Author: Hearing Doctors of NJ

When people think about hearing loss, they often think of an older person, but hearing loss can affect people of all ages. If left untreated, it can cause several surprising consequences, so it is important to get your hearing regularly tested.

1.      Cognitive Decline

Your brain is constantly picking up on sounds, even if you are not aware of them. Faint noises like air coming through a vent are filtered out by the brain. Similarly, the brain filters sound so that you can understand the difference between the siren of an ambulance passing by and the music playing on your radio. When you have hearing loss, the brain does not get the same quality of sound and struggles to pick up on sounds that are not there. This puts stress on the brain that can increase your risk of dementia later in life by at least 200%.

2.      Stomach Problems

Your body is an interconnected system and when your brain experiences stress, this emotional reaction can have a physical effect. Hearing loss can lead to an upset stomach, muscle tension, and anxiety which translates to diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal cramps. If these problems persist, more serious conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can develop.

3.      Mental Health Problems

The difficulty of communicating with other people when you are hard of hearing can cause depression and stress. A study from 2014 found this correlation between loss of hearing and an increase in depression in adults under 70 years old. Other mental health conditions that can develop from years of untreated hearing loss are social withdrawal, irritability, anger, lack of focus, and a pessimistic attitude.

4.      Relationship Problems

A survey from 2007 found that 35% of people with hearing loss had trouble maintaining personal relationships. That’s because you  may feel you hearing-impaired partner isn’t listening to you, which is frustrating for both sides who may not recognize your hearing impairment yet.

Start Treatment Now

Hearing loss can be detrimental to your quality of life and has a significant impact on both your physical and emotional health. However, you can improve your hearing with the affordable H.E.A.R. Method Treatment Program, offered by the expert team at the Hearing Doctors of New Jersey.

Get a Fresh Start

If you’re looking to improve your hearing and get a fresh start in your life, contact the Hearing Doctors of New Jersey to schedule a consultation today.

To learn more about hearing loss and hearing aids, download our FREE Insider’s Guide on how to finally hear better.

Did you know it may be easier to damage your hearing than you think? While a normal conversion occurs at around 60-70 dB, hearing loss can happen at just 85 dB! Taking this into account, power tools can actually reach up to 100dB or more, depending on the tool. This is loud enough to permanently damage your hearing, especially if you are around the sound on a regular basis. As you can see, it is quite easy to damage your hearing, especially if your job requires the use of loud tools. Because of this, it is vital that you use hearing protection while on the job. Read on to learn more about custom hearing protection and how it can benefit you.

They are Made to Fit and are More Effective

Custom-made ear protection is created to fit your ears perfectly. This means you won’t need to worry about them being too big or too small, or not providing the right protection for your ears. With custom ear protection, you get what you pay for, so even though they may cost more, they provide superior quality and are the most effective at preventing noise damage.

They are More Comfortable

Let’s face it, ear protection is not always comfortable. If you are not using the proper protection because it’s not comfortable, you need custom-made ear protection. Because it is made specifically for your ear, the fit and is going to be perfect!

They Can Be Technologically Advanced

Modern-day hearing protection is very high tech and comes with features like noise cancellation and ventilation so that you get a beautiful listening experience while still protecting your hearing. On the other hand, store-bought earplugs can simply dampen your overall hearing ability and make it difficult to hear the things you want while blocking out excessive noise. Opting for custom hearing protection is the superior choice.

They Are Customizable

Unlike store-bought earplugs, custom ear protection can be customized to your liking. For example, you can purchase custom ear protection in the style of your workplace or add unique designs that fit your needs. Being able to personalize your ear protection can give you more motivation to wear it.

Contact Us Today

For more information regarding custom hearing protection services, contact Hearing Doctors of New Jersey today. Using our proprietary H.E.A.R. Method™ Treatment Program, our doctors of audiology will determine the custom hearing protection that will best suit your needs and lifestyle.

Hearing Doctors of New Jersey is dedicated to protecting and preventing hearing loss. Recently, our team visited the Livingston Police Department and donated custom hearing protection to protect those who protect us.

Most people when they think of hearing loss, associate it with their older relatives who need hearing aids as their hearing degrades gradually through the years. However, there are many other types of hearing loss besides age-related hearing loss, some of which can silently or suddenly affect children.

Regular hearing tests, especially early in life, are essential to understanding your child’s hearing health and taking the right steps to support it if necessary.

What are Pediatric Hearing Assessments?

Hearing assessments at any age consist of an array of tests such as audiograms, physical examination of the ears, and other hearing tests that reveal your child’s hearing ability. We tailor pediatric hearing tests to make it more comfortable and easier for a child to communicate their experience no matter how old they are.

All our hearing assessments are performed using our H.E.A.R. Method™ to fully understand how the brain is hearing sound. Our proprietary treatment process is focused on the most accurate diagnosis of your or your loved ones’ hearing ability to ensure you get the right solution that fits your family and daily lifestyle. When it comes to children’s hearing health, nothing is more important than an early, accurate diagnosis, which is why we take such special care at the Hearing Doctors of New Jersey.

Signs of Pediatric Hearing Loss

Young children often don’t have the language or awareness of hearing loss to describe their internal environment. Symptoms of hearing loss look different at different ages. For example, signs of hearing loss shortly after birth include:

• Not reacting to a parent’s voice
• Not being startled by loud noises
• Not turning to face toward sounds
• Not trying to make their own sounds by a year old

As children grow, their hearing can change even if it starts out normally. For older kids, hearing loss symptoms can include:

• Trouble understanding conversations in loud environments
• Not responding when called by their name
• Complaints of ringing or other tinnitus symptoms
• Listening to music or other media at a louder-than-normal volume

Treating Hearing Loss in Children

Hearing loss can be conductive or sensorineural (or both). Conductive hearing loss is due to sound not reaching the organs of the inner ear due to a physical issue like an ear infection, fluid buildup, or blockage in the outer ear. This is usually easily treatable with antibiotics or removal of ear wax, for example.

Sensorineural hearing loss is another type of hearing loss. Depending on the diagnosis we come up with during a child’s hearing test, there are multiple forms of treatment available. Most commonly, the treatment for mild to moderate hearing loss is a well-fitted, child-friendly hearing aid. With our proprietary H.E.A.R. Method™, through testing we find the customized hearing solution for your child. Once your child is hearing well, we make sure to schedule regular appointments to monitor their hearing and ensure your child continues to hear to their fullest potential.

Comprehensive Hearing Care For Children in New Jersey

Regular hearing tests throughout your child’s early life are essential for their hearing and overall health and well-being because hearing well means living and growing well. In many situations, kids aren’t able to express their own hearing ability until far after it’s begun affecting their development, which is why we use proactive methods to fully see an accurate picture of their hearing ability. Start your child’s comfortable and comprehensive hearing health evaluation by calling our offices or contacting us online today.

To learn more about hearing loss and hearing aids, download our FREE Insider’s Guide on how to finally hear better.

For many people, hearing loss can occur as we get older. For others, hearing loss can occur much sooner. Whatever your circumstances, treating your hearing loss is extremely important – in fact, research has found that treating your hearing loss can delay the onset of dementia, reduce the impact of depression and anxiety, reduce loneliness, and improve your overall quality of life. There are many different treatment options available for hearing loss and at Hearing Doctors of New Jersey, treatment is never a one-size-fits-all approach. Here’s what to know about your hearing loss treatment options and how you can benefit from the help of our team.

Hearing Aids

Hearing aids are one of the most common and effective ways to treat your hearing loss. They work by amplifying sounds directly into the ear canal while minimizing background noise. Although they don’t cure hearing loss, they can make it easier to navigate your day-to-day life by allowing you to hear everyday sounds and conversations. There are many different types of hearing aids which now include cutting edge technologies like Bluetooth connectivity, noise cancellation, rechargeable batteries, automatic adjustment, and artificial intelligence. So, rest assured that there’s a hearing aid that will work best for you, your lifestyle, and your preferences.

Bone-Anchored Hearing Systems

A step above hearing aids, bone-anchored hearing systems are implantable devices that can treat hearing loss. They work by picking up and sending sound vibrations through the bone to the inner ear, meaning they don’t actually amplify noise. They are very sophisticated systems that can be a great option if you aren’t a good candidate for hearing aids. As with hearing aids, they can come with a variety of sophisticated features. They’re surgically implanted in the mastoid bone and although the devices and procedure can be much more expensive than hearing aids, they can last for the long term.

Cochlear Implants

Cochlear implants are another type of implantable device that works by stimulating your auditory nerve to provide sound. With a cochlear implant, you can learn to adapt to a new way of “hearing” and go about daily activities. Cochlear implants require surgical implantation and are often reserved for those who have severely impacted hearing or who are deaf. You may require a few follow-up appointments after implantation to fine-tune and adjust the implant so it works according to your needs, but cochlear implants generally last a lifetime.

Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs)

While you may or may not benefit from hearing aids or implantable devices can still have unique needs when it comes to hearing certain sounds. Assistive listening devices are accessories that can help you compensate for difficulties hearing things like television, phone calls, or music. Using advanced technology, ALDs can connect to your device and help you hear more clearly while you navigate everyday activities.

Schedule an Appointment

At Hearing Doctors of New Jersey, we offer a unique approach to hearing loss treatment. Using our proprietary H.E.A.R. MethodTM, our Doctors of Audiology focus on your brain-hearing ability and develop a comprehensive treatment plan that is personalized based on your unique goals and needs. To learn more about hearing loss and hearing aids, download our FREE Insider’s Guide on how to finally hear better now.