What a crazy time it is! Some days, I feel emotionally stable, and other days, I feel a little panicked. I also realized the more I watch TV or read the news, the more stressed I become. I am now limiting the amount of TV/news exposure I get and have much less physical tension and emotional stress. We are all trying to navigate staying healthy with staying sane as we take care of our basic needs. It seems that day to day, things ebb and flow, but try to remember this has happened to society … [Read more...] about Considering Daily Practice During COVID-19
Dr. Karon Lynn
Variables Regarding Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
One of the most frequently seen hearing losses is caused by noise exposure. Noise that is damaging to the delicate system of hearing can be heard from chainsaws, guns, skill saws, heavy equipment, carpentry power tools, landscaping equipment, motorcycles and off-road vehicles. A good rule of thumb is if you need to raise your voice to be heard over a noise, that noise could potentially cause hearing loss. Other factors to consider is the length of time you are exposed to loud sound and the … [Read more...] about Variables Regarding Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Treating Hearing Loss in Babies
Hearing loss in children is more common than you may realize. Hearing loss occurs in two to three per 100 babies born in the United States, prompting hospitals to offer hearing screening as part of the newborn package or charge a small fee for the test. I strongly recommend all parents have their baby’s hearing checked prior to discharge. Hearing Test for Newborns The hearing test is quick and painless for the baby. It is administered by either a nurse or other hospital employee trained in … [Read more...] about Treating Hearing Loss in Babies
Hearing in a Noisy Place
Many people say to their audiologist that they are able to hear fine in a quiet room but the minute there is background noise they are not able to hear well. Sometimes it happens while watching a TV program and the background music suddenly gets louder. Difficulty may arise if a conversation is being held in a large room with an echo or reverberation. This comment is true for people who hear normally or people with a hearing loss. The Physiology of Hearing All hearing situations are not … [Read more...] about Hearing in a Noisy Place
Exploring Extended Wear Hearing Aids
Have you seen the ads about the extended wear hearing aids? One of my patients asked me to discuss them in my next month’s column, so here we go! The name of the extended wear hearing aid is Lyric3. The company that initially invented the product was recently purchased by the company Phonak. Now, Phonak is investing in the development of this hearing aid that can be worn full-time without the need to take it out even when you sleep! What Does Extended Wear Mean? An extended wear … [Read more...] about Exploring Extended Wear Hearing Aids
Hearing Loss: The Invisible Wall
The people who visit an audiologist usually go because of a difficulty understanding speech. It is rare to have someone come into the clinic to have an evaluation because they primarily need to hear the sound of their car or to hear the newspaper rattle louder. Speech clarity or word understanding is what people with hearing loss request assistance for. The Social Wall The sounds that we make with our mouth are some of the same “sounds” that are made in the environment. As a … [Read more...] about Hearing Loss: The Invisible Wall