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NewsletterApril 2007 |
Hello, everyone! |
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Jim had a great time at Tri-State and enjoyed the classes and learning more about the new products being made available this year. We are fitting many of these new products on our patients and are very happy with the results. Technology is changing all the time, and because of the many advancements being made today, hearing aids are able to do more and provide more benefit for those with hearing loss. It certainly makes it easier and provides more satisfaction in helping folks to hear better! | |
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Keeping you informed
Latest news about permanent hearing loss
Medical News Today, in their February 13, 2007 edition, posted an article regarding hearing loss. According to this article, "Permanent hearing loss is the third most common chronic health condition in people over the age of 65, and roughly 30 million people in the United States have significant permanent hearing loss."
Airbag deployment, inpulse noise and permanent hearing loss
Dr. G. Richard Price, an auditory physiologist, did a study on impulse noise, specific to airbag deployment. He found that 17 percent of people exposed to this particular noise will suffer some permanent hearing loss. His research also shows that it is less hazardous to one's hearing to have the windows rolled up during airbag deployment than to have them down—which is the opposite of what it was thought previously.
Base-line hearing test recommended
It's worthy to note that musicians also suffer from hearing loss due to loud instruments, speakers, acoustics, etc. As you lose hearing, your ear's ability to discern loudness is reduced, and the ear cannot protect itself as efficiently as it was once able. Hence, by the time you realize that you have a hearing problem, the damage has already been done.
It's good to get a base-line hearing test performed. This will tell you if you have any hearing loss and in what frequencies. Regular hearing tests will provide you with information in changes to your hearing. Be pro-active in protecting your hearing: reduce the intensity and duration of sound exposure in your various environments. Wear hearing protection if warranted. This is the key to maintaining good hearing.
Folic Acid
The January 2 edition of Annals of Internal Medicine posted a three year study involving the affects of folic acid on hearing. The subjects in the study were 728 older adults who had high homocysteine levels in their blood. Folic acid lowers homocysteine levels. These 728 people were given a daily dose of folic acid or a placebo. Those who were given the folic acid had a slightly smaller decline in their low frequency hearing than those who were given the placebo. There was no difference shown in the high frequencies.
Pulsatile Tinnitus
My New Hampshire cousin, Penny, sent me the following correspondence with Dr. Donohue which she found online:
| "DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have a serious problem. I say "serious" because I have had a doctor laugh at me for asking the following question, for which, incidentally, I paid $25. For about six years, I can hear my heartbeat loudly in my left ear. No one can tell me why. I hear it 24/7. I am about to lose my sanity. I pray you can help. — D.M." |
"Lots of people hear their heartbeat in one or both ears. The condition is called pulsatile tinnitus. One of the biggest causes for it is artery hardening, something that comes with age. Blood flowing through less flexible arteries near the ear becomes noisy. People hear their own heartbeat. Caffeinated beverages make the beating louder.
"Put a radio at your bedside and tune it to soothing music at night. The music can often muffle the heartbeat sound. If music doesn't work, then turn the radio to a location where you hear static. Static often gets rid of the heartbeat noise. Sometimes changing the head position abolished the beating sound.
"A few rare conditions produce pulsatile tinnitus—a narrowed neck artery, an artery-vein malformation, a damaged aortic heart valve and high blood pressure are examples. I would guess these conditions would have been discovered in the past six years you have had the problem."
| Objective Tinnitus
Pulsatile tinnitus is also classified as objective tinnitus when others are able to hear the sound.
Fluctuating Tinnitus
It is not unusual for tinnitus to come and go. Sometimes this means that the tinnitus is preparing to go away. Sometimes tinnitus is affected by the barometric pressure: when the barometric pressure is up, the tinnitus increases; when it goes down, the tinnitus does likewise.
It is suggested that one pays close attention to one's tinnitus—what may bring on the good and bad phases. Remember, diet and medication can play a large part in affecting one's tinnitus.
Another fascinating book by Dr. Geoffrey Simmons
Last July, I mentioned Dr. Simmons' new book, What Darwin Didn't Know. His easy-to-read style explaining the workings of each part of the human body in layman's terms makes for most interesting reading. Dr. Simmons has a new book out this year entitled, Billions of Missing Links, A Rational Look at the Mysteries Evolution Can't Explain. While Dr. Simmons' previous book concentrated on the intricacies of the human body, this new scientific work encompasses the world of nature—a thought-provoking, great read!
His well-researched book is a wealth of information about various species of animals, flora and fauna, viruses, and our eco-system in detail. My mother's favorite piece of information she garnered from reading this book: cockroaches spread polio, among other viruses. In fact, one can become well-acquainted with this creepy pest after reading three pages devoted to its structure and habits. Did you know that there are 600 carnivorous species and subspecies in the plant kingdom? Velvet worms, flying fish, microbial viruses—all and more are examined in Billions of Missing Links....
Dr. Simmons' books can be purchased online or at your favorite book store. [Some of you may have heard Dr. Simmons on Coast to Coast AM with George Noory on Tuesday, March 20th. Dr. Simmons' bio states that, "Dr. Geoffrey Simmons, MD, is a board certified physician in internal medicine, the author of several books, and a frequent lecturer. He is a highly-regarded expert in the area of evolutionary theory and serves on the Board of Directors of Physicians and Surgeons for Scientific Integrity, which promotes debate concerning Darwinism and alternative theories on origins. In 2006, he accepted the prestigious position of Senior Fellow of the Discovery Institute."]
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We welcome comments and suggestions
If you would like to comment or offer suggestions for topics to be covered in our Newsletter, please feel free to contact me. I'd love to hear from you! Also, if our Newsletter has been helpful to you, please forward your friends and loved ones to our web site address: www.advancedhearingplus.com .
Beth Bell |
Quote of the Month
"Diplomacy is the art of letting someone else get your way."
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Reminders |
| If you last had your hearing instruments cleaned in October, it is time to get them cleaned this month! |
Assisted Listening Devices |
| For Assisted Listening Devices, please visit our online store. We offer many products, including TV Ears, at competitive prices and shipped directly to your door. Satisfaction guaranteed. |
Referrals |
If you know someone who has been thinking about getting some new hearing aids and benefiting from newer technology, please send them our way. If they purchase a set of premium digital instruments, we will gladly supply you with 2 free boxes of batteries. If they purchase a set of basic or advanced digital hearing instruments, we will supply you with 1 free box of batteries.
We appreciate your referrals! As you know, we do not use telemarketing to acquire new customers. We rely upon word-of-mouth and media advertising. Not only will they receive the best care, but we can save them money, too! |
Questions? Comments? |
| Do you have a question, comment, or concern? Do you have a testimonial that you would like us to include in a future newsletter? Please don't hesitate to contact Jim or contact me. |
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How to contact us
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Office Hours
Monday thru Friday 9-5
Saturday by appointment only
Address and Phone
816 Beltline Rd
Springfield, OR 97477
Telephone: 541-746-7671
Toll Free: 800-230-1953
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