Ask the Doctor

Our hearing system is very complex. We all have many questions about how we hear, hearing loss, the effects of hearing loss and what can be done to help our hearing. If you have a question that has not been answered please email Dr. Sarah Blenkhorn, Doctor of Audiology at sb@apexhearing.com

What happens at my hearing evaluation?
At Apex Hearing Systems Ltd. hearing evaluations are booked for an hour and forty-five minutes. This allows us to discuss your hearing concerns and conduct a thorough assessment. Our testing includes a case history addressing your medical and hearing history. Otoscopy is than conducted which is an examination of your ear and ear canal. Your middle ear is assessed to determine how easily sound is transmitted through this system. Sound booth testing is conducted using speech and tones. This gives us information as to the severity and type of your hearing loss or if you have normal hearing. An explanation of your results will be given as well as treatment options where necessary.

How do I know if I need a hearing aid?
At Apex Hearing Systems Ltd. we will conduct a thorough hearing evaluation to determine every patient's hearing abilities. We allow an hour and 45 minutes for this assessment. This involves examining the ear canal with a procedure called otoscopy. The audiologist will then assess the status of the middle ear with Tympanometry. This determines if the eardrum and the bones of the middle ear are working appropriately. Testing is then conducted in a sound booth with speech and tones. This enables us to determine the intensity of sound needed at a range of frequencies and speech levels for the patient to respond. After the evaluation the audiologist will go through the test results with the client and determine the treatment options. Options may include a referral to their family physician, or hearing aids may be recommended.

Which hearing aid is right for me?
Hearing Aids vary in style and level of technology. In order to determine the correct product for you we would conduct a complete hearing evaluation. We would assess your hearing abilities and discuss your hearing demands. Hearing aids come in a variety of styles from very small ones that fit into your ear canal, to those that fill your ear and those that fit behind the ear. The larger the hearing aid the more power there is available to meet your hearing needs. The other consideration if the level of technology required. Technology can range from very basic to advanced digital products. The more advanced the hearing aid is, the more automatic it becomes to adjust to your environment. These adjustments occur thousands of times per second to bring in the best speech signal possible and to give you the best ability to communicate in difficult listening situations, such as noise.

Do I need one hearing aid or two?
When there is hearing loss in both ears it is recommended to have a hearing aid for each ear. Research has proven that there is a significant benefit of hearing with both ears. Wearing two hearing aids or having binaural hearing allows you to better localize to where sounds are coming from, give a more balanced perception of sound, wider hearing range and a better ability to understand speech in more difficult listening environments. Wearing two hearing aids helps to keep both ears active reducing the effect of auditory deprivation. Improved sound quality can also be identified, as less volume is required and therefore, less potential for distortion. Patients report that listening is less tiring and more pleasant. For those who have tinnitus, or a ringing in the ears, 50% of people who wear hearing aids notice improvement with their tinnitus when wearing two hearing. To determine what is best for you, it is recommended to have a complete hearing assessment to evaluate your options.

I tried a hearing aid before and it was unsuccessful?
Hearing Aid technology is constantly evolving to give the patient better performance and comfort. There are styles available now that allow for greater comfort, better performance in noise and more discreetness that were not available in the past. Technology is constantly being improved to give our patients better comfort and performance in noise. No hearing aid can replace the hearing that you once had however; new technology is constantly improving the products that are available to our patients. I would encourage you to make use of Apex Hearing Systems Ltd. 45 day trial period to assess how hearing aids work in your environment to meet your needs.

How can I hear better in background noise?
If there is hearing loss present hearing aids may help you hear better in background noise. Research is constantly being conducted to allow for better speech understanding in noise. Most hearing aids today incorporate some form of noise management which makes surrounding noise more comfortable. Directional microphones have been proven to allow for better speech understanding in noise. Directional microphones usually incorporate two microphones into the hearing aid which allows it to focus in on the sounds you want to hear. However, no hearing aid can eliminate background noise. Listening exercises can assist in training the brain to focus and to better manage the effects of noise.

Can the humidity affect my hearing aids?
Hearing aids are electronic devices and should be kept as dry as possible. The climate we have here in southern Alberta is usually, relatively dry. However, with humidity that we sometimes get in the summer or for those that travel to humid destinations some extra steps may be required to keep your hearing aids working to their maximum potential. The use of a dry aid kit can assist in removing any excess moisture that your hearing aids may be exposed to. Removing the battery from the hearing aid and keeping the battery door open during the night is also recommended. Wiping the hearing aid down after exposure to rain or perspiration is suggested. A drying kit can be purchased at any of our locations.

What are the side effects of hearing loss?
It is important not to just have a hearing test but, to understand the impact that hearing loss can have on the patient and those that they communicate with. Hearing loss that is not treated can lead to social isolation, fatigue, tension, stress, depression and anxiety. Hearing loss can cause a person to be irritable, angry and negative. Auditory deprivation can also occur when the hearing system is not being stimulated which can occur with untreated hearing loss. Fortunately, hearing aids are able to provide stimulation to assist in preventing this from occurring. When hearing loss is treated we often see improved relationships with friends and family, improved self image, improved mental health and greater independence and security. We encourage friends and family to come to appointments so our patients have the support and understanding from those that they communicate with.

Can my MP3 player cause hearing loss?
With the advent of MP3 players there have been concerns about potential hearing damage. This can be due to the convenience of which they are used allowing listening in many environments and for extended durations. Listeners should set the music to a comfortable level in a quiet environment and be cautious not to turn it up to overpower surrounding noise. The MP3 resource center offers tips to help reduce the chance of hearing loss such as keeping the volume at 60dB or less which is about 2/3 of the maximum volume on most players, limit the listening time to less than an hour per day, wear headphones that block out external sounds preventing the need of a louder volume and not ear buds as they tend to allow more external sound in requiring an increased volume.

What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the name given to the experience of noises in the head and/or ears, when no corresponding external sound is present. Fifty different sounds have been reported, from high-pitched hissing, sizzling, ringing and buzzing, to chirping, and low, rushing, roaring, and engine-like sounds; also pulsing and thumping sensations. Several noises may be heard simultaneously. More than 360,000 Canadians have tinnitus in an annoying form. About 150,000 find that these noises seriously impair the quality of their lives. Tinnitus may have either a physiological or biochemical origin. Hearing loss, medications, injury, preservatives and stress may contribute to tinnitus. There are several treatment options available for tinnitus such as hearing aids, lifestyle modifications, maskers, alternative therapies and tinnitus retraining therapy

I have heard there are surgeries to help with hearing loss?
It is true that some types of hearing loss can be assisted with surgery. When your hearing assessment has been completed your clinician would make the necessary recommendations if this applies to you. Surgery may be an option dependent upon the type of hearing loss and the severity of hearing loss. It is reported that 90% of hearing losses that can not be treated medically can be helped with a hearing aid. For more information please speak with your clinician.

What can I do to protect my ears and hearing?
It is critical to protect the hearing that you have. To protect your hearing some simple steps must be taken to prevent hearing loss from noise exposure. Avoid excessively loud noise whether work or socially related. Avoid using cotton swabs in your ears as this can push wax or cerumen deeper into your ear canals. You should also avoid inserting anything into your ear which may cause damage to the ear canal or ear drum.

What should I expect with my new hearing aids?
It is important to be both realistic and patient when adjusting to your new hearing aids. Hearing aids are not an instant fix and will not restore your hearing to normal. Hearing aids are designed to help you hear better but, nothing will make your hearing normal. Some sounds may take time to adjust to however, the more you wear your hearing aids the easier the process should become. Adjusting to hearing aids is a process that not only you go through but also your family and your clinician.