Day: March 30, 2023

Many people associate hearing loss with old age, but this is not always the case. Children can be born with hearing impairments or develop hearing loss early in life. If you suspect changes in your child’s hearing, it is important to schedule a hearing test right away since treatment options for children may be a little different than treatments for adults.

How is Hearing Loss Diagnosed in Children?

Children and adults are diagnosed with hearing loss at a hearing examination. Your child will listen to a series of beeps at different frequencies to determine their range of hearing. An individualized treatment plan will be created based on the results of this test. Your audiologist may recommend a comprehensive treatment that involves a family physician, pediatrician, and speech-language pathologist.

What Type of Hearing Aids Should My Child Wear?

Children should be fitted with prescription hearing aids fine-tuned to their specific needs. Prescription hearing aids are sold by licensed hearing specialists and audiologists. They are equipped with the latest technology and a variety of innovative features like Bluetooth capability, long-lasting battery life, automatic adjustments to different environments, and more!

Why Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Are Not Approved for Children

Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids were approved by the FDA in October, 2022, for adults over the age of 18. FDA approval was received have extensive testing and clinical trials so these hearing aids are safe, but they might not be appropriate for children. There are a few reasons why children should be using prescription hearing devices.

Speech and Language Development

Children with hearing loss require more specialized care from healthcare professionals and speech-language pathologists who can prevent development delays and ensure the child’s success. Language and speech are important not just for educational success but also for good social interaction with friends and family.

Physical Growth

Additionally, children are constantly growing which means their ears and ear canals are growing. Regular visits with a hearing specialist are needed so that the fit of the hearing aid can be checked and adjusted as needed. OTC hearing aids skip over these necessary doctor visits for children and may inadvertently hinder your child’s comfort and ability to hear.

Range of Hearing

Prescription hearing aids have more advanced technology that increases your child’s ability to hear in a variety of settings. Some classrooms have equipment that syncs the teacher’s microphone to a child’s hearing aids. This is especially helpful in noisy environments or when the teacher is speaking at a distance. Only prescription hearing aids can connect to these helpful devices.

Schedule a Hearing Test in New Jersey

Our Doctors of Audiology have extensive experience working with children and adults. Schedule your child’s appointment today at Hearing Doctors of New Jersey to begin your child’s hearing treatment program.

You might be surprised to know that the health of your heart impacts the health of your ears. The body is a closely interconnected system so problems with your hearing could be caused by or indicators of other medical conditions. These are five common questions we get about the connection between hearing health, heart health, and other medical concerns.

1. How Are Heart and Hearing Health Related?

Good blood flow and circulation are necessary for proper ear function and hearing. Fine hairs in the cochlea or inner ear relate sounds to electrical impulses that are processed by the brain so we can hear. These hair cells need blood circulation to work and heart disease or high blood pressure can limit blood flow, preventing the hair cells from receiving enough oxygen. Over time, the hair cells become permanently damaged, and hearing is lost.

2. How Can People Take Care of Their Hearts?

Staying physically healthy, maintaining a good diet low in sugar and fat, and not smoking are all important habits that can maintain your cardiovascular health. Blood pressure, cholesterol, and hemoglobin AIC (blood sugar) are often elevated in people with diabetes. If you have diabetes or high cholesterol, it is important to take your medications as prescribed to keep all your numbers in a healthy range.

3. Is Hearing Loss an Indicator of Heart Problems?

Although hearing loss is not the only indication of heart problems, it can be. The inner ear is a sensitive area easily affected by changes in blood flow. About 40% of people with mild or moderate hypertension (high blood pressure) have some form of hearing loss. Studies have also shown that people with diabetes are twice as likely to develop hearing loss. Smoking, obesity, and people with low physical activity are also at a higher risk for hearing loss.

4. What Other Health Issues are Connected to Hearing Health?

Hearing health is also strongly connected to cognitive health. A study from Johns Hopkins shows that even minor hearing loss doubles the risk of dementia and this risk is tripled for more severe cases of hearing loss. Since fluid in the inner ear plays an important role in balance, people with hearing loss are also at significant risk of vertigo and falling.

Depression and hearing loss is another common connection. Hearing loss makes it difficult to engage in conversations and group interactions so people tend to withdraw from social settings. This feeling of isolation and loneliness can increase feelings of depression for people with hearing loss.

5. What Should You Do if You Suspect Hearing Loss?

Even if changes to your hearing are subtle, you should schedule a hearing test immediately to ensure the health of your hearing. An audiologist like Dr. Rhee Nesson, Au.D., CCC-A, can determine the severity of your hearing loss and the right treatment plan depending on the possible hearing loss causes. Although hearing loss cannot be cured or reversed, early diagnosis and treatment can prevent total hearing loss and give you much better treatment outcomes.

Schedule a Hearing Test in Livingston, NJ

Even if changes to your hearing are subtle, you should schedule a hearing test immediately to ensure the health of your hearing. One of our Doctors of Audiology will determine the stage of your hearing loss and customize a treatment program for you. Although there is no cure for hearing loss, catching it early and treating it early will give you the best outcome possible.