Yanny vs Laurel (and hearing aids)

Have you heard? Maybe “what do you hear?” is the better question.Everyone is talking about the Yanny vs Laurel controversy. From the same soundbite recording, some people hear the word “Yanny” and some people hear the word “Laurel”.It is a sort of “ambiguity illusion.” Think about those “trick” pictures or optical illusions where you may see an old woman or young woman, two people talking or a chalice, or a duck or a bunny. By using shading, the artist allows two pictures to reside in the same space.Yanny vs Laurel is similar but for our ears. The correct word is “Laurel.” The “trick” was found when a high school student was doing research for their literature class. They looked up the word “Laurel” online and played the pronunciation. They heard “Yanny”. They posted it online and since, everyone has been asking “What do you hear?”

Everyone’s hearing is different and unique

Our ears collect sound, send it to the brain and the brain interprets the sound. Scientists explain that the frequencies people are “tuned into” will impact what they hear. In addition, our brains will fill in gaps to help us figure out what we are hearing.“‘If I cut your ears off and put someone else's on your head, sounds would sound different,’ Howard Nusbaum, a psychologist who studies speech science at the University of Chicago, told Gizmodo. He explained that differently shaped ears focus sounds differently. You might actually hear sounds differently than the person next to you.”Everyone’s life experience, perspective, background and, therefore, their brains are unique. When we combine these unique pieces it is no wonder that the Yanny vs Laurel debate rages on.

Individualized hearing care makes a difference 

So, what does this have to do with hearing aids? With so many unique variables and possible desired outcomes, it re-enforces the need to see a professional about your hearing needs. Only a trained hearing professional will work closely with you to understand why and how you hear the unique way you do (Yanny or Laurel), and ensure you get the solution and care you need to hear the way you want and should.

'I Completely Turned My Back On Music'

The list of aging rock 'n' roll musicians who have damaged their hearing after a long career on stage is growing.

Huey Lewis and the News canceled its 2018 tour last week after Lewis told fans that he "can’t hear music well enough to sing."

Eric Clapton told the BBC this year that he is going deaf.

And in March, Roger Daltrey, the front man of The Who, told concertgoers that he is "very, very deaf," and relies on hearing aids while performing.

But the issue of noise-induced hearing loss is a problem for classical musicians, too.

"I completely turned my back on music," says violist Betty Hauck, who retired from professional music at the age of 65 because she could no longer hear well enough to perform. "I didn't want to have anything to do with music whatsoever. If I couldn't play up to the level I was used to, I wasn't going to do it."

Hauck’s long career included playing at the White House for the Kennedys. She’s played in a string quartet with Yo-Yo Ma, and performed in the Middle East.

But one day, while playing a Bach cantata at the Emmanuel Church in Boston, Hauck says she couldn’t follow along with the music.

"I quit on the spot," she remembers. "I didn’t want to put any of my colleagues in the very awkward position of telling me that it was time to stop playing."

Hauck can't say for sure if it's her career in music that led to her moderate-to-severe hearing loss. But there is a known connection. Researchers say years of exposure to an orchestra can take their toll.

According to one German study, professional musicians were nearly four times more likely to experience noise-induced hearing loss. Another found that nearly 60 percent of classical musicians have damaged hearing.

"It turns out classical music is more damaging than rock 'n' roll," says Marshall Chasin, an audiologist who works with musicians in Toronto.

Because even though the intensity of a rock 'n' roll set might be greater, Chasin says classical musicians are more likely to practice for long hours and teach other musicians, in addition to regular performances. "If you take the dose that they get — the number of hours per week playing — for a classical musician, it’s much, much greater."

“I started grieving. And as a result of that, I discovered the sweetness on the other side.” - Betty Hauck

For Betty Hauck — and for most musicians — the hearing loss was gradual.

And she was not prepared to deal with it.

Hauck practiced with hearing aids for a while, and then used them during performances. But eventually, they weren’t enough. Hauck gave up music. She didn’t touch her beloved viola, which she had owned since 1969.

"I was depressed and I was in denial about what a huge loss it had been," she says. "I had decided I was going to treat my hearing loss as a neutral event, kind of take a Buddhist approach and think it’s neither good nor bad. It’s just something that’s happened to me."

But it wasn’t a neutral event.

It took three difficult years for Hauck to accept the loss of her hearing, her career and the music that had been such a big part of her life.

She began working with an auditory trainer, and meeting other people who had also suffered hearing loss.

"I started grieving," she says. "And as a result of that, I discovered the sweetness on the other side."

Today, at 72, Hauck is playing again. She performs small concerts at churches or at retirement homes for people who struggle to enjoy music after they experienced some kind of hearing loss.

Losing your hearing can make listening to music physically uncomfortable. Any song with more than one instrument can be impossible to make out. So when an audience sits in front of Hauck in a quiet room, as she plays a single viola, there’s a chance they can hear her.

“I may be playing out of tune. I may not be at my peak of playing. I don’t strive for that,” Hauck says. “But I love it when people tell me they haven’t been able to listen to music and enjoy it, and when they hear me play they can. That just gives me such joy.”

Sourece: https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2018/04/17/classical-musicians-hearing-loss (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

Hearing aids are a well-established treatment option for tinnitus

If you’ve done research on tinnitus, you’ve probably discovered that, unfortunately, there is no cure for it. There is, however, assorted therapies and tools to help manage ringing in the ears.One tool is hearing aids. The American Tinnitus Association lists hearing aids as one of just a few tinnitus options, and notes that a survey of hearing healthcare professionals found 60 percent of their patients with tinnitus reported experiencing relief when wearing hearing aids.One reason for their effectiveness is an ability to mask the effects of tinnitus. All new Starkey hearing aids include our proprietary Multiflex Tinnitus Technology, which has been proven to provide tinnitus relief.Contact Chicagoland Hearing Aid Centers today to learn what your options are!

What are the best earplugs for concerts?

How exciting is it when you are standing in a crowd chatting with your friends, waiting in anticipation and then suddenly the venue goes dark, the stage lights come up and you hear the first note of your favorite song?For a music lover, not being able to have this experience — the ability to enjoy listening to live music — is devastating.And why might you not be able to enjoy listening to live music? Because you have hearing loss or tinnitus caused by going to too many concerts without hearing protection!

Spoiler alert — concerts are loud! 

It’s not news to tell you that concerts are loud. The average concert, depending on the venue acoustics and type of music, is about 100 dB A or louder.* The amount of time you can be in an environment that is 100 dB A before it can cause damage to your auditory system is 15 minutes! I don’t know about you, but I’ve never been to a concert that lasts only 15 minutes.That’s why it is very important to protect yourself if you want to enjoy loud music.

Earplugs are the answer 

The most affordable, in-a-pinch solution are disposable foam ear plugs. Nowadays, they are usually available for purchase right at the venue. When inserted correctly, they can be effective at protecting your hearing and, depending on the specific brand, can offer anywhere from a 22 to 32 dB Noise Reduction Rating (NRR).So why do most people still not wear them? Often because they alter the rich sound quality of music. Or, as my now-hard-of-hearing concert-going friends used to say, “But it doesn’t sound as intense with earplugs.”

Noise protection without the sound distortion

Luckily, there’s a solution. The best ear plugs for concerts are called musician plugs. Not because they necessarily provide more protection than disposable foam plugs, but because they provide protection while preserving music fidelity. Musician plugs are custom fit and have filters inside that flatten the frequency response so that music is minimally effected as it goes through the plug into your ear. Starkey Hearing Technologies offers musician plugs with three different filters designed for music: 10 dB, suggested for singers or string music; 17 dB, for acoustic music, jazz, clubs, bars or stadiums; and 26 dB, for rock concerts, heavy metal, or very loud DJ’s.

Pick one or the other – just protect your hearing!

So, in short, for comfort and sound clarity while still protecting your hearing, I recommend musician plugs. You chose the filter based on the music you listen to, or get multiple filters and switch it depending on the type of concert you are attending. The process includes seeing a hearing professional to get an ear impression so that custom devices can be made for you. And yes, they are more expensive than foam plugs.If cost is a concern or you are not interested in going through this process, over-the-counter foam ear plugs will provide adequate protection and they are certainly much better than damaging your hearing — and losing your ability to enjoy future live shows.Taking care of your hearing is important! Call Chicagoland Hearing Aid Centers today to schedule an appointment or to learn more. *The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) defines dB A as a weighted scale that describes the relative loudness of sounds as perceived by the human ear with a correction for frequency.

Why earwax doesn’t worry our hearing aids

Hearing aids are constantly exposed to moisture, wax and other foreign materials. As with any high-tech device, exposure to these harsh environments can understandably degrade and eventually interfere with proper functionality. These issues may be accelerated for hearing aid wearers with more active lifestyles.That’s why almost all hearing aids now feature technology that repels moisture — delaying or avoiding its detrimental effects. This technology is called a “nano coating.”

Our nano coating is modeled after nature

Starkey Hearing Technologies has engineered an invisible, proprietary nano coating called Surface™ Nanoshield. Derived from the lotus plant, which rolls water droplets carrying dirt off its leaves, Surface Nanoshield modifies the surface’s interaction with moisture, sweat, earwax, oils and other fluids, helping to prevent these substances from sticking to or penetrating the hearing aid.Why is this important? While not the most glamourous subject to talk about, your ears are host to numerous fluids such as wax, sweat, dirt and even water, depending on the weather. Having our nano coating on your hearing aids is vital to the life of these important devices.Of course, direct contact with fluids is never recommended for hearing aids — do not shower or swim with your hearing aids. But some contact is unavoidable. Summer months and time spent at the gym may cause your body to sweat. Surface Nanoshield is both hydrophobic (water resistant) and oleophobic (oil repellent), which means it protects your hearing aids from water, sweat and wax seeping into the device.

Rigorously tested for lasting durability 

At Starkey, we test Surface Nanoshield using a salt fog test, which is widely used in the consumer electronic industry. Hearing aids with Surface Nanoshield are placed in a salt fog environment for 48 hours at a temperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit to simulate how they may perform long term in a humid and sweaty environment. This is followed by 48 hours of drying time. Surface Nanoshield consistently withstands this aggressive test, ensuring it will deliver the protection and reliability you need.

Hear Clear earwax protection system 

In addition to Surface Nanoshield, Starkey hearing aids feature an innovative earwax protection system called Hear Clear. Hear Clear uses disposable wax guards that prevent earwax accumulation in the hearing aid receiver.While proper maintenance and cleaning is important to the longevity of your hearing aids, you can feel confident knowing that every Starkey hearing aid comes with the protective technology needed to keep you hearing better all day, every day.Call Chicagoland Hearing Aid Centers to learn more or schedule your first hearing consultation.Photo by Bahram Bayat on Unsplash

Better TV sound for those with hearing loss

You’re watching a movie on your television. It’s a pivotal scene and all you can think is, “What did that person just say?” It's no fun having to reach for the rewind button just to keep up with the plot.Most of us have experienced some sort of audio frustration with our televisions, whether it’s not being able to hear dialogue clearly or feeling overwhelmed by big booms from overly loud special effects. People dealing with hearing loss can have a particularly difficult time and that can sap the enjoyment of watching movies and television shows.According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, over 37 million American adults report some trouble hearing. When it comes to your television, there are ways you can improve the audio experience. Check out these tips for tweaking your TV sound using audio settings and helpful gadgets.

Using closed captioning

Closed captioning is a versatile tool that can help people with extreme hearing loss still follow along with their favorite entertainment programs. Even if you don’t have major hearing loss, it can be useful for when you need to keep the volume down, or when you’re watching international programs where you may have difficulty deciphering accents.

Adjust your TV sound settings

Every television manufacturer offers a slightly different set of audio controls, but you should be able to make some helpful adjustments by exploring your settings. Look for a setting labeled “sound” and see if you can try different audio modes or access expert settings that let you adjust the balance or change the equalizer.You may also find an automatic volume setting, sometimes called a night mode, that keeps sound levels the same even when you switch channels. This can help you avoid sudden changes in volume when you’re channel-surfing. Don’t be afraid to play with your TV’s sound settings. You can always return it to the default audio setup if you prefer.

Upgrade your speakers

The built-in speakers on most televisions can be serviceable, but they probably won’t blow you away with clarity and a full spectrum of sound. A good set of external speakers can make your living room feel more like a theater. You don’t have to go for a full surround-sound experience. A simple soundbar system can transform the way you hear your TV.

Wear wireless headphones

One way to deal with difficulties in hearing your TV speakers is to bring the sound closer to your ears with wireless headphones. Look for headphones that are specially designed for entertainment systems. These use a transmitter on one end to send the sound wirelessly to the headphones.This solution can have the added bonuses of blocking out external sounds and keeping the TV from bothering other people in your household. You can watch movies, shows, or play video games without waking the kids or keeping your spouse up.You can also find specialty headsets that resemble stethoscopes and are geared for people with hearing loss. These are sometimes called TV hearing aids or TV assisted listening devices.

Connect directly to your hearing aids

Some hearing aids allow you to connect your television audio to your hearing devices, but the availability of this option can depend on the brand you use. Check with your hearing-aid manufacturer to see if it offers a media streamer accessory. Essentially, this turns your hearing aids into a convenient wireless headset.Hearing loss doesn’t have to mean losing the enjoyment of your television. You just need to find the combination of settings and tech accessories that lets you experience the full fun of your favorite movies and shows. Contact Chicagoland Hearing Aid Centers today for more advice and to schedule a hearing evaluation today!Source: Komando.com

Is there a link between confusion & hearing loss?

Hearing loss is one of the most common health concerns in the world. An estimated two-thirds of adults over the age of 70 and one-third of adults younger than 60 have hearing loss. Recent research suggests that older adults with hearing loss are more likely to experience symptoms of cognitive decline. A Johns Hopkins study found that cognitive diminishment was 30-40 percent greater in seniors with hearing loss.

Hearing is a partnership between your ears and your brain

When you listen to someone speak, your brain processes the incoming sounds so you can understand and make sense of what you hear. Normally, our brains are great at multi-tasking and doing more than one job at a time. Researchers refer to this as cognitive load. But when hearing loss is left untreated, the incoming signals are not clear, and the brain has to work harder to process them, increasing cognitive load and listening fatigue.With sensorineural or nerve-type hearing loss (the most common type), the auditory nerve or inner ear responsible for sending incoming signals to the brain is impaired and the incoming signal gets garbled. This is why many people with hearing loss will say that they can hear when you’re talking, but they have difficulty understanding what you’re saying.When our brain requires more resources to decode the incoming signals, there are fewer resources available for other brain functions. In other words, if you have untreated hearing loss, your brain is so busy trying to decipher incoming sound that other tasks such as memory and comprehension can suffer.

Hearing aids can help

The good news is that hearing aids can help. Hearing aids are the most common and most effective treatment for sensorineural (nerve) hearing loss. In addition to improving communication, hearing aids can help reduce mental fatigue, decrease feelings of isolation and depression, and improve memory, attention and focus by making hearing easier and less effortful.

Waiting is not worth it

Hearing professionals recognize the significant benefit of treating hearing loss early. It is often referred to as a “use it or lose it” phenomenon. The longer your hearing loss is left untreated, the harder it is for your auditory nerve to send clear incoming signals to your brain, making understanding what you hear more difficult. Generally, the sooner you treat your hearing loss with hearing aids, the better your treatment outcome will be.We'd be happy to talk to you today about your hearing loss. That is what we are hear for! Please call Chicagoland Hearing Aid Centers to book your first hearing evaluation. 

Common signs of hearing loss

Are you experiencing signs of hearing loss?

 

• Asking others to repeat themselves
• Turning up the TV or radio to volume levels others find loud
• Having trouble understanding conversation in noisy places
• Feeling like other people mumble or slur their words
• Having trouble hearing women's and children's voices
• Having trouble hearing on the telephone
• Feeling more irritable or depressed
• Avoiding social situations that were once enjoyable
• Having difficulty following a fast-moving conversation
• Missing important information in meetings
• Being told by others that you have hearing loss

 20 percent of Americans, 48 million, report some degree of hearing loss. It's no uncommon to experience these symptoms. If any of these sound familiar, please don't wait any longer! Chicagoland Hearing Aid Centers is here to help! Contact us here today.

Sisters hear better together!

The relationship between sisters is quite unique. Your sister is your first best friend. Someone who loves you unconditionally and understands you more than anyone else. You go through life together sharing secrets, clothes, advice – and for sisters Kelsey and Nicole (Coley) Novak – hearing loss. Both Kelsey, 26, and Coley, 25, have hearing loss as a result of Morquio syndrome, a rare and progressive genetic condition that affects a person’s bones and spine, organs and growth development. Individuals with Morquio are expected to experience hearing loss within the first 10 years of life.In 1999, when Kelsey was in second grade, and Coley in kindergarten, family members and teachers began noticing their hearing loss. Dependent on reading lips, the sisters would miss instructions for assignments if their back was turned. After completing hearing tests and confirming that amplification was needed, both Kelsey and Coley were fit with their first pair of Behind-the-Ear (BTE) hearing aids.

Finding comfort with Starkey

Over the last 19 years, each sister has had four pairs of hearing aids, three of them from Starkey Hearing Technologies. When asked why they continue to choose Starkey hearing aids, Coley said, “Starkey has been so good to my family and me. They are always willing to work with us and help us with whatever we need. They make us feel like we are all one big family looking out for one another! It is so cool to be a part of something so great!” At Starkey Hearing Technologies’ Hearing Mission on February 3, Kelsey and Coley were fit with SoundLens Synergy iQ Invisible-in-the-Canal (IIC) hearing aids. SoundLens Synergy iQ fits deep inside your ear canal and is personally customized for all-day comfort. And though tiny, these hearing aids come loaded with advanced features that allow for hands-free connectivity.

Making lasting connections 

Throughout the day, the girls met other patients from around the country, hearing their stories and sharing their own. Both girls expressed that connecting with others through shared hearing loss experiences was their favorite part of the day. Additionally, the sisters had the chance to meet some notable Starkey friends and supporters; including U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar; actress and deaf and hard of hearing activist, Marlee Matlin; Pittsburg Steelers wide receiver, Antonio Brown; Minnesota Twins manager, Paul Molitor; and Minnesota Timberwolves center, Cole Aldrich.“We have worked with them for many years. Their smiles and positive attitudes remind me every day why we do what we do here,” shared Starkey Hearing Technologies Hearing Aid Consultant Ray Woodworth, BC-HIS. “Hearing connects people and gives them happiness like I see in them. It’s a privilege to be able to help people like the Novaks.”Known for that same positive attitude in their hometown of New Prague, Minnesota, the Novak sisters have committed many years to volunteering in the school district’s classrooms, completing a variety of tasks such as correcting papers, assisting with technology and, most importantly, helping the students. Teachers in the community say students instantly respect, trust and like the sisters – that they are able to easily connect and create a genuine bond.

Exemplifying sisterhood

“Having hearing aids helps a lot with my daily life. The first thing I do in the morning is put my hearing aids in, and the last thing I do at night is take my hearing aids out,” Kelsey said. “They allow me to hear the students and teachers I am working with, so I know what they need help with.” When asked how having each other at one’s side has affected their hearing journey, the sisters conveyed that they feel lucky to have someone going through the same thing, that they can go to each other with questions.“Just knowing I am not going through this alone has made a huge difference for me. We can talk to each other and understand what each other means even when nobody else understands, Coley shared. “For example, we say, ‘Has your hearing aid talked to you yet?’ as our way of asking if your hearing aid is working, and others get confused,” she continued with a giggle.When it comes to sisterhood, Kelsey and Coley epitomize its significance of sharing special experiences, supporting one another and having a connection like no other. A connection that is only enhanced through better hearing.

Why heart health is a good reason to treat hearing loss

Studies confirm that two-thirds of adults 70 and older have hearing loss. This same age group also risks heart failure, which is the leading cause of hospitalization among older adults in the U.S.

Now, a new research letter has found that 75 percent of adults 70+ with heart failure also have hearing loss. Why is this important to know?

Because to manage heart disease, patients must frequent noisy hospitals and follow numerous instructions from physicians. If they struggle to hear well, their ability to manage their heart disease could be jeopardized.This is just one more reason why audiometric screening and treatment of hearing loss is recommended for older adults.Call us today to set up your first hearing consultation! 

At age 24, I went partially deaf

Sitting at my cluttered desk at an advertising firm in Manhattan, I heard a subtle ringing in my ears. But within seconds, it sounded like a blaring, monotone fire alarm. I flinched, covering both ears with my palms. When I realized no one else noticed the noise, I literally bolted from my office building to catch a cab to the ER.

Doctors took vials of blood, scanned my skull from every angle, and gave me a hearing test. I was pronounced deaf in my left ear — the ringing was my brain's way of attempting to process sounds — but there was no explanation. I hadn't suffered a trauma. I had no trace of a virus or a tumor. I'd never even had an ear infection. I was 24.

Going deaf is surprisingly very loud. Especially in the first few weeks, my ear would pop, crackle, and ring for hours on end, a side effect called tinnitus. New York City, the vibrant place whose hum I loved, went from being the city that never slept to being the city that never shut up. Its loud noises drove me mad — I never knew which side they came from. The ringing eventually died down, but it comes back when I'm in loud places like a subway platform or at a concert.

Before my ear failed me, live music was one of my greatest pleasures, but it became unbearable. Two songs into a concert, my ears would ring sharply, my head would spin, and I'd have to leave. Yoga poses like headstands and tree pose became impossible because they triggered vertigo — a nauseating spinning sensation that happens when you go deaf — so I quit my practice. I became a hermit, dodging questions I couldn't hear and conversations I was too nervous to participate in. At night in my bedroom, I taught myself sign language, preparing for the day the world might become suddenly silent to me. It was a dark time.

But as the months went by, I stopped having emotional meltdowns. And I started to believe my doctors when they said the chance of my right ear's developing sudden-onset hearing loss would be like lightning striking twice. Because my right ear works so hard, I'll become hard of hearing faster than most people do as they age, but hopefully that's a couple of decades away.

I still get mortified asking new people to stand on one side of me and then explaining why they have to, but now I think of it as a great litmus test — the good ones don't make a big deal about my disability. And now I venture into bars to listen to live music. As the electric guitars start up, I reach into my purse and pull out earplugs. I sway to the music like everyone else, grateful to still hear it. Now I see my deafness as one detail that's part of me — and not my whole story.

Could It Happen to You?Sudden-onset hearing loss is random and rare, but loss is common as we age. Do this to protect your ears.

> Turn it down. Using earbuds? Keep music at 60 percent of the max volume. Or try noise-canceling headphones.>> Take breaks. Prolonged exposure to loud noises raises your risk for hearing loss. Duck out of loud areas every 10 minutes or so.>> Try earplugs. Noise-filtering plugs don't muffle sound and do lower the risk from Spinning class or concerts.

This story is similar to many others! Don't delay on helping your hearing health. Contact Chicaogland Hearing Aid Centers today to set up an appointment for a hearing consultation.*Shared from Cosmopolitan.com 

Jean's hearing journey

It took a while to do something about my hearing loss

My family members were constantly pointing out my hearing loss. I think it was just their way of encouraging me to get my hearing tested. But I wasn’t ready. I waited for years, thinking I was getting by just fine. My daughter always seemed to be pointing out that I wasn’t following a conversation. She would also point out if I replied to someone incorrectly.The reminders became more frequent, and I eventually had to admit that I was having difficulty understanding words, especially high-pitched, soft voices. I would nod and agree as if I was following the conversation, but I wasn’t really, and often responded inappropriately. I work as a nanny, and I was always asking the children I care for to repeat themselves. The children would get frustrated when I wasn’t able to hear them. I was also concerned that I couldn’t hear the baby upstairs when she woke up from a nap. She would wake up without me knowing, and I wasn’t able to hear her until she became frustrated and cried.

I wish I wouldn’t have waited so long

I eventually listened to my daughter and had my hearing tested. Turns out she was right all along! I did have hearing loss! A high-frequency hearing loss in both ears that could be helped with hearing aids.It’s been ten years since I started wearing hearing aids. And looking back, I wish I wouldn’t have waited so long. I waited because I was worried that other people would see my hearing aids, but no one even notices! Not even children, and children notice everything! Even when I see my family doctor for routine exams, I often forget I am wearing them, and have to be reminded to take them out so he can look in my ears.

Hearing your best is worth the investment

It was actually my family doctor who referred me to an audiologist to have my hearing checked. The hearing evaluation was quick and easy and the hearing test was covered by my insurance. If you are like I was, and still on the fence about having your hearing tested or wearing hearing aids, I hope you reconsider. You will not regret the decision. Hearing your best is worth the investment.Things in life are so much more enjoyable now that I am not struggling to understand conversations. I recently became a grandmother, and I cannot imagine not being able to hear my granddaughter’s sweet coos. Visiting my son and his family out of state makes the time I do get to spend with them even more precious. I feel so fortunate that I corrected my hearing loss before my granddaughter’s arrival. Now, I don’t miss hearing her babbles and coos.

Buying American is important to me

I have always worn Starkey hearing aids. I was originally fit with Starkey Zons. I wore those hearing aids for seven years. When I began researching hearing aids online, I became interested in Starkey Hearing Technologies because the company is based in Minnesota, which is where I live. I am always mindful of buying local as much as I can. Starkey Hearing Technologies is American owned and operated. It’s important to me to use my money to support a company that provides jobs for thousands of families in the United States.I also love that Starkey Hearing Technologies gives back locally and around the world. Starkey Hearing Technologies has an international charity, Starkey Hearing Foundation, that offers free hearing healthcare to people in need in the U.S. and around the world.

Technology has come so far

I was recently fit with the new Halo hearing aids, and I cannot believe what a difference they make! I thought I was hearing well with my first set of hearing aids. I had no idea new technology could make such a big difference. With my new hearing aids, I can hear even better in busy places; I can follow conversations more easily in restaurants.With my old hearing aids, I would still have some trouble understanding what I heard in noisy places. My family knew to sit very close to me and make sure they got my attention before they began speaking if we were somewhere with a lot of background noise. I often felt tired and frustrated after being somewhere noisy, probably from working so hard to make sure I wasn’t missing anything.

I am thrilled to be hearing better

With my Halos, I can hear the sweet voices of the children I care for more easily. With my first set of hearing aids, it was still a challenge to understand their little voices. My audiologist explained to me that their voices are higher in frequency and that is where my hearing is the worst. My new Halo hearing aids make the children’s voices easier to understand. They seem clearer. It makes me happy that I do not need to ask them to repeat themselves.

I no longer worry about missing anything

It was always hard for me to hear and understand them in a car when I was driving and they were sitting in the backseat. But now I can. I don’t feel as worried about missing something that they say with my new hearing aids. I am so thrilled with my new set of Halo hearing aids. I honestly can’t believe how much better I am hearing. My Halo hearing aids also help me hear soft spoken voices at church meetings. I can also hear my daughter when she speaks to me from another room. I couldn’t do that with my old hearing aids. I am so excited about how well I am hearing with my new Halo hearing aids.Ready to do something about your hearing loss? Click here to contact Chicagoland Hearing Aid Centers today.

Hearing loss affects memory

Dr. Arthur Wingfield, Professor of Neuroscience at Brandeis University, has been studying the relationship between memory and hearing acuity for years. He’s discovered that even if people with untreated hearing loss catch and register speech, their ability to remember the information is compromised.Dr. Wingfield attributes this memory struggle to, in simple terms, the brain’s resources being stretched thin. He notes that people with even mild hearing loss “put in so much effort just to perceive and understand what is being said, that you divert resources away from storing what you have heard into your memory.”Dr. Wingfield recommends adults get their hearing professionally tested each year — and to take it seriously and treat it professionally if hearing loss is found.Thank you Dr. Wingfield for your advice!Be proactive and make annual hearing tests a part of your health routine. Click here to contact Chicagoland Hearing Aid Centers today!

Tech Tips!

If you’ve recently updated to TruLink 4.0, you may have noticed a cool new feature called Noise Manager. This new feature, located in the Personalize section of TruLink (see below), lets you control and personalize noise management settings on-demand.

Here’s how to use Noise Manager:

1. From the TruLink home screen, tap on “Personalize” in the bottom right-hand corner.
2. Tap on “Create Custom Memory” to create a unique memory for the noisy, windy crowded location you’re at.
3. Enter a unique memory name, such as “Fav Loud Diner.”
4. You will now see screen featuring SoundSpace and Noise Manger.
5. Tap on the gray arrow for “Noise Manager.”
6. First, you can adjust the Microphone Direction to help focus where the microphones pick up sound. Simply tap the head in the middle to change from Directional, Dynamic, Adaptive or Omni.
   1. Directional: Amplifies sound from in front of the listener more than from behind
   2. Dynamic: Engages an Omni or Fixed Directional response as needed based on the location of the sound; automatic switching between the two
   3. Adaptive: automatically switches using Acuity Directionality with null steering and Speech ID to protect speech at all angles around the listener for accurate and transparent sound
   4. Omni: picks up sound with equal gain from all sides or directions.
7. Second, tap the right-side large gray arrow to the right of the head icon to head to “Use in Wind” to make listening more comfortable in wind
8. Third, tap the right-side large gray arrow again to move to “Use in Noise.” Adjust this feature to make listening more comfortable in noisy areas.
9. Fourth, tap the right-side large gray arrow again to move to “Use in Crowd,” where you can make listening more comfortable when in background noise.

Call us today if you this doesn't make sense and you want to walk through it! 

Wearing hearing aids can improve relationships

Hearing aid wearers regularly reach out to us to share stories of why they got Starkey hearing aids (Chicagoland Hearing Aid Centers' favorite brand) how wearing them has changed their lives. George G. from Pennsylvania emailed us and said “After being fitted with a pair of Starkey hearing aids, a whole new hearing world opened up.” And Teresa R. from Missouri simply wrote, “Starkey hearing aids gave me back my life.”It’s not a surprise, then, when research and studies back up the good things we hear.One such study, from The National Council on the Aging (NCOA), did just that. In their survey of 2,300 hearing impaired adults age 50 and older, hearing aid users reported “significant improvements in many areas of their lives, ranging from their relationships at home and sense of independence to their social life and their sex life.”If you have hearing loss and are wondering if hearing aids will help, both research and regular people say yes! Maybe Dolores B. from California said it best, “I wished I had gone to the hearing specialist much sooner.”If you’re ready to treat your hearing, we can help. Call Chicagoland Hearing Aid Centers today to set up your first hearing evaluation. 

People usually do what their doctors recommend

Nowadays, we don’t seem to go to a restaurant or pick a movie or choose vacation lodging without first crowdsourcing reviews. What do other people just like us think, we want to know. Do they recommend it?Interestingly, doing something about hearing loss frequently starts only after a form of crowdsourcing: only after your spouse or child or friend or colleague or, usually, all the above suggests, “You know, you might want to get your hearing checked.”But while it might take all of your acquaintances nudging and nagging combined, it only takes one expert — your doctor — to get you to get help for your hearing loss.No doubt movie critics, restaurant critics and travel agents — with their fading leverage and usefulness — are jealous.Come see us today at one of our 23 Chicagoland locations!

5 Reasons to Treat Hearing Loss

So you’ve got a little hearing loss. What’s the big deal, right? It happens to almost all of us as we age.FACT: 37.5 million Americans 18 and older have hearing loss, including one out of every three, 60 and older.You can cope, you’ve decided. You’ll just turn the TV up a little louder. Ask people to speak up or repeat what they said. And hey, the quiet can be kind of nice, to be honest. “Why should I treat it,” you wonder?

Should you treat or ignore your hearing loss?

The decision to treat or ignore hearing loss should not be taken lightly. Why? Because hearing loss plays a significant role in many important issues that impact our quality of life, including five important ones:

1. Mental health
2. Physical health
3. Income and career
4. Personal safety
5. Relationships and social interactions

Before you decide whether to ignore or treat your hearing loss, read what studies, health care experts, and hearing aid wearers themselves have to say about each choice.

Ignore or treat hearing loss — a side-by-side comparison

(1) Mental Health

Ignore hearing lossNumerous studies link hearing loss to issues of mental decline, including increased anxiety and depression, accelerated brain shrinkage, and even dementia. One such study, by Johns Hopkins Medicine, tested volunteers with hearing loss over six years and found their cognitive abilities declined 30-40% faster than peers with normal hearing.Treat hearing lossJohns Hopkins’ researcher, Dr. Frank Lin, thinks that “if you want to address hearing loss well, do it sooner rather than later.” He recommends treating hearing loss before “brain structural changes take place.”A separate study released in 2015 backs him up. In the study, scientists concluded that treating hearing loss by wearing hearing aids reduces the risk of cognitive decline associated with hearing loss.FACT: Untreated hearing loss may result in serious long-term consequences to healthy brain functioning.

(2) Physical Health

Ignore hearing lossThe National Council on Aging notes that “falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans.” While no one knows how many falls are linked to hearing loss each year, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have found that people with hearing loss are three times more likely to fall than those without hearing loss.It’s thought that hearing loss may detract from environmental awareness, which increases the likelihood of tripping and falling.Treat hearing lossRecently, a study by the Washington University School of Medicine found that improving hearing through hearing aids appears to “improve balance in older adults with hearing loss” and helps reduce the risk of falls. Researchers credited the results to both increased alertness and improved balance.

(3) Income and Career

Ignore hearing lossA study by the Better Hearing Institute quantified the impact of untreated hearing loss on the job. The study found that people with untreated hearing loss can see an income hit of up to $30,000 annually, and were nearly twice as likely to be unemployed as peers who wore hearing aids.QUOTE: “Hearing loss was affecting my presentations and ability to service clients.” Chris T., Pennsylvania  Treat hearing lossThat same study found that people who use hearing aids reduced the risk of income loss by 90 to 100 percent. It also reported that most hearing aid users in the workforce said wearing hearing aids has helped their performance on the job.QUOTE: “Listening is SO important in my work, and I can now work better, more efficiently and more effectively because of my hearing aids.” Marty C., New York  

(4) Personal Safety

Ignore hearing lossStudies aren’t needed to know that missed or misheard signals like car horns, alarms and other warning alerts can jeopardize a person’s safety. And it doesn’t always have to be one’s own. Adults caring for infants and young children need to know when their charge is crying or in distress. Treat hearing lossTreating hearing loss with hearing aids enhances your awareness of your surroundings and can help ensure you hear every smoke detector, bike bell, emergency alert or distress call.

(5) Relationships and social interactions

Ignore hearing lossMore than anything, untreated hearing loss can lead to social isolation, as the challenges of listening and feelings of “missing out” often cause people to withdraw from the friends, family and activities that bring them joy.This, alone, is significant, as social isolation is closely linked to numerous quality-of-life issues, including depression, illness, exhaustion and even shorter life spans.⁹Treat hearing lossTreating hearing loss with hearing aids enables you to hear, participate, and ensure you don’t miss out on the people and activities that make you happy. It’s as simple as that.QUOTE: “I’m so glad I got hearing aids. It has truly been life changing!” Lesley P., CaliforniaReady to treat your hearing loss and take control over your quality of life? Contact Chicagoland Hearing Aid Centers today! We can't wait to help you change your life.

City of Chicago Locations!

Chicagoland Hearing Aid Centers is the area's leading Hearing Aid Provider & Hearing Aid Center with over 23 locations in Chicagoland to chose from, including four within the city limits!These locations are in the Lincoln Park, Hyde Park, O'Hare and the South Loop neighborhoods and are all conveniently located just for you!We are committed to helping people enjoy life to the fullest by giving back the gift of hearing.Contact us today to set up an appointment in one of our Chicago locations! We look forward to hearing from you!Lincoln ParkHyde ParkO'HareSouth Loop

10 Tips to Get More Out of Your Hearing Aid Batteries!

Hearing aids are getting more and more advanced. With all the extra processing power and new features in today’s hearing aids, you can typically get 3-10 days off a single battery. Why is the life of a hearing aid battery so unpredictable, where one battery may last a week, and another just two or three days? Much depends on your amount of hearing aid use, streaming, and how you care for your hearing aids.Still, there are steps you can take to maximize the life of your batteries and optimize the performance of your hearing aids.

Here are 10 tips to get the most out of your hearing aid battery:

1. Let the battery "breathe" for 3-5 minutes. After removing the tab from the battery, let the battery sit for 3-5 minutes before installing it in your hearing aid. This "activation" time allows air to reach the materials inside the battery and activate them.2. Wash your hands throughly before changing batteries. Grease and dirt on the batteries may damage the hearing aid. Also, grease and dirt can clog up the air pores in the battery.3. Open the battery door at night. When you're not wearing your hearing aid, turn it off or open the battery door to minimize battery drain. Leave the battery compartment of  your hearing device open at night so moisture can escape. Doing so will keep the battery from corroding and damaging the hearing aid.4. Use a hearing aid dehumidifier. A hearing aid dehumidifier will help absorb moisture out of your hearing aid and battery. This will allow the battery power to be used more efficiently. The dehumidifier is also a great place to store your hearing aids.5. Remove the batteries entirely if you won't be using the device for an extended period of time. This also helps to avoid corrosion and damage from trapped moisture.6. Check the expiration date on the batteries. The further out the batteries are, the fresher they are. Over time, batteries will drain slightly while sitting on the shelf. Ideally, you should buy batteries that have an expiration date a year or further from your purchase date.7. Use the oldest pack of batteries first. The newest packs will have the furthest expiration date than your older packs of batteries. You want to ensure that you use the oldest batteries first, so that you are getting the most life out of them.8. Keep the stickers on the battery. The sticker tab on the battery keeps the battery "fresh." As soon as the sticker is removed, the battery is activated and starts draining. You want to make sure you don't peel the sticker tab off until you need to use that battery.9. Keep the batteries in a cool dry place. Storing new, unused batteries in extreme temperatures can cause the battery to drain/have a shorter life.10. Invest in a rechargeable battery hearing device. Rechargeable hearing aids and batteries  —  like our Muse iQ rechargeable hearing aids  —  are starting to come out into the market. Rechargeable batteries allow you to charge the battery at night and get a full day's worth of use. Rechargeable batteries need to be replaced on a yearly basis.For even more tips on making your hearing aid batteries last longer, call us today!

The World is Filled with People who are Faking they can Hear!

Today’s hearing fact isn’t that surprising when you think about it. Most hearing loss is subtle and gradual, worsening in parallel to our aging.Plus, “getting by” with a little hearing loss is a lot easier than, say, vision impairment. Take driving, for example. Or reading.Finally, let’s be honest: fixing bad eyesight with glasses carries no stigma, whereas wearing hearing aids to hear better might — though it’s definitely waning.

Is waiting worth it? 

The question we need to ask ourselves though is, “is waiting (or ‘getting by’) worth it?” Is putting off getting help for hearing worth the hit it takes on our quality of life? Is stubbornness worth missing our favorite sounds (insert yours here), lessening our love for music or movies, or isolating us from the people and activities we enjoy most?It's not! Chicagoland Hearing Aid Centers wants to help you on your hearing journey. We can't wait to hear from you!