Fabulous Hearing News

Hearing Linked to Dementia

2011-06-06T15:43:00.001-07:00

Release Date: 02/14/2011

Seniors with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia over time than those who retain their hearing, a study by Johns Hopkins and National Institute on Aging researchers suggests. The findings, the researchers say, could lead to new ways to combat dementia, a condition that affects millions of people worldwide and carries heavy societal burdens.

Although the reason for the link between the two conditions is unknown, the investigators suggest that a common pathology may underlie both or that the strain of decoding sounds over the years may overwhelm the brains of people with hearing loss, leaving them more vulnerable to dementia. They also speculate that hearing loss could lead to dementia by making individuals more socially isolated, a known risk factor for dementia and other cognitive disorders.

Whatever the cause, the scientists report, their finding may offer a starting point for interventions — even as simple as hearing aids — that could delay or prevent dementia by improving patients’ hearing.

“Researchers have looked at what affects hearing loss, but few have looked at how hearing loss affects cognitive brain function,” says study leader Frank Lin, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor in the Division of Otology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “There hasn’t been much crosstalk between otologists and geriatricians, so it’s been unclear whether hearing loss and dementia are related.”

To make the connection, Lin and his colleagues used data from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study on Aging (BLSA). The BLSA, initiated by the National Institute on Aging in 1958, has tracked various health factors in thousands of men and women over decades.

The new study, published in the February Archives of Neurology, focused on 639 people whose hearing and cognitive abilities were tested as part of the BLSA between 1990 and 1994. While about a quarter of the volunteers had some hearing loss at the start of the study, none had dementia.

These volunteers were then closely followed with repeat examinations every one to two years, and by 2008, 58 of them had developed dementia. The researchers found that study participants with hearing loss at the beginning of the study were significantly more likely to develop dementia by the end. Compared with volunteers with normal hearing, those with mild, moderate, and severe hearing loss had twofold, threefold, and fivefold, respectively, the risk of developing dementia over time. The more hearing loss they had, the higher their likelihood of developing the memory-robbing disease.

Even after the researchers took into account other factors that are associated with risk of dementia, including diabetes, high blood pressure, age, sex and race, Lin explains, hearing loss and dementia were still strongly connected.

“A lot of people ignore hearing loss because it’s such a slow and insidious process as we age,” Lin says. “Even if people feel as if they are not affected, we’re showing that it may well be a more serious problem .”

The research was supported by the intramural research program of the National Institute on Aging.

For more information, go to:

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/otolaryngology/our_team/faculty/lin_frank.html

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/otolaryngology/

http://www.grc.nia.nih.gov/branches/blsa/blsanew.htm

Media Contact: Christen Brownlee

410-955-7832; cbrownlee@jhmi.edu

In Their Words: Mokotoff's hearing loss is 'a special gift'

2010-07-09T11:16:00.000-07:00

In Their Words: Mokotoff's hearing loss is 'a special gift'
Mokotoff speaks the universal language with his guitar

"Charles Mokotoff lives on the outskirts of Washington, D.C., but grew up in Middletown. The son of Middletown's former mayor, Gert Mokotoff, Charles is widely recognized as a classical guitarist in this country and abroad. What makes him stand out even more remarkably is that he has a substantial hearing loss.

“I've played one instrument or another forever, starting with the French horn in third grade right up to high school. When I was 13 or so, some friends and I started a rock band. We got some equipment and instruments together and played at small events. I started out playing simple percussion instruments at first. Then a band member introduced me to the guitar. I learned quickly from him and never put it down.

“Life with my friends in the band was good for about two years until I woke up one morning and my world was very quiet. The birds outside my window may have been chirping, but I didn't hear them. Literally overnight I had lost at least 50 percent of my hearing in both ears.

"The doctors said it was because of some viral infection, but in spite of their tests, medications and time, I didn't regain my hearing.

“I was just 15 years old, and I felt as if I had come to the edge of my world. However, acceptance came, and I decided to get on with the business of life, and since music was a big part of my existence, I stuck a hearing aid in my ear and picked up a guitar again.

Seeing the possibilities
“It's funny how you get used to things. I rarely think of myself as being disabled. Of course, without hearing aids I can hear almost nothing, but with them I'm able to fit into the rest of society fairly well. And there are many musicians out there who have some type of hearing loss; most not as profound as mine, but enough to realize it is possible to get on as a musician with hearing loss.

“When I graduated from Middletown High School, I went to Syracuse University, where I graduated cum laude in 1977 with a degree in guitar performance. After that I went to Ithaca College and earned my master's degree in the same field…..”

View this article in it's entirety @
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100307/BIZ/3070332/-1/SITEMAP

~ Article written by Sheldon Scruggs

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)!

Why is There Still a Stigma??

2010-03-08T10:03:00.000-08:00

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!!

2010-03-04T15:10:00.000-08:00

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

2010-03-03T14:40:00.000-08:00

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

2010-03-02T16:02:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-03-01T09:58:00.000-08:00

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)!

IS MY HEARING LOSS A "DISABILITY"?

2010-02-26T12:37:00.000-08:00

Anyone who knows someone, or has a hearing loss, knows that their hearing loss is very difficult to live with. But does hearing loss qualify as a "dissability"? I found this article to be very interesting!

"Numerous state and federal laws have been passed which seek to minimize the effects of disability bias and give people with disabilities equal opportunities. People with hearing loss have the right under these laws to be free from discrimination in employment, public accommodations, transportation, education, and communication. This article surveys rights under state and federal disability laws, especially the rights of employees with hearing impairments, and provides links to references and other resources.

"IS MY HEARING LOSS A "DISABILITY"?

"Your rights under disability laws depend on whether your hearing loss is considered a legal "disability." Various laws use different definitions of disability, but the most common legal definition is the one used by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). A hearing impairment is considered a disability under the ADA if:

"1) it substantially limits a major life activity; Example: Hearing is a major life activity.

"2) it substantially limited a major life activity in the past; Example: Your hearing used to be substantially impaired but is now improved due to surgery or an assistive device.

"3) you are regarded (or treated) as if your hearing impairment was substantially limiting.

"Example: You use an assistive device that improves your hearing so that you are no longer substantially limited in a major life activity, but you are nonetheless treated differently because your employer believes you to be substantially limited.

"This determination is made on a case-by-case basis. It's important to note that if you use "mitigating devices", such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, or other equipment that improves your ability to hear, these must be considered in determining whether you have a disability under the ADA. However, strategies that compensate for hearing loss, such as lip-reading or sign language, are not considered mitigating measures. This may change if the proposed ADA Restoration Act (HR3195) is passed. Then mitigating situations may not be considered. It is important that people with disabilities lobby for this or a similar restoration of the original intent of the ADA. State and local laws and other federal laws may use a different definition of disability, but the ADA's definition is helpful to identify the factors necessary to determine if you are considered to have a disability under the law."

~ Article written by Sam Diehl, J.D. - Attorney, Gray Plant Mooty, Minneapolis, MN

View this article in it's originality and entirety @ http://www.betterhearing.org/hearing_solutions/legal_rights.cfm

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)!

FDA Warning on Ear Candles

2010-02-23T11:01:00.000-08:00

Go to your primary physician or a CVS Minute Clinic to get your ears cleaned!! Don't use "Wax Candles", THEY DON‘T WORK!

"If you didn't already know, sticking a burning candle in your ear will probably create more health problems than it will solve. But if you're still indulging in the odd episode of ear candling, the Food and Drug Administration has issued a new warning to set you straight. Not only is the process ineffective, the FDA warns, but ear candling can cause facial and inner-ear burns, bleeding, fires and can even -- ironically -- lead to the ear being blocked by excess wax..."

~ Article contributed to by Katie Drummond, AOL News

View this article in it's entirety @ http://www.aolnews.com/health/article/fda-issues-warning-about-ear-candling/19366095

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 if Your Hearing Loss HURT?

2010-02-22T12:56:00.000-08:00

Something to think about!

"Nearly everyday I speak with someone who clearly suffers from the affects of hearing loss. Whenever I speak with someone who denies the handicap imposed by their hearing loss I often wonder what if the body hurt every time a syllable was missed or if there was a twinge whenever a hair cell was damaged. This is not to say I want people to suffer physically on top of their hearing loss. I just think we would have a better understanding of just how often hearing loss interferes in our life if we were notified we missed something. Similar to a back injury. We do not even consider the number of muscles, nor the frequency in which they are used to maintain our posture and breathing until we pull or damage one. Even pulling one back muscle can make daily life nearly intolerable. Unfortunately, as hearing impaired people go through their day there is no shooting pain, ache or twinge. Time just marches on and our mind gradually forgets the sound of gravel under our feet, the blinker in the car, and the cricket in the garage. People don't stop to clarify the words they don't know weren't understood. We too often just adjust to the new softer world wishing people would take the marbles out of their mouth and speak clearer. Fortunately it doesn't hurt, but I often wonder how easy it would be to live in denial if it did?"

~ Article written by Matthew Rumsey, AuD., CCC-A, Yankton, SD

View this article in it's originality @ http://betterhearing.org/blog/post.cfm/what-if-hearing-loss-hurt#comments

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)!

Couples, this is for you!

2009-12-17T09:21:00.000-08:00

I found this article to be more true than most couples care to admit!

"According to a recent study released by Energizer Battery, nearly half of all respondents feel that their marriage has suffered due to their partner's hearing loss. And since more than 28 million Americans now suffer from some type of hearing impairment, this is an issue with which many couples are contending.

"What's so upsetting about hearing loss? Well, aside from the frustration (both of the speaker who is forced to constantly speak louder than comfortable, and the listener who is forced to constantly ask for things to be repeated), hearing loss can also be emotionally draining. Both partners begin to feel that their needs are not being understood as the miscommunications pile up around them.

"Furthermore, the study also found that hearing loss is often accompanied by deliberate miscommunication at times. According to the survey, a husband might easily hear his wife preparing snacks in the kitchen and come running for a bite, but moments later when she asks him to take out the trash, he can't hear her! This so-called "selective hearing" might be amusing to an outsider, but for the spouse who constantly has to repeat herself and beg for errands to be performed, it is certainly no laughing matter.

"So how can couples grapple with hearing loss and keep their relationship intact during this difficult time?

"Tune in, even when it is not fun. It is much easier to hear someone when you believe that what they are saying is important. What seems like a minor issue (such as ignoring your spouse's request to buy milk on the way home) soon turns into your spouse feeling as though you ignored more than just the milk; you also ignored her needs If you both make a commitment to be "all ears" and tune in to one another (even when the conversation is about errands), each of you will feel as though your needs matter.

"Value the journey.
"When I was talking with my mother about this study, she told me a funny story about her communication with my father (who suffers from hearing loss). He often asks her to repeat herself. So if she says something with a negative tone, she takes it as an opportunity to "rewind" and state her comment more nicely. He is none the wiser, and she gets the chance to reconsider how she delivered her feedback, if need be.

"Growing old together isn't always a primrose path, but it can still be happily ever after if both partners give it their all!"

Article by Dr. Laura Berman

P.S. The use of hearing aids, and other assisting devices most times will aid this process significantly! For example, between my father and I, we have saved countless marriages by implimenting advanced hearing systems (hearing aids) in his/her/both lives!

If you or a loved one think you/they might have a hearing loss, give me a call @(619) 460-0180 today or CLICK HERE and let us make both of your lives more fabulous!