Sisters hear better together!

The relationship between sisters is quite unique. Your sister is your first best friend. Someone who loves you unconditionally and understands you more than anyone else. You go through life together sharing secrets, clothes, advice – and for sisters Kelsey and Nicole (Coley) Novak – hearing loss.Both Kelsey, 26, and Coley, 25, have hearing loss as a result of Morquio syndrome, a rare and progressive genetic condition that affects a person’s bones and spine, organs and growth development. Individuals with Morquio are expected to experience hearing loss within the first 10 years of life.In 1999, when Kelsey was in second grade, and Coley in kindergarten, family members and teachers began noticing their hearing loss. Dependent on reading lips, the sisters would miss instructions for assignments if their back was turned. After completing hearing tests and confirming that amplification was needed, both Kelsey and Coley were fit with their first pair of Behind-the-Ear (BTE) hearing aids.

Finding comfort with Starkey

Over the last 19 years, each sister has had four pairs of hearing aids, three of them from Starkey Hearing Technologies. When asked why they continue to choose Starkey hearing aids, Coley said, “Starkey has been so good to my family and me. They are always willing to work with us and help us with whatever we need. They make us feel like we are all one big family looking out for one another! It is so cool to be a part of something so great!”At Starkey Hearing Technologies’ Hearing Mission on February 3, Kelsey and Coley were fit with SoundLens Synergy iQ Invisible-in-the-Canal (IIC) hearing aids. SoundLens Synergy iQ fits deep inside your ear canal and is personally customized for all-day comfort. And though tiny, these hearing aids come loaded with advanced features that allow for hands-free connectivity.

Making lasting connections 

Throughout the day, the girls met other patients from around the country, hearing their stories and sharing their own. Both girls expressed that connecting with others through shared hearing loss experiences was their favorite part of the day. Additionally, the sisters had the chance to meet some notable Starkey friends and supporters; including U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar; actress and deaf and hard of hearing activist, Marlee Matlin; Pittsburg Steelers wide receiver, Antonio Brown; Minnesota Twins manager, Paul Molitor; and Minnesota Timberwolves center, Cole Aldrich.“We have worked with them for many years. Their smiles and positive attitudes remind me every day why we do what we do here,” shared Starkey Hearing Technologies Hearing Aid Consultant Ray Woodworth, BC-HIS. “Hearing connects people and gives them happiness like I see in them. It’s a privilege to be able to help people like the Novaks.”Known for that same positive attitude in their hometown of New Prague, Minnesota, the Novak sisters have committed many years to volunteering in the school district’s classrooms, completing a variety of tasks such as correcting papers, assisting with technology and, most importantly, helping the students. Teachers in the community say students instantly respect, trust and like the sisters – that they are able to easily connect and create a genuine bond.

Exemplifying sisterhood

“Having hearing aids helps a lot with my daily life. The first thing I do in the morning is put my hearing aids in, and the last thing I do at night is take my hearing aids out,” Kelsey said. “They allow me to hear the students and teachers I am working with, so I know what they need help with.”When asked how having each other at one’s side has affected their hearing journey, the sisters conveyed that they feel lucky to have someone going through the same thing, that they can go to each other with questions.“Just knowing I am not going through this alone has made a huge difference for me. We can talk to each other and understand what each other means even when nobody else understands, Coley shared. “For example, we say, ‘Has your hearing aid talked to you yet?’ as our way of asking if your hearing aid is working, and others get confused,” she continued with a giggle.When it comes to sisterhood, Kelsey and Coley epitomize its significance of sharing special experiences, supporting one another and having a connection like no other. A connection that is only enhanced through better hearing.

Why heart health is a good reason to treat hearing loss

Studies confirm that two-thirds of adults 70 and older have hearing loss. This same age group also risks heart failure, which is the leading cause of hospitalization among older adults in the U.S.

Now, a new research letter has found that 75 percent of adults 70+ with heart failure also have hearing loss. Why is this important to know?

Because to manage heart disease, patients must frequent noisy hospitals and follow numerous instructions from physicians. If they struggle to hear well, their ability to manage their heart disease could be jeopardized.This is just one more reason why audiometric screening and treatment of hearing loss is recommended for older adults.Call us today to set up your first hearing consultation! 

At age 24, I went partially deaf

Sitting at my cluttered desk at an advertising firm in Manhattan, I heard a subtle ringing in my ears. But within seconds, it sounded like a blaring, monotone fire alarm. I flinched, covering both ears with my palms. When I realized no one else noticed the noise, I literally bolted from my office building to catch a cab to the ER.

Doctors took vials of blood, scanned my skull from every angle, and gave me a hearing test. I was pronounced deaf in my left ear — the ringing was my brain's way of attempting to process sounds — but there was no explanation. I hadn't suffered a trauma. I had no trace of a virus or a tumor. I'd never even had an ear infection. I was 24.

Going deaf is surprisingly very loud. Especially in the first few weeks, my ear would pop, crackle, and ring for hours on end, a side effect called tinnitus. New York City, the vibrant place whose hum I loved, went from being the city that never slept to being the city that never shut up. Its loud noises drove me mad — I never knew which side they came from. The ringing eventually died down, but it comes back when I'm in loud places like a subway platform or at a concert.

Before my ear failed me, live music was one of my greatest pleasures, but it became unbearable. Two songs into a concert, my ears would ring sharply, my head would spin, and I'd have to leave. Yoga poses like headstands and tree pose became impossible because they triggered vertigo — a nauseating spinning sensation that happens when you go deaf — so I quit my practice. I became a hermit, dodging questions I couldn't hear and conversations I was too nervous to participate in. At night in my bedroom, I taught myself sign language, preparing for the day the world might become suddenly silent to me. It was a dark time.

But as the months went by, I stopped having emotional meltdowns. And I started to believe my doctors when they said the chance of my right ear's developing sudden-onset hearing loss would be like lightning striking twice. Because my right ear works so hard, I'll become hard of hearing faster than most people do as they age, but hopefully that's a couple of decades away.

I still get mortified asking new people to stand on one side of me and then explaining why they have to, but now I think of it as a great litmus test — the good ones don't make a big deal about my disability. And now I venture into bars to listen to live music. As the electric guitars start up, I reach into my purse and pull out earplugs. I sway to the music like everyone else, grateful to still hear it. Now I see my deafness as one detail that's part of me — and not my whole story.

Could It Happen to You?Sudden-onset hearing loss is random and rare, but loss is common as we age. Do this to protect your ears.

> Turn it down. Using earbuds? Keep music at 60 percent of the max volume. Or try noise-canceling headphones.>> Take breaks. Prolonged exposure to loud noises raises your risk for hearing loss. Duck out of loud areas every 10 minutes or so.>> Try earplugs. Noise-filtering plugs don't muffle sound and do lower the risk from Spinning class or concerts.

This story is similar to many others! Don't delay on helping your hearing health. Contact Chicaogland Hearing Aid Centers today to set up an appointment for a hearing consultation.*Shared from Cosmopolitan.com 

Jean's hearing journey

It took a while to do something about my hearing loss

My family members were constantly pointing out my hearing loss. I think it was just their way of encouraging me to get my hearing tested. But I wasn’t ready. I waited for years, thinking I was getting by just fine. My daughter always seemed to be pointing out that I wasn’t following a conversation. She would also point out if I replied to someone incorrectly.The reminders became more frequent, and I eventually had to admit that I was having difficulty understanding words, especially high-pitched, soft voices. I would nod and agree as if I was following the conversation, but I wasn’t really, and often responded inappropriately. I work as a nanny, and I was always asking the children I care for to repeat themselves. The children would get frustrated when I wasn’t able to hear them. I was also concerned that I couldn’t hear the baby upstairs when she woke up from a nap. She would wake up without me knowing, and I wasn’t able to hear her until she became frustrated and cried.

I wish I wouldn’t have waited so long

I eventually listened to my daughter and had my hearing tested. Turns out she was right all along! I did have hearing loss! A high-frequency hearing loss in both ears that could be helped with hearing aids.It’s been ten years since I started wearing hearing aids. And looking back, I wish I wouldn’t have waited so long. I waited because I was worried that other people would see my hearing aids, but no one even notices! Not even children, and children notice everything! Even when I see my family doctor for routine exams, I often forget I am wearing them, and have to be reminded to take them out so he can look in my ears.

Hearing your best is worth the investment

It was actually my family doctor who referred me to an audiologist to have my hearing checked. The hearing evaluation was quick and easy and the hearing test was covered by my insurance. If you are like I was, and still on the fence about having your hearing tested or wearing hearing aids, I hope you reconsider. You will not regret the decision. Hearing your best is worth the investment.Things in life are so much more enjoyable now that I am not struggling to understand conversations. I recently became a grandmother, and I cannot imagine not being able to hear my granddaughter’s sweet coos. Visiting my son and his family out of state makes the time I do get to spend with them even more precious. I feel so fortunate that I corrected my hearing loss before my granddaughter’s arrival. Now, I don’t miss hearing her babbles and coos.

Buying American is important to me

I have always worn Starkey hearing aids. I was originally fit with Starkey Zons. I wore those hearing aids for seven years. When I began researching hearing aids online, I became interested in Starkey Hearing Technologies because the company is based in Minnesota, which is where I live. I am always mindful of buying local as much as I can. Starkey Hearing Technologies is American owned and operated. It’s important to me to use my money to support a company that provides jobs for thousands of families in the United States.I also love that Starkey Hearing Technologies gives back locally and around the world. Starkey Hearing Technologies has an international charity, Starkey Hearing Foundation, that offers free hearing healthcare to people in need in the U.S. and around the world.

Technology has come so far

I was recently fit with the new Halo hearing aids, and I cannot believe what a difference they make! I thought I was hearing well with my first set of hearing aids. I had no idea new technology could make such a big difference. With my new hearing aids, I can hear even better in busy places; I can follow conversations more easily in restaurants.With my old hearing aids, I would still have some trouble understanding what I heard in noisy places. My family knew to sit very close to me and make sure they got my attention before they began speaking if we were somewhere with a lot of background noise. I often felt tired and frustrated after being somewhere noisy, probably from working so hard to make sure I wasn’t missing anything.

I am thrilled to be hearing better

With my Halos, I can hear the sweet voices of the children I care for more easily. With my first set of hearing aids, it was still a challenge to understand their little voices. My audiologist explained to me that their voices are higher in frequency and that is where my hearing is the worst. My new Halo hearing aids make the children’s voices easier to understand. They seem clearer. It makes me happy that I do not need to ask them to repeat themselves.

I no longer worry about missing anything

It was always hard for me to hear and understand them in a car when I was driving and they were sitting in the backseat. But now I can. I don’t feel as worried about missing something that they say with my new hearing aids. I am so thrilled with my new set of Halo hearing aids. I honestly can’t believe how much better I am hearing. My Halo hearing aids also help me hear soft spoken voices at church meetings. I can also hear my daughter when she speaks to me from another room. I couldn’t do that with my old hearing aids. I am so excited about how well I am hearing with my new Halo hearing aids.Ready to do something about your hearing loss? Click here to contact Chicagoland Hearing Aid Centers today.

Hearing loss affects memory

Dr. Arthur Wingfield, Professor of Neuroscience at Brandeis University, has been studying the relationship between memory and hearing acuity for years. He’s discovered that even if people with untreated hearing loss catch and register speech, their ability to remember the information is compromised.Dr. Wingfield attributes this memory struggle to, in simple terms, the brain’s resources being stretched thin. He notes that people with even mild hearing loss “put in so much effort just to perceive and understand what is being said, that you divert resources away from storing what you have heard into your memory.”Dr. Wingfield recommends adults get their hearing professionally tested each year — and to take it seriously and treat it professionally if hearing loss is found.Thank you Dr. Wingfield for your advice!Be proactive and make annual hearing tests a part of your health routine. Click here to contact Chicagoland Hearing Aid Centers today!

Tech Tips!

If you’ve recently updated to TruLink 4.0, you may have noticed a cool new feature called Noise Manager. This new feature, located in the Personalize section of TruLink (see below), lets you control and personalize noise management settings on-demand.

Here’s how to use Noise Manager:

1. From the TruLink home screen, tap on “Personalize” in the bottom right-hand corner.

2. Tap on “Create Custom Memory” to create a unique memory for the noisy, windy crowded location you’re at.

3. Enter a unique memory name, such as “Fav Loud Diner.”

4. You will now see screen featuring SoundSpace and Noise Manger.

5. Tap on the gray arrow for “Noise Manager.”

6. First, you can adjust the Microphone Direction to help focus where the microphones pick up sound. Simply tap the head in the middle to change from Directional, Dynamic, Adaptive or Omni.

   1. Directional: Amplifies sound from in front of the listener more than from behind

   2. Dynamic: Engages an Omni or Fixed Directional response as needed based on the location of the sound; automatic switching between the two

   3. Adaptive: automatically switches using Acuity Directionality with null steering and Speech ID to protect speech at all angles around the listener for accurate and transparent sound

   4. Omni: picks up sound with equal gain from all sides or directions.

   5. Second, tap the right-side large gray arrow to the right of the head icon to head to “Use in Wind” to make listening more comfortable in wind

   6. Third, tap the right-side large gray arrow again to move to “Use in Noise.” Adjust this feature to make listening more comfortable in noisy areas.

   7. Fourth, tap the right-side large gray arrow again to move to “Use in Crowd,” where you can make listening more comfortable when in background noise.

Call us today if you this doesn't make sense and you want to walk through it! 

Wearing hearing aids can improve relationships

Hearing aid wearers regularly reach out to us to share stories of why they got Starkey hearing aids (Chicagoland Hearing Aid Centers' favorite brand) how wearing them has changed their lives. George G. from Pennsylvania emailed us and said “After being fitted with a pair of Starkey hearing aids, a whole new hearing world opened up.” And Teresa R. from Missouri simply wrote, “Starkey hearing aids gave me back my life.”It’s not a surprise, then, when research and studies back up the good things we hear.One such study, from The National Council on the Aging (NCOA), did just that. In their survey of 2,300 hearing impaired adults age 50 and older, hearing aid users reported “significant improvements in many areas of their lives, ranging from their relationships at home and sense of independence to their social life and their sex life.”If you have hearing loss and are wondering if hearing aids will help, both research and regular people say yes! Maybe Dolores B. from California said it best, “I wished I had gone to the hearing specialist much sooner.”If you’re ready to treat your hearing, we can help. Call Chicagoland Hearing Aid Centers today to set up your first hearing evaluation. 

People usually do what their doctors recommend

Nowadays, we don’t seem to go to a restaurant or pick a movie or choose vacation lodging without first crowdsourcing reviews. What do other people just like us think, we want to know. Do they recommend it?Interestingly, doing something about hearing loss frequently starts only after a form of crowdsourcing: only after your spouse or child or friend or colleague or, usually, all the above suggests, “You know, you might want to get your hearing checked.”But while it might take all of your acquaintances nudging and nagging combined, it only takes one expert — your doctor — to get you to get help for your hearing loss.No doubt movie critics, restaurant critics and travel agents — with their fading leverage and usefulness — are jealous.Come see us today at one of our 23 Chicagoland locations!

5 Reasons to Treat Hearing Loss

So you’ve got a little hearing loss. What’s the big deal, right? It happens to almost all of us as we age.FACT: 37.5 million Americans 18 and older have hearing loss, including one out of every three, 60 and older.You can cope, you’ve decided. You’ll just turn the TV up a little louder. Ask people to speak up or repeat what they said. And hey, the quiet can be kind of nice, to be honest. “Why should I treat it,” you wonder?

Should you treat or ignore your hearing loss?

The decision to treat or ignore hearing loss should not be taken lightly. Why? Because hearing loss plays a significant role in many important issues that impact our quality of life, including five important ones:

1. Mental health

2. Physical health

3. Income and career

4. Personal safety

5. Relationships and social interactions

Before you decide whether to ignore or treat your hearing loss, read what studies, health care experts, and hearing aid wearers themselves have to say about each choice.

Ignore or treat hearing loss — a side-by-side comparison

(1) Mental Health

Ignore hearing lossNumerous studies link hearing loss to issues of mental decline, including increased anxiety and depression, accelerated brain shrinkage, and even dementia. One such study, by Johns Hopkins Medicine, tested volunteers with hearing loss over six years and found their cognitive abilities declined 30-40% faster than peers with normal hearing.Treat hearing lossJohns Hopkins’ researcher, Dr. Frank Lin, thinks that “if you want to address hearing loss well, do it sooner rather than later.” He recommends treating hearing loss before “brain structural changes take place.”A separate study released in 2015 backs him up. In the study, scientists concluded that treating hearing loss by wearing hearing aids reduces the risk of cognitive decline associated with hearing loss.FACT: Untreated hearing loss may result in serious long-term consequences to healthy brain functioning.

(2) Physical Health

Ignore hearing lossThe National Council on Aging notes that “falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans.” While no one knows how many falls are linked to hearing loss each year, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have found that people with hearing loss are three times more likely to fall than those without hearing loss.It’s thought that hearing loss may detract from environmental awareness, which increases the likelihood of tripping and falling.Treat hearing lossRecently, a study by the Washington University School of Medicine found that improving hearing through hearing aids appears to “improve balance in older adults with hearing loss” and helps reduce the risk of falls. Researchers credited the results to both increased alertness and improved balance.

(3) Income and Career

Ignore hearing lossA study by the Better Hearing Institute quantified the impact of untreated hearing loss on the job. The study found that people with untreated hearing loss can see an income hit of up to $30,000 annually, and were nearly twice as likely to be unemployed as peers who wore hearing aids.

“Hearing loss was affecting my presentations and ability to service clients.” Chris T., Pennsylvania  

Treat hearing loss

That same study found that people who use hearing aids reduced the risk of income loss by 90 to 100 percent. It also reported that most hearing aid users in the workforce said wearing hearing aids has helped their performance on the job.

“Listening is SO important in my work, and I can now work better, more efficiently and more effectively because of my hearing aids.” Marty C., New York  

(4) Personal Safety

Ignore hearing loss

Studies aren’t needed to know that missed or misheard signals like car horns, alarms and other warning alerts can jeopardize a person’s safety. And it doesn’t always have to be one’s own. Adults caring for infants and young children need to know when their charge is crying or in distress.

Treat hearing loss

Treating hearing loss with hearing aids enhances your awareness of your surroundings and can help ensure you hear every smoke detector, bike bell, emergency alert or distress call.

(5) Relationships and social interactions

Ignore hearing loss

More than anything, untreated hearing loss can lead to social isolation, as the challenges of listening and feelings of “missing out” often cause people to withdraw from the friends, family and activities that bring them joy.This, alone, is significant, as social isolation is closely linked to numerous quality-of-life issues, including depression, illness, exhaustion and even shorter life spans.9

Treat hearing loss

Treating hearing loss with hearing aids enables you to hear, participate, and ensure you don’t miss out on the people and activities that make you happy. It’s as simple as that.

 “I’m so glad I got hearing aids. It has truly been life changing!” Lesley P., California

Ready to treat your hearing loss and take control over your quality of life? Contact Chicagoland Hearing Aid Centers today!We can't wait to help you change your life.

City of Chicago Locations

Chicagoland Hearing Aid Centers is the area's leading Hearing Aid Provider & Hearing Aid Center with over 23 locations in Chicagoland to chose from, including four within the city limits!These locations are in the Lincoln Park, Hyde Park, O'Hare and the South Loop neighborhoods and are all conveniently located just for you!We are committed to helping people enjoy life to the fullest by giving back the gift of hearing.Contact us today to set up an appointment in one of our Chicago locations! We look forward to hearing from you!Lincoln ParkHyde ParkO'HareSouth Loop

10 Tips to Get More Out of Your Hearing Aid Batteries!

Hearing aids are getting more and more advanced. With all the extra processing power and new features in today’s hearing aids, you can typically get 3-10 days off a single battery. Why is the life of a hearing aid battery so unpredictable, where one battery may last a week, and another just two or three days? Much depends on your amount of hearing aid use, streaming, and how you care for your hearing aids.Still, there are steps you can take to maximize the life of your batteries and optimize the performance of your hearing aids.

Here are 10 tips to get the most out of your hearing aid battery:

1. Let the battery "breathe" for 3-5 minutes. After removing the tab from the battery, let the battery sit for 3-5 minutes before installing it in your hearing aid. This "activation" time allows air to reach the materials inside the battery and activate them.2. Wash your hands throughly before changing batteries. Grease and dirt on the batteries may damage the hearing aid. Also, grease and dirt can clog up the air pores in the battery.3. Open the battery door at night. When you're not wearing your hearing aid, turn it off or open the battery door to minimize battery drain. Leave the battery compartment of  your hearing device open at night so moisture can escape. Doing so will keep the battery from corroding and damaging the hearing aid.4. Use a hearing aid dehumidifier. A hearing aid dehumidifier will help absorb moisture out of your hearing aid and battery. This will allow the battery power to be used more efficiently. The dehumidifier is also a great place to store your hearing aids.5. Remove the batteries entirely if you won't be using the device for an extended period of time. This also helps to avoid corrosion and damage from trapped moisture.6. Check the expiration date on the batteries. The further out the batteries are, the fresher they are. Over time, batteries will drain slightly while sitting on the shelf. Ideally, you should buy batteries that have an expiration date a year or further from your purchase date.7. Use the oldest pack of batteries first. The newest packs will have the furthest expiration date than your older packs of batteries. You want to ensure that you use the oldest batteries first, so that you are getting the most life out of them.8. Keep the stickers on the battery. The sticker tab on the battery keeps the battery "fresh." As soon as the sticker is removed, the battery is activated and starts draining. You want to make sure you don't peel the sticker tab off until you need to use that battery.9. Keep the batteries in a cool dry place. Storing new, unused batteries in extreme temperatures can cause the battery to drain/have a shorter life.10. Invest in a rechargeable battery hearing device. Rechargeable hearing aids and batteries  —  like our Muse iQ rechargeable hearing aids  —  are starting to come out into the market. Rechargeable batteries allow you to charge the battery at night and get a full day's worth of use. Rechargeable batteries need to be replaced on a yearly basis.For even more tips on making your hearing aid batteries last longer, call us today!

The World is Filled with People who are Faking they can Hear!

Today’s hearing fact isn’t that surprising when you think about it. Most hearing loss is subtle and gradual, worsening in parallel to our aging.Plus, “getting by” with a little hearing loss is a lot easier than, say, vision impairment. Take driving, for example. Or reading.Finally, let’s be honest: fixing bad eyesight with glasses carries no stigma, whereas wearing hearing aids to hear better might — though it’s definitely waning.

Is waiting worth it?

The question we need to ask ourselves though is, “is waiting (or ‘getting by’) worth it?” Is putting off getting help for hearing worth the hit it takes on our quality of life? Is stubbornness worth missing our favorite sounds (insert yours here), lessening our love for music or movies, or isolating us from the people and activities we enjoy most?It's not! Chicagoland Hearing Aid Centers wants to help you on your hearing journey. We can't wait to hear from you!

Share the Love this Year! Refer-A-Friend!

A Year's worth of Free Batteries when you Refer-A-Friend! Share the love this year! When you refer a friend who purchases a new hearing aid BOTH you and your friend will receive a year's worth of free batteries! Contact us today to learn more about the reward! Remember to mention Share the Love! when claiming your reward. We have 23 convenient locations across Chicagoland. Find your nearest location!

Resolve to live a happier, healthier life!

At Chicagoland Hearing Aid Centers, we firmly believe that to hear better is to live better. And the proof is in the many studies (some of which you can find here and here). Hearing loss is linked to numerous quality-of-life issues, and treating it has cascading benefits.If you’re struggling to hear your best, make a 2018 resolution to get your hearing checked and treated. Contact Chicagoland Hearing Aid Centers to help ensure your 2018 is happy and healthy.

Can You Restore Lost Hearing?

This question requires one of those “good news, bad news” answers! The bad news is: once hearing is lost, it’s impossible to restore it to how it was. The good news is: Although it is impossible to restorehearing, it is possible to treat and improve hearing loss with hearing aids!There are several different types of hearing loss. By far, the most common type is hearing loss that happens due to aging. Age-related hearing loss is so prevalent, in fact, that it has its own medical name: Presbycusis.

Our window of optimal hearing is small

Did you know that human hearing is at its best between ages 18-25? Unfortunately, by the time we reach our “golden years”, our hearing system has endured just as much wear and tear as the rest of our bodies, so it doesn’t work as well as it once did.The aging process typically effects high-pitched hearing first. Children’s voices, women’s voices, and certain consonants (like T, S and F) become challenging to distinguish. A person with hearing loss will often comment that other people seem to “mumble” or that speech is no longer “clear”.

Hearing aids can improve hearing loss

With today’s hearing instruments, addressing this type of hearing loss — or most types of hearing loss — is no longer a challenge. Digital technology enables a trained hearing professional to program specific and accurate amounts of amplification per pitch to offset the hearing loss.Today’s digital technology also allows for the processing of sound in such a way that, not only can we offset hearing loss by amplifying specific sounds like speech, but background noise can actually be reduced at the same time!So, while hearing can never be restored to the way it was, hearing loss can be treated, helped and improved with amplification — and the impact it has on your life can be greatly diminished.Want to find out for yourself? Call Chicagoland Hearing Aid Centers today to schedule a consultation!

5 Ways To Protect Your Hearing

You probably shield your skin with SPF and your eyes with sunnies, but how often do you grab earplugs before hitting a concert? The answer is: likely not enough. One in 5 Americans ages 20 to 29 already has hearing damage, according to new research published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And 1.1 billion young people worldwide are at risk for hearing loss, per the World Health Organization. Most of the affected don't even know it, which is distressing, since once you've lost any part of your hearing, it's gone forever.

The culprit is, not surprisingly, technology and the ways we use it. Today's earbuds may stay put during a run, but they cause more harm than traditional over-ear headphones. "Earbuds focus the noise right into your eardrum," says Yulia Carroll, MD, senior medical officer at the National Center for Environmental Health at the CDC, "so the effect on your hearing is stronger."

Meanwhile, 40 percent of young people ages 12 to 35 are regularly exposed to dangerous noise levels at concerts and sporting events. Nightclubs and bars pump music at intense volumes. And those craned beats that get you through cycling class? They may do wonders for your butt, but they're wrecking your ears (research shows that some workout classes reach 94 decibels [dB], higher than the recommended noise-exposure limit of 85 dB).

Wherever you are, if noise is preventing you from hearing a friend standing a few feet away, it's probably causing damage, says Dr. Carroll. We're born with around 16,000 hair cells in each inner ear that help convert sound waves into electrical signals for the brain. These cells bend when exposed to sound, then straighten. But they're like blades of grass: Step on them once and they bounce back; crush them constantly and you'll kill the lawn. Trampled hair cells don't regenerate.

One small bit of good news: noise-induced hearing loss is tied to both volume and duration. That means you'd have to listen to something at 85 decibels for eight straight hours to cause damage (see "How Loud Is Too Loud?" below). At levels over 100 dB, your window shrinks to 15 minutes.

5 Ways to Protect Your Ears1. Know Your Noise Levels

Download an app like SoundMeter or Noise Hunter to track the decibel level around you — at concerts, in restaurants, and in techno-cardio classes.

2. Pump Down the Volume

You can still live life to a soundtrack if you follow the 60:60 rule: Listen at no more than 60 percent.

3. Abandon the Buds

We get it — they're super convenient. But if you're cranking the volume, your ears are suffering. Need to drown out background noise? Noise-canceling headphones are best for blocking ambient sound. (Look for a noise reduction rating, or NRR, or at least 9.)

4. Plug Them Up

Your best festival accessory? Ear plugs. (Look closely; The band and crew are wearing them.) Follow instructions on the packet to insert them properly—otherwise, they're useless.

How Loud is Too Loud?30dB: A whisper

60dB: A normal conversation

80dB: City traffic

85db: Recommended noise-exposure limit

90dB: A leaf blower at close range

110dB: Your headphones at max volume

115dB: A rock concert

130dB: A jet engine at takeoff (from the runway, not the cabin)

"I'm 33 — and I need hearing aids."

"I blared The Clash and David Bowie in high school and joined a rock band at 18. My ears would ring for days after practice, but in my 20s, I didn't think twice about it.

At 30, I began having trouble tuning into convos with friends and colleagues. When baristas in my neighborhood repeated my order back to me, I'd just smile and nod. I thought everyone around me just needed to speak up. Meanwhile, I watched Stranger Things with subtitles because I couldn't hear the dialogue.

Eventually, an audiologist confirmed that my muffled hearing and the constant ringing in my ears were a direct result of the years I'd spent blasting (and making) high-volume music. I cried when he told me. I now use hearing aids — but to my happy surprise, they're not old-school giant tan plastic contraptions. They're nearly invisible. Not one person has ever asked me about them.

These days, I keep the music down to avoid further damage. At night, when all is quiet, I still listen to the sound of my ears ringing." —Dana Suchow, as told by Leslie Goldman

Sound Barriers

Craig Kasper, chief audiologist at New York Hearing Doctors, shares four other factors behind muffled hearing.

1. Ear Wax

You need some wax to lubricate and protect the tissue in your ear, but a wax buildup can block the canal and cause temporary hearing loss. Leave removal to a doctor; cotton swabs just push wax farther in.

2. Allergies

They can cause congestion in the tube that links your nose to the middle of your ears, which can lead to temporary hearing struggles until pathways clear.

3. Cold Water

Love catching waves? Surfers and other cold water swimmers are prone to something called exostoses, or small bony growths in the ear canal that develop slowly over time and can prevent sound from getting in. Docs aren't sure why this happens, but an audiologist will determine if you need surgery to remove them.

4. Perforated Drums

Changes in air pressure (experienced when flying or diving), very loud noises, and poking things in your ear can rupture a hole in your eardrum (ouch!). This often heals on its own — but if you notice long-term changes in your hearing, see your doctor.

Call us today to find out about more ways to protect your hearing! Chicagoland Hearing Aid Centers is here to help you hear!This article was originally published as "Loud and Unclear" in the August 2017 issue of Cosmopolitan

10 Years without Good Hearing?!

Today’s hearing fact isn’t that surprising when you think about it. Most hearing loss is subtle and gradual, worsening in parallel to our aging.Plus, “getting by” with a little hearing loss is a lot easier than, say, vision impairment. Take driving, for example. Or reading.Finally, let’s be honest: fixing bad eyesight with glasses carries no stigma, whereas wearing hearing aids to hear better might — though it’s definitely waning.Is waiting worth it? The question we need to ask ourselves though is, “is waiting (or ‘getting by’) worth it?” Is putting off getting help for hearing worth the hit it takes on our quality of life? Is stubbornness worth missing our favorite sounds (insert yours here), lessening our love for music or movies, or isolating us from the people and activities we enjoy most?Don't wait 10 years! Come see us at Chicagoland Hearing Aid Centers today. We have 23 convenient locations just for you! 

Holiday Travel Tips for People who Wear Hearing Aids

The holidays are typically one of the busiest travel seasons as millions of people hop in planes, trains and automobiles to visit family and friends.It can also be one of the more stressful times of the year. According to Prevention magazine, 90 percent of Americans report stressing over at least one aspect of the holidays — with traveling high on the list.People who wear hearing aids can help alleviate some of the stress by remembering these five tips as they travel over the river and through the woods this holiday season.*Bring extra batteries! Especially when traveling abroad! The batteries that you use for your hearing aids, while globally available, may not have the same guarantee of quality when traveling. A battery caddy or blister pack of batteries is a great way to travel with them, and Zinc Air batteries are permissible in your carry-on luggage!*You can leave your hearing aids turned on while flying, even if they have wireless capabilities. All domestic airlines allow the in-flight use of hearing aids. If you have any questions, make sure you contact your airline ahead of time!*If you’re visiting someplace tropical, (a) you’re lucky, but (b) don’t forget to bring your dry aid kit! A dry aid kit is a small jar that has a desiccant in it to pull out all of the moisture! If you don’t have one, ask your hearing healthcare professional. Moisture in hearing aids can cause dirt and debris to build up on microphones and other parts and make cleaning difficult.*Speaking of cleaning, don’t forget your cleaning tools! Just like at home, you’ll want to properly maintain your hearing aids while on vacation or traveling away from home! Many people are more active on trips than when at home and tend to need extra TLC when traveling!*You can keep your hearing aids on as you pass through security! The electronic components of a typical hearing aid are so small that they don’t frequently get picked up by a metal detector. Just make sure that if you go through a body scanner you let the TSA agent know! They may ask you to take them out if they are detected!Please don't hesitate to contact Chicagoland Hearing Aid Centers with ANY questions you may have about traveling with your hearing aids. We are hear to help! Contact us today, here.

Hearing Loss Affects 5 Percent of the Population!

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 5 percent of the world’s population — or 360 million people — has disabling hearing loss. Key to this statistic is the word “disabling”. Take it out, and the number of people with hearing loss soars to approximately 750 million adults — or 10 percent of the adult population.Of course, hearing loss doesn’t need to be disabling to have a big impact on a person’s quality of life. Little things like missing a grandchild’s silly jokes, or not hearing music as clearly as you once did can affect happiness.Treating hearing loss can help negate or minimize its many negative consequences and offers dozens of benefits that people with hearing loss may not have even thought of.To receive help, contact us now!

Welcome to the Team Rich!

We’re growing!!

Chicagoland Hearing is proud to announce our newest Hearing Instrument Practitioner, Rich Herstowski. Rich joined Chicagoland Hearing in August 2017. Rich brings years of expertise to the practice, and has helped thousands of patients on their hearing journey. Passionate about helping others with their hearing health, Rich finds it very rewarding helping people improve their quality of life.

Rich has been happily married for 22 years and has two sons.  When he is not working with patients, Rich enjoys spending time with family and friends.  Activities include playing golf and tennis.  Rich received his degree from the University of Iowa.

Book an appointment to meet Rich today! We can't wait to hear from you!