Ahhh, spring! That wonderful time of year when everything is new again — and we are mysteriously compelled to engage in the annual ritual of spring cleaning.
Unfortunately, some of the equipment we use to clean inside and out this time of year is hard on our hearing. According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), individuals who are exposed to noise levels over 85 decibels (dB) for more than eight hours daily run the risk of permanently damaging their hearing. That’s why employers with noisy job environments are required to provide hearing protection for their employees.
Noise, not age is the leading cause of hearing loss. Unless you take steps now to protect to your ears, sooner or later many of you — and your children — will have difficulty understanding even ordinary speech.
Tens of millions of Americans, including 12 percent to 15 percent of school-age children, already have permanent hearing loss caused by the everyday noise that we take for granted as a fact of life.
Joyce Hill Cooley, Kyle Griffin and Cynthia Bradley were recognized in the December 2013 issue of the Hearing Review as being among the best Hearing Healthcare Professionals in the nation. The determination was made by some of the industry’s top hearing healthcare professionals; a review panel chosen by the Hearing Review. Mrs. Cooley is a registered nurse, national board certified hearing instrument specialist and certified occupational hearing conservationist, Mr. Griffin is a National Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist, and Mrs. Bradley is a National Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist; they are all employed by Miracle-Ear Center located in the different branches including Jackson Medical Center, 2387 Jackson Blvd, Jackson, MO. 1465 N. Kings highway in Cape Girardeau, MO and in the Farmington Wal-Mart. They all have years of service in the hearing health field were mentioned in the recommendation to review board.
Even mild hearing loss triples the risk of difficulties maintaining gait and balance, a study shows.
A link between hearing loss and falling was found by American researchers. The study indicates that having even a minor hearing impairment can increase the risk of a fall.
“People with impaired hearing have poor awareness of their overall environment, and that makes them more likely to trip and fall,” says Dr. Frank Lin, an Otologist and epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA.
Where’s the one place you should never kiss a baby — or anyone else? The ear, according to a professor of audiology at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y.
An innocent kiss right on the ear opening creates strong suction that tugs on the delicate eardrum, resulting in a recently recognized condition known as “cochlear ear-kiss injury.” Such a kiss can lead not only to permanent hearing loss, but a host of other troubling ear symptoms including ringing, sensitivity to sound, distortion and aural fullness.
SIGNS OF HEARING LOSS ARE OFTEN MISTAKEN FOR OTHER MEDICAL, SOCIAL PROBLEMS AT ALL AGES
Originally posted on January 13, 2012
Hearing loss in teenagers is on the rise, and recent reports about the increase in hearing problems among teenagers serve as a reminder that one can experience difficulty hearing at any age. Early hearing loss treatment is key to minimizing long-term impact for children, teens and seniors alike. However, hearing loss symptoms may vary greatly between different age groups, and it is helpful to know what to look for if you suspect a loved one has hearing loss.
Miracle-Ear®, the nation’s leading hearing solutions provider, has once again been identified as a top 25 World-Class Franchise by the Franchise Research Institute. This recognition follows their recent World-Class Franchise® certification from the Franchise Research Institute® and FranSurvey®.
The Franchise Research Institute’s list of 25 World-Class Franchises is based upon the results of independent, third party research of each organization’s franchise owners. Through confidentially surveying entrepreneurs, the Franchise Research Institute is able to obtain honest feedback to measure the excellence of the franchisor.
Many people have problems understanding conversation around noise. This kind of deterioration of hearing comes from damage to the nerve endings that transmits sounds from our ears to our brains. And as we age it gets worse. How can you stave off that kind of hearing loss? Current research suggests embracing music early in life.
“If you spend a lot of your life interacting with sound in an active manner, then your nervous system has made lots of sound-to-meaning connections” that can strengthen your auditory system, says Nina Kraus, director of the Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory at Northwestern University.
Excerpt- “The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), has called upon New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to reverse his administration’s decision to cancel routine public school hearing screenings, but so far the request seems to have fallen on deaf ears.” ﾠRead Full Article at Hearing Review
As a parent I would be very concerned with this decision. Untreated hearing loss of a child is much more serious than that of an adult. It can severely impact their communication skills, which in turn greatly reduces their academic abilities. The same communication difficulties lead to social isolation and poor self image, even affecting their whole life course. The earlier the hearing loss is caught, the less serious the impact on a child’s development.
Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), individuals who are exposed to noise levels over 85 decibels (dB) for more than eight hours daily run the risk of permanently damaging their hearing. That’s why employers with noisy job environments are required to provide hearing protection for their employees.
Hearing loss in teenagers is on the rise, and recent reports about the increase in hearing problems among teenagers serve as a reminder that one can experience difficulty hearing at any age. Early hearing loss treatment is key to minimizing long-term impact for children, teens and seniors alike. However, hearing loss symptoms may vary greatly between different age groups, and it is helpful to know what to look for if you suspect a loved one has hearing loss.