Desert Hearing Care – Hearing News

Nearly one in five Americans has significant hearing loss, far more than previously estimated, a first-ever national analysis finds.

That means more than 48 million people across the United States have impairments so severe that it’s impossible for them to make out what a companion is saying over the din of a crowded restaurant, said Dr. Frank Lin, author of a new study published in the latest issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

“It’s pretty jaw-dropping how big it is,” said Lin, an assistant professor of otolaryngology and epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

Previous estimates had pegged the number affected by hearing loss at between 21 million and 29 million.

Lin and other researchers were surprised at the magnitude of the problem, but the significance of the findings goes beyond the “wow” factor, he said.

That’s because other studies have shown that hearing decline is often accompanied by losses in cognition and memory. Further, Lin said, some studies have associated hearing loss with a greater risk of dementia.

Lin’s study is the first to look at the hearing loss in a national sample of Americans aged 12 and older who have actually had their hearing tested. Earlier studies were smaller or depended on people’s self-reports of hearing loss.

For the new study, Lin and his colleagues analyzed data collected as part of the National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys (NHANES), a research program that has periodically gathered information from thousands of Americans since 1971.

Using the World Health Organization’s definition for hearing loss as not being able to hear sounds of 25 decibels or less in the frequencies for speaking, the researchers found that about 30 million Americans, or nearly 13 percent of the population, had hearing loss in both ears.

That number jumped to about 48 million, or more than 20 percent of the population, by adding people with loss in just one ear.

Many people begin to lose their hearing in their 50s, Lin said. And the process is so gradual that they barely notice. That’s one of the reasons earlier studies found lower numbers of people with hearing loss, Lin said.

“Young people will come in with hearing loss from an infection and they feel so impaired that they can’t do their jobs,” Lin said. “But a lot of times, their hearing loss isn’t as bad as what we see in someone in their 60s who has learned to live with it.”

Because of the association with memory problems, loss of cognition and dementia, Lin would like to see more middle-aged people and seniors getting tested — and treated — for hearing loss. Now, the problem is often ignored, he said.

“If a 10-year-old has mild-to-moderate hearing loss, universally clinicians, insurers, and society say we’ve got to treat it,” Lin said. “But if you have the same hearing loss in someone who is 60, universally you get a shrug. That person still has to go to board meetings and hear people over dinner. But we don’t think it’s important for him to get treated.”

Article by: Linda Carroll – msnbc.com

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Residents of the East Valley may soon be hearing a lot less of some familiar expressions at social gatherings, noisy restaurants or business meetings: “Pardon me?” “Can you repeat that?” “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear what you said.”
Mr. Gene Erickson of Desert Hearing Care recently attended a professional conference in Los Angeles that introduced a new hearing device that is specifically designed to address the needs and preferences of people new to hearing instruments. Results of a recently released international study conducted at two universities, Towson University in Maryland and The Hörzentrum in Oldenburg, Germany, show that new Oticon Intiga triggers immediate acceptance by people new to hearing instruments.
“This challenges the commonly held myth that it takes time to get used to hearing aids,” says Mr. Erickson. “With Intiga, I am finding people who were reluctant to try hearing aids not only accepting their new hearing solutions immediately but also seeing themselves as long term users of amplification.”
Mr. Erickson is one of the first hearing care practitioners in the US to offer Oticon Intiga. “Intiga delivers immediate and obvious benefits to first time users,” says Mr. Erickson. “Intiga’s advanced technology combined with its sleek ergonomic design and miniature size can motivate people with hearing loss to take action now to improve their quality of life.”
In addition to quality of life benefits, Intiga also appeals to the almost universal desire for a hearing instrument with discreet size and style. Intiga’s small, sleek ergonomic design hides easily behind the ear and is comfortable to wear throughout the day. The fully automatic technology also means there are no buttons to adjust.
Wireless connectivity allows Intiga to connect wirelessly to cell phones, becoming a virtual hands-free headset. With addition of the Oticon ConnectLine system, audio from televisions and landline phones can be streamed directly to the hearing instruments. The discreet ConnectLine clip-on microphone can be used with Intiga to enhance a user’s ability to engage in one-on-one conversations in difficult listening environments.
Intiga is available in 13 colors ranging from subtle shades that blend to complement natural skin and hair tones to more vibrant contemporary colors including terracotta, vivid lilac and natural henna.
“I always encourage people to consider a trial of new hearing instruments,” adds Mr. Erickson. “The international study provides an added incentive to make that trial with new Intiga.”
For more information about new Intiga and hearing health, contact Mr. Erickson at (480) 985-2544 or visit www.deserthearingcare.com.

New York — After attending the Starkey Hearing Foundation’s “So the World May Hear” awards gala on July 24, 2011, Whoopi Goldberg later revealed to the National Enquirer that she is another Baby Boomer celebrity who wears hearing aids.
Goldberg was at the event to present an award to Marlee Matlin for raising more than a million dollars for the Starkey Foundation through Matlin competing and placing second on The Celebrity Apprentice.
After the event, Goldberg told the Enquirer that she was not only a supporter of the Foundation’s charitable efforts, but also that she suffered from low frequency hearing loss and wears Starkey hearing aids, hidden by her trademark dreadlocks, in both ears.
In the exclusive interview, Goldberg said that she attributes her hearing loss to years of listening to music using headphones at high sound volume.
SOURCE: The National Enquirer

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FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS IN PUBLIC SERVICE, BILL AUSTIN, FOUNDER, STARKEY HEARING FOUNDATION HONORED WITH 2011 JEFFERSON AWARDS

39th annual “Nobel Prize” for public service awards presented to public figures, companies, athletes, students and community volunteers at Washington, D.C., and New York City ceremonies

Washington, D.C., June 30, 2011 – Bill Austin, CEO of Starkey Laboratories and Founder of the Starkey Hearing Foundation was among 18 Americans recently honored for their extraordinary, selfless contributions to the community as recipients of the nation’s highest honor for public service – the 2011 Jefferson Awards.

Known as the “Nobel Prize” for public service, the 39th annual awards were be presented in ceremonies over two days – at a special gala ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday evening, June 21, followed the next day by a noon luncheon in New York City. Bill Austin was presented with the 2011 Jefferson Award for Outstanding Service by an Entrepreneur for his decades of work bringing the gift of hearing to those in need through the Starkey Hearing Foundation. (Pictured: Marlo Thomas and Bill Austin, Founder, the Starkey Hearing Foundation, recipients of the 2011 Jefferson Awards.) 

In addition to Austin, fellow honorees included actress Marlo Thomas; Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bulls owner Jerry M. Reinsdorf; U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg; and former Atlanta Falcons running back Warrick, as well as unsung community-based volunteers, companies that represent the pinnacle in corporate citizenship and students that best reflect the Jeffersonian ideals of citizen involvement. “Our nation’s greatness is derived in large measure from its goodness – from the countless noble Americans whose commitment to helping others embodies the founding ideals of our democracy,” said Sam Beard, co-founder and president of the Jefferson Awards for Public Service. “The Jefferson Awards serve to celebrate those among us – some famous, though most anonymous – whose selflessness, altruism and generosity of spirit represent the best of America. Their tireless work not only improves lives within their communities, but serves to dignify our nation as a whole. We owe them our thanks and offer these congratulations.”

“With Albert Schweitzer as my boyhood role model, it has always been my mission to help improve the lives of others in a truly meaningful way,” said Bill Austin. “The Starkey Hearing Foundation’s mission is to bring the gift of hearing to those in need that they may be able to realize their full potential. To that end, we do all that we can to help make a difference in a person’s quality of life by opening them up to a new world of sound that allows them to feel more connected to their family, their community and to the world at large.”

After building a successful hearing aid business with Starkey Laboratories, which has since become the largest provider of in-the-ear hearing aids in the world, Austin decided in 1977 to expand the work of his existing foundation to reach more disadvantaged children and adults both within the US and abroad. Today he dedicates his time along with the Starkey Hearing Foundation team to traveling around the country and the world most of the year on hearing missions distributing state-of-the-art hearing aids to those in need. Since 2000, the Foundation has fitted more than 500,000 hearings aids, and has set a new goal of distributing 1,000,000 hearing devices by the end of this decade.

According to the Starkey Hearing Foundation, hearing loss is pervasive – affecting 34 million Americans – or one in 10. Yet, with the help of a hearing device, hearing loss can often be corrected in a majority cases, giving an individual the opportunity to better connect with their family, the community and the world around them.

About The Starkey Hearing Foundation

The Starkey Hearing Foundation is striving to change the social consciousness of hearing and hearing loss prevention. Hearing loss affects one in 10 Americans, and 70 million children worldwide, yet many do not have access to the hearing devices that can help correct that disability. The Foundation now delivers approximately 100,000 hearing aids annually through hearing missions in countries stretching from the U.S. to Vietnam. Since 2000, the Foundation has supplied more than 500,000 hearing aids to people in need and is striving to achieve its goal of distributing over one million free hearing aids in this decade. In addition to giving the gift of hearing, the Foundation also works diligently to promote ‘safe hearing’ through two unique programs – the recently launched Listen Carefully campaign, aimed at preventing hearing loss among teens and young people; and the Sound Matters™ program, which with the help of partners such as Best Buy, the GRAMMY Foundation and others within the music and entertainment industry, seeks to raise social awareness of healthy hearing, prevention of hearing damage, and regular hearing check-ups. For more information on the Starkey Hearing Foundation, visit www.starkeyhearingfoundation.org.

About the Jefferson Awards for Public Service

The Jefferson Awards was co-founded in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, U.S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr. and Sam Beard, as the ‘Nobel Prize’ for public service. Named for one of America’s most influential Founding Fathers, and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, the Jefferson Awards’ central tenet is that each and every citizen shares a responsibility to work towards the betterment of their communities through economic participation, public service, volunteerism, and other such efforts to improve life for all. Today, the mission of the Jefferson Awards is to recognize, inspire and activate volunteerism and public service in communities, workplaces and schools across America. As President J.F. Kennedy once said, “One person can make a difference and every person should try” and to date, over fifty thousand individuals of all ages have been recognized by the Jefferson Awards for their efforts to make the world around them a better place. For more information on The Jefferson Awards, visit www.JeffersonAwards.org

If you suspect yourself or someone you know is experiencing hearing loss, call Desert Hearing Care at (480) 985-2544 or schedule your free consultation online here

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REQUEST DESERT HEARING CARE’S FREE SPECIAL REPORT “HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT HEARING CARE PROFESSIONAL” BY CLICKING HERE!

Washington, DC, June 24, 2011 — The Better Hearing Institute (BHI) is urging people to pack earplugs when heading out to this year’s 4th of July celebrations and is urging them to exercise safety whenever around fireworks. The single bang of a firecracker at close range can permanently damage hearing in an instant. But by following some simple precautions, people can enjoy the 4th of July festivities and still protect their hearing.

“The best advice I can offer is to leave the fireworks to the professionals and sit at a comfortable distance from the display, where you can enjoy the colors and lights, but not expose yourself and your family to loud noises,” says Sergei Kochkin, PhD, BHI’s executive director. “To protect your hearing, make sure you’re wearing ear plugs and that they’re securely in place before the show begins. And be sure to keep them in for the entire show.”

Disposable ear plugs, made of foam or silicone, are typically available at local pharmacies. They’re practical because you still can hear music and the conversation of those around you when you have them in your ears. But when they fit snuggly, they’re effective in adequately blocking out dangerously loud sounds.

Noise is one of the most common causes of hearing loss. Ten million Americans have already suffered irreversible hearing damage from noise; and 30 million are exposed to dangerous noise levels each day.

According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, consumption of fireworks in the United States has risen dramatically over the past decade, from 152.2 million pounds in 2000 to 213.9 million pounds in 2009. As more and more Americans come into contact with fireworks, it becomes increasingly important that people follow sound safety measures, including the use of ear protection.

The Dangers and Signs of Loud Noise

Loudness is measured in decibels, with silence measuring at 0 dB. Any noise above 85 dB is considered unsafe. Most firecrackers produce sounds starting at 125 dB–presenting the risk of irreversible ear damage. Repeated exposure to loud noise, over an extended period of time, presents serious risks to hearing health as well. If you have to shout over the noise to be heard by someone within arm’s length, the noise is probably in the dangerous range. Here are other warning signs:
• You have pain in your ears after leaving a noisy area.
• You hear ringing or buzzing (tinnitus) in your ears immediately after exposure to noise.
• You suddenly have difficulty understanding speech after exposure to noise; you can hear people talking but can’t understand them.

Anyone can take the first step to addressing hearing loss by taking a simple, interactive screening test in the privacy of their own home by going to www.hearingcheck.org.

“Prevention is so critical to preserving our hearing, especially for children who are at highest risk for noise-induced hearing loss,” adds Kochkin. “So make sure your family and friends fully enjoy the holiday festivities and celebrate smart. Leave the fireworks to the professionals. Stay a safe distance away. And pack the earplugs. Remember: close to 40 percent of hearing loss is preventable with proper protection.”

Protecting Our Hearing

We hear sound when delicate hair cells in our inner ear vibrate, creating nerve signals that the brain understands as sound. But just as we can overload an electrical circuit, we also can overload these vibrating hair cells. Loud noise damages these delicate hair cells, resulting in sensorineural hearing loss and often tinnitus (ringing of the ears). The cells that are the first to be damaged or die are those that vibrate most quickly–those that allow us to hear higher-frequency sounds clearly, like the sounds of birds singing and children speaking.

The best way to protect hearing is to avoid excessively loud noise. When you know you’ll be exposed to loud noises, like fireworks, wear ear protection. Every day you can protect your hearing by keeping down the volume on earbuds, stereos, and televisions. And you can teach children to quickly plug their ears with their fingers when they’re suddenly and unexpectedly bombarded by loud sirens, jack hammers, and other loud sounds.

Kochkin warns that people should not personally use firecrackers to celebrate the 4th of July, since one explosion in close proximity could cause permanent hearing loss, not to mention bodily harm. There is a reason why fireworks are illegal in many states, and that is because of their inherent danger.

If you suspect yourself or someone you know is experiencing hearing loss,

Call Desert Hearing Care at (480) 985-2544 or schedule your free consultation online here

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Gene Erickson of Desert Hearing Care is seeking outstanding individuals from the East Valley with any degree of hearing loss for a national awards program that honors people with hearing loss who make a difference in their schools, communities, or the world. The 2011 Oticon Focus on People Awards, now in its fourteenth year, is designed to help eliminate outdated and hurtful stereotypes that discourage people from seeking professional help for their hearing loss. For Mr. Erickson, the program is an excellent way to demonstrate that hearing loss does not limit a person’s ability to achieve, contribute, and excel.

Mr. Erickson encourages anyone who knows of an outstanding person with hearing loss to contact him at Desert Hearing Care, (480) 985-2544, or via his website at www.deserthearingcare.com.

“There is no ‘typical’ winner for this program, and people with any degrees of hearing loss are eligible,” says Mr. Erickson. “Past winners have included teachers, business people, dancers, graphic artists, social workers, high achieving students, and dedicated volunteers with a range of hearing loss from mild to more severe.”

The Oticon Focus on People program offers awards in several categories: Student – for young people with hearing loss, ages 6 – 21 who are full time students; Adult – for adults with hearing loss, ages 21 and above; and Advocacy – for adults ages 21 and above with hearing loss who actively volunteer their time in advocacy or support efforts for the hard-of-hearing and deaf community. A special category: Practitioner – recognizes hearing care professionals in general practice, school, and clinical settings who go “above and beyond.” Nominees in this category are not required to have a hearing loss to qualify. This year, for the first time, the public will be invited to vote online for one of the three finalists in each category who they believe best represents the spirit of the Awards program. First place winners in Student, Adult and Advocacy categories receive a $1,000 prize, a $1,000 gift to the charity of their choice and a set of Oticon advanced technology hearing instruments. Second place winners in each category will receive a $500 award and third-place winners will receive $250.

Deadline for nominations is July 27,2011.

Are you or a loved one experiencing difficulty hearing? Call Desert Hearing Care at (480) 985-2544 or schedule your free consultation online here

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REQUEST DESERT HEARING CARE’S FREE SPECIAL REPORT “HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT HEARING CARE PROFESSIONAL” BY CLICKING HERE!

Here are some issues you should keep in mind as you develop appropriate expectations about what your hearing instruments can and cannot do for you:

•Restore hearing. No matter how technically advanced, in most cases hearing devices cannot restore your hearing to normal, except in some very mild hearing losses.

•Types of hearing instruments. Not all hearing devices perform the same with every type of hearing loss.

•Hearing in noise. No hearing device has been designed that will filter out all background noise. Some hearing devices can reduce amplification of some types of background noise or make you more comfortable in the presence of noise. The most effective solution for improving speech intelligibility in noisy situations is hearing instruments with directional microphones. When directional hearing instruments are coupled with digital signal processing, you can be assured that your hearing devicess are optimized for improving your quality of life in noisy environments.

•Fit and comfort. Since you are purchasing custom hearing devices, you should expect the fit to be comfortable; ideally you should not even know they are in your ears. There should not be any soreness, bleeding, or rashes associated with your wearing hearing devices. If there is go back to your hearing healthcare provider.

•Sounds. Hearing devices should allow you to: (1) hear soft sounds (e.g. child’s voice, soft speech) that you could not hear without amplification; this is part of the enjoyment of hearing instruments; (2) prevent loud sounds from becoming uncomfortably loud for you-but very loud sounds that are uncomfortable to normal hearing people may also be uncomfortable for you.

•Whistling and feedback. It is normal for hearing instruments to squeal or whistle when you are inserting them into your ear (if you do not have a volume control to shut it off). If it squeals after the initial insertion, then most likely you have an inadequate fit, and should tell your hearing healthcare provider.

• Your friend’s hearing instrument. Do not expect your friend’s hearing instrument brand or style to work for you.

•Your family doctor. Do not expect your family doctor to be knowledgeable about hearing loss, brands of hearing devices and whether or not you need them. Data shows that only 13% of physicians screen for hearing loss.

•Expect benefit. Expect your hearing instruments to provide benefit to you during the trial period. By benefit, I mean that your ability to understand speech has demonstrably improved in the listening situations important to you (within realistic expectations though). This is what you hoped for, and you should expect benefit. If you do not experience an improvement, then work with your hearing healthcare professional to see if the instrument can be adjusted to meet your specific needs. Never purchase a hearing device that does not give you sufficient benefit.

•Satisfaction guarantee. Expect to be satisfied with your hearing instruments; expect the quality of your life to improve due to your hearing devices.

•Trial period. Expect a trial period with a money-back guarantee if your hearing instruments do not give you benefit (there might be a small nonrefundable portion for some services rendered).

•Adjustment period. Give your hearing instruments a chance, being sure to follow the instructions of the hearing healthcare provider. Most people need a period of adjustment (called acclimatization) before deriving the maximum benefit from their hearing devices (even up to four months).

The first step is to have an evaluation by a qualified hearing care specialist to determine the right solution for your needs.

Call Desert Hearing Care at (480) 985-2544 or schedule your free consultation online here

Not ready yet?

REQUEST DESERT HEARING CARE’S FREE SPECIAL REPORT “HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT HEARING CARE PROFESSIONAL” BY CLICKING HERE!

You may be having trouble hearing what people are saying – or are starting to miss out on sounds you once heard – but you’re not sure you’re ready to wear a hearing aid yet, especially one that people can see.

That’s what makes you ready to AMP. New AMP fits snugly in your ear canal, so no one but you will know it’s there. It’s comfortable, removable, and ready to wear in a single visit to your hearing professional. Better yet, AMP’s small size and ear canal placement take advantage of your ear’s natural acoustics for a sound quality you need to hear to believe.


• Fits invisibly in your inner ear
• Is ready to wear in one visit
• Is easy to remove

To schedule you FREE, private, no risk or obligation consultation to try the new AMP hearing instrument, call Desert Hearing Care at (480) 985-2544 or schedule your free consultation online here

Not ready yet?

REQUEST DESERT HEARING CARE’S FREE SPECIAL REPORT “HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT HEARING CARE PROFESSIONAL” BY CLICKING HERE!