Below are some of the different types of hearing loss and deafness, and what action you should be taking if you notice the signs of hearing loss. From visiting your audiologist to having hearing aids or a cochlear implant to help, we’re going to look at the journey you may take.

Signs of hearing loss

Although hearing loss can occur from birth it is most common for it happens gradually, so you may not notice it at first. There are common signs of hearing loss and if you are experiencing any of the following it may be time to see an audiologist:

• Needing to turn the tv up to hear it more than others
• Finding it hard to follow a conversation in busy places
• Struggling to hear people on the phone
• Asking people to repeat what they’ve said
• Do you think that others mumble?

The best way to find out if you have hearing loss is through a hearing test if you are experiencing one or more of the above then speak to an audiologist.

Signs of hearing loss in babies and children

You should always seek help from an audiologist if you think that a baby, toddler or child is experiencing hearing loss. Some signs to look out for include:

• They don’t startle at loud noises
• They don’t say single words at one year old
• They don’t turn to noise when under four months
• Don’t respond to their name, but notice you when they see you
• Appears to not hear all sounds
• Not clear when speaking
• Don’t reply when you call them
• Often talk very loudly
• They are often turning up volume controls
• Watch other people actions to instructions because they haven’t heard

Diagnosing hearing loss and deafness

Many people who are experiencing hearing loss will question how hearing loss is diagnosed. If you find that you or a child is showing any of the signs above the first step is to have a simple hearing test with an audiologist. You may need to visit your doctor first to get a referral, then an audiologist can conduct further tests to diagnose and put a treatment plan in place. Newborn babies are now often tested in the first few weeks following birth. The test is designed to identify babies who have permanent hearing loss so that they can have the support they need as soon as possible.

What causes hearing loss and deafness?

Hearing loss and deafness is because of sound signals not reaching the brain correctly due to a problem in the hearing system. There are three main types of hearing loss, depending on where the problem is occurring.

Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by either damage to the hair cells inside the inner ear or damage to the hearing nerve, in some cases, it can be both. This type of hearing loss changes your ability to hear quieter sounds and it reduces the clarity of the sound that you hear. It is a permanent type of hearing loss.

Conductive hearing loss is where sounds cannot pass from your outer ear to your inner ear, this is often because of blockages like earwax or growths. Sounds will become quieter and sometimes sound muffled and conversations will sound mumbled. This type of hearing loss can be temporary or permanent.

Mixed hearing loss is exactly what it sounds like; a mix of both conductive and sensorineural. It can be a mix of a permanent loss with an added element of temporary such as already having sensorineural hearing loss and then starting to experience blockages from earwax.

Hearing aids and other treatments

If you have hearing loss you can sometimes struggle to communicate, you may find that you need some help from an audiologist in order to find a treatment. Hearing aids and other forms of treatment can help to improve your hearing loss to some degree.

You will work closely with an audiologist who will be able to diagnose and treat your hearing loss with hearing aids, surgical intervention and cochlear implants. They will be able to help you decide which treatment is going to be most suited to your level of hearing loss. They will also help you to manage your hearing loss, your treatment and advise you of additional help such as learning sign language or lip-reading.

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Sensorineural hearing loss causes and risks

This is the most common type of hearing loss. It’s a permanent loss of hearing that occurs when there is either damage to the auditory nerve that weakens or prevents the transfer of nerve signals that are directed to the brain or damage to the tiny hair-like cells of the inner ear. These signals carry important information regarding the loudness and clarity of sounds.

Causes

Sometimes a child can be born with sensorineural hearing loss, it is most commonly due to a genetic syndrome or from an infection passed from mother to fetus inside the womb, such as toxoplasmosis, herpes or rubella. It’s more typical to see sensorineural hearing loss developing later in life, which is caused by a variety of triggers. The causes include:

• Presbycusis, normal aging
• Extended periods of exposure to extremely loud noises
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Traumatic injuries that have caused damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve
• Autoimmune diseases
• Infections such as meningitis, scarlet fever, mumps and measles
• Meniere’s disease
• Having a side effect from medicines
• Acoustic neuroma, or growths in the ear

Symptoms

Both loudness and the clarity of sounds are affected by the symptoms of sensorineural hearing loss. For a lot of people, they will have high-frequency hearing loss, which leads to the following symptoms:

• Hearing speech from others as mumbled or slurred. You may feel like you can hear but not understand what they’re saying
• You may have difficulty following a conversation where there are more than two people conversing at the same time
• Tinnitus
• Problems in noisy environments like convention centers, malls or train stations.
• More difficulty with women’s or children’s voices
• Difficulty hearing high pitched sounds
• Problems identifying sounds such as th or s.
• Some noises seem too quiet or loud
• Feeling off-balanced
• Feeling dizzy
• Being able to hear people speak but not clearly

Treatment

There is no surgical or medical way of repairing the auditory nerve or hair-like cells in the inner ear if they have become damaged. However, sensorineural hearing loss can be easily treated by visiting an audiologist who can help with hearing aids or cochlear implants.

Conductive hearing loss causes and risks

Conductive hearing loss is less common, it happens when there is an obstruction or damage to the outer or middle ear that prevents sound from being conducted to the inner ear. It can be temporary or permanent, depending on what caused it.

Causes

The causes of conductive hearing loss can be determined by which part of the ear is affected, the outer or middle ear.

Outer ear causes include:

• Narrowing of the ear canal
• Wax
• Otitis externa
• Obstructions
• Microtia
• Exostoses

Middle ear causes include:

• A breach in the eardrum caused by injury, ear infections or extreme air pressure changes
  Tympanosclerosis
• Ear infection, the build-up of fluid
• Blockages in the eustachian tube, this connects the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat
• Ossicular chain discontinuity

Symptoms

Someone who primarily has conductive hearing loss will have difficulty with the loudness of sounds but not clarity. You will find that these people will turn the volume up on thing like the radio or tv to improve what they can hear. If you start to experience this kind of hearing loss, speak to your audiologist. Other symptoms include:

• Can hear better in one ear than the other
• Pain in your ears
• Pressure in ears
• Difficulty hearing on the telephone
• Hearing your own voice differently

Treatment

There are some medical or surgical treatments that can improve hearing for those with conductive hearing loss. Such as ear infections, obstructions, growths and wax impaction that are often temporary. Conductive hearing loss that is permanent may be treated by an audiologist with hearing aids or bone-anchored implantable devices.

Mixed hearing loss causes and risks

Mixed hearing loss is a combination of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss.

Causes

Mixed hearing loss can happen over time and be caused by trauma. Someone who has long-standing conductive hearing loss might start to experience age-related hearing loss too.

Symptoms

The symptoms of mixed hearing loss are a combination of both sensorineural and conductive, and may include difficulty hearing in noisy situations and pressure or pain in the ear.

Treatment

Treatment options for mixed hearing loss will be affected if the loss is more sensorineural or conductive. Your audiologist will be able to work with you to find the best solution.

If you think that you may be experiencing hearing loss, speak to our audiologists to learn more about what San Francisco Hearing Center can do for you.

The post Hearing Loss Causes and Risks appeared first on San Francisco Hearing Center.

As a leading audiologist in San Francisco, we’re best placed to offer advice on this topic. So, here are our tips on how you look after your hearing aid batteries.

How to test hearing aid batteries

You should check your hearing aid batteries before you use them. Also, it’s good to test the battery if your hearing aid turns off or stops working. Either way, this is how you carry out the tests:

• To start, insert your batteries into the battery chamber of your hearing aid
• Make sure the positive marking faces upwards, then close the chamber door
• Try turning your hearing aid on, if it works, then the battery is fine
• If your hearing aid still doesn’t turn on, then carefully close your hand over the hearing aid and raise it to your ear
• If you can hear a squealing sound coming from the device, then the battery is working. If not, then it may be dead

If you have access to more than one hearing aid, then carry out this test across multiple devices. Essentially, it just ensures that the hearing aid isn’t at fault.

Alternatively, you can buy a hearing aid battery tester. This is the easier method as you just slide the battery in and read the results!

How to change hearing aid batteries

Changing hearing aid batteries isn’t difficult, but it still needs to be done correctly. To begin, make sure you clean your hands before handling the batteries. If you touch new hearing aid batteries with dirty hands, then dirt or grime can get in them and cause damage. As a result, they won’t last for very long.

Secondly, make sure you change the hearing aid batteries on a clean surface away from any moisture. Again, this is to prevent any damage from occurring. Now, you can follow these simple steps:

• Locate the battery chamber on your device
• Open the chamber as per the specific instructions in the manual for your device
• Take out the old battery and dispose of it
• Remove your new battery from its packaging and peel off the adhesive label. This will now activate the battery and make it ready for use
• Wait between five to seven minutes for your battery to fully activate. This waiting period can make the battery last for up to three days longer
• Insert the new battery into the chamber, making sure that the positive and negative sides are facing the right way. There will be + and – symbols on the battery and device to help you figure out the correct way
• Close the battery chamber and hold the hearing aid to your ear. Typically, the device is programmed to play a tune when a new battery is inserted, so you know it works

Of course, if you don’t hear the tune or your hearing aids don’t turn on, then refer to the advice about testing the batteries.

How to buy hearing aid batteries

You can purchase hearing aid batteries online, but you must be aware of certain things. Mainly, make sure you get the right batteries for your device. Different types of hearing aids require differently sized batteries. For example, a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid usually needs a bigger battery than one worn in the canal (ITC). Batteries are generally color-coded to express their size, so be aware of that as well.

Speak to an audiologist if you want to know what hearing aids fit your device. The worst thing you can do is guess! In the end, you’ll probably buy batteries that don’t fit and don’t work.

Also, it’s a good idea to buy hearing aids when you need them. Don’t buy lots in bulk as they will lose their performance as they age. Even if they’re not activated in their packaging, old batteries won’t be as good as new ones. So, look for long use-by dates to get the newest and best ones around.

Contact San Francisco Hearing Center for more help

Taking care of your hearing aid batteries begins with seeing an audiologist. Contact us today, and we can book you in for an appointment. Here, we’ll answer any questions and provide as much assistance as possible.

The post How to Change Hearing Aid Batteries appeared first on San Francisco Hearing Center.

As you can imagine, this causes a fair bit of annoyance in your life. But it can also impact the quality of your life as well. Here are four different ways that tinnitus can be a regular burden for you:

Can lead to insomnia

Insomnia is a condition where you can’t get to sleep. When you have tinnitus, there’s a high chance you’ll end up with sleep issues. It’s very hard to relax when you can hear a loud ringing or buzzing sound the whole time. To make things worse, it feels as though it gets louder when you become aware of it. You can’t stop thinking about the ringing, and you can’t get to sleep.

Human beings need sleep to recover after a long day. As a result, tinnitus stops you from feeling refreshed every morning. You wake up with bags under your eyes and just a couple of hours of sleep to pull you through the day. In turn, this can impact your work and your personal life.

Makes it hard to concentrate

Similarly, tinnitus makes it very hard for you to concentrate or focus on specific things. If you’re trying to work, then it provides a constant distraction. No matter how hard you try, you can’t get rid of the ringing in your ears. It’s the only thing you can think about, and this leads to a complete lack of focus.

Even if you’re at home reading a book or watching TV, this is an inconvenience. It stops you from enjoying your hobbies! But, it’s even more of an issue when it impacts your job. A lack of concentration will lead to a dip in your work performance. If things don’t improve, then your boss might start having words with you.

Causes emotional distress

If you are experiencing tinnitus, then it can be very emotionally challenging. In effect, it’s a burden on your mental health and emotional wellbeing. It almost makes you feel paranoid every single day. As soon as you wake up, you wait to see if the ringing is still there. When it is, you really struggle to shake it from your mind.

In some severe cases, tinnitus can cause people to experience emotional difficulties. This has nothing to do with pain – it’s completely painless – it’s just the sheer psychological effect it carries. Tinnitus can consume your life if you don’t get it treated. As a result, your relationships can be affected too. Some people become closed off from their friends because tinnitus is just weighing down on them and stopping them from feeling happy and cheerful.

Difficulty communicating with others

Lastly, tinnitus can make it hard for you to communicate with others. First of all, it sometimes comes about as a result of hearing loss. Already, that impacts your ability to communicate. But, having the ringing in your ears also plays a big role here. It relates back to the idea of being unable to concentrate. Instead of focusing on what the other person is saying, you’re focusing on the noise in your ears.

Consequently, conversations are littered with pardons and can you say that again please? It can make you feel embarrassed.

How do you treat tinnitus?

The good news is that there are tinnitus treatment options out there. An audiologist will likely recommend one of these three methods:

• Hearing aids: Special hearing aids contain tinnitus masking features that block out the ringing sound from your ears.
• Sound machines: These machines can be placed in your home and provide white noise or other sounds to mask your tinnitus.
• Tinnitus retraining therapy: This method involves training yourself to get used to the tinnitus. Instead of seeing it as a burden, it becomes a normal part of life. In turn, this almost makes it fade into the background of your mind.

Contact us to learn more

Are you experiencing tinnitus? If so, then we highly recommend giving the team at San Francisco Hearing Center a call. We provide help for anyone suffering from hearing-related issues.

The post 4 Ways Tinnitus Impacts Quality of Life appeared first on San Francisco Hearing Center.

Luckily, there are treatment options out there for people experiencing problems such as tinnitus and hearing loss; those two things can be linked, of course. So, if you are suffering from tinnitus, finding the right support from an audiologist is the wisest thing you can do.

Trying to interpret sounds when you have tinnitus can put a strain on the mind

When you have tinnitus, you sometimes have to strain to follow conversations and focus on particular sounds. When this happens, it puts more of a strain on your mind, and it’s this that’s linked to cognitive decline and developing problems in that department. It’s challenging and takes its toll in the end.

Many people don’t realize how much of an impact it’s having on them because interpreting sounds can seem like something easy and straightforward, but, unfortunately, that’s not true. We interact with others every day, and when that becomes difficult for you to do, it’s going to have an impact in the end.

Studies have found people with hearing loss are at higher risk of cognitive impairment

Research determined people who have hearing loss are at greater risk of cognitive impairment and other mental problems than those who don’t have hearing loss. This link goes to show how much of an impact our hearing has on our mental capacity, especially as we get older.

This is important because tinnitus is linked to hearing loss and can be categorized as a form of hearing loss if the problem is severe enough. It also goes to show that it’s important to receive help and treatment for any hearing problems you might be having before your cognitive abilities are impaired too.

Social isolation can contribute to these problems too

It’s not just the physical problem of hearing loss that can impact your cognitive abilities either. It’s also the case that social isolation can speed up your cognitive decline and lead to a range of mental health problems. When people can no longer hear the way they used to, they can find conversations difficult.

This then leads to social isolation as they choose to withdraw from conversations and social situations because they want to avoid the embarrassment of not being able to take part as a result of their hearing issues. It’s a vicious cycle that can accelerate the kinds of problems we’re talking about.

Tinnitus can disrupt cognitive performance

Cognitive performance can be disrupted as a direct result of having your hearing impaired by tinnitus. When you have a constant ringing sound in your ears, it becomes tough to concentrate and focus on the things you’re doing. By disrupting your concentration, your overall cognitive performance can start to be impacted too.

If you’ve been suffering from tinnitus for a while, this inability to concentrate on things fully and properly is most likely something that you’ve already experienced yourself. It’s never a pleasant thing, but there are treatment options out there, so don’t feel like you have to put up with the situation because that’s not true at all.

Prevention is better than cure, and it’s often too late for cures

It’s vital to remember that when it comes to the link between tinnitus and cognitive disorders, prevention is always better than cure. By the time cognitive damage has been done, it’s often too late to do much about it because it’s not the kind of thing that can be easily reversed.

This is why it is so crucial to seek treatment from an audiologist when you notice symptoms developing. That way, they can address symptoms with a recommended solution before they eventually lead to any kind of irreversible cognitive decline.

If you’re seeking help for tinnitus or another auditory-related condition, talk to the audiologists at Audiological Services of San Francisco. We’re more than happy to book an appointment for you and find a solution that works for you. The sooner you get treatment, the better it’ll be for your long-term cognitive health. Our phone number is 415-346-6886, so don’t hesitate to contact us today!

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Ringing in your ears is commonly known as tinnitus. This is a condition that can affect anyone at any stage in life. However, as you age, the chances of getting tinnitus will increase. As for what causes ringing in your ears, well, there can be many different things.

Hearing loss

Hearing loss is possibly the number one cause of ringing in the ears. There’s a common misconception that tinnitus causes hearing loss when it’s actually the other way round. Hearing loss is when the sensory cells in your ear have become damaged. As a result, you don’t pick up sounds as you used to. This is why everything seems quieter.

Some studies have shown that this leads to tinnitus as your brain starts to produce these ringing sounds to compensate for the lack of noise. You’ll know if your tinnitus is caused by hearing loss because it coincides with your inability to hear correctly. Usually, this is most likely to be an issue when you reach 60 or older. At this age, the sensory cells in your ears begin to die out, leading to hearing loss and tinnitus.

Damage to your ears caused by loud noises

Tinnitus is often caused by damage to your ears through exposure to loud noises. Your audiologist will tell you that any sounds above 85dB have the potential to be harmful. Loud sounds can rupture or tear your eardrum, which leads to the ringing or whistling associated with tinnitus.

As you get older, you may be exposed to loud sounds over a long period. For example, what if you spent 20 years of your life working in a noisy factory? The accumulation of loud noises will damage your ears every single day, making it likely that you suffer from tinnitus. Protecting yourself from loud noises is one of the best ways to prevent tinnitus.

Too much earwax

Our ears use earwax as a way of getting rid of bacteria and germs. Usually, you don’t have to worry about it as it takes care of itself. However, earwax blockages are somewhat common. This happens when too much wax is built up in your ear, and it hardens.

For older people, this is common if you wear hearing aids or use earplugs. By inserting something into your ear, you make it harder for the wax to soften and melt away naturally. As a result, it can solidify and cause blockages that lead to tinnitus. If you have a lot of wax, then it can touch your eardrum and cause further irritation, which also causes tinnitus.

Specific medications

Sometimes, your medication can be what causes ringing in your ears or tinnitus. Or, if you already have it, then medication can make it worse. Different types can be problematic, including the following:

• Antibiotics
• Aspirin
• Diuretics
• Cancer medications
• Antidepressants

If you take any of these medications, then there’s a chance it might be what’s causing the ringing in your ears. See your audiologist for a full check-up and examination as they can help figure out if it’s medication-based or something else.

High blood pressure

People with high blood pressure are found to be at an increased risk of getting tinnitus. This is because the condition affects your blood flow. As a result, it leads to issues in your ears, which causes tinnitus.

If you have no hearing problems, you don’t get exposed to loud sounds, and you have no earwax, then this medical condition may be the cause.

Can tinnitus be treated?

Some tinnitus is temporary, which means it will go away when the cause is dealt with. Tinnitus caused by loud noises, earwax, medication, or high blood pressure may fall into this bracket. But, some tinnitus is permanent – mainly when it comes from hearing loss. In this case, it can’t be cured, but it can be treated.

Your audiologist will suggest various options, but the most common are hearing aids, sound machines and tinnitus retraining therapy. One may work better for you than the others; you’ll need to visit your audiologist to find out.

Contact us today for more help!

At San Francisco Hearing Center, we can help you with a range of tinnitus and hearing loss-related problems. So, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to learn more and get the help you need. We’ll happily answer any of your questions.

The post What Causes Ringing in Your Ears appeared first on San Francisco Hearing Center.

What are the various sizes of hearing aid batteries?

There are four standard sizes when it comes to hearing aid batteries. There’s size 10, size 13, size 312 and size 675. You should talk to your audiologist about which you need for your hearing aid when you’re going through the process of having it fitted for the first time. If you’ve already done that and you’re not sure, you can always call your audiologist or search on the internet. They’re all color-coded too: size 10 is yellow, size 312 is brown, size 13 is orange and size 675 is blue.

How do you get the most out of hearing aid batteries in terms of performance?

There are lots of things you can do to ensure your hearing aid batteries perform to the highest possible standards. For most people, this will mean keeping moisture away from the battery air holes and away from the device in general. You should also make sure that you always switch off your hearing aid when you’re not using it because that can make a big difference. If you do ever get the hearing aid wet and you think it might have reached the batteries, dry them as soon as you can.

How long do hearing aid batteries generally last?

Of course, it’s hard to say exactly how long your hearing aid batteries will last because there are several factors that will impact that. For a start, the model of hearing aid you use will have an impact on how long it lasts, as well the number of hours per day you spend using your hearing aids. If you use them for streaming, this will dramatically reduce the lifespan of the batteries, so that should always be taken into account.

Should I use rechargeable batteries?

Rechargeable batteries are much more cost effective for many people, especially if you’re someone who needs to use your hearing aids a lot throughout the day. You want to make sure that you don’t have to be spending money on new batteries all the time and heading out to buy new ones when you have better things to be doing. That’s why rechargeable batteries are so appealing. You can simply charge them overnight or when you’re not using your hearing aids.

Why might my hearing aid batteries not be working?

There’s a variety of reasons why your hearing aid batteries might not be working for you as they should. To begin with, you should look if they’ve been activated by removing the tab. You might also find that a dented surface on the battery might negatively impact performance. It could also be the case that you’re using the wrong batteries or they’re faulty and arrived not adequately charged. That last example is rare, but it does sometimes happen.

How should hearing aid batteries be stored?

If you’re storing your hearing aid batteries outside of the device before using them, you should keep them at room temperature. That’s between 10 and 25 degrees Celsius. Somewhere in the middle of that range is the best option in most cases. You certainly shouldn’t store them in a refrigerator because they’ll be too cold, condensation can form when removed and their performance will ultimately be damaged. You should also do your best to keep them away from other metal objects to avoid short circuits.

What are the air holes in hearing aid batteries for?

The power of the battery is determined, to some extent, by the design of the electrodes and this is linked to the air holes that are found on the battery. You should keep these clean and don’t allow moisture to reach them if you can help it. Even if it might not look like it, these air holes are essential to the functioning of your hearing aid batteries.

Visit San Francisco Hearing Center if you want help with anything relating to your hearing aid or its batteries. We’ll be more than happy to book an appointment for you and find the best solution for your specific needs.

The post Hearing Aid Battery FAQs appeared first on San Francisco Hearing Center.

Without that, you could be vulnerable to hearing loss and problems such as tinnitus. If you’re not sure how to choose the right hearing protection for you, here are some of the things you should know and understand.

Ensure your hearing protection suits its purpose

First of all, you need to make sure that the hearing protection you have in place is fit for purpose. That means it has to be suitable for what you’re doing. For example, there are musicians’ earplugs that are designed for people who are regularly close to loud instruments and speakers. But there are also headphones that are suitable for people who work at airports on the tarmac who need protection when they’re close to planes taking off. There’s a solution for every need.

Find the right comfort and fit

It’s also essential to make sure that the hearing protection you choose is comfortable for you to wear. If you don’t find it comfortable, it’s probably going to end up causing you problems. And that can lead to you simply deciding not to wear it even when you need it. Protection is vital so you can’t simply not wear it because you made the wrong choice and end up with hearing protection that’s not comfortable. Think about the fit as well because that’ll impact comfort.

Talk to your employer

If you’re buying hearing protection that you’re going to be using in your workplace, you could talk to your employer about what you need. If it’s a new job and you’re not sure precisely what kind of hearing protection you need, your employer should be able to offer you the right guidance. In some instances, they might even provide hearing protection you. In some places, it’s necessary for employers to provide this kind of equipment to their employees when they’re working.

Understand legal safety standards

There are some occasions when there are specific rules in place that have been written into law under various health and safety acts. So, be sure to look into this and see if there are certain levels of protection that are required in certain industries and working scenarios. This, again, might be something that you have to talk to your employer about. If it’s written into law, the chances are, your employer will be obligated to provide you with the right hearing protection.

Store and maintain your hearing protection correctly

It’s also important to store your hearing protection correctly. Be sure to find out the best way to clean your hearing protection once you own it. And when you’re not using the hearing protection, it’s advised that you store it in a place that’s dry and protected from any dirt or grime that might otherwise find its way onto the item. The last thing you want is to develop an ear infection because you didn’t store and maintain your hearing protection correctly and adequately.

Consider a custom-made solution

Many people choose to opt for custom made solutions when they’re not sure exactly what they need from their hearing protection. These are often earplugs that are molded to the shape of your inner ear, offering a tighter and more comfortable level of protection. When you choose a solution like this, you can be sure that you’re getting exactly the kind of protection that you require. There are lots of retailers out there that provide custom made hearing protection solutions, so take a look.

Consider the replacement rate

Finally, you should think about the replacement rate of the hearing protection you choose. If you choose disposable earplugs, you’ll have to replace these very regularly. But even earmuffs and banded earplugs should be replaced every four to eight months depending on how heavily they’re used. If you don’t replace them regularly enough, you might not be getting the level of protection you need, and that can then lead to problems with your hearing if you’re not careful.

Head to San Francisco Hearing Center if you want further help with anything relating to your hearing. We’ll be more than happy to book an appointment for you and find a solution to the problems you’ve been experiencing recently.

The post How to choose Hearing Protection appeared first on San Francisco Hearing Center.

Managing your stress

The constant ringing or buzzing in your ears caused by tinnitus can, unsurprisingly, make life stressful on occasion. As stress and anxiety can provide a negative stimulus to a sensitive hearing system, it is important to manage the symptoms associated with stress and anxiety and have this be a priority. Upon diagnosis of a hearing problem, it can be tempting to withdraw, as feelings of isolation upon diagnosis of these sorts of issues are common. But by managing your stress through mindfulness techniques, this can provide a suitable coping method, as well as counseling and other alternative therapies recommended by an audiologist.

Protecting your ears

Many people benefit from using a hearing aid because it can amplify outside noise, but it’s also important to avoid situations that can damage your hearing further. This could mean that you would have to alter your lifestyle accordingly, especially if you go to noisy events like concerts or sports games. Just because tinnitus has been diagnosed, it doesn’t mean that this will stay in the same condition. When appropriate, you should use protective ear wear. Avoiding loud environments where possible will safeguard your ears against additional damage.

Addressing certain lifestyle habits

Looking after yourself is priority number one, and addressing the habits that you know to be negative to your body, such as consumption of alcohol or smoking, can actually have an effect on your hearing. Likewise, a lack of exercise is something that can negatively impact your hearing ability. As regular exercise is beneficial for your body by improving the circulation of blood, this can help tinnitus sufferers as there have been cases linked with low blood supply to the inner ear.

Therapy options

Various therapies, such as tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) are very useful in the fight against tinnitus. There are different aspects of TRT, such as utilizing a device with tinnitus-masking features. that can help the person to gradually tune out the tinnitus. Because TRT can focus on two different aspects, the sound itself, as well as the emotional reaction, the efficacy of dealing with the issue can be dealt with more comprehensively, tackling the problem itself, but also providing strategies for the sufferer in every other way. Using sound therapy to mask the internal sound of tinnitus can help to refocus the person’s attention, providing immediate relief. But what can happen over time is that sound therapy can result in the brain being “retrained” to view the tinnitus sound as something that can be ignored, such as the day-to-day noises we mask automatically. In addition to this, by using specific sounds can help to minimize a hyperactive brain which is believed to be the underlying function of tinnitus.

The other component of tinnitus retraining therapy is to focus on the emotional elements. Because tinnitus can trigger depression and anxiety, this can prove to be a more long-term problem than the actual condition. And this can be done through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which can be done in a group or one-to-one, which then helps to identify specific triggers, as well as instigate lifestyle choices and coping strategies to make the condition more bearable.

As tinnitus can prove to be frustrating for your hearing ability, as well as the emotions, it’s crucial that you speak to an audiologist to identify the best course of therapy for you. As you can see, there are many ways to protect yourself from additional hearing damage caused by tinnitus. If you believe yourself to be suffering from tinnitus or any hearing related problem, you don’t need to suffer in silence. You can contact the San Francisco Hearing Center to speak to a professional and book an appointment with an audiologist who will put you on the right path.

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Far from being a normal test, a hearing test can be a very interesting experience if you’ve never been to one before. Because you are checking to see if everything is working correctly, you might think that you don’t need to do any preparation. In actual fact, there are many ways to prepare for a hearing test to ensure that the test goes by smoothly and that you can get the most out of it.

Visit your audiologist

Be sure to schedule a hearing test with an audiologist so you can get started on the road to treating hearing loss effectively. An audiologist is someone you will come to rely on to diagnose your condition as well as recommend the best course of action for you. Having an audiologist that you can put your trust in is vital.

Take notes

Before and during the appointment it is recommended that you take a few notes. Before the appointment, consider any questions or concerns you may have about your hearing or hearing loss in general. No matter how trivial or silly your concerns may be, you need to know exactly what’s going on. Your audiologist will have heard it all before and can answer every question you have. Every concern you have is important and has to be addressed. During the appointment, the audiologist will want you to list any medications, supplements and your health in general, so they can ascertain if it’s relevant to your hearing problems. For example, if you suffer from any conditions like high blood pressure or asthma, you need to let the audiologist know. Likewise, if you’ve had any issues like sinusitis or ear infections, it’s important to inform them of this as well.

Clean your ears

As the audiologist will perform a detailed inspection of the ear canal using an otoscope, they may perform a quick ear cleaning if they notice any kind of impactions or blockages. Built-up earwax can actually cause sudden hearing loss and even tinnitus, which is why the audiologist will visually inspect your ear canals to ensure they are free of dirt, debris and wax.

Avoid loud noise

As excessive noise causes damage to your hearing, you need to minimize your exposure to this for at least 12 hours before the hearing test. One of the tests, the pure-tone test, will measure your ability to detect different tones. If you have an exposure to loud noise in the hours before your hearing test, this can skew the results. If you have to put yourself into a noisy situation, such as using power tools or vacuuming the home, do your best to protect your ears from potential damage by wearing noise-canceling headphones.

Don’t get sick

If you get a head cold, virus or infection a day or two prior to your appointment, get in contact with the audiologist. Because congestion within the head can affect the fluid in the middle ear, this can alter the function of your eardrum and may cause inaccurate results. Because the presence of fluid in the middle ear can affect the eardrum, the bones won’t vibrate as they normally would, which will cause the results of your hearing test to vary than if you were feeling well. If you catch a cold, contact the office to discuss the issue, and if necessary, reschedule the appointment.

Don’t forget to talk to your insurance company

It’s a good idea to contact your insurance company before the appointment to see if anything is covered. While treatment like hearing aids may not be covered by your insurance, some do provide benefits for hearing tests. In addition to this, consulting your audiologist practice if they bill to insurance companies directly can give you a better understanding of what the insurance company needs from you and the audiologist so the appointment can be covered. Talking to the audiologist beforehand will help you better prepare for what you may be responsible for and can help you set your budget.

Preparing for a hearing test is as important for you as any serious examination. After all, the audiologist needs to know if there are any long-term issues that can affect your hearing. But it’s their job to provide you with the path to wellness, and if this means providing you with a hearing aid, this can help you to live your life better. If you want to book a hearing test, or you have any questions, you can contact the San Francisco Hearing Center.

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