We have had a few of people in the past ask us if keeping a sound generator on throughout the night in their child’s room would cause a hearing loss. Recently, one of my friends sent me this article so I thought I’d set the record straight. A noise generator set to a soft level will NOT cause your child to develop a hearing loss, even if it plays all night long.
Babies are used to noise in the womb so it makes sense that some background noise, like white noise, can help some babies fall asleep. The article is based on a study that was conducted at SickKids Hospital, which simply stated that the maximum volume level of the noise generators that they tested, were loud enough to cause a noise induced hearing loss. My advice is to buy a noise generator with a sleep button that turns off after a half hour and keep the volume below conversation level. Sweet dreams babies!
http://www.todaysparent.com/baby/baby-sleep/white-noise-machines/
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The Truth About Ear Candling
in Cerumen Management, Preventative Hearing HealthcareOn occasion a patient will ask me if ear candling really works. The short answer is – No.
Ear candling, also known as thermal-auricular candling or coning, is considered as an alternative medicine practice. Alternative medicine practice uses products that claim to have the healing effects of medicine and is not based on scientific evidence. During ear candling, a cone shaped device is inserted in the ear canal and supposedly extracts earwax and other impurities with the help of smoke or a burning wick. Medical research has shown that the practice is both dangerous and does not help remove earwax or alleged toxins. This is why importing or selling ear candles for medical reasons is illegal in Canada and the United States.
For more information check out the 2004 article from Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada:
http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/drugs-products-medicaments-produits/procedures/ear-oreille-eng.php?_ga=1.65660974.1889418670.1396370302
The “Sound” of Silence
in Preventative Hearing Healthcare, TinnitusWhat do William Shatner, Barbara Streisand, Steve Martin, Phil Collins and Ozzy Osbourne all have in common, besides the fact that they are all celebrities? They can no longer experience the solitude of silence. They are all suffering from a hearing related condition called tinnitus – a chronic sound in the ears or head. If you’ve ever experienced ringing in your ears after a rock concert or after a night of dancing at a club, you have experienced transient tinnitus. Imagine what life would be like if you heard that sound all the time? There are many known causes for this condition like high doses of aspirin and a brain tumor; however, the majority of cases of tinnitus are caused by noise damage. Many people think that a noise induced hearing loss will just make things quieter when in fact it often does the opposite … it can result in the perception of chronic noise in their ears or head. At Salus Hearing Centre our focus is on hearing loss prevention through education and the use of hearing protection. We are also a specialty centre for tinnitus sufferers and have a multidisciplinary approach to management. If you hear noises in your ears or head call us to book a hearing test and/or tinnitus consultation today at
905-303-4327.
The American Tinnitus Association (ATA) is a great resource for individuals with tinnitus. Enjoy this youtube video of how ATA helped William Shatner cope with his tinnitus.
Are White Noise Machines Safe For Babies?
in Noise And Your HearingWe have had a few of people in the past ask us if keeping a sound generator on throughout the night in their child’s room would cause a hearing loss. Recently, one of my friends sent me this article so I thought I’d set the record straight. A noise generator set to a soft level will NOT cause your child to develop a hearing loss, even if it plays all night long.
Babies are used to noise in the womb so it makes sense that some background noise, like white noise, can help some babies fall asleep. The article is based on a study that was conducted at SickKids Hospital, which simply stated that the maximum volume level of the noise generators that they tested, were loud enough to cause a noise induced hearing loss. My advice is to buy a noise generator with a sleep button that turns off after a half hour and keep the volume below conversation level. Sweet dreams babies!
http://www.todaysparent.com/baby/baby-sleep/white-noise-machines/
Everyday Sound Can Affect Your Hearing!
in Preventative Hearing HealthcareDo you drive with your windows down or ride a motorcycle? Listen to your favourite music on the radio on your car ride up to the cottage? Do you take cycling or aerobic classes at your local gym? Maybe you use or are exposed to power tools or ammunition in the workplace or recreationally? If so, you may be unintentionally damaging your ears. Our focus at Salus Hearing Centre is on preventative hearing healthcare. Noise induced hearing loss is the most common cause of hearing loss today and leads to a permanent hearing loss as it damages our delicate hair cells in our inner ear. The good news is that noise induced hearing loss is 100% preventable. If you are not sure what level of noise is safe please check out the article below. Make sure your friends, family and colleagues are aware of the hazards of noise.
For more information and to have your hearing tested please contact us today at 905-303-HEAR (4327).
Valda Lopo – Certified Psychologist
in Team MemberDr. Amanda Beaman – Clinical Psychologist
in Team MemberDr. Nabil Al-Zaher – Otolaryngologist (ENT)
in Team MemberDr. Sharon Morong – Otolaryngologist (ENT)
in Team MemberChristine Franzoi – Office Manager
in Team MemberSabrina DeToma – Doctor Of Audiology
in Team Member