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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 1998-04-22, Page 7Hearing well John Tiede of the Hearing Care Centre, Clinton, checks the hearing of assistant Laurie Van Wyk. Bath Safety Invacare brings you a complete line of Bath Safety Products designed to provide convenience, safety, and support for individuals with a wide variety of needs. With NEW additions in transfers to extended use, these Bath Safety Products will accommodate restricted levels of mobility making bathroom tasks much more comfortable. INVACARE _____ We build ma:d For more information call 5bordipe bealtbco INC 23 Victoria St. Clinton "In The Heart Of Huron County" • Ask For Us • Sales • Rentals • Repairs (519) 482-3046 or 1-888-233-7038 MONIKA PENNER "A commitment to quality of life" Hours: Open 5 days a week "Call ahead for special appointments" We Deliver Your Freedom with: III Home Oxygen • Wheelchairs II Electric Scooters • Hospital Beds • Bathroom Equipment • Electric Reclining Lift Chairs MED-E-OX 282 Suncoast Drive, Goderlch (519) 524-2020 1-800-265-5500 THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1998. PAGE 7. Hearing loss, gradual process o ver many years By Janice Becker Citizen staff It is something we all take for granted, yet a lifetime of use and abuse may severely impair its function. Our hearing is the connection to sounds of laughter, cries of pain or sympathy lent to a friend. However, the loss of hearing is also an ailment which may take years to develop and equally long to recognize as an impairment which requires attention. John E. Tiede, a hearing specialist says this number one disability in North America is the most difficult to deal with because the sufferer looks normal. It is just the perception of sound that has changed. "They will often tell those they are speaking with to stop mumbling or turning their back on them. They tend to lose the high frequency sounds, which are the consonants, so all they get is the vowels. The clarity is lost." Hearing loss may go undetected for some time because of the situations in which the patient lives. If someone generally stays at home, has conversations with one other person and watches television as a frequent activity, they may not notice any difficulty. However, if the person is very active, socially, and often in circumstances with groups of people and higher levels of noise, they may find it difficult to distinguish one person's speech from background interference. "The loss process is very gradual," says Tiede. "Sufferers go through denial and then grieving. It can be five to seven years after they realize there is a problem before they seek help." With less stigma attached to hearing aids today, and new technology making the devices more effective and smaller, more people are seeking help, he says. "Hearing is a complete system. If one ear is not good, the quality of sound is affected." The process used by a hearing aid is very simple. It stimulates the nerve endings so the sound is sent to the brain. It does not restore hearing, but boosts the ability which remains, making sounds clearer. A problem with older model hearing aids was the inability to eliminate some of the background noise because the un- aided ear still picked up the other stimulations. A two-ear system helps with the separation of sounds. Although aging is a major factor in the loss of hearing, with most people affected to some degree after the age of 50, there are other causes which can result in hearing differences in a person's ears. A truck driver may have greater loss on his left side because of traffic noise or a farmer may notice a change in the ear turned towards the tractor motor when driving the fields and watching behind. One-ear hearing losses can also be a result of infections, injuries or surgery. "We live in a noisy society, constantly bombarded with sounds." The ear drum's effectiveness tends to wear down naturally over time, then additional sounds from work, the environment and impact noises such as shooting, concerts and chainsaws contribute to loss. "If you walk away and your ears are ringing, you have been exposed to too much sound and there could be damage," says Tiede. "Farmers are more conscientious of noises and industry is becoming more aware of the dangers." Even when cutting the grass with a gas-powered mower, Tiede suggests foam ear plugs. Anything louder would warrant dome ear covers. A common practice for young people is to wear a portable cassette of disc players with the music blaring. Tiede says the wearer should be able to carry on a conversation at a normal voice level. The same holds true for television watching and stereos. If there is a concern about hearing loss, Tiede suggests a simple check-up to determine the cause. The first step is to look for blockages or wax build up. From there, the client is seated in an egg-shaped chair for a pure tone test, which is then compared to a normal result. If a problem is detected, a one-hour session is scheduled, for a complete diagnosis. The parameters of the hearing loss are determined, with aids adjusted to help the clients hear how clear speech can become. They are then counselled on hearing loss, the effects and are shown what parts of speech they are missing. "This helps them understand the loss," says Tiede, "and they are better able to notice the differences." A hearing aid mould is then made to the client's ear for a perfect, comfortable fit. All the design specifications are sent to a lab for fabrication. Today's hearing aids are also digitally programmable, so future adjustments to a continued loss are much more easily made. Once a hearing aid has been fitted, Tiede recommends a check up annually, for wax and moisture which are factors in breakdowns. "It eliminates problems through prevention." In the first year, a two-week follow-up and six- month check are suggested to make any needed adjustments. The style of aids has changed dramatically in recent decades. No longer is the large behind-the-ear (BTE) model the norm. The in-the-ear (ITE) model, created in the .1970s was an improvement, but limited the amount of the ear surface available for catching sounds. The 1980s brought the in-the-canal (ITC) style, mostly hidden from view and leaving much more of the outer ear exposed. Just in the last year and a half, the completely-in-the-canal (CIC) design has become possible, with leaps in technology, as digital devices allowed much smaller constructidn. The ITC and CIC are now the most popular models. Aside from hearing tests, the Hearing Care Centre offers analysis of hearing aids, professional cleaning, performance checks, determination to see if the clients needs are still met as well as manufacturers standards. Huron County clients, previous served from a London office, may now visit The Hearing Care Centre, at 7 Rattenbury St., Clinton, in operation for three years. Further information may be obtained by calling 482-9024. Hours of operation are Monday to Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Appointments may be booked throughout the week. 751 Victoria St. S. Kitchener Corner of Victoria & Westmount in the Medical Plaza 1-888-741-5852 (519) 741-5852 Precision Hearing Instruments Ltd. Hearing Aid & Audiology Clinic para-med Kw HEALTH SERVICES (Servicing The County) • Homemaking • Nursing • Foot Care • Lifeline Emergency Response System CALL 524-5346 or 1-800-463-3158 50 South St., Goderich J-Iearing aids will not "correct" a hearing loss, but they can be very useful in helping you hear more out of life. We offer hearing tests, noise protection, swim plugs, hearing aids, batteries, and repairs. Open Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Wednesday - 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. - 12 a.m.