Hearing Matters Podcast: Hearing Aids, Hearing Loss and Tinnitus

About the Hearing Matters Podcast The Hearing Matters Podcast discusses hearing technology (more commonly known as hearing aids), best practices, and a growing national epidemic - Hearing Loss. The show is hosted by father and son - Blaise Delfino, M.S., HIS, and Dr. Gregory Delfino, CCC-A. Blaise Delfino and Dr. Gregory Delfino treat patients with hearing loss at Audiology Services, located in Bethlehem, Nazareth, and East Stroudsburg, PA. In this episode, Blaise Delfino discusses the importance of hearing protection for those who are in bands and/ or those who got to live concerts with Dr. Douglas Beck, vice president of academic sciences at Oticon.Dr. Beck explains that he plays several instruments. He was first runner-up for the part of Ringo Starr in the musical Beatlemania on Broadway. He played in a band that made several albums. In the past, most band members had no idea that they were causing hearing loss simply by wearing in-ear monitors.OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has set guidelines for hearing loss. It says listening to 90 decibels of sound for eight hours causes hearing loss. It goes up from there. Listening to 95 db for four hours, 100 db for two hours, 110 db for 30 minutes and 115 db for15 minutes cause hearing loss. People who leave a concert with ringing in their ears have caused temporary hearing loss that could become permanent. Dr. Beck encourages practicing and playing musicians to wear musician earplugs. While they are expensive, they take out the highest and lowest frequencies, allowing the wearer to converse. They also protect the wearer from hearing loss. Over-the-counter ear plugs are better than nothing, but custom-made earplugs are the best.In-ear monitors are worn by singers in a band so he/she can hear his/her own voice over the other musicians. Custom in-ear monitors are made to prevent hearing loss from loud noise. The person first gets an audiometric evaluation, a custom mold is made and a measure of the noise level the wearer will experience is taken. Dr. Beck says it’s very important to use in-ear monitors safely so they do the job. Whatever costs are incurred, it is worth saving your hearing. Connect with the Hearing Matters Podcast TeamEmail: hearingmatterspodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @hearing_matters_podcast Facebook: Hearing Matters Podcast

About the Hearing Matters Podcast The Hearing Matters Podcast discusses hearing technology (more commonly known as hearing aids), best practices, and a growing national epidemic - Hearing Loss. The show is hosted by father and son - Blaise Delfino, M.S., HIS, and Dr. Gregory Delfino, CCC-A. Blaise Delfino and Dr. Gregory Delfino treat patients with hearing loss at Audiology Services, located in Bethlehem, Nazareth, and East Stroudsburg, PA. In this episode, Blaise Delfino discusses Cognition, Audition and Amplification with Dr. Douglas L. Beck, Vice President of Academic Sciences at Oticon.Dr. Beck explains that the connection among cognition, audition and amplification is the human brain. The three are intertwined and cannot be separated. There are 26 million Americans who have no hearing loss but still cannot understand speech in noise. This can be caused by a traumatic brain injury, dyslexia, and many other conditions. An audiologist can determine if the problem is central auditory processing. Dr. Beck explains the term “cross-modal recruitment.” It occurs when one area of the brain is not stimulated, and another area of the brain takes it over. In a study done by Drs. Sharma and Glick, titled “Frontiers of Neuroscience,” the area of the brain that processes sound was not stimulated, and the part of the brain that processes sight took it over. Drs. Sharma and Glick found that by fitting patients who have hearing loss with hearing instruments reversed the cross-modal recruitment that had taken place in their brains. Hearing screenings are not something that Dr. Beck advocates. He believes that they are usually not done in sound-proof booths, the instructions are not well presented, and headphones are generally not used. He is in favor of Universal Newborn Screenings, however, which tests the hearing of all babies born in hospitals and birthing centers. He is also in favor of cognitive screenings in older adults who are having difficulty with speech in noise. He says once people reach a certain age there are many conditions that can cause hearing loss. Among them are neurovascular conditions that reduce blood flow to the brain.Dr. Gregory Delfino adds that he has seen many patients over the past 20 years who have central auditory processing problems and have significantly improved with low-level amplification. Buying hearing instruments online or over the counter is not something Dr. Beck advises. He says a person may be experiencing hearing loss for any number of reasons, from a hair up against the ear drum or the bones in the ear malfunctioning to a brain tumor. The rule in medicine he says is first diagnose then treat. Without a diagnosis by a trained hearing healthcare professional, a person could do more harm than good by buying over-the-counter hearing aids. He adds that a person can get well-made hearing aids provided by a professional for as little as $1,000 per pair.      Have questions? Let's hear em'! Email: Blaise@audiologyservicesllcpa.com Phone: 610.694.0141Connect with the Hearing Matters Podcast TeamEmail: hearingmatterspodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @hearing_matters_podcast Facebook: Hearing Matters Podcast

About the Hearing Matters Podcast The Hearing Matters Podcast discusses hearing technology (more commonly known as hearing aids), best practices, and a growing national epidemic - Hearing Loss. The show is hosted by father and son - Blaise Delfino, M.S., HIS, and Dr. Gregory Delfino, CCC-A. Blaise Delfino and Dr. Gregory Delfino treat patients with hearing loss at Audiology Services, located in Bethlehem, Nazareth, and East Stroudsburg, PA. The Benefits of Deep Neural Networks in Hearing AidsIn this episode, Blaise Delfino discusses the deep neural network in the new Oticon More hearing aid with Dr. Douglas L. Beck, vice president of academic sciences at Oticon. Dr. Beck explains that in Oticon’s newest hearing aid, the Oticon More, there is a deep neural network, or DNN, which enables a wearer to have an even better hearing experience than before.  He explains that artificial intelligence (AI) is as simple as a thermostat in the refrigerator. It senses when it needs to adjust the temperature and then does so. DNN is a much more sophisticated form of AI. It learns in the same way the human brain does. It’s used in a variety of everyday tasks, for example buying something on Amazon. Once you buy a certain item, Amazon will let you know when similar items become available. The general idea of a DNN is that it learns through repetitive action from a collection of samples. In a hearing aid, the DNN is trained with millions of real-life sound scenes – a restaurant, train station or busy street. The DNN learns to identify and balance each sound within it, so the wearer can access the sounds most important to you.The Oticon More was trained with 12 million complex real-life sound, which it then learned to analyze, organize, and balance. This hearing device can utilize the DNN’s intelligent capabilities when balancing and prioritizing the sounds that are important to the wearer.The benefit of the DNN is that the wearer’s brain has access to the full sound scene, so he/she can hear the person next to him/her, as well as other environmental sounds, all balanced and amplified in a true-to-life way.This is because a DNN provides the brain with more meaningful sound information, which makes sound much clearer and speech easier to follow. In fact, research shows that Oticon More delivers 30 percent more sound to the brain and increase speech understanding by 15 percent. Connect with the Hearing Matters Podcast TeamEmail: hearingmatterspodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @hearing_matters_podcast Facebook: Hearing Matters Podcast

About the Hearing Matters Podcast The Hearing Matters Podcast discusses hearing technology (more commonly known as hearing aids), best practices, and a growing national epidemic - Hearing Loss. The show is hosted by father and son - Blaise Delfino, M.S. - HIS and Dr. Gregory Delfino, CCC-A. Blaise Delfino and Dr. Gregory Delfino treat patients with hearing loss at Audiology Services, located in Bethlehem, Nazareth, and East Stroudsburg, PA.About Dr. Phillip ZazoveOn this week’s episode, Blaise Delfino talks to Dr. Phillip Zazove, the George A. Dean Chair and Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Michigan. Dr. Zazove is Deaf.Dr. Zazove explains that he was not diagnosed with profound hearing loss until he was four years old. At that time children who were deaf were put in state schools for the deaf. His parent however believed that he could compete in a regular school setting, so he was in mainstreamed. He was the first deaf child to be mainstreamed in the northern Chicago suburbs. His parents were great advocates for him. When he was a child, there were no cell phones or other technology to help deaf children. Hearing aids were big and bulky. He refused to wear hearing aids because he didn’t want to be different. Today’s children have greater advantages than kids even 25 years ago. Dr. Zazove says he got his passion and grit from his parents, who were both doctors. He adds that getting to know other people with disabilities also drove him to want to help others, especially those with disabilities.Advocating for yourself as a deaf person is especially important. If a deaf or hard of hearing person doesn’t tell his doctors, for example, that he can’t hear, he may not get the best care. The doctor needs to know so he/she can be sure the patient understands what’s going on. He adds that people need not be embarrassed that they have a hearing loss and should think about wearing hearing aids the same as wearing glasses. Dr. Zazove did studies that show a doctor will treat a hearing patient differently when it comes to recommending having colonoscopy, mammogram, cancer screening, etc. Another study demonstrated that a deaf or hard of hearing patient is more likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days than a hearing person. He says processes and procedures need to be set in place, so doctors know to ask patients if they have hearing loss.Dr. Zazove applied to about 30 medical schools and was only accepted to Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. He was the third deaf person to go through medical college.He believes there are four things that can help an individual who is Deaf the most: 1. Parent advocacy when the child is going through school. 2. Learning a language by age three, whether it’s sign language, English, Russian, etc. 3. Make whatever accommodations are needed, whether it’s sitting at the front of the class, getting hearing aids or a cochlear implant or having an interpreter. 4. Join support groups.Dr. Zazove runs a foundation for Deaf high school  students who wish to go to college. It is known as the Louise Tumarkin Zazove Medical Foundation and is in its 17th year. It generally pays for a deaf or hard of hearing student’s full tuition for four years.  Connect with the Hearing Matters Podcast TeamEmail: hearingmatterspodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @hearing_matters_podcast Facebook: Hearing Matters Podcast

About the Hearing Matters Podcast The Hearing Matters Podcast discusses hearing technology (more commonly known as hearing aids), best practices, and a growing national epidemic - Hearing Loss. The show is hosted by father and son - Blaise Delfino, M.S., HIS, and Dr. Gregory Delfino, CCC-A. Blaise Delfino and Dr. Gregory Delfino treat patients with hearing loss at Audiology Services, located in Bethlehem, Nazareth, and East Stroudsburg, PA. The Newest TechnologyIn this episode Blaise Delfino discusses the newest hearing technology with Scott Bunnell, senior global product manager of Sonic Innovation. Scott says the newest hearing aid is called the Radiant. It uses a new technology platform known as Extend. This latest processing chip has more power and more memory than Sonic's previous chip. It also has a new way of processing sound, new compression technology and noise management and reduction. It uses 24 bands, whereas the old platform used only 16.Joint Compression SystemScott says the new technology uses a combined compression system that has both fast and slow capability. The slow compression handles the narrow band noises, such as vacuum cleaners and blenders, and keeps them at bay. The fast compression emphasizes every part of speech and puts the emphasis where it is needed.  Increased ConnectivityThe new Radiant hearing aid is also now able to be connected to an Android phone. In the past it was only able to connect to an iPhone. Audiologists can also do remote fittings and fine adjustments. This is especially important for those who are physically unable to come to the office and those who are out of town. The Radiant also has a new open/closed dome that keeps its shape better in the ear canal and is more comfortable because of changes in venting.Great for MusiciansScott, who is a musician himself, explains that hearing aids were first made for people to be able to hear speech. Listening to music was not something companies considered. He says the wave lengths of speech are predictable as are the frequency ranges. Music however has a wider range of frequencies and an extended range. Because of that the new Radiant has a smart music program that enables wearers to really enjoy music. Final AdviceAfter giving a brief history of his musical life as a singer and guitar player, Scott offered the following advice. “If you have hearing loss, don’t wait to do something,” he says. “The longer you wait the worse the hearing loss becomes. Untreated hearing loss is the number one risk factor for acquiring dementia. Don’t listen to the horror stories about hearing aids. They are nothing like they used to be. They’re great.”  Connect with the Hearing Matters Podcast TeamEmail: hearingmatterspodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @hearing_matters_podcast Facebook: Hearing Matters Podcast

About the Hearing Matters Podcast The Hearing Matters Podcast discusses hearing technology (more commonly known as hearing aids), best practices, and a growing national epidemic - Hearing Loss. The show is hosted by father and son - Blaise Delfino, M.S. - HIS and Dr. Gregory Delfino, CCC-A. Blaise Delfino and Dr. Gregory Delfino treat patients with hearing loss at Audiology Services, located in Bethlehem, Nazareth, and East Stroudsburg, PA.Becoming an AudiologistOn this episode Blaise Delfino discusses the emergence of hearing technology with Scott Bunnell of Sonic Innovation. Scott explains that he was in a dead-ed job when he decided to go back to school to become an audiologist. He got a master’s degree and a doctoral degree in audiology. He practiced as a clinician in a hospital for 6 years. He was laid off when the hospital closed its audiology unit.Moving into Industry While looking for another job, he got a call from Sonic Innovations, asking him if he wanted to become a tech support audiologist. He enjoyed learning things that were not part of his job in the hospital. HE was put on a marketing team and is now a senior product manager. Sonic in its Early YearsScott explains that Sonic began with three brilliant scientist-engineers. Dr. Thomas Stockham, who was a pioneer of digital recording and a master of digitizing and processing sound. Dr. Douglass Chabries designed Navy sonar systems and developed algorithms that simulated how the human ear and brain process sound.  Both had lifelong interests in how sound is produced and how the human brain processes it. They were later joined by Dr. Carver Meade, who is considered the father of microelectronics. He reduced a bench-top prototype to a single tiny chip. Using digital technology and the latest microchip manufacturing techniques, they created the first Sonic product in 1998. It was a completely digital hearing aid that fit inside the human ear. The company first tried to manufacture the hearing aids in Utah, but found it was easier to do so in Minnesota. Today R and D is located in Salt Lake City and manufacturing is done in Minnesota.Sonic’s 4S FoundationOver the years, Sonic has consistently improved and refined each generation of hearing devices. They developed algorithms that separate speech from noise and bring it to the foreground. They learned how to reduce background noise in many diverse environments. Scott says Sonic products and accessories are true to the company’s 4S Foundation: Sound That’s Natural, Speech Understanding in Noise, Simplicity in Everything We Do, and Style That Stands Out Sonic is a Leader in Noise ManagementMost patients struggle with speech in noise. Sonic hearing aids use two microphones in one. One picks up the sound from the person who the wearer is talking to, and the other picks up other noises and mutes them. These microphones do this every time the wearer moves his/her head. Compression is Important.Scott explains that compression in a hearing instrument is its ability to cut off the peaks of a sound wave that are too high (loud). He uses the example of a sailboat going under a bridge. If the sail is too high, its sails need to be compressed so it can fit. By using just, the right amount of compression, Sonic instruments amplify the soft sounds but keep the loud sounds from being too loud. The Cochlea is the TemplateSonic contin Connect with the Hearing Matters Podcast TeamEmail: hearingmatterspodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @hearing_matters_podcast Facebook: Hearing Matters Podcast

Connect with the Hearing Matters Podcast TeamEmail: hearingmatterspodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @hearing_matters_podcast Facebook: Hearing Matters Podcast

About the Hearing Matters Podcast The Hearing Matters Podcast discusses hearing technology (more commonly known as hearing aids), best practices, and a growing national epidemic - Hearing Loss. The show is hosted by father and son - Blaise Delfino, M.S. - HIS and Dr. Gregory Delfino, CC, located in Bethlehem, Nazareth, and East Stroudsburg, PA. C-A. Blaise Delfino and Dr. Gregory Delfino treat patients with hearing loss at Audiology Services. The Effects of Hearing Loss on Literacy Development In this episode Blaise Delfino discusses how hearing loss affects a child’s ability to learn to speak with Lindy Powell, a teacher of the deaf and a reading specialist. The ability to hear is imperative to learning to speak and read. There are five areas in reading development. They are phonological/phonemic awareness, phonetics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Phonological/phonemic awareness enables a child to hear the syllables through listening. They apply those listening skills to developing a vocabulary. When they are fluent, they use the same skill set to speak with the correct inflection and at the correct rate of speed. Eventually the learn to comprehend what they are reading. Each step builds on the next. Missing Certain SoundsIf a child has a high-frequency hearing loss, he/she may not hear important consonant sounds, like f, s, or t, for example. Because these sounds don’t get to the brain, the child may think the word Frank is really Ank. Also if the s on the end of a word is missing, the entire meaning of the word may change. An example is if a child asks for more than one thing. A child with hearing loss does not get the input they need for phonetic development.What Can Parents Do?There is a lot of research that shows children should have access to sound as early as possible. Some mothers even talk/read to their babies in utero. Sound helps develop speaking and listening skills and social skills. Strong vocabulary skills set children up for success. If a child is not developing speaking skills, intervention as early as possible is recommended.Reading actual books at least 20 minutes a day with your child is also a way to enhance language skills. Reading online is not as effective. It’s recommended that children’s screen time should be limited, even if he/she is reading. There are simple steps to providing early listening.1.     Make reading a priority. Make sure your child sees and hears you read things like the mail, magazines, and cookbooks. Also let them see you writing things, like notes for the store or daily reminders.2.     If you can’t find 20 minutes a day, which is often the case, be sure the time you spend reading/talking with your child is quality time. Set it aside and use it without interruption.3.     Don’t compare your child’s reading/listening skills to other kids, especially if he/she is not as advanced as kids the same age. Celebrate the progress the child makes.4.     Lean on the professionals. They are there to help you. Ask questions and follow their advice, and most importantly, try to limit your anxiety and your child’s. For more information on improving listening/reading skills go to “listenlittles” on Instagram. Connect with the Hearing Matters Podcast TeamEmail: hearingmatterspodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @hearing_matters_podcast Facebook: Hearing Matters Podcast

About the Hearing Matters Podcast The Hearing Matters Podcast discusses hearing technology (more commonly known as hearing aids), best practices, and a growing national epidemic - Hearing Loss. The show is hosted by father and son, Blaise Delfino, M.S., HIS and Dr. Gregory Delfino, CCC-A. Blaise Delfino and Dr. Gregory Delfino treat patients with hearing loss at Audiology Services, located in Bethlehem, Nazareth, and East Stroudsburg, PA. Philanthropy in the Hearing Healthcare CommunityIn this episode Blaise Delfino discusses philanthropic giving with Dr. Amit Gosalia, of the West Valley Hearing Center in Los Angeles. Dr. Gosalia defines philanthropy as the desire to help others. He says that the foundation for wanting to help those in need is built in childhood. His father, who was a cardiologist, had Amit volunteer in the hospital during his summers.He encourages everyone to go beyond their four walls and either volunteer or donate to worthy causes. He points out, however, that doing so to build up a business is not a good idea and is usually counterproductive.The More You Give, the More You Receive Blaise points out that there is no such thing as giving without a reward. That reward is the wonderful feeling you get by helping others. Dr. Gosalia adds that if you give because you’re looking for something tangible in return, it is manipulation. He says people should give humbly and with the understanding that you are not doing it for praise but to make a difference in the world.Who is giving in the Hearing Healthcare Community?Dr. Gosalia says many big companies that manufacture hearing aids give through their foundations, including Oticon and Starkey. These companies donate hearing aids to countries around the world and across the U.S. They also do missions in foreign countries. Many celebrities join these missions to help promote prevention of hearing loss and the benefits of wearing hearing aids. At the local level Lion’s Clubs across the country donate hearing aids to those in need. What can Individual Practitioners Do?Audiologist can volunteer to give free screenings in their offices or in the community. They can also donate hearing aids and batteries to those who cannot afford them. He gives the example of a team of healthcare practitioners who teamed up to do a health fair in Arizona. People could have free hearing, dental, eye, and blood pressure screenings. A screening takes about five minutes. If five audiologists worked together for a day, they could help hundreds of people.Blaise says that Audiology Services has done many outreach programs in the community, including free screenings. During COVID-19, Audiology Services donated packages of different types of hearing aid batteries to the senior homes in the Lehigh Valley. The staff at Audiology Services always looked forward to those days. Where to go to if you Need a Hearing Aid and Can’t Afford One?If you or someone you know needs a hearing test or hearing aids and can’t afford them, tell them to visit a reputable audiologist. Don’t rely on Google, as you may not get someone who is ethical. The FutureAudiology Services and Dr. Gosalia are hoping to team up with audiologists across the country to have a national day of giving in the hearing healthcare profession.  Connect with the Hearing Matters Podcast TeamEmail: hearingmatterspodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @hearing_matters_podcast Facebook: Hearing Matters Podcast

In this episode, Blaise Delfino  speaks with Dr. Amit Gosalia about what to expect from amplification, more commonly known as hearing aids.The StatisticsDr. Gosalia explains that hearing loss is known as the invisible disease. The person experiencing it can’t feel or see it. Usually, family and friends notice and let the person know. Hearing loss is not uncommon. According to the NIH and the WHO, 15 percent of all Americans over 18, not only the elderly, suffer from some form of hearing loss. It can be caused by exposure to noise, genetics, or the environment, among other things. He adds that every year the Veteran’s Administration publishes a report on the disabilities suffered by veterans. Each year hearing loss is either number 2 or 3. Most people would guess that post-traumatic stress disorder would be at the top of the list for veterans returning from war. However, number one is almost always tinnitus, or ringing in the ears. Lost WagesEach year there is a $1 billion loss in wages because of hearing loss. Dr. Gosalia explains that it is the result of misinterpretation and misinformation by people who can’t hear well. A recent market track survey demonstrated that among the thousands with hearing loss in the workplace, for every 10 decibels of hearing loss there is a reduction in salary. He explains that because a person’s brain has to go into overdrive to distinguish between the letter “t” and the letter “p,” for example, his/her cognitive energy is taken away from the ability to do other things. This is particularly difficult in meetings and when working with a team. The Types of Hearing LossThere are four types of hearing loss. To understand the different types, Dr. Gosalia gives a basic anatomy lesson on the ear. The outer ear, which is on the outside of the head, funnels sound into the ear canal. At the end of the ear canal is the ear drum. Connected to that are three small bones commonly known as the hammer, anvil, and stirrup. Those bones are connected to the cochlea, which looks like a snail shell. Inside the cochlear are millions of hair cells that pick up the sound and send it to the auditory nerve. It is then sent to the brain for interpretation. The most common type of hearing loss is sensorineural. This is when a significant number of hair cells in the cochlea die off. They cannot be regenerated; however, a hearing aid provides extra energy to stimulate the remaining hair cells. This is considered hearing loss in the middle ear.The second type of hearing loss is call conductive. This happens when the ear canal is clogged with debris and wax, or when there is a hole in the ear drum, and it cannot vibrate correctly. Often children suffer from fluid in the middle ear. This is treated by inserting tubes into the child’s eustachiantube. The third type of hearing loss is called mixed. This is a combination of conductive and neurosensory loss. The last type and least common is known as central hearing loss, which takes place in the brain.  Fear of Hearing Aids Dr. Gosalia says people experiencing hearing loss wait an average of seven years to get help. They’re afraid of the cost, or fear that they’ll hear too much background noise. Others have heard stories of people who have had, say, five hearing aids in six years and none of them worked. About 99 percent of patients who see an audiologist who uses best practices do very well with hearing aids. They must be aware, however, that hearing instruments can’t restore normal hearing. Connect with the Hearing Matters Podcast TeamEmail: hearingmatterspodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @hearing_matters_podcast Facebook: Hearing Matters Podcast