Could your child’s toys negatively impact his hearing?

Walk around your local toy store and you’ll see millions of different toys for your child to play with. Many of them include a sound component, which, in addition to being annoying to parents, can also pose a risk to a child’s hearing. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, some children’s toys – like sirens or squeaky rubber toys – can actually emit sounds of 90 decibels.

To put that in perspective, adults experiencing that level of noise at work would have to wear ear protection! Worse, when held up to a child’s ear during play, these toys can actually reach up to 120 decibels – a painful level that can result in permanent hearing loss. The Association suggests that some of the most dangerous toys for hearing include cap guns, vehicles with sirens, walkie talkies, vacuum toys, and even talking dolls. Before buying a new toy, be sure to test out its sound component; if you already have dangerous toys at home, take out the batteries to ensure they stay quiet.

Healthy hearing practices begin at a young age, so start protecting your child at all times – even during play time. Talk to a doctor in your True Dental Discounts hearing plan if you have any questions or concerns about toys around your house.

Congenital hearing loss in children

Although it is more common for people to acquire hearing loss through age or exposure to loud noises, between one and six of every 1,000 newborn babies are born with congenital (or present-at-birth) hearing loss. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, more than 50% of all congenital cases are caused by genetics. There are thought to be at least three separate genetic causes of congenital hearing loss, including situations in which at least one parent has genetically caused hearing loss. In this situation, the chance of the affected gene being passed to a child is much higher (at least 50%) than in cases where neither parent has hearing loss.

In some cases, both parents may carry a recessive gene for hearing loss, meaning that although neither of them has lost their hearing, they still have the ability to pass that gene on to their children. In this case, there is about a 25% chance of the child being born with hearing loss. Finally, there is also the chance that the mother can pass a hearing loss gene to her child through the X-chromosome, meaning it can only be passed on to male children, who have just one X chromosome (females have two). Hearing loss is also a known characteristic of Down syndrome and other genetic conditions.

However, there are also several causes of congenital hearing loss that are not related to genetics. These generally include infections or toxins in the mother during pregnancy or conditions affecting the baby shortly after birth. For instance, babies who are exposed to German measles or herpes while in the womb can develop congenital hearing loss. It’s very important to talk to your True Dental Discounts hearing plan doctor about your chances of passing on hearing loss to your child so you can be as educated as possible prior to the birth.

Musicians may need extra hearing protection

Everyone knows it can be dangerous to your hearing to go to noisy concerts or blast music in the car, but did you know it can also be harmful to the one playing the music, as well? According to the American Hearing Research Foundation, the most damage comes from high-frequency sounds, such as those produced by violins and violas.

This is especially true for the left ear because it is held close to the instrument during performances. Many violinists face a conundrum because they need to have excellent hearing to adjust the instrument’s pitch levels while playing, yet their hearing is gradually damaged by playing. For non-string instruments like trumpets, experts recommend musicians use mutes to muffle the sound and protect their hearing.

Other musicians, including violinists, have the option of wearing special “vented” ear plugs that help protect the ears without distorting the musician’s perception of the pitch. A doctor on your discount hearing plan can make specialized recommendations to fit your instrument and situation, so protect your hearing by scheduling an appointment before your next performance.

What is an audiologist?

According to the American Academy of Audiology, audiologists are primary health care professionals who “evaluate, diagnose, treat, and manage hearing loss and balance disorders in adults and children.” These doctors of audiology (Au.D.) can work in a wide range of environments, including ear-nose-throat offices, schools, universities, hospitals and private practices. Licensure requirements for audiologists vary by state, but once the requirements are met, audiologists may treat patients ranging in age from infants to adults. Some of an audiologist’s most important responsibilities include:

• Prescribing and fitting hearing aids
• Recommending personal amplification systems and devices
• Assisting with cochlear implants
• Testing a patient’s hearing by measuring “the loudness at which a person begins to hear sounds, the ability to distinguish between sounds, and the impact of hearing loss on an individual's daily life” (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
• Designing hearing protection programs for schools and the workplace; conducting newborn hearing assessments
• Performing hearing-related surgical monitoring
• Providing “hearing rehabilitation training, such as auditory training, speech reading, and listening skills improvement” (American Academy of Audiology)
• Researching treatments for hearing- and balance-related disorders

The AAA suggests that audiologists are able to treat nearly all forms of hearing loss. In cases of hearing loss caused by nerve damage, an audiologist may use hearing aids, assistive listening devices, and hearing rehabilitation to maximize the patient’s hearing capabilities.

For more information about the role of audiologists in treating hearing loss, talk to an audiologist on your True Dental Discounts plan. More than 2,000 provider locations are available throughout the nation, and participants are eligible to receive up to 58 percent on digital hearing aids nationwide. Start saving your hearing – and your wallet –today.

Musicians may need extra hearing protection

Everyone knows it can be dangerous to your hearing to go to noisy concerts or blast music in the car, but did you know it can also be harmful to the one playing the music, as well? According to the American Hearing Research Foundation, the most damage comes from high-frequency sounds, such as those produced by violins and violas.

This is especially true for the left ear because it is held close to the instrument during performances. Many violinists face a conundrum because they need to have excellent hearing to adjust the instrument’s pitch levels while playing, yet their hearing is gradually damaged by playing. For non-string instruments like trumpets, experts recommend musicians use mutes to muffle the sound and protect their hearing.

Other musicians, including violinists, have the option of wearing special “vented” ear plugs that help protect the ears without distorting the musician’s perception of the pitch. A doctor on your True Dental Discounts, hearing plan can make specialized recommendations to fit your instrument and situation, so protect your hearing by scheduling an appointment before your next performance.

How do cochlear implants work?

If you’ve been using a hearing aid but still have difficulty hearing or communicating, cochlear implants may be a great option. Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants “bypass the damaged inner ear and deliver electrical stimulation directly to the hearing nerve” (American Academy of Audiology). For this reason, cochlear implants are able to benefit people whose ears no longer respond to the amplification offered by hearing aids. Cochlear implants consist of both an external and internal part.

The internal part is surgically implanted during an outpatient procedure and cannot be seen from the outside; the external part is similar in appearance to a hearing aid that wraps behind the ear. This external part is fitted and programmed by your audiologist. According to the Academy of Audiology, everyone responds differently to cochlear implants. Although it does take time to get used to listening with the implant, many people are able to use the phone and even listen to music after a few months. Most implant users also communicate with others and understand speech well.

People who receive cochlear implants generally work with a variety of specialists throughout the procedure and trial period, including a speech-language pathologist, who can help restore a sense of normality in everyday conversation. If you have any questions about cochlear implants or think you could be a good candidate for the procedure, talk to an audiologist on your True Care Advantage hearing care plan. He or she will evaluate your hearing and help you determine if implants are right for your lifestyle and individual needs.