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NewsletterJanuary 2006 |
Hello, everyone! |
We hope you all had a very blessed Christmas and Happy New Year! We enjoyed being able to take some time off to spend with our families. Some of you know that I took a few days off from work---I had some vacation time to use--didn't go anywhere or do anything glamorous like a cruise---I stayed home and painted my bathroom! You know, like my cousin said, it doesn't matter what size the room, there are still at least four corners! I am convinced that it takes longer to paint a small room than it does a large one sometimes!! When I came back to work, I hit the deck running. Larry K. stopped by today and commented on my messy desk---the result of trying to catch up and multi-task current business at the same time! Whew---but I'm about caught up now, and my desk is no longer a disaster area. Hey, Larry, you left too soon.....
Our special event with Nikolas Klakow from Bernafon back in December went very well. We made a number of new friends, and were able to help them with their hearing. Nikolas was able to renew friendships with several former patients of his who came to see him during our special. All in all, it was a lot of fun and very rewarding. The fun is seeing people's faces light up when they can hear, and making some great friends. We truly do have the best customers, and we regard them like family.
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Interesting Facts: |
 In our last Newsletter, we discussed the impact of hearing loss on a person and their relationships. There is additional information that indicates that untreated hearing loss is a rising statistic in divorce. This is further indication that hearing loss is a major factor involved in family dynamics.
An Italian study involving the testing of 13,710 people over the age of 60 at six different frequencies, shows that hearing loss is most pronounced in the high frequencies (which are the frequencies needed for speech clarification). This study showed that over time, it becomes very difficult for most people to hear ordinary speech between 500 and 3000 Hz as well. Between 250 and 3,000 Hz (the low frequencies) hearing loss is nearly identical among men and women. In these low frequencies, the average hearing loss increases from 22-25 dB in the 60-64 age range to 38-48 dB in the highest age group. However, in the high frequencies (2000-8000 Hz), men have a much higher hearing loss than women from the age of 60. At 4,000 Hz, men have a 20 dB greater loss than women of the same age. |
Warning regarding the new type of cordless drill and screwdriver---impact drivers!
The Consumers' Union reports that these new drills are extremely noisy and a threat to your hearing! These new drills average 104 dB at ear level under heavy load (as loud as chain saws!), which is above the 85 dB at which CU recommends hearing protection. Remember---one minute of exposure to 110 dB of noise puts you at risk for permanent hearing loss!! The NIHealth recommends no more than 15 minutes of unprotected exposure to noise at 100 dB.
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Another subject that is being talked about quite a bit in the news these days concerns IPODS! In fact, Jim was recently interviewed on one of our local TV stations regarding this. Believe me, we are seeing younger and younger individuals in our office because of hearing loss concerns. The problem with Ipods is that people listen to their favorite music with earbuds inserted into their ear canals, taking the sound that much closer to their eardrums. Sustained noise at high decibels, even over a relatively short amount of time will result in hearing loss. As you know, most teens enjoy listening to their favorite music--LOUD--and tend to do so for long periods of time. Listening for short periods of time, at a moderate setting---say 65dB---is fine. If you have kids or grandkids using Ipods, you may want to do some more research and present them with some facts. They may not listen, but it's worth a try... |
As always, your questions and comments are welcome.
Beth Bell |
Quote of the Month
"Give and take are good friends."
Scottish Proverb |
Reminders |
| If you last had your hearing instruments cleaned in August, it is time to get them cleaned this month! |
Assistive Listening Devices |
| For Assistive 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 3 free boxes of batteries (roughly a year's supply). 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 email 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 email 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
call and leave a
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