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NewsletterJuly 2008 |
Hello, everyone!
Happy Fourth of July!! We hope you all have a very fun and safe 4th, and continue to have a wonderful summer. |
 | Right now, we're in the midst of the Olympic Track and Field Trials being held here in Eugene, Oregon—which is joined to the hip of Springfield. So far, we've had a very mild—even cool—month of June—now, wham! We're hit with 90 plus degree temperatures! That should be fun, huh?! One thing we all look forward to around here on the 4th—the end of allergy season! Hopefully, that'll hold true this year, even though we've had a delayed allergy season. |  | |
We have a couple of interesting things to report to you this month. We hope you find these bits of information helpful.
Diabetes and Hearing Loss
A new study conducted by NIH (National Institutes of Health) has found that adults with diabetes are twice as likely to have hearing loss than those adults who are not diabetic. The study was done with a sampling of working age adults between 20 to 69 years old. Hearing impairment was measured in eight different ways using the data compiled from the hearing tests. This study done by NIH found a "strong and consistent link between hearing impairment and diabetes using a number of different outcomes." The connection between diabetes and hearing loss was noticeable across all frequencies, but with a stronger connection in the higher frequencies (which are the frequencies required for understanding speech).
In addition, those adults with pre-diabetes (when the blood glucose level is higher than normal, but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis) had a hearing loss at a 30 percent higher rate than those adults with normal blood sugar levels.
The study found that even as early as the ages of 30-40 years old, there was a definite connection between hearing impairment and diabetes. Up to now, hearing loss has not often been recognized as a complication of diabetes, so it is worth noting that those with this disease should consider having a hearing evaluation to determine if their hearing is affected.
Hearing Loss and Hospital Stays
As you may already know, it's important to verify instructions and medications administered while a hospital patient. Mistakes can occur.
Researchers who conducted a study of nearly 2400 patient records from 20 hospitals in Quebec, Canada, discovered that mistakes which are considered "preventable adverse events" occur three times more often among patients who have communication problems, hearing loss falling into that category.
These "preventable adverse events" cause prolonged hospital stays, hospital readmissions, and impairment of recovery. Oftentimes these mistakes involve incorrect drug administration, inappropriate treatment, treatment delay, or even failure to monitor a patient's condition. The study also found that most of these situations occur in patients who are over the age of 65, and occur more often in women than in men.
It's important to be able to hear your doctor's instructions whether in the hospital or during a regular office consultation. Good recommendations to follow in order to prevent these adverse events:
- Having appropriate hearing instruments
- Making it clear that you have a hearing impairment so that caregivers are aware and make adjustments in their communication to you, and
- Having an advocate (friend or family member) with you during your consultation or hospital stay
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
"Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted."
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Reminders |
| If you last had your hearing instruments cleaned in January, 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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