Why is There Still a Stigma??

HEARING AIDS ARE NOT JUST FOR “OLD PEOPLE”!

The statement that hearing aids are just for “old people” is one thing that really makes me irate!

That’s like saying “glasses are just for ‘old people,’” or “wheelchairs are just for ‘old people!’” It is absolutely absurd!

Please read this article and decide for yourself!


“According to a survey conducted by Hear the World, a global initiative by leading hearing system manufacturer Phonak, Stäfa, Switzerland, despite significant advances in hearing technology, hearing aids were associated with old age more than any other accessories surveyed, including glasses, a wheelchair, crutches, and canes for the blind. This misperception has serious consequences for the 700 million people worldwide living with hearing loss, says Phonak.

“According to the survey, which polled 4,405 people between the ages of 14 to 65 years old in the United States, France, Germany, Switzerland, the UK, and Italy, not wanting to admit to having hearing loss in public was among the top three reasons for not wearing a hearing aid.

“While 93% (US: 88%; UK: 87%; Germany: 94%; France: 98%; Italy: 96%, and CH: 96%) responded that they would wear a hearing aid if it was necessary, previous research has indicated that many people with hearing loss do not in fact wear a hearing aid. In the United States and United Kingdom alone, only one in four people requiring a hearing device actually wear one.

“The first devices created to assist those with hearing loss appeared in the 17th century and were called “ear trumpets“. Due to the stigma associated with the condition since that time, “ear trumpets” were often hidden in fans, integrated into walking sticks, and some were even camouflaged as diamond-encrusted pieces of jewelry.

“By the 1920s, hearing aids were developed that were small enough to carry in a handbag, and by the 1940s, the first pocket devices were introduced. In the early 1960s, the behind-the-ear device (BTE) was developed and has since then undergone rapid innovation as microelectronics has progressed.

“Today’s hearing aids work with digital technology and are equipped with powerful computer chips, ensuring better sound quality, wireless connectivity, modern design, and ever smaller dimensions to help users wear their hearing aids with minimal detection.
Often neglected due to the stigma associated with the condition, hearing loss can create social and emotional barriers for the individuals living with it, or the families of those it affects. In fact, research shows that when left untreated, hearing loss can lead to reduced earning power, disruptions in family life, and can cause a wide range of other psychological problems.

“The survey also found that frustration (46.8%) isolation (45.3%) and fear (36.8%) were the feelings most often associated with untreated hearing loss.

“As a means of addressing this lack of information around hearing loss, Hear the World was founded in 2006 to raise awareness of hearing-related issues around the world.”


Please send this article to your friends and family to help Fabulous Hearing and “Hear the World” eliminate the stigma for good!!


~ This article was written by “Hear the World” magazine.

~ To view this article in its entirety and originality, click here: http://www.hearingreview.com/news/2010-02-22_02.asp

If you think you have a hearing loss, or know someone who does, give me a call @ (877) HEAR-CLR for a FREE HEARING TEST, and lets get you/them fixed up (most times within 24 hours)!

Walter Kelly Jr.

Fabulous Hearing
“Hear Well, Live Fabulously!”

http://www.fabuloushearing.com/

Las Vegas - (702) 822-4327
La Mesa - (619) 460-0180
Encinitas - (760) 963-9368

Protect Those Ears!!

Children’s ears are VERY sensitive and, without protection, can be damaged permanently VERY easily! Kudos to Drew Brees for recognizing the need for earmuffs!

“During the Super Bowl, the 1-year-old son of New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees was seen sporting ear muffs. As a story in today’s Science Times explains, they were far more than a winter fashion statement.

“The boy was wearing what looked like the headphones worn by his father’s coaches on the sidelines, but they were actually low-cost, low-tech earmuffs meant to protect his hearing from the stadium’s roar.

“Specialists say such safeguards are critical for young ears in a deafening world. Hearing loss from exposure to loud noises is cumulative and irreversible….

“’If a child attends only one loud sporting event, it isn’t a big deal. But for those kids who will be going to football games throughout their lives, as Drew Brees’s kids will, it’s a very big deal. A young, tender ear may not be able to withstand damage.’”

To learn more about children and the risk of hearing loss, read the full story, “’Want a Better Listener? Protect Those Ears’”

~ Article written by Joyce Cohen

View this article in it's originality and entirety @ http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/02/health/02baby.html

If you think you have a hearing loss, or know someone who does, give me a call @ (877) HEAR-CLR for a FREE HEARING TEST, and lets get you/them fixed up (most times within 24 hours)!

What To Do If Your Hearing Aid Gets Wet

Since we REPAIR and MODIFY existing hearing aids (as well as builld!), we have seen almost every situation imaginable! One of the most common ailments in hearing aids is moisture. JUST BECAUSE YOU GOT YOUR HEARING AID WET DOESN’T MEAN YOU NEED A NEW HEARING AID!

For example, we build our custom hearing aids so comfortable, that a nice lady in the Las Vegas area went scuba diving and forgot she was wearing her hearing aids!! She said she went down about 10 feet and she heard “POP, POP!” At that point there was nothing she could do. When she got back, she came in to our office. We left the hearing aids in a hearing aid dryer for a couple of days and all we ended up having to change is the speakers and microphones and she was as good as new!

I thought this article was a good step by step if your hearing aids get wet (before you bring them in to us!).


“If your hearing aid gets wet DON’T PANIC! Electronics and water are two things that generally don’t go well together but all is not lost if your aid does get a soaking. I’ve had several that have been waterlogged and have managed to get them working fully again.


Things to do if your hearing aid gets wet:

• Remove the aid from the water as quickly as possible - the less water that’s in it in the first place, the better chance it has to work again.
• Turn it off straight away and remove the battery. Throw the battery in the bin.
• Don’t be tempted to wait and see if it comes straight back on - turn it off as soon as possible.
• Close the battery door, remove the tube (if you have one) and dry gently with a towel, and shake it gently to try and get as much water out as possible.
• Use a hairdryer or a fan to blow-dry it. It’s very important not to let the aid get too hot so don’t use a hair-dryer on a high-heat - use a low-heat and keep the dryer some distance away from the aid. Excessive heat is much worse for electronics than a brief dunk in water. Blow-drying will speed up the dry-out time but you can skip this step if you are worried about the heat or don’t have a fan.
• Leave the aid to dry out. The amount of time to leave it will depend on how wet it was. I’ve had to leave an aid for two days before it completely dried out. Leave it sitting with the battery door open so that as much air as possible can get it. Better still, place it in a dehumidifier pot - this will speed up the dry-out considerably.
• Once you [think] that the aid is dried, put in a fresh battery and try it out. You can also use one of the cleaning tools you received with your aid to make sure the water has not left any residue behind but be very careful poking tools inside your aid.
• If the aid still does not work then you can either recharge your dehumidifier pot and leave it a while longer or [bring it in for us to fix within 24 hours!].

What not to do

• NEVER put your hearing aid into a microwave or conventional oven. It’s too much heat and you’ll melt something.

Don’t just assume it’s broken. Give it time to dry and then [bring it in] if you need to.

The important thing to remember is: It is unlikely that you will need to buy a new hearing aid just because it got soaked - electronics are more resilient to water than most people think.”

~ Article written by Steve Claridge, Software Engineer, Private Journalist

View this article in it's originality and entirety @ http://www.deafness-and-hearingaids.net/2010/03/02/if-your-hearing-aid-gets-wet/

If you think you have a hearing loss, or know someone who does, give me a call @ (877) HEAR-CLR for a FREE HEARING TEST, and lets get you/them fixed up (most times within 24 hours)!

How To Be Properly Prepared For Emergencies

I live near the ocean and this weekend we had a tsunami warning! There wasn’t a tsunami (thank goodness!), but it reminded me that emergencies can happen at any time! I thought this was a useful article!


"How To Be Properly Prepared For Emergencies

(NAPSI) - You may be better able to protect yourself and your family in the event of an emergency if you plan ahead and make sure you have what you need before you need it. After all, about 1,000 tornadoes, five hurricanes and 400,000 house fires happen in America each year.

Here are ideas to help you prepare for whatever emergency situation comes your way. They come from the experts at the International Association of Fire Chiefs and Energizer.

1. Develop a Family Disaster Plan. Families can cope with a disaster by preparing in advance and working together as a team. Make sure everyone knows how to get out of the house and where to meet in case of a disaster. Draft and practice an evacuation plan, mapping out your route toward safety and shelter. Make sure you have an out-of-town contact who knows all the important information about your family in case you are separated during the disaster.

2. Gather Emergency Supplies and store them in a covered, waterproof plastic bin that contains:

• Food. Keep a three-day supply of nonperishable foods and a manual can opener.
• Important documents: insurance papers, medical records, bank account numbers and Social Security cards, sealed in a waterproof container.
• One change of clothing and footwear per person; toys and books for children.
• One blanket or sleeping bag per person.
• A first-aid kit, including necessary prescription medications and eyeglasses.
• Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members.
  

3. Make an Energizer Keep Safe. Keep Going® power kit to include with your emergency supplies:

• Battery-powered radio or crank radio and LED light to keep your family apprised of the current weather-related news.
• Extra specialty batteries. Hearing aid batteries and specialty batteries can power critical health devices such as hearing aids and blood glucose monitors.
• Plenty of extra batteries. Energizer Ultimate Lithium and Energizer MAX batteries (AA, AAA, C, D and 9-volt) can provide long-lasting power. Lithium batteries have a long storage life, perform well in extreme temperatures and are good for LED flashlights and other high-tech devices. The other batteries can be the power source for standard flashlights, lanterns and radios that may be pressed into action during a power outage.
• Flashlights for every member of the family. For safety's sake, use flashlights instead of candles when the power goes out. Many home fires are started by candles left unattended.
• Battery-powered cell phone charger to help stay connected even when there is no electricity.

4. Additional Emergency Supplies:

• Water. The Federal Emergency Management Agency says each person should have a supply of one gallon of water per day for three days, as a normally active person needs at least one-half gallon of water daily just for drinking, in addition to cooking and sanitation.
• Pictures of family members and pets in case of separation.
• Pet-care items.
• An extra set of car keys.
• Vehicle fuel tanks filled.
• Credit card or cash.
• Hammer, nails and duct tape.
• Waterproof tarp.
• Antibacterial wipes.

Make sure you check all these items annually--a good time might be the first day of spring--and replace expired batteries, medicine, food, etc.

Remember, what you do during the calm before the storm can go a long way toward helping you stay safe and protected during and after it.

Learn More

For more tips on preparing for a variety of natural disasters and home fire safety, visit the sites www.energizer.com/preparedness and www.iafc.org.”

View this article in it's originality @ http://www.napsnet.com/articles/63465.html

If you think you have a hearing loss, or know someone who does, give me a call @ (877) HEAR-CLR for a FREE HEARING TEST, and lets get you/them fixed up (most times within 24 hours)!

Phillies Prospect Overcomes (Hearing) Disability to Live Big-League Dream!

This is the kind of story that really gives a wonderful perspective on how hearing loss can be overcome! What a role model!


"As the world arrived in his hometown, Tyson Gillies left.

“Gillies was born in Vancouver, B.C., and grew up north of the city. He lives downtown but hasn't been able to witness the finest hour of the city he adores. When the Winter Olympics commenced this month, he was some 3,000 miles away. Why? Gillies has always been a worker, and it was time to report for duty with the Philadelphia Phillies, slalom and bobsled be damned.

“Friends and family members have called Gillies during the Games, innocently reminding him of the huge party going on without him. It hasn't been easy for him. He has tried not to watch on television. He knows he's missing out.

“‘I live right downtown,’ Gillies said, a little ruefully, in an interview last week. ‘It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.’

“Yet, he knows that watching someone else's dream come true can't compare with fulfilling your own. And he's getting closer. A lot closer. Baseball scouts have a hard time figuring out if they are more in love with his energy or his ability. Last year, the left-handed-hitting outfielder batted .341 and swiped 44 bases at Class A High Desert. He chases fly balls as if racing for a puck during the third period of a tied hockey game. And that's during batting practice.

"‘I don't think I've seen anybody on a baseball field work as hard as he does,’ said Phillies pitching prospect Phillippe Aumont, his spring roommate and Canadian countryman. ‘He just runs .’

“Barring injury, Gillies, 21, could become one of the game's most compelling success stories of the new decade. And if you only watch from a distance, you won't know one of the biggest reasons why.

“Gillies was born with significant hearing impairment in both ears, the result of dead nerves in his cochlea. He must wear Bluetooth-sized hearing aids.

“He is legally deaf.

“And even though he hasn't played above Class A, Gillies' status as a high-end prospect could bring inspiration to millions of Americans and Canadians who are deaf or hard of hearing - as much as 10 percent of the population, according to estimates by hearing health associations.

"‘People tell me that all the time,’ Gillies said, as he settled into the Phillies' spring clubhouse last week. ‘I get mail from people saying, 'My daughter or my son is hearing impaired,' or, 'I'm hearing impaired, and it's good to see someone hasn't let it drag them down. You overcame it. You didn't let it bother you.'"

“Gillies (pronounced GIL-eez) and his family didn't learn of his impairment until after he turned 4 years old. Up to that point, lip-reading helped Gillies speak perfectly and communicate in many settings.

“Then adults began noticing that the super-kinetic kid wouldn't listen to directions unless he happened to be looking right at them. He would wander off and get lost. Some people, Gillies said, thought he was ‘a troublemaker, a devil child, because no one could control me.’

“‘I got tested three times,’ he said. ‘I was reading the guy's lips. They didn't think that someone that young would be able to read lips. Somehow, I was able to do it and fool my mom and dad.

"‘Finally, on the last test, the guy sat in the booth and decided to close the curtains. I just didn't answer at all. I didn't know what to do.’

“His parents, Tony and Lanin, did. Young Tyson was fitted for hearing aids almost immediately.

"‘When I got my hearing aids, that's pretty much when my life started, when the adventure started,’ he said. ‘My parents are two of the strongest people I know, to deal with me growing up. That wouldn't have been easy.

"‘You could imagine a 4-year-old with hearing aids. You tend to throw them away or lose them or break them. They had to get me more than enough loaners and pairs.’

“From those frustrating times, a potential star emerged. Gillies was one of three prospects sent from the Mariners to the Phillies in the December deal that brought former Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee to Seattle. Gillies is well-known in baseball circles for reasons that have nothing to do with his compelling personal tale.

“One American League scout compared Gillies to current Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino and predicted that he will become a "fan favorite" in Philly.

“‘He's full-bore on every play,’ the scout said. ‘He hustles. He runs. He throws. He's got the tools. I think he's a big leaguer for sure…”

~ Article written by FoxSports Clearwater, Fla.

View this article in it's entirety and originality @ http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2010/02/25/phillies-prospect-gillies-beating-odds/

If you think you have a hearing loss, or know someone who does, give me a call @ (877) HEAR-CLR for a FREE HEARING TEST, and lets get you/them fixed up (most times within 24 hours)!