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!