Yesterdays New York Times featured an article by Jane Brody  about hearing loss entitled “Lifelines for People with Hearing Loss.”  The article talks about the social and cognitive effects of hearing loss.  Those with a loss of hearing often put the blame on others- people are “mumbling or talking to fast” are some of the common excuses I hear all the time.  In reality, even a slight loss of hearing can make listening difficult regardless of how clearly a person may speak to you.  Over time, a significant loss of hearing can cause a person to avoid social situations which can lead to isolation and depression.  Fit with the proper hearing aids, this can be easily avoided.
 The article goes on to discuss a study that was performed by a physician at John’s Hopkins that showed a relationship between degree of hearing loss and the risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s.  
These concepts are still under investigation; however we should remember that old adage “If you don’t use it you lose it” now holds true in many different ways!!
Barbara Grossman, Au. D.

The recently written (10/24/2011) article in the New York Times on Hearing Loops, reintroduces a technology that has been available for many years but has never been utilized to its potential. The majority of current hearing aid wearers already have the “telephone loop” that can accept the signal from a looping system. So as loops are being installed, the hearing aid wearers will not need to purchase any additional accessories. Hearing aid users will be able to take advantage of this wonderful and simple tool to hear better in public areas such as theaters, train stations and wherever acoustics can compromise communication abilities.  Individuals should get familiar with the “ear symbol” that indicates that the facility has been installed with the looping devices so they can begin getting the benefits that looping will provide. Dominick Servedio, Au. D.

I take great pride in knowing  that I am in a profession that strives to help people.  Even after  twenty five years as an audiologist, I still get a warm feeling when I have helped someone improve their communication abilities.  

In any business or profession it is so important to be involved with organizations that can make a difference for those in need.  It seemed that the commemoration of the 9-11 tragedy was a wonderful opportunity to give back to the community.

 This is the reason that I came up with the concept of being able to give hearing aids to those in need.  Many of the men and women involved as first responders during  9-11 developed hearing loss as a result of exposure to the high intensity sounds generated by the relief work at the World Trade Center. I contacted Unitron Hearing Instruments, a leading hearing aid manufacturer, and they jumped on the opportunity to assist me with this worthy cause. They have generously donated hearing aids that I will fit to those first responders who are candidates for hearing aids.


I sincerely hope that in donating our services and products, we will be able to improve the communication abilities and quality of life for these brave men and women. Dominick Servedio, Au. D.

It seems as though the ear and hearing are a hot topic in the reality TV world lately.  On a recent episode of Giuliani and Bill, Bill Rancic joined the Starkey Hearing Aid  Foundation on a mission to Haiti to fit hearing impaired  children with hearing aids.  It was wonderful to see the faces of these children light up as they heard sound for the first time.   We must also keep in mind that follow up and auditory rehabilitation are an important part of this equation.  It is really not as simple as fitting an aid and then leaving.  That said, kudos to Bill for taking the time to participate in this extremely worthy cause!! ~ Barbara Grossman,  Au. D.

I  admit I enjoy watching reality TV.  It can be entertaining as well as a break from the daily grind, as long as you can separate fact from fiction. On that note, I was shocked and surprised to see Khloe Kardashian ear candling her step father Bruce Jenner on a recent episode of Keeping up with the Kardashians.   Khloe and her family were  trying to convince Bruce that he was having difficulty hearing.  Khloe decided that Bruce might have wax in his ears, hence the ear candling.  Once that proved to be ineffective, Bruce went for a hearing test.  
Ear candling dates back to Ancient Tibet- the idea is that the burning candle creates a vacuum in the ear canal which will draw out any wax in the ear.  The fact is, ear candling cannot create the amount of negative pressure needed to draw out the wax.  Need I say, the dangers involved in potentially burning the ear far outweigh the benefits here.  You should know that this is not an FDA approved technique and they have been diligent in going after the companies that sell the ear candling supplies.
So the moral of the story is, never put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear, and remember that all reality TV is not real!!       ~Barbara Grossman, Au. D.

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