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Procrastinating about getting your hearing tested is something I, along with my fellow doctors of audiology Kevin Burkitt and Julia Saxon, encounter often. People recognize they have hearing loss, but don’t realize what a negative impact it can have on their quality of life, often leading to depression, isolation, cognitive loss and physical decline. Meet Brad W. of Parma. Even though he was in kindergarten when his moderate hereditary hearing loss was first detected, the family decided not to correct it with hearing aids. He did well in school and became a firefighter and paramedic. Five years ago, at the age of 43, he noticed that the loss was becoming an issue in his life. “I was starting to bury my head in my phone to avoid interacting with others and it was becoming a real communication issue. My lip-reading and contextual inferences were only taking me so far,” says Brad. “It was also becoming clear that I was a real pain to my wife, family and coworkers, making them repeat things all the time.” Although he was concerned about the stigma of wearing hearing aids, thinking they were “for old people,” he came to me for testing and I diagnosed his loss and fit him with the latest Bluetooth-enabled hearing devices. “I heard sounds and tones I’ve never heard before in my life,” he says. “It was an incredible experience. I was expecting people to notice and give me a hard time about wearing them, but everyone in my life has been so supportive. Whenever someone with hearing loss notices my aids and asks me about them, I tell them not to waste time and get them as soon as possible. You don’t realize how much you’re missing until you get it back.” 

Amanda’s Family Hearing was founded with the mission of helping others by improving their quality of life through better hearing. It’s not surprising that Founder Dr. Amanda Barbur recently decided to undergo additional training on cochlear implants so she could help those with severe to profound hearing loss who might not be gaining enough benefit from amplification. “I just didn’t want to stop with hearing aids. I wanted to offer more options to these patients,” Amanda says. What are the Causes? There are several causes of hearing loss in adults, which affects 6.6 million Americans over the age of 12. One of the most common is age-related hearing loss (presbycusis), which is usually the result of damaged hair cells in the inner ear that translate sound vibrations into electrical signals for the brain. Exposure to loud sounds, medications, head trauma or certain viral and bacterial infections can also damage the hair cells. Hearing loss can also be genetic. Sending the Signals Again A cochlear implant allows sound to bypass the damaged part of the ear and stimulate the auditory nerve properly. The signal is then sent to the brain for processing. This, in essence, is what allows you to hear. “As a member of the Cochlear Provider Network, we work closely with the otologist who surgically implants the cochlear device,” Amanda says. “If our testing shows that someone is a cochlear implant candidate, we will then refer them for a medical examination. To give the patient time to heal, they will come back to our office about a month after the device is implanted to have their device activated and programmed.” The quality of hearing that cochlear implants provide has improved significantly over the years, with a recent study reporting that 95% of patients say they were satisfied to very satisfied. At first activation, patients sometimes say the sound quality is unnatural or a little robotic or tinny, but that it greatly improves over the first few months, with the most improvement typically occurring in the first 3-6 months. Patients are encouraged to wear their cochlear implants for at least ten hours a day, but the more they wear it, the better their outcome will be. If their eyes are open, their ears should be on. The cochlear devices are covered by most insurances and can last 20 years to a lifetime. High-Tech Testing Testing for cochlear implant candidacy is different than a standard hearing test. “Unlike a regular hearing exam, we test a patient with their hearing aids on, and only after verifying that the aids are functioning optimally for their loss,” Amanda says. “If a person’s word understanding is at or below 60% with their hearing aids, they can be a cochlear implant candidate. Due to significant advances in technology, the criteria has changed over time and more patients can benefit from cochlear implants than ever before.”  Keeping up with a Growing Patient Load After working at what was originally MaryAnn’s Family Hearing, Amanda purchased the practice when MaryAnn retired in 2020 and renamed it Amanda’s Family Hearing. Amanda says running her own private practice is important to her so she can help her patients in the way she thinks is best, and can spend as much time with each patient as she feels is necessary. Joining Dr. Amanda Barbur are audiologists Dr. Kevin Burkitt and her newest hire, Dr. Julia Saxon. Dr. Saxon, who hails from Lake County and just received her doctorate in Audiology, shares a strong passion for hearing aids and cochlear implants, both of which she has extensive training and experience with throughout her graduate studies. “Dr. Saxon has been an invaluable addition to the practice and we are excited to have her with us,” Amanda says. Amanda and her staff are involved in the community and enjoy participating in public events and health fairs throughout Lake County. “Since the beginning, our mission has remained to serve this community,” she says. “Come hear with us.”

HELPING THOSE WITH HEARING LOSS

It can be sad and frustrating knowing someone is obviously struggling with hearing loss but won’t seek help. Hearing loss affects their physical, social and mental well-being. Here are a few myths we see, along with corresponding reality checks: Myth: I cannot afford hearing aids. Reality: Many insurance plans help to cover hearing aid costs. We also offer interest-free financing options that help to make cost more manageable. For individuals who truly cannot afford new hearing aids, we often have donated devices available to fit for a small fee. Lastly, we offer over-the-counter (OTC) devices. However, it is recommended you let us test your hearing before fitting yourself so we can rule out any treatable conditions. The bottom line is, whatever it takes, we work with our patients to get them the help they need to hear better. Myth: I don’t want the stigma of looking old with hearing aids. Reality: Hearing aids today are virtually undetectable. They are smaller than ever. Not to mention they are becoming more acceptable and even desirable to younger generations due to their cool capabilities, including connecting to Bluetooth devices. Myth: The quality of hearing is so poor through hearing aids, why even bother? Reality: Hearing aids are not the same as they were even five years ago. The technological advancements are impressive. Hearing in background noise is one of the biggest challenges hearing loss brings, but we have made tremendous strides in improving hearing in this type of environment. We always offer the latest hearing aid technology. The newest product is equipped with Auracast technology allowing you to stream audio from public locations right through your hearing devices including airports, movie theaters, and places of worship.  Our mission has always been to serve this community. Come hear with us.

My family and I just returned from a wonderful northwestern road trip where we visited the Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Devil’s Tower, Grant Teton and eventually Yellowstone. It was a once-in-a-lifetime trip, especially for our seven-year-old son. The more than 3,500 miles of mountainous vistas, emerald-green meadows, waterfalls, geysers, hot springs and hiking trails were amazing sights to behold. Looking back on it now, though, the sounds were every bit as magical. We experienced wolves howling, prairie dogs squealing and buffalo grunting. The hikes were a real escape, with the soothing backdrop sounds of rushing rapids, bubbling mudpots, and spewing geysers. Whether on vacation or engaging with their everyday environment, I hope people appreciate their hearing as much as I do. This “invisible sense” is an important part of how you interpret the world around you. At Amanda’s Family Hearing, fellow audiologist Dr. Kevin Burkitt and I perform comprehensive diagnostic testing. First, we do a consultation, going over the patient’s medical history. We then diagnose the type and severity of their loss and recommend the best course of treatment. Oftentimes, we see patients who have self-diagnosed a hearing problem and bought over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. Not only could the quality of hearing they get with these devices be sub-standard, but they could also miss a more serious medical condition. Additionally, if hearing loss is improperly treated, it could lead to more devastating effects later on, such as early onset dementia or depression.  Our goal is to have everyone fully enjoy every sound they hear for the best quality of living.

PROTECTING YOUR SENSE OF HEARING IS VITAL, THAT’S WHY DR. AMANDA BARBUR, OF AMANDA’S FAMILY HEARING, OFFERS THESE TIPS, TRICKS AND DEVICES TO HELP YOU DO JUST THAT

Hearing is an important part of life and there are many risks of untreated hearing loss, including social isolation, depression, job-related issues, relationship struggles, imbalance, and now even earlier onset dementia. However, recent research shows the risks of dementia are lower for hearing aid users. It is never too early to get a hearing test, but you should get checked at least by 45 years of age. Hearing loss often occurs gradually and may go unnoticed for years. It is not uncommon for my first-time hearing aid users to be surprised at how much they have been missing once they hear it again. People with associated comorbidities and other risk factors are more at risk for hearing loss. These include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity, dizziness or balance issues, loud noise exposure, tinnitus and smoking. Hearing loss can be frustrating and downright exhausting due to a condition known as auditory fatigue. When you can’t hear everything, your brain has to first work to fill in the pieces of conversation it missed. Only after that can it then process and comprehend what was said. It’s like the brain is working overtime. This is often why people with hearing loss socially withdraw, because it’s just too tiring to go out and socialize.  I love when my patients tell me how happy they are after they’ve decided to seek professional help and are fit with hearing aids. I’ve never had a patient say they regret making the step toward better hearing, and in turn a better quality of life. So don’t wait and come hear with us.

AN UPDATE FROM AMANDA

People usually consider ear wax to be an icky, unsightly bodily secretion they are quick to get rid of. In reality, this protective, hardworking unsung hero serves several beneficial functions to your ears. It traps stray dirt, dust and debris from entering your ear canal. The anti-microbial chemical composition of ear wax is slightly acidic, so not only does it inhibit the growth of viruses and bacteria, but it also repels bugs from flying into your ear, as the scent is unpleasant to them. With so much going for it, in general, we recommend people stop worrying about removing ear wax and leave it where it’s supposed to be. For the record, the proper way to clean your ears is with a warm, damp washcloth just around the outside of the ear. Never clean the inside of your ears with a cotton swab. It’s a shock to us when a patient tells us he or she is still engaging in this dangerous practice. All it accomplishes is to push ear wax further into your ear, and you can damage the ultra-sensitive mechanisms by doing this. Ear wax only becomes a problem if it becomes too dry or too wet or there’s too little or too much of it. Too little can cause dry, itchy ears and leave you more susceptible to infection, and too much can build up and create a symptom of hearing loss. Oftentimes we see patients who think they are suffering from hearing loss, then after we perform a cleaning, find out their hearing is fine.  If you think you have an excessive amount, come see us. As licensed doctors of audiology, we routinely perform cleanings and can make an evaluation as to whether ear wax is the issue or there are other medical conditions happening. Come hear with us.