Celebrate May is Better Hearing Month!

It's that time of year again when we can take a moment to appreciate awareness for better hearing. The American Academy of Audiology has some informative fact sheets on their website that can be downloaded from here: FACT SHEETS.


Some of the topics include: Noise Induced Hearing Loss, Noise in the Work Place, Hearing Loss, Hearing Loss in Children, and more...

Apple explains the science of sound and listening responsibly

On December 30, 2009, Apple Inc won their appeal for iPod hearing loss lawsuit. The appeals court in San Francisco ruled that the plaintiffs failed to show that use of the iPod poses an unreasonable risk of noise-induced hearing loss. Senior Judge David Thompson wrote, "At most, the plaintiffs plead a potential risk of hearing loss not to themselves, but to other unidentified iPod users" (via Reuters). I believe that the lawsuit was originally filed in 2007.

At that time, Apple was under fire and decided to address issues concerning responsible use of their iPod. So, they launched a page on their website called Sound and Hearing and the option to set the maximum volume limit on an iPod. This can be especially useful for parents who want to protect their kids ears from exposure to loud sounds. 

Just remember that exposure to any sound at extremely loud levels can cause damage to the hearing system.

Etymotic custom earpieces - are they worth it?

The Wall Street Journal recently posted an article written by Courtney Banks, who shares her experience with using a pair of custom-fit, noise-isolating earphones by Etymotic, Inc. Listening to any music device can be frustrated in the presence of background noise. There have been published studies that show the effects of listening to mp3 players at very loud volumes for extended periods of time. This type of exposure can lead to noise-induced hearing loss. Since standard earpieces do not block excessive noise in the environment, people tend to crank up the volume on their mp3 players to hear over the noise. According to Etymotic, the custom-fit earphones can reduce ambient noise by 26 decibels.

Good news is that noise-isolating earphones are becoming increasingly more popular. For a more comfortable fit in the ear canal and for a better seal, custom earpieces can be added to Etymotic's Hf2 noise-isolating earphones ($179). The article describes how an audiologist can take impressions of the ear canal to create the custom piece, which fits on the earphones. These cost an additional $100, but according to Ms. Banks, they are well worth it! 

Check out a video of the custom earpieces - Wall Street Journal

To reach a wider audience, Etimoytic is selling the earpieces through Perfectearphones.com and plans to sell them in Apple stores by summertime. The standard earphones are purchased with a voucher. Simply take the voucher to an audiologist's office to have impressions taken of your ear canal. These impressions are used to create the custom earpiece. Check out the full WSJ article here. 

Why Hearing Aids DON'T Suck by Healthy Hearing

A recent article published on the Healthy Hearing website provides a rebuttal to a Wired magazine article titled "Why Things Suck: Hearing Aids," that according to Healthy Hearing, gave misinformation about current hearing aid technology. Here is one example from the Wired magazine article: "High-end hearing aids add a directional microphone trained in front of the listener, but that increases cost and, critically, bulk." This is a false statement!


Almost every digital hearing aid on the market today is equipped with directional microphones that can assist the listener understand speech better in noisy situations compared to an omnidirectional microphone that picks up sound from all around. The hearing aids with dual microphones are not more expensive nor do they require larger hearing aid casings. Check out one of Phonak's new products, the Audéo SMART (pictured), which is a small hearing device with directional microphones offered at all three performance levels along with other features. Not only does this hearing aid have a directional microphone but it has adaptive directionality, like most hearing aids on the market today. This means that the hearing device can be set to automatically evaluate the sound environment and select the best microphone configuration for the situation.


The Wired article also goes on to say, "Hearing aids can cost more than $3,000 apiece," which is also incorrect! Hearing aid technology comes in a range of prices and do not start at $3,000! The article goes on and on feeding the reader inaccurate information without any resources.


Ok, I digress. Read the article by Healthy Hearing called, "Why Hearing Aids DON'T Suck," to learn about how hearing aids can improve one's ability to hear and positively impact the quality of life of hearing impaired individuals. It also provides a good overview of advancements in digital hearing aid technology including design, microphones, digital sound processing and batteries.

Crescenta Valley High School: Hearing Conservation Presentation

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of presenting to the students of Crescenta Valley High School's Academy of Science and Medicine program. The presentation is part of the grassroots effort on behalf of House Ear Institute's (www.hei.org) teen hearing conservation program titled, "It's How You Listen That Counts!"

The presentation included a range of topics including: basic anatomy of the ear, noise-induced hearing loss information and prevention, benefits of earplugs, how to use earplugs and the myth of cotton swabs. Afterwards, the students had some of the most thought-provoking questions about hearing and ear health! They were an outstanding group, not to mention very respectful!

Hopefully, the group will be able to schedule a field trip to visit the House Ear Institute to check out the ear model in the lobby and a few research labs!

I hope that I will be asked to return for more presentations at Crescenta Valley in the future!

I plan to post some photos from the presentations soon.

House Ear Institute Teen Workshop information

Photos from presentation for 9th graders

I posted a couple photos of the 9th graders during the presentation on Nov. 21st. Photos courtesy of Julian Diego Lometillo, a Clark Magnet HS student.

Japan is releasing speakers that fit inside your ear canal this August 2008. Click on the link to read about the technology on Tech-On! Victor's Earphone Makes Sound Deeper in Ear. (Image from http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/)

Think this might be a bad idea? Definitely! Here's why...

First of all, the brain adjusts to sound after a while. So, for the argument that having the earphone deeper in the ear would allow people turn the volume down lower than with earphones that do not sit as deep... this would most likely not be the case. As the brain adjusts to the lower volume, people have a tendency of wanting to turn it up.

These speakers definitely have the potential and technology to cause permanent hearing damage. The placement of these speaker units being so close to your eardrum also mean that they are closer to the hair cells of the cochlea (sensory organ of hearing) in the inner ear. Hair cells are responsible for transmitting sound information to the brain. When these hair cells are exposed to loud sounds, anything above 85 dB, they are prone to permanent damage. There is a pie chart created by House Ear Institute with different decibel levels and the number of hours of exposure it would take to cause hearing damage. With repeated exposure at unsafe levels, there would likely be a measurable hearing loss.

Yes although those with hearing loss who are fit with hearing aids have an earmold that sits deeper inside their ear canal, which delivers amplified sound to their ears, they only have access to making minimal adjustments with their volume control. The amount of gain applied is prescribed using objective measures. However with these speakers, unless you were well aware of safe sound levels, you could potentially blow your eardrums. Anyone heard of a ruptured eardrum?

Whittier Daily News - Youths warned of threats to hearing

As a presenter on behalf of House Ear Institute in Los Angeles, California, I present hearing information to kids and teens. On May 21, 2008, I presented my hearing conservation awareness presentation to the 7th and 8th graders at Downey West Middle School in Downey, California.

We were lucky enough to have the local newspaper, Whittier Daily News come out to cover the event. Since I still need to get permission to post images here, I have posted the link to the article:

Youths warned of threats to hearing - Whittier Daily News

Below is a PDF file of the article, since it will move to the archives soon.
Simply click on the images to read the full article.

South Pasadena Middle School Presentations

On January 14, 2008, I prepared and presented the hearing conservation program titled, "It's How You Listen That Counts" on behalf of the House Ear Institute at South Pasadena Middle School in Pasadena, CA. The goal of the presentation was to educate approximately 1,050 students (6th-8th graders) on basic anatomy of the ear, how we ear, safe sound levels, dangers of loud noise exposure and how to protect our hearing. The presentations ranged between 25-30 minutes and included a question and answer session. The students were a great group and asked some thoughtful questions!

An interactive portion of the presentation involved the use of a sound level meter to measure the loudness level of music in decibels (unit used to measure sound intensity). To show this, an iPod was connected to an external speaker and a student volunteer read the level displayed on the sound level meter as I increased the volume of the iPod. The purpose of the demonstration was to listen to what 85 dB sounds like and also emphasize the importance of the location of the sound source in relation to your ears. The students learned that sound intensity attenuates (decreases) as distance increases and how this can help us with protecting our ears.

As always, it was a pleasure to be able to meet with students in the community and contribute to their learning experiences. I hope that the information will help them make sound decisions, such as using earplugs in loud environments (ex. concerts) and setting safe volume levels on their mp3 players and other electronic devices. I am also continuously amazed at how receptive children and teens can be on hearing matters!

Boys and Girls Club of Burbank presentations

The hearing awareness conservation presentations at the Boys and Girls Club of Burbank were a hit with the summer day camp students!

The topics presented to the first-third graders included importance of hearing, how we hear, identifying very loud sounds and the danger, and how to protect your hearing.

The fourth- eighth graders received a similar but more in-depth presentation that also encompassed measuring sound levels using a sound level meter, noise-induced hearing loss and why not to use cotton swabs in the ear. After receiving a warm welcome, both groups were respectful, attentive and seemed eager to learn about hearing. I was thrilled to have had an opportunity to share my knowledge with them. It wonderful to meet students and answer their hearing-related questions. I hope to visit them again soon.



















Picture of me with the winners of the quiz session. The Earbud t-shirt prizes and Earbud brochures were courtesy of House Ear Institute. Many thanks to House Ear Institute for their continued support of my efforts!

Money magazine reviews “Noise-Isolating” earbuds

Click on the images to read the full article.


A larger image will open in the same window or right click to open in a new window.

The current issue of Money magazine features connecting a review of noise-isolating earbuds to a topic that appears to be receiving more attention in recent months than it has in the past: noise-induced hearing loss. With the popularity of mp3 players, as well as the risk they present with improper use, some magazines are finding good reason to discuss the hearing factors involved in consumer-product reviews. “Easy Listening: Noise-isolating earbuds deliver music in peace, no matter what’s going on around you” by Wilson Rothman channels the main healthy hearing message using a consumer-friendly approach.

Rothman reviews six low-priced model earbuds and declares Creative’s Zen Aurvana, priced at $100, as the Field Test Winner. But before he names the winner, he notes the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders ( www.nidcd.com), which states that exposure to sounds louder than 85 decibels for an extended period of time can cause hearing loss. He further mentions a significant detail that most consumers are unaware of: the maximum volume level on the iPod is 115 decibels. Rothman compares this sound level to a chain saw and grounded jet and provides an alternative to turning up your music to block background noise – buy a pair of decent noise-isolating earbuds to use with your mp3 player.

Although these are not “noise-canceling” headphones as Rothman points out, he covers all the essentials in his review of some brand-name noise-isolating earbuds and gives consumers a range to choose from. I use the Apple In-Ear earbuds and agree with Rothman that the price and sound quality are good but I think it has a couple drawbacks. My ear canals are fairly narrow and they fall out of my ear canal too often while exercising even though I use the appropriate size inserts. Without a nice tight fit, it is difficult to achieve its noise-isolating capacity.

Hearing in the news - L.A. Times

It's always nice to find an audiology article in the newspaper since it doesn't happen quite often enough, at least in my opinion. However, in the past year I have noticed a slight increase in news about noise-induced hearing loss.

"Like an earplug in a pill," published in the Los Angeles Times on July 2, 2007, discusses noise-induced hearing loss and otoprotectants.

Here is a snippet of the article. You can read the full article at: http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-lab2jul02,1,4407246,full.story

"TED AX knows he should wear earplugs when he leans into the noisy engine compartment of an MG sports car. He's been working among clanging metal and whirring power tools in garages for the last 15 years and has already developed tinnitus, a ringing in the ears that is one of the most common symptoms of hearing loss caused by excessive noise."

Ringing in the ears

Have you ever experienced ringing or buzzing in your ears? Sometimes after being exposed to very loud situations, for example concerts, you may hear ringing in your ears immediately afterwards. For most people, the ringing is only temporary and is a result of the noise exposure. However, others are bothered by ringing in their ears often or most of the time. It is estimated that 12 million Americans suffer from tinnitus
Definition of tinnitus: Tinnitus is the medical term for the perception of sound in one or both ears or in the head when no external sound is present. It is often referred to as "ringing in the ears," although some people hear hissing, roaring, whistling, chirping, or clicking. Tinnitus can be intermittent or constant-with single or multiple tones-and its perceived volume can range from subtle to shattering (American Tinnitus Association).

What causes it? There are a few causes of tinnitus; these include hearing loss, exposure to loud noise, certain types of medicines, allergies, tumors and problems in the heart and blood vessels, jaws and neck. In most cases, tinnitus is a result of damage to the microscopic endings of the hearing nerve in the inner ear. Typically, the younger the person, the more likely it is that their tinnitus is a result of loud noise exposure.

What should you do if you are experiencing the symptoms of tinnitus? Go see a doctor and he or she will try to determine the cause. Your doctor may refer you to an ENT to examine your ears and an audiologist, who can test your hearing.

Are there any treatments? Yes. Although there is no cure for tinnitus, there are some treatments that can provide relief. Treatments include maskers, medicine, relaxing and more. Click here for a complete list of treatments: Treatments

I have talked to several people that suffer from tinnitus and they describe it as being sometimes difficult to deal with and distracting. It is important to find a treatment method that works and practicing it. Some people find that listening to the TV or music helps to mask the ringing or buzzing. With proper treatment, it is possible for most people to live a normal life.


LISTEN: audio simulation which mimics what tinnitus (ringing in the ears) (click on link to play)
Tinnitus simulation by Dr. Billy Martin of the Oregon Hearing Research Center at Oregon Health & Science University has created the following sound clip that will give you an idea of what it sounds like to suffer from tinnitus.


Resources:
American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery
American Tinnitus Association
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCH)

What is considered too loud?

It can be surprising to find out how loud some everyday activities can be. Check out this great poster:

Noise Thermometer Poster
(be sure to zoom in for details)

Remember that possible ear damage begins to occur at 85 decibels (dB). If you are going to exposure your ears to sound levels above this level, use hearing protection: foam earplugs, high-fidelity earplugs or earmuffs.
Some factors to keep in mind when trying to determine safe and unsafe sound levels:
1. How close you are to the source of the sound The closer you are to the source (ex. speaker), the louder and possibly more harmful the sound.
2. Duration (time) you are exposed to the sound The recommended exposure time depends on the decibel level. Check out this helpful chart:

Source: House Ear Institute (http://earbud.org/nihl.html)

Feel free to message me with questions!

Audio Demo of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)

In celebration of "Better Hearing and Speech Month" in May, I put together a presentation for Clark Magnet High School. I'm posting an audio clip I played from my iPod to the students. It is an simulated audio clip of what noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) may sound like.


Here is some information and the clip from Health & Safety Executive that was shared with me by a friend of mine, who is an audiologist.
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Audio Demonstration of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Noise induced hearing loss is irreversible damage to the ears caused by exposure to high levels of noise. This recording demonstrates how hearing is gradually lost over a working life. Do NOT adjust the volume after starting to listen to the clip.

The hearing loss simulations all include the effects of noise exposure and aging. At the end of each simulation the hearing undamaged by noise for the age can be heard.

Click on the link below to listen to the audio demonstration.

• Audio demonstration of noise induced hearing loss [Windows media audio clip]

To save this demonstration to your computer - right click on the link and select 'save link as'