2023 Archives - Salus Hearing And Tinnitus Centre

Tag Archive for: 2023

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Last-Minute Mother’s Day Shopping? ‘Hear, Hear’ for These Picks!

7 Gift Ideas Celebrating Mom’s Wonderful World of Sound

Uh-oh! Did your plans to find Mom the perfect gift get a little derailed? Not to worry. Last-minute finds can turn out to be the best of all. So check out these seven sound-savvy ideas to bring a smile to her face this Mother’s Day and beyond.

1. Concert Tickets

Superstars from Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Shania Twain, Beck, and Paramore to Billy Idol, Lizzo, the Zac Brown Band, Destroyer, and Big Thief are touring this year. Scoring tickets to your mom’s favorite band — or even a local showcase featuring talented community members — might be just the answer. Find out who’s performing with resources such as Entertainment Weekly’s concert and festival guide.

2. National Parks Pass

How does access to an estimated 2,000 U.S. federal recreation sites or over 80 Canadian national park sites sound? With an annual pass, a whole world of adventure awaits — including breathtaking canyons, fascinating wildlife, beautiful flora, historic waterways, timeless architecture, hiking, camping, and more. It’s a great way to create memories that last a lifetime.

3. Personalized Celeb Video

Can you imagine your mom’s delight receiving a personalized video message from her celebrity fave? The online platform Cameo boasts a robust roster of actors, athletes, comedians, and other entertainers who can provide a message tailored just for her. With the easy-search database, we even found Eric Braeden, famously known as “Victor” on the long-running daytime show The Young and the Restless!

4. Bluetooth Speaker

There’s nothing like enjoying the sounds you want to hear with the help of a portable speaker. Whether gardening, camping, crafting a new wood table in the garage, or hosting a backyard barbecue, streaming audio through a quality Bluetooth speaker puts wireless convenience — and joyful sound — right at your mom’s fingertips. To help you decide, CNN breaks down its top Bluetooth speaker picks for 2023.

5. Audiobook Subscription

If your mom savors a good mystery novel or other reads, how about letting her hear them? That’s right, let’s talk audiobooks. They can open a whole new world of content and be a feast for the ears, between radio shows, TV programs, and digital audiobooks. Platforms such as Audible and AudiobooksNow offer various subscriptions or membership tiers.

6. Better-Hearing Gift Certificate

What’s better than life-changing hearing technology? Life-changing hearing technology with all the wonderful accessories that can enhance it. Remote microphones, hearing aid dryers or dehumidifiers, TV clips, and cleaning kits are just some of the accoutrements that can help support your mom’s better-hearing journey. Our gift certificates make it a cinch for her to choose what she needs.

7. Hearing Aid Fashion

Hearing technology and fashion go well together, and talented artists are taking note with imaginative creations that inspire, empower, and wow. Award-winning company DeafMetal USA not only makes hearing aid and cochlear implant jewelry but also skins and stickers that let the wearer show off their personality. With a gift card that lets Mom pick out her favorite pieces, she’ll be good to go.

Want more gift ideas to celebrate Mom’s connection to a world of sound? Don’t wait. Contact our caring team today!

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Dementia & Hearing Loss Go Hand in Hand. What Can You Do?

in Dementia

Get the Scoop as We Celebrate Better Hearing & Speech Month

If asked about the many ways better hearing enhances your life, what comes to mind? For some, it’s the sounds of nature, game night with family and friends, an epic live concert, a critical project at work, or something as simple yet enjoyable as settling in for a favorite TV show.

But did you know improved hearing might be a key to better brain health too? A growing body of research ties hearing loss to cognitive-decline problems such as dementia. So for Better Hearing & Speech Month, we’re taking a closer look at the issue and the importance of hearing help.

Just this year, a Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health-led study announced findings that older adults with more severe forms of hearing loss have a significantly higher risk of dementia. The investigation uncovered a 61% greater prevalence of dementia over those with normal hearing.

Both dementia and hearing loss continue to rise in the global population. An estimated 55 million people live with dementia, per the World Health Organization, which predicts the rate will reach 139 million in 2025. Hearing loss, estimated at over 1.5 billion children and adults worldwide, could climb to over 2.5 billion people by 2050.

Studies have long linked hearing loss and other conditions such as cognitive decline in older adults, with data showing evidence of:

Accelerated brain shrinkage
Five-fold risk of dementia
Earlier onset of decline
And other changes

The present study, however, stands apart from some other investigations by having relied not only on in-clinic data but also home-based information — including testing and interviews — comprising a more nationally representative population across a 65-plus age group.

Like an increasing number of studies, the findings showed potential benefits of better hearing in curbing the dementia threat. According to the investigators, hearing aid use was associated with a 32% lower prevalence of dementia among those with moderate or severe hearing loss.

It’s not quite conclusive that hearing aids prevent or reverse dementia — future research will continue to probe the issue. But it looks promising. In an online report, the investigation’s lead author stated, “This study refines what we’ve observed about the link between hearing loss and dementia and builds support for public health action to improve hearing care access.”

What can you do? Staying sharp and engaged is easier than you think and starts with regular hearing screenings. Whether your hearing level seems to have changed or it’s simply been a while since your last checkup, book an evaluation today. Tracking your hearing health helps catch any potential problems early and could go a long way toward supporting your brain and cognitive wellness.

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Q&A: Does Caffeine Affect Hearing and Balance?

in Balance, Hearing Health

Q: Is caffeine harmful?

A: This is one of the most loaded questions about everyday health. Many studies have been conducted on the effects of caffeine on the body. Some of these effects are positive and some are negative. Some studies suggest a correlation between moderate caffeine consumption and lower risks of some diseases, while others have shown the opposite. Different lifestyle and genetic factors determine whether caffeine is a healthful substance for you personally, so always check in with your physician before making decisions about which drugs to ingest and how much to use. Caffeine can also interact with certain medications and supplements, so it’s always a good idea to discuss your intake with a doctor if you have questions or concerns.

Q: How does caffeine impact hearing?

A: Frustratingly, the jury is still out on this, but here’s what we know so far:

One animal model study demonstrated that caffeine may impair the body’s ability to recover from acoustic trauma. Typically, the effects of acoustic trauma are temporary and resolve days or weeks after exposure, but test subjects given daily doses of caffeine and subsequently exposed to loud noise recovered their hearing more slowly than those without caffeine. These findings are important to consider, because if the same results are observed in humans, it could change how we approach hearing safety in a variety of environments.

Another study using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey discovered that tinnitus was less prevalent in daily coffee drinkers in the 19–39 and 40–64 age groups than in their peers who rarely drink coffee. It also suggested that brewed coffee may have preventative effects on hearing loss and tinnitus, but that other coffee preparations may induce tinnitus in some age groups.

A UK study found that coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of disabling hearing loss in men. It is thought that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of coffee are responsible, rather than caffeine content, since the result held true for both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffees. Interestingly, female coffee drinkers did not receive the same benefit.

Q: Does caffeine affect balance?

A: Possibly. According to a study from 2021, consumption of caffeinated beverages may enhance postural stability and voluntary motor control. Because caffeine is a stimulant, it increases attention, which can have an effect on a person’s balance. We’re not yet sure if caffeine affects the vestibular system directly, or if caffeine’s effect on the central nervous system is responsible for observed improvements in the posture and balance of the test subjects. More research is needed to understand these results.

If you’re experiencing hearing loss, tinnitus, or balance problems, please don’t wait. Contact us today to get your questions answered or to schedule an exam. We’re HEAR to help!

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April Is National Lawn and Garden Month

in Hearing Protection

Celebrate by Protecting Your Hearing

Spring has sprung, and so has the annual cornucopia of sounds: birds singing, children laughing, neighbors chatting — and lawn equipment.

Your Loud Lawn

Maintaining your burgeoning plant life is a noisy affair. Once you’ve used the mower, leaf blower, chain saw, and string trimmer, your ears have put up with quite a racket.

In fact, around 40 million U.S. adults aged 20–69 years (about one in four) have noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) — and more than half of those don’t have a noisy job. So how noisy is lawn care, exactly?

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Hearing happens when the hair cells in your inner ear convert sound signals to electrical signals, and these electrical signals get sent to your brain to be interpreted as sounds.

Every hair cell that gets damaged, then, means less hearing ability. NIHL is hearing damage caused by exposure to loud noise, which damages your hair cells.

How Loud Is Too Loud?

You might be thinking, “OK, but how loud can all my lawn gear actually be?”

Your hedge trimmer alone can damage your hearing after seven or eight minutes of unprotected exposure.

The key to navigating your loud lawn is decibels, the basic unit of sound intensity. Sounds below 85 decibels (dB) are safe for unprotected human ears. At 85 dB and above, you’re in the action zone: Take steps to protect your ears or risk hearing damage.

The Decibel Levels of Lawn Care

Let’s take a look at some common yard-care machines and the decibel outputs they inflict on your unprotected ears. For comparison, a typical indoor conversation is about 60 dB.

Push or riding lawn mower. At 90 dB, hearing damage can occur in 2.5 hours.
Edger/string trimmer. At 96 dB, hearing damage can occur in 38 minutes.
Leaf blower. At 99 dB, hearing damage can occur in 19 minutes.
Pressure washer. At 100 dB — just one more decibel than a leaf blower — hearing damage can occur in 15 minutes rather than 19 minutes.
Hedge trimmer. At 103 dB, hearing damage can occur in 7.5 minutes.
Chain saw. At a whopping 110 dB, hearing damage starts after 1.5 minutes.

Hearing Protection

With output like that, it’s no wonder NIHL is so common. But that prevalence hides an important fact: NIHL can be easily and inexpensively prevented with hearing protection.

Hearing protection is a proven, effective way to minimize the risk of hearing damage, and it doesn’t have to mean a muffled, plugged experience for the wearer. You can get earplugs for as little as a few dollars for 20 pairs at a pharmacy, but there are also over-the-counter options that allow conversation to come through but block loud noises. You can even buy custom-fit earplugs that match the contours of your ears for maximum comfort.

Lawn care doesn’t have to hurt your hearing — contact us to set up a hearing protection consultation!

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Erectile Dysfunction and Hearing Loss

in Comorbidity, Hearing loss

Quality of life is something that’s on everyone’s minds these days. How to live better, feel better, and make the most of the relationships and activities we enjoy. It’s no secret that health concerns can present challenges that affect our quality of life, and hearing loss and erectile dysfunction are two of them. These conditions are relatively easy to treat, but few people realize they’re linked.

What the research says

A study conducted by the Department of Otolaryngology at Taipei Medical University Hospital found that men who experienced sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) were about twice as likely to develop erectile dysfunction as their peers with normal hearing. This held true across different age groups. No conclusions have been drawn about the reason behind the correlation, but researchers strongly suspect it may be of a vascular nature, as subjects with hypertension and chronic renal disease were found to be at an even greater risk of ED. Hearing loss is also known to be exacerbated by vascular diseases.

SSHL is defined as a partial or total hearing loss that occurs rapidly over the course of hours or days. This is considered a medical emergency and should be investigated by a doctor right away. Only a small percentage of diagnosed cases of SSHL have an identifiable cause, but the most common triggers include:

Infectious diseases
Trauma, such as a head injury
Autoimmune diseases, such as Cogan’s syndrome
Ototoxic drugs (drugs that harm the sensory cells in the inner ear)
Blood circulation problems
A tumor on the nerve that connects the ear to the brain
Neurologic diseases and disorders, such as multiple sclerosis
Disorders of the inner ear, such as Ménière’s disease

Men living with a hearing loss that occurred suddenly should be aware that they have an increased risk of developing erectile dysfunction.

The effects of ED medication on hearing

Unfortunately, the connection between sudden hearing loss and erectile dysfunction also goes in the other direction. Sometimes ED precedes SSHL, and it’s the medications used to treat the former that lead to the latter.

In the United States, the FDA relabeled phosphodiesterase Type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor erectile-dysfunction drugs after finding over 30 reports of sudden hearing loss in male patients taking Viagra. Since then, researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have discovered that men over 40 taking PDE5 drugs (which include Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra) have double the risk of developing hearing loss compared to men who do not.

The FDA reports that some incidents of sudden hearing loss also included vestibular problems such as tinnitus, vertigo, or dizziness, and that the hearing loss was temporary in about a third of cases. There is some evidence that cessation of ototoxic medications can reverse the hearing damage they cause, but patients are advised to consult their doctor before stopping a medication. Click here for more information about ototoxicity and what to do if you experience it.

If you or someone you love is currently being treated for erectile dysfunction, be on the lookout for hearing issues and contact an audiologist or ENT for an evaluation!

Sources

Hsu, Hsin-Te, et al. Increased Risk of Erectile Dysfunction in Patients with Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss. Otology & Neurotology. https://journals.lww.com/otology-neurotology/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2013&issue=07000&article=00014&type. Accessed November 2, 2022.

McGwin, Gerald Jr. Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor use and hearing impairment. Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20479381/. Accessed November 4, 2022.

Medical News Today. FDA Reports Hearing Loss Linked To Viagra And Other PDE5 Inhibitors. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/86215. Accessed November 8, 2022.

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Sudden Deafness. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/sudden-deafness. Accessed November 8, 2022.

An illustration of a hearing care team examining a giant ear

What Causes Itching Sensations in the Ear?

in Hearing Health

Next to pain, itching is probably the most uncomfortable physical sensation we experience. It is annoying, distracting, and in some cases, absolutely maddening. When that itching occurs in a place we can’t reach, it can be difficult to find relief, and our ear canals are the most common place unreachable itching occurs. Fortunately, most causes of deep ear itching are understood, and there are things we can do to alleviate or even prevent it.

ALLERGIES

One of the most common culprits of inner ear itching is allergies. The same histamine response that causes itchy hives on the skin, watery eyes, and sneezing can also cause the eustachian tube to become inflamed. Most of us will press on our tragus (that small flap of cartilaginous skin near the ear’s opening) and wiggle it vigorously to relieve the sensation, but the best home remedy is to take an antihistamine.

DRY SKIN

For the outer ear, itching is rarely a notable issue, since we can easily rub or scratch that itch away. It is usually caused by dry skin or irritants that come into contact with the skin. It is no different from itching on any other exposed part of the body, but if it becomes a nuisance, applying a bit of mineral oil or Vaseline to the affected area with a cotton swab can help rehydrate the skin and protect it from further irritation.

SKIN CONDITIONS

In addition to the superficial irritation from substances you come in contact with, two of the most common benign skin diseases, eczema and psoriasis, can also affect your ears. If scaling of the skin is present, one of these conditions will be suspected as the cause of your itching. Your hearing care provider and dermatologist can provide solutions.

INFECTION

Almost everyone has suffered an ear infection at some point in their lives, and when we think back on this experience, it is usually the pain that we remember the most, but itching can also be an important indicator of bacterial buildup in the middle ear. If the itching you feel is persistent and intense or accompanied by a throbbing sensation, schedule an appointment with your audiologist or ENT. Treating an infection at this
stage can save you from further discomfort down the road.

ANXIETY

You may be surprised to learn this, but simply being nervous, stressed, or feeling on edge can cause itching in any area of the body, including the ears!

What Can I Do to Relieve Itching?

As mentioned above, medication is usually the best method to relieve persistent itching deep in the ear, but there are also some over-the-counter remedies you can try. Commercial eardrops that dissolve wax can clear the ear of buildup and debris and relieve itching. Taking a hot shower or sipping a hot cup of tea may also help, as the heat dilates blood vessels and improves circulation to the ears. An added benefit of
this approach is that it is likely to relax you, which will reduce nervous itching.

Can I Prevent Itchy Ears?

The best way to prevent itching in any part of the ear is to practice good ear hygiene and avoid allergy triggers. While we are all tempted to clean our ears at home, this often does more harm than good. No foreign object should ever be inserted into the ear. This pushes wax deeper into the canal, which can cause everything from
painful blockages to that persistent itching we’re trying to avoid. Wax is actually a very important component of ear health; it keeps the inner ear waterproof and resistant to microbes. Gently washing the outer ear with a soft washcloth and warm water will rinse away any excess wax or debris and help keep dermatitis at bay. Click here for more information.

If you wear earrings, make sure they are made of a hypoallergenic metal
such as pure gold, sterling silver, or titanium, as some other metals (chiefly nickel) can react with the skin and cause itching. This is especially important for cartilage piercings.

Avoid getting excess water in your ears whenever possible. Swim with your head above the surface and consider wearing a shower cap while bathing. Switching to a shampoo formulated for sensitive skin can also cut down on ear irritation.

Steer clear of allergens whenever possible, and follow your allergy treatment plan.

And finally, when inserting hearing aids, earbuds, or any other device that fits into the ear, do so gently and carefully, and ensure the device is clean. It may seem like a small gesture, but anytime we place something in or near the ear canal, we’re potentially disrupting the ear’s natural biome.

If you’re dealing with itchy ears this spring, don’t hesitate to call our caring team for a consultation. We’re here to help!

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5 Simple Ways to Boost Your Mood This Winter

in Comorbidity, Hearing Health

Hearing Health and Mental Health Have a Clear Connection

In fact, untreated hearing loss increases your risk of depression, anxiety, social isolation, and more. Winter is also a prime time for seasonal blahs. If you could use a little mental-health boost, here are some simple ways to get started.

Express Gratitude

Gratitude improves happiness, well-being, and mental health. The best-researched method is keeping a gratitude journal. Once or twice a week, choose one act or person you’re grateful for and write a few sentences detailing why. In daily life, you’ll begin to seek out the positive — rather than the negative — and writing it down allows you to really savor that positive emotion.

Exercise

Exercise releases endorphins, which relieve stress and boost your mood. You can even use small things that add more activity to your day, like skipping the elevator in favor of the stairs or taking a short, brisk walk. If you work from home, tackle chores that require you to walk to another room or — better yet — another floor. Aim for 30 minutes a day.

Spoil Your Senses

Use your senses to quickly find calm. For some people, it’s an uplifting song or the smell of ground coffee. For others, it’s squeezing a stress ball. Each person’s relationship to their senses is a little different, so experiment to figure out what works best to bring you back to center.

Lose Yourself

Doing something you love, something you know you can lose yourself in, allows you to forget about life for a while. You don’t have to be a parent, a spouse, or an employee — you can just be.

Find a Furry Friend

Interacting with a pet lowers cortisol — the stress hormone — and raises oxytocin — the feel-good hormone. It also lowers blood pressure and eases loneliness and depression. Don’t have a pet? Walk a friend’s dog, volunteer to cat-sit for a vacationing neighbor, or volunteer at a shelter.

Sources:

Harvard Health Publishing. Giving Thanks Can Make You Happier. https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier Accessed July 14, 2023.

American Psychological Association. Exercise: A Healthy Stress Reliever. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2013/exercise. Accessed July 14, 2023.

Niazi, Y, et al. Impact of Hearing Impairment on Psychological Distress and Subjective Well-Being in Older Adults. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences. 2020 Sep-Oct; 36(6): 1210–1215.

Johns Hopkins Medicine. The Friend Who Keeps You Young. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-friend-who-keeps-you-young. Accessed July 14, 2023.

An illustration of a man and woman communicating with sign language

Who Invented Sign Language?

in Communication

From Its Origins to American Sign Language and Beyond

Humans have used hand gestures since the stars exploded and we began to exist, so the exact origins of sign language are unclear. However, the progression from early signing leading to American Sign Language (ASL) — and other sign languages used worldwide — has some definitive moments and identifiable responsible parties.

What Is ASL?

ASL has existed in the U.S. and parts of Canada for more than 200 years. It’s considered a formal language and, as with any language, it has many variations and dialects all over.

Just as when you travel from English-speaking city to English-speaking city, inflections change, and locals tend to use different words and phrases more regularly than in other parts of the same country.

It’s the same with sign language. On ASL’s ever-evolving nature, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association reports that, “ASL linguistics has evolved as a specific research discipline that is the object of systematic study in graduate courses and doctoral programs in universities throughout the United States and Canada.”

The Origins of Sign Language

The history of sign language dates back centuries, with evidence of various forms of sign communication found in ancient civilizations. Hard-of-hearing and deaf individuals have always had a need to communicate. Necessity — the reputed mother of invention — led to the development of early sign languages.

Would it surprise you to know that the majority of documented origins of ASL are French? While American Sign Language is only traced back to the early 1800s, French Sign Language (LSF) has been documented 100 years prior to that, and other forms are less formally documented even earlier!

Contributions of Early Educators

In the 1500s, Spanish Benedictine monk Pedro Ponce de Leon used signs to help educate Spanish students who could not hear. He is believed to have been the first person to develop a method for teaching hard-of-hearing and deaf individuals. Sadly, his methods — whether never recorded or lost — have disappeared to the tides of history. However, in the 1700s, the first formal sign language was developed in France.

One prominent figure in this field was Abbé Charles-Michel de L’Epée, a French Catholic priest turned educator who developed a sign system called Old French Sign Language (VLSF — vielles langue des signes française) to communicate with his deaf students.

ASL historian William Stokoe documented that, in 1780, L’Epée taught two sisters who couldn’t speak or hear. He couldn’t teach them religion if they couldn’t understand him, so he then dedicated his life to teaching deaf children in France and opened a school.

Stokoe went on to sing L’Epée’s praises, saying that others, “… had paraded their successes while making a mystery of their methods, L’Epée gave his life, his considerable private fortune, and his genius to a school which, in theory at least, was open to every child born deaf in France, or in all of Europe.”

Author and ASL educator, Michelle Jay, says of L’Epée’s school for the deaf, “Deaf children came from all across France to attend the school. The deaf children had signed at home then brought these signs with them to the school.” L’Epée was a collector and organizer of these home-grown signs and attempted to homogenize them.

A report from Vassar College explains, “L’Epée then set out to do what no one else had — learn from deaf people so that he could teach them.”

Ultimately, L’Epée’s studying and recording efforts of their personal sign systems — and the fruit of the collaboration with the deaf children of France at that time — laid the foundation for future sign languages.

How did sign language come to America?

Esteemed ASL historian James Woodward said that most educators claim ASL was born when “T.H. Gallaudet and L. Clerc brought French Sign Language to the United States.” He questions that theory by adding, “This seems a very unsatisfactory explanation.” Although all agree ASL is definitely French in origin, Woodward hints that solely crediting Gallaudet and Clerc may not be sufficient.

You may recognize the name “Gallaudet” from the famous university in Washington D.C. It’s the only university in the U.S. dedicated to the education of the Deaf. It was founded in 1864 and is still educating students to this day.

Gallaudet University claims, “Our story began in 1816 when Laurent Clerc and Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet crossed the Atlantic from Paris, France, to the United States with a dream to open the country’s first school for deaf education. Then, in 1864, with the support of Congress and President Abraham Lincoln, they extended their vision by founding Gallaudet University.”

A romantic story, but is it the full explanation? Should Clerc and Gallaudet receive all of the credit? Who were their teachers?

Putting the Pieces Together

Connecting the dots is how we connect the origin story with the modern tale — Deaf studies expert Michelle Jay helps us out here. “Abbe Sicard was Abbe de L’Epée’s successor,” Jay says. “Laurent Clerc and Jean Massieu were once Sicard’s students and became accomplished deaf educators. Gallaudet studied the teaching methods of these instructors and even took private lessons with Clerc, who was one of the best teachers at the institute.”

Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet was an American looking for a way to help his hard-of-hearing and deaf neighbors communicate. He traveled to investigate a school for the Deaf in England, where he met Abbe Sicard, visiting from Paris. Through Sicard, Gallaudet met Laurent Clerc. When Gallaudet was getting ready to travel back to America, he asked Clerc to accompany him.

According to Gallaudet University, “On the way back, Clerc taught Thomas Sign language and Thomas taught Clerc English, and together they established the American School for the Deaf in 1817. Laurent Clerc became the first deaf teacher of deaf students in the United States.”

Hartford, Connecticut, was the site of this huge leap forward for ASL. When this first permanent school for the Deaf was established, ASL emerged as a distinct sign language. It combined elements of LSF, Indigenous sign languages, and the diverse linguistic backgrounds of its users. ASL quickly spread across the U.S. and became a vital part of American, and eventually Canadian, culture.

Other Sign Languages:

Quebec Sign Language (LSQ: Langue des Signes Quebecoise): LSQ is the predominant sign language of Deaf communities used in Francophone Canada, primarily in Quebec.
French Sign Language (LSF: Langue des Signes Française): With over 100,000 users worldwide, LSF is used predominantly in France and Switzerland.
British Sign Language (BSL): BSL is used by the Deaf community in the United Kingdom and is recognized as an official language. It was developed independently from ASL and has its own grammatical structure and vocabulary.
Australian Sign Language (Auslan): Used in Australia, Auslan has its roots in BSL but has developed into a unique language over time. In fact, it is a language unique to Australia. Auslan has its own grammar and vocabulary and does not follow English sentence structure. Much of Auslan often does not have direct English equivalents and vice versa. It has undergone some standardization and is used in education, the media, and everyday communication.
Japanese Sign Language (JSL: 日本手話): JSL is the primary sign language used in Japan. It has influenced other sign languages in East Asia and has its own grammatical structure and vocabulary. Just as Japanese is completely different from English, JSL is completely different from ASL. While ASL uses some mouth movements, JSL uses mouthing extensively to distinguish between various signs.
Chinese Sign Language (CSL): China has several regional sign languages, collectively referred to as CSL. Differing significantly, these sign languages are not mutually understood.
Mexican Sign Language (LSM): LSM is the sign language used in Mexico and is derived from ASL. However, it has evolved independently and developed distinct features unique to Mexican Deaf culture.
International Sign Language (ISL): ISL is a system designed for international communication among deaf individuals. ISL is a combination of signs from different sign languages and is not a complete language. It allows individuals from various places in the world to communicate effectively.

The diversity of sign languages around the globe is really something to celebrate!

Sign language has a fascinating history, and the efforts of pioneering educators for the formation of ASL, and other sign languages, clearly have had an enormously lasting impact on the world. When the playing field is leveled, and everyone can communicate, we humans have a better chance of understanding one another in every way.

Sources:

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association – Ad Hoc Committee to Establish a Position on American Sign Language (ASL) https://www.asha.org/policy/ps2019-00354/ Accessed 8/1/23.

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pedro-Ponce-de-Leon Accessed 8/1/23.

Stokoe, W. Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education vol.10 no. 1. Oxford University Press 2005. https://academic.oup.com/jdsde/article/10/1/3/361306 Accessed 8/1/23.

Jay, M. Don’t Just Sign, Communicate! A Student’s Guide to ASL and the Deaf Community. Los Angeles, CA, Judea Media, 2011. “Start ASL” https://www.startasl.com/abbe-de-lepee/ Accessed 8/1/23.

Historical bases of Sign Language: 1978 James Woodward, Gallaudet College

http://www.cslds.org/v4/resources/InternalAdmin/publicationB/16/_Woodward_1978_HistoricalBasesOfASL_.pdf Accessed 8/1/23.

Gallaudet University https://gallaudet.edu/about/ Accessed 8/1/23.

An illustration of a woman inside a flower watering the pot the flower is growing out of

New Year, New Hearing

in Hearing Health

Get a Head Start on Your Better-Hearing Resolution

Winter is a time when we celebrate with friends and family, but it’s equally important to devote some energy to self-care. By prioritizing our mental and physical health, we can become the best version of ourselves for our loved ones. This new year, take the first step towards caring for one of your most valuable assets — your hearing. Whether it involves addressing hearing loss or safeguarding your current hearing abilities, there are quick and simple steps you can take to ensure you’re hearing at your best.

Check It Out

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering if your partner is mumbling or if you might have hearing loss, stop playing the guessing game. Schedule an easy and comprehensive hearing exam with your local community audiologist. They have access to high-tech tools that can diagnose and treat hearing issues or even reveal that you might not have hearing loss at all. Remember, our hearing is as unique as we are, and making that initial appointment can make all the difference. Even if you receive a clean bill of hearing health, make it a yearly habit to go back for checkups as early intervention is crucial for maintaining optimal hearing.

Protect What’s Yours

Protecting your hearing now is a resolution your future self will deeply appreciate. Whether you love listening to music with earbuds or frequent live music venues, it’s wise to consider safeguarding your ears from noise-induced hearing loss. This extends to other noisy situations in life, such as loud workplaces or busy urban environments.

Fortunately, we have an array of hearing protection options at our disposal. Some headphones come with features that limit the volume to safe levels. Moreover, specialized earplugs designed for musicians and music-lovers allow you to enjoy the music while filtering out excessive speaker buzz. From earplugs to earmuffs, hearing protection is a crucial aspect of a better-hearing resolution that can easily become a healthy habit.

Shiny New Toys

While you’ve been busy shopping for everyone else, now is the perfect time to treat yourself to an upgrade. If you’ve never explored hearing aids before, or it’s been a while since your last purchase, prepare to be amazed by the latest advancements in hearing aid technology.

From Bluetooth connectivity to fall alerts and rechargeable batteries, modern hearing aids are packed with features that can significantly enhance your hearing experience. This is an exciting time to be in the market for a new hearing aid, so don’t miss out on the possibilities.

Interested in more high-tech options? Taking care of yourself can be as simple as indulging in some me time by visiting museums, theaters, and other public venues. Many of these places have installed hearing loops, allowing visitors to enjoy enhanced audio by wirelessly connecting through the T-coil setting on their hearing aids.

Before you go, call ahead and inquire about hearing loop availability, or keep an eye out for the hearing loop logo at participating venues. Ensuring you have access to all available resources will make your me time even more enjoyable.

Make a vow to keep your hearing in tip-top shape, and let us assist you in this journey. Contact us today for more tips on hearing better in the new year. With a proactive approach and the right resources, you can keep that resolution and ensure that your hearing remains at its best for years to come.

An illustration of the letters "DIY" which are made out of random objects

Easy Troubleshooting: 7 Hearing Aid Issues

in Hearing Aids, Maintenance

You Won’t Miss a Beat With These DIY Hints

Like other electronics, hearing aids can have their down moments. Whether the hearing aid batteries seem to drain too quickly, you’re getting unpleasant feedback, or there’s no sound at all, you might run into an issue that needs attention.

The good news? A little DIY troubleshooting can make a big difference in getting your devices back up and running. Identifying the potential problem is over half the battle, and the following simple fixes may be just what the doctor ordered.

Feedback or Whistling

Hearing aids work via three main components: a microphone that detects sound, an amplifier to louden the sound, and a receiver to transmit sounds to your ear canal. The more sophisticated the technology, the more it can be personalized to your specific hearing needs and the more likely it has built-in components to automatically adjust to your listening environment and preselected preferences.

If, however, a bit of the amplified sound boomerangs from the ear canal back to the microphone, you might experience some feedback. The feedback may come across as a squeal, a wind-like noise, a whistling sound, a high-pitched buzz, or similar audio. Thankfully, many of today’s modern devices are already designed to help reduce the issue.

If feedback does occur, however, here are some potential steps:

Make sure your device’s earmold or dome is inserted or set appropriately.
Check your device’s volume, ensuring it’s not too loud.
Change out the wax filter, if applicable.
Create some distance between any object in your hand and the hearing aid.
Address any excess buildup of cerumen or earwax, whether through professional care or safe DIY methods.

Distorted or Weak Sound

If the sound isn’t coming through as strongly as it should, it could be a few reasons — perhaps more commonly, the hearing aid battery:

If the hearing instrument uses disposable batteries, make sure they’re specifically compatible with the device, free from dust and dirt, and replaced if old or potentially not working well.
If the device is a rechargeable hearing aid, give it a good charge — first checking your manual for proper procedures — and make sure the charger itself is also fully charged.

The problem could lie with a clogged earmold, which can simply be cleaned. Another source could be moisture in the device, which can be remedied with a hearing aid dryer, a dehumidifier, or a gentle wiping of the hearing aid before letting it fully dry.

Another possibility is a broken receiver wire, depending on the type of hearing aid, which would likely require professional repair.

No Sound at All

If you’re not getting any sound, the solution may be as easy as making sure the device is turned on, the battery’s installed, and the microphone isn’t muted.

Other potential steps:

If there’s already a battery installed, try replacing it with a fresh one.
For rechargeable devices, ensure both the hearing aid and the charger are fully charged.
If the earmold is clogged, gently clean it following directions for your device.

If the hearing aid has a receiver wire that’s been damaged, you’ll likely need to take it in for professional care, during which your device can also get a thorough check.

Fast Battery Drainage

Do your hearing aid batteries seem to run out of juice a little too quickly? This might happen if the hearing technology’s left on for extended periods. Turning hearing aids off when not in use — including properly storing them overnight — can be a big help.

Old batteries can also be the source of the problem:

For disposable batteries, check the packaging and keep a record of their estimated expiration date — if listed — as well as the date you inserted them into your device.
In the case of rechargeable devices that have been in operation a while — three to four years, for example — consider taking them in for a professional checkup.

Rechargeable Hearing Aids Not Charging

The convenience of rechargeable hearing aids can’t be beat. Just plug in, charge, and go. If something seems to be getting in the way of quick and easy charging, check to make sure that the:

Hearing device is set appropriately in the charging cradle or dock.
Hearing device charger is fully charged or properly plugged into the power outlet.

Background Noise Too Prominent

Most hearing instruments today are equipped with directional mics and other features to automatically highlight speech and other sounds you want to hear while filtering out the noises you don’t. Plus, our knowledgeable team can work with you to personalize the built-in capabilities for your individual needs.

If you later find that you’re experiencing too much background noise with your hearing devices, try these steps:

Lean into your compatible hearing aid app, if available for your device, that may have settings to further minimize unwanted sounds.
If pairing with a Bluetooth accessory that requires a companion app, make sure the app and your internet — if required for the app — are working.
Use the telecoil or T-coil function on your device, if available, to tap into hearing loops that some theaters, lecture halls, and other public spots have installed for easier listening within their venues.
Try to minimize distracting sounds by controlling your environment, including turning other audio sources down or off, closing the door to background noise, or keeping the noise behind you.

Hearing Aids Not Connecting to Bluetooth

Bluetooth connectivity has opened another level of capabilities for modern digital hearing aids. It makes streaming a breeze, with music, phone calls, video conversations, and other audio sent directly from a sound source to your hearing devices.

If you’re having trouble pairing your hearing technology with another Bluetooth-enabled electronic device, these steps might be just the trick:

Make sure Bluetooth is activated on both your hearing aid and the other equipment.
Confirm the devices aren’t already paired, which may automatically occur at times.
Ensure your equipment is within range for the connection to take place.
Check that any app or Wi-Fi access needed to work with the other device is on.
Unpair other devices that may already be paired with the equipment you’re trying to pair.
Consider restarting the pairing process, following the instructions in the hearing aid manual.

When to Seek Professional Hearing Aid Care

Some hearing aid issues are beyond a home remedy. We can help.

Reach out if issues such as these apply:

Physical damage, such as a broken casing, cracked tubing, or exposed wires, should be evaluated and repaired by a professional.
Continual distortion, feedback, or muffled sound may require professional fine-tuning of the settings or additional troubleshooting.
Frequent battery drain, power fluctuations, or failure to power up might reflect an internal problem needing professional assessment and repair.
Excess earwax and moisture accumulation inside device can affect performance. Regular DIY cleaning is important, but periodic professional cleaning is also integral for long-term functionality.
Persistent discomfort or frequent dislodging of the hearing aid may require professional adjustment to assess the problem and ensure a comfortable, snug fit.
Significant changes in hearing could affect how well the device’s settings meet your needs. Our team can assess the changes and potentially adjust the hearing aid settings accordingly.
Device is due for professional clean and check, which should be scheduled about every six months to help your hearing aids stay in top shape.

Have questions about your hearing aids? Got an issue that might go beyond a DIY fix? Has it been a while since your device’s last professional clean and check? You don’t have to spend time searching online for “hearing aid repairs near me.” We’re local, knowledgeable, and right here at your service. So don’t wait. Contact our caring team to get your questions answered or to book a visit today!