May 17th, 2012 - Categories: News, Press Releases - Tags: better hearing month, community awareness, patient care, personalized solutions, technology, tinnitus - No Comments
The Serenade Tinnitus Treatment System is now available at Advanced Hearing Care!
New customized sound therapy approach with novel treatment sounds
SAN JOSE, California, March 26, 2012. SoundCure Inc., a new tinnitus solution provider, today announced the launch of the Serenade Tinnitus Treatment System at the upcoming American Academy of Audiology Meeting in Boston, March 28 – April 1, 2012. This marks the formal commercial release of a novel advancement in sound therapy based on the development of S-Tones®, customized treatment sounds developed independently by leading hearing researchers at the University of California, Irvine (UCI).
Tinnitus, or “ringing in the ears”, affects approximately 10% of U.S. adults and an estimated 260 million people globally. It can be extremely debilitating, leading to depression, irritability, and difficulty sleeping or concentrating. It is most often related to hearing loss, especially that caused by noise damage.
Serenade is a handheld device that is programmed in the audiologist’s office for each individual patient according to his specific condition. Through the device’s earphones, the patient listens to therapeutic sounds which are designed to address the underlying neurological cause of tinnitus. Four different treatment sounds are available, anchored by advanced, proprietary S-Tones. Long-term relief can be achieved when used in an on-going sound therapy program.
The American Tinnitus Association provided a grant to UCI to develop the technology. Sound therapy as a tinnitus treatment is well-established and effective. S-Tones are low frequency, amplitude modulated tones that are frequency pitch-matched to a patient’s unique tinnitus, representing a significant clinical breakthrough compared to previous approaches. According to Dr. Fan-Gang Zeng, one of the technology inventors, these modulated tones “keep the brain’s interest” thus “inhibiting and reducing the perceived tinnitus sound and bringing relief”. In addition, S-Tones are intended to be “listened to at a volume that is lower than the patient’s tinnitus, reducing the sound burden”, according to Dr. Zeng.
SoundCure CEO Bill Perry states, “This approach was developed by a team with a deep scientific understanding of the neurophysiology of tinnitus and how the brain processes sound. It is an important solution to provide relief to patients and represents a real advance in tinnitus care.”
About SoundCure, Inc.
Established in 2009 to commercialize the technology developed for years at the University of California, Irvine, SoundCure, Inc. is a privately held medical device company whose mission is to revolutionize the treatment of tinnitus and provide relief to the millions of people suffering its effects. SoundCure is an Allied Minds company.
Serenade Tinnitus Treatment System at Advanced Hearing Care!
Advanced Hearing Care is proud to be the first provider in Oklahoma to offer the Serenade Tinnitus Treatment System! This groundbreaking technology has recently received FDA approval for the treatment of ringing in the ears. Studies are beginning to show that Serenade can offer immediate relief from the annoyance of tinnitus symptoms. For more information on the Serenade system, contact our office to schedule a consultation appointment!
May 15th, 2012 - Categories: Press Releases, Technology - Tags: better hearing month, community awareness, patient care, personalized solutions, tinnitus - No Comments
Tinnitus is the perception of a sound that has no external source.
Washington, DC, May 3, 2012—The Better Hearing Institute is joining the American Tinnitus Association (ATA) in recognizing National Tinnitus Awareness Week (TAW), May 13 to 19, 2012, and is raising awareness of hearing aids as a potential therapy to help quiet chronic “ringing in the ears.” According to a BHI study published in Hearing Review, 43.5 percent of people with tinnitus were helped at least mildly with hearing aids. And 3 out of 10 were helped moderately-to-substantially. For those whose audiologists used best practices in fitting hearing aids, the figure jumped to 50 percent. There currently is no known cure for tinnitus.
Often referred to as “ringing in the ears,” tinnitus is the perception of a sound that has no external source. Tinnitus sufferers commonly describe the noise as a ringing, humming, buzzing, and/or cricket-like. Tinnitus can be constant or intermittent. And it can be heard in one ear, both ears, or in the head. For many who suffer from it, tinnitus can be a source of endless torment and a continual drain on quality-of-life.
Nearly thirty million Americans—almost twice as many as previously believed—suffer from persistent, chronic tinnitus, according to the BHI study. That’s about ten percent of the U.S. population. And for people ages 65 to 84, that number jumps to almost 27 percent. Tinnitus is now the number one service-connected disability of returning military personnel from Iraq and Afghanistan.
“The good news is there are effective therapies available to help people cope,” said Sergei Kochkin, PhD, BHI’s Executive Director. “In particular, we found that a variety of sound therapies and/or hearing aids in conjunction with counseling can help. But we need to raise awareness that effective therapies are available, including the use of hearing aids.”
Exposure to extreme noise is the leading cause of tinnitus, and people with tinnitus almost always have accompanying hearing loss. In fact, the study found that respondents with more severe hearing loss were more likely to have tinnitus. Yet, more than a third (39%) of people with hearing loss do not seek help specifically because they have tinnitus.
“Persistent, chronic tinnitus is a highly intrusive, increasingly common condition that can interfere with a person’s cognition, ability to interact with family and friends, and basic life functions,” said Jennifer Born, Director of Public Affairs at the American Tinnitus Association (ATA). “Much progress is still needed in understanding tinnitus and finding a cure—which is why Tinnitus Awareness Week is such an important effort.”
As baby boomers age, people listen to portable music players at high volumes, and more soldiers return from combat, the incidence of both hearing loss and tinnitus is expected to grow.
People suffering with tinnitus can find the latest information on their condition and methods for coping with it in an authoritative eGuide, “Your Guide to Tinnitus.” This 14-page guide covers definitions, causes, the impact of tinnitus, treatments, practical tips for managing tinnitus, and good self-help references.
“We are very pleased to join ATA this year in promoting Tinnitus Awareness Week and hope that our efforts bring us closer to finding a cure,” Kochkin said.
More About Tinnitus
Four in ten people experience their tinnitus more than 80 percent of the time; slightly more than one in four describe their tinnitus as loud; and about one in five describe their tinnitus as disabling or nearly disabling, the BHI study found.
People with tinnitus report that it most often affects their ability to hear (39%), concentrate (26%), and sleep (20%). Yet for many, tinnitus is even more pervasive. Twelve percent of respondents—or 3.6 million people when extrapolated to the general population—say their tinnitus affects leisure activities, social life, personal relationships, and emotional or mental health. Seven percent of respondents—or an estimated 2.1 million people nationwide—indicate that tinnitus affects their ability to work.
How Hearing Aids Help
In addition to improving hearing and communication, hearing aids amplify background sound, so the loudness or prominence of the tinnitus is reduced. Simply taking the focus off the tinnitus means relief for many people. Hearing aids also reduce the stress associated with intensive listening by improving communication, which in turn help relieve tinnitus symptoms.
About Tinnitus Awareness Week
Each year, a week is set aside during Better Hearing Month to focus specifically on increasing public awareness about tinnitus and most importantly the need for increased funding for tinnitus research. This year, ATA is “going for gold” in its efforts to raise awareness and encourage people across the United States and around the world to help educate people about “ringing in the ears.” The premiere TAW 2012 event is the Tour de Tinnitus, a new bike ride fundraiser for the organization that was started last year by long time ATA member Mark Church. His efforts last year spawned great interest and the ride has grown to incorporate five new teams that will participate in four separate rides to raise money to support tinnitus research.
ATA has developed a TAW 2012 section on their website at ATA.org/TAW2012. From requesting proclamations from locally and nationally elected officials, to contacting your local media outlets, sharing tinnitus-related crosswords and posters, ATA has all the information you’ll need to get started in raising some serious tinnitus-awareness!
About BHI
Founded in 1973, BHI conducts research and engages in hearing health education with the goal of helping people with hearing loss benefit from proper treatment. For more information on hearing loss, visit www.betterhearing.org. To take the BHI Quick Hearing Check, visit www.hearingcheck.org. To participate in the discussion forum, visit www.betterhearing.org, click on “Discussion Forum,” and go to “Welcome!” to register.
February 23rd, 2012 - Categories: Press Releases, Research - Tags: communication issues, community awareness, hearing conservation, hearing loss, hearing loss and cognitive function - No Comments
Nov. 14, 2011. About one in five Americans ages 12 and older suffer from hearing loss that’s severe enough to make communication difficult, researchers from Johns Hopkins University found.
About 30 million Americans, or 13 percent of the population, have hearing loss in both ears, and 48 million, or 20 percent, in at least one ear, according to a study published today in the Archives of Internal Medicine. That exceeds previous estimates, which put the number of people with hearing loss at 21 million to 29 million, the researchers said.
The study also found that hearing loss doubled every decade of life. Deficient hearing has been linked to a greater risk of dementia, poor cognitive function and falling in the elderly, said lead study author Frank Lin, an assistant professor of otolaryngology and epidemiology at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. The impact of hearing loss on the aging isn’t “inconsequential” and should be treated, he said.
“If you have poor hearing, your brain almost has to work harder to decode and process sound,” said Lin in a Nov. 11 telephone interview. “If you brain is having to reallocate resources to hearing, it probably comes at the expense of cognition or thinking ability.”
Researchers in the study used data from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys from 2001 to 2008 for all participants ages 12 and older who had their hearing tested over that period. The survey is thought to be representative of the U.S. population.
Worse With Age
For those in their 40s, about 2.8 million suffer from hearing loss in both ears and 5.6 million have the condition in at least one ear. That number jumped to 8.8 million for people in their 70s who had hearing loss in both ears and 10.8 million for those who had hearing loss in at least one ear, the study showed.
Women and black people were less likely than other groups to suffer from hearing loss, the study found. Lin said estrogen may be protective of hearing and the same cells that make skin dark may also play a role in preventing hearing loss.
Today’s study “gives us the real scope of the problem for the first time and shows us how big of a problem hearing loss really is,” Lin said in a statement.
By Nicole Ostrow
Bloomberg from PRnewswire
February 16th, 2012 - Categories: Press Releases, Research, Technology - Tags: communication issues, community awareness, hearing loss, hearing loss and cognitive function, hearing treatment, patient care, personalized solutions, research - No Comments
Better hearing can make a big difference in your overall mental fitness.
Last year was a big year for hearing studies, particularly as hearing health relates to mental health. We saw multiple studies that linked untreated mild hearing loss to disorders such as dementia and brain atrophy. A new study was just released that offered a bit of positive news: hearing aid use may actually increase self-esteem.
The study, conducted by Hear the World, showed that a majority of hearing aid users experience better overall mental fitness than people who allow their hearing loss to go untreated. Quality of life, intimacy, personal confidence, even insomnia tend to improve for people who wear hearing aids. And when you think about it, this makes a lot of sense. Our hearing is our most important social sense; it’s the principle component of how we communicate with one another. To quote Helen Keller, hearing loss “means the loss of the most vital stimulus — the sound of the voice that brings language, sets thoughts astir and keeps us in the intellectual company of man.”
One of the most important things that we do at Advanced Hearing is work with our patients to restore their quality of life where their hearing loss interferes. It isn’t a surprise for us to see the results of this study. We see the importance of better hearing everyday in our patients. It’s our biggest passion and our greatest privilege. To experience the difference better hearing can make, call us today.
January 19th, 2012 - Categories: News, Press Releases - Tags: research, tinnitus - No Comments
Tinnitus is the perception of a sound that has no external source.
Washington, DC, December 19, 2011 — People suffering with tinnitus, commonly known as “ringing in the ears,” can find the latest information on their condition and methods for coping with it in the all-new authoritative eGuide, “Your Guide to Tinnitus,” the Better Hearing Insitute (BHI) announced today. Nearly 30 million Americans—or about 10 percent of the U.S. population—suffer from persistent, chronic tinnitus.
Tinnitus is the perception of a sound that has no external source and is commonly described as a ringing, humming, buzzing, and/or cricket-like sound that is either constant or intermittent. Tinnitus can be heard in one ear, both ears, or in the head. Exposure to extreme noise is the leading cause of tinnitus, and people with tinnitus almost always have accompanying hearing loss. Tinnitus is currently the number one service-connected disability of returning military personnel from Iraq and Afghanistan.
“For many who suffer from it, tinnitus can be a source of endless torment and a continual drain on quality-of-life,” says Sergei Kochkin, PhD, BHI’s Executive Director. “Yet most people who suffer from tinnitus don’t seek help. This free, easy-to-download eGuide can provide tinnitus sufferers with accurate, valuable information that will help them better understand and cope with their condition.”
“Your Guide to Tinnitus,” is the latest of seven eGuides for consumers published by BHI on hearing-related topics. It is written by Richard Tyler, PhD, one of the country’s eminent authorities on tinnitus and the editor of three books on the topic, including The Consumer Handbook on Tinnitus (Auricle Ink Publishers). Dr. Tyler is a professor in both the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery and the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Iowa in Iowa City.
“Your Guide to Tinnitus” helps readers understand what tinnitus is; what causes it; different types of tinnitus; the impact tinnitus has on sufferers’ lives; the connection between tinnitus and hearing loss; current treatment options that make tinnitus more manageable; and actions people with tinnitus can take to help themselves.
The incidence of both tinnitus and hearing loss is expected to grow as baby boomers age, people continue to listen to portable music players at high volumes, and more soldiers return from combat.
“We need to raise awareness among people who suffer from tinnitus that there is help,” says Tyler. “Although there currently is no cure to eliminate tinnitus altogether, there are things that sufferers can do about it. This eGuide provides information on tried and proven therapies that have helped innumerable individuals reduce the impact that tinnitus has on their lives. I urge anyone with tinnitus to visit www.BetterHearing.org (under Tinnitus) and download the eGuide so they can begin to regain their quality of life.”
Other eGuides published and provided by BHI include “Your Guide to Better Hearing,” “A Guide to Your Child’s Hearing,” “Your Guide to Hearing Aids,” “Your Guide to Care and Maintenance of Hearing Aids,” “Your Guide to Financial Assistance for Hearing Aids,” and “Your Guide to Buying Hearing Aids.”
More About Tinnitus
According to a recent BHI survey, four in ten people experience their tinnitus more than 80 percent of the time; slightly more than one in four describe their tinnitus as loud; and about one in five describe their tinnitus as disabling or nearly disabling.
The study also found that 13 million people report tinnitus but no hearing loss. According to Kochkin, this finding indicates that the population with hearing loss may be much larger than previously believed because tinnitus almost always co-occurs with hearing loss. It’s very likely that these individuals simply were aware of their tinnitus but not their hearing loss.
According to the study, people with tinnitus report that it most often affects their ability to hear (39%), concentrate (26%), and sleep (20%). Yet for many, tinnitus is even more pervasive. Twelve percent of respondents—or 3.6 million people when extrapolated to the general population—say their tinnitus affects leisure activities, social life, personal relationships, and emotional or mental health. Seven percent of respondents—or an estimated 2.1 million people nationwide—indicate that tinnitus affects their ability to work.
The BHI study findings were published in the November issue of Hearing Review. The findings were derived from a nationwide survey of 46,000 households. It is the largest study of its kind.
About BHI
Founded in 1973, BHI conducts research and engages in hearing health education with the goal of helping people with hearing loss benefit from proper treatment. For more information on hearing loss, visit www.betterhearing.org. To take the BHI Quick Hearing Check, visit www.hearingcheck.org. To participate in the discussion forum, visit www.betterhearing.org, click on “Discussion Forum,” and go to “Welcome!” to register.
November 3rd, 2011 - Categories: News, Press Releases - Tags: advice audigy, hearing loss, hearing treatment, patient care, personalized solutions, technology - No Comments
Better hearing can make a huge difference in your holiday experiences this year.
Halloween has passed and the leaves are falling from the trees. The holiday season will soon be upon us. Thanksgiving and Christmas are family-centered holidays, and the season is meant to be shared with friends and loved ones. Yet many people with untreated hearing loss struggle during this time of year to hear those closest to them, and many will do nothing to help themselves hear better.
One of the many reasons given for allowing hearing loss to go untreated is that hearing aids are too difficult to use and don’t really work that well. The public perception of how hearing aids work hasn’t progressed with the advancements in technology that have made hearing aids smaller and better than ever. The same technological advancements that have given us the microchip, which helped transform computers from the clunky boxes that sat on our desks to the sleek tablets we can almost carry in our pockets, have improved the aesthetic appeal and performance of hearing aids.
AGXssl fits completely within the bony portion of the ear canal, deeply enough that it is invisible.
Gone are the days of Grandpa’s ugly pink ear piece. Miniature behind-the-ear and open-fit hearing aids comprise about 75% of all hearing aids sold in the United States on a yearly basis. The cases that sit behind the ear are so small that they cannot be seen over the top edge of the ear. The wire or slim tube that runs from the case to the ear canal is very slim and most people can’t see them unless they’re looking for it. The tip that goes into the ear canal usually does not require an ear mold and sits deeply enough in the canal that it cannot be seen at all. There are even hearing aids that fit completely within the ear canal, deep enough that they truly cannot be seen, with no case or shell to sit behind the ear. The microchips in the technology filter out unwanted noise and clarify speech, providing superior sound quality and truly life-changing benefit.
The Better Hearing Institute recently studiedthe difference better hearing and amplification can make in a person’s life. The study focused on 2000 hearing aid users and evaluated 14 specific quality-of-life issues, and found dramatic evidence of benefit from hearing technology:
- Nearly 70% reported improvements in their ability to communicate effectively in most situations.
- More than 50% reported improved relationships at home and with friends in group situations.
- Around 40% felt safer, more confident, more independent, and more productive in work situations.
- Between 25-33% saw improvements in their romance, sense of humor, cognitive skills, and mental, emotional, and physical health.
Our Audigy Certified professionals are passionate about helping you on your road to better hearing.
Patient satisfaction has also increased as hearing technology has developed:
- 91% of hearing aid users are satisfied with their improved ability to communicate in one-on-one conversations.
- 85% of hearing aid users are satisfied with their improved ability to communicate in small groups.
- 80% of hearing aid users are satisfied with their improved ability to hear and understand the television.
- 78% of hearing aid users are satisfied with their improved ability to hear while doing a number of leisure activities.
A key finding in the Better Hearing Instituted study showed that the quality of care provided by hearing professionals also played a large part in the perceived success of the hearing instrument fitting. These hearing professionals, audiologists or hearing instrument specialists, are responsible for tailoring each and every solution to the individual needs of their patients and clients. It is not merely the technology itself that makes for a successful treatment of hearing loss; it is the individual attention given to customize the performance of the technology to the needs of the patients wearing the aids.
With the holidays approaching, there has never been a better time to experience the difference that better hearing can make in your lifestyle. At Advanced Hearing Care, our Audigy Certified professionals don’t want you to miss a single moment of those important family events. It is our mission to help you capture those memories and those conversations through hearing solutions that are customized to your individual needs. Call today and reintroduce yourself to a world of sound.
