Author: David Morse

Searching for hearing aids Paducah, KY?  At Purchase Ear Technology in Paducah, your hearing and your quality of life is our priority. That means your happiness is as important to us as the health of your ears!

Tim Harmon and his staff at Purchase Ear Technology understand the life-altering impact that hearing loss can have. We strive to offer you the most advanced and effective hearing care available today, including hearing aids, assistive listening devices, hearing loss rehabilitation and tinnitus therapy. Our goal is to help you restore your hearing clarity and eliminate the sense of isolation that hearing loss can cause.

Our expert audiologist, Tim Harmon, has helped over 1,000 patients like you over the years with their hearing loss and hearing-related conditions. Patients of Purchase Ear Technology enjoy our state-of-the-art treatment technology, extensive experience, and compassionate approach in providing top-notch hearing rehabilitation.

In addition to our advanced technology and expertise in providing 5-star treatment, you can also count on the numerous extra steps we take to give you an exceptional experience. Our office prides itself on our friendly team members who let you know that you are more than just a customer, you are family.

When you are ready to learn more about Purchase Ear Technology in Paducah, give us a call at 270.558.3996 to speak with one of our friendly team members or to schedule an appointment. During your new patient appointment, our knowledgeable team will make sure all your questions are thoroughly answered about our office, our hearing rehabilitation treatments and anything else that you would like to know about us!

Give us a call today or stop by our office located at 2008 Broadway, Paducah, KY to find out how we can help improve your hearing.  Come experience Purchase Ear Technology in Paducah and find out for yourself why we consistently receive 5-star reviews from our patients.  We look forward to having you join our family!

Did you know that hearing actually occurs in the brain? As sound waves pass from our outer ear to our middle ear to our inner ear, tiny hair cells turn them into electric signals that are received and processed by the auditory cortex in our brains. Neural pathways that transmit these electric signals become inactive with untreated hearing loss. As a result, with untreated hearing loss, our brains attempt to fill in the gaps which may cause a larger cognitive load that is taxing on brain functions.

According to studies conducted at the University of Texas at El Paso, hearing aids improve brain function. Conducted by Dr. Jamie Desjardins, assistant professor in the speech-language pathology program at U of T, the use of hearing aids drastically increased cognitive function for people who experience hearing loss. This supports other studies conducted at Johns Hopkins, which have found potential links between untreated hearing loss and a risk for dementia.

The Brain and Untreated Hearing Loss

With untreated hearing loss, the brain struggles to make sense of unclear sound signals. As the brain struggles to fill in the gaps of muffled sounds and distorted speech, it may grow tired. “Think about somebody who has hearing loss and is still working and they’re not wearing hearing aids,” says Dr. Desjardins. “They are spending so much of their brainpower just trying to focus on listening. They may not be able to perform their job as well. Or if they can, they’re exhausted because they are working so much harder. They are more tired at the end of the day, because it’s a lot more taxing. It affects their quality of life.”

In recent years, researchers have found potential links between untreated hearing loss and dementia. At Johns Hopkins, a study revealed that of 639 test subjects, those with untreated hearing loss were more likely to develop dementia over the course of 12-18 years. The auditory system, which takes in and makes sense of sound waves from our environments, works in conjunction with different areas of our brain. Our brains are stay in shape by registering sounds as reflexes, recognition, and emotional responses. With untreated hearing loss, these channels may begin to dull and certain areas of the brain are not as active as before.

Untreated hearing loss can take toll on one’s physical and emotional well-being, not to mention the risk it potentially contributes to developing dementia. According to Frank Lin from Johns Hopkins, hearing loss affects the brain in three major ways: cognitive load (which taxes brain functions when it struggles to hear), change in brain structure and function, and reduced social engagement.

If left untreated, hearing loss could increase one’s risk for developing dementia. In part, individuals who experience hearing loss have difficulties with verbal communication, especially in louder social settings. As such, with untreated hearing loss, people may be less likely to participate in social gatherings and activities. This corroborates research on dementia: people who are more social are less likely to develop dementia, due to consistent engagement with the world around them. This stimulation keeps our brains active.

How Hearing Aids Improve Brain Function

For her study, Dr. Desjardins selected a group of people in their 50s and 60s with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and who had not previously used hearing aids. It is important to note that Dr. Desjardins focused on sensorineural hearing loss, as this type occurs due to a breakdown in the process in which inner ear hair cells translate sound waves into neural signals to be sent to the brain.

Participants of the study took a series of cognitive tests, which measured their memory, selective attention, and processing speed abilities – both prior to and after the use of hearing aids. After two weeks of hearing aid use, participants showed an increase in scores for recalling words, with improved processing speeds. By the end of the study, participants had drastically improved on their cognitive function from the beginning of the study.

Hearing aids amplify sounds and provide us with clearer sound signals in our daily lives. From speech recognition to recognizing directionality of sounds in our environment, hearing aids treat hearing loss and ensure that we – and our brains – stay engaged and aware of our surroundings. Furthermore, hearing aids ensure that we do not lose touch with our loved ones or abandon our favorite past times and activities, which keep our brains active.

Treating Hearing Loss with Hearing Aids

If you’ve experienced changes in your hearing, there is no reason to live with untreated hearing loss. In fact, there are so many benefits to seeking treatment! Treating hearing loss with hearing aids is a clear solution to improving not just cognitive function, but overall quality of life.

If you live in Western Kentucky, Southern Illinois, or Southeastern Missouri, Purchase Ear Technology would like to help treat your hearing loss.  You can contact us by phone at (270) 558-3996 or stop by our office located at 2008 Broadway, Paducah, KY to see how we can help.

Dealing with hearing loss at work can be challenging, but not addressing it can be even more detrimental to your career.

Colleagues with hearing loss often have a reputation for not being very attentive or for not listening to instructions. This can seriously damage promotional chances and work relations, as it is important to have a good opinion of those we work with. It is one thing to have colleagues complain that you don’t listen and even have them tell you that you need a hearing test, but it is a different thing entirely to discover that in fact you do have a hearing problem.

If you’ve taken the step to get hearing aids, congratulations! Now comes the challenge of getting use to them, informing your colleagues and making them a normal part of your life. Adjusting to new hearing aids at work may seem intimidating, but here are five tips that will make it easier.

5 Tips for Adjusting to New Hearing Aids at Work

Be Honest

Misunderstandings about your hearing loss can over be overcome through perseverance and education. To make it easier, it’s important to be totally honest from the start, both with yourself and with others. Trying to run away from hearing loss or avoid it helps nobody and will make things worse in the short term.

Tell your colleagues and your boss about your hearing loss diagnosis, whether in a formal meeting setting or individually. It is better to tell people that you’re close to all at once, so they are informed by you and not from others. Consider showing them your hearing aids and the technology that you’re using, and tell them how it works. Remember to tell them that they don’t need to yell or speak differently to you, as the hearing aids will do that work for them, amplifying their voices when needed.

If people are intimidated by your needs, it’s important to not be confrontational, as this tends to only make others defensive. Understanding and patience is the only thing that will help at a time like this.

Explain your Needs

Explain as early as possible to those in authority not only about your hearing loss diagnosis, but also about the ways it will change your interactions. Be careful to explain that given a little time and effort, it will make not only your life better, but will also greatly enhance your working relationships with those around you.

Do make certain you explain that there will be an adjustment period and what they can expect during this time.

The same goes for friends, colleagues and workmates. They may be feeling a mixture of confusion and fear that you will not be the same person, so take time to explain, attempt to find humour in the situation, if this is in your nature. Reassure them that once you adjust to your new aids, that they will make communication easier and misunderstandings happen a lot less.

Use your Technology

Those newly diagnosed with hearing loss often go through the stages of grief, as they come to terms with the changes in their life.

The effort of learning to use hearing aids and giving your brain time to adjust to it is no easy task, and in the early days there is a very real tendency of wanting to put the thing away and just go back to how life used to be.

Don’t do this! Audiologists will tell you that it takes around three weeks for the brain to adjust to the new amplified audio signals being sent into the ears and, until this adjustment period is over, it can be a very confusing and annoying experience. But it will get better, and soon you’ll notice all the sounds you were previously missing.

The changes experienced at this time are not only felt by the new hearing aid wearer, but also by those they come in contact with, particularly their family, social group and work colleagues. Be patient and continue using your technology. Soon, no one will notice the difference.

Know your Technology

You’re your own best advocate. Knowing your needs in the workplace also comes from knowing about your technology. Make sure you know how your hearing aids work, so that you can explain to others if necessary. You never know, maybe another colleague needs hearing aids and they would like to know how they work.

Ask for Help when Needed

If you’re having trouble adjusting to your hearing aids at work and need help, remember you can always go back to your audiologist for help or advice.

Remember, wearing hearing aids is a good thing and it can really make a huge positive impact on your life, but nothing good ever comes without a little hard work.

Be gentle with yourself and do try to relax. Allow yourself to make mistakes, as you slowly feel your way back into hearing again. Within a short time your hearing aids should begin to really make a difference.

Need help in finding the right hearing aid?  Give us a call at Purchase Ear Technology in Paducah, KY at (270) 558-3996 or visit us at 2008 Broadway, Paducah, KY  42001.

Because at least a portion of our hearing aids sit inside of our ears, an accumulation of sweat and earwax is inevitable. Sometimes, this buildup is visible when we look at our hearing aids and when this happens, it can be very tempting to try to remove the debris on our own. While daily maintenance and light home cleanings of hearing aids is recommended, it’s extremely important that you leave the deep cleaning to the professionals. Hearing aids involve a lot of technology in a tiny package, and are therefore easily damaged when improperly cleaned or handled.

Why Do Hearing Aids Need Cleanings?

Hearing aids are similar to other pieces of technology, in that they operate most properly when they are well maintained. Especially in the summer months where everything is hotter, it doesn’t take long for sweat, earwax and our body’s natural oils to build-up in the receivers or microphones of our hearing aids. This accumulation is not only dirty, it also has the potential to carry bacteria. Dirt and build-up can also muffle your hearing aids’ sound quality.

How Often Should My Hearing Aid be Professionally Cleaned?

Exactly how often a deep cleaning by a professional is recommended will vary slightly depending on your hearing aid style, as well as how quickly your earwax or sweat builds-up. For some people, professional cleanings should be maintained every three months, while others can safely go about six months between cleanings. It is important to regularly touch base with your hearing healthcare professional to ensure you are scheduling maintenance, fittings, and cleaning appointments at regular intervals that are appropriate for you.

What Happens at a Professional Hearing Aid Cleaning?

During a professional hearing aid cleaning, your specialist will use specialized tools to gently remove any accumulation of earwax, sweat, dust or debris from your hearing aids. The professional will ensure that all of the debris is removed safely and completely, without damaging any of the delicate interworking of your hearing aid. Your professional cleaning should include cleaning of the receivers, microphones, and any tubing your hearing aid may or may not have, as well as gentle cleaning of the outer housing. Most of the time, hearing aid cleaning appointments are rather quick, and do not often involve the need to leave your hearing aids overnight.

What Can I Do at Home?

While deep and throughout hearing aid cleanings should be done by a professional, there are still daily maintenance and care procedures you can and should safely take at home in order to better care for your hearing aids. Follow these in order to keep your aids as clean as possible between professional appointments.

Wipe with a soft, dry cloth. When wiping the outer casing of your hearing aids, do NOT use a wet cloth or wipes with any type of alcohol or chemicals in them. These can damage your hearing aids. A dry cloth will suffice for wiping dirt and grime from the outside of your hearing aid if done nightly.

Remove ear molds to clean. If your hearing aid is a RIC or BTE model with removable ear molds, these should be taken-off prior to cleaning. Once removed, it is safe to wash the molds with a mild, gentle soap and warm water. Make sure the molds are completely dry before reattaching them.

Get the right tools. Cleaning kits made specifically for hearing aids are very valuable tools for cleaning your aids. These kits typically come with a wax pick and a tiny brush that are gentle enough to use on your aids. When you see earwax or other dirt in your hearing aids, never try to use a pen or other “tool” to remove it – as it is very easy to cause accidental damage. These hearing aid cleaning kits are the only tools that should be used to clean your aids at home.

Adopt healthy habits. One of the best ways to keep your hearing aids clean and in tip-top shape is to adopt healthy and preventative habits. Remove your hearing aids for your hygiene routine both in the morning and at night. When showering, keep your aids outside of the bathroom to avoid contamination with water or other chemicals.

If you have any additional questions regarding the care of your hearing aids or would like to schedule a cleaning contact us at Purchase Ear Technology by calling (270) 558-3996 or visit our office at 2008 Broadway, Paducah, KY  42001.

Hearing aids can have an unbelievable impact on your day-to-day life, but to get the most out of them, you need to ensure that you take good care of them. Hearing aids are durable, but they’re not immune to damage. If you’ve recently started wearing hearing aids and want to keep them in optimal condition for as long as possible, here are some tips to help you look after your hearing aids.

Storing your hearing aids safely

You don’t wear hearing aids 24-hours-a-day, so it’s essential to find a safe place to store them when they’re not in use. Hearing aids work better when they are dry, so avoid leaving them anywhere where they may be exposed to moisture, and keep them in the same places so you don’t lose them. If you’re out and about, carrying them in a secure box in your bag is a great idea, while keeping them in a box in a drawer at home will prevent your hearing aids from getting lost or broken. When you take your hearing aids out, place them straight into the box or container you’ve chosen. Don’t ever leave them lying around.

Keeping your hearing aids clean

When you have your hearing aids fitted by Purchase Ear Technology, we will demonstrate how to keep the devices clean. Due to the location of the hearing aid, in a waxy, moist area, it’s common for wax and dirt to collect in some components of the hearing aid. Frequent cleaning helps to prevent a build-up of debris and increases the efficacy of the appliance. When you clean your hearing aids, use a soft cloth and wipe the earmolds with tepid, soapy water. Don’t attempt to dry out your hearing aids with a hairdryer, as the power could cause damage to the delicate parts.

Changing the batteries

Hearing aid batteries typically last for around two weeks. When you pick up your new hearing aids, we will show you how to change the battery, but if you have any questions or you’re not sure what to do when you get home, don’t hesitate to give us a call and ask for advice. To change the battery, pull out the battery drawer, take the old battery out and replace it with the new battery. Make sure you dispose of the old canister according to safety guidelines.

Checking in with a hearing health professional

When you have hearing aids, it’s always a good idea to check in with a hearing health professional, such at Tim Harmon at Purchase Ear Technology, on a regular basis.  We can help make sure that everything is going well and your hearing aids are offering all the benefits they should be. It’s particularly important to contact us if you have any issues programming your hearing aids or you’re worried that you may have damaged the device.

 

If you have hearing aids, it’s hugely beneficial to look after them to lower the risk of damage and ensure they’re firing on all cylinders. If you have any questions or you need advice, please contact Purchase Ear Technology at (270) 558-3996 or visit our office at 2008 Broadway, Paducah, KY  42001.

The thought of adding another piece to your morning routine may seem daunting. Brush teeth. Wash face. Put in hearing aids? Purchasing hearing aids may feel like a big commitment, particularly in terms of cost and care, but the benefits of hearing aids are life-changing.

Improved physical health

Those who experience hearing loss may make a conscious choice to refrain from physical activity for fear of injuring themselves as a result of not hearing something. If your favorite aerobics class at the gym is lead by a soft speaker, you may not attend class out of embarrassment. If you love to walk around the block with chatty neighbors, you may sit out a few jaunts instead of asking to repeat the conversation.

Remaining physically active is one of the many benefits of hearing aids. Though it is possible to keep up with your physical health while experiencing hearing loss, treating the issue can lead to a more substantial physical lifestyle. Johns Hopkins even connected hearing loss with a greater risk of falling in their 2012 release. Those with untreated hearing loss are 3 times more likely to fall. Avoid that risk by wearing hearing aids.

Improved mental health

Wearing hearing aids slows down the mental decline that naturally comes with age. The National Institute of Health conducted a study on cognitive aging. They found that for Americans over the age of 65, cognitive abilities do decline regardless of whether or not the individual has a designated mental condition (i.e. dementia or Alzheimer’s). Their study helps show natural brain aging, which can then be used as a comparative marker for mental health issues.

Did you know wearing hearing aids could prevent further cognitive aging? If you hope to stave off the possibility of dementia and excessive mental decline, hearing aids may help. Additionally, hearing aids decrease your likelihood of developing depression, help you to concentrate when you’re not struggling to hear what is going on around you, and improve your directional perception. If you suffer from tinnitus, a hearing device can prevent the disease from worsening and avoid ringing in your ears. The combination of these benefits from hearing aids vastly improves mental health.

Improved sociability

Feeling better about yourself and hearing the world around you can make socializing more fun. Improved mental health translates to better relationships with those around you because you will be happier, more relaxed, and able to participate in conversations. If you can hear while out at a restaurant or party, you are more likely to meet new people and have meaningful interactions with those you do know. This leads to further social engagements and a more fulfilling social life.

The Hearing Journal posted a piece on how quality of life increases with hearing aid wear. In their study of hearing aid users and non-users, they found that the introduction of hearing aids improved 4 out of 10 participants’ lives. They cited improvements in everything from self-confidence to independence to work relationships. Additionally, 75 percent cited at least one area of their life improving as a result of wearing hearing aids. Helping you get involved in the conversation and combating isolation is one of the most important benefits of hearing aids.

Ready to look into hearing aids? Give Purchase Ear Technology a call at (270) 558-3996 or stop by our office located at 2008 Broadway in Paducah, KY.

According to the Association of Independent Hearing Healthcare Professionals, hearing test frequency should be as follows, based on age:

18 to 45 years – Every 5 years

45 to 60 years – Every 3 years

60+ years – Every 2 years

It’s imperative to start checking your hearing early in adulthood, as hearing issues can arise at any time in your life. While it’s true that most hearing loss is due to age, the advent of mp3 players and other loud devices have contributed to more hearing loss in younger people.

If you have a higher risk of hearing loss—such as working or living in a place with a lot of occupational noise—you should get your hearing tested annually. You should also get your hearing test annually if you are exposed to loud noises like motorcycles or guns on a regular basis. Your hearing test frequency is higher because you are more exposed to factors that can damage your hearing.

Ready to schedule your hearing test?  Give Purchase Ear Technology in Paducah a call at (270) 558-3996 or visit our office at 2008 Broadway, Paducah, KY  42001.

As you spend time with your parents, maybe you have found yourself repeating sentences a little too often or turning down the volume on a television. It may be time to talk to your parents about their hearing loss and the potential benefits of hearing aids. Whether young or old, sometimes parents need convincing and coaching when it comes to getting hearing aids. Here are a few tips.

Parents with hearing loss: do your research

The first thing your parents will ask is what they can do about their hearing loss. As their child, it may feel strange turning the tables and giving them advice, but you can answer their questions with the right research ahead of time. You can compile a list of audiologists if they do not already have one, provide potential costs of hearing aids, test their hearing online using a free tool, and even find resources for the hearing loss community. Having answers may make the process less overwhelming for your parent.

Add support

Your parent may have grown up in an age where hearing aids came with a stigma. They may feel that admitting they have hearing loss means they are getting older, and this can be a tough realization. Reassure them that hearing aids are smaller, more discreet, and less stigmatized than they have been in the past. Be empathetic and supportive, and remind them you are only coming from a place of love.

Explain hearing loss

Hearing loss can often sneak up on you. Since most hearing loss happens gradually over time, it may be tough knowing when the problem is large enough to address. Provide your parent with a checklist of symptoms so they understand how hearing loss specifically affects them. Perhaps they think everyone else mumbles, have ringing in their ears, or gave up on understanding phone conversations. Listen to them describe how hearing loss modifies their life, and explain these symptoms are part of the larger issue of hearing loss.

Explain hearing aids

There are many different types of hearing aids on the market, which can be overwhelming. Talk them through how hearing aids work, what type of hearing aid might benefit them, and how their life could change while wearing hearing aids. Explain that hearing aids are unique to the wearer and can be adjusted for their comfort, lifestyle, and needs. Talk them through basic hearing aid care and how simple it can be to own a pair. They should understand that wearing hearing aids would only benefit them, never come at a detriment. Hearing aids improve social, physical, and mental health, and create a greater standard of living for the wearer.

Create a plan

Having this conversation is a fantastic step in the right direction, but there needs to be follow-up. If your parent has gone this long without calling the audiologist for a hearing check, they may be reticent to do so now. Remind your parent you are there to help. Perhaps you can call on their behalf or drive them to appointments.  The easier you make this process, the greater the chance your parent will invest and wear their hearing aids.

And please remember, at Purchase Ear Technology in Paducah, we are here to help you.  Give Purchase Ear Technology in Paducah a call at (270) 558-3996 or stop by our office at 2008 Broadway, Paducah, KY  42001.

It is very rare that a person with hearing loss self-diagnoses the issue. While hearing loss can begin in your 30’s, the long gradual decline can be barely noticeable on a month to month or even year to year basis. In addition, as hearing declines, our brains adjust and we become remarkably effective lip readers, particularly of those we spend the most time with. We don’t even realize we are lip reading until we see that we can only understand people when they are directly in front of us.

Some of the signs of hearing loss:

• Asking friends and family members to repeat information frequently.
• Increasing the volume on the radio or TV to a level that’s uncomfortable for individuals with normal hearing.
• No longer enjoying social activities like group dinners at restaurants. Your friends think you have lost interest in them when really its just that you struggle to hear well in groups
• You constantly ask people them to repeat what they said or it appears that you forget what was just said (because you didn’t actually hear it).
• You miss the beginning of conversations because it’s hard to hear them and then when you jump in, they say “that’s what we were just talking about!”

What to do about it? First of all, don’t assume you need hearing aids. Just get a hearing test. This is a good step for your general health. Declining hearing can be an early sign of something more serious. Hearing test are quick and easy to do. They normally take about 30 minutes.

To schedule a hearing test, contact us at Purchase Ear Technology by phone at (270) 558-3996 or stop by our office at 2008 Broadway, Paducah, KY  42001.

Hearing aids are more and more high-tech every day. Typically, you can get 3 to 10 days out of a single hearing aid battery, depending upon how much how much you engage in streaming, use the hearing aids, and get hearing aid maintenance. However, there are steps you can take to maximize the life of your hearing aid batteries.

Here are 10 tips to get more mileage out of your hearing aid batteries:

1. Give the battery three to five minutes to breathe after removing the tab and before putting it into your hearing aid. This action allows for air to get to the stuff inside the battery and activate it.
2. Don’t forget to wash your hands before changing your batteries. Dirt and grime on your hands can cause damage and clog the air pores of the batteries.
3. Keep the battery door open at night. To keep down on battery drain, turn off or open the battery door for the night. This allows moisture to escape and to keep your batteries from corroding, which would mess up the hearing aids.
4. A dehumidifier is useful. A hearing aid dehumidifier will keep moisture out of your batteries and hearing aids.
5. Remove the batteries if you plan on not using the hearing aids for awhile. It helps to prevent moisture and corrosion.
6. Make sure you are mindful of the expiration date on the batteries. Because the batteries will drain slightly on the store shelf, make sure the batters are a year out or more from the expiration date.
7. Use the oldest batteries first to get the most mileage out of them.
8. Don’t take off the sticker tab on the batteries until you are ready to use them. The sticker tab keeps the battery fresh. Once you remove the tab, the battery is activated and starts to drain.
9. Store the batteries in a cool, dry place to prevent drainage.
10. Get rechargeable hearing aid batteries. They are now available and need to be replaced on an annual basis.

Hopefully, these 10 tips will be useful to you in maintaining the life of your hearing aid batteries.  To find out more about how to extend the life of your hearing aid batteries, give us a call at Purchase Ear Technology at (270) 558-3996 or visit our office at 2008 Broadway, Paducah, KY  42001.