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Hearing Aids

Why Real Ear Measurements are so Important

When treating hearing loss, it is crucial that your hearing aids properly fit and are tailored to meet your needs. One of the most important parts of this process is performing real ear measurements, which allows your audiologist to program your new hearing aids to best suit your needs. While this should be a commonplace practice, only 30% of hearing aid practices perform real ear measurements. To get the best possible results, it is important to visit an experienced audiologist who will take this step to improve your hearing.

What are Real Ear Measurements?

Real ear measurements ensure that your hearing aids are properly programmed according to your prescription for your hearing loss. By taking real ear measurements, your audiologist adjusts the programming of your hearing aids from the manufacturer so that it matches your hearing needs.

Why are Real Ear Measurements Necessary?

Hearing aids are programmed by the manufacturer to meet hearing needs as closely as possible, but the unique shape and size of each patients’ ears affects hearing as well. Real ear measurements allow your audiologist to adjust the frequency and intensity of the hearing aids according to your unique size and shape of your ear, creating a more custom fit for your hearing loss.

You can think of this process like a vision test. Rather than offering several glasses and asking you to pick the best one, your optometrist carefully adjusts your prescription and asks for your feedback before arriving at a solution specified for your needs. By taking real ear measurements, your audiologist similarly creates a customized, accurate fit for your hearing aids.

How are Real Ear Measurements Taken?

During real-ear measurements, a thin probe microphone is inserted into the ear canal alongside the hearing aid. The audiologist obtains readings of the exact sound levels the user is receiving from the hearing aid while listening to various recorded speech samples.  Using specialized software, the audiologist is able to adjust the hearing aid settings to ensure a customized, accurate fit and guarantee that all speech sounds are now audible.

Schedule an Appointment

If you are frustrated that you have to say “what” often or feel that your current hearing aids are not working properly, you should schedule an appointment with Hearing Doctors of New Jersey. Call our Livingston office at (973) 577-4100 or request your appointment online.

Click here now to receive your FREE insider’s guide to learn how to make an informed and intelligent decision when purchasing a hearing aid!

Categories
Hearing Aids Hearing Challenges

How Hearing Aids Can Reduce Your Risk of Dementia

There are a number of reasons that hearing aids can help— they can improve your quality of life, help you maintain your relationships, and even improve your mental health. But did you know that hearing aids can also help prevent some health concerns later in life? Most people who experience hearing loss wait as many as ten years before opting for treatment with hearing aids. By this time, you can experience irreversible problems with your physical and mental health, so it’s important to act early. Here are some ways hearing aids can help your health and your cognitive function as you discuss your best options with your Doctor of Audiology.

The link between hearing loss and dementia

One recent study, which followed almost 3,800 people for 25 years, found that elderly people who experienced hearing loss but did not use hearing aids were at a higher risk for dementia. It also found that using hearing aids eliminated this heightened risk. This can be attributed to the fact that hearing loss prevents you from participating in activities that can help slow cognitive decline. This is exciting news that confirms the link between your brain’s health and your hearing— and means you can take tangible steps in preventing the development of dementia early on.

What causes dementia?

We have a lot to learn about what exactly causes dementia— what we do know is that it’s a catch-all term for abnormal changes to the brain’s cells. This affects your ability to think, function, and have healthy behaviors, feelings, and relationships. There are many different types of dementia and they are most often progressive, meaning it worsens over time. We also know that there are many different factors that can contribute to the progression of dementia and that there are some ways to help prevent it.

How can hearing aids help?

The biggest benefit that comes with hearing aids is staying cognitively and mentally fit. Because hearing loss can negatively affect so many different aspects of your life, hearing aids can help improve many different aspects of your life. Hearing loss can affect your ability to participate in social interactions, your favorite activities, and relationships that are important to you. When these things suffer, it can negatively affect your mental health and cognitive function over the long term. It can also affect your physical health when it is difficult to lead an active lifestyle, leading to certain types of dementia. When your brain stays active, it can better maintain its function, which is integral to preventing cognitive decline.

How can Hearing Doctors of New Jersey help?

At Hearing Doctors of New Jersey, we focus on custom, crafted hearing solutions. Our Doctors of Audiology follow our proprietary H.E.A.R. Method™ in hearing aid selection, verification, and fitting so that you never miss another word – guaranteed.

Schedule an Appointment

If you are frustrated that you have to say “what” often or feel that your current hearing aids are not working properly, you should schedule an appointment with Hearing Doctors of New Jersey. To get started, we invite you to contact our Livingston office by calling or filling out our online form.

Click here now to receive your FREE insider’s guide to learn how to make an informed and intelligent decision when purchasing a hearing aid!

Sources

https://journals.lww.com/thehearingjournal/fulltext/2019/09000/hearing_loss_and_dementia__breakthrough_research.1.aspx