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Can hearing aids make a noticeable change in demeanor?

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 22:51:41 GMT

A woman shares that her next-door neighbor is a curmudgeon; always has been. Which is why she was so surprised last week when he actually spoke to her for the first time. Not just, “hi,” but dialogue. Friendly. Engaged. Caring. The neighbor asked about her daughter’s first year at college. Then, shared his observations about the birds flying about this time of the year. Turns out he can hear now with his new hearing aids.

If a person's hearing aids are right for their hearing loss, and the programming is on-target . . . Hearing aids really can noticeably change a person's demeanor.

I see this routinely in my office. If you have normal hearing, you take your hearing for granted. It’s natural to assume that others have the same awareness and information you do.

But hearing loss is a state where there is an absence of information. Resignation of not being able to hear and carry on a conversation can be mistaken for curmudgeonly. We all tend to avoid situations where we are uncomfortable or don’t see a chance of success.

If you ‘know’ you’re not going to be able to hear, it’s easier to avoid the situation. When we engage socially, it’s natural to want to enjoy the opportunity. Social situations look a little bit different for everyone who has untreated hearing loss. I’ve heard . . .

“I’m a homebody, because I can’t hear anyway.”

“I’m fine one-on-one, but if there is more than 4 people in a group, I walk away.”

“If I can see their face, I can tell what is being said. Otherwise, forget it.”

The aim with hearing care is to help patients engage with others. So, they don’t have to settle for, ‘forget it.’ One of the great joys of my work is to see the change in people with hearing loss treatment. It’s as if a great burden is lifted.

I suspect that’s what the woman experienced with her neighbor. He likely felt uncomfortable about not being able to hear before. Now, he’s experiencing a brand new world.

You don’t have to settle for a life less than fully lived. Have you been struggling with hearing loss? Caring for your hearing can transform your life and relationships. Why not experience life to the fullest? Call our office today to schedule your consultation! 208-792-6034.

Hearing care and marital harmony: Fondness and Admiration

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 22:50:06 GMT

Hearing aid wearers report improvement in relationships. Why would hearing aid wearers see happier marriages?

Happy marriages practice fondness and admiration. Fondness and admiration are an antidote to times of frustration and hurt feelings. Hearing plays a role.

Consider the following scenario.

A wife, we’ll call her, Alice, comes home from lunch out with friends. Her husband, Jay, is working on a sink clog in the kitchen. Alice shares an interaction from lunch that greatly frustrated her. Jay is already in “fix-it” mode as Alice shares her frustration. So, he does what many a husband would do when his wife shares relationship problems. He offers suggestions for fixing what went wrong in the interaction.

Alice does not have Jay’s full attention. The sink clog does. Alice’s verbal responses to Jay are sending a subtle, but very clear, message. Alice doesn’t find Jay’s responses helpful. Jay hears the tone in Alice’s voice and asks, “Do you need my help fixing this, or do you need me to hear you out?”

Alice expresses her need to just be heard.

Hearing loss makes communication a more effortful exercise. It is a state of reduced sensory awareness. If Jay cannot physically hear the nuances in Alice’s voice, he could miss an opportunity to demonstrate his fondness. This is far more likely since Jay is distracted with attending to the sink clog.

Hearing is the sense most vital for relationships. A ‘heard’ wife is a much happier wife.

Caring for your hearing can transform your life and relationships. If you or a loved one find conversation difficult, an audiologic evaluation is the best, next step. You have five senses that you experience life through. Why not experience life to the fullest? Call my office today to schedule your consultation! 208-792-6034.

Hearing care and marital harmony: Small Conversations

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 22:48:00 GMT

Hearing aid wearers report improvement in relationships. But loved ones are more likely to notice the change. Surveys consistently report these results. Why would hearing aid wearers see happier marriages?

Happy marriages are built on ‘small conversations.' Small conversations are the moments of playfulness and quiet words of encouragement. This is how couples develop trust and rapport. These brief moments of kindness and affection help give us a sense of perspective. That perspective helps us repair the hurt feelings in difficult times.

Over time, happy couples get better at supporting each other. They get better at cutting off unkind conversations. Marriage resembles a life-long courtship. A constant renewal of affection that results in marital harmony.

Hearing loss makes communication a more effortful exercise. In an effort to conserve energy, small conversations are the first to go. Hearing loss is an obstacle to you receiving words of encouragement. It can also interfere with your ability to recognize when your spouse feels pain.

The greater effort it takes to communicate is reserved for ‘big’ conversations. Communication becomes about task, and less on mutual support. Spouses become business partners, rather than life-long friends.

Why is it socially acceptable to shame people about their hearing loss? Part 2

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 22:47:12 GMT

I’m hearing more stories of shaming those with hearing loss. Untreated hearing loss is difficult to live with. When you have normal hearing, it can be hard to relate with the struggle of not being able to hear.

But, there is another perspective to this topic that warrants attention.

As human beings, we thrive in our connection with others. The primary way we feel that connection is when we experience being heard. When our loved ones, friends, co-workers do not hear us, we are left with a loss of connection.

This can be painful. How painful depends on the value of the relationship to you. When you are not heard by a loved one who has hearing loss, it can leave you feeling isolated, frustrated, and resigned. This mirrors what happens for those with untreated hearing loss. The difference is in how common the experience is. If you have normal hearing, and are not heard, it’s a moment of disconnect. If you have untreated hearing loss, this disconnect is a constant struggle.

Most of us have a hard-of-hearing loved one. Most of us have, on some level, experienced the frustration of not being heard by them. I assert that’s the reason why it is still socially acceptable to shame those with hearing loss. Not being heard is a pain that we can all relate to.

So, when you have that moment when you are not heard by a dear one with hearing loss, don’t take it personally. Communication is a more effortful exercise when you have hearing loss.

I hope that you find this helpful. We can all be more understanding to those who don’t hear well. Hearing loss or normal hearing: we are all trying to find a way to meet our needs.

If you or a loved one find conversation difficult, an audiologic evaluation is the best, next step. You have five senses that you experience life through. Why not experience life to the fullest? Call my office today to schedule your consultation! 208-792-6034.

Why is it socially acceptable to shame people about their hearing loss? Part 1

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 22:45:14 GMT

Have you noticed how once acceptable targets for insults are now off-limits? During my adult life, I have seen many examples of this. We no longer shame those who wear glasses or have braces on their teeth. We no longer target hair color or height. I used to have a short schoolmate that called herself, ‘fun-sized’ to diffuse shaming.

I see patterns in my patients’ experiences. Lately, I have heard more stories about shaming those with hearing loss. It still seems acceptable to express frustration through shaming when someone does not hear us.

I use “shaming” here as behavior that communicates to another they lack value or worth. Some patients use the term “teasing.” But, I can hear in those conversations the questioning of value.

The shaming can come from friends, co-workers, and grandchildren, or even a spouse. Anyone who might find irritation when they don’t feel heard. My patients might respond with a laugh, a cry, or scream. In each instance, I hear pain when they share the story.

Untreated hearing loss is not an easy thing to live with. It is a silent struggle. When you have hearing loss, it can be difficult to describe the struggle to someone with normal hearing. You are unsure what is going on and possibly angry. Jokes or teasing about someone’s hearing loss is rarely helpful. It is usually hurtful.

A community is made of all different kinds of people. Each one with struggles that others cannot see. There is no need to make someone’s life harder, sadder, or empty. If you think someone is having trouble hearing you, be patient, be understanding, and give them a smile . . . while you rephrase what you said.

There’s more to be said about shaming and hearing loss. We’ll pick up the topic Part 2. We’ll look at this from a different perspective. You might find the insights surprising. Until then……

If you or a loved one find conversation difficult, an audiologic evaluation is the best, next step.

You have five senses that you experience life through. Why not experience life to the fullest? Call my office today to schedule your consultation! 208-792-6034.

Did hearing aids make my wife . . . smarter?

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 22:40:49 GMT

Hearing is a resource that allows us to engage in a real-time fusion of thoughts and feelings. When you have normal hearing, you communicate with little comparative effort. When you have hearing loss, it is much harder to communicate.

What surprises those with normal hearing is that hearing loss imposes a burden on communication. We humans so love company. Our need to engage in relationship is hard-wired in our makeup. Many hearing loss sufferers are willing to work harder to communicate, but the effort takes its toll.

As an example, imagine you have an armful of groceries to carry into the house. You also have a small child to carry in the same trip. How much less energy will you have to play with the child once you’ve put the groceries down? Now imagine that you always live with this burden. You carry it wherever you go. You never get to put down the groceries. This is the burden that hearing loss imposes on communication.

The effort to communicate draws from mental and physical resources. My patients often report renewed energy and mental clarity once they’ve treated their hearing loss. Can treating hearing loss make you smarter? It’s fairer to say hearing loss treatment can help you be more resourceful in a variety of other areas.

My hearing aids aren’t giving me any problems. What’s the value in visiting my audiologist?

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 22:39:31 GMT

Routine follow up care will help you get the most out of your hearing aids.

Better hearing is not a one-visit event. When you are first fitted, it’s natural to need some time to acclimate to life with hearing aids. It is your brain that hears. Electrical impulses travel from the cochlea (hearing organ) to the brain. These impulses are sent along nervous system pathways.

When you have hearing loss, these pathways can degrade for lack of stimulus. Hearing aids present fresh stimulus for your brain and nervous system to adjust to. Follow up visits are very helpful as you adjust to life with the sound you couldn’t hear before.

Once you’ve adjusted to hearing what you were missing, routine care will help you get the most out of your investment. Hearing aids are small electronic devices. Your ear canal is a warm, moist environment. Warmth and moisture are hostile to small electronic devices. Hearing aids can also get dirty while you are doing the same activities that get you dirty. I teach patients to clean their hearing aids. But, I have special deep cleaning equipment and replacement parts.

It’s best to think of the need for maintenance for your hearing aids as you would your car or truck. If you keep up on maintenance, you will have a better chance avoiding sudden problems.

There is another possibility with unmaintained hearing aids. Performance of unmaintained hearing aids can diminish over time. The changes can be subtle enough for you not to notice. Then one day, it dawns on you you’re not getting the performance that you used to.

Recent technological advances for hearing aids are remarkable. Routine maintenance will help them last longer and provide a superior listening experience. Make hearing aid maintenance a regular habit.

I love music. How will I enjoy music while wearing hearing aids?

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 22:37:39 GMT

Your enjoyment of music can be enhanced by the use of hearing aids. How do hearing aids work to help you enjoy music? That depends on the source of the music.

Lyrics on the radio are easier to understand with hearing aids. Patients often report how they've been misunderstanding their favorite songs for years. These conversations are always good for a few giggles.

Listening to lyrics on the radio is like listening to dialogue on the television. The sound comes from a fixed source, 1 or more speakers. Volume is controlled at the sound source. The various sounds are already ‘mixed.' This is very different from a live music experience. Sounds come from different sources. There can be a wide range of volume with many instruments or sound sources involved.

Hearing aids have exceptional programming capacity. Custom programs can help in a variety of listening situations. One program can compress sound and use directionality. This allows you to understand speech in noisy situations. Another program can process music. This allows you to enjoy the richness and nuances of live listening. User controls allow you to select between programs.

Listening to music through hearing aids connected to a device, such as a smartphone, is very satisfying. Bluetooth delivers music to the hearing aids. The sound is corrected for your hearing loss. The quality of the sound can bring back memories of music before hearing loss.

You can be an audiophile, live music connoisseur, or looking to relax at the end of the day. In any case, you will find listening to music through your hearing aids very enjoyable.

If you or a loved one find conversation difficult, an audiologic evaluation is the best, next step. Hearing aids can be programmed for your musical listening preferences. Music and conversation are some of the sounds of life that you could be missing. You have five senses that you experience life through. Why not experience life to the fullest? Call my office to schedule your consultation today! 208-792-6034.

"I don't want anyone to know I have hearing loss."

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 22:32:36 GMT

I began to fit hearing aids over 20 years ago. One of my earliest surprises was the need to hide hearing loss. I could tell you stories about some of those first patients. Before testing, it was obvious who needed treatment. It didn’t take an audiology degree to tell. We’ve all seen and recognized those signs.

There's the telltale look in the eye when someone is trying to decode what was said. Or the slight sideways turn of the head as if an ear was something you point with. You've likely heard the request to repeat phrases like, “What was that?” or “Say again.” Then there's the raised speaking volume.

In my experience, the need to hide hearing loss is now less common. Improvements in technology led to smaller, sleeker designs. Devices worn on the ears are more common: Bluetooth for smart phones, ear buds for music players. The social stigma for on-ear devices has gone much of the way toward eyeglasses as fashion items.

The result has been fewer people who feel the need to ‘hide’ their hearing loss. But, those who want to ‘hide’ feeling very vulnerable if their hearing loss is uncovered. Why? For some it might be a loss of face. For some, the reasons can be much deeper.

Let me offer two thoughts for encouragement. First, others don’t see your hearing loss how you think they see your hearing loss. Your loved ones won’t be at all troubled by your use of a device. What they will notice is the relative ease they have conversing with you. They will enjoy intimate conversation with you without the burden of repeat requests.

Second, a problem fixed is a lot less of a burden then a problem put off. One person’s hearing loss is another person’s knee, hip, eyes, or foot. Solving the problem removes the burden of carrying it.

So will people take notice of your hearing aids? Perhaps. What they will notice is how much more enjoyable your company is. Time with you will be more natural. Conversation more intimate, more fluid. They will notice the change in you. How different you carry yourself with a burden relieved. Will they realize this is because you have something sitting in or on your ear, likely not. They will just realize you are . . . You, again.

If you or a loved one find conversation difficult, an audiologic evaluation is the best, next step. If hearing aids are appropriate, you have a wide range of options. Invisible. Nearly invisible. Obvious. And if you happen to be in the mood, you can have hearing aids in the most vibrant colors you can image. Yes! You can announce to the world, with pride and boldness, that hearing loss will be no trouble for you. Call my office to schedule your consultation today! 208-792-6034.

Hearing loss is a natural part of aging, isn't it?

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 22:29:25 GMT

Hearing can wane as we age. This is one reason why I recommend regular audiologic examinations after the age of 40. How you address hearing loss is important. What hearing loss can cost you is sometimes swept under the rug. “Age-appropriate” can be useful when predicting when a child will learn to tie his own shoe laces. It can cause trouble when used to defer the decision to treat hearing loss. Hearing loss is never “age-appropriate.” My grandmother’s hearing was completely normal at age 90.

Asking at what age hearing is no longer vital is like asking at what age companionship is no longer necessary. You could compare the need to hear with the need to experience any of the other senses (sight, smell, taste, touch). But, our hearing is most important to relationships. It is the sense that most contributes to our ability to engage with others.

If hearing is difficult, this impairs your ability to listen. If you can’t listen effectively, this impairs your ability to understand. If your partner doesn’t feel heard or understood, intimacy suffers. Companionship depends on that sense of intimacy.

I hold my grandfather, we called him Daddy Mike, as an exemplar. He had hearing loss, but would not let it hinder his relationships. He was genuinely interested in what you thought and what you had to say. He was emotionally engaged and as sharp as a tack until his very last days at age 94.

Hearing loss, no matter what your age, need not inhibit your engagement with those you care the most about. Relationships—loving, intimate relationships—can make your ‘golden’ years fulfilling and meaningful.

I was delighted and privileged to treat Daddy Mike’s hearing loss. I would be just as delighted to treat yours. If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss, call my office at 208-792-6034.

Do you love hearing aids or hate them? One key difference

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 22:27:27 GMT

The most important reason to use hearing aids is that it will improve your relationships. Do you know a happy hearing aid wearer? They are likely to have an excellent relationship with their audiologist. Here’s how the right audiologist can help you be successful.

Some users struggle learning to insert hearing aids. Some have difficulty describing the sound experience that needs tuning. Some expect the process to be much different. (Put in the hearing aids today, hear every sound they want to hear tomorrow). Others do not clean the aids well and find that they stop working because they are dirty.

These experiences can lead to less than optimal use of hearing aids. Yet, hearing is so very important to communication and relationship.

You will be successful if you work with an audiologist who can guide you through choosing, learning to use, and maintaining your hearing aids. Studies show the importance of guidance from an audiologist. These findings are consistent no matter how basic or sophisticated the level of technology.

To address any frustrations, find an audiologist who:

Will welcome you, as many times as necessary, as you learn and gain confidence using your aids.
Can hear a non-specific complaint about the sound of the aids determine what program changes are necessary. Even if you are not eloquent in your description.
Will tell you—before you receive the hearing aids—what is reasonable to expect and what hearing aids cannot do.
Will teach you what you need to do to keep the aids functioning at their best. Hearing aids are small electronic devices that need routine care. Some people have a hard time seeing or manipulating the aids for cleaning.
Will welcome you back for routine cleaning and maintenance.
You are very comfortable with.

If you are well cared for, you are much more likely to be successful. This will help you meet your personal hearing goals.

To get the most out of your hearing aid experience, work with an audiologist committed to your success and capable at solving problems. Hearing loss is a serious, significant health issue. If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss, call my office at 208-792-6034.

How to get the most out of your hearing aids?

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 22:24:49 GMT

You will always be better off with a hearing aid that fits the shape of your unique hearing loss. You also want to ensure the programming is on-target. The amplification of the hearing aids should be exactly what you need at each frequency. No more. No less. If you have hearing aids that don’t fit your hearing loss, and the programming is off-target, you will not get as much benefit.

Once you have the right hearing aids programmed correctly, here are a few things you can do to be most successful with them:

Wear the hearing aids a minimum of 6 hours a day. More would be better. Your brain and your ability to understand speech will benefit if you wear the aids consistently. Research has demonstrated a link between consistent hearing aid use and speech comprehension, as well as maintaining mental acuity and emotional well-being.
Keep in contact with your audiologist. Another benefit when you wear hearing aids consistently is you become educated on what to expect from their use. If the sound or feel in your ears is less than comfortable, you can describe the specific experience and receive adjustments. Hearing aid purchase should not be a one-day experience. There is a natural adjustment period when you first start to wear hearing aids. When you have been living with untreated hearing loss, it takes time for your brain to adjust to the new stimulus.

Once you are through your trial period, you should attend regular checkups with your audiologist for deep cleaning and routine adjustment. I recommend most patients schedule checkups every 3-6 months. You should also have your hearing re-tested every 1-2 years. If your hearing changes, you need reprogramming to keep the amplification settings on-target.
Keep your primary reason for getting hearing aids top-of-mind. My patients come to me with a variety of goals. But, all of my patients want to be able to engage in conversation. Communication success with hearing loss is so important that all of my patients receive a handbook on the subject.

To get the most out of your hearing aid experience, maintain a practice of wearing your hearing aids consistently, keep regular appointments with your audiologist, and keep communication success top-of-mind.

Hearing loss is a serious, significant health issue. If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss, call my office at 208-792-6034.

The 3 Components of a Happy Marriage Between Patient and their Hearing Ads

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 22:23:08 GMT

I have a patient who, before she came into my office, had purchased 3 different sets of hearing devices within three years. None of them were a good fit for her.

How could she have gotten off to such a rocky start when it came time to consider hearing aids?

There are three components to a happy marriage between a hearing aid and a patient. When there is a mismatch between one of these three components, the patient experience can be . . . less than ideal.

First: Patient’s Unique Hearing Loss

Each patient’s hearing loss is unique. In part, because it is the brain that hears. The ears function to convert auditory signals into the electrical impulses that your brain recognizes. Another important factor: hearing sound is a different aptitude than understanding speech.

Second: Matching Amplification Device

No single device is ideal for everyone, despite how they are promoted. There is no one-size-fits-all. Different hearing aid manufacturers have different programming philosophies. These philosophies influence how a particular device processes sound. The sound processing can work very well for one patient’s hearing loss, but be a poor match for another.

The patient in the example above was buying devices that were a poor fit for her.

Third: Programming that is On-Target

To tie the first two components together; the programming has to be tuned to the patient’s current hearing status. The best way to ensure the programming is on-target is to have an objective test. Also, as the brain acclimates to the presence of amplification, adjustments are necessary to make sure the programming stays on-target.

What should you look for in a provider? First, an audiologist who works with a variety of manufacturers and can effectively match a device to the hearing loss. Second, the expertise to program hearing aids; which is not at all the same as simply increasing the gain (turning up the volume). Third, and an absolute necessity, the audiologist should use objective testing to ensure the programming is on target.

Hearing loss is a serious, significant health issue. When you, or a loved one, are ready to consider hearing aids, and want to get it right the first time, call my office at 208-792-6034.

Why get hearing aids now: Recognizing speech

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 22:23:06 GMT

In most cases, hearing loss comes on gradually. Usually, it takes some time before we notice the change. You may not notice just how much information you are missing. Even if you are making accommodations for your hearing loss, the presence of hearing loss requires more effort to communicate.

It is easy not to realize your need for better hearing even though your family does. First, you don’t hear everything. You are likely unaware of what you are missing. That makes it hard to realize your need for help. Second, you are not standing in the shoes of those who make so much of an effort to make sure you understand them. You might not realize how hard they are working for you.

Finally, there are two different, but related aptitudes at play. The lowest volume you can hear sound and how well you understand speech. It may be that you can hear soft low frequency sound, which can leave you with the notion that your hearing is OK. But, if you have high frequency hearing loss, it will be difficult for you to understand speech.

Research has also demonstrated a relationship between delayed treatment for hearing loss and deterioration in the ability to understand speech. If your family notices your difficulty understanding speech, they would certainly encourage you to get help.

I appreciate how big of a step talking about hearing aids can be. Hard decisions become easier when you gather the best information available. This makes for better decisions. I recommend an audiologic evaluation so that you will have a clear picture of your situation.

Hearing loss is a serious, significant health issue. If it feels like your hearing isn’t as good as it should be, loved ones have mentioned that you are asking them to repeat what they say, or you are misunderstanding conversation; it’s time to schedule an audiologic evaluation. Call my office at 208-792-6034.

How to find the right hearing aid . . . for you

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 22:21:09 GMT

Most patients who come to our office either want to hear, or are responding to loved ones who tell them they can’t hear. What is less obvious is that hearing loss is a serious, significant health issue.

Untreated and poorly treated hearing loss has consequences. Cognitive decline, social isolation, and emotional health are related to hearing loss. Hearing loss treatment is a significant lever for maintaining mental and decision-making faculties as you age. Yet, many with hearing loss passively accept it as a natural part of aging. Or, when they decide to get hearing care, treat the decision far too casually.

Some treat a hearing aid purchase as a transaction along the lines of shopping for an appliance. But, a hearing aid is not a one-size-fits-all volume button. It’s not your ears that hear, but your brain. The ears convert auditory sound into the electrical impulses that your brain receives. Care has to be taken when you provide stimulus to your brain.

What to Look For in a Hearing Aid

There are three essential elements that make for a happy marriage between a person and a hearing aid. When a hearing aid is just not working for you, it’s because there is a problem or mismatch in one or more of these three areas.

First, no two people have the exact same hearing loss . Each brain is unique in how it processes auditory input. Hearing loss really includes two distinct but related aptitudes. The aptitude that gets the most attention is the lowest volume you can hear sound. But far more important for brain health is understanding speech. People also experience different listening environments. There are people who are around a lot of ambient sound. And some who lead much quieter lives.

Second, you need a hearing aid that fits your unique hearing profile . A hearing aid that works very well for a specific hearing loss profile can be a poor fit for another. Hearing aid manufacturers have different sound processing philosophies. To get the optimum benefit out of hearing aids, they should fit your hearing loss.

Third, the programming of the hearing aids should be on-target . This is a vital, and often overlooked, aspect of hearing healthcare. The amplification of the hearing aid should be exactly what you need at each frequency. No more. No less. This is what we call on-target. The only way to ensure that programming is on-target is the use of a specific test that measures how the aids are amplifying while you are wearing them. To enjoy the optimum benefit of your hearing aids, they need to be comfortable for you to listen through, allow you to understand speech, and be comfortable to wear.

Ongoing support is also important. Better hearing is not a one-day event. Hearing aids need routine maintenance. Also, as your brain acclimates to the stimulus from properly programmed hearing aids, the need for slight adjustments to the hearing aid programming is natural and common.

What to Look for in an Audiologist

You are entrusting your audiologist with so much more than just your hearing. Consider the care that you are putting into your audiologist’s hands. You need a thorough, comprehensive audiologic evaluation. You need counseling and expertise to select the device that is the best fit for the unique shape of your hearing loss and your listening lifestyle. And you want the hearing aids to continue to provide optimal benefit.

In order to get the most value out of your audiologic evaluation, you want a provider with a high level of clinical competence. Someone who has diverse and extensive experience fitting a wide variety of hearing loss profiles.

In order to get the most value out of your hearing aid fitting, you want a provider who works with a variety of manufacturers and keeps up-to-date with the latest technologies. You want candor in your relationship. You want to work with someone who asks the right questions and genuinely listens and responds to the answers.

In order to get the optimum benefit from your hearing aids, you want an audiologist who is committed to ensuring the programming stays on-target, and that you continue to enjoy the experience of using the aids.

Hearing loss is a serious, significant health issue. If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss, call my office at 208-792-6034.

Seniors May Now Fear ‘Cognitive Decline’ More Than Cancer; Hearing Loss a Factor

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 22:15:43 GMT

Loss of mental acuity—memory loss, depression, dementia, Alzheimer’s—was named as a top concern for over 65% of respondents in a 2015 National Council on Aging survey. This is reflected by an increase of cognitive decline disorders in the aging population. A growing and promising line of research has identified hearing loss treatment as a preventative measure. Two contributing factors to cognitive decline are directly impacted by hearing loss: social isolation and reduced brain stimulus.

When you have hearing loss, communication is more difficult and requires more effort. Often this results in the choice to withdraw from social activities. Research has identified this loneliness as a risk factor for cognitive decline. Hearing loss also robs the brain of an important source of stimulus. The loss of stimulus directly leads to a reduction of brain activity in the areas of the brain that process sound.

Cognitive decline, social isolation, and poor emotional health are all related to hearing loss.

Hearing loss treatment is a significant lever for maintaining your mental and decision-making faculties as you age. What is of great concern to researchers is that only 20% of those with hearing loss seek treatment. Early detection and treatment—as with many other health matters—increases the odds of success. This makes treatment of hearing loss one of the wisest investments in maintaining mental acuity as you age.

Another compounding factor in this relationship is poorly treated hearing loss. There are some who look at hearing loss treatment casually. Hearing loss patients can be lulled into thinking of treatment as an external volume button. But, when a particular hearing aid technology is a poor fit or a device is not programmed correctly, it does not stimulate the brain properly. While a patient may see some improvement in communication, their investment in treatment is not optimized for the preventative benefit they could realize.

This growing body of evidence makes a strong case for a recipe that can defend your brain from future cognitive decline:

If you are over the age of 40, have any issues understanding speech, or work around loud noise, get your hearing tested. You would be wise to have your hearing re-tested every 1-3 years.
If you have hearing loss, treat it. The earlier you start treatment, the more of your cognitive and emotional capacity you can preserve. The maxim applies: pay now or pay later with interest.
Work with an audiologist who can identify which technology would be the best fit for you. Every hearing aid manufacturer claims they have a technological advantage. But, what is optimal for one patient won’t necessarily be a good fit for another. Also: while a few manufactures invest in research and development, some merely rely on distribution through national retail chains and private label agreements and are consistently behind in technology.
Insist on testing that verifies that the programming of the hearing aid is on-target. There is great variance in hearing loss profiles and each brain is unique in how it processes sound and understands speech. You want to ensure that your hearing treatment is calibrated so the amplification is set for what you need at various frequencies.

Hearing loss is a serious, significant health issue. Untreated or poorly treated hearing loss can have a profound detriment on your cognitive and emotional health. Consider hearing loss treatment an investment in maintaining your mental sharpness as you age. You can reach my office at 208-792-6034 to schedule an appointment.

Hearing loss and memory problems: Is there a relationship?

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 22:12:36 GMT

A study conducted by Johns Hopkins University and the National Institute on Aging found a strong relationship between hearing loss and memory problems.

To understand how hearing loss and memory problems might be related, I’ll offer two observations. First, it is the brain that hears. The ears convert auditory signals into the electrical impulses that the brain can interpret. But, it is the brain that is responsible for hearing.

Second, the brain behaves very much like a muscle. Muscles can grow stronger or weaker, develop speed or strength, and also have limits as to how much burden they can bear.

Consider all that we ask of our brains; memorize information, make decisions, regulate emotions, manage all of our body’s vital circulatory, respiratory, and digestive functions. In the presence of hearing loss, your brain has to devote more energy to processing sound. It can draw this energy from your less vital functions: memory, decision-making, emotional well-being.

So, yes, hearing problems and memory problems are related. Patients come to me to treat their hearing loss. Yet, routinely, they also find improvement in their daily life in areas they did not expect: better recall, clearer thinking, emotional health. All of these lead to more satisfying relationships.

Hearing loss is a serious, significant health issue. It can affect your memory, and cognitive and emotional well-being. When you, or a loved one, are ready to consider hearing treatment, call my office at 208-792-6034.

Hearing loss and Depression: Is there a relationship?

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 22:08:38 GMT

"Never mind" Communicating to a loved one with hearing loss

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 20:55:41 GMT

Does your spouse have hearing loss? Do you get frustrated repeating yourself? Have you thrown in the towel saying, “Never mind, it’s not important anyway.”

This is an example of how hearing loss can impact relationships. The emotions that both of you are feeling are common. Not being heard, you feel frustrated. But not being able to hear you, your spouse can feel isolated and irrelevant.

If you have normal hearing, it might be surprising to know feelings of isolation and irrelevance can arise when you don’t know what is being said. Imagine standing in a room of people speaking a language foreign to you. You know they are talking, but can’t understand what they are saying. What if that was your daily life? Can you see how you might come to feel isolated? Can you appreciate the feeling that the people in that room might prefer to communicate with those who understand them?

This is how a hearing loss sufferer can question their relevance.

When hearing loss is present, communication takes effort, patience, and planning . . . for both of you. Get your spouse's attention before you start speaking. Turn down or mute competing sounds. Make and hold eye contact. Pause in between phrases.

While you’re practicing better habits; the next, best step is to schedule an audiologic evaluation. I’ve helped many married couples have clear conversations again.

Hearing loss is a serious, significant health issue. If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss, call my office at 208-792-6034.

Can you give me one quick tip so that I can help my mother who isn’t hearing well? Tip #4

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 20:55:40 GMT

When you are speaking to your mother, pause between phrases.

Typically, when speaking to someone with hearing loss, you may raise the volume of your voice. I see family members fall into the habit of shouting. This actually distorts what you are trying to convey to someone with hearing loss.

Speak distinctly, but without exaggeration. Speak at a normal rate, not too fast or too slow. Just pause between phrases. It should look a little bit like this:

When you speak . . . with a loved one . . . who has hearing loss . . . insert pauses in your speech . . . Your loved one . . . will have time . . . to catch up . . . with what you are saying . . .Use your normal rate of speech . . . but add in pauses.

When you are speaking to your mother, pause between phrases.

In the meantime, ask your mom if she would be willing to schedule an audiologic evaluation. Call my office at 208-792-6034. I’ve helped many moms and dads hear full conversations.

When your loved one won't get a hearing test

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 20:13:58 GMT

I see the consequences of untreated and poorly treated hearing loss routinely. My observations agree with the research. Waiting 3, or 5, or 10 years, can have substantial effects on emotional and cognitive well-being.

It is also hard for me to watch what happens to families. Hearing is key to relationships. And our most significant relationships are family. Everything we humans have ever achieved started with the mother-father-child relationship. Any time I can contribute to the reconnection of families, I consider it a sacred privilege.

I can neither predict nor reassure any given patient what will happen if they delay treatment. But, like most health related issues, the sooner you seek treatment, the better the options and outcomes.

What will get your loved one to take the next step? Everybody is a little bit different. Discussing the emotional and cognitive consequences might help. Having everyone in the family lovingly and supportively confront might help. Sharing how the hearing loss has effected your relationship might help.

You can also just stop in and say’ “Hi.” Some patients just need a little better idea of what to expect. And others feel better if they just have a chance to meet me. A personal connection is important to reassure that you are in good, caring hands.

Hearing loss is a serious, significant health issue. It’s your brain that hears, not your ears. Treating hearing loss contributes to emotional and cognitive health.

If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss, call my office at 208-792-6034.

Can you give me one quick tip so that I can help my mother who isn’t hearing well? Tip #2

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 20:04:37 GMT

When you are speaking to your mother, start with and maintain eye contact. I had a patient humorously describe to me how she thought she only had hearing loss in the dark. What was really happening is that she became very adept at seeking and maintaining eye contact when someone was speaking to her. Those visual cues help us understand speech. In the dark, eye contact is not useful.

There is a lot of visual information available when you are speaking to someone. Facial expressions and body language are very helpful. You can “see” anger, frustration, excitement, etc. Your mother can augment her understanding of what is said by lip-reading. Even those with normal hearing use lip-reading in difficult listening situations.

When you are speaking to your mother, maintain eye contact.

That is another thing you can do right now.

In the meantime, ask your mom if she would be willing to schedule an audiologic evaluation. Call my office at 208-792-6034. I’ve helped many moms and dads hear full conversations.

Can you give me one quick tip so that I can help my mother who isn’t hearing well? Tip #3

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 20:04:35 GMT

When you are speaking to your mother, keep your hands away from your face.

You might not see having your hands near your face as a habit of yours. But, in this ‘multi-tasking’ culture of ours, there are a lot of habits and tasks we do while communicating. Many of these habits you might not be aware of: talking while eating, touching your hands to your cheek, holding your chin in your hands, rubbing or scratching your head, etc.

These habits, sometimes unconscious, have something in common with tip #2 (maintaining eye contact). We often converse while doing other tasks. Conversing while multitasking might be successful with normal hearing friends. What those with normal hearing might not understand about those with hearing loss is how much greater effort is required to communicate.

If you are conversing while doing other things, this can be especially difficult for those with hearing loss. When communicating with someone who doesn’t hear well, you need to make communication the priority. A priority is when you say, “No” to everything else.

All of the useful visual information available when you keep and maintain eye contact (facial expressions, body language, lip-reading) is obscured when you have your hands near your face.

When you are speaking to your mother, keep your hands away from your face.

That is another thing you can do right now.

In the meantime, ask your mom if she would be willing to schedule an audiologic evaluation. Call my office at 208-792-6034. I’ve helped many moms and dads hear full conversations.

Can you give me one quick tip so that I can help my mother who isn’t hearing well? Tip #1

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 20:00:17 GMT

Before you speak to your mother, get her full, undivided attention. Here is how a patient might explain it: “By the time I realize someone is speaking to me, I’m already half a sentence or more behind.”

Imagine trying to understand what someone is saying when you can’t hear them well. And at the same time; trying to figure out the portion of the conversation that you have already missed. This can be maddening, overwhelming, and just about impossible for someone with untreated hearing loss. If you miss the beginning, it is hard to catch up.

Listening to speech when you have hearing loss is more consuming than those with normal hearing realize. So, think of this as an opportunity to bring in more of the senses. Touch your mom gently on the shoulder, elbow, or hand to get her attention. Make eye contact and be sure that she is focusing her attention on you, then talk to her.

This is one thing you can do right now.

In the meantime, ask your mom if she would be willing to schedule an audiologic evaluation. Call my office at 208-792-6034. I’ve helped many moms and dads hear full conversations.

A simple English quiz that you will fail and what it reveals about hearing loss

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 19:57:22 GMT

Let's start with a simple English quiz - shall we?

Count how many times the letter “f” appears in the following sentence.

"These functional fuses have been developed after years of scientific investigation of electric phenomena, combined with the fruit of long experience on the part of the two investigators who have come forward with them for our meetings today."

Native English speakers underestimate the number of times “f” appears in the sentence. In fact, they do worse on this test than people who have just started learning English.

I’ve yet to meet a person who speaks fluent English to count more than 9 “f” in the sentence. The most common answer is 6 or 7.

The correct answer, however, is 11!

“These F unctional F uses have been developed a F ter years o F scienti F ic investigation o F electric phenomena, combined with the F ruit o F long experience on the part o F the two investigators who have come F orward with them F or our meetings today.”

E mbarrassing disclosure: I myself just got 7 the first time!

Why do experienced English speakers do worse than beginner English speakers on a simple English quiz?

Experienced speakers pronounce the word “of” with a “v” sound, and because of their habit of reading like they speak, they have more difficulty detecting the occurrences of the letter “f” than do inexperienced speakers.

Experience actually diminishes awareness!

What makes hearing loss so hard to respond to?

Your experience of your own hearing—as it is diminishes a little bit at a time—makes it harder to notice the loss.

Just as the “f” in “of” starts looking like a “v,” your awareness of what you aren’t hearing fades. Hearing loss comes on gradually. So gradual in fact, that you can easily not notice from one day to the next the loss.

Is it time for a hearing test? Here are some clues that will help you determine:

You frequently ask other talkers to repeat what they just said.
Other people mumble.
You have disagreement over how loud the TV is.
You have trouble hearing at restaurants or other social engagements.
You tend to avoid social engagements, because you find them draining.

If you experience difficulties with communication, you should give us a call at 208-792-6034.

Tinnitus (Pronounced “ti-NIGHT-us” or “TINN-a-tus,” either will do) refers to any sound without an external stimulus. It is real and has been mapped in the human brain. First, if you have ringing in

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 19:48:01 GMT

If you have ever started the New Year composing resolutions only to throw in the towel before Ground Hog Day—or bemusedly watch others struggle with resolutions—this post is for you.

Why do we proclaim the New Year as a time to kick old bad habits and/or replace them with new ones? It’s because, by nature, we humans are creatures of renewal.

Every breath we take swaps out carbon dioxide for oxygen.
Every beat of our heart carries that oxygen to every cell in our body.
Every day comes with a new start (unless we choose otherwise).
From sleeping to breathing to eating to reading to watching to moving; we are constantly renewed by our experience.

So, why do we lose steam with New Year’s Resolutions? Because we are human. And life on this rock is about trial and error. The secret to winning over error/failure/forgotten resolutions is no secret at all:

If you get knocked down 4 times, get up 5.

Treating hearing loss is also an opportunity for renewal. Most of us could hear clearly at one point in our lives. Growing older, noise exposure, or genetic traits might diminish our hearing. Hearing loss disconnects us from relationships that mean the most to us.

But, we can renew our connection with others.

Sleep on it, take a deep breath, and give us a call at 208-792-6034.

Happy New Year.

Looking for a Memory Boost? Try a hearing test

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 19:46:05 GMT

One of the most common misunderstandings that normal hearers have when it comes to relating to those with hearing loss is the amount of effort required to hear conversation. A normal hearer gives little mind to the process of hearing conversation. When you have hearing loss, it takes considerably more effort and conversation to be in relationship.

You could compare this to a computer’s processing unit (CPU). If you spend—for comparison—20% of your processing capacity trying to discern what is being said to you, you have 80% to perform other cognitive functions. But, if you have hearing loss, and you have to spend 80% of your processing capacity just trying to understand the words being spoken, you have less capacity for other functions.

Research has demonstrated a link between hearing loss and a drop in cognition and information retention. Research has also demonstrated a correlation between hearing loss and less gray matter in the auditory cortex of the brain. The auditory cortex is responsible for speech comprehension.

Ultimately, your ears transmit sound to your brain. It is your brain that hears.

A hearing test might be the key to understanding, retaining, and making better use of information.

Hearing Loss and the Holidays: what can we do to make family time more enjoyable?

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 19:46:04 GMT

Holiday and family time makes the effects of hearing loss much more profound. With many speakers in the room, it’s more difficult for someone with hearing loss to engage in conversation, or even to understand the conversation of others.

I’ve witnessed how hearing loss effected my grandfather during holiday time. He preferred to be called “Daddy Mike,” because he wasn’t ‘old’ enough to be called ‘grandpa.’ He was genuinely interested in what others had to say. Growing up, I remember how engaged he was in conversation.

It’s what makes a specific holiday season stand out so vividly in my memory. I was still in school. Daddy Mike was aloof, disengaged, almost absent-in-presence. I asked my mom after if he was not feeling well. She dismissively said, “He doesn’t hear well anymore,” as if that was just the price one pays for growing older.

As you can imagine, once I had my audiology license in hand, Daddy Mike was first in line. And the benefit was immediate.

Of your five senses, hearing is the most vital for relationships. But, relationships are much more than hearing. They are also habits, situations, and behaviors. Living with hearing loss—your hearing loss or a loved ones—communication habits change; often not in a helpful way.

I have a holiday gift that will help you. It’s an easy-to-read, practical guide for communicating if you live with hearing loss. It’s written to those who have hearing loss, and those who love them.

The book would have made Daddy Mike’s hearing aids substantially more valuable if it was available when he was alive. It’s a tool I use in my own practice, and I’m making it available for a limited number of people who respond to this offer.

Go to SimonAudiologyCare.com/gift for more details and how to have a copy mailed to you.

Happy Holidays.

Hearing Loss & Depression: Two characteristics that explain the relationship

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 19:46:03 GMT

When I explain how hearing loss can lead to depression, some understand readily. And then there are those who give me an RCA-Dog-style-tilt-of-the-head look of skepticism when I assert that there’s a connection. This post is for the skeptics.

There’s a clear pattern in the research. Those who treat their hearing loss lead more socially engaged, socially active lives. Their interactions are more satisfying. And they report less sadness, anxiety, and depression as compared to their hearing loss peers who remain untreated.

For the unconvinced, there’s two things I’d ask you to consider.

First: When you suffer from hearing loss, listening is a more effortful and exhausting exercise.

In my experience, it is one of the characteristics of hearing loss that “healthy” hearers understand the least. If you have healthy hearing, you listen and engage with little comparative effort. You take your healthy hearing for granted. It is as easy and natural and effortless as any number of other mundane activities.

But, if you have hearing loss, you have to expend energy to understand what people are saying. It doesn’t come easy. It’s work, HARD work. And the effort takes its toll. You tire more easily. Social interaction ‘feels’ less energizing because the effort expended to listen is draining. This ‘effort – fatigue – drained’ experience is a pathway to depression, sadness, and anxiety.

Second: Our perspective on our own hearing loss and depression is very similar.

Sitting here now, in a specific moment, neither hearing loss nor depression are easily recognized. It is by having the awareness of our experience over time that it becomes apparent.

Depression and hearing loss come to us gradually.

Does that mean hearing loss leads to depression? As an audiologist, I am constantly taken aback at the change in my patients. I see the after, not the before. I don’t see my patients when they had normal hearing and didn’t have the consuming experience of trying to hear.

I see them after the hearing loss has taken its toll. I can draw you a picture before treatment: tired, drained, frustrated, sometimes sullen; yet resolved. The after is just stunning: engaged, lighter on their feet. The jokes, smiles, and laughs come much more frequently; as if a great burden has been lifted.

I hear it so very often from my patients: “Why didn’t I do this years ago?”

Tinnitus: The missing piece to researching solutions

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 19:45:59 GMT

Tinnitus (Pronounced “ti-NIGHT-us” or “TINN-a-tus,” either will do) refers to any sound without an external stimulus. It is real and has been mapped in the human brain.

First, if you have ringing in your ears, or there is a recent change in either the pitch, volume, or experience of the tinnitus, you should get a comprehensive audiologic evaluation to rule out a serious issue.

That being said, for the vast majority of tinnitus sufferers (nearly 50 million in the US alone), tinnitus is found in the interaction between the hearing organ (cochlea) and the auditory cortex of the brain.

My office gets many calls inquiring about various methods to cure tinnitus: sound remedies, ear drops, a variety of ‘natural’ remedies. I see this as a good sign because people are doing their research. The problem with these options is their ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. Some may find relief. Others may be frustrated by their lack of relief.

The missing part of research into any solution is the interaction between the cochlea and the auditory cortex that occurs within the individual. Think of this as a map. If relief from tinnitus is the destination, you can’t choose a route if you don’t know from where you are starting.

The starting point is a picture of your hearing system—a comprehensive audiologic evaluation. With a clear picture of how your cochlea is sending signals to the auditory cortex in your brain, it is much easier to identify the solution(s) that will work best for you.

If you are suffering from tinnitus, hearing evaluation is your first best step.

Get started by calling us at 208-792-6034, or complete the Get Started form on the right (or below if you are accessing this page on mobile).