A LITTLE BIT ABOUT US

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SOUND ADVICE
FROM THE HEARING DOCTOR

Anne Marie Sinasac-Roy
Doctor of Audiology

Anne Marie Sinasac-Roy attend both the annual Canadian Academy of Audiology, and the American Academy of Audiology conferences, as well as other mini-conferences held throughout the year in an effort to stay in the forefront of the latest hearing aid technology and audiological research. All staff receive complete training in hearing aid modifications and repairs.  

WHAT’S YOUR STYLE?

Forty-five to 50 years ago, eyeglass- and body-style hearing instruments were the most popular types of hearing instruments worn by individuals with hearing loss.  Since that time, there have been a number of technical advancements that have led to shifts in preferred styles of hearing instruments. Today, eyeglass- and body-style hearing instruments account for only one percent of all hearing instruments.  Most individuals now choose in-the-ear ITE (approximately 80%) or behind-the-ear BTE (approximately 20%) hearing instruments.  Thanks to the miniaturization of component parts (such as the microphone, receiver, and battery), ITE-style hearing instruments are small enough to fit completely within the ear canal. These custom-fitted instruments combine comfort with easy access.   
 
At our clinics we offer a range of hearing aid packages and accessories and the most advanced hearing testing to best serve you. We provide you with the industry’s best warranties and professional services. If you believe you have a hearing loss, please call us. We take pride in keeping up to date with the latest advancements in hearing technology.
 
P.S. In-the-ear ITE hearing instruments are small enough to fit inside the ear, but are large enough to be easily adjusted by wearers.

HEARING INSTRUMENTS FOR ACTIVE LIFESTYLES

If you run, hike, swim, or play tennis, you may have questions as to whether any hearing instrument can keep up with the demands of your physical lifestyle. Well, your questions have been answered in the form of hearing instruments that are water-resistant, waterproof, dustproof, and shock proof. While a “water-resistant” instrument is designed to withstand the effects of water, perspiration, and other forms of moisture, a “waterproof” instrument can withstand total submersion in water without experiencing damage. These instruments can be subjected to rain, humidity, and perspiration, as well as rugged, dusty conditions without concerns that might otherwise compromise your enjoyment of physical activity. In fact, wearing an instrument designed for exercisers and athletes may even increase your performance.  

If you live an active lifestyle and enjoy activities like kayaking, surfing, hiking, and rock climbing, hearing loss does not need to get in the way of your passions. To schedule a consultation, please call us. Our goal is to help people of all ages hear better and improve their quality of life. We offer a wide variety of hearing aids in many colours, shapes, and sizes.

P.S. Seamless construction and silicone seals enable waterproof hearing instruments to keep water and moisture at bay.

ARE YOU OVERLOOKING SOMETHING?

In this era of personal listening devices, most people essentially take their hearing for granted. Others are either unaware that they have a hearing deficiency or dismiss the notion that they are placing their hearing at risk by exposing their ears to high-volume sound. If you think you are immune to hearing loss, bear in mind that hearing loss is the third most common physical condition after arthritis and heart disease. If you think hearing loss is primarily a problem for older adults, you should know that gradual hearing loss can affect individuals of all ages. While a strong correlation between age and hearing loss exists, excessive exposure to loud sounds can also cause hearing loss in adolescents and teenagers. 

Noise-induced hearing loss is something you can prevent. Even if you can’t tell that you are damaging your hearing, you could have trouble hearing in the future, such as not being able to understand other people when they talk, especially on the phone or in a noisy room. At our clinics, we offer a range of hearing aid packages and the most advanced hearing testing to best serve you. We carry the latest in Bluetooth, T.V., and cell phone technologies for hearing aids.

P.S. Young people should know that feeding loud music directly into their ears via earbuds and headphones makes it more likely that they will suffer irreversible noise-related hearing loss.

STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART

A number of studies show that having a healthy cardiovascular system (heart, arteries, and veins) tends to make it more likely that a person will have good hearing. It makes sense, then, that when blood flow to the inner ear is compromised and blood vessels are damaged, it’s more likely that a hearing impairment will develop. The fact is that the functioning of the inner ear is so sensitive to blood flow that an audiogram (a graph showing the results of a test of the hearing ability of each ear) may actually represent a screening test for those at risk for peripheral arterial disease, which is a circulatory problem caused by narrowing arteries that reduces blood flow to limbs.
 
If you believe you have a hearing loss, please call us. Our highly trained staff provides hearing healthcare in a manner that provides you with the information you need for a successful experience with your new hearing instruments. We are also well stocked in hearing aid accessories from batteries to hearing aids and represent many manufacturers.
 
P.S. Some cardiovascular doctors believe that patients with low-frequency hearing loss should be regarded as at risk for cardiovascular events, and appropriate referrals be considered.

EAR CARE TIPS

Earwax is naturally produced by a gland in the skin lining the ear canal; it’s purpose is to help protect, clean and lubricate the ear.  With the assistance of regular movements of the jaw, small amounts of earwax are continuously transported from the ear canal to the opening of the ear.  It then dries and is either washed away or falls out as new wax is secreted.

While earwax is usually extremely beneficial, the buildup of an excessive amount can lead to blockage or impaction.  Some of the symptoms of earwax blockage include pain, reduced hearing, a ringing in the ear, a feeling of the ears being plugged and in some cases discharge.  A main cause of earwax blockage is attempting to clean the ear with a cotton-tipped swab or other object. This ill-advised cleaning method simply pushes the wax deeper into the ear, obstructing the ear canal.  Never put other objects such as pen caps or hairpins in your ears to clean them.

The only thing you need to do to keep your ears healthy is to wash your ears regularly when showering or bathing, making sure to only clean the external part of the ear.  If you feel that you need further care or would like to have your ears cleaned or flushed by an Audiologist, please contact us.  We are here to help. To schedule a consultation, please call LINDSAY EAR CLINIC or click here .

P.S. This article as well as all of our past articles can be found on our website for future reference.

ALL ABUZZ!

Ringing in the ears (“tinnitus”) affects an estimated 10%-15% of the worldwide adult population. This condition, most commonly caused by exposure to loud noise, affects men more than women, especially as they get older. The majority of those with tinnitus also suffer from some degree of hearing loss. If so, the use of a hearing aid can help by allowing the wearer to hear normal sounds more clearly, which helps divert attention away from the buzzing sounds. Amplifying sounds with a hearing aid may also make it less likely that the brain’s sound-processing regions will produce tinnitus sounds. About half of people with both hearing loss and tinnitus report less buzzing when they wear a hearing aid.

Hearing aids for tinnitus divert attention away from the sounds associated with it. They make it easier to listen to external sounds instead of permanently concentrating on internal sounds. To schedule a consultation, please call us. Our goal is to help people of all ages hear better and improve their quality of life. 

P.S. Loud noise may not only cause tinnitus (and hearing loss), but it may also make it worse.

HOW HEARING AFFECTS THE BRAIN

Hearing loss has the potential to affect health and well-being in ways some never might have imagined. Recent research indicates that older individuals with hearing loss have accelerated loss of brain tissue in addition to a higher risk of poor physical and mental health, dementia, falls, and hospitalizations. The study tracked 126 participants, who underwent yearly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to trace brain changes for up to a decade. In that time, researchers found that people with hearing loss at the beginning of the study had quicker rates of brain atrophy than those with normal hearing. In fact, those with diminished hearing lost more than an additional cubic centimetre of brain tissue annually compared to those with normal hearing.   

We feel it is important that our patients understand about hearing, hearing devices, and options that are available in today’s market. We take the time to show, explain, and educate our patients every step of the way. To schedule a hearing consultation, please call our clinic. We provide comprehensive audiological assessments. We educate our patients so they can make an informed decision about their hearing needs. 

P.S. It is recommended that adults have their hearing assessed at least every decade through age 50 and at three-year intervals thereafter.

WHISPERED SOMETHINGS

Many people suffering from hearing loss think they don’t need to seek treatment until they are unable to hear loud word exchanges that keep them out of the conversational loop. However, there is every reason to believe that even milder hearing loss is something that deserves treatment. The fact is that even a missed whisper can affect a person’s quality of life. Recent research shows that whispers can have a relaxing effect. From a physiological standpoint, whispers induce feelings of euphoria and relaxation because they stimulate the release of the hormone oxytocin, which is known to create feelings of trust and closeness with others. So, even missed whispers are good reason to have your hearing checked.  

Our ears pick up sound and transmit the signals to the brain. The longer a person goes without getting help, the harder it is to adapt to hearing aids. Modern digital hearing aids are programmed to take into account the hearing needs of the individual. To schedule an evaluation, please call us. We carry the latest in Bluetooth, T.V., and cell phone technologies for hearing aids. 

P.S. If you miss the sound of waves gently lapping on a sandy shore and other soothing sounds, we can help you hear them again.

GUARD YOUR HAPPINESS, TREAT HEARING LOSS

Anne Marie Sinansac-Roy is raising awareness of the link between unaddressed hearing loss and depression, and is urging adults of all ages to get their hearing tested to help protect their mental health. Her efforts come in support of World Mental Health Day on October 10. People with hearing loss who use hearing aids often have fewer depressive symptoms, greater social engagement, and improved quality of life, studies show.
 
To help people determine if they need a comprehensive hearing test by a hearing healthcare professional, the Better Hearing Institute (BHI) is offering a free, quick, and confidential online hearing check at www.BetterHearing.org. Today, more than 5 percent of the world’s population—360 million people—has disabling hearing loss.
 
Hearing loss affects people of all ages. And so do the associated emotional and mental health issues that can come with leaving hearing loss unaddressed. A 2014 study, in fact, showed that hearing loss is associated with an increased risk of depression in adults of all ages, but is most pronounced in 18 to 69 year olds.
 
Another study, conducted in Italy, looked at working adults—35 to 55 years of age—with untreated mild to moderate age-related hearing loss and found that they were more prone to depression, anxiety, and interpersonal sensitivity than those with no hearing problems.
 
The good news is that for the vast majority of people with hearing loss, hearing aids can help. Research shows that the use of hearing aids can help reduce depressive symptoms. And eight out of 10 hearing aid users say they’re satisfied with the changes that have occurred in their lives due to their hearing aids.

5 Mental Health-Minded Reasons to Get Your Hearing Tested

 There’s a lot more to hearing loss than just sound. Getting a hearing test and using professionally fitted hearing aids—when recommended by a hearing healthcare professional—is an important way for people with hearing loss to safeguard their mental health and quality of life. Here’s why:

1.    Ignoring hearing loss hurts quality of life. Research shows that when left unaddressed, hearing loss is frequently associated with other physical, mental, and emotional health issues that diminish quality of life. Depression, withdrawal from social situations, a lessened ability to cope, and reduced overall psychological health are just some of the conditions associated with unaddressed hearing loss.

2.    Addressing hearing loss boosts mood. People with untreated hearing loss often feel angry, frustrated, anxious, isolated, and depressed. But research shows that when they use hearing aids, their mental health often rallies. Many regain emotional stability, become more socially engaged, feel a greater sense of safety and independence, and see a general improvement in their overall quality of life.

3.    Using hearing aids can help bolster self-confidence. Research shows that when people with hearing loss use hearing aids, many feel more in control of their lives and less self-critical. One BHI study found that the majority of people with mild and severe hearing loss felt better about themselves and life overall as a result of using hearing aids.

4.    Good communication enriches relationships and social support. Healthy relationships rest largely on good communication. In one BHI study, nearly 7 out of 10 participants reported improvements in their ability to communicate effectively in most situations because of their hearing aid use. More than half said using hearing aids improved their relationships at home, their social lives, and their ability to join in groups. Many even saw improvements in their romance.

5.    Today’s hearing aids are better than ever and virtually invisible. Dramatic new technological advances have revolutionized hearing aids in recent years. Many are virtually invisible, sitting discreetly and comfortably inside the ear canal. Some are even waterproof or rechargeable. Best of all, they’re wireless. That means they’re able to stream sound from smartphones, home entertainment systems, and other electronics directly into your hearing aid(s) at volumes just right for you. Simply, today’s hearing aids help people of all ages maintain active, healthy lifestyles.

For more information on hearing loss please contact us in Lindsay at 705-340-5050, Bobcaygeon at 705-738-1752 or Bancroft at 613-332-1050.

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