Are you like many people who want to sweep the hearing issue under the rug and believe that their hearing loss does not affect their job performance? Well listen up. Untreated hearing loss has a big influence on household income, unemployment and career aspiration. With unemployment sky rocketing in the US it is important to deal with issues that could be holding you back from reaching your full potential. Hearing loss can not only affect the ability to communicate effectively but it can also affect self esteem, self confidence and overall mental health. Untreated hearing loss has been proven to cause depression, anxiety and stress.
One study of household income by Sergei Kochkin, Ph.D. (2005) showed "for America’s 24 million hearing impaired who do not use hearing instruments, the impact of untreated hearing loss is quantified to be in excess of $100 billion annually." Those subjects in this study who wore hearing devices proved that the effects of hearing loss could be mitigated by at least 50% thereby proving that hearing loss does not have to dictate earning potential. This study is available online at the Better Hearing Institutes's website http://www.betterhearing.org/ or Click Here for the direct link.
A survey in the UK showed four times the unemployment rate for hard of hearing workers vs normal hearing workers. Those surveyed stated that communication and telephone usage were both problematic in finding or maintaining work. Most disturbing of all the facts is that the likelihood of unemployment among hard of hearing and deaf workers has doubled compared to surveys done four years earlier. This article is available online at http://www.hearit.org/ or Click here for the direct link.
Another survey worth looking at is "Baby Boomer Hearing Loss Study." This was conducted by Clarity and the Ear Foundation (2006) and further supports the fact that hearing loss can affect communication with co-workers and on the phone at work (including cell phones). This survey can be viewed at http://www.clarityproducts.com/ or Click Here for a direct link.
This is just a small peek at the data that is available providing evidence that hearing loss can hinder career aspirations, earning potential and general satisfaction at work. Hearing loss is one of the most common health concerns in the US and is said to be the number one disability in the world. But it is treatable and doesn't have to hold you back from who you want to be.
Call an audiologist today. [Visit http://www.audiologist.org/ for a list of Doctors of Audiology in your area] Have your ears checked and take part in a demo of the latest hearing devices. Take the first step to a better life by including better hearing for life in your list of life goals. And take the journey to open your world up to the bigger world of sounds, people and living.
This blog posted by Suzanne Yoder, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology and owner of HearWell Center. Please visit our website for more information http://www.hearwellcenter.com/
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
Genes and Hearing Loss
I have been communicating to my patients that there are many reasons our hearing can degrade and often it is hard to determine exactly why hearing loss has occured. In most situations patients have a number of factors that can contribute to hearing loss including noise exposure, medications that are ototoxic (you won't find that information on the label), certain illnesses or diseases and genetic predisposition. Genetic predisposition means that your body is programmed (genetically) to do something at a a certain time. Lossing your hearing is one of those programmed responses.
I learned about this during my many years in college (8 years by the time I finished my doctorate) but today when I browsed the internet I learned even more about genetic predisposition to hearing loss. I want to share an exciting article with my readers. Please go to Las Angeles Times and read the article "Gene influencing age-related hearing loss" and learn about an amazing discovery that will help us understand genes and hearing loss even more.
Also, while surfing the internet... check out the best careers in 2009 (Audiology made the list).
http://www.usnews.com/articles/business/best-careers/2008/12/11/best-careers-2009-audiologist.html
This blog posted by Suzanne Yoder, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology and owner of HearWell Center. Please visit our website for more information http://www.hearwellcenter.com/
I learned about this during my many years in college (8 years by the time I finished my doctorate) but today when I browsed the internet I learned even more about genetic predisposition to hearing loss. I want to share an exciting article with my readers. Please go to Las Angeles Times and read the article "Gene influencing age-related hearing loss" and learn about an amazing discovery that will help us understand genes and hearing loss even more.
Also, while surfing the internet... check out the best careers in 2009 (Audiology made the list).
http://www.usnews.com/articles/business/best-careers/2008/12/11/best-careers-2009-audiologist.html
This blog posted by Suzanne Yoder, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology and owner of HearWell Center. Please visit our website for more information http://www.hearwellcenter.com/
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Loops & Looping for the Hard of Hearing
What does “loop” mean to you? You are about to learn a new definition for the word “loop” as it applies to the world of hearing loss accommodation.
Loop – a wire that acts as a conductor of sound. Used to aid the hearing impaired listener by transmitting the sound signal from the speaker to the hearing aid through electromagnetic energy received by the t-coil in the hearing instrument and converted into sound.
Audiologists who are familiar with Loops and Looping know that Loops can make a significant impact on the hearing impaired individual’s ability to hear in certain circumstances. Sometimes a hearing aid is not enough to help a hearing impaired person hear. This can be especially true if the sound is far away. For example… hearing the minister in the front of the church; hearing a movie or live presentation on stage; or hearing the television from across the room. Although with hearing aids the sounds may be audible they may not always be clear. Distance and reverberation can affect the quality of the sound as it travels to the hearing aid. A loop will bring the sound directly to the ear with little or no interference. Loops are just one of many ways to transmit sounds. I like loops because they are so versatile, require very little extra equipment and can be used with any hearing aid that has a telecoil function built in, which is most all hearing aids manufacturered today. [Not sure if your hearing aid has a telecoil? Ask your audiologist. Sometimes telecoils can be added].
FAQ about Loops:
Where are loops found? Loops are in churches, lecture halls, theaters, homes and more.
Can you find a loop in the store? Loops are not sold in your average department store. They are a specialty device made for hearing impaired listeners. You can purchase loops at an audiologist’s office or clinics that help the hard of hearing. You may also be able to find a loop online. But I cannot emphasize enough the importance of professional guidance in the selection and use of hearing devices for the hard of hearing. Additionally, audiologist's offices may have loaner devices that you can try before you buy.
What does a loop look like? Loops are made in many different sizes. You can wear a small loop around your neck like a necklace. You can use a loop built into a mat for under your chair cushion. Or you could run a loop around the floor boards or under the carpet of an entire room.
What are they made of? Loops are made of wire or speaker cable. They are attached to an amp of some sort. To determine the best loop system for you I recommend consulting with an audiologist if for your personal use or a team of sound engineers and audiologists if for commerical use.
Can you make your own loops? Yes you can. I encourage you to do some research on line to find out more about making your own loops.
Are loops common? Unfortunately many public venues in the US are not looped. It is a common practice to loop theaters and churches in Europe. But this has not caught on in the United States. If you would like a venue looped I encourage you to talk to the venue. You can also contact advocates for people with hearing loss. And speak with your audiologist.
Check these advocacy sites:
ODHH – Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing [check with your state]
Do you know of any venues in your neighborhood that are looped? Please share comments at info@hearwellcenter.com.
Loop – a wire that acts as a conductor of sound. Used to aid the hearing impaired listener by transmitting the sound signal from the speaker to the hearing aid through electromagnetic energy received by the t-coil in the hearing instrument and converted into sound.
Audiologists who are familiar with Loops and Looping know that Loops can make a significant impact on the hearing impaired individual’s ability to hear in certain circumstances. Sometimes a hearing aid is not enough to help a hearing impaired person hear. This can be especially true if the sound is far away. For example… hearing the minister in the front of the church; hearing a movie or live presentation on stage; or hearing the television from across the room. Although with hearing aids the sounds may be audible they may not always be clear. Distance and reverberation can affect the quality of the sound as it travels to the hearing aid. A loop will bring the sound directly to the ear with little or no interference. Loops are just one of many ways to transmit sounds. I like loops because they are so versatile, require very little extra equipment and can be used with any hearing aid that has a telecoil function built in, which is most all hearing aids manufacturered today. [Not sure if your hearing aid has a telecoil? Ask your audiologist. Sometimes telecoils can be added].
FAQ about Loops:
Where are loops found? Loops are in churches, lecture halls, theaters, homes and more.
Can you find a loop in the store? Loops are not sold in your average department store. They are a specialty device made for hearing impaired listeners. You can purchase loops at an audiologist’s office or clinics that help the hard of hearing. You may also be able to find a loop online. But I cannot emphasize enough the importance of professional guidance in the selection and use of hearing devices for the hard of hearing. Additionally, audiologist's offices may have loaner devices that you can try before you buy.
What does a loop look like? Loops are made in many different sizes. You can wear a small loop around your neck like a necklace. You can use a loop built into a mat for under your chair cushion. Or you could run a loop around the floor boards or under the carpet of an entire room.
What are they made of? Loops are made of wire or speaker cable. They are attached to an amp of some sort. To determine the best loop system for you I recommend consulting with an audiologist if for your personal use or a team of sound engineers and audiologists if for commerical use.
Can you make your own loops? Yes you can. I encourage you to do some research on line to find out more about making your own loops.
Are loops common? Unfortunately many public venues in the US are not looped. It is a common practice to loop theaters and churches in Europe. But this has not caught on in the United States. If you would like a venue looped I encourage you to talk to the venue. You can also contact advocates for people with hearing loss. And speak with your audiologist.
Check these advocacy sites:
ODHH – Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing [check with your state]
--> in PA visit http://www.dli.state.pa.us/landi/cwp/view.asp?a=128&q=246284
Alexander Graham Bell Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing http://www.agbell.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?linkid=1
Hearing Loss Association of America http://www.hearingloss.org/
And these websites for additional information
http://www.hearingloop.org/
http://www.loopamerica.com/
Alexander Graham Bell Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing http://www.agbell.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?linkid=1
Hearing Loss Association of America http://www.hearingloss.org/
And these websites for additional information
http://www.hearingloop.org/
http://www.loopamerica.com/
Do you know of any venues in your neighborhood that are looped? Please share comments at info@hearwellcenter.com.
This blog posted by Suzanne Yoder, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology and owner of HearWell Center. Please visit our website for more information http://www.hearwellcenter.com/
Monday, January 5, 2009
Happy New Year!
My Wish for 2009... the best of times; the healthiest of days; the happiest of moments and Better Hearing for Life!
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