Posts Tagged ‘hearing’

This holiday season, give the gift of hearing. Hearing aids can drastically improve a person’s quality of life by allowing them to hear sounds more clearly and loudly. The holidays are all about spending time with your family and loved ones, and not being able to participate in conversations or hear what’s going on can really result in you missing out on some wonderful moments.

If you’re unsure whether you are experiencing some degree of hearing loss, we offer a brief questionnaire that will help you decide. Answer yes or no to the following questions:

1. Does it seem like people mumble or speak more softly than they used to?
2. Do you find it hard to hear at movie theaters, concert halls, your house of worship or other public gathering places?
3. Are you able to hear people talk, but have trouble understanding the words they’re saying?
4. Do you frequently ask people to repeat things?
5. Have you had any significant noise exposure at work, recreation or in military service?
6. Do you experience a ringing in your hears or other head noises (crickets, buzzing, hissing, etc.)?

Most people will be able to answer “yes” to at least one of those questions, but if you answered “yes” to two or more of them, we strongly recommend you get a more thorough hearing investigation. It may be a good idea to keep track of your hearing experiences for a few days, or even a week, by writing down each time you experience trouble hearing. (For example, when you have to ask someone to repeat themselves, or when you don’t understand a conversation.)

Because families spend time together during the holidays, it’s a great opportunity to address a loved one’s hearing loss and try to get them help. We sincerely hope that you have a wonderful holiday season and are able to spend time with your loved ones — and even better, be able to hear them well. Please visit one of our stores or contact us for more information about hearing aids.

Out of thousands of entrants, Popular Science magazine named the Lyric hearing aid “Best of What’s New” 2009. This recognition is quite impressive, as the magazine’s editors choose just the top 100 tech innovations of the year — and those that make the cut are breakthrough products and technologies that represent a significant leap in their categories.

Winners, including the Lyric hearing aid, will be featured in the December issue of Popular Science, the most read issue of the year for over 20 years. Some other “Best of What’s New” categories include: Recreation, Security, Home Entertainment, Green Technology and Automotive. The magazine notes that this award is the top honor, and winners represent the highest level of achievement in their fields.

The Lyric hearing aid is truly innovative. It is often called “invisible” since it is placed, for up to four months, deep in the hearing canal. This hearing aid needs no battery changes and can even be worn while showering.

Insound Medical is responsible for the creation of the Lyric hearing aid, and they say it is the world’s first extended wear hearing aid. Its deep placement in the hearing canal makes it very appealing to people who may feel embarrassed or self-conscious about hearing aids — there is really no way for anyone to be able to tell a person is wearing it.

More About Hearing Aids

If you’re curious about hearing aids or would like more information about hearing loss, feel free to contact us at Hearing Aid Express. We have several convenient locations in Austin, Houston and Dallas and are always happy to help you.

There was a great story last week in Florida’s Foster Folly News about baby boomers and hearing loss. Siemens, a company that manufactures hearing aids, sponsored an Applied Research study called “The Cost of Hearing Loss” that was conducted in May of 2009.

The study found that 72 percent of baby boomers think their hearing is average or better, but children of baby boomers said that 70 percent of their family members “have suggested their father have his hearing tested and 64 percent have suggested the same for their mother.” Interesting findings, no doubt, especially the conclusion that just 32 percent of those baby boomers said someone in their family suggested a hearing test.

In total, 500 respondents were a part of the study — 250 baby boomers and 250 children of baby boomers. The study also asked respondents about hearing aids and what they thought of them. Here are some of the results:

• 75 percent of baby boomers do not currently use hearing aids and are not considering hearing aids
• 34 percent of baby boomers said hearing aids look awkward, and 29 percent said they make you look old
• 25 percent said hearing aids are uncomfortable, and 23 percent said they’re too hard to buy

Clearly, the study shows that baby boomers and their children are not on the same page about hearing loss. As the article notes, hearing loss affects many people in a variety of ways and can lead to anxiety, isolation, loneliness and depression over time. Finding a solution as soon as possible is important in order to prevent hearing loss from becoming a psychological problem instead of just a physical problem.

The article also points out that there are so many different styles of hearing aids with design and color options “that make the devices inconspicuous.” At Hearing Aid Express, we’re proud to offer an impressive variety of hearing aids. What’s more is that our friendly staff can help you find the hearing aids that are just right for you. Stop by one of our stores today, or contact us online.

There’s a great article in last week’s New York Daily News that talks about how iPods and loud music are causing hearing damage — and younger people are exposed to this problem much earlier.

As a Dr. Ellen Finkelstein, a board certified audiologist quoted in the article, notes, how long young people are exposed to loud noises from cell phones and iPods plays a big part in hearing damage. Not just the decibel level is to blame here.

Over 85 decibels, sounds are considered dangerous, and those exposed may suffer permanent hearing loss over time. Though it may be hard to imagine how loud 85 decibels is, it’s a fact that the new iPods are capable of producing sounds as loud as 130 decibels. That’s quite a bit more than 85, and, as the article points out, the battery allows people to listen continuously — much longer than Walkmans allowed.

Dr. Finkelstein also mentions in the article that they “usually see hearing loss initially in the higher frequency ranges.”

So what to do about hearing damage and hearing loss from loud music and iPods? For some, the simple advice may be tough to follow: if it’s too loud, turn it down.

Do You Have Hearing Damage?

If you suspect or know that you have hearing damage, Hearing Aid Express is proud to offer free hearing evaluations. There is no obligation to buy hearing aids with this offer. And if you have any questions about hearing loss or hearing aids, our friendly, knowledgeable staff will be happy to help you.

We carry an impressive selection of hearing aids at our stores, which are conveniently located in Austin, Dallas and Houston. From Starkey hearing aids to Unitron hearing aids, to ReSound hearing aids, we will likely have something for you. We also now feature a new tinnitus treatment.

Stop by one of our hearing aid stores, or contact us online.

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus affects 50 million people in the United States, according to the American Tinnitus Association. Of the 50 million people with tinnitus, two million are unable to function on a “normal,” day-to-day basis because it is so seriously debilitating.

It’s common for people to refer to tinnitus as “ringing in the ears,” as that accurately describes what sufferers experience. Though some describe the sound as beeping, crickets, locusts, roaring, clicking or ticking. Tinnitus may be experienced in both ears or just one ear.

According to Wikipedia, many famous people have suffered from tinnitus: Joan of Arc, Ludwig van Beethoven, William Shatner, Vincent van Gogh, Steve Martin and Barbara Streisand are a few.

Some causes of tinnitus include exposure to loud noises, ear infections and hearing impairment. No doubt, tinnitus is a very serious problem and can negatively affect a person’s life. We’re happy to say there is treatment available.

Tinnitus Treatment at Hearing Aid Express

There’s a new tinnitus treatment, and it’s available only at Hearing Aid Express. In our market areas, we’re proud to now exclusively offer a new Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) product that is clinically proven. Featuring an intelligent sound generator that produces individually customized sounds that are tailored to your unique needs, this tinnitus treatment automatically adapts to different listening situations. For tinnitus suffers, this treatment can provide relief.

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy is an alternative to other treatments like Neuromonics, maskers and biofeedback. This tinnitus treatment is for people with tinnitus, and whether they suffer from hearing loss does not matter for the treatment.

If you’re in Austin, Houston or Dallas, please stop by one of our Hearing Aid Express locations to find out more about our exclusive new tinnitus treatment. You can also contact us online or call one of our hearing aid stores. We’ll be happy to assist you with any questions.

We’re proud to present several new models of Starkey S Series hearing aids now offered here at Hearing Aid Express! All about better life through better hearing, Starkey hearing aids come with a “worry-free warranty.” Additionally, they come with a commitment to superior customer service. Starkey hearing aids are known for being quality products that can improve lives.

Starkey S Series Hearing Aids

Outstanding performance, comfort and personalization is what you get with Starkey S Series hearing aids. These products are engineered to deliver high-resolution sound with seamless, smooth transitions between loud and quiet environments. Starkey S Series hearing aids are also three times more powerful, with multi-core processing for virtually no whistling. Telephone capability and better hearing in noise are two more impressive features. Below are the new Starkey hearing aids now offered here.

Starkey S-11 Hearing Aid

The Starkey S-11 hearing aid has drive architecture that delivers a comfortable, clear sound. Enjoy seamless transitions between quiet and loud environments. Say goodbye to whistling — this hearing aid features a PureWave Feedback Eliminator. This model is a top-tier hearing aid at our store.

Starkey S-9 Hearing Aid

The Starkey S-9 hearing aid adjusts automatically so watching television and listening to music is simple and comfortable. Like the S-11, this hearing aid features drive architecture and PureWave Feedback Eliminator. This is also a top-tier hearing aid at our store.

Starkey S-7 Hearing Aid

A mid-tier hearing aid at our store, the Starkey S-7 offers an exceptional feedback management system, comfort, drive architecture and InVision Directionality so you can hear what’s important.

Starkey S-5 Hearing Aid

Another mid-tier hearing aid offered at our store is the Starkey S-5. This model offers similar features to the other Starkey S Series models and is also high quality.

If you’d like to experience the advanced features of these Starkey S Series hearing aids, call or come to the nearest Hearing Aid Express office. Feel free to contact us.

Resound Aims at the Hearing Aid Sweet Spot

Resound hearing aids are known for making hearing devices that fit your life instead of forcing you to change your life to accomodate your hearing aid. Resound hearing aids are compact, sophisticated pieces of advanced technology. These aren’t your grandpa’s hearing aids.

Like most modern hearing aids, Resound hearing aids are targeted at the baby boomer generation, a massive demographic force that’s revolutionizing everything from walking sticks to the food they serve on cruise ships.

The X-plore: Resound’s Newest Hearing Aid Innovation

It looks like Resound’s hit that elusive hearing aid sweet spot, because 9 out of 10 X-plore users recommend the product. X-plore customers can opt for a more natural, behind-the-ear (BTE) fit that leaves the ear canal open to admit more sound, which results in a fuller hearing experience for the wearer, blending the hearing aid’s output with the ambient sound. A thin-tube coupling routes the hearing aid’s output into the wearer’s ear canal.

Resound’s hearing aid also adapts to the more vibrant, athletic lifestyle of today’s hearing loss sufferer with heavy-duty reliability. The Resound X-plore hearing aid is meant to accompany go-getters on their marathons, kayaking trips, mountaineering journeys, and globe-trotting fishing trips.

In addition, this Resound hearing aid runs for 330 hours on one size-13 battery and is factory-protected by an anti-corrosive coating.

The Resound X-plore Delivers Hearing Aid Performance

The directional microphone of the Resound X-plore, assisted by the innovative electronics in the heart of the hearing aid, excels at picking up soft speech, even in a busy restaurant or assembly hall. Feedback suppression from the Resound Dual Stabilizer prevents shrieking feedback from complex audio environments. The X-plore hearing aid also comes with Resound’s Active Wind Stop package, which prevents buffeting winds from turning into amplified roars of deafening noise.

The nice thing about all this engineering know-how is that, rather than complicating your life, the Resound X-plore hearing aid makes your life easier, not more complicated. How sweet is that?

Making the Switch to the Resound X-plore Hearing Aid

As you know, switching to a new Resound hearing aid can be a daunting challenge if you’re new to hearing aids. It’s quite a mental adjustment to go from the sounds you’ve heard for months and years to a completely new aural environment.

Fortunately, the Resound engineers have anticipated this problem with the Acceptance Manager, a digital audio coach that gradually increases its amplification over time, giving you plenty of time to adjust. At first, the Resound hearing aid does little to alter your sonic universe; as time passes, it gets more and more involved, bringing you the sounds you’ve been wanting to hear while weeding out the noise. The result? A short, painless transition to better hearing without any disorientation.

Consider This Resound Hearing Aid

A marvel of technology, the Resound X-plore hearing aid should be on your short list if you’re an active person with high standards about your hearing aid needs. If you’d like to see an X-plore in person, contact us or seek out one of our hearing aid store locations!

We recently came across a helpful article about hearing loss. Published in Frost Illustrated, the article reminded us of the all-important truth that summer noises can lead to permanent hearing loss. When we typically think of summer, we look forward to warm weather, sunshine and maybe even trips to the park or beach with family. But what’s often forgotten is the many loud noises that come along with summer that can actually cause permanent hearing loss.

The article points out that noises louder than 80 decibels such as lawn mowers and fire crackers are loud enough to cause permanent hearing loss, so you should wear ear plugs or another type of hearing protection. Really, noise from fireworks, marching bands, lawn mowers and traffic can get between 90 and 140 decibels, according to an assistant audiology professor quoted in the story.

The assistant professor went on to say that when people ride bikes, they wear helmets to protect themselves. So when we go to places with loud noises, we should take the same care to protect ourselves by wearing ear plugs or another kind of hearing protection. “Once your hearing is gone, it is gone forever,” he said.

The article also mentions something we’ve talked about here many times before: hearing loss in young people as a result of listening to music too loudly on MP3 players. More and more  young people are experiencing hearing loss because of this.

Hearing Loss Help at Hearing Aid Express

If you’re experiencing hearing loss, it may be time to look into the option of getting hearing aids. At Hearing Aid Express, we proudly carry a variety of models from several different brands such as Unitron, Starkey and ReSound. Stop by one of our convenient locations in Austin, Houston or Dallas to find out more information about hearing aids, or feel free to contact us.

Did you know that May is Better Speech and Hearing Month? There’s a great letter to the editor in Pottsville, Pennsylvania’s Republican Herald that talks about the significance of this month and what the signs of hearing loss are.

Proclaimed by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (of which the writer is a member), Better Speech and Hearing Month helps remind us of very important issues. The American Speech-Language and Hearing Association says that there are approximately 28 million Americans with a hearing impairment, and hearing loss affects 17 in 1,000 kids under 18. The writer stresses that if you think your child might be suffering from hearing loss, ask the school nurse to give them a hearing test.

Still, Better Speech and Hearing Month is for adults as well as kids. Adults who have a tough time hearing a person just two feet away might be showing a sign of impending hearing loss. Same goes for if they’re watching television at such a high volume that others ask them to turn it down, or if they have to frequently ask others to repeat themselves.

According to the writer, the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association estimated that of people over 65 years old, 314 in 1,000 have a hearing loss and of those older than 75, 40-50% have a hearing loss. What’s more is that the writer notes that the NIDCD says only one out of five people who could benefit from a hearing aid wear one.

If you think you may be experiencing some hearing loss, you may benefit from wearing hearing aids. Contact Hearing Aid Express today, or see a hearing professional to get your hearing tested.

Are you in the Austin area and interested in hearing aids? If so, you may have seen our full-page color ad in today’s Austin American-Statesman. This week only, May 11-15, Austin and Cedar Park Hearing Aid Express locations are having a special event.

Wanted: 90 people! Be one of the first individuals in the U.S. to try the world’s most invisible hearing system. The ReSound bug is the first custom hearing aid ever created with Invisible Open Technology. It is made to fit entirely inside your ear.

The ReSound bug hearing aid fits entirely inside your ear — it’s cutting edge technology. This hearing aid has a microscopic sound processor. Traditional hearing aids are a thing of the past. The ReSound bug hearing aid is offered exclusively at Hearing Aid Express.

Unlike traditional hearing aids, the ReSound bug is a hearing aid engineered with Invisible Open Technology, which makes it an innovative — and virtually invisible — hearing instrument.

This week only, the ReSound bug is $1,495 each at Hearing Aid Express in Austin and Cedar Park. This offer cannot be combined with any other offer and expires on May 15, 2009.

Hearing Aid Express has another fantastic deal going on this week at the Austin and Cedar Park locations: All models of GN ReSound Essence are $695. Don’t be fooled by inferior technology — the ReSound Essence hearing aid is the most customizable longest-lasting hearing instrument in its class and comes standard with these features:

• Power-saving chip technology for extended battery life
• Three customizable programs
• NoiseTracker noise reduction
• Low battery indicator
• Dual Stabilizer DFS feedback manager
• Dual microphone technology

(Fitting range of up to 65/85dB loss. Some restrictions apply. At time of purchase only. Expires May 15, 2009.)

Don’t miss this great event all week long at Hearing Aid Express in Austin and Cedar Park!

Hearing Aid Express: Austin
8127 Mesa Dr., #B-207
(512) 346-6884

Hearing Aid Express: Cedar Park
200 South Bell Blvd., #C-1
(512) 249-9367