It Keeps You Safe</STRONG></H4><P>Hearing is one of the five most important senses, and it plays a huge role in keeping you aware of your surroundings. That’s why whether you’re at the gym, the field, or just alone in your own home, nothing can ever go wrong with wearing your sports hearing aids while working out.</P><P> </P><P>For instance, if you love jogging in parks, your hearing aids can help you hear the horns of cars speeding behind you. Meanwhile, if you’re all alone doing aerobics in your home, you can easily answer if someone rings your phone or knocks on your door.</P><P> </P><P>Additionally, most sports tend to have a signal for safety while you’re on the field. Taking golf as an example, golfers yell ‘fore’ to warn another player or bystander that they are standing where the golf ball is headed.</P><H4><STRONG>It Helps You Communicate Better</STRONG></H4><P>Another reason why you should wear your Bluetooth hearing aids during exercise is the ability to communicate with your trainer, co-players, etc. Without wearing them, you’ll likely have a hard time listening to instructions from your trainer or coach.</P><P> </P><P>Apart from that, most sports often have teams. Hence, wearing sports hearing aids will help you hear their signals (e.g., when they’re passing the ball to you) and won’t disrupt teamwork.</P><H4><STRONG>Still Skeptical?</STRONG></H4><P>Are you still worried about your hearing aids getting broken or damp with sweat while working out? Here are some tips you can follow to protect your hearing aid:</P><UL><LI>Wear a sweatband or sweat covers.</LI><LI>Secure them in place with a hearing aid clip or lanyard or put on a close-fitting headband or cap.</LI><LI>Dry them right after use.</LI></UL><P> </P><P>However, if you’re into water sports like swimming, surfing, etc., you should keep in mind that those sports require waterproof hearing aids. So it’s best to stay away from using regular or water-resistant ones.</P><H4><STRONG>Turn to The Hearing Doctor</STRONG></H4><P>Start your journey towards better hearing with help from The Hearing Doctor. We have experienced specialists who can assess your hearing and find solutions to help it improve. We also offer high-quality hearing aid devices such as Phonak Lyric. Visit us for a free hearing consultation today!
Like any body part, ears are susceptible to ailments such as infections and congestions. They can also develop more serious conditions like hearing impairment or loss. When you feel like something is wrong with your ear, it’s important to know which kind of doctor you need to consult for a proper diagnosis.</P> <H3><STRONG>What Does an Audiologist Do?</STRONG></H3> <P>Audiologists are health care professionals who identify, diagnose, and provide solutions to a wide range of auditory disorders such as:</P> <UL> <LI>Mixed hearing loss</LI> <LI>Conductive hearing loss</LI> <LI>Sensorineural hearing loss</LI> <LI>Central auditory processing disorder</LI> <LI>Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder</LI> </UL> <P>They also evaluate and treat people experiencing issues with their balance and persistent ringing in their ears (tinnitus). Audiologists are the ones who recommend hearing aid devices. They take ear impressions which serve as molds for the ears that make for a more custom-fit hearing aid.</P> <H3><STRONG>When Should You See an Audiologist?</STRONG></H3> <P>You should see an audiologist if you notice a change in your hearing. For instance, if you have recent experiences where you find it difficult to hear and understand conversations.</P> <P>Another reason to see an audiologist is when there’s frequent ringing, buzzing, or whooshing in your ears even though you’re in a quiet place. This is known as tinnitus and can be a sign that there may be hearing loss present. Lastly, if you notice that you’re having difficulty with your balance, and often feel like you’re spinning, don’t hesitate to get checked by an audiologist. Make sure that you have been cleared of other conditions with similar symptoms like hypertension first.</P> <H3><STRONG>What Does an ENT Doctor Do?</STRONG></H3> <P>ENT stands for ear, nose, and throat. Unlike audiologists, ENT doctors aren’t only focused on seeing and treating patients who have ear or hearing problems. ENT doctors are health professionals who are trained to provide both medical and surgical care.</P> <H3><STRONG>When Should You See an ENT doctor?</STRONG></H3> <P>Patients who often see an ENT doctor or an otolaryngologist are those who experience earaches and ear infections. Many times, the throbbing pain in the ears is caused by an infection.</P> <P>If that’s the case, ENT doctors can prescribe antibiotics, pain killers, and other medications to treat the patient after a thorough examination. But since ENT doctors don’t only specialize in ear problems, you can also visit them if you have clogged sinuses or even a sore throat.</P> <H3><STRONG>Visit The Hearing Doctor</STRONG></H3> <P>If you have noticed that you or one of your loved ones are finding it difficult to hear things, don’t hesitate to consult with an audiologist. Here at The Hearing Doctor, we provide quality hearing care to our patients.</P> <P>Not only do we examine and diagnose people with hearing loss, but we also provide high-quality hearing aids to help them communicate better. So, if you want to learn more about what an audiologist does, please don’t hesitate to visit our clinic!
What Causes Swimmer’s Ear</STRONG></H4> <P>The condition can be caused by several factors such as an injury to the ear canal or excessive wax accumulation. The most common cause of an outer ear infection is the buildup of stagnant water in the ear canal, causing a breeding ground for bacteria. High-risk populations for this infection include frequent swimmers and divers, hence the term “Swimmer’s Ear”.</P> <H4><STRONG>How To Prevent Swimmer’s Ear</STRONG></H4> <P>Prevention is key to the management and treatment of an outer ear infection. With the right precautions, swimmer’s ear can be avoided. Here are a few ways to prevent swimmer’s ear:</P> <P>● Keep Your Ears Dry – The easiest and most common way to prevent swimmer’s ear is to keep your ears dry. Dry your outer ear thoroughly with a soft towel after a swim or bath.<BR/> ● Use Earplugs When You Swim – If you’re going swimming, use <A href="https://www.myhearingdoc.com/services/">custom-molded earplugs</A>. The use of swim plugs can prevent water from entering the ear canal and causing infection. Swim plugs have also been shown to improve comfort during swimming activities.<BR/> ● Maintain Proper Ear Hygiene – The ear protects itself from foreign bodies and dryness by producing ear wax. This is an important component of the auditory system, therefore it is recommended to lightly clean the outer ear to maintain a healthy environment for the ear canal.<BR/> ● Use Ear Drops Before and After a Swim – Applying ear drops can be very helpful in preventing swimmer’s ear. Over-the-counter solutions are readily available in pharmacies and grocery stores.<BR/> ● Avoid Sticking Objects In Your Ears – Don’t insert anything into your ear to remove earwax. This includes your fingers, cotton swabs, and other small items. This can severely damage the ear canal and possibly rupture your eardrum.</P> <P> </P> <P>These are great recommendations to prevent swimmer’s ear. Keep these tips and tricks in mind, especially during the Summertime! For more information related to ears and hearing, get in touch with The Hearing Doctor. Call or send us an email to schedule an appointment.
At What Decibel Is Hearing Protection Required?</STRONG></H3> <P>According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), “hazardous” noise is defined as exposure to 85dB or more lasting an 8-hour working period. At this level of exposure, all employees exposed are required to have access to feasible hearing protection. The rule of thumb is for every 5 dB increase in noise level, the exposure time should be reduced by 50%. For example, if the noise level increases to 90 dB, the exposure time should not exceed 6 hours.</P> <H3><STRONG>Types of Hazardous Noise</STRONG></H3> <P>There are two types of risks related to hazardous noise. Sudden bursts of extremely loud noise can cause immediate damage to your ears. People are often not prepared ahead of time when these noises occur and may not have hearing protection nearby. Sudden noises can easily reach over 120dB, which can cause permanent hearing damage after only a few seconds. An example of a source that can generate sudden bursts of noise would be a machine press.<BR/> <BR/>Prolonged hazardous noise exposure is usually lower in dB level but can cause permanent hearing damage. The noise levels may be more tolerable but have been shown to cause significant damage over time. For example, construction noise may not always be extremely loud. However, if you are around this type of noise daily, it can begin to affect your ability to hear long-term.<BR/> <BR/>It is important to note that both types of hazardous noise may appear to be “safe,” as one doesn’t last very long and the other is a more tolerable level of noise. Both types of noise exposure can cause permanent damage without appropriate use of hearing protection.</P> <H3><STRONG>Effects of Hazardous Noise in the Workplace</STRONG></H3> <UL> <LI><B>Noise-induced hearing loss –</B> This is the most common effect of exposure to hazardous noise and is listed as the most common preventable health condition. Hazardous levels of noise vary based on the amount in dB and length of exposure time.</LI> <LI><B>Tinnitus –</B> Ringing in the ears is an early sign of damage to your ears. Tinnitus is the medical term for the sensation of hearing a ringing or buzzing sound.</LI> <LI><B>Occupational stress –</B> Persistent exposure to loud sounds while working can induce stress to the worker, even at low levels of noise. Occupational stress can cause more health and safety risks due to attention and irritability.</LI> </UL> <P>If you feel like you may be at risk for hazardous noise exposure or want to learn more, contact The Hearing Doctor to schedule an appointment with one of our providers
