Effects of Untreated Hearing Loss on Senior Citizens
According to the National Institute on Aging, approximately one in three people ages 65 to 74 has hearing loss. For those ages 75 and up, this number jumps to one in two. But because hearing loss is a progressive condition, many people at Senior Action aren’t even aware they have it until it has progressed…
Learn About the History of the Hearing Aid for Audiology Awareness Month
Hearing aids make life for people with hearing loss so much easier. Whether they help you follow along during work meetings or to connect with your grandchildren over a stack of waffles at Jimmy’s Family Restaurant, hearing aids make it possible to hear the sounds that matter most. This Audiology Awareness Month, we wanted to…
Unusual Causes of Tinnitus
If you hear a ringing, roaring, hissing, whistling, buzzing or humming sound in the ear with no external source when out with friends at Jimmy’s Family Restaurant, this is known as tinnitus. While tinnitus can feel like an isolating experience, it’s actually quite common. According to the American Tinnitus Association, 25 million Americans experience some…
Injuries That Can Cause Hearing Loss
When most people think of the causes of hearing loss, old age and exposure to loud noise come to mind. But did you know that certain injuries can also cause trouble hearing at the Easley Farmers Market? We review some of the injuries that can cause hearing loss below. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) While the…
How to Support a Loved One with Hearing Loss Who’s in a Nursing Home
The most common cause of hearing loss is old age, usually due to a lifetime of noise exposure. In fact, according to one study, “It is estimated that 70% to 90% of elderly residents in long-term care facilities have some degree of hearing impairment.” Many of these residents with hearing loss wear hearing aids to…
Has Your Child’s Hearing Loss Been Misdiagnosed as a Learning Disability?
The CDC reports that approximately 15% of school-aged children ages 6 to 19 have a hearing loss of at least 16 dB in one or both ears. With the right interventions, children with hearing loss can be just as successful in school as their peers who have normal hearing. However, left undiagnosed and untreated, hearing…
What Jobs Are Most at Risk for Hearing Loss?
The highest risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is related to exposures in the workplace, which affects about 7% of the population. Below we review how loud sounds cause damage, which professions are most likely to experience this type of hearing loss and how you can protect yourself if you work in a noisy field….
WHO Sets New Standard of Safe Listening
The World Health Organization (WHO) directs international health within the United Nations and leads partners in global health responses. In preparation for World Hearing Day 2022, the WHO has released a new international standard for safe listening practices at venues and events. These standards are aligned with the theme of this year’s World Health Day:…
Is There a Connection Between Hearing Loss and Diabetes?
Research has shown a link between hearing loss and diabetes. One study showed that people with diabetes are twice as likely to experience hearing loss as people without the condition. The same study showed that people who were classified as prediabetic had a 30% higher rate of hearing loss compared to those with normal blood…
Tips for Dealing with Hearing Loss at Work
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 12% of the U.S. working population has hearing difficulty. If you are affected by hearing loss and are in the workforce, you’re entitled to accommodations, per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We review some of the accommodations that may benefit you below. Request…
Balance & Hearing: What’s the Connection?
If you’re experiencing problems with feeling imbalanced, being unsteady on your feet or experiencing vertigo, you may have a vestibular disorder. Your vestibular system, like your auditory system, is housed within your inner ear. If you experience trouble with one of these systems, both may be affected, which can also affect your hearing. We review…
How to Host a Hearing Loss-Friendly Dinner Party
‘Tis the season for get-togethers with friends and family. While this is a joyous time of year, it can also be challenging for the many people with hearing loss. Below we review four tips for hosting a hearing-loss friendly holiday dinner party so all your guests feel included in the conversation. 1. Designate a Quiet…
What You Need to Know About Ototoxic Medications
Most people are aware of the two most common causes of hearing loss: aging and noise exposure. However, many are unaware of the dangers of ototoxic medications. Below we review what ototoxicity is, the symptoms of ototoxicity, what types of drugs are ototoxic and what the next steps are if you’ve developed hearing loss due…
What Is It Like to Have Tinnitus?
Tinnitus affects approximately 50 million people across the country. It is a hearing impairment that causes you to hear phantom noises with no external sound source. Below we review what tinnitus can sound like, what causes it and how to find relief. What Does Tinnitus Sound Like? Tinnitus is experienced by everyone differently; it can…
Can Hearing Aids Help My Mind?
Hearing aids don’t just allow you to hear better, they improve your quality of life. Whether that means getting to enjoy an engaging conversation with friends out at dinner or going to your granddaughter’s piano recital at the Fine Arts Center of Easley, these are activities that keep you connected to your community and benefit…
How Foods & Drinks Can Contribute to Tinnitus Spikes
Do you have a ringing, roaring, hissing, whistling, buzzing or humming sound in your ear with no external sound source? If so, you may have noticed occasional periods where these sounds change in volume, intensity, tone or pitch in a way that is especially bothersome. These periods are known as tinnitus spikes. A tinnitus spike…
The Truth About Tinnitus
Tinnitus is common, affecting approximately 50 million Americans. But despite its prevalence, there are many myths surrounding the condition. Below we review some of these myths and the truths behind them. Myth: Tinnitus Is a Disease Truth: Tinnitus isn’t a disease, but rather it is a symptom of an underlying problem. Some conditions commonly associated…
The Link Between Osteoporosis & Hearing Loss
Hearing loss has been linked to a number of health conditions including, balance problems, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and depression. Research shows yet another condition may be linked: osteoporosis. We explore this link below. What Is Osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by weak and brittle bones. Symptoms include: Bones that break more easily than expected…
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
What Is Noise-Induced Hearing Loss? Noise-induced hearing loss is the second most common form of hearing loss (ranking behind presbycusis, hearing loss related to normal aging), and is the most preventable type. How Can Sounds Hurt Your Ears? Background sound is a constant in our busy lives. Normally, background noises are at safe levels that…
Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
For most people who experience hearing loss, the condition comes on gradually over a period of years. In rare cases, an abrupt loss of hearing occurs with little or no warning. This condition is known as sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL). What is Sudden Deafness? Sudden deafness is defined as a hearing reduction of 30…
Unilateral Hearing Loss
What is Single Sided Deafness? Sometimes referred to as unilateral hearing loss, single sided deafness is a condition in which an individual experiences hearing loss in only one ear but can hear normally out of the other ear. While the majority of patients with a hearing impairment suffer from bilateral (two-sided) hearing loss, SSD is…
The Risks of Untreated Hearing Loss
The Risks of Untreated Hearing Loss Facing the reality of hearing loss can be challenging in many ways. Oftentimes, individuals can be in denial of their hearing loss and refuse to take immediate action, often waiting 7 to 10 years from their initial diagnosis. However, there are many underlying risks that pose a threat…
How to Maintain Ear Health and Avoid Impaction
Excess wax and buildup in your ears can be frustrating. However, earwax usually disperses naturally without manual cleaning. Many people still attempt to clean their ears themselves which can lead to infection. Cleaning your ears improperly may cause even more health issues and can damage your hearing. However, if earwax does not disperse naturally and…
Signs & Reasons for Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is a common occurrence that affects many individuals every year. The Mayo Clinic projects that “About one-third of people in the United States between the ages of 65 and 75 have some degree of hearing loss. For those older than 75, that number is approximately 1 in 2.” While there are several ways…
Hearing Loss & Cognitive Decline
Learning disabilities are often misdiagnosed. It is a known fact that hearing loss can impact one’s ability to learn properly. This is especially true of how children hear sounds. How does hearing actually work? How Hearing Works Hearing isn’t just about sounds that you pick up with your ear. In fact, hearing takes place in…
Tips for Communicating with Hearing Loss
It’s a scary thing when we begin to lose our hearing. Most of us walk around with untreated hearing loss that puts a strain on our relationships. At first you might not notice the sudden gaps in conversation. You might keep asking, “What did you say?” We all age and hearing loss is bound to…
September is World Alzheimer’s Month
Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are projected to impact 152 million people world-wide by 2050. Alzheimer’s disease is a brain condition that impacts areas which control thought, memory, emotion and language. But globally, two out of three people believe there is little to no understanding of dementia in their countries. Every September, World Alzheimer’s Month makes…
How Treating Hearing Loss Improves Your Relationships
Communication in our daily lives from social situations to spiritual or religious congregations to sporting activities to family gatherings, form some the most important foundations of human interaction. Our jobs, loved ones, close friends and our work colleagues and peers form circles that radiate out to create a social and professional network that we construct…
Addressing Hearing Loss May Improve Care of Older Adults
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, otherwise known as NIDCD, reports that nearly 1 in 3 people between 65 and 74 years old has hearing loss. Moreover, nearly half of the people who are older than 75 years old has difficulty hearing. Age-related hearing loss can be a very difficult condition for…
Things People with Hearing Loss Wish You Knew
When a person is dealing with hearing loss, they are using everything they have to stay engaged in conversation. Even if they are wearing hearing aids and can lip read, they are working more than those with regular hearing to keep up and stay engaged. Let’s stay informed and include some strategies for dealing with…
May is Better Speech and Hearing Month!
Each May, Better Hearing & Speech Month (BHSM) is an annual event promoted by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) to raise awareness about communication disorders. For 2019, their theme is “Communication Across the Lifespan.”. We hope this inspiring story of the local rising baseball star Danton Hyman will inspire you to take care of your…
Talking about Hearing Loss: Why Your Disclosure Method Matters
If you’ve recently been treated for hearing loss, then you are aware of the many benefits that hearing aids bring. Now that you have accepted it within yourself, it should be an easy step to inform the other people in your life, right? It turns out that the way you tell people has more of…
The Benefits of Treating Hearing Loss
There are many benefits to treating your hearing loss. You can communicate with others effortlessly, stay socially active, and improve your overall well-being. The potential effects of untreated hearing loss are equally numerous, from social isolation, to depression, to an increase risk of falls. Further down the line, some researchers have linked hearing loss with…
Encouraging a Loved One to Take a Hearing Test
Communication is at the heart of all relationships. We relate to one another through conversations, our shared interests come alive through these moments. Friendships are built, romantic relationships are forged, and community is established through the words we speak and the connections we make. For those of us who have loved ones who are experiencing…
Occupational Hearing Hazards
Hearing loss is the third most common medical condition in the United States, affecting people of all ages, especially those over the age of 65. However, did you know that hearing loss is also a common workplace injury? The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that 30 million people are exposed to hazardous…
Tips for Adjusting to a New Pair of Hearing Aids
If you’ve just been fitted for a new pair of hearing aids, congratulations! Whether you’ve just been diagnosed with a hearing loss or you have upgraded from an old pair of hearing aids, the use of hearing aids brings significant benefits to your life. As with all new, life-changing things, adjusting to a new pair…
Great Things to Hear This Holiday in Greenville, SC
At Elevate Audiology, our team is committed to reconnecting you to the people and sounds in your life. We know how important it is to reconnect with your family and loved ones during the holidays, and we are here to make sure that you don’t miss a single sound. If you’ve been struggling with hearing…
Recognizing the Signs of Hearing Loss
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that hearing loss effects one-third of people aged 65-74 and one-half of people over the age of 74. Shockingly, hearing loss also effects about one fifth of young adults. If hearing loss is so common, why are so few people seem to be treating their hearing…