Issue 1.13
It is 2013 and there are endless resolutions being made in the days leading up to the New Year as well as in the few weeks after the New Year has begun. Many resolve to lose a few pounds; others resolve to get that nagging project around the house done, while others resolve to be a little more kind and patient to their loved ones. What is your New Year’s resolution?
One of the resolutions often overlooked is that of doing something about the diminishing hearing that has crept up over the past few years. Studies show that decreased hearing in one’s life can result in decreased job opportunities, strained relationships between family, friends and co-workers and an increase in stress, blood pressure, social separation and a decrease in neural plasticity of the brain…just to name a few.
My challenge to you is to resolve to at least have your hearing health history taken and have your hearing tested by a Doctor of Audiology this year. This will give you a baseline to know where your hearing is with respect to the “normal” hearing person. There are generally 3 outcomes of a complete medical hearing evaluation; 1) Normal hearing, no action at the present time, 2) monitor hearing annually with no action being taken at the present time, 3) Detected hearing loss and a recommendation of treatment which may include a medical health exam from your physician/ear specialist or treatment with one of today’s state of the art hearing solutions.
Hearing technology today is completely amazing and is nothing like what Uncle Bob or Dad used to wear. Today, new miniature nanotechnology detectors recognize unique sound patterns in the environment and selectively adjust amplification to isolate and amplify human speech while reducing background noise.
Adjustments are automatic and instantaneous, allowing you to roam freely, from a windy beach, to a noisy open convertible, to a crowded meeting room, a symphony, or a quiet meeting place, all without ever having to touch or manually adjust your hearing instruments.
New active spectrum analyzers completely eliminate feedback – canceling buzzing, whistling, and humming background noise automatically.
Nanoswitch microphones sense the signal of a telephone and automatically switch to acoustic telephone mode every time you pick up the phone at home, at work, or anywhere you stop on the go.
Televisions, cell phones, and other sound devices can be connected directly to your hearing instrument for the ultimate sound clarity using Bluetooth wireless technology.
New small behind the ear models are nearly invisible and can be previewed right in the office or fitted same day with no waiting for ear impressions. Open air designs use a miniature speaker that does not block or obstruct the ear canal so your ears do not feel plugged or pressurized which has been a problem of the custom devices in the past.
We encourage all those who have been wondering about how your hearing really is doing, to schedule a non-committing, comprehensive medical hearing exam by one of our Doctors of Audiology and find out today what you have been missing.
Dr. Lance Greer is an Audiologist with Advanced Hearing & Balance Specialists with 10 clinics located throughout Central and Southern Utah and Nevada. To make an appointment call 435-688-8866 or 800-548-0356.