Stone's Hearing Aid Service
Where Your Hearing is Our Concern
Blog
Do NOT Let Winter Wipe Out Your Hearing
Posted on February 3, 2014 at 10:36 PM |
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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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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. 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. We
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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Just 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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