CLICK AND SAVE? NOT REALLY!
If you've spent any time researching hearing and hearing aids on the Internet, you have most likely seen advertisements for different types of amplification. From personal listening devices to hearing aids, you can pretty much get anything online. While venturing online is a great way to gather information about hearing aids, it is NOT the place to buy them.

BUYING HEARING AIDS ONLINE
It's amazing what you can buy online. It's even more amazing to see what people try to sell (and do!) over the Internet. Unfortunately, hearing aids tend to fall into this category of buying and selling online. Normally, people upgrade current technology for themselves and then try to sell older technology to people who most likely have never tried hearing aids before. These buyers are usually having some trouble hearing and figure that buying hearing aids online will save them money. However, they will end up losing time and money in the long run. Also, their initial interaction with hearing aids will be negative and they will be less likely to pursue help for many more years.

Most hearing aids sold on the Internet are custom aids. Custom hearing aids are ones that are made specifically for the person wearing them. Did you know that no two people in the world have the same ear? It's true! The outside of your ear is as unique to you as a finger print. No two ear canals are the same either- even with the same person. Any non-custom hearing aid sold online could still require a custom element in the form of a custom ear mold. Improper fit can lead to a loose or too tight fit, overall discomfort, and swelling and in some cases pain.

AMPLIFICATION DANGERS
Another key factor for success is getting the proper amount of amplification. Even the most basic hearing aids are sophisticated pieces of technology that can be programmed for the wearer's specific hearing loss. Wearing hearing aids not meant for you can pose the risk of you getting too much amplification or too little. Either of these can lead to further hearing loss. Hearing aids that are set for your specific hearing loss will amplify sounds in proportion to your needs.

ONLINE HEARING TESTS
You may have some across some websites that offer hearing tests online or even downloaded an app on your smart phone to test your hearing. These tests are great as a starting point. If you fail a test online or on an app, it is recommended that your next step be a complete hearing evaluation done by a professional (Audiologist). If a complete hearing evaluation is a detailed hand-painted work of art, an online screening is like a stick figure of the same subject. An audiologist will perform a hearing evaluation and explain the results to you. Understanding your hearing loss is important in the hearing aid journey.

FOLLOW-UP CARE (OR LACK THERE OF)
In a study published on the Better Hearing Institute website, 5 out of the 10 factors of success wearing hearing aids directly involved working with a hearing professional. When you purchase hearing aids over the Internet, you choose to remove the key factor for your success with hearing aids. An audiologist will guide you on the journey to better hearing. From explaining the results of your hearing evaluation to the initial fit of your hearing aid for your specific hearing loss to regular appointments where the aids are cleaned and programming is checked, the hearing professional is there every step of the way.

Hearing aids purchased online do not have a follow-up care option. This isn't something that can be added to the cart at check-out. Any savings you may initially gain from buying hearing aids online will quickly dwindle as the cost to service and program Internet purchased hearing aids is expensive if you can find a place willing to work on them at all.

Taking to the Internet is a great way to gather information about hearing and hearing aids. With so much knowledge at our finger tips, most people do as much research as possible before making major purchases. But when it comes to hearing aids, working with an educated, trained hearing professional is the only right option for your hearing health. Online hearing aids run the risk of major fit issues, improper programming and no follow-up care.

Your hearing is worth more than a click-and-save online experience.

For helpful information about hearing and hearing aids, check out www.hearinghealthcarecenters.com

Listen-Up Hunters!

No one will argue that a gunshot is a loud sound but have you ever wondered what damage that sound may be causing? Depending on the firearm, gunshots can range between 140-190dB. If you’re not familiar with dB levels, normal conversation is around 50dB, a vacuum cleaner /hair dryer average about 70dB while a lawn mower is 90dB. A single gunshot is louder than a rock concert (120dB) and a jackhammer (130dB). It actually ranks up there with a jet plane takeoff! Sounds THAT loud can cause instantaneous permanent damage to your hearing.

People are good at wearing hearing protection at firing ranges because there is a steady exposure to gunshots but people don’t think about a single shot damaging their hearing. Hearing protection is a good idea whenever you are exposed to loud sounds.

Thankfully, multiple hearing protection options have been specifically designed for hunters. There are digital protection options that will enhance the sounds of nature while providing protection when it is most needed as well as custom mold options.

Digital Hearing Protection Options:

Magnum Ear is advanced digital technology that allows for environmental awareness while simultaneously protecting you hearing from gun blasts. Available in behind-the-ear (BTE) and custom-fit in-the –ear (ITE) styles in 3 different technology levels:

Magnum Silver is available in ONLY in the ITE style. It has one basic program and a volume control.
Magnum Gold is available in both the BTE and ITE styles. It has 3 programs for flexibility, volume control and a memory button to change the programs.
Magnum Platinum is available in both the BTE and ITE styles. It has 4 programs for maximum flexibility which includes a wind reduction feature, a volume control and memory button to change programs.

Custom Ear Plug Options:

Hunting Plug is a custom full shell mold designed specifically for hunting. It allows awareness of environmental sounds and has a valve which opens and closes with the impact of the gun shot pressure wave.
Maximum Plug is a custom full shell mold that offers the highest noise reduction of all sounds.
Filtered Plug is a custom full shell mold with a filtered attenuator that allows for basic verbal communication while lowering overall sound levels.

AARP Article Review- Buying a Hearing Aid

Last month, AARP bulletin featured an article titled "Buying a Hearing Aid". They described different styles of hearing aids, listed pros/cons of each and even listed a price range per style. The article also went on to give 10 Tips for purchasing hearing aids. Here are just a few of the helpful tips they suggested and our thoughts about them:

#1 Don't go it alone. Hearing HealthCare Centers always suggests bringing someone with you to your hearing evaluation/consult. After your hearing test, we take time to explain your audiogram and how the results effect your hearing. If appropriate, we will also discuss amplification. There is a lot of information going around and for someone new to hearing/hearing loss, it can be overwhelming. We like to tell patients that "four ears are better than two"

#2 Interview a provider. Simply wearing hearing aids won't "correct" your hearing. The brain processes hearing very differently than other senses. Hearing professionals are trained to help you have the best experience you can with your hearing aids. There are many adjustments that can be made to the aid itself as well as to the programming to help you get the most benefit from your hearing aids. You'll be working with these hearing professionals for as long as you wear hearing aids, so it is important to work with someone who's abilities you trust.

#4 Have your hearing tested. It is important for the hearing professional to know what your hearing loss looks like. It helps us determine the technology and at times, the style of hearing aid that we recommend for your hearing loss. We get calls all the time from people asking for the price of hearing aids. It's not as simple as naming a price, so much more goes into fitting hearing aids. A hearing evaluation is valid for 6 months. If you get your hearing tested, ask for a copy. Any hearing professional can read at a valid hearing test and along with your history and priorities, make a recommendation.

# 5 Try before you buy. With today's technology, we can now fit a patient with non-custom hearing aids to demo. In the past, patients would purchase the aids, wait approximately 2 weeks and then be fitted with them. Now, patients can experience hearing aids the same day they are tested. We can also arrange an extended demonstration so patients can try hearing aids in their everyday environments and not just in the controlled setting of the office.

Entering the world of hearing loss and hearing aids can be overwhelming. Remember that you are not alone in gathering information. Hearing HealthCare Centers offers free baseline hearing screenings and consultations. We are here to help! Come visit us in either of our convenient locations. Please call Longmont (303) 776-8748 or Boulder (303) 499-3900 to schedule an appointment.
There are six more helpful tips to "Buying a Hearing Aid". For the complete article, you can visit http://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-05-2011/getting-the-right-hearing-aid.html

Welcome Melissa

We'd like to welcome Melissa Nielson to HHCC for the summer. Melissa has been studying at the University of Northern Colorado for the past three years working towards her Doctor of Audiology degree. She is done with her course work and is now gaining valuable experience in the field. Coming from the best of both worlds, Melissa did her undergraduate studies at the University of Colorado.

A native to Colorado, Melissa enjoys spending time with her family- especially her nieces and nephews, watching old movies and planning her upcoming wedding her amazing fianc, Thad. She loves music and has studied American Sign Language. We hope she'll teach us some valuable signs to use while she is with us!

Welcome Melissa! It's going to be a wonderful summer!

What's new in hearing technology in 2011?

Spring has arrived! We can't help but think of that saying "out with the old and in with the new" around this time of year. Earlier this year, Audibel released brand new wireless technology that we’re very excited about. Dr. Swander, Dr. Burns and Kimberly packed our bags and headed to Las Vegas, NV to learn all about the latest and greatest Audibel had to offer. Here are some things we learned about:

Range is Audibel’s brand new hearing aid system which utilizes IRIS™ Technology. It allows sound from your TV, stereo or computer to stream directly into your hearing aids. The SurfLink transmitter simply plugs into the device you would like to transmit and once it’s turned on, you can enjoy sound without having to wear any extra accessories. You control your volume and the people with you can keep their volume at a comfortable level. Range also includes the latest technologies designed to deliver a better listening experience. Some features include:

Active Noise Control is a feature designed to significantly reduce listening effort delivering maximum comfort and clear speech in even the noisiest environments.

Ear-to-Ear Wireless Communication allows your hearing aids to automatically communicate with each other wirelessly. Manually adjusting one aid will automatically adjust the other.

Superior Speech Locator seeks out speech sounds and decreases unwanted background noise allowing you to focus on the conversation and not what is going on around you.

WhistleFree Feedback Cancellation is the best feedback management system available. Annoying whistling and buzzing are no longer an issue.

During our trip to Las Vegas, we were able to get some hands-on experience with these products. The SurfLink truly is simple set-up. You plug the transmitter into the device you want to steam, set the range of distance you want to transmit. That’s it. One time. Then you sit back and enjoy listening in surround sound.

We could go on and on about new technology but we’d love for you to experience it for yourself. Please contact our office for an appointment. We have 2 convenient locations in Longmont (303) 776-8748 and Boulder (303) 499-3900.

Giving Back

Dr. Swander will be participating in the 9News Health Fair giving free hearing screenings. We've participated in this fair for the past 7 years screening hundreds of people of all ages. It's such a wonderful program for the people of Colorado and we are proud to lend a hand.

Check out the 9News website to find a location near you: http://www.9healthfair.org/findafair

If your closest location does not offer a hearing screening, remember that Hearing HealthCare Centers offers free baseline screenings all year long at our Longmont and Boulder locations.

Please call for an appointment: Longmont (303) 776-8748 and Boulder (303) 499-3900

Friendly Reminder

We officially kicked off health fair season yesterday in Boulder. Dr. Swander, Kimberly and Sue packed up our materials and equipment and spent the day educating people about all things hearing related.

Yes, spring is the time when people from all over Boulder County call to have us perform hearing screenings, present valuable hearing information at a booth or both. We really enjoy perticipating in health fairs because it gives us the opportunity to meet new people and share our passion for hearing.

We have a feeling that 2011 is going to be a busy year!

We'd like to remind you that everyone over 55 years old should get a baseline hearing screening. It's always good to know where your hearing stands. If your company holds a health fair that offers a hearing screening, we encourage you to take advantage of it. A screening takes less then 10 minutes!

If you do not participate in a health fair, contact us for a free baseline screening.

Longmont (303)776-8748
Boulder (303) 499-3900

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Do you AMP?

Do you AMP?

There is a period of time when people begin to miss out on things they used to hear and a later time when they are ready to accept the need for hearing aids. This ‘space-in-between’ is different for everyone. Some people get through it by turning the TV up a little louder, blaming others for not speaking “clearly” enough, or avoiding situations where they notice the most trouble hearing. Hearing loss is gradual and most people squeak by with a mild hearing loss for some time. But that does not help them in situations where they truly want to hear. So what are the options? For a while, there seemed to be only two: suffer with the hearing loss or get expensive full blown hearing aids.

However, there is another option- AMP.

AMP is a device for people who are not quite ready for hearing aids. It was designed to help people who are having some trouble in certain situations. AMP’s non-custom design allows it to be fitted in one visit, it fits invisibly in the ear canal and it’s very easy to remove. AMP has just been released at an introductory price of $1500 for the pair. They even come with a 30 day money back guarantee.


Call Hearing HealthCare Centers in Longmont (303) 776-8748 or Boulder (303) 499-3900 to schedule an appointment to try AMPs.

You’ll be amazed how much they help you in the ‘space-in-between’!

Welcome Aboard!

Hearing HealthCare Centers is proud to welcome Dr. Edith Burns to our Boulder office!

Dr. Burns has an extensive background in audiology and has practiced in several settings including private practice, hospital and public schools.

She attended college back east but is originally from Chicago. She moved to Colorado in the 1980’s and has been happy to call Boulder her home ever since.

We are so lucky to have someone with such a wealth of knowledge and experience on our team.

To learn more about Dr. Burns and our staff, please visit our website at www.hearinghealthcarecenters.com

If you’d like to meet Dr. Burns, simply call our Boulder office at (303) 499-3900 to make an appointment.

A Comparison: Invisibel vs. Lyric (WOW)

There has been a surge of new hearing products on the market and sometimes all the information can be confusing. We at Hearing HealthCare Centers get asked multiple times a week to explain the differences between many amplification devices in both our Longmont and Boulder offices. We wanted to take the opportunity to compare the 2 most common devices we are asked about: Audibel’s Invisibel hearing instrument and the Lyric (also known as WOW) hearing device. Of course, there are many more products that can be compared, but these are by far the ones we asked about the most.


What size is it?
Invisibel: Fits deeply into the canal and is 100% invisible.
Lyric (WOW): Fits deeply into the canal and is 100% invisible.

How long can they be worn?
Invisibel: They can be worn all day and removed nightly to promote better ear health.
Lyric (WOW): Once inserted by a hearing professional, they are worn continuously for up to 120 days.

What size battery does it take and how often are they changed?
Invisibel: A size 10 battery that lasts about a week.
Lyric (WOW): A size 10 battery that is never changed.

How are they put in/removed?
Invisibel: They are inserted and removed daily by the patient.
Lyric (WOW): They are placed deep in the canal and removed by a hearing professional.

How many settings do they have?
Invisibel: There can be up to 4 custom settings programmed into the aid.
Lyric (WOW): It has 1 setting that can only be programmed by a hearing professional.

Are they made for each individual?
Invisibel: Yes, they are custom made for each individual’s ear by taking a deep impression of the ear canal.
Lyric (WOW): No, they are an instant fit, one size fits most design.

What is the design?
Invisibel: The electrical components are housed inside a durable custom shell.
Lyric (WOW): The device is made of a foam material for a comfortable fit.

How long will they last?
Invisibel: A patient typically wears custom hearing instruments for 4-7 years.
Lyric (WOW): The unit is replaced when the battery dies and a completely new device is inserted by a hearing professional. The old unit is disposed of and not used again. This happens every 60-120 days.

Is there an additional cost?
Invisibel: No. each set of hearing aids is a one time purchase.
Lyric (WOW): Yes, kind of. Lyric is sold with a one year subscription. Each year there is a significant renewal cost. The WOW is sold as individual units so they will need to be purchased each time the battery runs out, which is typically anytime between 60-120 days.

What hearing loss do they fit?
Invisibel: Fits mild to severe hearing losses.
Lyric (WOW): Fits mild to moderately-severe hearing losses.

Can they be used with ear buds?
Invisibel: Yes, the custom fit allows use of standard ear buds.
Lyric (WOW): The device cannot be used with inserted headsets, ear buds or ear plugs.

Can the volume be changed?
Invisibel: Yes, T2 Remote Control allows the patient to control by using a touch tone phone to change the volume and/or settings.
Lyric (WOW): Yes, a magnetic tool is used to turn the volume up or down.

What kind of technology is it?
Invisibel: The Invisibel uses digital technology which includes: WhistleFree Feedback Cancellation, Active Noise Control, and Automatic Telephone Response features.
Lyric (WOW): The Lyric (WOW) devices utilize analog programmable technology.

We hope this clears up some questions. We know there are many more products to compare and we hope to do so in later articles. We chose to compare these products because we are asked about them so often. If you would like more information, please feel free to contact our office to schedule an appointment. Hearing HealthCare Centers has 2 convenient locations to serve you: Longmont 303.776.8748 and Boulder 303.499.3900.

The Gift of Hearing

Many of us take our hearing for granted. We don’t realize how isolating a hearing loss can be or it can effect the ones we love.

This is a 2 year old YouTube video that is getting attention all over the internet and news. It was even featured on Good Morning America’s Video of Week recently.



The reaction of baby Jonathan hearing his mother’s voice is priceless. My favorite part is when his pacifier falls out of his mouth and he smiles up at his mom.

It is moments like this that make working in the hearing profession so rewarding.

Do's and Do Not's of Ear Care

Have you ever heard the saying, “Don’t put anything smaller then your elbow in your ear”? It sounds like advice like you grandmother yells at you when she catches you sticking something in your ear. If you are anything like me, you replied “ok”, walked out of her view and continued what you were doing. If you’re not supposed to stick things in your ears, then why does it feel so good sometimes? Like right when you get out of the shower or when there’s a really bad itch. Well as it turns out like many things grandmothers say, this statement is true. For the sake of your ears, nothing smaller than your elbow should go in you ear. Here are some helpful Do’s and Don’ts of ear care brought to you by someone other than your grandmother.

Do Not...

· Stick random things in your ears. This includes bobby pins, matches, pen tips, pencils and keys

· Use Q-Tips too deep. Q-Tips are great for cleaning the outside of your ear and right inside the canal. It is just not safe to aggressively dig a stick with cotton on the tip into your ear. I know it feels good (yes I am talking to you Mom) but it is NOT SAFE to go too deep. If you actually look at the Q-Tip box, ears aren’t even a suggested use.

· Let very hot or very cold water run into your ear canals when you are in the shower. You can let water run in your ears but make sure the water is warm.

Do...
· Let wax come out of your naturally. Wax is secreted by the body to keep dust, dirt, hair and other things AWAY from the eardrum. If you go sticking things into your ear, you could push the wax back too far.

· Use drops to soften hard plugged wax. You can use over-the-counter drops like Debrox or something found at home like olive oil.

· Use an easy flush of you want to keep your ears clean. You can use a solution of one part warm water and one part vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. Using a bulb syringe (the kind you use on infants) suck up the solution and flush your ears. You want to tilt your head down on the side you are flushing so the solution shoots up and falls back out of the ear.

· Go to a professional for wax removal if the wax becomes impacted (plugged).

There you have it. Some simple Do’s and Do Not’s about ear care. Told to you by a professional, and not your grandmother.

Have You Heard The News?

Have you ever been so excited to share such exciting news that it's hard to know where to start? Well that’s how we feel. Last week Dr. Swander was invited to Audibel headquarters in MN to learn about Audibel's new line of products. The most exciting development introduced at the conference was a brand new style of hearing aid, the Invisibel.

The Invisibel is the first custom Invisible in the Canal (IIC) hearing aid of it's kind! It fits so deeply in the canal that it truly is invisible. Really, it is! Check out the picture. It is fully digital and completely programmable.

The Invisibel boasts Audibel's top rated Whistle-Free Feedback Cancellation feature that virtually eliminates any buzzing or whistling. It also utilizes the brand new Active Noise Control feature. This exciting feature was designed and tirelessly tested and perfected to seek out speech sounds in noise. Imagine being able to truly hear someone speaking to you even in the midst of background noise. We're pretty excited about this new feature.

Of course, the Invisibel also has some pretty cool telephone features such as the Automatic Telephone Response. Yes- that is basically how it sounds. When you put the phone to your ear, the hearing aid recognizes the phone and automatically changes to the pre-programmed telephone setting for optimal hearing. When you take the phone away, the hearing aid will automatically change back to the appropriate setting. Finally, the Invisibel is equipped with the T2 Remote Control feature. This handy feature allows the hearing aid wearer to adjust the programs or volume of the hearing aid with any touch-tone phone, including cell phones. It’s like having a remote control by using something you already carry around.

The Invisibel hearing aid is custom made for each patient. It is not meant to be an extended wear hearing aid like some similar aids out there. It is actually much healthier for your ears to take the hearing aids out at night. You don't sleep with your glasses do you? Then why commit to sleeping with your hearing aids in? Trust us- everyone sees and hears perfectly in their dreams!

Bottom Line: the Invisibel is a high quality, digital hearing aid that is packed full of cutting edge technology and features that is custom-made to fit so deeply in the canal that it's invisible! How much better can you get?

We can hardly wait to start fitting the Invisibel and hearing all the wonderful feedback we are positive this hearing aid will bring.

You can lead a horse to water…

Warning labels are everywhere. There is practically nothing you can purchase that does one have some kind of warning label on it. From cigarettes that can cause lung disease or cancer to hair dryers that warn not get the device wet unless you want to be electrocuted. We see these labels all the time and we make the choice to use the products or not.

There has long been speculation that personal music devices like MP3 player and iPods already has and will continue to contribute to noise induced hearing loss. Just like smoking a cigarettes every day can lead to serious health problems, listening to loud music for long periods of time can contribute to a hearing loss. Almost all personal listening devices sold today have a warning label informing the user that continued exposure over time can damage their hearing and includes education on safe listening habits.

Recently, the US Court of Appeals upheld a 2008 ruling that Apple is not responsible for the hearing loss the 2 plaintiffs suffered from listening to their iPods too loud because Apple warns users of the hazards of listening to music too loud. Everyday, thousands of people are choosing to listen to their music much too loud despite receiving warnings when they purchased their personal listening devices.

We are exposed to loud sounds everyday when we mow the lawn, go to concerts, shoot firearms, vacuum, and set off fireworks without proper hearing protection. Many times, people are too young to care about the hearing education materials included with iPods and MP3 players and by the time hearing becomes an issue; the damage has already been done. People are going to choose to do what they want to no matter how many warnings they get and they must be prepared to deal with the consequences of those choices.

Only YOU can protect your hearing

Everyday we are bombarded with loud sounds. Have you ever left a concert and experienced that high-pitched ringing in your ears? You’ve also probably been at the drug store, seen those foam earplugs and made a mental note to get some before your next concert. Normally people are painfully aware when sounds are too loud. What they may not be aware of is just how damaging those loud sounds can be to their hearing or that custom hearing protection is available and very easy to use.

Drug store foam earplugs are made for the masses. They are a one-size-fits-most quick solution to blocking loud sounds by acting like a plug in the ear. Coming from someone who looks in ears all day long, I can tell you that no two ear canals are the same. Some are wide while others are narrow. Some have deep curves and some are pretty straight. Each canal also has a different depth. Although drug store foam plugs are better than nothing, they just don’t always do the trick. Have you ever tried these foam plugs only to have them fall out of your ears within a short amount of time? Even when they are squeezed down to a thin layer of foam, shoved into the canal and held in place to allow the plug to expand, they can easily work their way out of the ear with jaw movement. Other people may experience soreness in their ears due to inappropriate sizes of plugs.

If you have tried the foam plugs and they seem to work, continue to wear them whenever you are exposed to loud sounds. Like I stated before: any protection is better then no protection at all. For the majority of people who cannot use the foam earplugs, there is a solution: custom hearing protection. Custom hearing protection is made specifically for your ears. They are easy to insert and remove, require minimal care and do not fall out of your ears with jaw movement.

There is custom hearing protection for virtually all situations. Here is a quick description of the most common types of hearing protection:

Concert Plugs- Great for musicians and music lovers. These custom plugs allow the wearer to hear accurately in high noise environments. It takes all sounds and reduces them evenly across the frequency spectrum, so you get to hear everything- just at a quieter and safer level.

Sleeping Plugs- Snore plugs are ideal for those who are often kept awake by a partner’s snoring. They are also great for light sleepers. The comfortable material is designed to promote a full night’s rest without pesky interruptions.

Hunting Plugs- These plugs are designed to allow normal sounds to come through and be heard most of the time. The magic happens in a valve designed to shut and block harmful sounds such as gunshots and other sudden noises from damaging your hearing.


Maximum Plugs- Sometimes you need to block almost everything out. These plugs are made to essentially reduce all sounds and plug up your ears.

iPod/ MP3/Bluetooth Plugs- Ever have to take out your ear buds because they are hurting your ears? Custom molds for your personal listening and Bluetooth devices will resolve that problem. The custom fit ensures comfort and allows these devices to be operated at a lower volume.

Swim Plugs- Swim plugs are great for keeping moisture from accumulating in your ear canals, especially if you or your kids are prone to ear infections. These plugs are brightly colored, easy to put in/take out and they even float!. They can also double as effective sound plugs.

Ordering your custom hearing protection only takes 2 office appointments. In the first appointment we will decide what custom plug is right for your needs and take an impression of your ears. The next time you come into the office your custom hearing protection will be waiting for you. We make sure the plugs fit properly and are comfortable. We also tell you how to take care of your custom hearing protection. It’s that simple to get your custom hearing protection!

For more information and to make your appointment, please contact us at our Longmont or Boulder offices:

Longmont 303.776.8748 Boulder 303.499.3900

We look forward to meeting with you soon.

Do as I say and not as I do?

When someone is doing something that they know is wrong, they usually utter, “do as I say and not as I do” to whomever they are trying to justify their behavior to. A recent study conducted by Hear the Word, an organization created to raise awareness of hearing-related issues globally, found that hearing aids were coupled with “old age” more than any other accessory included in the survey. These other accessories were wheelchairs, glasses, crutches and canes for the blind.

Interestingly, 93% of people surveyed claimed they would wear a hearing aid if needed, however, previous research shows that people who have a hearing loss do not wearing hearing aids. The survey also found that one of the top three reasons for not wearing hearing aids is the person does not want to admit having a hearing loss.

With all of the amazing advancements in hearing aid technology, hearing aids are smaller and better then ever before. But the stigma that hearing aids are for “old people” is keeping many of the 700 million people worldwide living with hearing loss form getting the help they need. It has been proven over and over again that when hearing loss is left untreated, it can lead to feelings of frustration and isolation, reduced earning power and disruptions in family life among other things.

So essentially, this study is shows how the mentality of hearing aids being for “old people” is hurting the quality of life for people with hearing loss.

Helen's Hearing Aid Story

When it came to the idea of wearing hearing aids, Helen Yager, was not convinced they were for her. “I hated the idea of needing to get hearing aids, but many members of my family seemed to be mumbling when they were speaking to me,” she said. They started encouraging her to at least get her hearing tested. Like so many people, the fear of missing out on a major family event had magnified the troubles she had been experiencing for years. So with the support of her family, Yager got a hearing evaluation in 2003. The event propelling her to do something about her hearing was her first granddaughter’s wedding happening that summer. Her family insisted she would enjoy the occasion more if she were really able to hear.

“My audiologist insisted I try a pair of hearing aids. That was several years ago and I did get along with them [her hearing aids] very well.” She and her family noticed that she was more responsive in conversations and interacting more then she had been in a long time. Yager was truly able to enjoy her granddaughter’s wedding in a way she simply could not have without her hearing aids. It also prepared her well for many celebrations in the future because she attended 3 more of her grandchildren’s’ weddings over the next 4 years.

One way Yager was able to measure the benefits of her hearing aids came from a common household item. An old clock, which chimes every quarter-hour, has been on display in Yager’s home for nearly fifty years. Although Yager had long suspected that the clock was losing it’s boisterous chime, she did not mention this to her family. It was not until she started wearing her first set of hearing aids that she realized the clock chimed as loud as it did when she first got it.

With the programming capabilities of digital hearing aids, Yager was able to have separate settings for the different situations she found herself in daily. There was a setting programmed so that she could listen to the TV at a comfortable level for those around her as well as for normal conversations. A second setting helped to reduce the level of background noise she experienced regularly. A third setting was compatible with the telephone, which she uses regularly to talk to her family around the country.
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After about 6 years, “the old set had started to lose their effectiveness so I now have a new set. I find I really need them all time and especially for use on the telephone. I cannot hear without them in place.” Yager’s new hearing aids are part of Audibel’s Anthem technology. The Superior Speech Locator feature allows her to hear even better in crowds and with background noise and the Automatic Feedback Intercept feature takes care of whistling she used to occasionally get on the phone.

At ninety years old and recently widowed, Yager lives alone in the big house she and her husband shared for over 60 years. Even though she lives alone, she wears her hearing aids every single day so she can hear the phone ring, the oven timer ding, and all the other little sounds that help her be aware of her surroundings. Now that her hearing aids are part of her daily routine, Yager does not feel like she is ready to start the day until they are in her ears.

Yager is so pleased with her audiologist and the company where she has purchased her hearing aids. “I feel like I can really trust my Audiologist, Whitney Swander, who owns Hearing HealthCare Centers. And it’s not just because she’s my granddaughter.”