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The weather is getting warmer.  Perhaps you are thinking about your spring or summer travel plans.  Americans love to travel. Older Americans are especially feeling the globetrotting urge. In fact, Baby Boomers are expected to take four or five leisure trips this year, according to a national AARP survey. Maybe you’re one of the 49% of Boomers that travel to relax and rejuvenate, booking an escape to a tropical beach or peaceful resort. Or maybe you’re one of the 57% that travel to spend time with family and friends, planning a long overdue road trip or reunion. About half (49%) of respondents only expect to travel domestically, but that leaves the other half planning to travel domestically and internationally.

Yet for too many Baby Boomers, traveling gets more complicated when you’re dealing with hearing loss. Traveling with hearing aids can be intimidating, but it doesn’t need to be. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you prepare for your trip.

Preparing for Traveling with Hearing Aids

Nothing ruins a trip more than losing a necessity — your passport, your wallet, your ability to hear. It’s even worse if you can’t do anything about it until you get home, meaning you can’t fully enjoy the vacation you’ve been looking forward to. That’s why preparing for your travels is so important. Not only can your preparation help keep your hearing aids in working order, but it puts you at ease for the entirety of your travels.

When packing for your trip, make sure you bring:

• A spare set of hearing aids if possible. You don’t want to travel in silence if you happen to misplace your main set. Pack them in a special spot that you won’t lose track of.
• Extra batteries, tubing, and tips. It’s better to have too many than not enough!
• A dehumidifier jar, especially if you’re going somewhere humid or near water. These climates can increase the risk of moisture and damage to your hearing aids through swimming, humidity, and sweat.
• A protective case to safely store your hearing aids at night, while you shower, when you go swimming, or any other time you take them off and risk misplacing them.
• A cleaning tool. Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you can take a break from cleaning your hearing aids. It’s important to clean them regularly so you keep getting clear sound from your aids.

Flying with Hearing Aids

A major concern people have about traveling is whether they’re able to fly on an airplane with their hearing aids. Does the TSA allow hearing aids? Don’t worry, flying with hearing aids is allowed and encouraged.

Tips For Traveling Via Airplane:

• Wear your hearing aids to the airport. Gate changes and delays happen all the time, and it’s important to hear all airport announcements. TSA procedures do not require you to remove any hearing aids or cochlear implant. Additional screening (a pat-down or inspection of the device) may be required if it alarms the walk-through metal detector or advanced imaging technology.
• Bring your hearing aid accessories in your carry-on. Not only will this prevent losing items because of misplaced luggage or unexpected delays, but you’ll have everything you need at your disposal should you have any problems with your hearing aids.
• Wear your hearing aids during your flight. Unlike other electronic devices such as phones and laptops, you are allowed to use your hearing aids during the entire flight, and you should! It’s important that you’re able to hear the safety instructions and announcements from the airline staff.
• Don’t turn the volume down, even though it can be tempting to “turn off” the airplane engine noise and whining children. Instead, use the noise reduction features on your device to reduce background noise.

Traveling shouldn’t be stressful. To make the most of your trip, just plan ahead and make sure you’ll have everything you need while you’re away from home.

Have questions about traveling with hearing aids?  Tim Harmon, your Paducah hearing specialist,  at Purchase Ear Technology would be glad to answer any questions you have about traveling with hearing aids.  Please feel free to stop by our hearing aid center located at 2008 Broadway, Paducah, KY  42001 or give us a call today at (270) 558-3996.

Hearing loss can be triggered by loud noises or infections, but for most, hearing loss is gradual, age-related and only noticeable as it progresses. Fortunately, impaired hearing can be improved, or even fully corrected, with the use of a hearing aid.

First Signs of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss rarely occurs all of a sudden. It usually develops gradually, over a long period of time – and is therefore imperceptible at first. This is because those affected gradually get used to the onset of hearing loss. Because the brain can compensate for the hearing deficiencies for a long time, there are few disadvantages in everyday life during the first phase.

But from a certain point, hearing loss can no longer be readily compensated for. Often, this is noticed by family and friends of the affected person long before they themselves realize they cannot hear normally.

Even those affected by hearing loss who know that they can no longer hear perfectly often still do nothing for a long time. Using the argument “It’s still OK!”, they put off a hearing test with an audiologist or hearing care professional. This is because being aware of your own hearing loss is one thing, but acknowledging it is not so easy.

The problem is that if you wait too long, you risk serious consequences. Researchers have found that after about seven years, our brains simply lose the ability to understand certain sounds. If you wait too long to get help with hearing aids, even though you will once again be able to hear those sounds again, the brain may not be able to correctly interpret what is being heard.

What happens in the event of hearing loss?

The cause of hearing loss may be found at various points in our complicated, sensitive ears: the outer ear, the middle ear, the inner ear or even the auditory nerve. Hearing loss is not always age-related. It can also be triggered by loud noises, infections, medications or injuries, or may be hereditary.

Often it is the higher frequencies that are affected first. Because these are important for hearing the so-called voiceless consonants (f, s, p, t), the understanding of speech especially in high background noise is noticed first. Depending on the type of hearing loss, other symptoms may appear, for example tinnitus, noise sensitivity, or dizziness. In almost all cases, hearing loss is permanent, and it is often difficult to predict how it will progress.

Those affected are often unaware that untreated hearing loss will eventually have an impact on the mind and quality of life. People with untreated hearing loss often complain of chronic fatigue. For them, conversations are so stressful that they would rather avoid social contact, and they increasingly withdraw. The impact of this self-imposed isolation is very serious. Studies show that older people with untreated hearing loss are more likely to develop dementia than those with normal hearing or people using hearing aids.

What can be done about hearing loss?

Whether or not a hearing aid can be used to compensate for or reduce hearing loss depends on the cause. In most cases, a hearing aid may be beneficial. When amplifying and modulating background noise, the hearing aid takes into account how the auditory response area in our heads processes sounds and voices. Modern technology therefore makes hearing easier and more comfortable again.

Tim Harmon and his staff at Purchase Ear Technology in Paducah, want to help with your hearing loss.  Give us a call today at (270) 558-3996 or stop by our office at 2008 Broadway, Paducah, KY  42001.

Hearing aids are like shoes. Each person needs a specific size shoe to fit their foot, and each person needs a unique hearing aid program to ensure that the hearing aid is “just right” for their needs. But how do you know what you really need in a hearing aid—not want—need?

Here are five questions you should ask during a hearing appointment to make sure you’re getting a hearing aid that’s “just right” for you!

What options do my hearing loss and ears allow for?

No two ears are exactly alike, and no hearing loss is identical to another person’s loss. The first question you want Tim Harmon at Puchase ear Technology in Paducah to answer after undergoing a thorough hearing examination is what hearing aids your ears and hearing loss allow for.

Some people will have small ear canals that prevent them from using completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids, even though an available CIC product may work perfectly with their hearing loss. Other people may have such a severe loss that requires an extremely powerful hearing aid not offered in the style they were hoping to get.

What are my hearing aids capable of?

Knowing what a hearing aid can and cannot do is important for your lifestyle. You should come into the appointment with a list of what lifestyle elements are important to you including: exposure to noisy environments, how often you dine out, are around multiple people, have meetings at work, use the phone or want to use the phone, travel, have leisure time and more. This list of lifestyle choices will help your audiologist or hearing professional to provide the best hearing aid options based on both your hearing needs and lifestyle choices.

Do my hearing aids need other devices?

After you know what your hearing aid is capable of doing, it’s likewise important to know if it can function alone, or if it needs help from an outside device or app.

For example, if you want to take phone calls directly through your hearing aids, you will need to make sure the hearing aids will work directly with your phone, or if not, that you can purchase a device that will stream calls through your hearing aids.  If you are an avid TV watcher, you may want your hearing aids to wirelessly connect to the TV. Finally, find out if the hearing aids use a mobile app or remote control to control hearing aid features.

What happens if my hearing aids break?

Hearing aids need maintenance and care just like any other technological device. They break, get old, and eventually may need repair, a professional cleaning or even replacement.

Let’s develop a plan in case one or both become inoperable. Make sure you understand how long a repair or cleaning may take, how long you may be without your hearing aids and what you should do in the meantime. This will not only reduce stress and listening fatigue, but it will also maintain a positive and communicative relationship between you and Purchase Ear Technology.

How soon will I need to upgrade?

Hearing aids are an investment, but like all technological devices, hearing aids will be subject to updates, upgrades and program modifications.  Be sure you clearly understand what possible updates your hearing aids may go through in the next year to three years. Ask about any updates the hearing aids use that are currently underway.

Sometimes hearing loss can get worse, or as your ears adapt to the volume of your hearing aids, you may need to get the hearing aids adjusted (ex. increase or decrease the frequency range of the programs) or you may eventually need new hearing aids with more advanced technology.

Are you ready to take the next step?  Contact us at Purchase Ear Technology to schedule and appointment by calling (270) 558-3996 or stop by our office located at 2008 Broadway, Paducah, KY  42001.

Loud environments with a mixture of different sounds always present a challenge in terms of hearing. This is especially true in places where there are lots of people chatting, and where there is background music playing, such as in busy restaurants and bars. Spending time in such places can be extremely frustrating for people with (even limited) hearing loss, simply because they are unable to follow a conversation comfortably. The so-called cocktail party problem is a common early sign of hearing loss.

Many people in the early stages of hearing loss may assume that they are hearing just as well as others in such an environment.  Therefore, it is important for you to pay attention to your hearing in a variety of settings.  Some of the most common signs of hearing loss may include:

• Muffling of speech and other sounds.
• Difficulty understanding words, especially against background noise or in a crowd.
• Trouble hearing consonants.
• Frequently asking others to speak more slowly, clearly and loudly.
• Needing to turn up the volume of the television or radio.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, we invite you to stop by Purchase Ear Technology for a hearing test.  We are conveniently located at 2008 Broadway, Paducah, KY.  You may also CLICK HERE to contact us!

Ask yourself the following questions. If you answer “yes” to three or more of these questions, you could have a hearing loss and might need to have your hearing checked.

• Do you sometimes feel embarrassed when you meet new people because you struggle to hear?
• Do you feel frustrated when talking to people because you have difficulty hearing them?
• Do you have difficulty hearing or understanding co-workers, clients, or customers?
• Do you feel restricted or limited when you have a problem hearing?
• Do you often think, “I can hear but I don’t understand what is being said?”
• Do you have trouble understanding the dialogue on internet videos, movies, or in the theater?
• Does a communication issue due to poor hearing cause you to argue with family members?
• Do you ask people to repeat what they say?
• Do you think others mumble?
• Do you have difficulty hearing on the phone?
• Do you have trouble hearing the TV or radio and turn up the volume that is too loud for others?
• Do you feel your personal or social life is limited?
• Do you have trouble hearing your dining companions when you are together in a restaurant?

If you answered “yes” to three or more of the above questions, we would like to help you.  Give Purchase Ear Technology in Paducah a call at (270) 558-4996 to schedule a hearing test.  You may also stop by our office located at 2008 Broadway, Paducah , KY  42001.

Hearing loss can make conversations more challenging. Often we must rely on our conversation partners to practice communication best practices like facing us when they speak and providing context before changing topics. But communication is a two-way street. There are also many things we can do to enhance our ability to have successful and productive interactions with others. By following some simple rules of thumb, we can put ourselves in a better position to hear and communicate as best as is possible.  Below you will find 8 tips:

1. Inform Others About Your Hearing Loss

Don’t be shy about disclosing your hearing loss. People cannot help you if they do not know you are struggling. I make a habit of announcing my hearing loss at the start of any group meetings or retreats. It is easy to do as part of the introductions. This way I get the information out and avoid any awkwardness later when I ask someone to repeat themselves or grab a seat in the front row so I can hear the speaker better.

2. Be Specific About Your Needs

Let others know what they can do to help you hear your best. The more specific you are in your instructions — I need you to sit on my left side or please face me when you speak to me — the more likely you are to get good results. Be prepared to remind people what they can do to help. Since hearing loss is not visible, people sometimes quickly forget that you have trouble hearing.

3. Put Others At Ease

If you appear comfortable with your hearing loss, others will be as well. Let people know that they can ask you about it. I often joke with people saying, “If you say something to me and I don’t answer, or if I look at you like you have two heads, please don’t think I am rude, it is probably because I didn’t hear you.” Humor often makes people more forgiving of a social faux pas or two, and more willing to try again to engage you in conversation.

4. Stay Informed

Since context is so important in following conversations, try to stay abreast of current news and social happenings. It is easier to understand a new name (of a country or a celebrity) if you have seen it written about recently. This can be especially important if you are traveling to a different country where the names of historical figures and landmarks are less familiar to you.

5. Maintain Good Energy

Hearing takes extraordinary concentration for those with hearing loss so it is important to approach communication situations as well rested and alert as possible. Eat healthy food, exercise regularly, and be sure to get enough sleep. Also, don’t be afraid to take breaks from communication if your energy is lagging.

6. Interrupt for Clarification In Moderation

If you miss a word or two of a story, listen a little bit longer before jumping in with “What?” You may be able to piece together what was said after another sentence or two. This does not apply at the doctor, or in another situation where full knowledge is imperative, but in social situations, not following every detail is probably ok some of the time. Also, when asking for clarification, say what you think you heard to minimize what the speaker needs to repeat.

7. Use Non-Verbal Clues To Guide Your Communication Partner

Cupping your hand behind your ear is a good way to ask the speaker to raise his voice without interrupting the flow of the conversation. Leaning closer to somebody can also indicate that you are having trouble hearing them.

8. Go With The Flow

Manage your expectations. In certain situations, hearing every word is just not possible, but try to be grateful for what you can hear. Keep your sense of humor ready for the inevitable mishearings. Some of them can be quite funny if you let them.

If you are experiencing signs of hearing loss, we would like to help.  Give Purchase Ear Technology of Paducah a call at (270) 558-3996 to schedule an appointment or stop by our office located at 2008 Broadway, Paducah, KY  42001.

Rigorous research and development efforts have helped hearing aids evolve from large, unwieldy accessories to sleek, nearly invisible designs with a multitude of features. These transformations have made differences in the lives of millions of people.

Thirty years ago, people wouldn’t wear hearing aids because every time someone would come close, their hearing aids would start squealing.  It was embarrassing, and they couldn’t hear anything anyway.

In more recent years, detailed engineering efforts have paved the way for instruments that fit the needs of the many, while providing the flexibility to accommodate each user’s unique patterns of hearing loss.   Digital hearing aids changed everything. All of a sudden, instead of making everything louder, we are now able to fit those people who had those high frequency hearing losses with better technology.

Competition has improved the market offerings, and technology has vastly improved in both receiver-in-canal (RIC) and custom hearing aids.  With so many options on the market today, the input of a hearing professional like Tim Harmon at Purchase Ear Technology is essential in finding the right device.

If you have been considering hearing aids, give us a call at Purchase Ear Technology in Paducah at (270) 558-3996 or visit our office at 2008 Broadway, Paducah, KY  42001.  Let us help you find the best hearing aid device just for you!

Have you ever thought about protecting your ears before? No? Then you’re not alone. Often, we don’t even think about the actual consequences everyday noises can have on our hearing. Constant noise can not only lead to hearing loss, but can also be associated with numerous other health-related risks. Here, you will find out more about the impacts of noise and how you can best protect your hearing.

Why should I protect my hearing?

Unlike the eye, which can close its lid in a fraction of a second, the ear is unable to protect itself from noise. We cannot deliberately shut off our hearing or temporarily switch it off, it is always ready to pick up sounds and noises, including loud ones. Accordingly, with regular or acute loud noise, the hair cells can suffer and even die off. In worst-case scenarios, this can lead to hearing loss.

So to ensure we maintain the ability to enjoy the full spectrum of the sounds of life, it is paramount to protect our most important sense. If not, we may no longer be able to rely on it in future, may it be in conversations or in dangerous situations.

What impacts on my health can loud noises have?

Often, we are completely unaware that our hearing is at risk in everyday situations: Excessively loud music in clubs, at concerts or noise from DIY work at home can quickly cause hearing loss, even in young people. Constant noise, of the type we hear on busy roads for example, is classed as being in the hazardous range at volumes of around 80 decibels, and can cause long-term damage to our hearing. In addition to noise-related hearing loss, which is affecting more and more people, loud noises can also lead to tinnitus or even sonic trauma.

Persistent noise affects not only our ears, but also our whole bodies. This is because every disruptive noise puts the body into a state of alert. This causes the excretion of stress hormones, a faster heartbeat, increased blood pressure and more rapid breathing. Further consequences of noise stress can include concentration problems, impaired performance, sleep problems, high blood pressure and even cardiovascular disease.

With the right hearing protection, you can effectively prevent hearing damage and other risks to your health.

Do I need hearing protection?

The point at which noise becomes disruptive or unpleasant varies from person to person. The pain threshold is set at 120 decibels (dB), but street noise, engine noise or even a visit to a disco involving values of over 80 dB can impair health. But exactly how loud is one decibel, or even 10 decibels? Below you will find a graphic illustrating how many decibels the following everyday noises generate.

Strategies for protecting your hearing

To avoid hearing loss, you should follow a few tips on how to protect your hearing. They are easy to follow and help to ensure that your ears are less exposed to harmful noise, allowing you to continue enjoying problem-free hearing.

If you think you are experiencing any signs of hearing loss, Purchase Ear Technology in Paducah can perform a professional hearing test to assess your needs.  Give us a call at (270) 558-3996 to schedule an appointment or visit our office located at 2008 Broadway, Paducah, KY  42001.