Today I tested someone with normal hearing! That always makes me happy. I don’t often get to work with people with normal hearing. There are many things that you can do to prevent hearing loss. The biggest factor today is noise exposure. Noise is everywhere. There is so much noise in our society today that you don’t really think about it. The obvious thing that you can do is to avoid noise. This is not very easy. If you are working with power tools, lawn mowers, leaf … [Read more...]
Smoking and Hearing Loss
Did you know that a smoker is 1.7 times more likely to have a hearing loss? Just one more reason not to smoke. Tobacco smoke affects all organs in your body. Because tobacco causes your arteries to be less flexible, less blood is able to get to reach you inner ear (cochlea). The cochlea is a tiny organ, less than a quarter of an inch. It doesn’t take much insult to cause damage. If you don’t smoke, good for you. If you do, there is help out there. If you do notice that you … [Read more...]
Ear Surgery for my Dog
Recently, my dog Surfer had to have ear surgery. It was a bit of an ordeal for all involved. Somehow he managed to damage his pinna (the floppy part of his ear). He had a huge hematoma. So off to the vet we went. The fluid had to be drained from his ear and then ear was stitched back together. Here is a picture of him in his lovely bandage. The bandage was removed after a week and the stitches … [Read more...]
Swimmer’s Ear can ruin your Fun
Have you had a lot of company lately? I know that lots of grandchildren come to visit their Florida grandparents this time of year. Most kids love to spend a lot of time in the water whether it is the pool or the beach. Nothing ruins a vacation faster than Swimmer's Ear. It is very painful and means a trip to the doctor's office for a prescription and staying out of the water for 10 days. Certainly not what anyone plans for a vacation. There is a very simple preventative measure … [Read more...]
HealthyHearing.com interviews Dr. Susan Terry
You can read our entire Hearing Center Interview on HealthyHearing.com - but here are some excerpts from the interview. “Part of what I saw when I was working with other people is that I couldn’t take the amount of time I thought was necessary to work with each patient,” she said. “I knew I either had to go into private practice or find another career.” That element of personal care is what sets Broadwater Hearing Care apart from other hearing centers in the area. “I structure my practice … [Read more...]
Sounds of Making a Salad – Music to Her Ears
Many years ago, I had a patient call me a couple hours after she got her hearing aids. She was so excited. She was making a salad and could hear the lettuce tearing in her hands. This is just a small everyday sound that she hadn't heard in years. Hearing the sounds around you makes your whole world richer. I have a friend and a colleague who has worn hearing aids for years. He just upgraded to the latest technology and he can hear things he hasn't heard in years. He is finding … [Read more...]
Flying with Hearing Aids
Are you flying this summer? Flying isn't as much fun anymore, but there are ways to make it better. If you wear hearing aids, there is no reason to take you aids out before you go through security. The screening devices won't hurt hearing aids and it is always easier if you can hear the directions. Once on the plane, you do not need to turn your hearing aids off when they tell you to turn off your electronic devices. If you find the plane noisy, you can take your hearing aids out. … [Read more...]
Musicians and Hearing Loss
Did you know that musicians are susceptible to hearing loss? I know that when I was in high school band, I was exposed to a lot of noise and knowing what I know now, I wish I had hearing protection. I just hope I didn't damage my hearing. Anyone who plays in a band or orchestra is exposed to loud sound on a consistent basis. There is a simple way to protect hearing. There are custom ear plugs available for musicians that allow the musician to hear the music clearly but do not allow … [Read more...]
Fourth of July Fireworks
Happy Independence Day! I hope you have plans for all sorts of fun activities. 4th of July Celebrations are great fun, but remember to protect your hearing. Millions of Americans are suffering from noise induced permanent hearing loss. Exploding Fireworks can reach over 130 decibels of impact causing damage to your hearing. If you have to shout to be heard by someone standing right next to you, if your ears hurt or you have ringing in the ears, it's a good sign of excessive noise … [Read more...]
Bluetooth Compatible Hearing Aids
Did you know that most of today’s hearing aids are Bluetooth compatible? This can give you a much more effective way of using your hearing aids in a variety of settings. Your hearing aids can be linked to your cell phone, so that you can hear out of both ears and you don’t have to even pick up the phone. For individuals that have difficulty understanding the television, there are devices that allow the wearer to hear clearly. There are even lapel microphones that can allow you to … [Read more...]