Healthy News for Healthy Nation

Did you ever think about losing your hearing? Did you ever think you could have Tinnitus? Do you know what Tinnitus is? When you listen to an I Pod and have the music on loud - these are two of the problems that can occur. If you have answered yes or no to either question, read on.

Your hearing is precious and more and more people are losing it. Once you lose your hearing you are forced to wear expensive - uncomfortable - hearing aids. And let’s face it; nothing can replace your own human hearing.

HEARING LOSS:

Your ear drums can only take so much abuse. When you have ear phones directly in your ear, your sensitive ears are going to give up the battle on HEARING and STOP WORKING.

The experts say instead of the ear piece in the ear use ear phones. The ones that fit over the ear are a better fit - the sound is better diversified in your ear drum.

Common sense tells you, when you abuse a good thing, damage can happen.

TINNITUS:

Another problem is Tinnitus. Tinnitus is what the experts call a ringing in your ears. I call it a high pitched screech which never stops. Your days of peace and quiet are at an end. All you have to listen to in your head is a screech, screech and and more high pitched screeching.

It will make your body constantely stressed, and you can never get away from the screeching. Taking certain medication can easily cause the screeching to go upscale - or what I call going ballistic - or off the map. This is something you do not want and there is no known cure.

While you still have the option of keeping your hearing, use common sense when using an I Pod or when you are listening to any kind of music and sound. Moderation may sound boring but it will win out in the end.

Thank you for reading my article. Please feel free to read any of my numerous articles on various subjects.

Screening all newborns for hearing problems could make a big difference in kids’ lives. If your baby does have hearing loss, it is important to catch it early. Babies begin to develop speech and language in the earliest months of life. Hearing impairment can interfere with language and speech development and the sooner the problems are identified, the sooner the kids can start programs to help them develop to their full potential. There are other advantages too: the tests may also help identify babies at risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS.)

Modern technology has enabled many tests to be performed on newborn babies, which parents can avail before leaving the hospital. Unfortunately, many parents are still unaware of them. Traditionally, the parents suspect a hearing problem only when the child does not meet appropriate language development milestones. Some parents wait for as long as two or three years and the subsequent late diagnosis results in significant speech, language and cognitive delays, but a more observant parent can suspect hearing loss much earlier. You should schedule a hearing test if the baby doesn’t react to sound - doesn’t get startled or stop sucking or crying when there is a new sound or the baby doesn’t make eye contact even at the end of three months, or doesn’t babble at one year of age.

The following are the two tests performed on newborn babies even before they can leave the hospital:

* Otoacoustic emissions (OAE): In the late 1970s it was first discovered that for each sound which is heard by the ear, the ear itself produces a tiny corresponding sound. This ‘echo’, known as an otoacoustic emission, forms the basis for this screening test. A tiny, flexible plug that is inserted into the baby’s ear. Sounds are sent through the plug. A microphone in the plug records the otoacoustic emissions (responses) of the ear in reaction to the sounds. There are no emissions in a baby with hearing loss. This test is painless and is usually completed within a few minutes, while the baby sleeps. Average cost: $30.

* Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR): In the ABR test, some sounds are played through earphones that are placed on the baby’s head, usually when she is asleep. Band-aid like sensors attached to various locations on the child’s head record the electrical activity from the acoustic nerve and in other parts of the brain involved in hearing. The computer compares the response from the baby being to a “normal” response for babies. If the match is not close enough, the baby is referred for repeat screening. It does not necessarily mean your baby has a hearing loss. A newborn with normal hearing may fail the first screening due to debris in the ear canal, fluid in the middle ear or moving/crying during the test. Testing usually takes less than one hour. This is a highly specialized test requiring an experienced professional. Average cost: $75-$125.

In addition to the above two tests, older children can undergo the following tests:

* Behavioral Tests : Behavioral hearing tests are used with children who are able to respond to sounds either by turning their head or by playing a game. For young children there are usually two evaluators, an audiologist outside the sound booth monitoring the testing and another one inside who plays games with the child. Sometimes a parent is allowed inside the booth as well. Testing usually takes less than one hour.

Behavioral tests measure the degree of hearing loss and assist in locating the source of the problem. There are three types of behavioral tests:

1. Threshold testing measures the quietest tones or speech that a child is able to hear.
2. Word Recognition testing measures the child’s ability to understand speech at comfortable loudness levels.
3. Middle Ear testing searches for the presence of fluid or other middle ear dysfunction. The results are presented in a diagram called a tympanogram.

Children may need to be tested more than once, sometimes by different professionals. Swift intervention and diagnosis will help stem further delays of speech, language and cognitive development.

There are more than 30 million Americans who suffer from hearing loss. Although hearing loss is common in seniors over the age of 65, it is now affecting more youngsters and baby boomers. Statistics have shown that about 14% of people between the ages of 45 and 64 have some hearing loss. This is significant as hearing loss can adversely affect them at work and in their personal life.

Hearing loss at work

Hearing loss can lead to miscommunication with co-workers and prevent you from participating fully at meetings. Co-workers may become frustrated from having to repeat themselves or at your lack of participation. Communication problems lead to lower work productivity, which can be construed as your incompetence at the job. Ultimately, untreated hearing loss at work can cause financial loss to the company and can even cost you your job.

Hearing loss and relationships

Hearing loss can have a negative effect on relationships with friends and family. Turning up the volume on the television or stereo can be too noisy for others. People may become irritated or frustrated if you keep asking them to repeat themselves. As the hearing loss worsens, you may withdraw from conversations and become less sociable. Eventually, you may experience sadness or depression as others communicate less with you.

How to know if you have hearing loss

You may not recognize the early signs of hearing loss. Most hearing loss is a gradual process and over time you will begin to stop hearing softer noises or those of a different pitch. You may be asking people to speak up or you may turn up the volume on your television and stereo. Often you may hear fine in a quiet environment but have trouble hearing when there are background noises. You may begin to think that others are mumbling when you can’t make out all the words. Eventually, you find yourself communicating better when you are looking at the other person’s face.

What you can do

At the first sign of hearing loss, you should visit a hearing specialist. He or she can perform a hearing test to determine your type and level of hearing loss.

If the hearing loss can be treated medically, you will be referred to a medical professional. Otherwise, hearing aids are commonly used to treat permanent hearing loss. They can improve your hearing significantly.

Nowadays, hearing aids come in trendy colors, shapes, sizes and styles to suit people of all ages. They are now even smaller, with better sound quality and advanced features.

By seeking help sooner, you reduce the financial and social costs associated with your hearing loss.

Kansas Candles are organic ear candles. They are available for purchase at retail outlets. Ear candles are made to be placed in the ear. The purpose is to remove unwanted wax and debris from the ear canal. There are other brands of ear wax candles on the market however they are mostly made of paraffin with ordinary cotton wicks. Paraffin is a by-product of petroleum. This by-product can release un healthy emissions into the air. The cotton wicks are usually not made from organic cotton like that used for KS Candles. Cotton wicks not made from organic cotton can contain heavy pesticide residue which can be unhealthy.

Kansas Candles are unique. They are offer extremely high quality in organic form. KS also know as Kansas candles are made from 100% certified organic beeswax. They cotton wicks are made from certified organic cotton. Kansas Ear Wax Candles are made from beeswax that does not introduce drugs or chemicals near the bee hives. The flying area the bees utilize is also certified organic. The cotton used for the wicks of the candles is grown without the use of chemicals, herbicides and pesticides.

Kansas Candles are shaped specifically to fit the ear canal perfectly. The perfect shape adds a level of comfort to the user. For ear wax candles to be effective they must fit snuggly into the ear canal. There should be no air escaping out from under the candle. There are other ear wax candles on the market that may be cheaper but use lesser quality ingredients and require a lot of twisting and prodding to get the candle to fit in the ear canal. Kansas Candles have conducted extensive research on the shape of the human ear. In addition they have perfected the art of ear coning. The result is an ear candle that fits snuggly and comfortably into the base of the ear while still marinating its effectiveness.

Kansas Candles have had many accolades from their customers and other industry leaders. The use of paraffin wax in other ear candle products created a bad smell. This caused some people to turn away from ear candling practice. Kansas Candles only utilizes beeswax in their candles. Beeswax is known for creating a pleasant scent whether the candles are lit or not. Ear wax candles provide a healthy method of ear wax removal. The scent of the candles is pleasant when being burnt or displayed on a table. Kansas Candles are the perfect choice for ear wax candles.