Noise-induced hearing loss in teens is on the rise. Here’s how to prevent it.

As the mother of two teenagers and an audiologist, I’ve always been hyperaware of noise-induced hearing loss and the lasting effects it can have on young people. It may seem like just a minor annoyance to hear your child’s music or phone conversation through their earbuds. After all, they could be up to worse things, right?

While that’s true, it’s also important to consider the permanent damage they could be doing to their hearing. The damage can last much longer than the duration of their favorite song or a conversation with their best friend.

The average pair of earbuds can emit a maximum sound anywhere from 85-110 decibels. After just 15 minutes of exposure, hearing damage can occur. Approximately 40 million Americans have some level of noise-induced hearing loss, and it isn’t just the elderly. In fact, one in seven teens experience this and once damage occurs to the hair cells of the inner ear, it cannot be undone.

The good news is this type of hearing loss is completely preventable, but it may require breaking habits and gentle reminders.

There’s no time like the present to start. As you know, many school districts have been issuing their plans for the 2020-2021 school year. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many will be relying on hybrid and distanced learning. As many families prepare to once again have their schools, workplaces and gyms all under one roof during these unusual times, earbud and headphone use is on the rise.

At Chicagoland Hearing Hearing, we recommend the following to prevent hearing loss:

• Keep the volume at 75 decibels or lower. For reference, a typical conversation is around 60 decibels, and a lawnmower is around 90.

• The 60/60 rule is another great guideline. It suggests limiting listening to 60 minutes while keeping the volume below 60%.

• Consider noise-cancelling headphones, as opposed to earbuds. When the source of the sound is in your ear canal, like earbuds, the sound’s volume can increase by six to nine decibels (source: UPMC Pinnacle Health). Noise-cancelling headphones reduce ambient noise, allowing you to hear clearly at a lower volume.

While hearing health may not always be top of mind, it’s important to consider how it may be impacted by new behaviors, like working and learning from home. Your ears will thank you now and later!

By Sara Burdak, Au.D. on Starkey.com

Hearing loss and loneliness are linked

Recent research has found loneliness to be a growing — and troubling — health crisis, affecting more than one-third of people 45 and older. And that was before COVID-19 compelled many of us to work from home and all of us to stay socially distant.

Why is loneliness a health crisis and not simply a social issue? Because, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), loneliness and social isolation are associated with:

• A 50 percent increased risk of dementia

• Up to 45 percent increased risk of premature death

• Higher rates of depression and anxiety

One study equates their health effects with smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Hearing loss is a known contributor to feelings of loneliness and social isolation. And it makes sense. Humans are social creatures! If communication becomes challenging, those with hearing loss may choose to minimize interactions, opt out of invitations, and hunker down at home. Alone.

So it’s not surprising that experts think treating hearing loss can help with loneliness, and obviously hearing aids are key to that. Especially today’s hearing aids, which not only make hearing easier, but can connect us to friends and family through our smartphones, and help motivate us to be more physically and socially active.

We can help! Call Chicagoland Hearing Aid Centers by clicking here, today!

Photo by Todd Diemer on Unsplash

Too few people are proactive about their hearing health

Today’s hearing fact — from a Consumer Reports survey of more than 120,000 members — is pretty interesting, we think. Hearing tests are painless and you don’t typically have to go out of your way much to take one.

Plus, hearing is one of only five senses we have, and can play a vital role in our quality of life. So, for so few of us to actively stay on top of our hearing health is pretty surprising.

For instance, we can all name intangible good things that go with hearing, like listening to music, watching TV and movies, engaging with friends and family, or how hearing enhances nature, everyday activities and events.

We know — especially now, during this pandemic — how important hearing is to staying socially connected, informed, and feeling safe.

And we also know that untreated hearing loss is linked to social isolation, an increased risk of falls, depression, hospitalizations and even dementia.

All these reasons are why today’s hearing fact is so startling, and why experts recommend adults be screened for hearing every decade through age 50, and at three-year intervals after that.

If you want to stay on top of your hearing and would like to get it tested, we can help. Just click here and we’ll set up a hearing test near you.

How often should I replace my hearing aids?

Today’s hearing aids are more sophisticated than ever before. They utilize the most advanced microelectronics, wireless radios, and computer processors, and they are built to exacting specifications to offer the best hearing possible. This includes being as resistant to moisture, dust and dirt as a high-tech instrument that sits in your ear all day can be.

However, this does not mean hearing aids never break down or never need to be replaced.

If hearing aids are worn in the manner they are designed to be worn — meaning every day all day long — then they are guaranteed to be exposed to some pretty rough environments. This can include perspiration, body oils, ear wax, hair spray, lotion, makeup, rain, humidity, dust, pollen, etc.

Add to that, hearing aids get dropped, rattled around in purses and back packs, twisted and turned while putting them in and taking them out, and much more. Overall, they take quite a beating but keeping performing.

A five-year lifespan is typical

That said, the average life of a hearing aid is around five years. This is assuming the wearer cleans and maintains the hearing aids regularly and has their hearing healthcare professional check and clean the aids at least every six months.

Still, in that five-year period, it is not unusual for hearing aids to require few repairs. Once hearing aids reach the five-year mark, investing in new hearing aids vs. repairing old ones is something to seriously think about. As durable as today’s hearing aids are, over time the components will break down from daily exposure to the elements. At this point, new hearing aids are a much better investment than continuing to repair the old ones.

Hearing aid technology gets better every year

Purchasing new devices won’t just provide you with a more reliable set of hearing aids. In the time you wore those older devices, hearing aid technology will have advanced. Significantly. This means better sound quality, better hearing in noise, advancements in wireless technology, more accessory options, and more life-enhancing features.

As with all technology, hearing aids are constantly getting better and better. Investing in new hearing aids regularly provides wearers with reliable hearing aids that provide the best hearing possible, which is always the most important thing. And with hearing aids, the return on investment is often priceless.

P.S. Don’t forget to have your hearing checked every year to monitor for any changes in hearing. This could also play a role in the decision to replace your current hearing aids.

Contact Chicagoland Hearing Aid Centers to schedule your first appointment today!

Top ten things you can do with your smartphone-connected hearing aids

Today’s hearing aids are more sophisticated than ever! One of the greatest advances in hearing aid technology is the ability to pair them to a variety of smartphones, including Apple iPhones and several Android handsets. The connection between smartphones and hearing aids brings a long list of incredible benefits. Here is my top 10 list of things you can do with your smartphone-connected hearing aids.

• For Apple iPhone-connected hearing aids you can make quick hearing aid adjustments with the Apple Hearing Controls. Apple has created a Hearing Control function that can be quickly accessed in the Control Center. For hearing aids paired to an iPhone, this feature lets you quickly and easily adjust hearing aid volume or change memories.

• Find misplaced hearing aids. For Starkey hearing aids paired to a smartphone, you can use the Thrive Mobile App to locate misplaced hearing aids. Using a map, the Find My Hearing Aids feature shows you the last location the aids were wirelessly connected to the phone. And, if they are nearby, shows you when you are getting close to them.

• Hear your “Hey Siri” or “OK Google” responses through your hearing aids. When using voice assistants like Apple’s Siri or Android’s OK Google, you can ask your question and hear the response through your paired hearing aids. So the next time you need to know the weather forecast or find the nearest coffee shop, just ask Siri and hear her answer through your hearing aids! Of course, the specific phone and operating system needs to be compatible for direct streaming to Starkey hearing aids.

• Translate languages live to hearing aids. With Starkey’s Livio Edge AI hearing aids and the Thrive Mobile App, you can have a foreign language translated and streamed in your native language through your hearing aids. This makes communicating with those who speak another language easier. It is a fantastic feature when traveling!

• Hear an indicator through your hearing aids when an email, calendar update, text or social media notification occurs. Within the Thrive Mobile App, simply turn on Alerts. Now, every time you receive an email, a text message, a calendar notification or social media update you will hear an unobtrusive audible indicator through your Starkey Livio Edge AI hearing aids. You will immediately be notified when that important text or update comes through!

• Set reminders for daily, weekly, monthly or yearly events and hear those reminders in the hearing aids. With Starkey’s Livio Edge AI devices you can schedule reminders in the Thrive Mobile App by speaking them. Simply “double tap” your Livio Edge AI device and say something like: “Remind me to go for a walk today at 6:00 PM.” Then, at 6:00 PM you will hear a reminder in your hearing aids telling you to go for a walk. This can be done for anything you want to be reminded about!

• Watch movies or TV and stream the audio directly to your paired hearing aids. Our smartphones have become a common way to view videos, movies and TV. With your hearing aids paired to your smartphone, now whenever you watch something on the phone, the audio is streamed directly to your hearing aids. The hearing aids will automatically switch to a special streaming memory for the best sound quality matched to your individual hearing needs.

• See how many steps you have taken, minutes of exercise you have completed and how often you have stood up per hour. Starkey’s Livio Edge AI devices have motion sensors built directly into them that can monitor your physical movement. Every step you take is counted. Each minute of exercise you complete is recorded. And, each time you get up and walk around is identified. This activity information can be viewed in the Thrive Mobile App allowing you to keep an eye on your physical activity. Tracking this information can help motivate you to lead a more active lifestyle.

• Stream high-fidelity, stereo music directly to paired hearing aidsand personalize the sound quality. Anytime you want to listen to your favorite musician, playlist or streaming service, it is streamed directly to your hearing aids. Your hearing aids provide the highest sound quality possible, tuned for your individual hearing loss. Your smartphone-connected hearing aids are the best wireless earbuds available!

• Track how much you are stimulating your brain. It is a proven fact that the number one factor in slowing down cognitive decline is social engagement. Starkey’s Livio Edge AI devices use artificial intelligence to track your daily hearing aid use, if you are listening to and engaging with speech, and if you are experiencing a variety of listening situations. This information can be viewed in the Thrive Mobile App. Having this information at hand allows you to maximize the benefits of better hearing on your brain!

If you want to experience these features for yourself, Chicagoland Hearing Aid Centers can help. Click here to make an appointment, so we can demonstrate the latest smartphone-connected hearing aids for you!

Can hearing aids help with cognitive decline?

We all want to maintain our mental sharpness as we get older. Dementia, Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline are conditions everyone hopes to avoid.

A growing body of research has shown that hearing loss plays a role in our ability to stay mentally sharp as we age. In fact, in a 2018 review of the research, it was concluded that untreated hearing loss increased the risk of dementia by 50 percent.

While researchers admit the science is still inconclusive on exactly why untreated hearing loss increases dementia risk, they do offer three probable reasons.

Hearing loss leads to social isolation

Untreated hearing loss has long been linked to increased social isolation and loneliness, which studies have shown increases the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Think about it — if you struggle to hear, you’ll be more likely to withdraw from social activities or situations where hearing plays a big role.

Hearing loss shifts your cognitive load

As hearing becomes more difficult, your brain has to work harder to register and comprehend what you’re listening to. This steals energy needed for memory and thinking. Scientists refer to this as the “cognitive load theory.”

Imagine your brain as having a finite amount of fuel. As hearing loss increases, you use more “fuel” to make sense of what you’re listening to, meaning you have less fuel for tasks like memory and decision-making.

Hearing loss accelerates brain shrinkage

Finally, hearing loss is shown to accelerate brain atrophy or shrinkage.

Yes, believe it or not, our brains shrink as we age. But researchers at John’s Hopkins found that people with impaired hearing lost more brain tissue per year than peers with normal hearing — likely due to atrophy from lack of stimulation.

So, can treating hearing loss help keep us mentally sharp?

No evidence has yet proven that hearing loss treatment can prevent cognitive decline, but two studies strongly suggest it may help (and another is in the works).

One, in 2015, studied subjects over a 25 year period and found that those with self-reported hearing loss who did not wear hearing aids showed evidence of accelerated cognitive decline, while those with hearing loss who did wear hearing aids had no more cognitive decline than their normal-hearing peers.

A 2017 study was even more interesting. The study, conducted by The Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention and Care, concluded that managing or treating hearing loss in mid-life is one of nine things you can do to help prevent dementia. And — more importantly — it was the number one risk factor they recommended you could modify to “reduce the incidence of dementia or substantially delay its onset.”

In fact, researchers suggest that hearing loss treatment "could prevent up to 9

Wearing hearing aids is an effective treatment for hearing loss

This link between hearing loss and cognitive decline — and the studies above — should give everyone added incentive to treat hearing loss and not ignore common hear loss signs. And hearing aids are a common way to treat hearing loss.

Our Livio AI hearing aids were specifically designed to help people both manage their hearing loss and achieve good cognitive health. In addition to being our best sounding and best performing hearing aids, they’re the first wearable device that helps you monitor your brain and body activity.

Time Magazine liked Livio so much, they named them one of 2019’s Best Inventions.

If you’re ready to treat your hearing loss, we can help. Click here and we’ll help you schedule a safe and health department-compliant consultation with a hearing healthcare professional near you.

Can COVID-19 cause tinnitus or hearing loss?

COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, brings with it a host of health concerns. Most of these symptoms are respiratory in nature as reported by the CDC; shortness of breath, coughing, sore throat [1]. However, there is some concern that the coronavirus may cause some neurological symptoms as well.

In a study of 214 patients with varying degrees of respiratory involvement from novel coronavirus, 36.4% of patients had symptoms of neurologic manifestations that involved central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, and skeletal muscles [2]. Further, there is some initial evidence that the virus may cause damage to the hearing organs of the inner ear.

Currently, there is little evidence published connecting novel coronavirus and tinnitus directly. But according to the American Tinnitus Association, pre-existing behavioral conditions may make it more likely patients will experience tinnitus due to the stress and depression associated with social isolation and infection avoidance.

For example, one large population study posits that people with generalized anxiety disorder are nearly seven times more likely to experience chronic, burdensome tinnitus [3]. In an age of vigilance with risk of infection and the social isolation to avoid spread, stress and depression are common emotions we all may experience.

Ototoxicity is a potential risk

While it is too early to know whether a potential vaccine will have any risk of ototoxicity (a well-known cause of hearing loss), some currently discussed treatments do pose a potential risk to the auditory system.

The quinine family of drugs, historically used for prophylactic prevention and treatment of malaria, have some history of ototoxicity. However, the most recent trial of this family in treatment of COVID-19 has focused around hydroxychloroquine, which has a lower risk of ototoxicity [4].

A promising therapeutic antiviral being developed and in clinical trials for COVID-19, Remdesivir, does not currently list ototoxicity as a potential side effect, per its maker, Gilead Sciences, Inc.

Hearing professionals are enacting new safety protocols

Today, the greatest concern regarding COVID-19 is in transmission. Hearing loss treatment — like most essential health services — include procedures that make social distancing a challenge but are not impossible to execute safely. Telehealth, curbside service, and appropriate in-office protocols are being put in place at Chicagoland Hearing Aid Centers that will significantly limit exposure potential.

During a time when hearing feels more critical than ever, hearing healthcare becomes an essential health service in which clinicians can and are able to mitigate risk while delivering best hearing practices.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact Chicagoland Hearing Aid Centers today! Click here for a list of locations.