Hear, Here

By: Dr. Dawn H. MacMillan, Audiologist  It's hard to believe, but school starts locally in just about two weeks. Like so many other parents, I've been running around buying school uniforms and shoes because my kiddos have outgrown almost everything this summer. We've been busy with school supply lists and finishing all the back to school tasks required before August 5th when they return to school. For my little one who will begin kindergarten, I had to verify she had her required hearing test to enter school  (funny to me considering her mama is an Audiologist!) and was up-to-date on her vaccinations. All this running around and list-checking got me thinking about my pediatric patients. How my back to school lists mirror the lists of the parents of my pediatric patients with hearing loss but they have more things they need to do to prepare their little ones for the new school year. It got me thinking about childhood hearing loss and what I can do to help prevent hearing ...

By Dr. Dawn MacMillan, Audiologist Hearing aids are wonderful tools to assist those with hearing loss! They can make things louder when needed, brighter-sharper-clearer if that's what is needed. Modern digital hearing aids are based off a prescription, your hearing test, so your Audiologist can program in precisely the sounds you need. Instant-fit and over-the-counter (OTC) options cannot do this as they are typically programmed to a particular hearing loss shape and configuration. This is bad because it means some sounds you need to hear will be UNDER-amplified while other sounds are OVER-amplified, leading to dissatisfaction with the sound quality and for most, poor wearing habits. To get the most out of your investment, here are five tips to maximize success with hearing aids:  1.        Learn how your hearing aids work . Spend some time with your Audiologist, and really learn how hearing aids work.  A hearing aid fitting appointment ...

We are finally beginning to experience some warm weather! I for one am so grateful. It's nice to be outside for a bit before the oppressive heat takes over. As we get outdoors for the family reunions, graduation parties, and more, here are nine tips to help you enjoy the festivities while living with hearing loss. 1.  Wear your hearing aids:   This seems obvious but you wouldn't believe the number of times we hear that people went to special events only to forget their hearing aids. Whatever you need to do to get out the door with your hearing aids on, do that. Make a list. Tie a string around your finger. Ask someone to remind you. Whatever it takes. Your hearing aids are merely tools, but you'll do better with them than without. You wouldn't attempt to build a house with a hammer and nails. Don't try to socialize without your hearing aids.  Experiment with a couple of different settings to find which is best for being outdoors. Most modern digital hearing aids ...

Though you wouldn't know it from the up and down temperatures we've experienced lately, it will be hot and humid before you know it! And then the kick-off of the summer travel season. Follow these simple tips to keep your hearing aids in tip-top shape while away from home. Don't use your hearing aids in environments where they may get wet, dirty, sticky. During summer vacation, you may find yourself enjoying swimming pools, sprinklers, saunas, and hot tubs. But those are no-no's for hearing aids. Avoid activities where your hearing aids may become wet from a dip in the pool, kids splashing, or the hot steam of a sauna or hot tub. Going on a cruise and signing up for off-ship excursions? Make sure to pack an extra case that you can use to safely tuck away your hearing aids temporarily until conditions improve. If you haven't done so already, now is a great time to invest in a dehumidifier that ca...

This is going to be a much more personal, passionate post than past blog entries. The issues discussed below are obstacles I face everyday as a Doctor of Audiology and they aren't solved by slapping a widget on someone's ear and yelling "next!". I hope you will stick with me through it and return frequently for other entries regarding hearing healthcare. I fit numerous sets of hearing aids each week. Most of them on new users who have never worn hearing aids before. I always encourage my patients to bring someone with them to this visit. I find people respond better when they have a familiar voice to hear first through their hearing aid versus MY voice that they may not be familiar with beyond our first visit at their hearing test and subsequent hearing aid evaluation. I find that most people do not bring a communication partner with them. Whether is is because their adult children don't live here or are at work and can't break away or because they are tr...

Earlier this week, I heard a story about a colleague who once worked in a hospital setting. They were citing an example of patient misunderstanding with regards to hearing aid instructions--use and care, insertion, removal, expectations vs. reality, the fact that the batteries go in the hearing aids; you don't swallow them!  As Audiologists, we see things like this every day. And part of the reason is because people who need hearing aids don't have hearing aids, people who have hearing aids won't wear their hearing aids as prescribed, or because the individual has already suffered the kind of cognitive decline that a pair of well-fit, well-worn hearing aids could've helped combat.  I don't know what became of this individual who once swallowed their "hearing pills", but I can say with confidence that swallowing hearing aid batteries does not  improve your hearing! Here are some tips to get the most out of your investment:  1) Don't put off having your ...

I spoke to a Chiropractor friend of mine earlier this week. By 3:30 p.m., his office had already seen 56 patients. I can't imagine seeing 56 patients in one day! But that's a fairly normal day for this doctor. People come to him for relief from pain, among other things. After he adjusts them, they feel better, which is obviously the reason people continue to make their follow-up appointments. Which got me thinking. What would people do if hearing loss was painful? I'm not talking about ear infections and the like. I'm talking about normal (physically) pain-free sensorineural hearing loss that plagues most people with hearing loss. If the treatment involved temporary relief from pain until the next time, would there be more adopters of treatment by way of hearing aids? I'm not saying I wish hearing loss hurt; what I'm saying is I think it would be easier to convince someone with a newly diagnosed hearing loss to take that next step towards amplification if the...

You Find Yourself Saying "what?" or "excuse me?" a lot or asking people to repeat themselves. You feel like no one speaks clearly anymore. Friends and Family Members remark that you keep the volume on your TV up very loud. You can't hear the person in front of you in a restaurant because of the deafening background noise. People shout at you. You misinterpret conversations You find yourself less willing to go out in public or talk on the telephone. The ringing in your ears never stops Your boss has indicated your hearing may be affecting your job performance. You have failed a hearing exam. Call us today to schedule your hearing test. We can let you know 'where you are' and what can be done about it, (912) 748-9494 or email me, dawn@coastalaudiology.com