Audiologist Fremont CA
A message from the Audiologists and the owner that welcomes everyone to visit the offices and the websites. Ken and Beth are very happy to have new friends and patients and treasures current patients.
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(510) 379-7579
For More Information, Visit Us at http://www.hearingcenterofcastrovalley.com or To see More Videos, Visit Our YouTube
Popularity: 27% [?]
A hearing aid is an electronic communication tool that helps those with hearing loss listen with greater ease. Though its primary purpose is that of amplification, these devices can be very advanced pieces of equipment. Each device, no matter the style, consists of a few basic parts: a microphone, an amplifier, a receiver/speaker, and a battery. The microphone picks up sound and converts it into an electronic message. The amplifier receives this input, and increases the loudness in a manner specific to your device. Your audiologist will fine tune this amplification for your hearing loss. The receiver is a tiny speaker that changes the amplified signal back into acoustic sounds and sends the sound to the ear. A zinc-air battery powers your device.
Expanding sophistication
From very simple to very sophisticated devices, the world of amplification is ever growing and advancing. Digital options are available, and are becoming the norm. These instruments allow even greater customization for the user’s hearing loss and preferences. Not only just amplifiers, today’s instruments often allow for reduction of background noise, protection for loud noises, connection to wireless and Bluetooth devices, and other very specific customization.
Limitations
While very advanced, these instruments are not a “cure all”. The analogy of glasses can help to explain this. Most persons with typical vision loss, put on their glasses and sight is returned to normal, 20/20. With aids, hearing does not return to normal “20/20” hearing. These devices serve to amplify sounds where you need it most, but cannot make those sounds clearer than your ear allows. If you have hearing loss, something along your hearing path is damaged. Aids do not correct that damage, but they do make hearing much less difficult.
Are they worth it?
If you suspect you have hearing loss, speak with your audiologist or hearing healthcare professional today. They can help you weigh the costs and benefits to determine if, when, and which hearing aids are right for you!
Popularity: 1% [?]
A hearing aid is an electronic communication tool that helps those with hearing loss listen with greater ease. Though its primary purpose is that of amplification, these devices can be very advanced pieces of equipment. Each device, no matter the style, consists of a few basic parts: a microphone, an amplifier, a receiver/speaker, and a battery. The microphone picks up sound and converts it into an electronic message. The amplifier receives this input, and increases the loudness in a manner specific to your device. Your audiologist will fine tune this amplification for your hearing loss. The receiver is a tiny speaker that changes the amplified signal back into acoustic sounds and sends the sound to the ear. A zinc-air battery powers your device.
Popularity: 1% [?]
The Dry & Store is an electrical device used for storing and dehumidifying hearing instruments nightly. This product helps to keep your hearing aids, tinnitus maskers, external cochlear implant components, and ear monitors clean, moisture-free, and deodorized. Offering a variety of products, your Audiologist can help with your hearing instrument care needs.
The fundamentals
Used by professionals and hearing aid users alike, this system works based on three fundamentals: heat, air, and desiccant. Utilizing heated, moving air, and a desiccant pack, this dehumidifier keeps the moisture out! Some models will even sanitize your hearing instruments! Germ killers!
Why do you need this?
Why is this so important? Moisture and ear wax are two of the main culprits in hearing aid dysfunction. Distorted or weak, intermittent, or dead hearing aids may be due to excessive moisture or ear wax buildup in the hearing instrument. Something must be done to prevent this. Germs in the ear canal can cause outer ear infections. Infections can lead to expensive doctor bills! With germ-fighting, dehumidifying abilities, this product protects you from infection, itchy ears, poor sound quality and repairs!
Call today!
Keep your hearing aids clean and in good working order by using the tools provided to you by your provider. Wipe down the aid with a dry cloth. Pick and brush away any wax or debris. Clean hearing aids equal happy hearing aids! Please visit the manufacturer’s website given above to obtain further information or call your hearing healthcare professional today! To take your care an extra step further, consider the Dry and Store!
Popularity: 1% [?]
There are common misconceptions that keep people with hearing loss from making that important first step of making an appointment for a hearing test. This article's aim is to dispel some of those common myths and discuss the actual facts. The goal of this article is to ease the patient's mind about having a hearing test and encourage them to make an appointment.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Do you know that over 32 million Americans suffer from hearing loss? Do you know that only a small percentage of those with hearing loss actually do something about it? The first step is having a hearing test. People often express that they feel intimidated or that they are worried by the thought of having to “take the test.” Having a hearing test is really pretty easy, though. In fact, it’s not a “test” at all. You can’t be “wrong” when you have your hearing checked. You eitherhear or you don’t. In fact, if you think about it, it’s really your hearing healthcare provider’s test. He or she has to figure out how you are hearing…or not hearing in some cases. All you will need to do is indicate when you are hearing something. Then, leave it up to your provider to figure out what you are hearing and what you aren’t. A hearing test is the first step toward improving your quality of life. And that’s a fact.
There are several other common misconceptions besides the idea that a hearing test is difficult that prevent people from taking that first step and making an appointment for a hearing test.
Myth #1: If I had a hearing loss, my family doctor would have told me.
Fact: Your doctor is concerned about all of the working systems of your body. However, if you happen to be seeing your doctor for a specific ailment, it’s unlikely that your hearing will come up in conversation. It’s also true that most people hear fairly well in a small, well-lit and quiet room. Your doctor may not recognize that you are having difficulty with your hearing. So, in many cases, if the fact that you aren’t hearing well isn’t brought up by you, it’s unlikely that your doctor will recognize that you are having difficulty hearing in other situations (like groups or restaurant situations). If you feel that you are having difficulty hearing, ask your doctor to refer you to a hearing healthcare provider to have your hearing checked. He or she will then report back to your doctor with the findings.
Myth #2: Hearing loss only affects people who work in noisy conditions or those over 65.
Fact: Hearing loss is the most common birth defect. In fact, 3 children in every 1000 born in the US have an “educationally significant” hearing loss. There are many different causes of hearing loss besides prolonged noise exposure and the aging process. Hearing loss can really occur at any age. In fact, according to the Better Hearing Institute, 65% of people with hearing loss are under the age of 65. So, you’re not alone! Hearing loss is a common problem that has many possible solutions. Have your hearing checked today and your hearing healthcare provider will be able to tell you whether or not you have a hearing loss and whether your hearing loss requires some assistance.
Myth #3: My hearing loss is too severe to be treated.
Fact: With the rapid advancement in hearing technology, very few individuals will be unable to find a solution for improving communication. More and more people with severe and profound hearing losses are finding that there is an array of available options for assistance and amplification available today that can be of benefit. Never give up! Hearing is vital to an active and fulfilling lifestyle. Give us a call if you are curious about what’s available. We’ll be glad to help.
The best way to treat your hearing loss or help someone suffering from hearing loss is to take the first step and make an appointment for a hearing test.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Tinnitus is a common problem. A combination of counseling and sound therapy can minimize the effects of tinnitus on every-day quality of life. Zen fractal music is a new type of sound therapy, found in Widex Mind hearing aids that has been very successful in decreasing the severity for its wearers.
Call Us Today
(510) 379-7579
Popularity: 1% [?]
Tinnitus is a common problem. In fact, more than 50 million Americans suffer from tinnitus, the experience of sound, noise or ringing in the ears in the presence of sound in the environment. These sounds can vary from loud to soft, high pitch to low pitch and from constant to periodic. Tinnitus is very common in those who have hearing loss.
For most people, tinnitus is not a significant problem, but more of an irritation. For others, the tinnitus they experience can become a substantial disruption in their lives, affecting sleep and causing anxiety, stress and even depression. With a combination of counseling and sound therapy, the effects of tinnitus can be minimized.
The use of sound to minimize the effects of tinnitus is meant to help the brain habituate or become accustomed to the tinnitus. The type of sounds used can be amplified sound from hearing aids, environmental sounds, noise or music. A new type of sound used to help the brain habituate is called Zen fractal music and comes from a hearing aid manufacturer called Widex.
Based on what is known as “fractal technology,” Zen music is a series of chime-like tones that play randomly but with a rhythm that is meant to mimic the resting heart rate. Each Zen program can be adjusted for tempo, pitch and volume. The goal of Zen technology is to aid in relaxation in order to decrease the wearer’s aggravation and stress from continuous tinnitus and thus improve overall quality of life. The Zen music can be played by itself with no amplification of outside sounds or in addition to conventional amplification.
A program that incorporates a low-level white noise along with the Zen music can also be programmed into the hearing aid. Each program is accessed through a push button on the hearing aid or by remote control. A survey performed by researchers at Widex revealed that the use of Zen fractal music as a way to decrease the severity of tinnitus is very successful. In fact, 85.7% of patients surveyed reported a reduction in tinnitus severity1.
The Zen fractal technology is found in all of the Widex Mind family of hearing aids. If tinnitus is a constant barrage of sound that causes stress or aggravation in your daily life, ask your adiologist today if Zen is right for you.
The Efficacy of Fractal Music Employed in Hearing Aids for Tinnitus Management, Francis Kuk, PhD; Heidi Peeters, MA; and Chi Lau, PhD; Hearing Journal Sept 2010
Popularity: 1% [?]
If you are familiar with Bluetooth headsets at all, you’ve probably heard of Jabra. Jabra headsets, well known for their comfortable fit and exceptional flexibility are a popular choice for the tech-savvy hands-free cell phone user. What you may not have heard is that the European headset company GN Netcom, managed by GN Store Nord of Denmark produces Jabra.
GN Store Nord also owns GN ReSound, one of the most successful hearing aid manufacturers in the U.S. and Europe. Some of the success GN ReSound has seen in recent years has been from its innovative technology.
One of the more notable innovations GN ReSound brought to the hearing industry came to market in 2003 with the release of the first ever open-fit hearing aid.
The Air quickly became the instrument of choice as it provided hearing aid wearers with a cosmetically appealing instrument that didn’t block the ear canal, instantly improving wearer satisfaction. In 2008, another innovation called “be by ReSound” introduced the concept of “remote microphone” placement.
In this model, the microphone is separated from the custom-made body of the hearing aid by a tube that wraps around the bowl of the ear and tucks up into what is known as the helix lock, effectively blocking wind noise interference. In 2010, ReSound introduced the Alera, a premium digital hearing aid that set new standards for wireless connectivity with external audio devices such as cell phones and televisions.
The Alera incorporates GN ReSound’s trademark sound processing technology called Surround Sound. It works just like a surround sound system, splitting sound streams into bass (low frequencies) and treble (high frequencies) while distinguishing differences in directionality in order to locate where sounds are coming from more successfully.
Surround Sound provides the listener with distortion-free sound quality and optimized speech clarity. While the constant pushing of the envelope to develop innovative technology has led to improvements in sound quality and speech understanding in hearing aids, GN ReSound offers increased freedom, smaller sized instruments and ease of use to its customers.
It is no wonder that GN Store Nord, through its daughter company GN ReSound, is one of the most successful hearing aid manufacturer’s in the U.S. and Europe.
Popularity: 2% [?]
There’s an old song that goes, “you’re so vain, you probably think this song is about you.” Although the song’s crooners have long since retired, vanity is alive and well. Everyone is concerned about what hearing aids look like, whether they admit it or not. We’d like to pretend that we’ve moved beyond the stigma, but the truth is, there is still a stigma attached to wearing hearing aids that says, “I’m old” or “I have a handicap.” So, for that style-conscious consumer, there are several choices of small hearing aids that are easily hidden from view.
The completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aid is a small custom-made hearing aid that fits completely inside the ear canal. Besides the benefit of being small in size, the CIC provides a closer proximity to the eardrum which can improve the perceived sound quality and volume.
Those who wear the CIC also have less issue with the irritation of wind noise running over the top of the microphone because it is protected by being tucked inside the ear canal. One of the better benefits of the CIC is the ability to use the telephone normally.
The completely-in-the canal isn’t for everyone, though. It’s best for those with mild to moderate hearing loss and it requires that the user have good dexterity as the batteries are quite small. Additionally, the hearing aid must be removed from the ear by grasping a small removal strand, making this instrument difficult to use for some. However, the CIC is by far the most aesthetically pleasing hearing aid.
A close second is the micro behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid. Research shows that this hearing aid, which sits on back of the ear and has a small, clear tube attached which runs down the side of the ear and into the ear canal to deliver the amplified sound to the ear, is becoming more and more popular.
Those who choose the Micro BTE option often prefer the open ear feeling that this style affords. Having an open ear canal means a more natural sound quality and a better physical fit. It’s not uncommon to hear a micro BTE wearer report, “I forget I’m even wearing a hearing aid!”
Additional preference for this ultra-small hearing aid stems from the ease of use and significant decrease in the sensation of occlusion (ear canal blockage causing an echo, barrel or tunnel like sensation of sound) and poor sound quality of the wearer's own voice.
In either case, the miniaturization of hearing aids is making it easier for those with hearing loss to take that first important step toward better hearing. And, those who have worn hearing aids before will enjoy having more choices without sacrificing function, sound quality or ease of use. If you think you might have a hearing loss, a CIC or micro BTE is a great option for just about anyone. Call our office today to see if either of these styles is right for you.
Popularity: 3% [?]
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