Stone's Hearing Aid Service
Where Your Hearing is Our Concern
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Do NOT Let Winter Wipe Out Your Hearing
| Posted on February 3, 2014 at 10:36 PM |
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Do NOT Let Winter Wipe Out Your Hearing With the impending storms arriving, Stone’s Hearing Aid
Service wishes to reiterate the importance of ear protection and noise induced
hearing loss. Because Your Hearing is Our Concern  Winter is a time to pay attention to protecting our hearing
during activities that are most common during the season. Whether your hearing is
normal or you wear hearing aids to hear effectively, it is important to take
precautionary measures while you're outside enjoying the season.  Though you can barely hear snow falling to the ground, the sound of snow
blowers and snowmobiles can be dangerously loud. This winter, whether you are
blowing snow off your sidewalks or sledding through it in the wilderness, please make
sure your family’s hearing is protected. While fun to use, the noise levels of
these machines can measure over 106 DB! Although you cannot lower the volume of
a snow blower or snowmobile, you can move away from the noise or wear hearing
protectors, such as earplugs or earmuffs. Here are some instances where you could suffer noise-induced
hearing loss (NIHL), as well as some tips on how to protect against it: • Using a
snow blower can cause hearing loss because they can emit sounds as loud as 106
decibels, which are only safe for exposure up to three and 3/4 minutes at a
time. If you must use a snow blower rather than a shovel to clear your sidewalk
and driveway, make sure to only use it in short bursts of time and to wear
proper, high-quality hearing protection to prevent against NIHL. • Another
snow-geared machine - a snowmobile - can also be the cause of NIHL. While
snowmobiling is a fun winter sport, it is also very loud. Snowmobiles today can
be as loud as 78 decibels at a distance of 50 feet. Please make sure to purchase
the best hearing protection you can afford before trying snowmobiling. Please make sure
to step away a few times to take a "hearing break" and let your ears
rest a bit while using ANY loud noise inducing device. Signs of hearing
damage  How do you know if your ears have had enough? Here are some
signs that the noises you are listening to are just too loud:• Ear pain • Buzzing
feeling in the ears • Tinnitus,
which can involve ringing, whooshing or other noises • Hypersensitivity to noise • Difficulty
hearing in noise • Loss of
sensitivity to loud noises Types of hearing
protection • Custom ear molds, which are made to personally fit your ear canals can be fitted and purchased directly at Stone's Hearing Aid Service. • Expanding
foam ear plugs • Capsule ear
protection, including headphones and earmuffs that go over the ears, rather
than inside them If you experience a hearing loss or notice any continuous
buzzing or ringing in your ears, a check-up with with us at Stone's Hearing Aid Service for us to help ensure you are not suffering from NIHL or tinnitus. Hearing health professionals believe one of the major causes
of hearing loss among Americans is noise induced. The National Institute on
Deafness and Other Communication Diseases (NIDCD) says as many as 26 million
Americans have noise induced hearing loss. What is a safe noise level? The Occupational Health and
Safety Administration (OSHA) sets acceptable decibel levels in the work place
at 85 Db or less. Employers (example: landscapers and the Department of
Transportation, Borough/City/Township municipalities) are required to issue
hearing protection in environments that register noise levels louder than that. There are several ways you can protect your hearing while
you are enjoying the great outdoors. Drug store earplugs are inexpensive and
can reduce the level of noise by as much as 30 Db. They protect your ears
against NIHL as well as from the ringing and aching often
caused by loud and consistent noise. Noise reducing ear muffs and headphones
may be more comfortable to wear, although they are typically more expensive. If you wear hearing aids, consider wearing noise reducing
headphones or ear muffs when you know you will be in a noisy environment. Your hearing
aid amplifies sound, it is important to protect your ears from further damage.
Be careful, though. While headphones can keep your ears warm during the cold
winter months, they may cause you to perspire when wearing them before the
weather turns cool – and moisture is damaging to the delicate electronics in
your hearing aid. Another way to protect your hearing during the winter months
is to wear a warm hat that covers your ears. Although scientists no longer
believe we lose more heat through our head than we do any other unprotected
part of our body, they do believe keeping your ears warm can prevent earaches.
Wearing a warm winter hat is also advisable for hearing aid users. According to
Energizer, exposure to heat, cold or moisture can shorten battery life. Duration The duration (how long you are exposed to a noise) can
affect the extent of noise induced hearing loss. The longer you are exposed to
a loud noise, the more damaging it may be. Every loud sound produces a noise
that could damage the ears of anyone in close hearing range. Excessive noise is
present in many situations. Some of the more common ones include occupational
noise (machinery, etc.), loud music, and non-occupational noise (lawn mowers,
snow blowers, etc.). Finally, make sure you eat right and exercise regularly this
season. Hearing health professionals believe that, much like the rest of our
bodies, hearing health is dependent upon good blood flow and proper nutrition.
Even though we’re more likely to develop hearing loss as we age, we can slow
the process down by taking care of ourselves.  How is Noise Induced Hearing Loss Diagnosed?Hearing loss usually develops over a period of several
years. Since it is painless and gradual, you might not notice it. What you
might notice is a ringing or other sound in your ear (tinnitus), which could be
the result of long-term exposure to noise that has damaged hearing. Or, you may
have trouble understanding what people say; they may seem to be mumbling,
especially when you are in a noisy place such as in a crowd or at a party. This
could be the beginning of high-frequency hearing loss; a hearing test will
detect it. If you have any of these symptoms, you may have nothing more serious
than impacted wax or an ear infection, which might be simply corrected.
However, it might be hearing loss from noise. In any case, take no chances with
noise – the hearing loss it causes is permanent. If you suspect a hearing loss, please call or visit Stone’s
Hearing Aid Service for a FREE hearing evaluation, assessing your hearing concern
and recommending the best way to manage it. How Might Noise Induced Hearing Loss Affect My Life? Hearing loss can impact one’s life in many ways. You may be
less able to understand conversation or appreciate music. A ringing in the
ears, called tinnitus, commonly occurs after noise exposure, and it often
becomes permanent. Some people react to loud noise with anxiety and
irritability, an increase in pulse rate and blood pressure, or an increase in
stomach acid. Very loud noise can reduce efficiency in performing difficult
tasks by diverting attention from the job. How can I tell if I am listening to dangerous noise levels? You must
raise your voice to be heard. You can't
hear someone 3 feet away from you. Speech around
you sounds muffled or dull after you leave the noisy area. You have pain
or ringing in your ears (this is called “tinnitus”) after exposure to noise. How can loud noise damage hearing? Understanding how we hear will help you to understand how
loud noise can hurt your hearing. One of the most common bad effects of loud noise on hearing
is a permanent hearing loss. This happens in the following way: The loud
sound is collected by the ear as sound waves. The sound waves travel down the
ear canal toward the eardrum with enough force to disrupt the delicate hearing
system. If the sound is loud enough, it can dislodge the tiny bones of the
middle ear. The loud
sound passes through the middle ear and travels to the inner ear, also known as
the cochlea. The tiny hair cells lining this fluid-filled chamber can be
damaged as the loud sound reaches the inner ear. Only healthy
hair cells can send electrical impulses to the brain. It is in the brain that
the sound is understood and interpreted. Hair cells damaged by loud sound
cannot send the impulse to the brain for interpretation. Intense brief
noises, like a firecracker or an explosion, can damage hair cells, as can
continuous and/or repeated exposure to high levels of noise. Once the hair
cells are damaged, there is no current treatment to repair them. How else can loud
noise be harmful? ·
Loud noise can increase fatigue and cause
irritability. ·
Noise can reduce the ability to pay attention to
tasks. This is a concern at the workplace when it comes to workers' safety: The
ability to detect faulty equipment operation or warning signals can be reduced.
Noise can also reduce productivity. ·
Noisy classrooms can make it harder for children
to learn. ·
Noisy backgrounds can make understanding
conversation harder. The noise can mask or cover up some of the sounds of
speech, making a word like “time” sound like “dime.” More concentration and
energy are needed not only to listen and hear over the noise but also to speak
louder. As a result, voices can be strained, and laryngitis can develop. ·
Another common effect of loud sound on hearing
is tinnitus. Tinnitus is ringing, buzzing, or other sounds in the ear. Loud noise can also cause other physical problems, such as: High blood
pressure Increased or
abnormal heart rate Upset stomach Insomnia or
difficulty sleeping (even after the noise stops) Disruption of
the development of a baby before birth Wear hearing
protection. Cotton in the ears will not work. Hearing protection, such as
earmuffs or earplugs, can be purchased at drugstores, hardware stores, or
sports stores. Custom earmolds can be made to fit your ears by an audiologist.
Learn how to correctly insert the earplugs and earmolds for the best noise
reduction. Earplugs are
placed into the ear canal so that they totally block the canal. They come in
different shapes and sizes, or they can be custom-made by taking an impression
of the ear. Earplugs can reduce noise by 15 to 30 decibels (dB) depending on
how they are made and fit. Earmuffs fit
completely over both ears. They must fit tightly so that sound is blocked from
entering the ears. Like earplugs, muffs can reduce noise 15 to 30 dB depending
on how they are made and fit. Earplugs and
earmuffs can be used together to achieve even greater sound reduction. Use of
earplugs and earmuffs is recommended when noise exposure is particularly high. Do not listen
to loud sounds for too long. If you don’t have hearing protection, move away
from the loud sound. Give your ears a break from the sound. Plug your ears with
your fingers as emergency vehicles pass on the road. Lower the
loudness of the sound. Keep personal listening devices set to no more than half
volume. Don’t be afraid to ask others to turn down the sounds from speakers.
Speak to the movie theater projectionist if the movie sound track is too loud. Be a good
consumer. Look for noise ratings on appliances, sporting equipment, power
tools, and hair dryers. Purchase quieter products. This is especially important
when purchasing toys for children. Be a local
advocate. Some movie theaters, health clubs, dance clubs, bars, and amusement
centers are very noisy. Speak to managers and those in charge about the loud
noise and the potential damages to hearing. Ask to have the noise source
lowered. Can my ears
get used to noise? Don't be
fooled by thinking your ears are “tough” or that you have the ability to “tune
it out”! Noise-induced hearing loss is usually gradual and painless but,
unfortunately, permanent. Once destroyed, the hearing nerve and its sensory
nerve cells do not repair. If you think
you have “gotten used to” the noise you routinely encounter, you may already
have some hearing damage. How loud is too loud? The noise chart below lists average decibel levels for
everyday sounds around you. Decibel Loudness Comparison Chart  Painful• 150 dB =
fireworks at 3 feet • 140 dB =
firearms, jet engine • 130 dB =
jackhammer • 120 dB =
jet plane takeoff, siren Extremely Loud • 110 dB =
maximum output of some MP3 players, model airplane, chain saw • 106 dB =
gas lawn mower, snow blower • 100 dB =
hand drill, pneumatic drill • 90 dB =
subway, passing motorcycle Very Loud • 80–90 dB =
blow-dryer, kitchen blender, food processor • 70 dB =
busy traffic, vacuum cleaner, alarm clock Moderate • 60 dB =
typical conversation, dishwasher, clothes dryer • 50 dB =
moderate rainfall • 40 dB =
quiet room Faint • 30 dB =
whisper, quiet library Facts About Noise-induced Hearing Loss • Approximately
26 million Americans between the ages of 20 and 69 have high-frequency hearing
loss from overexposure to loud noises at work or during leisure activities.
More than 30 million Americans are exposed to dangerous levels of noise on a
regular basis. • Noise-induced
hearing loss is 100 percent preventable. • Symptoms of
noise-induced hearing loss will increase gradually. Over time, the sounds a
person hears may become distorted or muffled, and it may be difficult for the
person to understand speech. Someone with noise-induced hearing loss may not even be
aware of the loss, but it can be detected with a hearing evaluation. • Noise-induced
hearing loss is related both to the decibel level of a sound and to the amount
of time you are exposed to it. Your distance from the sound also matters. • Noise-induced
hearing loss is related to a person's genes. Some people are more likely than
others to develop noise-induced hearing loss when they listen to certain
sounds. Scientists are working to determine which people are more at risk for
noise-induced hearing loss and which are less at risk. • Researchers
who study hearing loss have found that a person who is exposed to noise levels
at 85 decibels or higher for a prolonged period of time is at risk for hearing
loss. • Many
devices that children use today have noise levels much higher than 85 decibels.
For example, an MP3 player at maximum level is roughly 105 decibels. That's 100
times more intense than 85 decibels! • Children
frequently participate in activities involving potentially damaging noise
levels: playing with noisy toys, band instruments, and video games; listening
to personal music players and stereos at high volumes; attending concerts and
movies; operating lawn mowers, leaf blowers, and power tools; and riding off-road
vehicles and snowmobiles. • When we are
exposed to harmful noise—sounds that are too loud or loud sounds that last a
long time—sensitive structures in our inner ear can be damaged, causing
noise-induced hearing loss. These structures, called hair cells, are small
sensory cells in the inner ear that convert sound energy into electrical
signals that travel to the brain. • Scientists
believe that, depending upon the type of noise, the pure force of vibrations
from loud sounds can cause hearing loss. Recent studies also show that exposure
to harmful noise levels triggers the formation of molecules inside the ear that
contribute to hair cell damage and noise-induced hearing loss. These
destructive molecules play an important role in hearing loss in children and
adults who listen to loud noise for too long. • Noise-induced
hearing loss is cumulative, invisible, and permanent. It is cumulative because
the damage can start when we are young and get worse over time. It is invisible
because it can happen without our even noticing it, until it is too late. And
it is permanent because, unlike a broken arm that gets better over time, we
can't "heal" our hearing. Once it's damaged, it's damaged for good. Please call or visit Stone's Hearing Aid Service for your FREE hearing evaluation TODAY  Your Hearing is Our Concern Sources noisyplanet.nidcd.nih.gov; asha.org; american-hearing.org;
healthyhearing.com |
Buy Local By Local
| Posted on November 30, 2013 at 4:15 PM |
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Top Ten reasons to Think Local - Buy Local – By Local – Be Pottstown  Why Buy Local? Support yourself: Several studies have shown that when you buy from an independent, locally owned business, rather than a nationally owned, chain, “big box” businesses, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers and farms continuing to strengthen the economic base of the community and lower the tax base. Support community groups: Non-profit and local organizations receive an average 250% more support from local independent business owners than they do from large “big box“, franchised and chain businesses. Keep our community unique: Where we shop, where we eat and have fun, all of it makes our community home. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of the Pottstown area. Our tourisum businesses benefit as well, when people go on vacation they generally seek out destinations that offer them the sense of place, not just anyplace, a sense of belonging. Reduce environmental impact: Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation and generally set up shop in our town or within the surrounding area, as opposed to developing on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution. Create more jobs and sustainability: Small local businesses are the largest employer in our community, provide the most jobs to residents. Get better service: Local businesses often hire people with a better understanding of the products they are selling and take more time to get to know customers. Respecting the customer and creating a community family. Invest in community: Local businesses are owned by people who live in our community, whom are less likely to leave, and are more invested in Pottstown’s future. Put your taxes to good use: Local businesses in our Downtown Community require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally owned, “big box” or chain stores entering our community. Buy what you want, not what someone wants you to buy: A marketplace of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term. A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based not on a national sales plan but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, well informing them of their purchase options, and not misleading, guarantees a much broader range of product choices and satisfaction. Without an individual being bullied or intimidated into a purchase. Encourage local prosperity: A growing body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character. Stone's Hearing Aid Service has been family owned and operated, serving the Pottstown Community since 1885 |
Understanding the Hearing Evaluation and Hearing Aid Process – Part 3 of 4
| Posted on November 24, 2013 at 9:37 PM |
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Choosing the Right Hearing Aid  After you have discussed your needs with your hearing care professional at Stone's Hearing Aid Service, you will generally be presented with a few recommended options at different price points. In most cases, you will have the opportunity to wear a demonstration hearing aid for a few days to try out.Once you have made your decision, we will order your selection and schedule you to come back at a later date for you initial hearing aid programming. If you have decided on a custom-fit ITE style or a BTE with ear-mold style, we will take an impression of your ear canal to send in with the order. Initial hearing aid programming  When your hearing aid arrives at Stone's Hearing Aid Service, we will hook it up to the computer and program it according to your hearing loss and preferences. Some professionals choose to do the programming before you arrive, we prefer to do it while you are there to ensure your hearing is to your accurate need. Once the hearing aids are out of the box and on your ears, you will begin to hearing various sounds you have not heard for years. You may even feel like everything is too loud at first. It will take time for your brain to relearn (reprogram) which sounds to adapt to or ignore, like the sound of your own footsteps or the rustle of your clothing. Do not worry—we at Stone's will run tests to make sure that the hearing aid is set appropriately for your hearing loss. You will also be counseled on how to change the battery, use any features, clean and take care of your hearing aid. Adjusting to your hearing aids  Adjusting to hearing aids takes time. Some people only need a day or two but most people need a few weeks or a few months to adjust to using hearing aids. The important thing to remember is to wear them, even if just for a few hours the first day, an hour longer the following day, and so on until you are wearing hearing aids all day. Start in a favorable listening environment (such as one-on-one conversations in quiet) and work towards more difficult listening situations. Let your friends and family know that you are using your new hearing aids.During this time of adjustment, you will want to see us at Stone's for as many follow-up visits as you need to fine-tune the sounds you are hearing, adjust the fit in your ear and talk about the situations that are most challenging for you. Though many hearing aid professionals charge fees for this process, we at Stone's Hearing Aid Service provide all of these services at no cost as Your Hearing is Our Concern and quality is behind our name.  |
Protect Your Ears This 4th of July
| Posted on July 1, 2013 at 7:53 PM |
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Protect
Your Ears This 4th of July, Stone’s Hearing Aid Service Urges Community  The Stone’s Hearing Aid Service Family is urging people to
use sound judgment and ear plugs in celebrating the 4th of July, America’s
noisiest day of the year. The single bang of a firecracker at close range can
permanently damage hearing in an instant. Loudness is measured in decibels,
with silence measuring at approximately 20 dB sound pressure level (SPL). Any
noise above 85 dB SPL is considered unsafe. Most firecrackers produce sounds
starting at 125 dB SPL–presenting the risk of irreversible ear damage. We are asking that people pack earplugs when heading
out to this year’s 4th of July celebrations and is advising them to exercise
safety whenever around fireworks. The single bang of a firecracker at close
range can permanently damage hearing in an instant. But by following some
simple precautions, people can enjoy the 4th of July festivities and still
protect their hearing. The
best advice we can offer is to leave the fireworks to the professionals and sit
at a comfortable distance from the display, where you can enjoy the colors and
lights, but not expose yourself and your family to loud noises. To protect your
hearing, make sure you are wearing ear plugs and that they are
securely in place before the show begins. And be sure to keep them in for the
entire show. Disposable
ear plugs, made of foam or silicone, are typically available at local
pharmacies. They are practical because you still can hear music and the
conversation of those around you when you have them in your ears. But when they
fit snugly, they are effective in adequately blocking out dangerously loud
sounds.  Noise
is one of the most common causes of hearing loss. Ten million Americans
have already suffered irreversible hearing damage from noise; and 30 million
are exposed to dangerous noise levels each day.According
to the American Pyrotechnics Association, consumption of fireworks in the
United States has risen dramatically over the past decade, from 152.2 million
pounds in 2000 to 213.9 million pounds in 2009. As more and more Americans come
into contact with fireworks, it becomes increasingly important that people
follow sound safety measures, including the use of ear protection. The
Dangers and Signs of Loud Noise Loudness
is measured in decibels, with silence measuring at 0 dB. Any noise above 85 dB
is considered unsafe. Most firecrackers produce sounds starting at 125
dB–presenting the risk of irreversible ear damage. Repeated exposure to loud
noise, over an extended period of time, presents serious risks to hearing
health as well. If you have to shout over the noise to be heard by someone
within arm's length, the noise is probably in the dangerous range. Here are
other warning signs: ·
You
have pain in your ears after leaving a noisy area. ·
You
hear ringing or buzzing (tinnitus) in your ears immediately after exposure to
noise. ·
You
suddenly have difficulty understanding speech after exposure to noise; you can
hear people talking but can't understand them. Anyone
can take the first step to addressing hearing loss by taking a simple,
interactive screening test in the privacy of their own home by going to www.hearingcheck.orgif there is a
hearing concern, please visit Stone’s Hearing Aid Service for a more
comprehensive hearing evaluation for free . Prevention
is so critical to preserving our hearing, especially for children who are at
highest risk for noise-induced hearing loss.
Make sure your family and friends fully enjoy the holiday festivities
and celebrate smart. Leave the fireworks to the professionals. Stay a safe
distance away. And pack the earplugs. Remember: close to 40 percent of hearing
loss is preventable with proper protection.  Protecting
Our HearingWe
hear sound when delicate hair cells in our inner ear vibrate, creating nerve
signals that the brain understands as sound. But just as we can overload an
electrical circuit, we also can overload these vibrating hair cells. Loud noise
damages these delicate hair cells, resulting in sensorineural hearing loss and
often tinnitus (ringing of the ears). The cells that are the first to be
damaged or die are those that vibrate most quickly–those that allow us to hear
higher-frequency sounds clearly, like the sounds of birds singing and children
speaking. The
best way to protect hearing is to avoid excessively loud noise. When you know
you'll be exposed to loud noises, like fireworks, wear ear protection. Every
day you can protect your hearing by keeping down the volume on ear-buds
stereos, and televisions. And you can teach children to quickly plug their ears
with their fingers when they're suddenly and unexpectedly bombarded by loud
sirens, jack hammers, and other loud sounds. Stone’s
Hearing Aid Service recommends that people should not personally use
firecrackers to celebrate the 4th of July, since one explosion in close
proximity could cause permanent hearing loss, not to mention bodily harm. There
is a reason why fireworks are illegal in many states, and that is because of
their inherent danger. Noise is one of the most common causes of hearing loss. Ten
million Americans have already suffered irreversible hearing damage from noise;
and 30 million are exposed to dangerous noise levels each day. Children are
most vulnerable. Adverse
Health Effects Noise
can pose a serious threat to a child’s physical and psychological health,
including learning and behavior. For example, noise can: INTERFERE
WITH SPEECH AND LANGUAGE. Repeated exposure to noise during critical periods of
development may affect a child’s acquisition of speech, language, and
language-related skills, such as reading and listening. IMPAIR
LEARNING. The inability to concentrate in a noisy environment can affect a
child’s capacity to learn. IMPAIR
HEARING. Tinnitus, often described as a ringing or buzzing sound in the ear, is
a symptom associated with many forms of hearing loss. NIHL
is a permanent hearing impairment resulting from prolonged exposure to high
levels of noise or by sudden high level (impulse) noise. DISTURB
THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM. Elevated blood pressure and other cardiovascular
ailments can be found in children who are chronically exposed to loud noise. DISRUPT
SLEEP. Noise can awaken a child or disrupt his or her sleep patterns. Minimizing
the Risks Take
the following steps to protect your child from the physical and psychological effects
of noise: • Instruct him or her to walk away from
sources of loud noises. • Limit the amount of time spent on
noisy activities. • Lower the volume. • Have your child’s hearing tested if
he/she routinely participates in noisy activities, such as playing an
instrument or attending concerts or sporting events. • Ensure that he or she wears
child-sized hearing protection, such as earplugs or earmuffs, during noisy
activities and events. • Create a quiet learning and sleeping
environment. When
to Seek Help Consult
a hearing specialist (a person who tests and measures hearing) or an
otolaryngologist (a doctor who treats diseases and problems of the ear, nose,
and throat) if you or your child experiences any of the following symptoms: • Asks people to repeat themselves. • Regularly hears ringing, roaring, or
hissing sounds. • Speaks loudly or raises voice to be
understood by someone standing nearby. • Does not react to unexpected loud
noises The
noise levels (in decibels) on the thermometer are approximate as measured at a
typical listener’s distance. Use
this sound thermometer to judge your or your child’s noise exposure. Noise
levels at 85 dB or above can be harmful to your hearing and require protection. As you can see, firecrackers alone range at 125DB, that is louder than a rock concert... Stone’s Hearing Aid Service is reminding the community that
regular hearing checks are critically important for detecting hearing loss
early and for getting appropriate treatment in order to minimize the negative
impact that unaddressed hearing loss can have on quality-of- life. Stone’s
Hearing Aid Service offers FREE hearing evaluations. The Stone’s Hearing Aid Service Family wishes you, your
family and friends a happy and safe 4 of July. Stone’s Hearing Aid Service, Your Hearing is OUR Concern |
Hearing for the Holidays
| Posted on December 3, 2012 at 12:19 AM |
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 Hearing for the HolidaysJust as with any other time of the
year, this year Stone’s Hearing Aid Service wants to ensure the “Stone’s Family” is capable of you hearing well for the holidays. In these difficult economic times we
at Stone’s Hearing Aid Service recognize that there are individuals out there
that are afraid to see how much it costs to have a hearing evaluation. This is
why Stone’s Hearing Aid Service is asking, please come to our free hearing
evaluations or schedule for a home visit, so that we can help. Stone’s is committed
to providing extraordinary personal and individual hearing care in a
compassionate environment whether in office, a home visit or in a care
facility, you can count on Stone’s for your hearing needs.
The Stone’s Family wishes for everyone
to have cleaned and tuned hearing aids before the holidays. We at Stone’s
Hearing Aid Service care about your hearing needs, we also offer free hearing
aid tuning, retubing, and cleaning. The holidays are usually time spent
with families and friends, proper communication between all is important. Do
not let someone miss out on good times and memories because of hearing loss, have
a hearing aid that is in need of cleaning, tuning, needs battery
replacement or has a broken aid.
Make a visit with Stone’s a part of
your holiday check list. It is always best if we can see the patient with their
aid, and that is why we at Stone’s offer free home and care facility visits for
m those whom many not have the availability for a in office visit.
The holiday season is one of the most wonderful times of the
year. However, for the 1 in 10 people with hearing loss, it is also the largest
time for the most hearing loss experiences and misfortunes. Scenario:
Family and friends are packed round the dinner table, busily
chatting about their year, catching up with each other’s lives, creating laughter
and memories to keep while laying food onto their plates.
Simultaneous conversations are difficult for those with hearing
loss or damage, leaving these conversations difficult to follow leaving frustration,
misunderstanding and miscommunication .Advice:
So what is a person with hearing loss or damage to do during
the holidays?
Visit or call Stone’s Hearing Aid Service for your hearing
care needs.
Create the right environment. If you have not already done
so, let the hostess know in advance about your hearing difficulties and for her
help in accommodating you. Good table lighting for easy lip reading and no dinnertime
music unless it is at the lowest volume conceivable. If a TV is playing, ask
for the volume to be turned down and for the closed captions to be turned on.
Ensure that you ask for hearing help. Sit close to someone who can be your hearing helper. Decide
on a code word between the two of you that means you need help in a hearing
situation. Be sure to sit close enough to the helper and have a pen and paper
handy in case you need the details of a tables side joke written down.
Face the guests, not the other opposite direction. If you
are hosting the get-together, have most of meal and table preparation completed
before guests arrive. This will give you time to converse with guests as they
arrive instead of standing over a stove with your back to them. Play the quiet game. After everyone is done eating or opening
presents, excuse yourself into a quiet room, such as a bathroom or porch. Spend
the next five minutes giving your ears a break from holiday noise and clearing
your head.
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