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!

HEAR the Buzz … The Impact of Tinnitus

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, ringing or buzzing in your ears, affects 20% of Americans. And while some tinnitus sufferers can ignore the pesky sound, others are debilitated by the constant noise in their ears. One of the worst things regarding this condition is how much is unknown about tinnitus, yet the profound impact it has on the lives of those who are affected is underestimated.

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 the sound waves and trigger the 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.

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.

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.

While a cure for tinnitus is still being researched, there are a few things that have been known to help tinnitus sufferers. The first is to avoid silence and keep sound around you! Many of the sound therapies currently being used in clinics include introducing a sound to avoid the quiet around you. Sounds can help distract your ears/brain from the tinnitus. Sound machines and apps on your cell phones can be used at night to play a peaceful sound such as ocean waves, rain or white noise.

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.

At Expert Hearing, we can pitch match your tinnitus (determine the pitch and loudness of the ringing through subjective testing) and program your hearing aids to specifically mask out your tinnitus. For patients with hearing loss and tinnitus, hearing aids will not only help them hear better but can also provide relief from tinnitus while exercising the brain with sound to help delay earlier onset cognitive decline. Also note that it is very important to avoid loud noise. This is the biggest known contributor to tinnitus. When loud noises cannot be avoided, such as when you use certain equipment or attend an event, be sure you wear hearing protection. In rare cases, tinnitus can occur in just one ear. It is important to note that persistent tinnitus in one ear should not be ignored and discussed with your Doctor of Audiology or an ENT physician.

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.

Hearing Loss is a Family Condition

By Dr. Cori Palmer, Expert Hearing

“A relationship without communication is just two people.” Unknown

Have you ever told your spouse something important only to be followed by their reply of “huh?” Or do you find yourself repeating almost everything you say? If your family member has hearing loss, it does not only affect him/her but the entire family. Communication is the core of every relationship and hearing loss impedes effective communication.

Studies show that untreated hearing loss can negatively impact our relationships with family and friends and particularly with those closest to us, such as our romantic partners. Even small day-to-day interactions that may seem trivial are the cornerstone of a healthy relationship. Think about common questions such as “how was your day” or “what do you want for dinner?” Hearing loss can stand in the way of these small but important exchanges. When there are breakdowns in these interactions both parties can feel isolated and or even ignored.

When patients first come for an evaluation, my initial goal is to determine how they feel about their hearing as well as their family member’s perspective. Hearing loss often comes with emotions such as denial, stress, anxiety, depression, isolation, and frustration. When I ask the patient if they have difficulty hearing, a common response is to place the blame on their communication partner:

If she would speak up, I would not have a problem hearing her.

He always talks to me from the other room.

In contrast, the partner will report their frustrations of not being heard and constantly having to repeat themselves because their spouse is not listening. Almost always I see frustration in the responses of both parties.

Here are a few tips to help foster better communication:

Speak clearly! Shouting does not help with understanding. In fact, it usually makes it harder.
Get the person’s attention before talking.
Face your partner and certainly be in the SAME room when having a conversation.
If you were not heard, try rephrasing what was said instead of repeating the same phrase repeatedly.

At Expert Hearing, we’ve made it our mission to educate the community on the importance of hearing healthcare. Everyone should include a hearing evaluation as part of their healthcare battery. In addition to the emotional aspects noted in this article, untreated hearing loss can also have an impact on earlier cognitive decline. These links should no longer be ignored!

Our team is here to help! By assisting our patients with their hearing healthcare, we are empowering them with the tools to communicate with their loved ones. Call us to schedule your complimentary evaluation today!

HEARS the Buzz … The Impact of Tinnitus

 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?

Also note that it is very important to avoid loud noise. This is the biggest known contributor to tinnitus. When loud noises cannot be avoided, such as when you use certain equipment or attend an event, be sure you wear hearing protection.

In rare cases, tinnitus can occur in just one ear. It is important to note that persistent tinnitus in one ear should not be ignored and discussed with your Doctor of Audiology or an ENT physician.

What does my BRAIN have to do with my HEARING? The answer is EVERYTHING!

By Dr. Cori Palmer, Expert Hearing

Over the holidays, did you find yourself in a group of people struggling to understand what people were saying? Do you turn the television volume up to hear clearer only to become overwhelmed by sound effects?

While hearing loss is a crucial factor in how you hear, your brain plays the biggest role in understanding speech. The traditional hearing test consisting of “listening to beeps” is not enough to evaluate how you really hear. There is much more involved in the processing and comprehending of speech; therefore, Expert Hearing has introduced state-of-the-art testing used by cutting edge facilities across the nation and unlike any in our area. These tests allow us to take the time to look at the entire hearing system. The results give both Dr. Timna and I a proper picture on how to best treat your hearing problems.

Examples of these tests include the following:

QuickSin testing is used to determine how a patient understands speech in noise. Speech stimuli is presented while the background noise gradually increases to determine the level at which a patient begins to struggle.
Audible Contrast Threshold uses modulated noise signals to determine how much ‘contrast’ a person needs to hear the difference between sounds thus predicting how background noise will interfere with a person’s understanding.
Cognivue testing is used to determine speed of processing.

Expert Hearing’s comprehensive test battery helps us to better determine the patient’s individual listening needs. In understanding the brain’s role in hearing, it is also imperative to consider the role untreated hearing loss has on the brain. Research studies from well-recognized medical entities such as Johns Hopkins, The Lancet Commission have repeatedly documented that untreated hearing loss can lead to increased cognitive decline; up to three to four years earlier. In contrast, treating hearing loss is noted to be the most modifiable factor in slowing cognitive decline. The latest studies show if we treat people with even mild hearing loss aged 45-65, it can be reversable.

An annual audiogram should be part of your yearly evaluations; much like visits to the dentist, optometrist, and general practitioner. Expert Hearing has aimed to create personalized care unlike any other. Using the above noted testing, we can determine each patient’s individual needs. We have paired affordable, personalized care that is accessible and convenient. While we call this concierge hearing healthcare; it does not have to come with a high price tag. What we mean by concierge is that our mission is to provide the best personalized care to all patients in an environment that benefits them and their healthcare the most. This might be in our office or in your home. Our mission as Doctors of Audiology is to help our patients protect their hearing and improve their overall healthcare!

Call today to schedule your complementary comprehensive hearing evaluation.