A Little Hearing Q & A
One of the most fun and most frustrating parts of being a parent is answering the questions my four children ask me. The questions range for silly to serious, some being hypothetical and others being highly introspective. Often, I learn something new because of their curiosity. My hope is that the knowledge I am helping them gain will lead them learn to make good decisions in the future.
In addition to my kids’ questions, I also am asked many questions every day about hearing loss, hearing aid technology, hearing protection and tinnitus among other things. Here are some recent questions I have been asked along with my answers that may help others to make good future decisions.
“Does untreated hearing loss actually contribute to an increased risk of dementia?” Yes! Hearing loss leads to decrease in the stimulation of the auditory system, which includes the brain. This lack of mental stimulation increases brain atrophy. For those with hearing loss, wearing hearing aids has been shown to decrease the rate of brain shrinkage and cognitive decline.
“Does wearing hearing aids make my hearing worse?” Generally, no, as long as the hearing aids are properly programmed to your hearing loss. Overamplified devices, or devices programmed too loud, could potentially cause additional hearing loss. Wearing another person’s hearing aid that is not programmed for your hearing loss could cause unintentional hearing loss as well. The practice of wearing properly programmed devices regularly prevents future loss of word recognition and helps preserve the ability to understand in noisy environments.
“Why should I wear custom fitted hearing protection?” Hearing protection only works if it is worn properly. Simple foam earplugs can work well when they fit correctly. However, many people have ear canals that are shaped in such a way that foam plugs do not properly seal. Improperly fitted plugs can give the wearer a false sense of protection and leave them exposed to sounds that can cause permanent hearing loss. Muffs can also provide sufficient protection. However, since they are often bulky, clunky and hot during warmer weather, often time muffs are accidentally bumped or pushed out of position or removed for comfort, leaving the wearer inadvertently exposed to loud sounds. Custom fit hearing protection provides better, more comfortable protection, especially for those with unique ear canals or those who shoot rifles or shotguns.
“Why should I service my hearing aids regularly?” Hearing aids perform at their peak only when they properly pick up incoming sound, accurately process the sound, and put out properly amplified sound. All hearing aid components include small moving parts that will eventually wear out and stop working. Keeping these parts clean and free of debris, like earwax, oil and dead skin, will increase their useful life and maximize their performance. Hearing aids can gradually decrease in performance due to blocked microphone or receivers. Wax buildup can cause devices to prematurely degrade. Keeping microphones clear allows hearing aids to pick up sound, while keeping the receiver (or speaker) clear ensures the sound coming from the aid is the proper volume.
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to hearing from you if you have questions of your own, or are looking for help protecting your hearing or getting help with tinnitus or hearing loss.
