The post Pregnancy & Sleep Apnea appeared first on Andros ENT & Sleep Center.
]]>Not all pregnant women will develop OSA, but it’s something to look out for while pregnant. If left untreated for an extended period of time, OSA can contribute to high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, or heart failure.
OSA during pregnancy may effect more than just your own health. One study found that pregant women with OSA were 300% more likely to require a C-section than those without. Of those women, their newborns were more likely to require in the NICU.
It’s important to understand your risk of OSA and to get the testing and treatment you need quickly. Treatment of sleep apnea is a very effective way to manage OSA without putting yourself or your unborn child at risk.
Author Kai Peterson Marketing Manager
The post Pregnancy & Sleep Apnea appeared first on Andros ENT & Sleep Center.
]]>The post Caption Call/Captel Phones appeared first on Andros ENT & Sleep Center.
]]>
They have a variety of models available to you and even have a phone app as well to help when answering calls on your cellphone. The larger models you see in our office have a screen that captions your conversation so you can read along while listening. These phones also have the option to amplify the phone call as well so that you can turn up the phone volume and read the captions to better hear and understand what the person is saying on the other end. The phones can even be programmed to better fit your individual hearing loss. Captioned phones are a great resource for those with hearing loss as hearing on the phone is often one of the biggest complaints from those with hearing loss, even with the use of hearing aids. With typical phones it can be hard to distinguish speech and there are no visual cues to help you understand speech better.
So how do you get one of these captioned phones? The process is actually pretty simple. Just let your audiologist know that you are interested in a captioned phone for your home and they will take it from there! Once you have let us know you would like a phone, your audiologist will complete a referral to either Caption Call or Captel and certify that you have a hearing loss and are eligible. Caption Call or Captel will then reach out to you directly within a few business days and they will help you decide which model phone fits your needs the best and they will set up a time to come to your house to install it. They install it for you and teach you how to use it.
If you have hearing loss and struggle on the telephone than this is a great option for you. Many of our patients find the captioned phones very helpful. If you have any questions about captioned phones, let your audiologist know the next time you are in and we can show you our in office demo phone as well as help you get set up with one.
Author Michaela Nikolai, AuD Michaela is a Doctor of Audiology at Andros ENT & Sleep center.
The post Caption Call/Captel Phones appeared first on Andros ENT & Sleep Center.
]]>The post New Years, New Ears! appeared first on Andros ENT & Sleep Center.
]]>Even when you are home alone there are still sounds in your environment that you should be hearing. This may be hearing the tv or the radio, or being able to hear the smoke detector alarm or the beeping of your microwave or even just hearing the meowing of your cat. There are always sounds in our environment that are important.
Aside from wanting to hear these sounds, it is also incredibly important for our brain health to have access to a variety of sounds throughout the day. When our auditory system is deprived of sound over time this can change our auditory processing abilities. Hearing is something that takes practice. Our brain needs stimulation and consistent use of hearing aids to better interpret and understand sounds when we want it to. So even if you are staying at home alone with little interaction, the brain is using this time to practice hearing and understanding sounds so that when you are in a busier environment and want to hear better, your brain is more up for the challenge.
It is normal for most people to need some time to adjust to wearing hearing aids and they may need to slowly increase their time wearing hearing aids. When we stop wearing hearing aids for an extended period of time our brain needs to start this process all over again and our brain has to put more energy into hearing. If you currently have hearing aids than you have already taken a very important step to better hearing and brain health. Consider taking that next step to consistent use of your hearing aids and reaping the full benefits of your hearing aids!
Michaela Nikolai, Au.D., CCC-A
Audiologist
Author Michaela Nikolai, AuD Michaela is a Doctor of Audiology at Andros ENT & Sleep center.
The post New Years, New Ears! appeared first on Andros ENT & Sleep Center.
]]>The post Hearing and The Holidays appeared first on Andros ENT & Sleep Center.
]]>If you are interested in better hearing and would like to speak more with the audiologists about the benefits of hearing aids, please call our clinic for more information.
Happy holidays, everyone!
Madilyn Guith, AuD
Author Madilyn Guith, AuD I am a native of St. Cloud, MN. I studied at St. Cloud State University for my undergrad degree and Central Michigan University for my doctorate. I enjoy exploring the area, spending time with friends and family, and spoiling my two cats. For audiology, I especially enjoy working with geriatric patients and hearing aids.
The post Hearing and The Holidays appeared first on Andros ENT & Sleep Center.
]]>The post Communication Strategies appeared first on Andros ENT & Sleep Center.
]]>Today, I would like to touch on the topic of using a few different strategies to improve our communication. Falling into bad communication habits can happen to all of us at times. We may try to speak to our family members from a different room or even floor of the house, or we may try to ask someone a question when they aren’t paying attention. I see this especially often between spouses, and it can create tension and frustration in our relationships. Poor communication strategies can make it difficult for a person with normal hearing to understand and significantly harder for a person with hearing loss to hear and understand. So, what are these tips and tricks for improving communication?
If you are practicing effective communication strategies and still experiencing difficulty hearing, I recommend contacting your hearing healthcare professional for a comprehensive evaluation and further recommendations.
Best wishes!
Madilyn Guith, AuD
Author Madilyn Guith, AuD I am a native of St. Cloud, MN. I studied at St. Cloud State University for my undergrad degree and Central Michigan University for my doctorate. I enjoy exploring the area, spending time with friends and family, and spoiling my two cats. For audiology, I especially enjoy working with geriatric patients and hearing aids.
The post Communication Strategies appeared first on Andros ENT & Sleep Center.
]]>The post Audiology in General appeared first on Andros ENT & Sleep Center.
]]>
So first up, what is audiology? Audiology is “a branch of science that studies hearing, balance and related disorders”. An audiologist is a licensed hearing health care professional who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss and balance disorders in adults and children. Here at Andros Audiology, our audiologists perform comprehensive hearing evaluations, discuss results and give recommendations for next steps, help you decide which hearing aid is most appropriate for you, as well as teach you how to use your hearing aids to their fullest capability. We are there for any questions along the way. Our audiologists work closely with our ENTs and Physician Assistants to provide the best and most comprehensive care for you.
When should you see an audiologist? If you are noticing trouble hearing people, the TV, or other sounds, it may be time to have your hearing tested. Other signs that you should see an audiologist include ringing in your ears. This is called tinnitus (read a few of the posts below to learn more about tinnitus!). It is often described as ringing or buzzing in one or both ears. BUT tinnitus does not always sound like ringing! It could sound like chirping, water running, or even cicadas! Basically, any noise that you are hearing in your ears that isn’t coming from your environment could be tinnitus. So, if are experiencing unexplained noises in the ears you should see an audiologist. Tinnitus sometimes goes hand in hand with hearing loss (not always though!) or could be indicative of something else. Either way, it’s a sign that you should see an audiologist. Other signs that you should see an audiologist include a sensation of pressure or fullness in your ear. If your ear feels plugged/full your audiologist will be able to help point you in the right direction. Another sign to see an audiologist is if you are experiencing dizziness. Did you know your inner ear has a whole lot to do with your balance system? The ear is much more involved than you may think!
Now that you know when to come and see us, you may want to know what to expect at your first appointment. Typically, you would be scheduled for a comprehensive hearing exam first. At this appointment we will ask you some questions to get a better idea of what you are experiencing and areas that you may be noticing difficulty in. Next, we will look in your ears with our otoscope. This lets us see the inside of your ear canal and eardrum. When we look in your ears we are looking to make sure everything looks as it should. If we notice excessive ear wax that is blocking your ear we may refer you to have your ears cleaned before the test so we can get accurate results. A little bit of wax is completely normal! As long as we can see your eardrum we will be able to test your hearing. Once your outer ears pass our test we may do a quick test called tympanometry. With this test we will place a small piece in your ear to see how your ear drum is moving. You may feel a little bit of a pressure change during this test, but the good news is that this test is automatic – meaning you don’t have to do anything! Then comes the part of the test that most people are familiar with – the beeps. We will play a variety of low, mid and high pitch beeps and ask you to click a fancy button whenever you hear the beep. Next, we will take a break from those beeps and play some words for you and ask you to repeat the words to us. Some of those words get very quiet so listen carefully! Finally, we will put a different headpiece on you that sits behind your ear. This piece vibrates the bone behind your ear sending those beeping noises directly to your hearing nerve! We will play a few more of those beeps and you’ll get to use that button again to let us know when you hear them. And then you’re done! We may change things up a little, but we will always let you know what we are going to do!
We will gladly explain the results of your hearing test and what it all means to you as well as give a recommendation for any next steps. Those next steps will depend on the results of your hearing test. We may refer you to see an ENT physician for follow-up, recommend you return annually for hearing tests or recommend hearing aids. If you decide that you would like to try hearing aids, then good news, we can help with that! Our next step would be to schedule a hearing aid consultation where we would discuss all your options for hearing aids and help you choose the right ones for you. We will also teach you how to use the hearing aids and make sure that they are working properly for you! Once you have hearing aids you may also see us for routine hearing aid cleaning appointments and programming adjustments. We are here to help you every step of the way!
And finally, an answer to a bonus question! What can YOU do to help protect your hearing? Sometimes hearing loss is inevitable, however there are things that you can do to help reduce the risk of hearing loss. The most important thing that you can do is to protect your ears from loud noises. Try to avoid excessive loud noise if you can. If you can’t (we get it, life is noisy) then you can protect your hearing by wearing hearing protection. Hearing protection can come in the form of foam earplugs, earmuffs or even custom-made hearing protection specific to your individual ears. Common activities such as mowing the lawn, loud concerts, fireworks or hunting/target practice can potentially harm your hearing. If you have questions about protecting your hearing or want to know more about custom hearing protection you can always contact your neighborhood audiologist to learn more. We would love to chat with you!
Author Michaela Nikolai, AuD Michaela is a Doctor of Audiology at Andros ENT & Sleep center.
The post Audiology in General appeared first on Andros ENT & Sleep Center.
]]>The post What is Sleep Apnea? appeared first on Andros ENT & Sleep Center.
]]>You should be evaluated for sleep apnea if you experience any of the following-
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you could be suffering from sleep apnea. A sleep specialist should be consulted to determine the best course of action. And who knows, your best nights sleep could be yet to come!
Author Gwen Warling, RRT
The post What is Sleep Apnea? appeared first on Andros ENT & Sleep Center.
]]>The post What To Do If You Have a Sudden Hearing Loss appeared first on Andros ENT & Sleep Center.
]]>What is a sudden hearing loss (SSHL):
A sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) is a rapidly occurring hearing loss that affects the inner ear. It may occur in an instant or over the course of several days. People who have experienced an SSHL often notice it upon waking. SSHLs most often affect just one ear; however, they may affect both ears in some cases. SSHLs are estimated to occur in every one to six out of 5000 people each year. 90% of sudden hearing losses have no known cause. In addition to a decrease in hearing, some may feel that their ear is “plugged” or “full.” SSNHLs can also be accompanied by tinnitus (noise in the affected ear) and dizziness. Sudden hearing losses are diagnosed through a detailed case history and hearing testing.
What to do if you believe you have had a sudden hearing loss:
Due to the sensation that the ear is “plugged” or “needs to pop,” it is common to mistake a sudden hearing loss for fluid build-up in the middle ear space or Eustachian tube dysfunction. This mistake can even be made by physicians if the patient presents at a primary care or urgent care facility. Patients may be tempted to mistakenly wait for the “fluid” to resolve by itself. Unfortunately, SSHLs are a time-sensitive issue that require immediate treatment for the best chance of recovery. If you believe you may have had a sudden hearing loss, it is strongly recommended to go to your nearest emergency room or call your ear, nose, and throat physician for an immediate, urgent appointment. Be adamant with the scheduler that you must be seen as soon as possible. SSHLs are most commonly treated through corticosteroid medications. These can be taken orally or are injected through the eardrum directly into the middle ear space in some cases. In cases of sudden hearing losses, the sooner the corticosteroid can be administered, the more likely it will be for the hearing loss to be reversed or improved. Even after just two weeks, the likelihood of recovery decreases significantly.
What if the treatment doesn’t work?
Even with immediate care, there is a risk that the hearing loss will not be reversed. In those cases, the patient works with an audiologist to treat the hearing loss through technology. In cases where there is usable hearing remaining, a hearing aid may be fit to the patient. If no usable hearing remains, a CROS transmitter system or even a cochlear implant can help ease hearing and communication struggles.
Too long, didn’t read?
If there is one thing that I would like you to take away from this blog, it is to not wait if you notice a rapid change in hearing. If your friend, loved one, neighbor, or anyone else you may know mention experiencing this, encourage them to seek medical attention immediately. This can make all the difference in a person’s long-term hearing health.
Best wishes and stay safe, everyone!
Madilyn Guith, AuD, CCC-A
Doctor of Audiology
Author Madilyn Guith, AuD I am a native of St. Cloud, MN. I studied at St. Cloud State University for my undergrad degree and Central Michigan University for my doctorate. I enjoy exploring the area, spending time with friends and family, and spoiling my two cats. For audiology, I especially enjoy working with geriatric patients and hearing aids.
The post What To Do If You Have a Sudden Hearing Loss appeared first on Andros ENT & Sleep Center.
]]>The post The Importance of Sleep appeared first on Andros ENT & Sleep Center.
]]>Ongoing sleep deficiency or untreated sleep disorders can be linked to an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke. Not getting enough sleep can also affect the brain by making it harder to process memories and function properly. The amount of sleep recommended for adults by the National Sleep Foundation is 7-9 hours for people 26-64 years old.
When it comes to falling asleep, people can be distracted by things such as their phone or television. To implement good sleep hygiene, we recommend the following-
Good sleep is vital to everyone’s overall health. Without it, the body can’t repair and recharge for another day.
The post The Importance of Sleep appeared first on Andros ENT & Sleep Center.
]]>The post How Do We Treat Tinnitus? appeared first on Andros ENT & Sleep Center.
]]>Hi again, Audiology fam!
We at Andros hope you are all healthy and relatively happy, and continuing to #maskup as we all find our way through the current landscape.
Welcome to part TWO of our tinnitus series – oh, how time flies when we’re all having fun (sincerely hope). Today we’re going to be discussing the various ways that we (your neighborhood friendly audiologists) treat and/or manage tinnitus.
First, I’m going to get this statement out of the way: you won’t find any magic bullet cure here that will immediately disappear your tinnitus. I am so sorry, but we just aren’t there yet. HOWEVER (and you see, I used the capital letters to indicate emphasis because that is a major however), there are many many many ways to manage tinnitus successfully and make life better for people who suffer from tinnitus.
The first type of management strategy we’ll discuss is the use of sound therapies. Sound therapies involve changing a person’s perception of or reaction to their tinnitus, and they do this in a variety of ways. This can mean reducing the prominence of the tinnitus in relation to background noise by partially or completely covering your tinnitus with a sound of your own choosing, using soothing sounds to reduce the stress associated with tinnitus, using an interesting sound in order to distract yourself, or increasing the level of background sound to promote your brain’s habituation or acceptance of your tinnitus over time.
It should be noted that there is an insufficient amount of research available to fully support the use of sound therapies in the treatment of tinnitus, particularly because there are many different ways to implement sound therapy. However, many authors have seen high anecdotal rates of success with different types of sound therapy, and it is still considered a good option for patients with chronic, bothersome tinnitus, as long as realistic expectations are taken into consideration.
The devices used for sound therapy were, at one point, stand-alone devices; purely made for sound generation. Those devices still exist and are available, but at this point, most hearing aids are now what’s considered “combination” devices, and have tinnitus maskers that come standard in many, if not all of the current offerings. As stated in previous blogs regarding this subject – hearing loss is a common comorbidity (pal) of tinnitus, and if we’re treating the hearing loss with a hearing aid, it only makes sense to get a device that is also capable of sound generation. Many people find that the act of treating the hearing loss, and giving the brain something else to listen to (amplification! Birdsong! The ticking of your car turn signal!) helps to minimize their tinnitus, without having to do any other type of sound generation, but more options is better than no options. A very common type of sound therapy that many people (including the friendly neighborhood audiologist writing this article) come to on their own without having to be coached is something called sound enrichment. Sound enrichment is the use of sound in the background during the day or going to sleep to help distract from your tinnitus. Many people use music, podcasts, or even a common household box fan for this task – it is an easy and simple way to give your brain a little relief.
Next management technique is also pretty straightforward: counseling and education! Surprisingly, for some people, just knowing what exactly tinnitus is, and potentially why it is happening helps them adjust to their new normal and go from there. If you’ve been following this series from the beginning, then you already have more information about tinnitus than the general public – go you! The goal of patient education is to increase knowledge about tinnitus, which will hopefully help people to cope and manage their reactions to their tinnitus a little better. The level and type of counseling providing will vary based on individual needs – for many patients, a little education will go a long way. For others, the counseling needed may prove to be outside the scope of the audiologist, and a referral to someone who specializes in cognitive-behavioral therapy (a type of therapy that focuses on reframing thought patterns and behaviors) may be necessary. This does not mean the work you’ve done with your audiologist has failed – this means that you are continuing on the path to better quality of life with tinnitus, and just need someone else to guide you along the path for a little while.
Another subset of tinnitus management strategies include guided tinnitus protocols, where the audiologist and the patient work through a series of prescribed activities and counseling sessions. There are several currently en vogue, including, but not limited to such protocols as TRT (Tinnitus Retraining Therapy), or PTM (Progressive Tinnitus Management). The guided tinnitus protocol favored by Andros Audiology and Hearing Aid Center is a protocol called the Tinnitus Activities Therapy (TAT), which was developed by the University of Iowa. The Tinnitus Activities Therapy integrates sound therapy (see above) with counseling (also see above) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (also see above. Gee, I’m thorough). There are four major components or aspects to this form of tinnitus management, each with its own series of activities and counseling to move through: thoughts and emotions, hearing and communication, sleep, and concentration. While the TAT protocol has not been studied systematically, because it is a more modern protocol, there is evidence backing each component used in TAT (sound therapy, counseling, and CBT, as previously discussed).
And with that, we close out our THIRD tinnitus discussion! Next time, we’ll be discussing some tinnitus odds and ends, a few things that are important to note, but don’t really fit in the previous categories.
I hope you all are having a wonderful time taking this wild ride into tinnitus education with me!
Until next time, please stay safe, be well, and as always, remember that Andros Audiology and Hearing Aid Center is here to help.
The post How Do We Treat Tinnitus? appeared first on Andros ENT & Sleep Center.
]]>