Q: When someone speaks, I often miss nuances, like tone. Could this be hearing loss?
A: That’s an interesting question! Hearing loss shares symptoms with other conditions, though. Let’s look at what hearing loss is and consider another possible culprit.
Hearing Basics
Hearing is complex. It’s more than just your ears taking in sound. Your nerves and brain actively partner with your ear in a delicate dance to accomplish hearing. Here’s how it happens.
Area 1: The ear
Your outer ear collects sound waves, which travel down your ear canal and cause your eardrum to vibrate. Your eardrum passes the vibrations to the three smallest bones in your body, in the middle ear, which amplify the vibrations and send them to your inner ear.
In your inner ear, the vibrations become waves in a fluid-filled cavity. These waves jostle tiny hair-like cells, which convert the wave information into electric impulses.
Area 2: The auditory nerve
Your auditory (hearing) nerve carries all those electrical impulses as nerve signals to the part of your brain that processes what you hear.
Area 3: The brain
Your brain does a lot of behind-the-scenes work making sense of sound information. It pinpoints where the sound is coming from, focuses on it, separates out background noise, determines whether it recognizes the sound, and identifies whether it’s speech, music, etc.
Put It All Together
As you can see, a lot happens during the process we call hearing! The delicate dance happens all day, every day, effortlessly, and there are a lot of moving parts — and a lot of opportunities for things to go wrong.
Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is anything that does go wrong in that first area — your ears. Hearing problems can occur because of earwax buildup, damage to your eardrum, an ear infection, or damage to any of the tiny structures in your middle or inner ear.
A standard hearing test will determine whether you have hearing loss. Common symptoms are:
- Trouble understanding people on the telephone
- Difficulty following conversations with two or more people
- Asking people to repeat themselves
- Turning up the TV so loud that others complain
- Problems understanding speech in background noise
- Thinking others mumble
- Trouble understanding children and people with higher-pitched voices
A hearing care professional should be your first stop when trying to determine whether you have hearing loss.
They’ll get to know you, test your hearing, and check the fitness of your ear canal, ear drum, middle ear, and inner ear. If they determine you have hearing loss, they’ll make recommendations about a treatment solution. Often, the treatment includes hearing devices.
But the symptom you mentioned — missing nuances like the tone of people’s speech — is more often a symptom of something else.
Auditory Processing Disorder
Auditory processing disorder (APD) has a lot in common with hearing loss. All the symptoms listed above, for example.
But many (not all) people with APD pass a hearing evaluation with flying colors! What’s going on here?
This is where the third area you use for hearing, the brain, comes in. With APD, something interferes with the way your ears and brain coordinate. You might hear sounds loud and clear — your ears are doing their job — but something keeps your brain from processing the sounds effectively.
How common it is? It’s hard to even pin down an estimate, because providers use different diagnostic standards. Conversations about APD typically focus on children, but it affects adults as well.
Symptoms of APD
Certain symptoms point more strongly to APD than to hearing loss, for example:
- Difficulty remembering directions spoken aloud
- Mishearing words or sentences
- Sensory overload in noisy environments
- Problems picking up nuances in speech
- Being easily distracted by background noise
- Inability to appreciate music
It’s not about intelligence — someone might remember written directions very well. But if those same directions were spoken aloud instead, they might misremember them. It’s about how the sounds are received and processed.
Communication Skills Affected by APD
Someone with APD could struggle with one or all of the following four communication skills.
Auditory discrimination. Auditory discrimination lets you notice, compare, and distinguish the distinct sounds in words. Someone with auditory discrimination problems might confuse similar words (like “seventy” and “seventeen”), find learning to read challenging, and have difficulties following spoken directions even when paying close attention.
Auditory figure-ground discrimination. Auditory figure-ground discrimination allows you to pinpoint the sounds you want to hear in a noisy background. Someone struggling with auditory figure-ground discrimination has trouble filtering out the background noise of a restaurant, for example. In the case of a child, their learning potential might suffer if they can’t block out classroom sounds during a lesson.
Auditory memory. Auditory memory lets you recall what you’ve heard. It includes both short-term and long-term memory. Someone with auditory memory challenges might have difficulty remembering names, memorizing phone numbers, or following instructions with multiple steps.
Auditory sequencing. Auditory sequencing allows you to understand and recall word and sound order. Someone with auditory sequencing challenges might confuse numbers (for example, 14 and 41), lists, or sequences. A child with this problem might complete a series of tasks out of order, even if they seem to have understood the directions.
APD in Children
Early diagnosis of APD in children is crucial, because, if not managed, it can lead to listening and learning problems. The auditory system in children doesn’t develop fully until around age 14. Early intervention, thus, helps with listening skills and the development of stronger auditory pathways.
In addition to the symptoms listed in the previous section, one classic APD symptom in children is improvements in behavior and performance in quiet settings.
If your child has trouble communicating or exhibits any of these symptoms, an audiologist can evaluate them using use a specific group of listening tests. Strategies to help your child thrive in school are determined in consultation with the audiologist and can include:
- APD is not widely known, so sharing information about APD with school staff can help them understand how best to help children with APD.
- Physical accommodations. These improve the listening environment and include remote microphone systems, strategic seating that reduces sound and sight distractions, and slow, deliberate speech from the teacher.
- Individual therapies. These include computer-assisted programs, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, and counseling.
APD in Adults
If you’re an adult with APD, you may well have had it your entire life. You might have had difficulty learning to read, keeping up in class, or paying attention in noisy situations. But it all went under the radar and, thus, unaddressed.
Many adults with APD don’t even realize they’ve developed strategies to cope, choosing activities and jobs that allowed them to flourish with APD.
An audiologist diagnoses APD in adults through an APD evaluation consisting of a series of listening tasks, then develops a treatment plan that could include:
- Speech-language therapy, especially auditory training
- Brain-training techniques to improve processing skills
- Computer-assisted-programs that help you learn to process language advantageously
- Counseling or art/music therapy if depression, anxiety, or self-esteem issues are present
Causes of APD
Just like we don’t really know how common APD is, we don’t understand the causes very well, either. It does, however, tend to be linked with ADHD and dyslexia. Suspected causes include:
- Frequent ear infections
- Head injuries
- Central nervous system disorders
- Genetics
- Low birth weight
There’s No Easy Answer
As you can see, a lot must happen for you to successfully hear and understand a sound. Your symptom — missing nuances in speech — is just one symptom to consider. It could be hearing loss. It could be APD. Or it could be something else, because other health issues also show up as a problem noticing speech nuances.
I hope this has given you food for thought and a good starting place. Feel free to contact us to get a hearing evaluation on the books today!
Proudly Canadian and Independently Owned and Operated 
Hearing Loss Q&A
in Hearing lossQ: When someone speaks, I often miss nuances, like tone. Could this be hearing loss?
A: That’s an interesting question! Hearing loss shares symptoms with other conditions, though. Let’s look at what hearing loss is and consider another possible culprit.
Hearing Basics
Hearing is complex. It’s more than just your ears taking in sound. Your nerves and brain actively partner with your ear in a delicate dance to accomplish hearing. Here’s how it happens.
Area 1: The ear
Your outer ear collects sound waves, which travel down your ear canal and cause your eardrum to vibrate. Your eardrum passes the vibrations to the three smallest bones in your body, in the middle ear, which amplify the vibrations and send them to your inner ear.
In your inner ear, the vibrations become waves in a fluid-filled cavity. These waves jostle tiny hair-like cells, which convert the wave information into electric impulses.
Area 2: The auditory nerve
Your auditory (hearing) nerve carries all those electrical impulses as nerve signals to the part of your brain that processes what you hear.
Area 3: The brain
Your brain does a lot of behind-the-scenes work making sense of sound information. It pinpoints where the sound is coming from, focuses on it, separates out background noise, determines whether it recognizes the sound, and identifies whether it’s speech, music, etc.
Put It All Together
As you can see, a lot happens during the process we call hearing! The delicate dance happens all day, every day, effortlessly, and there are a lot of moving parts — and a lot of opportunities for things to go wrong.
Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is anything that does go wrong in that first area — your ears. Hearing problems can occur because of earwax buildup, damage to your eardrum, an ear infection, or damage to any of the tiny structures in your middle or inner ear.
A standard hearing test will determine whether you have hearing loss. Common symptoms are:
A hearing care professional should be your first stop when trying to determine whether you have hearing loss.
They’ll get to know you, test your hearing, and check the fitness of your ear canal, ear drum, middle ear, and inner ear. If they determine you have hearing loss, they’ll make recommendations about a treatment solution. Often, the treatment includes hearing devices.
But the symptom you mentioned — missing nuances like the tone of people’s speech — is more often a symptom of something else.
Auditory Processing Disorder
Auditory processing disorder (APD) has a lot in common with hearing loss. All the symptoms listed above, for example.
But many (not all) people with APD pass a hearing evaluation with flying colors! What’s going on here?
This is where the third area you use for hearing, the brain, comes in. With APD, something interferes with the way your ears and brain coordinate. You might hear sounds loud and clear — your ears are doing their job — but something keeps your brain from processing the sounds effectively.
How common it is? It’s hard to even pin down an estimate, because providers use different diagnostic standards. Conversations about APD typically focus on children, but it affects adults as well.
Symptoms of APD
Certain symptoms point more strongly to APD than to hearing loss, for example:
It’s not about intelligence — someone might remember written directions very well. But if those same directions were spoken aloud instead, they might misremember them. It’s about how the sounds are received and processed.
Communication Skills Affected by APD
Someone with APD could struggle with one or all of the following four communication skills.
Auditory discrimination. Auditory discrimination lets you notice, compare, and distinguish the distinct sounds in words. Someone with auditory discrimination problems might confuse similar words (like “seventy” and “seventeen”), find learning to read challenging, and have difficulties following spoken directions even when paying close attention.
Auditory figure-ground discrimination. Auditory figure-ground discrimination allows you to pinpoint the sounds you want to hear in a noisy background. Someone struggling with auditory figure-ground discrimination has trouble filtering out the background noise of a restaurant, for example. In the case of a child, their learning potential might suffer if they can’t block out classroom sounds during a lesson.
Auditory memory. Auditory memory lets you recall what you’ve heard. It includes both short-term and long-term memory. Someone with auditory memory challenges might have difficulty remembering names, memorizing phone numbers, or following instructions with multiple steps.
Auditory sequencing. Auditory sequencing allows you to understand and recall word and sound order. Someone with auditory sequencing challenges might confuse numbers (for example, 14 and 41), lists, or sequences. A child with this problem might complete a series of tasks out of order, even if they seem to have understood the directions.
APD in Children
Early diagnosis of APD in children is crucial, because, if not managed, it can lead to listening and learning problems. The auditory system in children doesn’t develop fully until around age 14. Early intervention, thus, helps with listening skills and the development of stronger auditory pathways.
In addition to the symptoms listed in the previous section, one classic APD symptom in children is improvements in behavior and performance in quiet settings.
If your child has trouble communicating or exhibits any of these symptoms, an audiologist can evaluate them using use a specific group of listening tests. Strategies to help your child thrive in school are determined in consultation with the audiologist and can include:
APD in Adults
If you’re an adult with APD, you may well have had it your entire life. You might have had difficulty learning to read, keeping up in class, or paying attention in noisy situations. But it all went under the radar and, thus, unaddressed.
Many adults with APD don’t even realize they’ve developed strategies to cope, choosing activities and jobs that allowed them to flourish with APD.
An audiologist diagnoses APD in adults through an APD evaluation consisting of a series of listening tasks, then develops a treatment plan that could include:
Causes of APD
Just like we don’t really know how common APD is, we don’t understand the causes very well, either. It does, however, tend to be linked with ADHD and dyslexia. Suspected causes include:
There’s No Easy Answer
As you can see, a lot must happen for you to successfully hear and understand a sound. Your symptom — missing nuances in speech — is just one symptom to consider. It could be hearing loss. It could be APD. Or it could be something else, because other health issues also show up as a problem noticing speech nuances.
I hope this has given you food for thought and a good starting place. Feel free to contact us to get a hearing evaluation on the books today!
Contact Sports and Hearing Loss
in Hearing loss, Hearing ProtectionPlaying to Win Could Mean Hearing Loss
Soccer is winding down. Hockey and basketball are revving up. College and NFL football are in full swing. Must mean summer is in the rearview mirror.
It also means pickup games galore, such as basketball, flag football, and street hockey — and more debates over concussions in contact sports.
But two symptoms of concussion that don’t get much press are hearing loss and tinnitus.
Sports and Concussions
Sports-related concussions are not rare — 1.6 million to 3.8 million occur annually in the U.S. And in the age range 5–19 years, there were around 46,000 diagnosed concussions in 2016 and 2017 in hospital emergency departments in Canada.
A concussion is serious business. Consider its other definition: The least severe type of TBI — short for traumatic brain injury. The CDC explains TBI as “an injury that affects how the brain works.”
Concussions and Your Hearing System
Your hearing system’s setup makes it susceptible to damage by a concussion, especially in contact sports. The part of your brain that processes sound is located at the side of your head, about ear level. Prime real estate for an impact.
The force necessary for a concussion can damage or break any of the tiny bones in your middle ear or inner ear.
Plus, there are more nerves connecting your ear and brain than there are for your other senses. It’s a dense net traveling between your ear, brainstem, midbrain, and cortex. These nerves take quite a pounding when your head suffers an impact — the force jostles your brain, stretching, shearing, or possibly destroying your nerve fibers.
Sound processing is demanding on your nervous system. It’s also very fast — things happen in microseconds. If a concussion damages your nerve fibers or causes inflammation and bruising, your hearing suffers.
How Concussions Affect Your Hearing
It’s common for those with sports-related concussions to hear quiet noises just fine, but then have trouble understanding speech in a noisy environment like, at a restaurant or a game.
Other possible problems include:
Symptoms of Concussion
After a head injury, concussion symptoms might appear right away or not for hours or days. They usually improve over time — often you’ll feel better within a couple of weeks.
Symptoms are different for each person and might change during recovery. For example, your symptoms might be physical early on, only to become more emotional a week or two after your injury.
Common symptoms include:
If You Suspect a Concussion
Unfortunately, contact sports and head injuries are a natural fit. Even a helmet or some other type of head protection only goes so far.
If you think a head injury has led to a concussion, see a physician right away. You’ll receive a neurological evaluation that measures your vision, hearing, balance, and coordination responses. You’ll also receive cognitive tests to ensure your thinking hasn’t been affected.
You might also get imaging tests such as cranial computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These identify any physical injury or bleeding inside your skull.
You need to be supervised for 24 hours, possibly in the hospital but most likely by a loved one in the comfort of your own home. This is to ensure the symptoms don’t worsen. The most common treatment for a concussion is rest and avoiding strenuous activity.
If you’ve had a concussion and suspect you’ve developed hearing loss or tinnitus, contact us to schedule a hearing consultation.
Ototoxicity and How to Avoid It
in Comorbidity, Hearing Health, OtotoxicityWhile the two most common culprits of hearing loss are loud noise and age, certain chemicals and medications can also damage the inner ear. This is called “ototoxicity, which literally means “ear poison.” Ototoxicity can lead to hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance disorders.
Common ototoxicants
According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there are four main categories of ototoxicants:
Since most people don’t keep industrial-grade solvents and compounds in their homes, the ototoxicants you’re most likely to encounter are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium.
Symptoms of ototoxicity can include nystagmus (involuntary eye movement), headaches, fatigue, nausea, and vertigo. Prior to the development of hearing loss, tinnitus will usually appear first.
Can ototoxicity be treated?
Because the hair cells of the inner ear are so delicate and easy to damage, there’s no real treatment for ototoxicity. Prevention is always the best course of action. That said, hearing and balance can often recover once exposure to the ototoxicant has ended, though it may take months. In the event that hearing is permanently changed, hearing aids and auditory rehabilitation measures are extremely helpful. An audiologist or other hearing care professional can help you explore the options.
Can ototoxicity be avoided?
In the short term, yes. By avoiding contact with ototoxic substances, you can keep your ears safe from their effects. In the longer view, the answer is “probably not.” With hundreds of known ototoxicants out there in the world, staying away from them all is very difficult, and since many are life-saving medications such as chemotherapy drugs, we wouldn’t recommend that you try. Risk must be weighed against benefit.
There is good news, however. With awareness of ototoxicity on the rise, many drug manufacturers are exploring ways to reduce this particular side effect and develop better treatments that don’t harm our hearing as much. Discussing concerns about ototoxicity with your doctor is always advisable, and, when it comes to occupational exposures, getting clarity on exactly what substances you’ll be working with and what your employer is doing to mitigate risk will arm you with the knowledge you need to stay safe.
Ototoxicity is a common hearing hazard, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be proactive about your hearing health. If you or a loved one is taking ototoxic medication or experiencing symptoms of ototoxicity, make an appointment for a hearing screening today.
Easy Troubleshooting: 7 Hearing Aid Issues
in Hearing Aids, MaintenanceYou Won’t Miss a Beat With These DIY Hints
Like other electronics, hearing aids can have their down moments. Whether the 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:
Distorted or Weak Sound
If the sound’s not coming through as strongly as it should, it could be a few reasons — perhaps more commonly, the battery:
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 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
Does your device’s battery 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:
Rechargeable Device Not Charging
The convenience of rechargeable hearing devices 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:
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:
Device 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:
Have questions about your hearing devices? Got a technology issue that might go beyond a DIY fix? Different hearing aid styles, models, and types may have different solutions, and we’re happy to help. So don’t wait. Contact our caring team today to get your questions answered or to schedule an appointment!
Enjoying the Sand and Waves? Protect Your Hearing Aids!: 8 Simple Do’s & Don’ts
in Hearing Aids, Maintenance, TravelA Little TLC for Your Devices Helps You Seize the Season
Want to help your hearing aids stay in top shape throughout the season? Whether your summer includes playing Marco Polo, setting sail, or just catching some sun on the sand, dive into these quick maintenance tips to keep the fun at hand.
DO
consider using a hearing aid dryer or dehumidifier, which not only dries and sanitizes your devices as you sleep but can also double as their regular storage container. Convenient and easy!
DON’T
swim wearing hearing aids or allow water and sand on them. Along with using a dehumidifier, wipe your devices daily with a dry cloth to help clear moisture and debris and reduce the risk of damage.
DO
keep your hearing aids away from the summer heat, which can do a number on them. Pick a cool, dry area for storage, and avoid leaving the devices in a sunny spot or hot car.
DON’T
forget your hearing-aid covers (for behind-the-ear devices), which can help protect against excess moisture when summer heat and activities lead to sweating. The covers help keep out dust and dirt, too.
DO
give your hearing aid batteries a break. Remember at night to remove them from your devices and leave the battery door open, helping reduce moisture and maximize battery life.
DON’T
prematurely pull the stay-fresh tab that helps keep new hearing aid batteries from discharging early. Once the batteries activate, they can’t be deactivated, so first be sure you’re ready to use them.
DO
regularly change the wax guard, helping protect your devices from damaging buildup of wax, skin particles, and other debris. Putting this task on at least a monthly schedule — or when needed — makes for a timely reminder.
DON’T
fit the wrong wax guard to your device. Wax guards come in diverse sizes and types, but not every version is right for your hearing aids. We can provide or help you choose a compatible product.
Summer fun is for everyone, so maximize each day by getting the most from your hearing aids. Think of them as you would your smartphone, keeping them safe from harm’s way, and enjoy your best season yet. For more tips, contact us today!
Hearing Loss and the Great Outdoors
in Hearing lossBe prepared to tackle your outdoor summer activities safely
Human hearing is remarkable. It can detect frequencies between 20 and 20,000 Hz and is highly adept at distinguishing familiar sounds from unfamiliar ones, alerting you to potential danger, and decoding important information about your environment. These abilities are especially crucial when you’re enjoying the great outdoors. Whether hunting, hiking, camping, or even just birdwatching, being able to hear the snap of a twig or the babbling of a brook isn’t simply pleasant — it could also save your life.
Wildlife Safety
Ask any avid hiker and they’ll tell you that a quiet forest is a reason to be alert. When birds and other small animals fall silent, it’s often because there’s a predator nearby. Depending on what part of the country you’re in, you may need to be on the lookout for bears or mountain lions. Hearing the change in your environment can clue you in to what could be lurking in the bushes nearby. It’s not uncommon to hear an animal before you see it, or to never see it at all. Keen hearing will help keep you one step ahead of dangerous wildlife and ensure nothing unexpected takes you by surprise.
The Hearing Hazards of Hunting
When discussing firearm safety, hearing protection is often a neglected topic. In addition to proper gun use and storage, protecting yourself from the earsplitting noise of a gunshot is very, very important. Depending on the gun, even a single shot can permanently damage your hearing, and not just any type of hearing protection will do. Because hunters rely on their sense of hearing to track prey, it’s important to choose a type of hearing protection that muffles loud sounds while allowing the softer sounds of the forest to reach the ears. Custom earplugs are a great option — ask your hearing care provider about getting fitted for a pair.
Camping With Hearing Aids
If you’re already a hearing aid user, you may be wondering how to safely camp or backpack with your technology. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to protect yourself and your hearing aids. Here are some tips to keep your devices working well in the wilderness:
Let us help you make the most of your outdoor excursions. Contact us today to schedule a hearing evaluation or clean and check of your hearing aids.
How to Deal with Earwax
in Ear Wax, Hearing HealthWhen it comes to ear cleaning, be gentle and consider leaving it to the professionals.
The general consensus that we shouldn’t insert objects like cotton swabs into the ear canal is good advice, but many people disregard it because they feel they have to clean their ears somehow. So how should you do it? Read on to find out.
Earwax: what it does and where it comes from
The human ear is divided into three sections: the outer, middle, and inner ear. The main parts of the outer ear are the pinna and canal. Within the canal is the tympanic membrane, also known as the eardrum. Beyond the eardrum is the middle ear, a small area containing the ossicles that transmit sound vibrations to the inner ear, and the inner ear is home to the snail-shaped organ (cochlea) that sends sound information to the brain.
Earwax is excreted by special glands on the outer part of the ear canal. Its job is to trap debris and microbes before they can travel deeper into the ear. It keeps the skin hydrated and healthy, prevents itching, and repels water. Anyone who has ever had swimmer’s ear can appreciate the protective effects of earwax!
Should you clean your ears?
Because earwax is produced in the outer part of the ear, there is no need to deep clean your ear canals at all. When a blockage does occur and puts pressure on the eardrum, it’s usually because a cotton swab or other object has forced it in deeper than it should be. Earwax naturally travels outward due to the motion of the jaw when talking and eating. It can then be easily washed off with a warm cloth in the shower. As tempting as it may be to dig out the wax before this happens, resist the temptation to swab. You’ll be glad you did.
Some unlucky people do experience an overproduction of earwax and can feel plugged up or experience partial hearing loss due to buildup. In that case, there are a few different solutions.
Place a few drops of a body-safe oil in the ear canal to soften the wax and make it easier to remove. Suitable oils are:
Disinfectants such as rubbing alcohol and hydrogen/carbamide peroxide can also help remove wax, but be very careful with these because they can have harsh side effects. Alcohol dries out the skin and exacerbates itching, while peroxide can leave the ears wet, which encourages bacterial growth. If any of these substances cause pain, make an appointment with your doctor right away, as this may indicate a perforated eardrum or other injury.
Over-the-counter earwax removal drops are another option, but be advised that many of these are simply repackaged oils or peroxide solutions. It is often cheaper and more practical to make your own.
When is it time to consult a professional?
Anytime you suspect an injury or health condition involving the ears you should make an appointment with an audiologist or ENT. Hearing loss, tinnitus, pain, and fullness in the ears all warrant an investigation. Doctors use a special instrument called a curette to gently remove earwax (also known as cerumen). This may be necessary if the buildup is due to a physical condition such as a narrow ear canal. It’s important that a professional do this for you. Don’t be tempted by digital otoscopes, irrigation kits, or ear candles. They are easy to misuse and can lead to injury.
Earwax is one of the body’s most underappreciated defense mechanisms. Take care of your hearing by being gentle with your ears and letting earwax do its job. If you’re experiencing symptoms of buildup, call now to schedule a consultation and cleaning. We’re here to help!
Best Safe Hearing Gifts for Dad
in Hearing Health, Hearing ProtectionDad’s Ears Will Thank You
This Father’s Day, give dad the gift that truly keeps on giving — recreation that’s easy on his ears! These gift ideas are sure to make him, and his ears, happy.
Headphones
Dads love their earbuds, whether they’re listening to music, streaming the game on a smartphone, or enjoying an audiobook. But headphones are the better choice when it comes to hearing health.
Earbuds allow sound to sneak in around the edges. A person’s natural reaction is to turn up the volume to beat back the extra sounds. That can be a recipe for hearing damage. Plus, earbuds send audio directly down the ear canal — any fluctuation in volume is delivered right to your eardrum!
Headphones, however, create a seal around your ears. This lets in far less environmental sound to compete with what you’re trying to listen to. And sound coming from headphones has to travel a short distance just to reach your ear canal, so the force of the sound has a chance to lessen a little.
Specialty Earplugs
These earplugs are more robust and specialized for certain kinds of activities. You can get good, dependable, inexpensive versions, or go all-out and spend hundreds of dollars, depending on Dad’s needs.
Shooting earplugs (also known as hunters’ earplugs) protect you against the sudden, dangerous impulse noise of gunfire, but they allow you to hear the movements and voices of anyone nearby. And high-fidelity earplugs let you hear the tonal nuances of music while dampening the high volume — ideal for musicians and avid concertgoers.
Sound Hole Cover for Acoustic Guitar
Even if he’s great at guitar, that doesn’t mean you want to hear Dad’s acoustic arrangement of the metal hit “Crazy Train” coming up the basement steps yet again.
Sound hole cover to the rescue! This is a disc that nestles easily into the sound hole of most acoustic guitar models to dampen the sound. There are price options for every need — and it shouldn’t cost more than three to five dollars to keep Dad quietly shredding while also preserving his hearing.
Drum Practice Pad
Maybe Dad went the even noisier route of taking up the drums. But don’t worry — your days of hearing him loudly practice the opening staccato raps of Paul Simon’s “The Obvious Child” are numbered!
Enter the humble drum practice pad. Though not as inexpensive as an acoustic sound hole cover, it still won’t break the bank. When played, it simulates the same ‘give’ sensation as a real snare drum, but it’s much, much quieter. Dad will know it feels and sounds right, but his hearing won’t pay the price.
A Book
What could be better for Dad’s ears than a physical copy of a book? If he’s an avid reader, you can’t go wrong with a book, whether he’s eagerly awaiting the next Patterson thriller or has once again spilled coffee all over his copy of Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass.
Contact us to learn more if you’re interested in hearing-protection options for Dad this year!
Frequently Asked Questions About Tinnitus
in Long Term TinnitusClearing the Air: Tinnitus FAQ – Your Top Questions Answered
What is the medical definition of tinnitus?
Is there a cure for tinnitus?
How long will it take for my tinnitus to reduce?
Is there a proven way to reduce tinnitus?
When treating my tinnitus, should I still worry about my ‘tinnitus triggers’?
Does acupuncture work to reduce tinnitus?
Do I need tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) for my tinnitus?
But my doctor said there is nothing that can be done about my tinnitus.
Is tinnitus harmful?
Will my tinnitus cause hearing loss?
How long will my tinnitus last?
Is tinnitus a disability?
Can earwax cause tinnitus?
Can tinnitus be prevented?
Can I treat my tinnitus with surgery?
What are my odds with tinnitus and medication?
Take the next step:
CBD and Further Reducing Your Tinnitus
in Long Term TinnitusUnlocking Serenity: CBD’s Potential in Quieting Tinnitus
Please note – In considering this article, please keep in mind that you must first directly treat your tinnitus, and then you may consider supplementing your treatment with CBD to reduce anxiety even further, depression, stress, insomnia, etc., associated with your tinnitus.
In the past ten years, the impact of Cannabidiol (CBD)on health has been extensively studied. The health benefits of CBD can include reduced anxiety, marked reductions in chronic pain and less tinnitus!
Visit our website, www.salushearing.com, to explore a wealth of resources and solutions for tinnitus relief and support.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol is derived directly from the hemp plant but does not cause a “high” by itself and does not exhibit any effects indicative of abuse or dependence. It is legal in all 50 states and available in many stores and online. CBD comes in many forms, including capsules, vapes, extracts, oils, patches, and topical creams.
Research on CBD and Tinnitus
Researchers have found two cannabinoid receptors in the brain, also known as CB1 and CB2, that act in response to the presence of CBD. Developing studies have shown that these receptors may well play a role in hearing and balance. So, the question remains: does CBD help with hearing conditions such as tinnitus? At this point, rigorous studies to definitively answer this question are not currently available. However, it would be a disservice to ignore the testimonials of patients who have used it to reduce their experience with tinnitus.
There is some indication that CBD may improve stress levels, which obviously is an issue for those with chronic tinnitus. It is important to note that everybody reacts differently, as no two people are the same. Most have stated that CBD helps with stress and falling asleep, two of the biggest concerns of dealing with chronic tinnitus.
Is CBD safe to use for tinnitus?
According to WHO (World Health Organization), CBD is safe to use with limited side effects in rare cases (weight loss or gain, diarrhea, fatigue). Talk to your doctor before trying CBD, as it may interact with some other medications you are taking.
Once you have decided to try using CBD, be sure to do your research to ensure that you are buying a high-quality product. It is suggested to start with oil for its higher bioavailability and production of fuller-body effects.
So, how can you find a quality CBD product?
Below is a quick guide on ‘What to look for when purchasing CBD’:
The ultimate takeaway here is that while there is no direct scientific evidence to support the use of CBD for tinnitus, it is known to help deal with the side effects of that constant ringing in your ears. Explore our comprehensive website to find relief from tinnitus and regaining peace of mind. www.salushearing.com.
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