned how to drive by sitting on phone books driving my grandfather to treat sick patients in their homes. Everyone in town knew my grandparents’ phone number, well let’s be honest, it was a party line for many of those years. Regardless, everyone knew where to find Doc Sams! I remember one rare afternoon my grandfather was able to pick me up from school. On the drive home, we were pulled over by a police officer who informed him there was an emergency at the hospital. We flew through town, following the police officer. That is certainly a memory I will never forget!
Granddaddy loved his job, loved helping patients and loved his community. Looking up to him, I knew early on I wanted to be in the health field. Audiology has allowed me to help patients continue their relationships with their family. Now, almost two decades into my career, I have seen a huge shift in healthcare. Appointments are rushed, health decisions are often driven by insurance, and the personal care I saw my Grandfather give is rare to find.
When asked what I love most about my job, I always reply – the relationship I forge with my patients and of course helping them hear better. Susan Timna and I created Expert Hearing because we want to offer a personalized solution with state-of-the-art care. Our tag line “your concierge solution,” is intended to describe the level of care and personal attention we provide. The best part is we offer this service with NO monthly fee. Our goal is to give patients the opportunity to receive personalized attention but not at a high price point.
Longer appointment times allow me to spend time with each patient. After-hours phone and text service are always available. Best of all, much like Granddaddy was able to offer, we can make home visits if needed. The important misconception Dr. Timna and I want the community to know is that there is no monthly fee or excessive cost charged to our patients for services such as these.
I know the relationships I form with my patients and their families are reminiscent to my Granddaddy’s values as a practitioner. I am proud to know that his commitment and personal attention to care is being carried down by his granddaughter.
I may be called a “Senior” but in my head I’m still 35!
By Dr. Susan Timna, Expert Hearing
Are you noticing that you cannot multitask as well any longer?
I know I am noticing the changes within myself. I used to be able to listen to two conversations at work while typing notes in a chart and finding the keys to my car. But now, my adult sons will try to talk to me from across the room amid music playing and my 5 grandchildren running around playing. They don’t understand when I don’t immediately answer them or ask them to repeat what they said.
Whether we like it or not, as time goes by, we slow down a bit so we can only tackle one thing at a time. It is a known fact that as our birthdays add up…we can’t process information as fast as we once could. The same is true for hearing speech. As time goes on, we can’t pull speech out from competing noises even with normal hearing. It goes without saying that even with mild hearing loss, this problem is exacerbated. We simply can’t keep up like we used to and that can be very frustrating as well as lead to social isolation and tension within your relationships.
In the past, testing hearing would consist of hearing a series of tones at different pitches you would have to identify as soon as you heard them. You were then told that you had a certain degree of hearing loss from mild to severe. But what did that actually tell you? Did it tell you how you function in reality – such as in your own home or social environments?
You don’t listen to tones all day long – you listen to speech and it’s usually not one on one, face to face, or perfectly quiet. It makes sense to test how you do in those harder situations!
There have been numerous studies brought to the forefront by Johns Hopkins, Cleveland Clinic, and the Lancet Commission (to name few) about the links between untreated hearing loss and earlier cognitive decline. The lack of sound stimulating the auditory portion of the brain will force the brain to use other parts to compensate and therefore lead to more effort which is proven to cause earlier dementia.
So how do we look at the big picture of your hearing capabilities if we are just testing the tones you hear?
In the last few years, more focus has been on how you understand speech in noise and how you process the speech you hear. Staging hearing loss will be the future when evaluating your auditory functioning. This testing will consider not only how soft you can hear the tones but your processing speed, speech in noise ability, and your capability to hear the contrast between two different sounds. These results are used in the research and development of hearing devices approved by the FDA and they have shown to really help those that struggle in all of these areas. There are significant differences in various hearing devices, especially when comparing over the counter devices. It’s also a more efficient way to monitor the progression of your hearing deficits. Getting a baseline evaluation of all the areas will give you a starting point.
You may see the changes occurring in the speech in noise, contrast, or processing speed tests BEFORE you see the changes in the tones. Keeping tabs on and treating how you are aging in place could be the difference in a happy and engaged quality of life versus isolation due to the stress it causes you to be in a social setting. All of us want a happy, healthy, and fabulous quality of life.
Hearing loss is among the most modifiable of all the risk factors leading to earlier dementia (per the Lancet Commission). Lifestyle choices including physical activity, diet, cognitive engagement, social interaction, among others can also slow down progression.
Everyone should have a baseline hearing evaluation that includes all the tests showing the true picture of your auditory system. We see the dentist and eye doctor each year for a checkup. So…why would we ignore our hearing?
I realize that even though in my head I am “35 years old” – it is important to be proactive with my annual medical assessments. My engagement and health awareness will allow me to continue having those very important conversations with my sons surrounded by my loving family and 5 precious grandchildren.
For more information about hearing assessments, please reach out to me at susantimna@experthearingsavannah.com or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
Health Concerns Linked to Hearing Loss by Dr. Cori Palmer, Expert Hearing
It is critical to recognize that hearing loss is not merely a condition that influences one’s ability to perceive sounds, but a significant medical concern that can have far-reaching impacts on your overall health
As a Doctor of Audiology, I cannot stress enough the importance of addressing hearing loss as a true medical issue. A patient’s physical health can influence their auditory system and, vice versa, untreated issues with hearing can also negatively impact a patient’s physical health. Despite this knowledge, hearing assessments are often omitted from patients’ annual health evaluations.
Medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, as well as various cardiovascular conditions, can have an impact on a patient’s hearing abilities. Additionally, there are many conditions of the inner or middle ear which contribute to hearing loss, balance issues, and tinnitus. For example, Meniere’s Disease, Otosclerosis, and even wax in the ear canal. These medical conditions can affect a patient’s hearing by interfering with the transmission of sound to the brain or affecting blood flow to the inner ear.
In addition to the health factors affecting hearing, untreated hearing loss can also affect a patient’s physical health. Accumulating evidence suggests a link between hearing impairment and numerous other health conditions including cognitive decline, depression, and an increased risk of falls. Thus, it is common for individuals with unaddressed hearing loss to experience a diminished quality of life. Early intervention of hearing loss plays a major role in preserving our cognitive abilities and overall quality of life.
Due to these medical correlations, it is imperative to seek help from a Doctor of Audiology that is trained in the medical aspects of diagnosing and treating hearing loss. Their expert knowledge combined with the utilization of state-of-the-art diagnostic tools enables them to evaluate the comprehensive spectrum of auditory impairments and recommend tailored treatments accordingly. At Expert Hearing, we have cutting-edge diagnostic tools and treatment options to suit all our patient’s individual needs including testing how a patient processes speech in noise.
My goal as a Doctor of Audiology is to ensure a patient’s overall well-being, recognizing the key role that optimal hearing plays in it. I must reiterate again – it is imperative to incorporate hearing evaluations into your annual health checkups.
Maintaining a regular schedule of visits to a Doctor of Audiology, timely treatment of hearing loss, and management of associated health conditions can significantly contribute to overall longevity and vitality; ultimately helping you maintain an active healthy lifestyle. Call Expert Hearing today to schedule your annual audiological evaluation.
A New Take on Tinnitus Treatment
Chirping, buzzing, roaring, crickets, hissing, humming…however you describe it – tinnitus can be bothersome! So where does this noise come from? And most importantly, how do you make it stop?
Tinnitus affects 20% of Americans. And while some tinnitus sufferers can ignore the pesky sound, others are debilitated by constant noise in their ears.
Although there is little information regarding the origin of tinnitus, we do have several well-researched theories on where the damage might start within a patient’s hearing. The inner ear is lined with tiny hair cells which move with sound waves and trigger electrical signals to the hearing nerve. Noise exposure can cause these hair cells to bend and break which then triggers impulses of sound to the brain. Many of you have likely experienced this after attending a loud concert that left you with a ringing sound in your ears. This can be temporary or sometimes the effects are permanent. It is worth mentioning that the bending and breaking of these inner ear hair cells also results in hearing loss; therefore, hearing loss is often accompanied by tinnitus. A similar theory implies that tinnitus is the brain trying to fill in for missing sounds it is no longer receiving from the auditory system due to hearing loss.
In addition to hearing loss, some medications, both prescription and over the counter, can cause or worsen tinnitus. Other causes might be ear infections or a blockage of the ear canal due to wax. Factors such as stress, lack of sleep, caffeine or salt intact have also been known to increase tinnitus.
While tinnitus can often become a significant annoyance, it is encouraging to note there have been several advancements in treatment options available for patients suffering from tinnitus. One such advancement is Mahana Tinnitus. Mahana Tinnitus is an innovative self-guided digital application to help individuals suffering from tinnitus. Users work through a series of therapeutic sound sequences, which aim to distract the user’s focus away from the underlying tinnitus perception. Additionally, Mahana Tinnitus offers educational content on how to better manage the condition providing the user with helpful techniques to decrease the perceived intensity of the symptoms. The effectiveness of the Mahana app is related to the compliance of the user. For individuals consistently using the app for 6 weeks; research shows a 61% success rate in the reduction of tinnitus’s effect on the user’s daily life. Consistent compliance for as little as 10 minutes a day can help provide improvement in a patient’s daily life.
Another development in the treatment of tinnitus is the Lenire tinnitus treatment. This treatment is guided by an Audiologist and uses bimodal stimulation to lessen the effects of tinnitus. During this home therapy, a patient listens to specific calming music while simultaneously utilizing the Lenire TongueTip to provide a mild pulsing stimulation to the surface of the tongue. This bimodal neuromodulation helps to more effectively reconnect the neural pathway in the brain. The therapy is adjusted and followed by an Audiologist. With the recommended two 30-minute sessions a day, research has shown a 91% improvement in the patients’ tinnitus for at least 12 months following treatment.
In addition to the above discussed new advances in tinnitus treatment, hearing devices continue to be a top recommendation for individuals with both hearing loss and tinnitus. If hearing loss is also present, a hearing aid is usually the first choice to manage the unwanted sounds and will help provide sound stimulation to mask the tinnitus. In most cases, the tinnitus can be measured or matched in the high frequencies which is also where most hearing loss occurs with loud noise exposure or aging, therefore killing two birds with one stone.
If you are experiencing tinnitus, you should schedule a hearing evaluation with a Doctor of Audiology. During the appointment, your symptoms, medications, and case history will all be discussed. In addition, a complete audiological examination, including a tinnitus evaluation, will be conducted. The Doctor of Audiology will then determine if further testing and/or referrals are necessary.
Tinnitus can certainly be a frustrating condition, but the good news is that if addressed correctly and proactively – there can be relief. For more information or to schedule a complementary evaluation, please contact me at cori@experthearingsavannah.com or 912.777.8580.
Have you been searching with Dr. Google?
A quick search on Google of “what hearing aids are best?” can bombard you with confusing information. Not to mention the unsolicited advertisements that will follow on any social media platform and websites you visit thereafter. So…I am sure you asking yourself what is best, what do I need, why do hearing aids cost so much, where should I go to get a hearing aid, and can I just do it online? These are just a few questions that come to mind when considering all the options.
While I fully admit to searching Dr. Google at times myself, I will refer to my actual physician for the accurate answers to my health-related questions. When facing the many questions of hearing healthcare, an Audiologist should be the number one source of information for your hearing related questions. With links to many other health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and dementia; hearing loss is not something that should be self-treated. Medical research has shown untreated hearing loss has been linked to cognitive decline. In fact, according to the Lancet Commission, treating hearing loss is the number one most modifiable lifestyle factor for slowing down dementia.
In addition to the Dr. Google degrees we have all liberally granted ourselves, the landscape of the medical field has changed dramatically over the years. Everyone has experienced long wait times at their physician’s office or called their physician’s office with questions – only to wait days for a returned call. Dr. Susan Timna and I recently founded Expert Hearing as a solution to help navigate the ever-changing hearing healthcare field and offer a personalized approach to all the daunting choices a patient now faces. As stated in the initial paragraph, there are numerous questions as you begin your journey towards better hearing. While hearing tests are important, the specific listening needs of each patient varies greatly. Through specialized speech in noise testing, video otoscopy, and even in home communication assessments, we can determine the specific areas of concern and make a recommendation specific to each patient.
The selection of the hearing devices is only the beginning of your hearing journey. The next step is setting up the technology to work for the patient’s unique hearing needs. Expert Hearing offers a variety of concierge options and/or exceptional in-office care. With our unparalleled concierge model, we can provide hearing healthcare in a unique way. One major difference is the option of in-home communication assessments which allows the Audiologist to assess the patient’s listening needs in their specific environments. In over 15 years of practicing Audiology, many of my patients comment that they hear well in my office but struggle to hear when they get home. By visiting the patient’s home setting, we can assess the certain areas of concern for each patient. A couple of examples include if a patient struggles to hear their television clearly or perhaps, they are unable to hear their spouse from the kitchen. We can help program the patient’s devices in those specific settings.
Hearing health care is not one size fits all and we are here to help our patients find the “size” that fits them best. We guide our patients through the complicated decisions of hearing technology then spend time making these devices adjusted to the prescription and settings that will help the individual patient. Everyone deserves premium care; the best part is these services do not have to be overpriced. So even if you choose to search Google – make sure you reach out to the Experts to help guide you through your hearing healthcare journey!