Phoenix is full of wonderful things to hear this month. Whether you enjoy immersing yourself in a classic orchestral piece, or prefer to relax outdoors at a casual music festival, there is something just for you.

McDowell Mountain Music Festival

March 11-13Margaret T. Hance Park1202 N 3rd StreetThe McDowell Mountain Music Festival is Phoenix’s musical and cultural destination. Headline performances by David Crosby, Michael Franti, Ben Harper, and many more. McDowell Mountain Music Festival is designed to promote community involvement, corporate involvement, and charity - all while remaining 100% non-profit. Come enjoy the beautiful spring weather, and the spirit cultivated by great artists. General admission ticket packages available from $70-$170.

Mystery and Majesty

North Valley ChoraleSunday, March 13 at 3:00 pmCentral United Methodist Church1875 North Central AvenueThe North Valley Chorale is dedicated to the cultural, musical, and social enrichment of metropolitan Phoenix. Be delighted by a live classical performance featuring Mozart’s Requiem. Selections also include vibrant masterpieces of Vivaldi and Bach with live orchestra. Tickets available from $15.

Madeleine Peyroux

Saturday, March 19 at 6pm and 8:30pmMusical Instrument Museum - MIM Music Theatre4725 E Mayo BoulevardCritically-acclaimed singer-songwriter Madeleine Peyroux celebrates the release of Keep Me in Your Heart for a While: The Best of Madeleine Peyroux. Peyroux’s unique blend of jazz, folk, country, and blues will mesmerize audiences of all ages. Tickets available from $38.50-$58.50.We hope you hear something wonderful in Phoenix this month!

Arizona Balance and Hearing Aids333 W Thomas Rd. Suite 208aPhoenix, AZ 85013(602) 265-9000info@arizonabalance.com

Seeking the Best Support for Your Hearing Loss

If you or someone you love is struggling with hearing loss, you might have been tempted to order a hearing device online or stop by a walk-in clinic. Your choices for care are wide and should be very carefully considered. Like any major health concern, your priority should be finding quality care by an educated and experienced professional. With so many options, where should your search begin?

What’s the Difference?

There is often confusion over the professional roles and level of expertise when diagnosing hearing loss. It can be difficult to navigate the endless options and find someone who you can trust with your hearing health. A key distinction to make in your search for the right professional is the difference between an Audiologist and a hearing aid dispenser.

Hearing Aid Dispensary

Hearing aid dispensers are licensed to perform audiometric testing. This testing is used to determine hearing loss for the purpose of selling, fitting, and maintaining hearing aids. The requirements for hearing aid dispensers vary from state to state. Many states require merely a high school diploma, while other states require two years of college in any field. Arizona has a minimal standard of a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED). Hearing aid dispensers must pass a state-specific written test and practical exam after they have received basic training.

Audiologist

An Audiologist is degreed professional with either a Master’s or Doctoral degree in Audiology, the science of hearing. They are healthcare professionals who evaluate, diagnose, treat, and manage hearing losses and balance disorders. As part of their advanced degree, they are trained in anatomy and physiology, amplification devices, auditory rehabilitation and much more. In addition to approximately 8 years of post-secondary education, Doctors of Audiology must pass a standardized national examination in order to be eligible for a license in their state of residence. Additionally, Arizona requires candidates to pass an exam in jurisprudence and ethics. They are also required to complete continuing education courses to maintain licensure.Additional Benefits of an AudiologistNot only are the minimum education and licensing standards significantly higher for Audiologists, but there are additional benefits that should be considered. The advanced training allows audiologists to engage in a larger spectrum of professional practices. This helps the audiologist to make an accurate diagnosis, develop an appropriate treatment plan, and ensure a positive outcome from the hearing aid.

Next Steps

Now that you are well informed of the key differences between Audiologists and hearing aid dispensers, review these important questions to ask before your hearing exam.

1. Are you a licensed, certified, and experienced Audiologist?
2. Do you have a master’s or doctoral degree in Audiology?
3. Are you qualified to recognize medical abnormalities?
4. Do you give a complete review and explanation of test results and options for treatment?

Be certain that you are trusting your hearing health to a true professional with the experience, training, and education that you deserve.

Visit an Audiologist at Arizona Balance and Hearing Aids Today!

333 W Thomas Rd. Suite 208a

Phoenix, AZ 85013

(602) 265-9000

info@arizonabalance.com

Leftovers from Dinner

Did you go out for Valentine’s dinner? Were you unable to hear the sweet nothings your sweetie was whispering to you? Come to think of it, were you unable to have a conversation at a normal volume?Well, these days, you’re not alone, and you’re definitely not imagining things. In recent years, there has been a significant rise in volume in restaurants. This rise has been noted by many different people who dine – from food critics to online restaurant reviewers to business journals. If we look to the design and ambience of modern, trendy restaurants, we can understand why they are so loud these days.

Interior Design

If you think about the popular new restaurants in your city, they usually occupy spaces that were formerly warehouses or lofts. These spaces were not designed acoustically for a restaurant setting. Restaurant architect Dirk Denison describes the restaurant L20 in Chicago as “a big square box – the worst scenario.” Denison was hired to design L20, and found the space to be a challenge. “Parallel walls cause noise to ping back and forth,” he says in The Wall Street Journal.There are a lot of noises in a restaurant, from conversation to the scrape of chair legs across the floor, to the clacking of forks and spoons against bowls – these are not things that most people would consider. And with contemporary restaurant design favoring a minimalist, industrial-chic aesthetic, there is no longer the acoustic padding of carpet and tablecloths in older restaurants.New restaurant owners should consider hiring an acoustics expert to work with the interior designer and architect. Acoustics consultants are able to assess the noise in a space and create décor that essentially buffers sharp noises in these open spaces, while still maintaining the desired aesthetic.

Open Kitchen

In the past decade, open kitchens have increased in popularity. This trend may be due to the popularity of chefs in the media. Some restaurants even offer a front-row seat to watch chefs prepare the meal! If spaces are not acoustically designed to absorb sound – and restaurant patrons are sitting right at the kitchen, imagine the spike in volume. Between the chef and cooks shouting, to the clatter of pots and pans, the restaurant gets much louder.

Music and Energy

Quiet restaurants are a thing of the past. New York Magazine reports, “Most restaurant scholars will tell you that the Great Noise Boom began in the late nineties, when Mario Batali had the genius idea of taking the kind of music he and his kitchen-slave compatriots listened to while rolling their pastas and stirring their offal-rich ragus and blasting it over the heads of the startled patrons in the staid dining room at Babbo…Sound systems were cranked up and suddenly noise became the hallmark of a successful New York restaurant.”This trend has spread from New York across the country. Loud restaurants are vibrant restaurants, popular with many people. These days, a quiet restaurant almost feels like a place no one wants to go to socialize.

A Little Help

If your favorite restaurants are exceedingly loud, consider mentioning this to them as a complaint of your dining experience. Acoustics experts could be hired to consult in the space.Restaurant trends come and go, just as with everything else. If you are a food lover and you love to dine in the latest restaurants – and you experience difficulty with hearing, there is a solution. If you haven’t yet, consider taking a hearing test. Additionally, there are many different devices to assist people with hearing in particularly challenging situations. Most smartphones are equipped with microphones that, with a downloadable app, can amplify the sounds of the people closest to you.

You don't have to live with hearing loss! Contact us today for a hearing exam.

Arizona Balance and Hearing Aids

333 W Thomas Rd. Suite 208a

Phoenix, AZ 85013

(602) 265-9000

info@arizonabalance.com

With so many events in Phoenix this month, we've put together a selection of our favorite picks! We hope you enjoy the great things to hear in Phoenix this February.

Phoenix Symphony

What would classical music look like if it were performed by acrobats? This February 19 to 21, you can find out at Cirque de la Symphonie, a new production formed to bring the magic of cirque to the music hall. With aerial flyers, acrobats, contortionists, dancers, jugglers, balancers, and strongmen performing 40 feet above the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra, this show has been described as “nothing short of breathtaking” and “a treat for eyes and ears.”In the Phoenix Symphony’s Parties of Note series, Sunday February 21 brings Contemporary Colonial at Paradise Valley. Set in a colonial home facing the Camelback Mountain and Piestawa Peak, this recital features the Brahms Horn Trio with Adrienne Finet (second violin) and Cassie Walck (associate principal horn and piano) on the homeowners’ Steinway piano, followed by a dinner.On February 26, at 6, 7, and 8pm, the Phoenix Symphony performs a 30-minute sampler of the upcoming 2016-17 season. This multimedia event includes videos projected over music by Beethoven, Cerrone, Barber, and Bernstein, as well as a meet-and-greet with Symphony musicians and food and drink from local food trucks.We’ll think of you every step of the way, Whitney! On February 27, Broadway sensation Rashidra Scott performs selections from the Whitney Houston songbook, with the Phoenix Symphony.For more information on show times and tickets, visit www.phoenixsymphony.org

Phoenix Theatre Ensemble

The Phoenix Theatre Ensemble is an award-winning not-for-profit organization whose mission is to celebrate the art of storytelling and inspire the love of language through groundbreaking presentations of new and classic works performed by a repertory company of artists, and through theatre arts-in-education programs for youth.In the month of February, the PTE presents three shows in rotation: The Gambler, based on a story by Fyodor Dostoyevsky and directed by Karen Lordi Kirkham; Creditors, by August Strindberg and directed by Kevin Confoy; and Filibusted by Al Pagano.The Gambler explores a gambler’s addiction, class struggles in the 19^th century, and a simple twist of fate. On the other side is Creditors, a story of suspicion, revenge, and former debts paid. Meanwhile, Filibusted makes its world premiere this season with the PTE, and right in time for election season. Pagano has curated a selection of the verbatim recorded writings, musings, and comments of US Presidential candidates, which he will perform alongside actress Amy Loughead.For more information on tickets and show times, visit www.phoenixtheatreensemble.org

Celebrity Theatre

This Valentine’s Weekend, catch the UrbanAZ R&B Music Fest, a two-day event at the Celebrity Theatre. Performers include Keith Sweat, Pleasure P, J Holiday, Bobby V, and Silk. Tickets are available for February 13 and 14.The following weekend, catch the 2016 Next Women of Country Tour, with Brandy Clark and special guests Lindsay Ell and Tara Thompson.For tickets and other events at the Celebrity Theatre, visit www.celebritytheatre.com

Arizona Balance and Hearing Aids

333 W Thomas Rd. Suite 208a

Phoenix, AZ 85013

(602) 265-9000

info@arizonabalance.com

Hearing loss affects millions of people each year, caused by injury, infection, or age. A leading cause of hearing damage is exposure to dangerously loud noises such as construction sites, heavy traffic, screeching subways, and loud music. A rock concert is around 120 decibels. That’s twice as loud as normal conversation! Hearing damage begins when you are exposed to sounds louder than 85 decibels. Hearing loss profoundly affects musicians. Their profession puts them in the way of severe hearing damage, but their livelihood depends on their hearing! So how do contemporary musicians cope with hearing damage and hearing loss?

Pete Townshend

Townshend is an English songwriter and lead guitarist for The Who, an iconic rock band. In 1976, The Who performed a concert in London that the Guinness Book of Records named the Loudest Concert Ever. They were known for their intense performances, often destroying instruments on stage. Townshend has partial deafness and tinnitus from his long-term exposure to loud music. He copes by using studio systems to remove high-frequency sounds from his studio. He has also funded H.E.A.R., the Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers, an organization raising awareness for hearing loss caused by loud music.

Brian Wilson

Wilson is a founding member of the acclaimed band, the Beach Boys. He is deaf in his right ear from childhood abuse. This never stopped him, and he used his left ear to create great music. After several nervous breakdowns and a falling-out with the band, he launched a solo career. His most recent album, No Pier Pressure, was released in April 2015, and Wilson will be touring in the spring of 2016.

Mandy Harvey

Harvey is a talented American jazz singer with three albums. She suffered from bacterial ear infections as a child, and this led to global hearing loss at the age of 18. While her hearing loss put a temporary hold on her musical career, she ultimately returned to singing. She feels the tempo through the vibrations in the floor, and her pianist helps her adjust pitch with hand motions. She can’t hear a single note, but delivers truly inspiring concerts.

Sean Forbes

Forbes is an American hip-hop artist. He became deaf as a child due to spinal meningitis. He grew up in a musical family, playing drum and guitar, and always wanted a career in music. Forbes co-founded D-PAN, the Deaf Professional Arts Network, to make music more accessible to the deaf community. The organization creates American Sign Language for popular music videos by artists such as Eminem and White Stripes.

Janine Roebuck

Roebuck is an opera singer who experienced hearing loss as an adult. When she finally admitted she had debilitating hearing loss, she was fitted for large, behind- the-ear analogue hearing aids. As technology developed, she switched to inner-ear hearing aids. She still performs by watching her fellow musicians closely, and “singing by sensation” rather than overthinking every note.

What you can do

Short exposure to loud music can cause hearing damage, and prolonged exposure can have long-lasting consequences. But don’t miss out on that amazing concert! Wear hearing protection, and never sit directly in front of the speakers. And it’s okay to leave if your ears start to ring. Hearing those last two songs just isn’t worth it. There are so many things in the world worth hearing.

Hearing loss may occur to anyone, at any age. Though commonly associated with older Americans, approximately 15% of young people between age 6 and 19 experience hearing loss in one or both ears. According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the signs and symptoms of hearing loss are different for each child – and even if a child has passed a hearing screening before, it is important to keep a watch on certain signs.Hearing loss affects development of language in young children, and it can be detected as early as the first month in an infant’s life. Below are signs of hearing loss in babies and children, as outlined by the CDC.

Signs of Hearing Loss in Babies

Approximately 50% of hearing loss in babies is due to genetic factors. In the first few weeks of an infant’s life, you may get a hearing screening test to detect hearing loss. Signs of hearing loss in babies include: not being startled at loud noises, not turning to a source of sound after 6 months of age, not speaking single words such as “mama” by 12 months of age, and not turning their heads when you call their name.

Signs of Hearing Loss in Children

According to the CDC, there are milestones that babies and children should reach by certain ages (from 2 months to 5 years). You will find the milestones here.With children, signs of hearing loss include delayed speech, unclear speech, not following directions (which is often times mistaken for a child ignoring you or not paying attention), saying “Huh?” and turning up volumes too high on devices and the TV.

Screening and Diagnosis

If you believe your baby or child is experiencing hearing loss, contact us at Arizona Balance and Hearing Aids for a screening. Hearing screenings are painless and quite simple, and they are not time consuming.Generally speaking, babies have their hearing screened at the hospital in the first month. Children should have their hearing screened before entering school, or if they exhibit signs of hearing loss as detailed above.Based on the hearing screening, we are able to determine the hearing ability of the child and recommend treatment.

Treatments and Intervention Services

Depending on the type and degree of hearing loss, there are different treatments and services available for children. In terms of communication, families may decide to learn sign language. Hearing aids and cochlear implants may be recommended by your audiologist, to amplify sounds and provide a clearer signal to be processed by the brain. There are many hearing aid options that offer advanced technology and sturdy construction for the most active of children.It is important to address hearing loss as soon as possible in children. Contact us today if you believe your child is experiencing hearing loss.

Arizona Balance and Hearing Aids

333 W Thomas Rd. Suite 208a

Phoenix, AZ 85013

(602) 265-9000

info@arizonabalance.com

Halloween costume ideas for kids with hearing aids

Your kid is a magical and imaginative person every day of the year, and Halloween is the day to go all out and celebrate. With a bit of handicraft, you can transform traditional Halloween staples or more popular characters into hearing aid friendly costumes!Here are a few ideas:

Minions

The prequel to Despicable Me was a hit this summer, with adorable, resourceful little guys beating all odds. Putting together a Minions costume is fairly simple: Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and the other Minions are all single-celled yellow characters, most of them piecing together whatever clothes they can find to “fit in.” A pair of denim overalls, yellow face paint, black gloves and boots, and goggles should do the trick, with some styling product to turn your kid’s hair into little spikes.You could also find a yellow beanie and attach black felt cut-outs to the top to simulate their zany hair, and make goggles out of Mason jar caps. Each minion is diverse in their own way, so the hearing aid will enhance the unique qualities of your kid.

Science-fiction and superhero characters

This year saw a reboot of our favorite sci-fi and superhero series, such as Star Wars and Avengers, which still remain popular with kids of all ages. Iron Man, whose entire existence depends on the miracles of technology, would be an innovative costume. Batman is another character who utilizes technology against his foes. The hearing aid will seamlessly fit into the high-tech get-ups of these superheroes.Star Wars characters such as R2-D2, Darth Vader, Boba Fett, and C-3PO all don futuristic, android gear, which would meld perfectly with the sensitive machinery in your kid’s ears. Princess Leia’s hair buns are a great cover for a kid who is shyer about her hearing aid. Most of these costumes are available at larger shops. One mom turned her kid’s hearing aid itself into a superhero!

Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter

For the fantasy-lover, there is no shortage of characters in Lord of the Rings and the Harry Potter series with fantastical ears. From the hobbits to the elves in LOTR to Dobby the house-elf in the Potter series, you can fashion their pointy ears out of paper.When crafting these ears, you will be able to customize the mold to fit around your kid’s ear without taking away from the hearing aid’s receiver. Cloaks, satchels, and loose trousers and shirts are easy to repurpose from items at home – use an old wool blanket for a cloak and turn an old tote bag into a little pouch for your little one.

Old-school animals and witches

These work well for kids who are little shyer about their hearing aids. Lions, cats, bears – all of these animal costumes require a fuzzy headdress. If you’re making the costume by hand, be sure to line the inside of the headdress to prevent excess lint and fake fur from accessing the hearing aid. Consider a wild-colored wig for your little witch to wear under the pointy hat.

Happy Halloween!

Arizona Balance and Hearing Aids

333 W Thomas Rd. Suite 208a

Phoenix, AZ 85013

(602) 265-9000

info@arizonabalance.com

Fall Events 2015, Valley of the Sun

Fall has arrived in the Southwest, with no shortage of excellent events to close out the year. Whether you’re a music lover, a foodie, or a lover of comedy, there are thought-provoking cultural activities exhibiting in the Valley of the Sun. Here are some highlights of things to see and hear this autumn:

Margaret Cho October 17:

Margaret Cho is one of America’s groundbreaking stand-up comedians. Cho’s observational comedy is subversive, irreverent, and feminist, focusing on politics, identity, sexuality, and race. In the mid-1990s, Cho produced and starred in one of the first Asian American sitcoms, All-American Girl, paving the way for the now wildly popular sitcom Fresh Off the Boat. This fall, Cho performs at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts as a stop on her psyCHO Tour.

Octubafest, October 26: Octubafest:

In honor of Halloween, the Arizona State University Herberger Institute School of Music performs a “spooktacular” show featuring the ASU Euphonium Tuba Ensemble. This performance combines the talents of faculty and students for a fun, family event.

Dinner with Silvana Salcido Esparza, October 30:

Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza is a four-time winner of the James Beard Award and owner of Barrio Café, one of Arizona’s top Mexican restaurants, hosts a one-night only dinner at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. As she prepares her signature dishes, patrons are free to check out the exhibits and pieces up at SMOCA.

Arizona Classic Jazz Festival, November 5-8:

Now in its 30^th year, the Arizona Classic Jazz Society is a not-for-profit organization that holds monthly jazz parties and an annual festival every November in Chandler, AZ. The festival focuses on classic jazz, which is defined as New Orleans jazz of the late 19^th century, which transitioned into swing in the 1930s. As a result, the sounds are danceable, and with a few dozen acts over three days, this event is highly celebrated by music lovers.

Four Corner States Bluegrass Festival & Fiddle Championship, November 13-15:

One of the oldest bluegrass festivals in the Southwest, the Four Corner States Bluegrass Festival is sponsored by the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce. This year, the festival features food and drinks, arts and crafts and a family-friendly Kids Zone. Contests include open fiddle, mandolin, flat pick guitar, and banjo. The Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting vendor and competition applications.

Hamlet, November 29:

The Phoenix Art Center presents a live simulcast of the National Theatre of London’s Hamlet, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the lead role. This classic Shakespeare tragedy is transformed in the hands of director Lynsey Turner (Posh, Chimerica), contemporizing this re-telling of a wayward son in the shadow of a powerful father, and a re-examination of ambition, identity, and politics.

Arizona Balance and Hearing Aids

333 W Thomas Rd. Suite 208a

Phoenix, AZ 85013

(602) 265-9000

info@arizonabalance.com

Introduction to Balance Disorders

Our balance system, otherwise known as the vestibular system, helps us to stand, run, walk, and negotiate our relation to gravity. Like our five main senses, balance is processed through signals to the brain, with information transmitting from our eyes and inner ear, as well as other parts of the body such as our muscles, skin, and joints.

The vestibular system is located in a “labyrinth” in the inner ear. Here, there are three semicircular canals that lie at different angles and contain a fluid called endolymph. As we move, the fluid swishes around and activates sensory hair cells that send a message to our brains (via the acoustic nerve, which also processes sound) of our movements and location in space. When these systems to do not function properly, the result is often dizziness or vertigo, or a spinning or sensation of moving even when you are laying down. This condition is known as a balance disorder.

Call us today at (602) 265-9000 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Dana Day.

How common are balance disorders?

Researchers estimate that four out of 10 (40%) of Americans, at some point in their lifetime, will experience a degree of dizziness that results in seeking medical attention. Dizziness is experienced differently depending on the person, and as such the symptoms of balance disorders are difficult to categorically define. The main symptoms of balance disorders include dizziness or vertigo, light-headedness, a floating sensation, feeling as though you may fall, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, changes in heart rate, and fatigue.

What causes balance disorders?

While there is no single cause for balance disorders, conditions that affect the ear may be the culprit, whether it is from drug-induced ototoxicity, which damages inner ear hair cells and causes sensorineural hearing damage, or ear infections, tumors, or trauma to the head and neck area. Medical professionals say that dizziness or balance issues are generally symptoms of a greater issue, and recommend that people who experience these symptoms seek medical attention to determine underlying causes.

In most cases, your general practitioner will recommend that you see an otolaryngologist (an ear and throat doctor). You may also be recommended to see an audiologist to check the condition of your auditory system, as it is related to your balance. Certain conditions contribute to balance disorder, including Meniere’s disease, which affects the inner ear; labyrinthitis, an inflammation of the inner ear which causes loss of balance and is related to the flu; perilymph fistula, a leakage of inner ear fluid; and Mal de Debarquement syndrome, which is generally attributed to complications caused from the bobbing movements in long periods of travel via water.

How are balance disorders treated?

Depending on the diagnosis, your doctor will recommend changes to your diet, the use of hearing instruments, or medication to alleviate the dizziness. Balance disorders interfere greatly with a person’s life, impacting almost all areas of daily activities. With balance disorders, descending stairs are just as difficult as taking public transportation or driving to work. Because symptoms also appear when one is standing still, sitting, or lying down, balance disorders complicate everything from working to eating dinner to taking a nap. This causes stress, anxiety, fear, and panic, and in the long term, depression. As physically uncomfortable as it is, balance disorders also impact our emotional well-being. It is important to seek treatment if dizziness has begun to interfere with your life.

Some people with balance disorders find that they'd like to update their home to improve their personal safety. For information on how to do this, please visit this Guide to Home Remodeling for Disability

Call us today at (602) 265-9000 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Dana Day.

Do You Have Ringing In Your Hears?

5 Reasons to See an Audiologist

If you’ve noticed a ringing in your ears that seems to linger or spontaneously reappear from time to time, you might have tinnitus. Tinnitus, a “ringing of the ears,” may sound like a whistle, or a rush of air, or a popping noise, or a dull roar. The sounds tend to differ as they are considered “head noise” and vary from person to person. This experience of hearing phantom sounds, without the stimulus of an external acoustic source, affects an estimated 25 million Americans in the past year (NIDCD).If you believe you are experiencing tinnitus, it is important to seek help and treatment from an audiologist. Even the least imposing occurrences of tinnitus might have adverse effects on your health and well-being.

Here are five reasons to visit an audiologist as soon as you experience symptoms of tinnitus:

5. Stress and anxiety.

People who experience tinnitus are more likely to lose sleep, have difficulty with concentration, and have higher levels of stress and anxiety. When you are constantly accompanied by a high-pitched ringing noise inside your head that you cannot shut off, it will interfere with your daily life.

4. Physical health issues.

Often times, tinnitus is a symptom of another health issue. The auditory system located inside your head is close to the neck and jaw area. Trauma to this area may cause tinnitus, as well as growths of tumors or temporomandibular jaw (TMJ) disorders. There are also cases in which prescribed medication has caused tinnitus, particularly aminoglycoside antibiotics (used to treat meningitis), by damaging hair cells. It is important to sort out drug-induced ear problems as soon as possible.

3. Socio-emotional well-being.

With tinnitus, people might find themselves withdrawn and unwilling to participate in social gatherings, activities, parties, and events because of the distracting and annoying sound. There may be a hesitation because the tinnitus sound obstructs their ability to hear and respond in conversations. Social isolation has the potential to lead to bigger emotional issues, such as depression and social anxiety.

2. Underlying medical conditions.

Depending on the kind of tinnitus you experience, your audiologist may be able to determine related medical conditions. If you experience subjective tinnitus (in which someone sitting near you can hear the sound as well), then you may have issues related to your vascular system. With issues like high blood pressure, there is increased blood flow to the ear, which may be a culprit for the tinnitus. Tinnitus may also indicate Meniere’s disease (which affects the inner ear), or most commonly, hearing loss.

1. Hearing loss.

More often than not, tinnitus and hearing loss are concurrent. Noise-induced hearing loss has the potential to lead to tinnitus. Hearing loss should be identified and treated quickly; potential links have been found between hearing loss and higher rates of falls and hospitalizations, as well as cognitive overload and dementia. When the brain struggles to make sense of muffled sounds and to fill in the gaps, it causes a strain on neural pathways. Hearing loss also leads to higher rates of social isolation and depression. If your audiologist prescribes you a hearing aid, it will most likely offer sound therapy to treat your tinnitus as well.

Arizona Balance and Hearing Aids

333 W Thomas Rd. Suite 208a

Phoenix, AZ 85013

(602) 265-9000

info@arizonabalance.com

How to protect your child's hearing

The world has certainly gotten louder than when you were a kid, and these days, there are so many different ways to listen to music and media. As you navigate you child through the world, it is crucial to protect their hearing and also impart on them best practices to protect their own hearing. Here are five ways:

5. 60-60 rule.

The 60-60 rule is: listen to music or other media for only 60 minutes a day, at 60% of the volume. This level is recommended by hearing professionals to protect hearing. Lengthy exposure to loud sounds contributes to longer-term noise-induced hearing loss. Also, choose to listen to music or media through speakers that are further away; when sounds are played closer to the ear, there is more potential for hearing damage.

4. Apps to control volume.

iPads, iPods, smart phones, and other portable devices are ubiquitous nowadays, and with their ability to hold thousands of songs on a long battery life, kids may listen to music or play games on their devices for hours, at a high volume. The good thing is, with new technology comes new innovation: there are a plethora of apps on Apple and Android that allow parents to control settings on their kids’ devices. A search will give you a list of options; some top performers are Sound Sanity and Lock the Volume. Devices also allow you to lock in desired settings for volume restrictions by changing options in the Settings apps.

3. Headphones.

Those little earbud headphones that come with electronic devices can do serious harm to your child’s ears. Their placement in the ear canal poses a great risk when sounds are played even at a moderate volume. Due to the proximity to the eardrum, earbuds actually add a few extra decibels to the volume that is being played. Additionally, they are ineffective at canceling out background noise in an environment and as such, earbud wearers tend to turn the volume up even higher in order to hear through them. If your child will be hearing headphones, consider a pair of high-quality, noise-canceling headphones, and again, follow the 60-60 rule.

2. Protective ear plugs.

Protective ear plugs are commonly used in occupations surrounded by loud sounds, such as an airfield or a construction site or even a rock concert. Actress Gwyneth Paltrow was praised for custom-fitting her two kids with protective earplugs while making the concert circuit with her former rock musician partner. If you find yourself in noisy situations with your kids often, such as live music shows, or even on the subway train, consider a pair of custom-fitted protective ear plugs to save their ears from harmful sounds with high decibels.

1. Conversation about hearing loss.

As you know, there are many teachable moments in your life with your child. Your child might complain about how loud the lawn mower is in the backyard or when you go see that summer blockbuster at the movies. In these moments, gently remind your child that hearing loss is caused by a great number of factors in our daily life, and that hearing loss is permanent. One great activity is to consider the decibels of sounds in your life. For example, the whisper of a human voice, the buzz of a mosquito and the babbling of a brook are sounds that will be lost to your ears if you experience even moderate hearing loss. Share the enjoyable, safe sounds with your child, and make sure they know when to move away from the harmful ones.

Quick Guide to Maintaining Your Hearing Aids.

Compact and powerful, your hearing aids are complex electronic devices that require care for maximum performance and longevity. Incorporating these maintenance routines into your life ensure that your hearing aids will function properly. Your audiologist will give you detailed instructions on how to care for your hearing aids. Here is a quick reference guide with do’s and don’ts.

Hearing Aid "Do's"

Store your hearing aids in a safe spot.

Store your hearing aids in a cool, safe, dry place, inaccessible to children and pets. Hearing aids are small, and their batteries are even smaller. They are choking hazards to small children and pets. Also, if dropped or knocked over, the shock could cause damage to the electrical components.

Check your batteries.

Batteries usually last 1-2 weeks and should be checked daily with a battery tester. Be sure to carry spare batteries with you if you go out, just in case.

Turn off your aids when not in use.

Turn your hearing aid off if you are not using it. Leaving your hearing aids on when not in use will drain them of their batteries.

Keep your aids clean.

Clean hearing aids with a soft, dry cloth. Hearing aids can pick up dirt and dust from daily use. Use a dry, soft cloth to wipe them and apply gentle pressure to avoid damaging any sensitive components.

Wait until morning to remove earwax and debris.

Wait until morning to clean the earwax and debris out of your hearing aids. Earwax will harden and dry out overnight, which lends to easier removal.

Consider getting a dehumidifier.

Some hearing aid manufacturers offer drying and dehumidifying devices in which you place your hearing aids overnight to remove moisture. For hearing aids with rechargeable batteries, there are units comprising of both a battery charger and dehumidifier.

Visit your audiologist.

Bring them in to your hearing professional for regular cleaning and maintenance. Hearing professionals will give your hearing aids a thorough cleaning that includes earwax and debris removal, and will make repairs as needed.

Hearing Aid "Don’ts"

Don't store your aids in the bathroom.

Avoid storing your hearing aids in the bathroom. Bathrooms tend to be more humid and moist than other parts of the house. These conditions could damage hearing aids.

Don't carry your batteries in your pockets with coins

Store your batteries near metal coins and do not remove their stickers until use. These scenarios will reduce the life of your hearing aid batteries. Store your batteries in a cool, dry spot, away from small children and pets.

Never wear your hearing aids while sleeping.

Avoid wearing your hearing aid when you are sleeping. Your ears need a rest, and so do the hearing aids. Take your hearing aids out and store them in a safe dry place while you are sleeping.

Avoid getting your hearing aids wet.

Unless you have a waterproof hearing aid, remember to remove your hearing aids before you take a shower or bath, go to the spa or the pool, or the hairdresser.

Wait to put your aids in until after you are done getting ready.

Remove your hearing aids if you are styling your hair, spraying perfume or cologne, or when you are shaving, and store them in a safe place. These chemicals will muck up the mechanics inside the hearing aid.

Do NOT let your aids get too hot.

Avoid exposing your hearing aids to high levels of heat. Avoid leaving hearing aids in areas that could get very warm, such as in your car during an Arizona summer or near windows.

Never attempt to repair your hearing aids on your own.

Avoid trying to repair your hearing aids on your own. You may inadvertently cause greater damage by attempting to repair your hearing aids. If there are problems, bring your hearing aids in to your audiologist for repairs.

Arizona Balance and Hearing Aids

333 W Thomas Rd. Suite 208a

Phoenix, AZ 85013

(602) 265-9000

info@arizonabalance.com

Induction Hearing Loop Systems near Phoenix

According to the Arizona Commission of the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing (ACDHH), there are more than 700,000 people who are hard of hearing living in Arizona. Since 2006, the Adult Loss of Hearing Association (ALOHA) has pushed the agenda for public venues, such as churches, theaters, auditoriums, etc. to install hearing loops to increase accessibility for the large number of Arizonans who are living with hearing loss.Hearing loops are copper wires that surround a room or venue, usually installed in the floor. The wires are connected to the sound system in the room and transmit sound through electromagnetic waves to your hearing aid’s telecoil (T-coil). The hearing loop system delivers crisp, clear sound to your ears, without the need for any other assisted listening devices; it is as simple as switching your hearing aid’s programming to T-coil. The Cronkite News of Tucson reported that a “2007 state law requires audiologists in Arizona to tell patients purchasing hearing aids about the telecoil option that makes looping possible.”Below is a selection of venues in and around Phoenix that are fitted with a hearing loop (for a listing of houses of worship, visit: https://www.loopfinder.com/landing/getPlace/city/phoenix/). Though a lot of movie theaters and performance venues in the Phoenix area offer assisted listening devices (infrared, neck loops, etc.), there are not many arts, culture, and entertainment venues that offer hearing loops. For more information on hearing loops or getting involved with the initiative to install more venues with loops.

Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix - 627 W Rio Solado Pkwy, Mesa:

The Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix is “primarily an educational organization, providing bi-monthly lectures by experts in various fields; opportunities for intellectual discourse…and social events such as game nights, potlucks, and special celebrations throughout the year.” The HSGP meets twice a month on Sundays at 9am for a lecture series featuring diverse guest speakers. Upcoming events include a discussion group about inequities in our economic system, a screening of Pedro E. Guerrero: a Photographer’s Journey, and a sold-out talk with actor and Chicano arts advocate Cheech Marin. Marin’s collection of Chicano art will be on exhibit from September 11 to the end of December 2015. For more information, visit https://www.hsgp.org/

The Loft Cinema - 3233 East Speedway Blvd, Tucson:

For over 40 years, the Loft Cinema has been serving Tucson and the greater south Arizona area’s independent and art-house film lovers. Two screens at the Loft are fitted with hearing loops (one is handicap accessible). Currently playing are: The End of the Tour, based on interviews between journalist David Lipsky and author David Foster Wallace; Irrational Man, Woody Allen’s new existential picture; Mr. Holmes, starring the illustrious Ian McKellan as our favorite detective; and Cartel Land, a searing look at the underworld of the drug business.

Desert View Performing Arts Center - 39900 Clubhouse Dr, Tucson:

This multi-purpose venue is fitted with a hearing loop and hosts movies, comedy shows, concerts, and art shows.

Arizona Balance and Hearing Aids

333 W Thomas Rd. Suite 208a

Phoenix, AZ 85013

(602) 265-9000

info@arizonabalance.com

Pediatric Ear Infections (Otitis Media)

Many children, at some point, experience ear infections. Ear infections have been well-recorded through history, with early mentions in the writing of Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician. In the 1850s, researcher Adam Politzer suggested that the cause of middle ear infections, or otitis media (OM), is due to blockage in the Eustachian tube.Because the Eustachian tube is much smaller in younger children, 75% of otitis media cases occur before the age of 10. In 1938, researcher A.E. Schlanser proposed that genetics was “the greatest single factor in the causation of otitis media.” Now, many decades later, new studies have linked genetics to middle ear infections.

New information on ear infections

In a study from Baylor College, a team of international researchers found that individuals with a variant in the gene A2ML1 were more likely to suffer from ear infections of the middle ear. Dr. Regie Lyn Santos-Cortez, lead researcher on this study, was trained as an otolaryngologist in her native Philippines. During a medical trip to an indigenous area of the Philippines, Dr. Santos-Cortez was astonished to find that a large number of inhabitants of this area suffered from middle ear infections.With this foundation, Dr. Santos-Cortez focused the Baylor study on a group of 175 indigenous Filipino subjects who were native to the same vicinity and experienced high levels of middle ear infections. With environmental factors and lifestyles reduced as a major influence, researchers were able to hone in on the genetics. They found that 80% of people with a variance in the A2ML1 gene had suffered from otitis media at some point in their lives.Ear infections occur when there is mucus of fluid buildup in the Eustachian tube of the ear, due to colds or infections. Known commonly as “glue ear,” ear infections may cause mild to moderate hearing loss in children. In most occurrences of otitis media, middle ear surgery is required to drain the fluids. With this new genetic link identified, researchers are hopeful that that there will be other options to treat OM than surgery.The key to understanding the A2ML1 gene is studying the role it plays. This particular gene controls the production of a protein which blocks proteases, an enzyme which could cause damage to the middle ear. Researchers found that subjects in this study had a variance on the A2ML1 gene, which causes a deviation from this normal protein production process, thus leading to a higher occurrence of middle ear infections.Interestingly, researchers found similar cases of genetic variance in children of Hispanic and European heritage in Galveston, Texas, with no apparent relation to the 175 Filipino test subjects. This discovery creates a fuller picture of genetic inheritance through the lens of colonialism. They surmised a potential link between Spanish colonists in the Philippines to connect subjects of Filipino and Hispanic-European heritages.As Dr. Santos-Cortez and her colleagues continue their research on the role of the A2ML1 gene and susceptibility to middle ear infection, they hope to develop new solutions to treating otitis media to avoid the evasiveness of surgery in young children and simultaneously, to prevent early childhood hearing loss.