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NewsletterApril 2008 |
Hello, everyone! |
Spring is here! Yippee!! Nothing like an Oregon spring to put a smile on your face...green grass and flowers in abundance everywhere.
I just love spring! |
 We hope you all are enjoying spring where you are, too. And, we hope that you are having good success with your hearing. If you have particular questions that we may be able to answer for you, please feel free to email me, and I will do my best to provide the information you are seeking.
To be informed is to be well-armed, so they say! We are very fortunate to have so many sources that provide updated information on almost a daily basis. We'll be sharing some of the latest information regarding hearing loss and tinnitus in this month's newsletter. |
Tinnitus News
Tinnitus relief and acupuncture
A recent study that appeared in the European Journal of Neuroscience has shown that when hearing cells are damaged, touch-sensing nerve cells in the brain increase their activity. The hyperactivity of these particular cells seems to indicate an important role in tinnitus.
This study further seems to indicate that acupuncture may provide relief from tinnitus because of its ability to target nerves in the head and neck.
Tinnitus relief and rTMS
In another study conducted by Dr. Eman M. Khedr, of Assiut University Hospital in Egypt, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has shown promise in relieving tinnitus. For this study, daily rTMS was done over the left temporoparietal cortex at 1Hz, 10Hz, 25Hz for 2 weeks; after that, rTMS was conducted once a month for 4 consecutive months. Significant results were found for the good and partial responders, indicating that 10 daily sessions of rTMS may be a safe and effective method of reducing chronic tinnitus for several months. However, patients who had suffered from tinnitus over long periods of time were the least likely to respond to this treatment.
U.S. troops developing severe hearing loss / tinnitus
Just this week, our local paper had an article regarding our soldiers and Marines serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Astounding statistics are showing that a growing number of our service men and women who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan are impacted with severe hearing loss and chronic tinnitus. Nearly 70,000 of the more than 1.3 million troops are collecting disability for tinnitus alone! More than 58,000 are on disability for hearing loss, according to the VA, making hearing loss the top disability for our troops!
Because much of the fighting is due to ambushes, which are situations that arise suddenly, there is no time to stop and insert ear protection. Additionally this ear protection can interfere with being able to hear subtle sounds that make the difference between life and death in war zones. Some troops have not been using their ear protection correctly or just forgetting to use it at all. Consequently, over the past three years, the military has been providing better and easier-to-use earplugs, with better instruction in usage and the importance of protecting one's hearing.
Military officials believe that their efforts to address this situation will slow the rate of new hearing damage cases, though, obviously, it won't provide a solution for many war-zone circumstances. For many of our returning troops, the constant tinnitus is a continual reminder of their war experiences.
Ginkgo Biloba
As many of you may remember, Ginkgo Biloba is one of the supplements recommended to help with tinnitus relief. In the February 27th edition of the online issue of Neurology, there is a report that indicates that the use of this extract may help delay the onset of cognitive impairment in normal elderly adults. However, for some reason still unknown to researchers, there appears to be a higher incidence of strokes and TIAs in ginkgo-treated patients.
Dr. Hiroko H. Dodge, lead author of this study from Oregon State University in Corvallis, is continuing this study to address the growing number of people in our society who face the risk of developing dementia.
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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
"Laugh every day—it's like inner jogging"
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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 associate's 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 digital hearing instruments, we will gladly 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. |
How to receive our newsletter |
| If you have friends or loved ones who would like to receive our newsletter via email, we will be happy to add them to our email list. All you need to do is have them contact me to provide me with their name and email address. We also have copies of the newsletter in our office if you would like to pick them up here. |
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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
Before or after hours, you are welcome to
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