Hearing Matters by Los Cerritos Community News

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Five Things You MUST Know BEFORE Buying Hearing Aids

How to avoid costly mistakes

By Dr. David J. DeKriek, Au.D. You’ve had the self-realization of hearing loss. You have also realized the fact that you need to do something about it. Your family and friends have probably known for years. Now what do you do? Talk to friends, look for ads in the newspaper, research online? Where do you go? Whom do you see? What should you ask? How do you make sure you are getting the best DEAL? We will get to the answers of these questions soon enough. In my many years of patient care I have seen and heard it all, everything from people buying hearing aids online that were actually stolen property to the patient who bought hearing aids through the mail and the hearing aids never worked. I have found that many consumers are confused, if you start looking online (which I do not recommend), you have to sort through many different websites many of which have one goal in mind... To sell you hearing aids, that’s it. They could care less about the care, education and follow up that is

required for a successful hearing aid ﬁtting that can improve the quality of life for all who wear them. There are many different styles, models, and manufacturers to choose from.

See FIVE THINGS CONTINUED ON 4

What consumers need to know

In-depth background and interview with Dr. DeKriek, Au.D.

“I started my interest in audiology when I had a friend who was in his grad program studying audiology. He asked me if I would be a subject for one of his studies. I had some free time so I agreed. His study was on auditory brain stem response. He did some testing on me and I found it very interesting. He suggested that I look into the career. At ﬁrst I didn’t really think that was a reasonable suggestion but as I became interested in it, I did start studying it. Later I entered the grad program myself. That was at Cal State, Los Angeles. I got my Masters degree in Audiology and started practicing immediately in a few different

clinics. I later got my clinical doctor- the consumer or the patient. My office ate of audiology thru the University of is very straight forward. When a patient comes into my office I tell them, Florida. After graduation, I was immedi- after testing, what they can hear, what ately hired by a manufacturer for they can’t hear, how I expect that to Starkey Laboratories. I was on staff effect them. as a support audiologist and as a rep Usually if there is a family member visiting local offices discussing differ- present they agree and say “Yes, that ent products and answering questions is the difficulty that we are having.” After careful diagnosis and consulfor audiologists. In January of 2008, I made the tations, I can make a recommendation decision to open my own office in of a hearing aid and other suggestion Cerritos, California, Fidelity Hearing that will help them communicate better. Center. I do this all for a very reasonable I focus on setting my office apart from the offices that are in the area. I price. I do not compete with the ten thousand dollar hearing aids from do that by focusing on quality. I don’t use any gimmicks, I don’t Miracle Ear or the $600 hearing aids have ½ off or anything similar. I don’t from other offices. At Fidelity, quality believe in doing that, I think it is bad and customer satisfaction is our main • Comprehensive Audiological Examinations focus.Aids and Service for the industry and it is misleading for Hearing • Digital

Trouble Hearing? Let me help.

Dr. David J. DeKriek, Au.D.

• • • •

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Dr. David J. DeKriek, Au.D. Board Certiﬁed in Audiology

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2 HEARING MATTERS

“RIC hearing aids are a perfect ﬁt”! - Hope Kerr

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Interview with Dr. David DeKriek

friends, and co-workers can have first-hand. The patient was likely not aware of the hearing loss affect, it is very frustrating for them. So we not only want to fix your hearing but also fix the communication with your family, friends and coworkers so that everybody is happier.”

Incorrect What are patient’s product Typically they buy a product

most pressing concerns?

Misinformation

I have patients who come into my ofﬁce who have heard many stories regarding hearing loss. They are misinformed and don’t understand necessarily what problem they have or how to address it; how to ﬁx it. Many of them have gone to doctors who said, “Well you have a hearing loss that can’t be treated. It’s permanent hearing loss and there is really nothing that we can do.” Inaccurate. Almost every hearing loss can be treated and be treated effectively and can be treated fairly quickly so that within a week or so, those patients can be hearing much better than they have for many years.

Effects of hearing loss

A third reason is people really don’t understand how their loss of hearing affects them. Certainly the family members are aware but a lot of times when someone has

hearing loss they don’t know how it is affecting them. I go over hearing loss with the patient and use some speciﬁc examples with their family members to show them the things they are missing. The patient is able to see the reaction his family,

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that isn’t the very best for them as a person. There are many hearing aids that treat different types of hearing losses. They are flexible, but you have to be aware of other features that maybe should or shouldn’t be present for that individual patient. For example, if a patient has a very tiny hearing aid, it is more convenient they change the battery themselves and place it back in their ear. If I have a patient that is 35 or 45 years old, it’s not a problem. If I have a patient who is in their 80’s and 90’s with limited dexterity, we must consider that in the hearing aid fitting process. Another factor to consider would be volume control that maybe that patient shouldn’t have. It’s actually very common for me to have patients not setting the volume appropriately. Their family is usually perplexed because they see the hearing aids in the ears and do not understand why they are not working correctly. The user, for whatever reason, is turning the volume down to a point where he can’t hear or maybe turning it up to a point where it is too loud and it whistles and it causes him discomfort. This is another factor to consider when prescribing hearing aid. Frequently, I have patients who come into my office and have bought a hearing aid with features that they are completely unaware of (and probably charged more for that feature). I thoroughly explain every feature on any hearing aid I recommend.

Will I get ripped off?

I also have patients come into my ofﬁce who have been to “corporate” type stores and have been told they need these very expensive hearing aids and that is really the only thing that is going to afford them hearing again. In reality those very expensive hearing aids are marked up artiﬁcially. So a pair of hearing aids at that store might regularly sell for $5000, their initial price is $10,700 and then they apply “discounts” to bring them down to $5000. You couldn’t go and buy a car and have it start at $20,000 and then get a bunch Wearing the best, S Series 11. of discounts down to $10,000. Bill Westra That just doesn’t make sense.

It either means they were ripping you off in the ﬁrst place or that they are giving you something for far less than it is worth and they wouldn’t be able to maintain the business.

Should I buy online? There are more and more patients who are going online and seeing hearing aids advertised for “as little as $79 a month” or think they can buy hearing aids on Ebay. That’s because they see hearing aids as a commodity rather than a specialized product. Patients believe they can buy hearing aids much like reading glasses. That’s unfortunate (and illegal) that they are available in this manner. Hearing aids are regulated and in many states, California included; it is actually illegal for people to sell hearing aids thru the mail. But there are unscrupulous people out there who sell mail-order hearing aids; the purchaser is unaware of the illegality. Hearing aids are not a commodity, a patient must be appropriately fit, the hearing aid must adjusted for their specific hearing loss, and the patient must return for periodic adjustment. None of those things can take place over the internet. Adapting to hearing aids is not an easy thing. It requires working with someone who can direct you and provide the appropriate changes at the right point in time. If someone purchases hearing aids from my office, the first setting works well for

“I’m hearing better than I have in 10 years”! Arthur Mojica them. But in 4-5 months, the auditory system will adapt and change and become more effective using the hearing aid so the hearing aid needs to be tuned and adjusted for them. Again, none of those things can take place over the internet. Also if people are exposing themselves to different environments and hearing different types of noises we want to be able to fine tune the hearing aid to filter those noises so they are not as troublesome and the hearing aid sounds comfortable. Again, none of those things can take place over the internet. The hearing aid fitting is not a product driven type of service or transaction. It’s a service driven type of transaction. If you go to an office that knows what they are doing vs going to an office where they don’t know what they are doing, the exact same hearing aid can have two different types of outcomes. So it has nothing to do with the quality of that hearing aid. It has to do with the quality of the service that you are getting. Going to an expert makes all the difference in the world. There are no experts on EBay.

PATIENT TESTIMONIAL Delight E. Macias

“

I was virtually stone deaf. So I started checking out whether there’s some kind of hearing device that would help me, and I believe by divine guidance. I was directed to Dr.

DeKriek. I was impressed by the physical setup, all his new equipment, and his obvious expertise. He fitted me with an aid and has, progressively, either improved or replaced the aid I had, so that now I can hold a conversation one on one with people without them having to shout at me. I don’t believe I would have gotten this kind of service anywhere else. He cares about his patients, so I carry his business cards with me. I totally endorse the work of Fidelity Hearing Center and Dr. DeKriek.

”

I Fidelity Hearing Center 562.275.3606

What type of doctor would you recommend to patients?

They most certainly should go to an audiologist. The more education someone has about hearing, or anything for that matter, the better they will be able to assess the problem. An audiologists is also required

“My new hearing aids are much better than my old ones. I really like them”. - Clara Rose Lipe to learn other things that affect communication; things related to anatomy and physiology. Audiologists receive education on Pharmacological aspects and how drugs might interact with hearing. They are educated on psychology and how hearing loss affects our interaction with family and how we interact with the world. Audiologists are much better prepared to deal with people and their hearing loss; not just a hearing loss independent of that whole person. Some audiologists have even greater expertise in some areas. Board certified audiologist receive higher education and other more specific requirements. This type of certification assures patients that audiologists have the most up-to-date education and will be able to provide that current knowledge and current expertise when evaluating hearing loss. These doctors are required to stay current. Many offices don’t have even an audiologist much less a board certified doctor of audiology.

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Interview with Dr. David DeKriek When I perform a hearing test I first start with an otoscopic examination of the ear. I look at the outer ear and then examine the inner ear canal. I have a screen that the patient can look at during the entire examination called a video-otoscope so they can see exactly what I see. I explain to the patient what we are seeing and if I see any kind of a problem I can point it out. If everything looks great and healthy then I point that out and I say, “See everything looks just the way we want it to.” After the otoscopic exam, I assess the movement of the eardrum to make sure there is no restriction or fluid. These symptoms can be treated and might resolve the hearing loss. After these exams I will use a more traditional hearing test using tones and beeps. I have a sound proof booth and utilize “insert earphones” so that patients are not affected by any kind of external noise. My equipment is calibrated and I use air conduction headphones so my patients can be tested in a normal hearing environment. I also use a bone vibrator which helps me assess the nerve independent of the ear drum.

What should a patient look for while in a doctor’s office?

Is hearing aid satisfaction on the rise?

Yes it is true. Most hearing aid wearers have an improved quality of life once they have begun to wear hearing aids. Consequences of untreated hearing loss were analyzed and evaluated in a major study of older (50+) hearing impaired adults and their close family members and friends. As hearing aid wearers reported, relationship improvements and stronger sense of independence. Families of hearing aid wearers were even more likely to report improvements. Social interaction for many also improved. Among those with more severe hearing loss, hearing aid wearers were 25% more likely to participate regularly in social activities then non-wearers. Non-wearers reported greater depression, and isolation. ComWhen a patient does decide ok I’ve got the right professional, I have paring hearing aid wearers to done the tests, the explanations were non-wearers found that the very clear; how do personal listening non-wearers were less likely to situations apply to the selection of a participate in social activities, hearing aid with your patients? and more likely to report depresI always ask my patients, where sion, anxiety, and paranoia. do you have the greatest difficulty? Older non-wearers were more Exactly why did you come in today?

What are personal listening situations?

If they tell me the greatest difficulty they have is at work or on the phone, then I want to make sure my solution is that I provide adequate improvement for those problems. If their difficulty is mostly hearing their spouse then I make sure I provide a hearing aid to help with that and I will also ask them to bring in their spouse for conversation. In my view, a hearing aid should be flexible enough for the patient’s lifestyle. If a patient is exposed to a very diverse acoustic environment; -exposed to a very quiet environment at home and then a very noisy environment at work- then we want a hearing aid that will allow them to make changes and have different programs set up for those different environments. If I have a patient who wants ease of use and convenience, I want to know that so I tailor my recommendation to what is going to be easiest for them and provide them with the best satisfaction aside from the acoustic “The difference between my new hearqualities. ing aids and my old ones are like night and day”. - Dick Dadourian

HEARING MATTERS

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likely to agree with the statement, „people get angry with me usually for no reason“. This study debunks the myth that untreated hearing loss in older adults is a harmless condition. How well a person hears affects his or her sense of well-being. Unfortunately many have allowed themselves to remain in denial and buy into their vanity barriers. This only separates them from real life, and often freezing them from the wonderful spontaneity of life and simple everyday connections with important loved ones. They often become more separated and lonely with time as they and their hearing loss begin to age. Their own made up explanations conclude, “My hearing is not bad enough.“ “I can get along without one“ “It would make me feel old.“ Or, „I‘m too embarrassed to wear one.“ The plain truth is, a hearing loss is more noticeable then a hearing aid! Hearing is a wonderful thing. There are those who haven‘t quite come clean or admitted yet what price they are paying for their hearing loss.

PATIENT TESTIMONIAL

I made an appointment me, helping me feel comfortafter my husband noable with the hearing loss I ticed I was not hearing have. He showed me what my the heart monitor on our exerhearing really could be like, and cise equipment beep. I thought helped me create a whole new it didn’t work but hearing transforhe could hear it mation. just fine. The day I was I had my hearfit with my new ing tested. I hearing aids, it found that I had was amazing. The nerve damage in sound was crisp. both ears.It was I couldn’t believe devastating for how many sounds me. I felt I was I had been missAnna Velez way too young ing! It seems to for this and it get better every just hit me hard. time I come in and he adjusts I went to see Dr. DeKriek for them. I can’t imagine going a second opinion. He tested me back to my old way of hearing. and found the same diagnosis, I feel like a new person. I would but he made things simple and recommend them to everybody clear and was very, very patient who has a hearing problem. with me. I’m very, very happy! He Dr DeKriek was such a great will forever be my doctor. listener and was so sensitive to

”

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4 HEARING MATTERS

Five things

Continued from page 1 The whole research process can become rather frustrating. I do understand that you need to have the right information before making a decision, just try to make sure you are getting it from a highly trained professional, not a website that is trying to sell you hearing aids.

All hearing aids are the same

Hearing aids are essentially all the same, so the key is finding a highly trained, experienced hearing aid professional that is right for you. A hearing aid is a small electronic device that you wear in or behind your ear. It makes some sounds louder so that a person with hearing loss can listen, communicate, and participate more fully in daily activities. A hearing aid can help people hear more in both quiet and noisy situations. All hearing aids have three basic parts: a microphone, amplifier, and speaker. The hearing aid receives sound through a microphone, which converts the sound waves to electrical signals and sends them to an amplifier. The amplifier increases the power of the signals and then sends them to the ear through a speaker. Hearing aids are primarily useful in improving the hearing and speech comprehension of people who have hearing loss that results from damage to the small sensory cells in the inner ear, called hair cells. This type of hearing loss is called sensorineural hearing loss. The damage can occur as a result of disease, aging, or injury from noise or certain medicines. A hearing aid magnifies sound vibrations entering the ear. Surviving hair cells detect the larger vibrations and convert them into neural signals that are passed along to the brain. The greater the damage to a person’s hair cells, the more severe the hearing loss, and the greater the hearing aid amplification needed to make up the difference. There are practical limits to the

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the educational background and the practical experience you need, but they also need to be a good communicator and a great listener, capable of translating your experience into a technical solution to resolve any issues that might come up in the programming and troubleWhen you do compare hearing shooting of any problems you aids, the first question is NOT encounter. They need to be patient whether you want to get analog or and committed to helping you hear digital hearing aids. Or what brand as well as you possibly can. The or style you are going to get or any last thing you want is a professional other question about hearing aids who is delighted to sell you hearing themselves. “I‘m hearing better with my new aids and then avoids you if you need Hearing aids are essentially all BTE hearing aids”. adjustments or coaching. the same, so the key is finding a Do you trust them? Would you amount of amplification a hearing highly trained, experienced hearing feel comfortable referring your aid can provide. In addition, if the aid professional that is right for you. friends to this person? If you can inner ear is too damaged, even large First, check the credentials of the answer yes to these questions you vibrations will not be converted into person. Are they an Audiologist? are on the right track neural signals. In this situation, a They most certainly should be. Do a bit of research on the hearing aid would be ineffective. Audiologist’s have a Doctorate professionals around you: Hearing aids work differently or other advanced degree and • Ask for a referral from friends depending on the electronics used. are highly trained to evaluate the you know who have been successful The two main types of electronics entire auditory system and perform with hearing aids. Did they respect are analog and digital. diagnostic assessments to rule out and trust the Analog aids any medical person they convert sound issues that can worked with? waves into electrical have serious • Ask your signals, which are consequences. 1. Check the credentials. Primary Care amplified. Analog/ A master’s physician Are they an Audiologist? adjustable hearing level audiologist which hearing aids are custom has a six-year 2. Master’s level audiologist professional built to meet the degree and they refer needs of each has a six-year degree, M.S you will most patients to for user. The aid is programmed by commonly see or M.A behind their name. A hearing loss and the manufacturer according to the M.S or M.A Doctor of Audiology has an hearing aids. specifications recommended by your behind their Remember, this audiologist. Analog/programmable name. A Doctor eight-year degree with Au.D. person reflects behind their name. hearing aids have more than one of Audiology either a positive program or setting. An audiologist is a eight-year light or a can program the aid using a degree and they negative light on 3. One other credential will have Au.D. the physicians that you should look for behind their themselves; is a Board Certification in name. Another normally they Audiology. credential that select other you should look professionals for is a Board very carefully. Certification in • Make Audiology. certain they hold a valid audiology You are embarking on an license, are in good standing, and adventure toward better hearing. You have no dubious complaints against need to select the professional you them. Every state has a licensing are going to place your trust, your board for Audiologists. Check your computer, and the user can change money, your time and frankly your state’s web site for information. the program for different listening hopes with carefully. This might be If they have a business website environments—from a small, quiet something you have not given much spend some time looking around. room to a crowded restaurant to thought, but it may very well be the Are they professional? Does what large, open areas, such as a theater most important decision you make. they say about themselves and their or stadium. Analog/programmable You are going to be spending company fit with what you are circuitry can be used in all types of time with this person for years looking for? Do they give you a hearing aids. Analog aids usually are to come. It is important that it is less expensive than digital aids. clear reason why you should select someone you feel very comfortable Digital aids convert sound waves around and someone with whom you them? What sets them apart from into numerical codes, similar to the the other professionals in the area? can communicate effectively. You binary code of a computer, before Is their website an information will need to trust this professional amplifying them. Because the code to be able to open up and discuss resource? (This will tell you if they also includes information about a the difficulties you have been believe in patient education). sound’s pitch or loudness, the aid experiencing with your hearing loss can be specially programmed to and the communication difficulties amplify some frequencies more it has created for you. than others. Digital circuitry gives Being open and frank an audiologist more flexibility about the impact your in adjusting the aid to a user’s hearing loss has on needs and to certain listening your spouse, your environments. These aids also can family and friends, be programmed to focus on sounds as well as your coming from a specific direction. performance at work, is Digital circuitry can be used in all critical to your success. types of hearing aids. The person you “You can‘t even see my hearing aids.” select should have Jim Richardson

Choosing a hearing aid professional

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Success is contingent on a good exam

Good experiences with hearing aids are contingent on good data. A complete evaluation is critical in hearing aid selection as well as the accurate programming of the instruments. Very few insurance companies pay for the evaluation and Medicare will only cover the exam if referred by a physician and is not for the purpose of fitting hearing aids. You need to get a complete exam and you should be prepared to pay for it. Expect to pay around $100 depending on your location. You will see “Free Hearing Screening” offers in advertising. This test is a “bare bones” check to see if you have a hearing loss and are a candidate to proceed to a discussion of amplification. They do not provide enough information about your auditory system for a successful outcome with hearing aids. “Free” tests are never free. You will either pay for them as an additional component of the total price of the hearing aid or pay the price of a high-pressure sales approach after the test. A complete Audiological evaluation should include the following components: Otoscopic Evaluation A thorough examination of your ear canals will identify any blockage by debris or cerumen (earwax). If a significant amount of earwax is present, your ears need to be cleared of wax prior to completing the hearing testing. Some audiologists provide cerumen removal and others may refer you to your Primary Care physician. A visual inspection of the eardrum will also reveal any abnormalities, scaring or infections. Middle Ear Evaluation Most commonly referred to as a Tympanogram. This evaluation looks at the mobility of the eardrum and the middle ear bones as well as air pressure inside the middle ear. This gives the audiologist information on the integrity of the eardrum and if any perforations in the ear

www.HearingMatters.com "quiet" situation with each ear evaludrum are present. Acoustic ated separately and then again with reflexes are also measured with this test and give impor- both ears working together. Because tant neurological information we live every day in background noise, and it causes such a disruption about the hearing system. of our ability to understand speech, Otoacoustic Emission it is very important that a speech test Otoacoustic emission testing measures an “echo” reflected in the presence of background noise be included in the evaluation. One back as a sound is introduced into the ear canal. This gives the audiolo- test in particular that is commonly used is the QuickSin. It is invaluable gist valuable information about the in guiding the hearing aid selection anatomy of the ear that is essential for suppression of background noise. process and the advisability of directional mics and sophisticated noise Audiological Evaluation processing. This portion of the evaluation Before, during and after the testis what most people think of as a ing expect the audiologist to ask “hearing test”. It is administered questions- lots of quesin a sound treated room through either insert or traditional earphones. tions. Each person has a unique hearing history, Eight or nine separate frequencies are evaluated to identify the amount medical conditions, experience with past amplificaof volume required for the tone to tion, expectations, social be barely heard. This is referred and work environment to as your hearing threshold. This needs as well as budget. Any promethod of sound presentation is air fessional who does not ask enough conduction testing. It evaluates the questions to understand completely entire hearing pathway from the ear your unique situation and need is canal to the auditory cortex in the treating you like a “hearing loss” and brain. The frequency testing should be repeated with a second method of will then recommend a hearing aid sound presentation. This time an os- for the “hearing loss” not for YOU.

HEARING MATTERS

“My new hearing aids are very comfortable, sometimes I forget I‘m wearing them.” - Thomas Mauss

ation. It is not complete until you understand the results, recommendations, and all of your questions have been answered.

A hearing test will determine how the auditory system is working.Speech discrimination tests are run to determine the potential beneﬁt and understanding you should expect.

Purchasing hearing aids

It is important that you receive a written recommendation and it should include the information below at a minimum: •The manufacturer of the hearing aid •The specific model of the hearing aid •The price of the instruments and any additional services •How long is the manufacturer repair and loss and damage warranties •What their satisfaction guarantee is, including any requirements you must comply with, to return or exchange the hearing aids •If you exercise your legal right to return the hearing aids will any fees be withheld. Should you decide to purchase hearing aids and feel comfortable with the professional and their office, you should ask some additional questions. Have the audiologist tell you about their follow up policy. You should have your first follow up visit within one week of your initial hearing aid fitting and several additional visits during the adaptation period. Depending on your hearing loss, this adaptation period could be up to six months in duration. These visits should include detailed discussion of your experiences, the positive things you have experienced as well as any areas of difficulty. You should never feel like you are bothering your audiologist and that your comments and questions are trivial. They are there to make certain you are hearing as well as possible and you are receiving the maximum benefit from your hearing aids.

Breakthrough Interactive Fitting Technology For You and Our Specialists cillator is placed on the skull behind the ear, bypassing the middle ear and stimulating the cochlea directly. Speech Testing There is a big difference in hearing speech and being able to understand speech. A critical part of any evaluation is a measure of the accuracy in understanding a spoken word list. This test is administered in a

Once they have a complete understanding they are then able to link up your history, experiences, symptoms and needs and convert that into selecting the most appropriate instrument for you. Watch out for high-pressure tactics and sales gimmicks. A true professional will allow you to make this Clear view of the Tympanic decision on your own time frame. Membrane or Ear Feel free to continue to askDrum questions about the process or the hearing aids you are comfortable and ready Auntil Middle Ear check-up to move forward with the purchase. isIf performed you need to takeusing time to Tymdiscuss it with family, you should do that. panometry and/or Bone One of the best things that can Conduction to appointment determineis happen during your to experience ampliﬁcation Middle Earwhat function, as is like and what you might expect to well as ahearing battery other hear with aids. of Some audiologists will do this automatically tests consisting of Fidelity before explaining the test results; Hearing’s 36 point others may schedule a follow up visit for the hearing aid demonstraAudiological hearing test tion or even allow you to “test drive” you can trust. the hearing aid. Fiber camera optic camera inspects general health auditory of the canal A complete explanation of your A ﬁberoptic inspects the generalthe health of the external hearing and test results is an imporexternal auditory canal for cerumen ear wax and any for cerumen (ear wax) and any conditions that require attention. TympanoFidelity Hearing Aid Center tant part of the test and your evalumetryobstruction and Bone Conduction determine Middle Earproblem. function. which may be part of the

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6 HEARING MATTERS

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Types of Hearing Loss Causes of hearing loss

Wearing new E-3 hearing aids. Ray Munoz

In general terms, there are two types of hearing loss, conductive and sensorineural. A combination of both is also seen as a mixed hearing loss.

Conductive hearing loss

Conductive hearing loss is caused by any condition or disease that blocks or impedes the conveyance of sound through the outer or middle ear. The result is a reduction in the sound intensity (loudness) that reaches the cochlea. Generally, the cause of conductive hearing loss can be treated with a complete or partial improvement in hearing. Sensorineural hearing loss Sensorineural hearing loss results from inner ear or auditory nerve dysfunction. Often, the cause cannot be determined. It is typically irreversible and permanent. It, too, reduces the intensity of sound, but it might also result in a lack of clarity even when sounds, particularly speech, are loud enough. The treatment for sensorineural hearing loss is amplification through hearing aids.

Mixed hearing loss

A mixed hearing loss is a combination of a conductive and a sensorineural hearing loss. Hearing aids can be beneficial for persons with a mixed hearing loss, but caution should be exercised.

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The main causes of hearing loss are as follows: •Aging (presbycusis) •Excessive noise (i.e. construction, rock music, gun shot, etc.) •Sudden onset infections (otitis media) •Injury to the head or ear •Birth defects or genetics (i.e. otosclerosis) •Ototoxic reaction to drugs or cancer treatment (i.e. antibiotics, chemotherapy, radiation)

• Otitis media (ear infections) • exposure to a sudden loud noise or repeated exposure to noise without adequate protection • trauma to the head or neck as in a concussion or whiplash injury • some medications induce head noises • high or low blood pressure “I loved my ﬁrst hearing aid so much, I or anemia bought the other.” - Packard Polin

Treatment of Tinnitus

Correcting treatable causes concentration on Tinnitus. Other of Tinnitus (i.e. ear wax buildworthwhile treatments to exup, allergy, infection, syphilis) plore are cognitive therapy and often will improve the condiTinnitus Retraining Therapy tion. (TRT). Conclusion Because However, when the cause is unknown, or when head noises Tinnitus may be symptomatic of a more serious disorder, it arise from within the cochlea, auditory nerve, or brain, treatis important to try and find the Tinnitus – often simply ment becomes more difficult. cause before treating the head referred to as ringing-in-theMost medications and surgical noises by any of these means. If ears or head noises is a sound procedures have not been sucheard by one or both ears that you or someone you know sufcessful in relieving Tinnitus. is described by different people fers from Tinnitus, I urge you to Because of the direct asin various ways. To some it is a contact an ear doctor (otologist sociation between the hearing high-pitched ringing, whining, or otolaryn-gologist) or audiolomechanism and the nervous or hissing sound, like listengist as soon as possible. system, Tinnitus sufferers have ing to a conch shell. To others been advised to avoid nervous it may be a low roaring noise. tension, fatigue, and stimulants. Tinnitus can be very mild, noticeable only in a quiet room, or Sedatives, biofeed back, and other relaxation techniques it can become so loud and annoying the victim hears nothing may offer some people temporary relief. The only other else. It can be persistent, interapproach that so far has mittent, or throbbing, depending on the cause. Some 50 mil- achieved any success has lion adults suffer from Tinnitus. been Tinnitus Maskers to mask the ringing sound For 12 million, the problem with other sounds is so severe they are incapacias a means of tated. While Tinnitus does not cause hearing disorders, it may distracting the individual‘s accompany decreased hearing and other ear symptoms such as PATIENT TESTIMONIAL pressure, unsteadiness, or dizziAs a musician in an orches- and now and it’s much better. When ness. Often, it occurs alone. tra, hearing the directions I play my instrument by myself, Some of the main causes are: from the conductor was a no problem. Even the quality is so • Wax buildup or obstructions problem. Now, it’s a lot better since much better. I’m able to control in the outer ear canal perforathe dynamics and play with more I’ve had my hearing aids. tion in the eardrum or fluid The biggest problem I disco- sensitivity, power, and passion accumulation behind vered was in a crowded restaurant in my music. Now it’s easier to • Otosclerosis - the stirrup bone where everyone is talking. I used follow, hear, and be in sync with (stapes) becomes fixed

Tinnitus, or Head Noises

“

to just sit and eat. The first time I

John Feeney came home with my new hearing aids, the sound didn’t seem quite right, so I went back to Dr. DeKriek. He fine-tuned and adjusted them, © 2009 ECNG, Inc. Reproduction prohibited unless permitted.

the conductor, and to get through the entire piece easily. Through this experience my association with Dr. DeKriek has been very helpful. Both my mother and father had hearing problems when they were in their eighties. It hit me a few years ago. and I had problems in situations struggling hearing people, even when I was talking one on one. Now the hearing aids are fitting well and are tuned so clearly. Now I can function again normally and hear with confidence. I’m so glad I came in!

”

Fidelity Hearing Center 562.275.3606

www.HearingMatters.com

HEARING MATTERS

The psychological and social strains of hearing loss

fight or flight which is a subconscious avoidance of any potential communicative situation such as church, family gatherings, noisy restaurants and clubs. Perhaps the situation calls for a visit with a handful of friends and family in a living room where the lights are low, the television is Your hearing aids are a blessing to our blaring, and some are sitting marriage”- Everett and Mary Jo Baker at a distance. That situation can be tough with normal pontaneous interhearing, but with hearing change is important loss it’s almost impossible. to our everyday Instead of relaxing and enlives.” For some with fading joying the moment, a person is hearing abilities, it seems impor- in the throes of almost insurtant to continue to maintain an mountable illusion of proper hearing in any commugiven situation. When social en- nication vironments present themselves, obstacles. the hearing impaired individual More will often laugh whole-heartedly pressure, at the unheard punch line, or more vigorously applaud for no other tension, reason than everyone else is do- anxiety, ing so. and energy Over 90% of those with hear- is spent ing loss are in denial. The invis- trying to ibility of hearing loss makes it catch the almost transparent to the sufconversation. No wonder people ferer. As the problem worsens, get frustrated and exhausted. it remains easy to deny that they No wonder they fall asleep in have a hearing problem. Some church. If you can’t hear it why are actually convincing thembother to listen? Drawn inward selves that it’s still too early for from the loss, people can behelp. come negatively self-centered. As the hearing loss progress- Interactions become forced, bees, the hearing impaired become labored, repetitious, and worse more psycho-socially inhibited, responses become inappropriate keeping them from seeking and embarrassing. hearing assistance that is availWith those kinds of humiliatable to them. ing mistakes the person feels The continual denial and embarrassed, and the fear of rerefusal for help or to accept their peating such an incident reduces problem causes them to live in interaction. a distorted perspective and in a This can be a strain on the constant defensive strategy to spouse. There is a loss of closehide their loss for fear of being ness and intimacy for both of discovered. In many instances, them. What is happening? The they have to bluff their way spouse is smothered by depenthrough even the most trivial dency, and then blamed for not and mundane social situations. speaking clearly, or not underThis is the social equivalent to standing, or expecting too much. The spouse is supposed to be the ears now. That certainly is a lot of pressure to put on anyone, and usually does not work out too well. Perhaps they get away to take a trip, just them alone. He finds that he cannot hear in the car because of the road noise or the distance between them. Then there’s her quiet, high-pitched voice, not to mention she may “I can’t believe how much I be sitting on his bad side. was missing.” - Kay Kimura This results in wanting his

“S

wife to repeat herself and speak up over and over again, it eventually becomes a tug of war battle of who’s right and who’s wrong. They are each drawn inward and resign themselves to going it alone into their quiet world, feeling sorry for themselves, unloved, depressed, and eventually forgotten. If a man has a chance to help his hearing and delays it, he tends to do so for an average of seven years. He will not be back until he is ﬁnally convinced that he is not just a cantankerous, opinionated or socially diminished individual but has a legitimate hearing problem that really needs help. Little by little, dayby-day, it grows worse. Before long, only half the words are clear and many he can barley make out at all. Most people think hearing loss is simply words and sounds becoming fainter, turn up the sound or talk louder will enable the person to hear better. Not so. Distortion- how clear the words are-is also major part of hearing loss. Even if the words are loud enough, the inner ear interprets them as distorted. This gradually grows worse and worse with time. It can become permanent, ruining the ability to understand words and even limiting how much help can be obtained after correction. The longer hearing loss is

“Thanks Doc, I appreciate your help.” - Duffy Baker

ignored, the more deterioration there will be. A person thinks they may be able to get away with turning the TV louder or ask to repeat and talk louder, but they are usually disappointed when they still cannot understand. If help is sought early enough, studies show that the right hearing devices, if worn regularly, can actually slow down the deterioration of the auditory system. The longer you wait, the more your brain will forget. As Helen Keller once said: “Deafness is a worse misfortune than blindness, for it means the loss of the most vital stimulus – the sound of voice that brings language, sets thoughts astir, and keeps us in the intellectual company of man. Without my eye sight I am inconvenienced, without my hearing I am isolated and lonely.” Thanks to today’s advancements and caring professionals you don’t have to remain alone. At Fidelity Hearing Center, we have the expertise and patience to help you hear better again.

PATIENT TESTIMONIAL

Luis Salazar

“

I was very hesitant to go to a hearing doctor, my kids finally convinced me to go. They would get frustrated with me at family parties because I could not hear very

well and I would have to have my wife next to me to help. So I started looking around and through another friend, found Dr. DeKriek. I was very impressed with his office and expertise. He fitted me with an aid that day and it has progressively got better so now I can hold a conversation with people. Dr. DeKriek was great, he asked all the right questions, did an extensive examination that led to my new aid. I would recommend Fidelity Hearing Center and Dr. DeKriek to anyone.

”

www.HearingMatters.com

8 HEARING MATTERS

Fidelity Hearing Center 562.275.3606

Trouble Hearing? Let me help.

Dr. David J. DeKriek, Au.D. Board Certiﬁed in Audiology • •

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www.starkey.com *Sarampalis, A., Kalluri, S., Edwards, B., Hafter, E. (2009, October) Objective measures of listening effort: Effects of background noise and noise reduction. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 52, 1230 1240.

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