What does Men’s Health Month have to do with Hearing?

But only one in three people (and not just men) who experience hearing loss actually seek treatment!

Loads of research shows how untreated hearing loss can lead to many other health concerns like depression, isolation, cognitive issues, and dementia. Also, conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases can cause or worsen hearing loss.

In many cases, our loved ones need encouragement to get the hearing help they need. Treating hearing loss is a huge game changer in life, but you have to be in the game to win. Some people just need a little pep talk. Do you want to be supportive, but not sure exactly how?

This month’s feature article is about just that, “How to Support People with Hearing Loss” written by our very own Dr. Chelsea Bega. Dr. Bega shares with us a few ways to boost our support power when it comes to helping a friend or family member on their journey through hearing loss and treatment.

If you are the one with hearing loss, please share this with your friends and family to spread the love.

Sincerely,
Whitney Swander, Au.D
Owner, Doctor of Audiology

P.S. The majority of the folks who find us, find us through personal referrals from friends. Just this week I met a new patient because she had posted on Next Door for a recommendation for an audiologist and was recommended by many people to come to us! Thank you to her neighbors for the recommendation! Who could you be a good neighbor to as well?

Dr. Whitney Swander is an audiologist and owner of Hearing HealthCare Centers. She has been in practice for over 20 years. Click here to learn more about her and the HHCC team.

By Chelsea Bega, Au.D.
Doctor of Audiology

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our lives in ways we’d never imagined. It led to unprecedented changes and challenges that we have had to adjust to; changing our lifestyle to meet a new social norm. Many of my patients have mentioned that what they miss most is socializing! Masks dampen speech and hinder our ability to use visual cues. Social distancing creates even a greater communicative strain for everyone, but especially people who are Deaf or hard of hearing.

With case numbers declining and vaccines being accessible to all, more businesses and organizations are opening and welcoming people back into their doors. As the world opens up again, here are some tips on how to help your loved ones with hearing loss transition back into lively social settings.

One way we can help our hearing impaired loved ones transition back into social situations is to understand that they may not hear sounds the same way we do. When someone has a hearing loss, their ears do not perceive sound as distinctly as before. People may say they can hear but they can’t understand, or that speech sounds “muffled” in noisy environments. This is because hearing loss not only dampens the sounds we hear, but also decreases our brain’s ability to parse out speech from surrounding background noise.

Background noise can be overwhelming for people with hearing loss and cause them to feel uncomfortable in noisy social settings. If your loved one is struggling to communicate in a noisy place like a restaurant, ask for a table away from the noise, like in a corner or a booth with tall backs. Being patient with them if they need things repeated or rephrased will also increase their confidence and willingness to participate in conversations!

For people with hearing loss, they may try extra hard over everyone else to figure out what’s being said, and that communicative struggle can be taxing mentally and emotionally. Successful communication requires the efforts of all people involved in a conversation. It is crucial for communicative partners to adjust how they converse in noise, and the following communication strategies can help in any social setting.

Use good eye contact when communicating
Ensure there is good lighting whenever possible
Avoid speaking too rapidly
Keep your hands away from your face while talking, so as not to cover your mouth
If repeating doesn’t work, try rephrasing your message instead

As social gatherings widen, conversational groups will grow bigger and bigger. Because of this, people with hearing loss may be hesitant to jump back into conversations for fear of mishearing something. This can lead to isolating themselves from the camaraderie going on around them. Isolation becomes a risk factor for depression as well as dementia and is a reason why hearing loss and dementia are correlated.

If your loved one has not had their hearing tested, lovingly ask if they would consider a hearing evaluation and/or treatment for their hearing loss with an audiologist. Due to today’s advanced technology and personalized fitting techniques, the vast majority of patients are highly satisfied with the help they receive. Sometimes people are afraid to spend the money on themselves, so make sure they know they’re worth it!

In a survey conducted by the Ida Institute earlier this year, over 86% of people with hearing loss preferred seeking hearing treatment from a hearing care expert over online or mail order sources. This is because audiologists not only have the tools needed to optimize hearing technology capabilities, but they have the counseling expertise needed to support your loved ones throughout their hearing journey. If you feel like your loved one is struggling to hear, be a strong supporter for them and encourage them to seek help from a hearing expert!

If your loved one already has hearing devices, make sure they are working appropriately. Hearing aids require routine maintenance and cleaning to ensure the best performance. Sometimes they get filled with wax or debris, have electronic components break down, or the prescription gets outdated because the person’s hearing has changed.

The most important factor when it comes to treating hearing loss is how well the hearing devices are programmed to each individual’s needs. In order to achieve this, hearing aids must be verified by an audiologist to ensure they are providing the best audible outcomes for that individual. If it has been awhile since the hearing aids were serviced or the person’s hearing was tested and the aids verified, encourage them to make an appointment with their audiologist.

Let’s work together to ensure our loved ones with hearing loss can fully enjoy socializing once more. With these tips and the right support from friends and family, those who are hard of hearing can better navigate their experience with noise and re-enter social situations with confidence!

It's official! After 22 years in our current space, we will be moving to a new Longmont location. As of today, we are the proud owners of 1315 Vivian Street. This new clinic will be upgraded with a fresh look and spacious layout to accommodate our small, yet bustling business. Don't worry, you'll still get the same caring staff that you already know and love. We're just moving into a better space to serve our patients and staff. Stay tuned! We will announce our Grand Opening Celebration sometime near the end of summer.