Logo with food on a black background.

Using Food to Prevent Hearing Loss

You can keep your hearing healthy by doing physical exercise and eating a balanced diet. This is better than waiting until you have a problem and then trying to fix it.

Minerals such as zinc and magnesium can help protect you from hearing loss caused by loud noises. Dark chocolate and oysters are good sources of zinc, while potatoes, broccoli, artichokes, and bananas are rich in magnesium. People might not want to eat chocolate because they think it will make them overweight or unhealthy. But recent studies found that dark chocolate can be good for your health since it helps prevent hearing loss.

Today, many people are choosing to become pescovegetarians. If they were eating red meat, they now eat fish instead. Different types of fish have different nutrients that are good for you. Salmon, trout, sardines, and tuna all have minerals, Vitamin D, and Omega 3 Fatty Acids.

Some vitamins help your hearing. A recent study found that adults who ate fish more than twice a week had a 42% chance of not developing hearing impairment as an adult, as opposed to those who did not eat fish. This is because Omega 3 fatty acids strengthen the ear’s blood vessels and this strengthens the auditory sensory system.

Taking glutathione, vitamin C, and vitamin E can also help to reduce free radicals and boost the immune system. This might help to prevent you from getting a virus that can cause an ear infection. Foods that are high in vitamin C include peppers and citrus fruits like lemons and oranges.

Folic Acid and Antioxidants are also said to help with hearing. These can be found in vegetables like asparagus, spinach, broccoli, beans, and even in liver, nuts, and eggs. Folic Acid has been said to reduce the chance of hearing loss by 20%, while Antioxidants help decrease the number of free radicals that damage nerve tissues in the inner ear. You can give your ears a boost by having a healthy diet with lots of nutritious foods.

A beach at sunset with the words, "How hearing loss affects your life."

How Hearing Loss Affects Your Life

Hearing loss can take years to build up, and people may not notice that they are losing their hearing because it happens slowly. This article discusses some of the many negative consequences that happen when you do not treat your hearing loss. The sense of hearing is one of our most basic senses. When hearing declines, people often miss out on important moments and messages. Their world becomes narrow because they can only hear a few sounds. They might start to feel depressed and anxious as a result.

A study found that people over the age of 50 who do not treat their loss are at a higher risk for psychological problems. They are more likely to be withdrawn and socially isolated, as well as have anxiety, paranoia, and depression. It’s also hard for them because they might feel embarrassed or distressed about it. This affects their mental health in a negative way.

People with hearing impairment can experience a decline in intellectual abilities, especially when it comes to memory and the ability to think. People with hearing loss appear to have an intellectual decline that is 30% – 40% greater than those with normal hearing. This also depends on how severe their hearing impairment is. People who are more severely impaired seemed to suffer from an earlier cognitive decline than those without any impairment.

Listening fatigue is the tiredness that results from the strain caused by extended periods of energy required in order to listen effectively. Without proper hearing treatment it can lead to mental exhaustion and increased stress.

A survey done by the Better Hearing Institute found that people with hearing loss earn $12,000 less a year than those with normal hearing. People who have hearing loss may have trouble communicating which can lead to a reduction in their productivity. This might also mean they don’t get promoted.

A major concern for people with hearing loss is that they might not hear alarms and sirens. This is very unsafe because they might put themselves and their loved ones in danger. People who are hearing impaired also have an increased risk of falling. A study found that people with hearing loss were more likely to fall down than those without it. Even if you only have mild hearing impairment, you are 3 times as likely to have fallen before compared to someone who doesn’t have it at all!

Hearing impairment is not just physical, it also affects people’s social life, their emotional health, and their cognitive abilities. The good news is that hearing loss can be corrected. Hearing devices can help make sounds louder AND easier to understand. Be sure and talk to your hearing specialist about your hearing loss and how they can help.

Tin can and string telephone.

Communicating with Hearing Impaired People

Communicating with people who have hearing loss can be difficult. You may become frustrated when they don’t understand you, and they can pick up on this non-verbal frustration and become irritated.

When someone starts having hearing loss, they can still hear most things. The person might not notice it because the sounds that are hard to hear are high-pitched voices and low noises. Even with hearing aids, people may have trouble hearing. This is why it’s important to learn how to talk to people with hearing loss.

When you are talking to a person who cannot hear, make sure that they give you their full attention. You should call them by their name first so they know the conversation is for them. Make direct eye contact with the hearing impaired individual while you talk to them so they can read your lips if need be. When you are speaking, speak clearly and pronounce each word carefully. Do not shout or get angry because this will just increase their frustration and make it seem like you are annoyed with them.

If you’re communicating with a hearing impaired person, try to have conversations that have as little background noise as possible. It can be hard for them to read your lips if you talk too fast, so speak at a slower rate. Avoid exaggerating your gestures. You should also communicate with people groups that include both regular hearing and hearing impaired individuals, but give no one preference over the other.

Make sure that when you are talking, you finish your sentence before walking away.  If someone is hearing-impaired, they might have trouble understanding what you are saying so if they seem confused or offended, don’t say the same thing over and over again. Instead use words that are easy to understand and gestures to help them understand.  When speaking with a hearing-impaired person, come up with a discreet signal to inform the hearing impaired individual when they are talking too loudly, since people with hearing loss sometimes can’t hear their own voices.

It is hard to communicate with someone who has a hearing problem. It can be frustrating to repeat yourself, but remember that it is also frustrating for the person who has the hearing impairment. Try to keep your mind calm and caring in order to make communication easier between the two of you.

Holiday Help for Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can be embarrassing. People might pretend they hear well or deny their hearing impairment to their loved ones. Hearing loss is harder during the holidays, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be handled properly.

People with hearing loss often do not think about how it hurts them and other people. This holiday season, if you have a loved one who is hearing impaired, you can help them make the most out of their holiday experience by offering these coping techniques to deal with their hearing loss.

Create a place for people to communicate better. You want people who are hearing-impaired to be able to follow your conversation. Turn the lights on so they can see what you are saying. Make sure there are no obstructions between you and the person too, like candles or large centerpieces in the way. Round tables are good for this because everyone can hear equally well. When it’s dinner time, turn off the background music and avoid loud noises until everyone has finished eating.

If someone has a hearing loss, make sure you include them in the holiday festivities. It can be hard for people with hearing loss to understand what is going on and they may not know how to ask for help. Be sure to keep an eye out and take care of their needs.

You do not need to be frustrated by conversations with people who are hearing impaired. But it is important for them to give you their full attention before you speak. Begin the conversation with their name, and if they are sometimes hard to understand, use facial expressions or signing to help communicate.

If you decide to talk to them about their hearing problems, do it in a way that is warm and supportive. They may be too embarrassed to admit they have hearing problems but know they are having some difficulties. If you listen to them, they may feel relieved and ask for your help if necessary.

People feel happy during the holidays, and it may be a good time to talk to your loved ones about hearing health. You should tell them to get their hearing checked if they think they have a problem with it. And you should help them on their journey to getting their hearing back.

Listening Efficiently With Hearing Aids

It can take time to adjust to new hearing instruments. You may notice that things sound different than they used to, so you may need to adjust to hearing again. 

It can be hard to get used to your new hearing aids at first. With the help of a hearing aid specialist, you can have guidance on how to adjust your settings. You can also do some things by yourself with the following advice. 

Begin wearing your hearing instruments so that you can get used to them. It will help your brain understand the sounds you hear, and it will be good for your ears too.  Take time to adjust, but gradually increase how often you wear them every day so they become part of your life.

It can be hard to start hearing in a new way. Be patient with yourself and go at a pace that feels comfortable for you. Tell yourself that your hearing will never be perfect, but it can get better if you work at it. Setting realistic goals is key to having the best chance of success.

Maintain a positive attitude. You will need to make changes in order to adjust to your new sense of hearing. Write down places where you still have trouble hearing and ask your hearing specialist for help.

Talk with your hearing aid specialist. Find out what your hearing loss is and learn as much about it as you can. Share that information with the people in your life so they know how to help and support you while you adjust to having a hearing loss.

A woman holds her ears in pain with the words Tinnitus information above her.

Tinnitus

Many people have a ringing sound in their ears. It is called tinnitus and it is a symptom, not an illness.

This condition can happen when you lose your hearing or when you are in a loud place for too long with no protection. It can also happen with an illness or injury in your head or neck. high blood pressure are also often linked to it. Most often, loud noise exposure has caused damage to the hair cells in the inner ear, causing the nerves to transmit an artificial signal. Occasionally, the cause is never determined.

Typically, it results in a feeling of ringing, buzzing, or chirping in your ears. It is often described as a high pitched noise, but it may also take the form of other noises like buzzing, whooshing, roaring, clicking and hissing.

Some people feel very stressed when they have tinnitus. Other effects include tiredness and depression, or even problems with your memory. Many people with tinnitus feel frustrated or powerless.

They may think that nothing can be done to help the ringing in their ears. But this is only true for 10% of people that have bothersome tinnitus. For a large number of other people, their perception of the sound can be reduced so that they are not bothered or disturbed by it anymore by using hearing devices and other tinnitus therapy techniques.

Some people even report that their tinnitus goes away completely! If you think you are suffering from tinnitus in any of its’ forms, let us know by giving us a call or request an appointment and we would be happy to discuss your issues and possible solutions.

If you would like more information on Tinnitus treatment, the condition itself, or coping mechanisms to help you deal with your personal issues with ringing in the ears, more information is available here.

Why Hearing Aids Are Experiencing Sound Issues With iPhone 12

Ever since ReSound launched the debut Made for iPhone (MFi) hearing aids, more brands have embraced this smart technology that boasts superior accessibility features.

Made for iPhone hearing devices steps up Bluetooth technology, offering users great convenience.

Users can connect their iPhone, among other Apple products, directly to the aids and stream audio without the need for an intermediary streamer.

Most of my patients say they love the MFi hearing devices for their portability and quality sound output. Nonetheless, the devices are susceptible to technical issues from time to time, like any other technology.

Common hearing aid issues revolve around connectivity and adjusting challenges, but it’s nothing major. With some simple troubleshooting tips, the patients can resolve the issues and continue enjoying their device use.

However, there has been a massive outcry over sound issues on MFi hearing aids from users using iPhone 12.

At first, most users expressed fears that the hearing devices were broken.

But the issues have been reported across all major MFi brands – ReSound, Signia, Bernafon, Oticon, Starkey, etc. when synced to iPhone 12 models (iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max).

Though you may experience issues like interrupted or intermittent audio, garbled audio, or loud static after syncing your MFi device to an iPhone 12, these do not originate from the hearing aids but the phone.

Actually, Apple acknowledged the problem, which includes issues with the lock screen and MMS delivery in addition to the sound problem.

From user forums, especially this Apple discussion forum, the problem seems to be a case of phone model-operating system compatibility.

One user who had upgraded from iPhone 11 to iPhone 12 reported having had no sound issues with the former model, which was running on the same operating system (OS), iOS 14, as the latter.

However, Apple promised to fix the issue through future OS updates.

The release of iOS 14.1 was highly anticipated to address the issues, but some users reported that the problems persisted even after running the update.

Apple released yet another update, iOS 14.2.1, with the hope of fixing the issues. According to this support article, the company confirmed that updating your iPhone 12’s OS to version 14.2.1 or higher will help resolve the sound issues on your MFi.

If you’re not familiar with running OS updates on your Apple products, follow the steps in this article.

I’m Here To Walk You Through Your Hearing Health Journey

I am not just interested in fixing you with the perfect hearing aids; my mission goes deeper than that.

I take my patients’ hearing health into my hands to ensure they continue enjoying active lifestyles throughout our partnership.

My care is personalized and convenient, allowing both physical and remote sessions. This means you can reach out to me for help no matter where you are in the world.

Besides troubleshooting connectivity and other issues, I also repair, clean, and service hearing aids.

In other words,  I am here to ensure you continue enjoying the powerful hearing aid technology despite any technical limitations that may arise along the journey.

For any inquiries, kindly fill this form to request a no-obligation callback.

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Hard of Hearing? Stay Alert With Android’s Sound Notifications Feature

Technological advancements have greatly enhanced the hearing and communication capabilities of the hard of hearing people.

For instance, digital hearing aids incorporate features such as Bluetooth technology for connecting to devices like stereo, TV, tablet, etc.

Other superior features include sound direction detection, wind reduction to enhance sound quality, among others.

These innovations have improved the lives of hard of hearing people in amazing ways.

Tech giant, Google, has pulled their weight behind hearing aid technology, again.

Their latest innovation is their Android smartphone feature, Sound Notifications.

What Are Sound Notifications?

Sound Notifications is an Android’s smartphone feature designed to help people with hearing challenges stay on the alert.

The feature captures attention-worthy sounds that hard of hearing people might not be able to detect.

Once it’s turned on, it transcribes conversations and other surrounding sounds in real-time and pops the text on the phone’s screen.

In addition to getting a live feed, you can go back in history (up to 12 hours, presently) to check and evaluate past events.

For instance, you can establish your baby’s cry was triggered by the doorbell ring, and so forth.

What Do I Need To Start Using Sound Notifications?

As earlier mentioned, Sound Notifications is an Android smartphone’s feature. So, you need to have an Android smartphone to start getting sound notifications.

All you need to do is activate the feature on your phone by following some simple steps.

Once you activate Sound Notifications, you’ll be prompted to choose the sounds to detect and how you wish to get notifications.

The feature detects ten different sounds, including sirens, baby sounds, appliance beeps, doorbell rings, knocks, running water, smoke, and fire alarms.

You can choose to get notifications through phone vibration, flashing light, or by connecting to a wearable, like Google’s Wear OS.

What Are The Benefits Of Using Sound Notifications And Other Hearing Devices

  • Safety

Hearing devices are crucial in alerting hard of hearing people about possible risky situations, like fire in the house, security alarm beeps, and many other hazardous situations.

Before the technological advancements, hard of hearing people relied on their other senses, or people, to alert them of safety threats.

But with gadget features like Android’s Sound Notifications and alert systems like Clarity Alertmaster or Bellman Visit that notify you of crucial sounds, you can live independently without putting your safety at risk.

  • Communication

Social alienation has been one of the greatest pains for hard of hearing people. However, with modern hearing aids, you can adjust the settings for different environments. More recent innovations have automatic features, meaning you don’t have to adjust the settings manually. They analyze the sounds and adjust automatically so you can have conversations without straining or shouting.

  • Convenience

Incorporating the latest trends in technology in hearing devices is affording hard of hearing people privileges that were unthinkable years back. With Bluetooth technology, you can enjoy music and receive TV sounds in your hearing aid. Likewise, the ability to link your assistive device to your smartphone to receive important sound notifications is a welcome convenience.

Conclusion

Technology has improved the quality of life of the hard of hearing community in ways that were never thought possible.

With the release of Android’s Sound Notifications feature that can alert you about crucial sounds even when you’re sleeping, there’s no telling how much the future holds.

One thing is certain, though; the hearing and communication capabilities of the hard of hearing people will even get better.

The ability to link digital hearing aids to communication and alert systems is a huge leap for the hard of hearing community. Indeed, the future looks bright.

Get In Touch

At Hear With Manny, I provide hearing instruments and offer support every step of the way to help you get the most out of your hearing devices.

Need to link your hearing aids to your smartphone and benefit from the Android’s Sound Notifications feature?

Get in touch with me, and let me help out.

Can COVID-19 Lead to Sudden Hearing Loss?

We know that COVID-19 can severely affect our lungs and respiratory system. But what about our hearing?

Specialists at University College London, UK, have suggested that the virus can cause sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) – where a person rapidly loses their hearing, often in one ear.

So what’s behind their prognosis?

The Patient Who Had Sudden Hearing Loss

In a report published in the British Medical Journal, the doctors highlight the case of a 45-year-old man who was diagnosed with COVID-19 and then admitted to an intensive care unit.

His condition was serious, and he was kept in the hospital for 30 days before finally being allowed to return home.

However, after just one week, he noticed an acute ringing sensation in his left ear, and soon after, he lost all hearing in it, reports the Guardian.

The man didn’t have a hearing loss before he was diagnosed with COVID-19. This led his doctors to believe that the virus caused his issue.

While this is one of the first published studies to provide a play-by-play account of SSHL affecting someone with COVID-19, other anecdotal examples have also emerged.

Earlier in October, CNN reported the case of a woman in the US who had a comparable experience.

What Are The Symptoms Of SSHL?

Usually, a hearing loss is hard to spot without a comprehensive assessment, as it takes place very gradually, sometimes over decades.

But SSHL is different. In just a matter of days – or in some cases, hours – someone with the condition can lose a large amount of their hearing.

It’s not uncommon to witness this type of hearing loss when you wake up in the morning.

But others need to use their hearing before they notice, by making a phone call or listening to music, for example.

Irrespective of when you recognize SSHL, you must seek expert assistance right away.

SSHL is an extremely serious condition if left untreated. But with rapid intervention, it’s possible that you can recover either part or all of your hearing.

Should I Be Worried?

So far, the number of people who have experienced SSHL following a COVID-19 diagnosis is very small. It, therefore, doesn’t look like an extremely widespread issue.

In addition, other viruses, such as measles, mumps, and meningitis, are also known to sometimes cause SSHL – demonstrating that it’s not unique to COVID-19.

Nonetheless, there has been a rise in people reporting less extreme hearing problems following a COVID-19 diagnosis, including tinnitus.

Manchester University, also in the UK, found that over ten percent of those who had contracted COVID-19 later witnessed some form of hearing loss.

Therefore, if you’ve successfully recovered from the virus, it remains essential that you book a comprehensive hearing assessment, so I can examine your ears and hearing.

Unlike other illnesses, once your hearing is damaged, it needs to be constantly managed, and I can accurately diagnose and treat your individual condition.

If you have any concerns – whether they’re related to a COVID-19 hearing loss or not – please don’t hesitate to call me at 888-327-2582. You can also write to me at manny@hearwithmanny.com.