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We Are Celebrating Our 50-year Anniversary!

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 14:51:26 GMT

It's our 50th anniversary!

We at Pioneer Hearing Aid Centers are so happy to announce our 50-year anniversary. We are proud to say that we have been family owned and operated since 1974. Thanks to our amazing patients and staff, we have been able to serve the Oklahoma metro for all these years. The products have changed so much in these years, but one thing remains the same, our love of helping ones hear. It has been our honor to serve generations of hearing wearers. We love getting to know our patients and their families. The fact that so many trust us with their hearing means the world to us. We know there are many places to choose from and we view it a privilege you chose us. Here is to many more years!

Congratulations to US!!!

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 19:06:08 GMT

It's official. pioneer hearing has been BBB accredited for 21 years!!!

Pioneer Hearing sure appreciates other businesses like ours that are trustworthy. It's a quality that is becoming more exceedingly rare. We believe that trustworthiness is one of the many reasons that people continue to return to Pioneer Hearing for their hearing health needs. It is also just one of the factors in our being able to stay in business for nearly 50 years!

One Audio Industry Writer's Hearing Aid Experience

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 19:36:24 GMT

ONe Audio industry writer's hearing aid experience

Today's blog post is actually a repost of a blog post from Copper magazine, an audio related magazine related to PS Audio in Boulder, Co.

You can find it here: https://www.psaudio.com/blogs/copper/tagged/category_issue-196?view=issues

I recently had a gentleman make an appointment at our office for a hearing evaluation. He said that the reason he was wanting new Widex hearing aids was because he had read a blog post in an online magazine called "Copper". I immediately knew exactly what he was referencing because I know of PS Audio and watch their YouTube videos. I arranged to fit hearing aids on this gentleman and, after he left, I started looking for the article. What a great read! I now understood why he was so motivated. He returned last week and I fit new Widex hearing aids just like the author, Frank Doris'. He's doing very well and very grateful for the article.

It thought it would be great if more people who have questions about hearing impairment could read about Frank's experience. With this in mind, here is the article:

The following is from an article entitled Frankie Goes to Hearing Aids: Staving Off Retirement, Part One

Written by Frank Doris

What’s an audio professional’s biggest fear? Losing their hearing. After all, we depend on it to make sonic evaluations, whether we’re an audiophile, equipment reviewer, front-of-house engineer, component designer or anyone else who relies on their ears to make a living.

According to the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, more than 15 percent of adults age 18 or older report some trouble hearing, and the problem gets more acute with age: about one in three people in the US between 65 and 74 has hearing loss, and nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing.

Much talk in the high-end audio world is made about having a sonic reference, whether it’s “the absolute sound” of live unamplified music in real space, as Harry Pearson once framed it, or using Steely Dan’s Aja album for setting up a live concert sound system. Well, for each of us, our references are our ears. (I’ll use “ears” here to encompass the ears and brain.)

What happens when you lose that reference?

Here’s one man’s story.

Mine.

Well into my 40s, I knew my hearing was good, even though I had attended some painfully loud rock concerts (when the MC5 played at Stony Brook University on July 3, 1970, I counted 18 Marshall amplifier heads on stage). I’ve also played on some ungodly-loud stages – the sound man for our new wave band the Lines was nicknamed “Decibel Don.” But I could hear the 15.7 kHz whine of the flyback transformer of our old Sony CRT TV from across the room. In fact, I never gave my hearing a second thought, other than noticing some slight ringing in my ears under certain circumstances, but only if I really paid attention.

Fast forward to the 2005 AES Convention in New York. A friend and I were on the exhibit floor and noticed a truck parked on the show floor from an organization that was sponsoring free hearing tests. “I don’t need one; my hearing’s fine,” I told my friend. “C’mon, let’s take the test just for fun,” he replied.

When the audiologist handed me the results I smiled and said, “perfect, right?” She didn’t smile back. “You have some mild hearing loss. I’d be very careful not to do anything to cause further damage.” The results of the test noted that I had some moderate high-frequency loss (in the 3 kHz – 6 kHz range) in my left ear and mild loss in my right ear, and some mild loss of speech intelligibility in my left ear (in the 500 Hz – 3 kHz region) I had just turned 50 and, knock on wood, was in pretty good physical shape, so I had never given the slightest thought to the fact that my hearing might be getting worse. I was rattled but soon shrugged it off.

A few years after that AES convention I went to another audiologist. She said I was borderline for hearing aids but recommended I get them. My audiogram showed the classic notch loss that can happen as people age. I didn’t feel like I needed them, but for the past few years my wife had been complaining that at times I hadn’t been listening to her. (I know, that’s going to prompt some of the oldest jokes in the book.) I thought, well, if I literally haven’t been hearing what my wife has been saying, and if she’s been thinking that I’m not paying attention to her, well, that’s a problem on multiple fronts. I went back to the audiologist, winced as I paid $4,500 for hearing aids, put them on and went home. But everything sounded tinny and unnatural, and when I talked, I could hear this weird amplification of my voice that sounded like it was coming from inside my head. The audiologist assured me I’d get used to it.

I drove home unhappy, although I did notice that I could hear things like the turn signal in my car much more clearly. When I got home I thought I’d walk my dog to clear my head, and I noticed the clattering of my dog’s nails on the floor, the creak of the door opening, and the birds singing all around me. OK, maybe I just needed to give this some time.

After I walked the dog I took a deep breath and did what I had been apprehensive about doing: fired up the audio system, put on a record, and sat down to listen.

I wanted to cry. It sounded horrible. Flat, compressed, lifeless, with no depth or detail. Soundstage? Imaging? Forget it! You know that depressed feeling you get when you feel like your life has spiraled out of control and everything is crashing down on you? That was me.

I consoled myself with the fact that my system sounded pretty great without wearing the hearing aids. Also, that I had a few years prior passed a number of double-blind tests at the Harman listening lab in Northridge, California, and had tested as one of the two best listeners in a Sound & Vision magazine blind test of various MP3 encoding rates.

I tried wearing the hearing aids regularly as the audiologist had advised, but became willfully lazy about it. I wound up wearing them only on occasion – when watching certain TV shows (and yes, TV sound is getting worse, but that’s a subject for another article), going to restaurants and social occasions, and when my wife got home from work. Eventually I got really lax, but did find the hearing aids to be useful now and then.

About five or so years ago I went to another audiologist (my previous one had moved), who tested me and said I was borderline for needing hearing aids. I asked her, “then why did my last audiologist say I needed them?” “Does she sell hearing aids?” she replied. “Yes.” “Well, we don’t. There’s your reason!” The cynic in me was not feeling happy and peppy and bursting with love just then.

I also asked her whether exposure to loud music had damaged my hearing and she said no, what she saw in the audiogram was classic age-related hearing loss. This was a small but not insignificant consolation. At least I hadn’t done damage by being foolish in my youth and not wearing hearing protection. And I was relieved that I didn’t “need” hearing aids after all.

But a couple of months ago, one of the hearing aids broke. I went to another audiologist; someone I had befriended when she took care of my mother’s hearing needs during her last years. She tested me and this time the news was unequivocal. I needed hearing aids. Seems like in the last few years my hearing acuity has taken a plunge. Literally. The audiograms for both of my ears look like an inclined plane, with an almost straight decline across the frequency range.

I mentioned to my new audiologist that I thought my last hearing aids had stunk, and told her I was an audio professional and that I’d probably be more demanding than a typical customer in auditioning and settling on a new pair. I spent a good amount of time comparing models – not as much time as Jay Jay French did in his article, Can’t You Hear Me Knockin’, (Issue 178) but I listened quite a bit to a number of models. I noticed that the sound quality of all of them was way better than the older ones, and told the audiologist that the technology seemed to have improved immensely. She said it had.

I settled on one particular set, but as with my previous pair, hated them once I got home. I should note here that it’s pretty much impossible to make a snap judgment in the audiologist’s office after a few minutes of listening – you really have to live with them for a while. Although their resolution was astounding, and I could hear the birds in the trees with remarkable 3-D spaciousness, everything sounded fake and artificial and the “voice in your head” effect while talking was severe. Turns out the audiologist had put solid domes (earpieces) in. I went back to her office and she installed semi-open domes and the improvement was dramatic. But when I went to play my acoustic guitar, I heard a weird “chorus” effect on the higher strings. Yet when I turned the hearing aids off, the guitar now sounded dull, without sparkle. This would not do.

She then suggested I try a different brand, a Widex Moment behind-the-ear model. “A lot of musicians I work with tell me they like these,” she said. They were $800 more but was I going to screw around with my hearing? The sound was warmer, and much more natural – but not as detailed. Sound familiar? Yep, it was like choosing between a more-detailed but brighter speaker and one that had less resolution but offered a better tonal balance. The irony was not lost on me. And when I played my acoustic guitar it sounded fine.

Then I listened to my high-end audio system and it sounded really good. And they significantly improved speech intelligibility. "What?" wouldn't be the most-used word in my vocabulary anymore. I decided to keep the Widex hearing aids.

Widex Moment 330 behind-the-ear hearing aids with recharging station.

But now I have to face the facts:

There's no dancing around it any longer. My hearing is compromised.

The good news: I’m thrilled with the audio quality of my hearing aids, and they clearly operate at a much higher level of A-to-D and D-to-A processing than my old clunkers. They sound clear and it's easier to hear people talking. (I tried reaching Widex to get some technical details, but as of press time no one has responded.)

Best of all, I can listen to my audio system with them and it’s an enjoyable experience. Here’s why: they have a phone app that can adjust their volume and EQ, and if I turn the hearing aids almost all the way down, they add a bit of upper-midrange and treble that’s missing when I turn them off. And they do this without screwing up the sound of the rest of the frequency spectrum. I’ve experimented with listening to other audio systems, live music, band rehearsals, and other situations, and I’ve been thrilled with everything except listening to streaming audio, which for whatever reason sounds like crap. Honestly, my new hearing aids are far beyond what I expected. Though I will say that listening to my system is enjoyable without them.

The sobering news: I have to accept the reality that I can no longer review audio equipment on a professional level. Although I have decades of experience in listening to thousands of components and speakers, I no longer have a true sonic reference point. I can’t in good conscience do definitive reviews about audio gear anymore. I’m not terribly crushed by this last statement – I stopped writing audio equipment reviews more than 10 years ago, but it was because I wanted to, not because I had to.

Which leads to another question: if you’re an audio professional and you can hear more accurately, in terms of frequency response, with hearing aids than without, are you better off wearing them on the job? For example, if you’re a mixing engineer, should you wear them when doing a mix rather than try to mentally “fill in” the attenuated frequency response? Or are you better off not wearing them because over time your brain has adjusted to reality as you hear it, and you’re able to consciously or otherwise compensate, and because wearing hearing aids is adding a layer of degradation to the sound, like listening to a second-generation copy of a master tape?

I don’t have the answers to these questions, but when I go to the AES convention in New York this October, finding them out will be a priority. I'm curious if anyone knows the percentage of audio industry people who have hearing loss. Especially since, frankly, not everyone might want to be upfront about it, or even realize they have hearing loss. It's not like we're airline pilots who have to get their vision certified on a regular basis or they can't fly.

So, I have to deal with a new reality.

We all do as we get older, each in our own way.

I'll play the hand I’ve been dealt, and I’m not about to fold.

And every time I might want to complain, I’ll think of Beethoven.

Header image courtesy of Widex, USA.

Can Hearing Aids Help Your Tinnitus?

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 19:31:34 GMT

can hearing aids help your tinnitus?

Tinnitus (tin-eye-tis) has been defined as a "noise perceived in the absence of a known external sound source." In most cases, tinnitus is a reaction in the brain to damage in the ear or auditory system, according to the American Tinnitus Association (ATA). However, the association says, tinnitus can also be a symptom of roughly 200 health problems, including hearing loss, obstructions in the middle ear, and head and neck trauma. As many as 50 million, or around 15%, of Americans have some form of tinnitus. You may have heard news of musician Huey Lewis suffering from tinnitus recently.

Some describe their tinnitus as "ringing", "buzzing", "pulsating", "crickets", even "frying", and the list goes on. Each of these descriptions can be directly related to the frequency at which the issue presents itself. For example, the most common case of "ringing" is associated with the frequency range of 3-4KHz range. Some people even report multiple of these sounds.

Tinnitus is known to accompany a hearing loss, but not all individuals with hearing loss have tinnitus. It is generally accepted, though, that at least 80% of those with high frequency hearing loss that can also benefit from wearing properly fitted hearing aids also suffer with tinnitus .

Consequently, it has been suggested by many prominent researchers and practitioners that hearing aids offer the greatest benefits for the largest number of tinnitus and hearing loss sufferers.

Here is a quoted section from a study from 2018 regarding this:

"The four prominent hearing aid benefits for tinnitus management have been variously described as follows:

a) Residual Inhibition (RI) is the temporary suppression of tinnitus after cessation of an amplified stimulus. In other words, the patient reports relief from tinnitus, even after the hearing aid (or other amplification system) is removed. In practical terms, hearing aid users who suffer also with subjective forms of tinnitus report a lessening of the tinnitus loudness in some cases, complete cessation of the tinnitus when they wear their hearing aids for a period of time.

b) Environmental Masking (EM) effectively masks the tinnitus noise with amplified sounds from the auditory environment. This is a simple protocol in which the sounds of the local environment (speech, background, etc) are amplified, and they "cover up" or "mask" the tinnitus, while the amplification is available. A corresponding goal of TRT would be to provide "low-level masking", which can be provided by the environment through appropriately fitted amplification.

c) Auditory Reattention (AR) through effective hearing "correction," AR provides the patient with signals other than tinnitus to listen to. In TRT, the goal of this benefit is to provide naturally occurring sounds rather than artificially contrived sounds of a masker. This allows the user to attend to true and existing signals while "habituating" (i.e., accepting) to the tinnitus noise. While this is a psychological construct, it does represent a real and noted benefit of wearing hearing aids for hearing loss.

d) Stress Relief (SR) results from realizing any or all of the above-described benefits. Under this benefit, residual inhibition, environmental masking, and/or auditory re attention serve to lessen the bothersome and aversive aspects of tinnitus. In combination, the benefits become additive."

In conclusion, the single most beneficial approach to tinnitus management and hearing loss appears to lie in the appropriate fitting of hearing aids. Bringing in the lost hearing (through amplification) calls off the proverbial "search party" or "phantom hearing" process and thereby reduces the tinnitus complaint through residual inhibition. Likewise, by bringing into sharper focus the background sounds of the environment hearing aid users are also enjoying a palpable level of "masking" of the tinnitus complaint, while their attention is redirected to the actual signals of the listening environment through "reattention" These benefits have been described in the literature in detail for at least the past three decades yet seem to elude the attention of those suffering from tinnitus and those taking care of them. It is hoped that this paper brings those benefits to light to more professionals, and, by extension, to those who suffer from constant and unrelenting tinnitus. (Max S C. Benefits of Amplification in Cases of Subjective Tinnitus. Glob J Oto, 2018; 15(3): 555912.DOI: 10.19080/GJO.2018.15.5559112)

If you suffer from tinnitus and would like to have a discussion on the topic at no cost to you, please call Pioneer Hearing and set up an appointment. We would love to have the opportunity to help you in any way we can.

Your friends at Pioneer Hearing

Can a reduction in bone density lead to having hearing loss?

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 17:01:03 GMT

Can a reduction in bone density lead to having hearing loss?

If you have osteoporosis or have low bone density, it is important to get regular hearing screenings . Research indicates that the two conditions are strongly linked.

In 2021, the Journal of the American Geriatric Society performed a study that showed that the risk of hearing loss was 40 percent higher in women with low bone density or osteoporosis. Osteoporosis occurs when bone is breaking down faster than the body can replace it, putting a person at higher risk of bone fractures. Anyone can develop it, though it's most common in women. There are over 44 million people worldwide that have these conditions. This means that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 20 men aged 65 and over experience osteoporosis.

Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting older adults. Noise exposure is the chief risk factor, along with getting older. However, several health conditions can put a person at higher risk as well.

Why might a reduction in bone density lead to having hearing loss? Researchers don't know for sure yet, but it could be that the tiny bones that are involved in hearing, known as the ossicular chain, experience demineralization, meaning they become weak. Osteoporosis also may affect the bones that protect the nerves and structures involved in hearing, located within the cochlea.

While more research is needed to understand the connection, it has become pretty clear that the two are closely linked. This means that if you have low bone density, osteoporosis or a history of fractures, you are more likely to have hearing loss, too. So, it is important to get regular hearing screenings. The onset of hearing loss can be so gradual you may not notice it, and you may find yourself wondering why it seems as if other people are mumbling. The longer you wait to treat hearing loss, the harder it is to manage with hearing aids.

The connection between hearing loss and bone health continues as shown in a 2015 study by the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Although far more rare, sudden hearing loss is also more common in people with low bone density and osteoporosis.

• People with osteoporosis were 76% more likely to develop sudden hearing loss.

• Women with osteoporosis were 87% more likely to develop sudden hearing loss compared to men.

Sudden hearing loss is exactly what it sounds like; hearing loss, usually in only one ear, that occurs all at once or in the span of a few days. Almost all sudden onset hearing loss is idiopathic, meaning the cause is usually not known. But for the small number of cases in which a cause is determined, the link to osteoporosis is a significant finding. While this study couldn’t prove cause and effect, it did confirm a relationship exists between the two conditions.

People with osteoporosis are more likely to have severe bone fractures if they fall, and people with hearing loss are more likely to fall. This means that a person who has both conditions should follow their doctor's recommendations and treat their hearing loss.

What this means for those with osteoporosis is that careful attention should be paid to their hearing health in addition to the health of their bones.

Pioneer Hearing would be happy to discuss your options for not only treating your hearing loss effectively, but maintaining a plan for regular checkups, including annual testing.

Do you have ringing in your ears? How you can manage...

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 15:10:49 GMT

Ringing in your ears may be managable!

No one else can hear it – the tinnitus – but you hear it nearly all the time. It can present itself as a ringing, buzzing, humming, clicking, hissing noise, or even a sound that resembles crickets chirping, and it plays in your ears, and it’s exasperating. According to the Mayo Clinic, it affects about 15% to 20% of people, and is especially common in older adults.

Fortunately, in most cases the ringing in your ears CAN be managed!

WHERE DOES RINGING IN THE EARS COME FROM?

The sounds you hear when you have tinnitus are generated by your brain.

Most people who suffer from tinnitus have some form of hearing loss. And when you have hearing loss, your brain sometimes overcompensates by creating its own background noise, so to speak.

Some forms of tinnitus can also be related to muscle movements near the ear, an underlying condition, such as age-related hearing loss, an ear injury, or a problem with the circulatory system. For many people, tinnitus improves with treatment of the underlying cause or with other treatments that reduce or mask the noise, making tinnitus less noticeable. On its own, however, tinnitus is not a sign of a serious medical problem.

In many cases, tinnitus is the result of something that can't be prevented. However, some precautions can help prevent certain kinds of tinnitus. Here are four:

Use hearing protection. Over time, exposure to loud sounds can damage the nerves in the ears, causing hearing loss and tinnitus. Try to limit your exposure to loud sounds. And if you cannot avoid loud sounds, use ear protection to help protect your hearing. If you use chain saws, are a musician, work in an industry that uses loud machinery or use firearms (especially pistols or shotguns), always wear over-the-ear hearing protection.
Turn down the volume. Long-term exposure to amplified music with no ear protection or listening to music at very high volume through headphones can cause hearing loss and tinnitus.
Take care of your cardiovascular health. Regular exercise, eating right and taking other steps to keep your blood vessels healthy can help prevent tinnitus linked to obesity and blood vessel disorders.
Limit alcohol, caffeine and nicotine. These substances, especially when used in excess, can affect blood flow and contribute to tinnitus.

Beyond these, you'll be glad to know that there are solutions for managing your tinnitus that are provided by hearing aid manufacturers. Here at Pioneer Hearing Aid Centers we take pride in being able to offer some of the best solutions in the industry. Those solutions would include a combination of proper amplification for any hearing loss you may have, counseling on ways to manage your tinnitus, tools within the fitting software, hearing aids, and phone applications. Studies have shown that 70% of patients experience relief through appropriately applied amplification alone.

When you are here for your complimentary hearing test and consultation we will discuss your tinnitus in depth and recommend just the right device that can help you the most.

4 Tips to Prevent Hearing Loss

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 15:08:43 GMT

Did you know that, according to the Hearing Loss Association of America, hearing loss is the third most prevalent health condition in adults? As people age, many find that their hearing is one of the first things to go, which is why it's important to protect it while you still can. Here are four tips to protect your ears before you need hearing aids .

1. Get Your Hearing Tested

The best way to protect your hearing is to keep track of it. You consistently lose hearing abilities throughout your life, which is why there are certain frequencies that 12-year-olds can hear, but an 18-year-old can't. This is completely normal, but some hearing loss progresses faster than others. This is why you should know where you're starting from. A hearing clinic can tell you if your hearing loss is progressing more quickly than it should, and can give you tips to better control it.

2. Turn Down the TV

While it can be fun to give yourself the movie theater experience at home by maxing out the volume, your ears will suffer. You shouldn't have to strain yourself trying to hear the television, but you also shouldn't be able to hear it from other rooms in your house. When exposed to loud noise, you overwork the hair cells in your ears and kill them. The longer you're exposed, the more cells die, and the worse your hearing gets.

3. Wear Earplugs

The consistent use of earplugs can do wonders. If you're mowing the lawn, going to a concert, or are in another particularly loud environment, then getting in the habit of wearing earplugs can protect your hair cells and ear canal. Especially for people who work in loud environments, such as construction, earplugs should be used on a daily basis. They're extremely effective when it comes to preventing premature hearing loss.

4. Keep Your Ears Dry

By wiping out your ears after showering or swimming, you're getting rid of water that can host loads of bacteria. This bacteria is what leads to infections that can impact your hearing, both in the short and long term. This is why many swimmers wear earplugs while in the water, and you should, too.

These are just four ways to protect your hearing before you need the help of hearing aid devices. If you do find yourself in need of hearing aids, contact Pioneer Hearing Aid Center today.

What to Expect From Your First Time Wearing Hearing Aids

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 16:31:37 GMT

According to the Hearing Loss Association of America, there are approximately 28.8 million American adults who would benefit from using hearing aid devices. If you're one of those 28.8 million, you may be apprehensive about going to a hearing aid center, but knowing what to expect going in can help alleviate some of your worries. Here's what you should know before you get hearing aids .

Hearing Aids Can Be Uncomfortable at First

After getting fitted with hearing aids at a hearing clinic, you may feel a bit of discomfort. Having a foreign object inside your ear will take some getting used to, and your hearing instrument specialist may suggest that you only wear your hearing aids for part of the day until you grow more accustomed to them. However, you should not be in any pain. If your hearing aids hurt, be sure to tell your hearing instrument specialist right away so they can address the problem.

The World Will Get Louder

Hearing the world around you in a different way will probably also feel odd. Before getting fitted with your hearing aids, you may have heard things much more quietly, and when you first begin to experience a normal volume again, it will likely sound very loud to you. Over time, you'll reacclimate yourself to this level of sound, and it will feel perfectly natural.

Improvement Will Take Time

You're surely eager to experience the benefits of your hearing aids, but good hearing doesn't happen instantly. It takes time for your ears to fully adjust to hearing aids, and it may be weeks or months before your hearing reaches its full potential. Be patient, and don't assume your hearing aids aren't working just because the results come slowly.

The Benefits Outweigh the Initial Discomfort

Adapting to new hearing aids isn't always easy, but rest assured that any negative effects you may experience at first are only temporary. Once you get used to this life change and begin to enjoy your improved hearing, you'll be glad that you got them.

If you're ready to take the first step towards better hearing, come visit Oklahoma's top hearing aid provider. At Pioneer Hearing Aid Center, we'll provide you with a free consultation and hearing test to help determine whether you can benefit from hearing aids. Contact us today to get started.

Pure Sound for your active lifestyle

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 18:35:26 GMT

Pure Sound for your active lifestyle

You expect and deserve the best out of life, including the simple, joyful sounds that play such an important part in it. It is the quiet, peaceful sounds of a morning stroll. Or the laughter of grand kids playing. Hearing loss can rob you of those simple joys, but it does not have to be that way. The new Widex Moment gives you the ability to participate in everyday life.

Whether you are a person who has never worn a hearing aid or are a current hearing aid wearer. Getting the best for one of the most important aspects of our lives is the smartest decision one can make. In fact, 91% of Widex Moment wearers say they are satisfied with the great sound quality.

Using Pure Sound technology, the remarkable Widex Moment processes sound so quickly there is no delay, ‘echo effect,’ tinny or artificial sound like hearing of the past. It delivers clearer, more natural sound to your ear – and to your brain. This means sound so natural; you can get back to participating and enjoying moments you have always treasured. You can participate in what is happening, instead of worrying about what you are missing.

Not only is the Moment’s sound crisp and clear, but the design is also sleek and stylish, with eight models in a variety of colors. There’s even rechargeable option that is the smallest, most unobtrusive receiver-in-the canal device we offer.

To experience how this sound quality can improve your life make sure you schedule a hearing test and talk to us about the Widex Moment now! Call our offices and make an appointment. 405-364-3931

We offer a hearing test and consultation at no charge and our hearing aids come with a 60-day trial period.

3 Signs You Need to Get a Hearing Assessment

Fri, 05 Aug 2022 11:14:40 GMT

Hearing loss is a common problem among many people. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, approximately two to three out of every 1,000 children in the U.S. alone have noticeable levels of hearing loss when they're born. This can present in one or both ears. Whether you've been affected since childhood or are just recently experiencing hearing loss, it's important to have your hearing assessed. Here are three common signs that you need to schedule hearing assessments with a doctor.

1. Lack of Normal Response to Sounds

This is one of the most common signs of hearing loss. If you or a loved one is failing to react to sounds, it may be a sign that hearing has been impacted. This is dangerous for those who drive or operate machinery on a daily basis as they'll have to retrain themselves to react without the benefit of their sense of hearing.

2. Turning Up the Volume

If you're constantly turning up the volume on your television or music, that's a sign that you're losing your hearing. You might not even notice it at first! Listen to your loved one if they say that the radio is too high or if your speaker phone call is too loud. This is a sign that it's time to visit your doctor to ask about hearing aids.

3. Moving Your Body to Hear

Constantly turning your neck to hear people speak is one of the first signs of hearing loss in one of your ears. This form of hearing loss might also result in cupping your ear to hear across rooms. This short-term solution won't work forever! Be sure to get this checked out by your doctor as it could potentially worsen if not addressed.

All the signs mentioned above are great reasons to schedule hearing assessments for yourself or a family member. Doctors can help verify the cause of hearing loss and come up with solutions like hearing aids or even implants. Get in touch with the Pioneer Hearing Aid Center today for hearing assessments if you suspect that you or a loved one might have hearing loss.

3 Reasons to Protect Your Hearing While You're Young

Wed, 25 May 2022 12:30:35 GMT

Barring a traumatic injury due to loud sounds, it is common for people's hearing to diminish with age. Those who do a better job at protecting their hearing in their youth may be at less risk of developing hearing loss as they get older. Hearing clinics are excellent resources to go to for hearing assessments and discussing your options. Here are three reasons to be proactive.

1. Correlated Health Issues

Hearing loss and deafness are not standalone conditions. Like an injury to a muscle or bone, this condition affects the bodily processes around it. Hearing plays a vital role in our sense of balance, so this sense may diminish as hearing fades as well. In old age, balance issues are extremely dangerous and may result in falls, twisted ankles, or lapses in spatial awareness. Affordable hearing aid products may offer some relief, but they do not recreate the exact benefits of natural hearing. That said, according to the Hearing Loss Association of America, about 28.8 million adults could still benefit from hearing aid services.

2. Hearing Loss Gradually Progresses

It doesn't take a lifetime of rock concerts to destroy your hearing. Listening to the television, radio, or headphones too loudly can deteriorate hearing over time or give you tinnitus, a constant ringing. Loss of balance, ringing, and difficulty communicating at home and work may affect your quality of life. Understanding that your hearing can never truly return once it is gone may make you rethink some of the hobbies you engage in that are perhaps a bit louder than they really need to be. You'll thank yourself later.

3. Hearing Aids Come With an Adjustment Period

Hearing aids are popular among people older in age or those constantly exposed to loud music or tools. Just like prescription lenses, hearing aids make the world accessible to those with hearing loss. While the world sounds differently through them, hearing aids also have a social adjustment to consider. Many people may be ashamed of wearing hearing aids if they have to do so early in life. Hearing clinics are professional resources to assess your current hearing status and consider your options going forward.

If you are noticeably losing your hearing or anxious about experiencing it, visit one of the hearing clinics closest to you. You will be glad you did. Book an appointment today!

How Often Should You Have Your Hearing Tested?

Wed, 23 Mar 2022 12:42:51 GMT

According to the Hearing Loss Association of America, as many as 15% of Americans over the age of 18 have reported concerns about their hearing. Everyone must keep tabs on their hearing by regularly testing it with a qualified audiologist and hearing aid provider . Keep reading to find out why and how often you should have your hearing tested.

Why is it Important to Have Regular Testing?

While it can be scary to visit a hearing aid specialist, it is also crucial for your health and quality of life to make your hearing test a priority. It is vital to have regular hearing tests to ensure the best possible outcome. Catching any concerns early on will help protect your hearing for years to come.

Regular testing ensures that your hearing aid provider knows your hearing baseline, and any deviations can be caught and treated early. You will come away from your appointment feeling relieved that your hearing is in good hands.

How Often Should Testing be Done?

For people ages 18 to 49, it is recommended to have testing done every three years at a minimum. However, if you have concerns that you are experiencing hearing loss, you shouldn't wait until the three-year mark to be checked; you should call your hearing specialist to set up an appointment immediately.

For people who are 50 years of age or older, the general recommendation is that you have your hearing checked every year to ensure that any changes in your hearing are caught quickly.

What Signs Necessitate a Visit to a Hearing Specialist?

While temporary changes in hearing after events like concerts or other events with loud noises are common, you should consider scheduling an appointment with your hearing aid provider if you notice a consistent or chronic change in your ability to hear. Some signs to watch for include:

Your hearing has become dulled
You have trouble keeping up with conversations and constantly have to ask people to repeat themselves
You have to turn up the volume higher than usual on your TV or radio
You find that you are missing every day alerts like phone calls, doorbells, or smoke detectors
You have ringing in your ears (also known as tinnitus)

Do you have concerns about your hearing? Don't hesitate to reach out and schedule an appointment with one of our hearing specialists today, so that we can help you get back to the life you love!

Top Tips for Adjusting to Your New Hearing Aid Device

Fri, 21 Jan 2022 16:45:48 GMT

Some people are fortunate enough to be born with perfect hearing in both ears, while others suffer from hearing loss. For those who have suffered hearing loss, this can significantly affect their quality of life. Luckily, you can get a hearing aid device to help correct this. However, adjusting to it can be challenging, but there are steps that one can take to make the transition easier.

1. Get Educated About Your Device

If you have recently received a brand-new hearing aid device, you need an education on how it works and what it can do for you. Most devices come with a basic guide on how to use them, along with some other information. However, it's important to speak with your hearing aid specialist and get all of your questions answered. They will take the time to explain everything that you need to know about the devices before you take them home.

2. Don't Panic If You Have Technical Difficulties

There are times when you may have technical difficulties with your device, such as loss of sound or other issues. If this happens, don't panic, there's usually a quick remedy to the problem. Please speak with your hearing aid specialist to help get it sorted out.

3. Don't Be Afraid to Experiment and Modify

It can take some time to find the right setting for your device. It might be too loud or soft and may not focus on specific sounds. However, don't be afraid to experiment with your settings by adjusting them slightly. Also, if you feel the need to change your device's volume, go ahead and do so.

4. Don't Give Up On Your Device

Even though it may be difficult at first, give the device a chance. Make sure that you adjust to the device properly by wearing them correctly and using them in your daily routine. You have to allow yourself some time for adjustments, so don't give up too soon!

5. Get Your Family Involved

It's important to get your family involved in this process and to have them understand your device, as well. The more support you have from your loved ones, the easier it will be for you to adjust to the device and get used to all of its features.

As people age, they are more likely to experience hearing loss. According to Hearingloss.org, hearing loss is the third most common health problem among older adults. Adjusting to a new hearing aid device can be very challenging. However, with the right education and support from loved ones, it's possible to adjust to the device and get back into your normal routine. Call Pioneer Hearing Aid Center today to learn more about hearing aid devices and how they can help you.

Debunking 5 Common Hearing Aid Myths

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 18:53:17 GMT

It's not just seniors who need hearing aids. Children, teenagers, and adults all suffer from varying degrees of hearing loss. In an effort to raise awareness of hearing-related issues and improve the lives of those who deal with them every day, here are five common hearing aid myths that many people think are true.

MYTH 1: Hearing Aids Are Just for Seniors

While it is true that most seniors do need hearing aids, they are certainly not just for seniors. Many children have to live with hearing loss their entire lives, so it's important to take action before the condition worsens.

MYTH 2: Hearing Aids Will Make Life Boring

People fear that hearing aids will make socializing with friends, family, and co-workers harder. However, thanks to modern advancements in technology, this is no longer the case. Hearing aids are small devices discreetly hidden inside your ears or behind your ear. They can be easily removed and come in various styles and colors. There is no reason you shouldn't be able to live your life just as before.

MYTH 3: Hearing Aids Can Destroy Your Residual Hearing

Hearing aids are designed to work with your residual hearing, not against it. This is an important distinction because it means that your hearing won't be completely ‘destroyed.' Rather, hearing aids will help to amplify sounds and make them easier for the brain to decode.

MYTH 4: Hearing Aids Are Too Expensive

Although hearing aids can be quite expensive, it is important to understand the value and benefits of these devices. There are several different models and brands available in today's marketplace. Choosing the right one depends on your budget, lifestyle, and personal preference. Just remember that paying a bit more now could save you from spending even more money in the future. For example, if you purchase a very cheap model that only provides basic features, it will be far less likely to last a long time before breaking down or needing repairs.

MYTH 5: Hearing Aids Can Treat or Cure Hearing Loss

While hearing aids can give you back your sense of sound, they cannot cure or treat your specific type of hearing loss. Suppose you're looking for a more permanent solution. In that case, it is best to visit an audiologist who will run some tests and determine if you are eligible for surgery or another form of treatment that involves medication.

According to the Hearing Loss Association of America, estimates show that more than 28 million persons in the United States could benefit from wearing hearing aids. However, these myths may have been holding you back from doing so. A new hearing aid may be just what you need to lead a more comfortable and fulfilling life.

Meet the Pioneer Administrative Assistants!

Fri, 23 Apr 2021 14:46:48 GMT

meet the pioneer administrative assistants Pioneer Hearing Administrative assistance appreciation

meet the pioneer administrative assistants Here at Pioneer Hearing Aid Centers we have a thriving 'family' that works together wonderfully. We wanted to express our appreciation for those who are administrative assistants. Many of them take on multi-faceted roles within this organization that defy definition. They are truly multi-tasking self-starters, doing what needs to be done when it's needed.

meet the pioneer administrative assistants

Can't you just tell from this photo how awesome they are!?!

meet the pioneer administrative assistants

(Please ignore the strange, photo-bombing man in the center)

meet the pioneer administrative assistants

A Brief History of Pioneer Hearing Aid Centers

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 19:54:02 GMT

47 Years of the best hearing aid service in oklahoma

Pioneer Hearing Aid Centers, Inc. has been in business continually since 1974. That's 47 years of proudly serving Oklahomans. We would like to share our history with you.

Pioneer Hearing got it's start in Nebraska when dispensing hearing aids was in it's infancy. Jeff Rowray worked for John Olsen, the owner of a hearing aid center named Pioneer Hearing Aid Center. They covered a vast area of Nebraska with the new hearing aid technology of that time. There were times that Jeff had to fly a small plane in order to help patients on far away ranches. When Jeff had a desire to move to Oklahoma he asked John if he could set up an office in Norman and use the Pioneer Hearing name. In 1974, Jeff set up an office at the old Wilburn Plaza building at 2215 W. Lindsay St. It wasn't long before established members of the community trusted their hearing aid needs to Jeff and his staff.

In 1982, Jeff's business was acquired by his sister Becky and her new husband, Mark Hollingshead. With the help of their brother, Jerry Rowray, who had also come from Nebraska, the family business was born. Two short years later the business location was moved to 822 N. Porter Avenue in Norman where it stayed for nearly 35 years! Around this time there were also two secondary locations in El Reno and Oklahoma City. In order to keep their family commitments, and their commitment to service excellence, more people came on board to help in all the locations.

Bob Casburn started in 1995 and is still the primary dispenser in the Norman location. Many of our patients with remember fondly our front office 'moms', Eva Ward and Joy Elkins. They provided a warm family atmosphere that Pioneer Hearing is famous for. Judy and Eric Fouts, Joy's daughter and son-in-law, started working for Pioneer in 2001 and 1995, respectively, and both received their license to fit hearing aids. They have been helping patients out of the Edmond office since 2003.

Rebekah Rutledge came to work at the Norman office in 2001. She is the accounting and payroll manager for all of Pioneer Hearing Aid Centers.

In 2003, Mark and Becky Hollingshead's son and daughter, Christopher and Ashley started working in the Norman office after school. They would perform data entry and filing. They were surprised that they liked the business so much and it soon became more than just an after school job. Chris got his Hearing Instrument Specialist license in 2008. Ashley's husband Philip joined our team full-time that same year. In 2009 Ashley and Philip both became licensed Hearing Aid Dispensers on the same day! Christopher set up a location in 2009 at Westminster Executive Suites on Western in OKC, and shortly thereafter Philip and Ashley joined him. They moved to their new location at 9206 S. Pennsylvania Avenue in 2012. They love the location and the convenience for our patients in the south Oklahoma City area.

Pioneer welcomed Kelli Colbensen to our business family in 2012 and she has done a great job maintaining the tradition of our warm, welcoming atmosphere with her eager 'can do' attitude.

In 2017 the Norman office made a huge move by relocating to the current office at 515 W. Gray St. This location is much larger and has a much improved parking situation for our customers.

We pride ourselves in remaining a family owned and operated business. Pioneer has been serving Oklahomans for 47 years and maintain a high level of excellence. Thank you for letting us serve you and your family for all of these years!

[Pictured above from left to right: Philip Hollingsworth, Ashley Hollingsworth, Naomi Hollingshead, Chris Hollingshead, Kelli Colbensen, Eric Fouts, Bob Casburn, Judy Fouts, Becky Hollingshead, Mark Hollingshead, Rebekah Rutledge, Russell Rutledge, and Callie Brophy]

Could These Miniature Ears Help You?

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 16:39:50 GMT

Learning how to improve hearing aids from nature and a new product launch

“In the past decade, biologists discovered a new mechanism by which animals locate sounds,” says Science News. “The finding emerged from the observation that a parasitic fly stalks crickets by sound, even though the fly’s head is too small for any of the previously known sound-localization mechanisms to work.” Such mechanisms usually depend on a sizable distance separating two eardrums.

According to a recent study carried out at Cornell University, U.S.A., “female flies of the species Ormia ochracea pinpoint sounds to within 2 compass degrees—as precisely as an owl does,” even though their two joined eardrums span only about a millimeter! The fly’s owllike acoustic precision can be credited to an ingenious hearing apparatus.

The insect’s eardrums are joined by a bridge of material that allows the two membranes to swing back and forth as a single unit—you might think of a teeter-totter at a playground. When the sound emitted by a cricket reaches the fly, vibrations in the nearer eardrum are transferred almost instantaneously to the other, dampening the latter’s response to the same incoming sound waves. Hence, the membrane nearer to the cricket vibrates more strongly. This enables the fly to locate and home in on a potential target.

Of what practical use is this discovery? Researchers believe that it could help them improve the design of things like microphones and hearing aids. The latter, for instance, could be designed so that they “gather sound primarily from the direction the listener is facing,” says the report.

The number one complaint of hearing aid users is difficulty hearing when noise is present. Many of our patients can attest to the fact that with hearing loss environments such as noisy restaurants and waiting rooms are most difficult.

The solution for many is directional hearing aids, which use multiple microphones to cancel out noise coming from the side or from the back of the head. They are designed to be more sensitive to noise coming from the direction in which the wearer is looking. The technology in this area of research and development for the hearing impaired is constantly improving.

As recent as last month Phonak launched a new Behind-The-Ear product that improves hearing ability for individuals who have severe to profound hearing loss. The new Phonak Naida Paradise has a host of features to help individuals with severe loss to hearing more clearly. For example their new Speech Enhancer and Dynamic Noise Cancellation can help with difficulty listening situations. According to Phonak their array of microphones that they call " StereoZoom " "reduces listening effort in noise by 24% versus a non-directional program and even enhances memory recall with 10% more words recalled in noise." As well, they have a line of Roger accessories with new offerings that make hearing clearing more within reach by helping to improve speech understanding in noise and over distance.

If you wear a BTE hearing aid, this is major news that could positively improve how you hear. Of course, here at Pioneer we are happy to assist in getting you started on a trial with these new products so that you can test them out in real life to see if they benefit you. Why not give us a call today!

-Your friends at Pioneer Hearing

Safeguard Your Hearing

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 22:59:16 GMT

How to safeguard your hearing

Safeguarding Your Hearing Ability

You may or may not have a hearing problem. In any case, though, it is the course of wisdom to do what we can to retain our hearing ability in a noisy world. It is generally agreed that exposure to loud noise for extended periods can harm your hearing. In the graphic above, the more intense the sound, as you progress to the right, the shorter the time of exposure is to reach the point where you are causing damage to your hearing. This kind of hearing loss, known as noise induced, cannot be restored. If a person works in a setting where the noise is very loud (any environment where conversation cannot be carried on at a normal level), he should have his hearing checked on a regular basis to see if the noise is affecting his hearing. It is much better to make needed changes so as to prevent hearing loss than to try to correct it by means of a hearing aid. And, in the case of disease, one should not unduly delay treatment.

You may have wondered what type of protection there is for your hearing. Many people are only aware of the most basic forms of protection, such as the simple foam ear inserts that you find at a hardware store, but there are many more options. Yes, those off-the-shelf options are better than no protection, but are often uncomfortable or poor performing.

The next level up would be a universal fit product that is made for specific activities such as sleep, air travel, swimming, and the list goes on. These are usually made of a more durable material and seal the ear canal from the outside a little better. They are still considered single use and disposable, though. As far as general protection from loud noise, silicone universal fit inserts last longer and are generally more comfortable.

The ultimate in hearing protection, though, is in the form of a custom product that is designed for your specific ears. In this case our staff of professionals will take an impression of your ear so that the product can be an exact fit. These are also available for specific applications such as industrial protection for construction or factory workers, sleeping plugs, swim plugs, hunter and shooting plugs, and those designed for stage and studio musicians. All of the options discussed here are available at Pioneer Hearing Aid Centers.

Protecting your hearing is something that can be simple, but should be taken more seriously the louder the environment. Sometimes it's as simple as awareness of your environment and maybe even just turning the volume down.

Truly, hearing is precious. Our appreciating its value should move us to be understanding toward those with hearing problems, and to put forth reasonable effort to protect the hearing we may presently enjoy.

Call to make an appointment for a free consultation where we can answer the questions you may have about hearing protection. We would appreciate the opportunity to help safeguard your hearing!

-Your friends at Pioneer Hearing

Learn to adjust to hearing issues

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 20:57:39 GMT

Learning to adjust to hearing issues

THE normal ear is designed to hear. This organ enables one to enjoy the sound of the chirping bird, the rush of a waterfall and the rustle of leaves in the wind—all delightful sounds that enhance appreciation for being alive. B ecause of its ability to gather sound and to transmit this to the brain, the ear is indeed a marvel. But it does much more than just permit one to pick up sound. Its full use is experienced when a person listens to and engages in conversation. His hearing ability enables him to detect the interchange of feelings, concerns and emotions. However, when the sense of hearing is lost, feelings of helplessness, frustration and even anger may result.

To illustrate: What if the words “make,” “rake” and “lake” all sounded the same to you? What if the only way you could tell what was being said would be by seeing the speaker pronounce the word? How would you feel? Needless to say, there would be some frustration.

To ascertain the effect of a hearing problem, read the following sentence out loud: Jo––ua –aw the –mo–– on to– of Moun– –inai. Do you have to read the sentence several times to get the sense of it by supplying the missing letters or sounds? Truly, those missing sounds are needed to understand what is meant. The sentence is, “Joshua saw the smoke on top of Mount Sinai.” This illustrates the usual problem experienced when a person loses his hearing ability. Seldom does he lose all sense of hearing. The most common problem comes from not being able to hear all the sounds adequately. Hence, what is heard sounds distorted and confused. A victim of this type of hearing loss observed: “We think we have understood but have not. For example, when I was courting my wife, I heard her ask me, ‘Do you like people?’—a type of pretentious gambit I am chronically loath to answer. I replied vaguely and was probably a little abrupt. She looked surprised. What she had actually said, as I learned a few minutes later, was much more promising: ‘Do you like pizza?’ The result of such mishearings is often robust laughter, good-natured ribbing and a dinner-table anecdote. But the result can also be a serious miscommunication, an inaccurate appearance of slow-wittedness or indifference and the end of friendships.”

Drawing on his own experience, a deaf author relates the following about this handicap: “In group discussions where you alone are deaf, you do not exist. Because you cannot present your ideas through a medium everyone is accustomed to, you are not expected, much less asked, to contribute to them. Because you are deaf, they turn deaf. Just do what your parents, friends, fellow workers—who can hear—tell you . . . While everyone is talking or laughing, you are as far away as a lone Arab on a desert that stretches along every horizon. Everyone and everything is a mirage; you see them but you cannot touch or become part of them. You suffocate inside but you cannot tell anyone of this horrible feeling. You do not know how to. You get the impression nobody understands or cares.”

What About a Hearing Aid?

A person without a hearing problem may be inclined to think that a hearing aid would certainly be the obvious solution to the problem. Although a hearing aid can be helpful, it has limitations. An expert in the field, Hayes Newby, writes: “Hearing aids are expensive instruments, and it might be expected that once a patient had invested in one he would force himself to learn to operate and adjust to it.” But will he? “A large proportion of hearing aids,” he continues, “end up in the proverbial dresser drawer.” Probably you know someone who has purchased a hearing aid. Perhaps the person is as close to you as your marriage partner. It may well be that he is not wearing his hearing aid. This may cause frustration for those whose hearing is not impaired. They may say, “If only he would wear his aid, we could communicate much better.”

Still, there must be a reason for his not using the aid. Commenting on the problem, Hayes Newby states: “Too many patients expect that the hearing aid will be the answer to all their hearing problems, and that once they start wearing the aid they will be able to hear just as well as they did when their hearing was normal. Unfortunately, this is not true."

One problem is that persons with hearing problems are all different. No two ears are alike; nor do they hear exactly the same. Hence, an amplification that seems too loud for one person is comfortable for someone else. This can be illustrated in the case of individuals with “normal” hearing. Some young people may turn up the volume of a record player or radio and appear to be totally comfortable while listening. The parent, meanwhile, is stating emphatically that the music is too loud. Both parent and children may hear the same loudness, but they have different tolerance levels.

Since the hearing aid tends to amplify all sounds, what the wearer can tolerate plays a large part in the effectiveness of the aid. If he uses it at the “comfort” level rather than the “listening” level, he will not be taking full advantage of the instrument’s ability to amplify sound. The hearing aid may be “on” but not “up” high enough to help him to understand speech.

What Can the User Do?

In view of these factors, what can the user of a hearing aid do? First, he must give himself time and discipline himself to get used to his “new ear,” not expecting more from his aid than it is capable of giving. The initial discomfort is similar to that experienced when one gets false teeth or bifocal glasses. Eventually the discomfort decreases as the one using the aid adjusts to the new perceptions of sound.

Obviously, if a person has not heard certain sounds for a long time, he becomes used to not hearing. Even the chirping of a bird or the rustle of leaves can be disturbing if one has not heard these sounds for some time. The hearing-aid wearer may, therefore, feel that he is perceiving too much noise, and refuse to continue using the device. But this will not help him to hear better. The only solution is for him to learn to accept the noise, ignore the undesirable noises and concentrate on those sounds that he wants to hear.

To avoid discouragement, a hearing-aid user also needs to keep in mind that there are occasions when even those with normal hearing miss much of what is being said. Hence, he, too, can expect to obtain poor results at times.

If a hearing-aid wearer appreciates these limitations and does not allow himself to be discouraged by them, he may well reap fine benefits. Certainly, it takes self-discipline to become a successful hearing-aid user. The good news is that you are not alone. Pioneer Hearing is here to help you along the way.

- Your friends a Pioneer Hearing Aid Center

How to manage "Ear Wax"!

Tue, 09 Feb 2021 19:50:38 GMT

Ear Wax management from a patient perspective

The last blog post topic contained suggestions on how your diet can help you to take charge of your hearing health. Many people are surprised at the many connections between your overall health and your hearing. For example, certain illnesses can make ear infections or hearing loss more likely. Also, the state of your ear canal can be an indicator of overall health. More on that later.

How Cerumen Can Affect Your Hearing

At Pioneer Hearing we know the effect of cerumen (the clinical term for wax) all too well. We are somewhat unique in the way that we give attention to this aspect of your hearing health because we assist our patients by removing cerumen in a way where they can actually observe what is happening as it happens! As pictured above, the clinician uses video otoscopy, or a small camera, to view the ears and at the same time remove the obstruction. Some people may produce a lot of cerumen and others none. Some individuals may have cerumen build up on one side but not the other. This build up can affect your hearing, but it's generally not perceptible until the canal is completely closed off. Then you will know it! In these types of cases we can provide suggestions on how to proceed to remove the obstruction.

Cautions Against Self-Treatment

The way your canal is designed the secretions of cerumen are only nearest the opening of the canal. So if you have wax farther into the canal than this area, in other words, deep in the canal, it got there by another means. This usually occurs with use of a cotton swab or some other means of the patient trying to remove the cerumen on their own, or relieve an itch. For this reason, and the risk of damage to the ear drum, we do not recommend using Q-tips, bobby pins, ear candles, or other objects people sometimes put in their ear canal. In fact the use of ear candles can actually melt what wax may be in the ear and place it against the eardrum, worsening the condition.

A frequently asked question is "What type of over the counter product can I use to clean out wax?" We'll take this opportunity to counsel patients on what to avoid, which would include: glycerin, mineral oil, alcohol, and peroxides . With frequent use these can strip the ear canal of it's healthy keratin causing irritation, itching, and sores.

One Great Option

The product that we consistently recommend for use in the ear canal is Miracell ProEar. It has proven very effective for softening cerumen, soothing itch and irritation, and lubricating without discomfort. It's also very safe because it's comprised of all natural ingredients such as apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, and olive oil, among others. (You can purchase ProEar at Pioneer Hearing Aid Centers)

As already mentioned, the state of your ear canal can indicate other health issues. Po or diet, dehydration, upper respiratory distress, and other maladies can cause a drop in the body's overall cellular pH. This, in turn, can affect the the layer of keratin that should be present on the external auditory canal (EAC). This pH imbalance can present itself as itchiness in the ears and what looks like a layer of skin peeling away from the canal wall. ProEar is gentle to the ear while it also appears to encourage growth of the new keratin.

The different issues that can affect the EAC can be very hard to deal with. We're so happy have the opportunity to help you on the road to an improved hearing condition.

- Your friends at Pioneer Hearing

Can What You Eat Affect Your Hearing?

Mon, 01 Feb 2021 20:10:26 GMT

Your Hearing and nutrition...

These days many individuals are concerned with their overall health. Hearing is just one piece of the equation. Much of the recent studies in these areas indicate a relationship between hearing loss and other serious health problems like depression, heart disease, memory loss, and diabetes. Therefore, a nutritional strategy can be a powerful tool in helping you to take control over your health, including your hearing.

What is "Nutrition"?

Simply stated nutrition is the act or process of being nourished. In other words, it's how nutrients and other substances that make up food contribute to our health, maintenance, growth, reproduction, and so on. There are several studies indicating that the causes of hearing loss can be positively affected by good nutritional status. Depending on your level of interest in improving this aspect of your overall health, you may choose to see a physician or dietitian for assistance. But we at Pioneer thought it might be nice to point out some simple changes that could help with your hearing journey and well-being. Following are three primary considerations to this effect.

Antioxidants and Vitamins

To start this discussion we need to understand free radicals. These are oxygen-containing molecules with an uneven number of electrons. The uneven number allows them to easily react with other molecules. Free radicals can cause large chain chemical reactions in your body because they react so easily with other molecules. These reactions are called oxidation. These free radicals can cause cell damage and, especially in the inner ear, can contribute to hearing loss. Antioxidants play the role of stabilizing these molecules and suppress free radical formation, thus preventing hearing loss. Interesting, huh?

So what this means for you is that by consumption of colorful fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, and even seafood, you can boost antioxidant and nutrient intake, thus protecting your hearing!

Carbs and Sugar

Overall Carbohydrate intake and higher glycemic load, or how quickly each food affects your blood sugar (glucose) level when food containing carbs are eaten, has been suggested to have a negative impact on hearing. This is likely due to inflamed capillaries, or smallest blood vessels in the body, due to the quick rise in blood sugar.

How can we avoid this? By simply reducing our intake of refined carbs such as are found in cereals, white breads, muffins, and pasta. Eating carbs that are not processed and high in fiber can slow the rise in blood sugar. These are found in foods such as sweet potatoes, leafy greens, berries, brown rice, and quinoa. And, BONUS, these contain antioxidants and nutrients!

Omega-3's and Fish

It's already fairly common knowledge that Omega-3's are good for us. They regulate inflammation and arterial health and thus reduce risk of heart attack, dementia, and arthritis. But did you know that they are essential fats! Yes, they are required by your body to function.

One study found of people over the age of 50 that had presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss, found that those who had at least two servings of fish per week had 42% lower risk of developing presbycusis.

So, consumption of two servings of fish per week could be a valid strategic approach to helping your hearing. You can find high levels of Omega-3's in salmon, trout, black cod, oysters, sardines, and herring.

We hope that these suggestions have been some help in empowering you to actively fight hearing loss with good nutritional habits.

- Your friends at Pioneer Hearing

Memory Retention: Another Benefit of Hearing Aid Use!

Tue, 26 Jan 2021 22:24:22 GMT

Memory REtention: Another benefit of hearing aid use

To begin with, here are some facts about the nature of hearing loss around the globe; WHO estimates that hearing impairment effects more than 328 million adults. A staggering 50% of adults over 65 suffer from some form of hearing loss. This percentage rises to 90% for those over 80 years of age. Hearing loss affects many areas of an individual's daily life such as communication with others, overall health, quality of life, and independence. In addition, the above can lead to depression, isolation of oneself, and even cognitive impairment. Cognition is defined as "the mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses."

Age-related hearing impairment and memory

It is not a new idea that age-related hearing impairment (ARHI) and cognitive decline are related. One study in the United States in 2014 found that the rate of cognitive decline and risk of mild cognitive impairment increased linearly with the severity of hearing loss. It is very common for those who are concerned that they may be developing a memory disorder to seek help from professionals. This is generally not the case for those who suspect they may have a hearing issue, and many times the connection between the two is missed. For example, some who have been under evaluation for possible memory or brain disorders and were found to have a hearing impairment. A staggering 25% of them did not have a memory issue at all! Yes, in some the perceived issue with memory can turn out to be a hearing issue.

The Bottom Line

Hearing aids reduce risk of memory loss.

A recent in-depth study of individuals age 50 or older examined their cognitive ability, the demographic characteristic of the individuals, and information on their social participation. The finding were that hearing loss is associated with cognitive impairment, but this only existed in individuals NOT using hearing aids. For the sample of people using hearing aids, the association between hearing loss and cognition was not present!

For those with a moderate to severe hearing loss, those who wore hearing aids had 78% less memory loss than those who did not.

Those with a mild hearing loss that wore hearing aids had 88% less memory loss than those how did not wear hearing aids.

This information highlights the need for awareness of the link between hearing loss and cognitive ability or memory loss. This can be prevented by early rehabilitation, including treating the hearing loss, and increased screening for hearing loss.

The staff here at Pioneer Hearing care deeply about this matter and are always willing to provide education to those we meet. If you have questions about these matters we would enjoy a conversation, or you can always stop by and ask for reading materials regard hearing loss and starting the journey of treating the loss you may have. We hope to help all in our community to discover hearing issues as early as possible and we sincerely hope that the result will be a positive outcome for you.

Your friends at Pioneer Hearing

The connection between COVID-19 and Hearing

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 15:57:10 GMT

is hearing loss a side effect of covid-19?

We are still learning

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected us all in many ways. We can appreciate that much has been done along the way to help us to understand how to protect ourselves. We now understand many of the symptoms and side effects of the virus, as well as how to take precautionary measures to build our immunity to the virus. There are surely many strange symptoms and some complications that can be long-term. Medical science is in just the early stages of understand this complex pandemic and we will all be learning more as time goes on.

What we do know

Really, any viral infection of the upper respiratory tract has the potential to cause some hearing-related symptoms. Many times this causes a dulling somewhat of the hearing and can be attributed to the collection of fluid in the middle ear behind the eardrum. It's usually not long-term, though, and clears up once the infection has run it's course.

Recent studies, though, have shown that hearing problems that may accompany COVID-19 may be more persistent. For example, when the International Journal of Audiology surveyed 121 people in the UK who recently had the virus, 13% of them reported a change in their hearing or the ringing in their ears (tinnitus). Two complications reported by those hospitalized by COVID-19 are restricted oxygen and blood supply. These symptoms, even in a discussion outside of COVID-19, are well known to have the potential to cause damage to the cochlear hair cells, the nerve portion of your hearing that processes sound vibrations.

The experts are cautious to say there is a definite link between SARS-C0V-2 infection and hearing health, but there are reasons to be reasonably suspicious.

Other complications

Some of the medical care that individuals may receive could even cause our understanding of whether COVID-19 is truly related to hearing loss to be unclear. For example, several of the drugs used to treat patients with the virus are ototoxic, meaning that they can cause damage to the ear.

Some may feel as if their hearing has worsened since the start of the pandemic. This could be due to public health efforts to slow the spread of the pandemic. How? It may be that your perceived hearing loss is real because of the use of masks. For many who struggle to hear already the mask not only makes speech more muffled, but nearly removes the ability to combine visual cues with what you are hearing, resulting in difficulty understanding speech.

Please, don't take this to mean you or others should not wear masks. We would do well to follow CDC guidelines on protecting ourselves from this virus.

What we can do

I f you currently wear hearing aids, getting an adjustment could make a lot of difference in how you are hearing. Turning the gain up a little can compensate for the mask issue.

If you are not a hearing aid user, then perhaps now is the time to see if they help. We've had many people who have just "been dealing with" their hearing loss decide that now is the time to make a move to improve how they hear. We've also had many patients come in to upgrade their hearing aids to assist in hearing the best they can. If you are curious don't forget that our hearing screening and consultation is at no cost to you.

As researchers continue to study the effects of COVID-19, we can expect to see more hearing specific studies surface.

In the mean time, if you experience worsening or sudden hearing loss, contact your hearing health professional right away.

Motion Sensor Hearing Explained

Tue, 12 Jan 2021 17:59:29 GMT

What can a motion sensor in a hearing aid do for you?

Complex Listening Environments

The need to hear speech in a variety of situations has always been of utmost importance to hearing aid users as well as those without hearing loss. Throughout a normal day there are numerous environments that can challenge your ability to hear well. In addition to room size, background noise, the type of voice being heard, and other countless factors, you also have the challenge of those items fluctuating when you are moving!

Stationary vs. Mobile

Yes, as you get up to move each day your listening environment changes drastically. In the image above imagine all the factors that could potentially affect how you are hearing: the wind in the leaves of the trees, other conversations by passers-by, children playing nearby, a male voice and a female voice, even the sound of your own heartbeat as you excercise! And all of this is changing constantly. So how do we make it manageable?

Motion Sensor Hearing

Motion sensors in a digital hearing aid is one of the newest features available. The concept is that the hearing aid will adjust differently when you are in motion, as opposed to stationary. According to Phonak, their motion sensor "can detect when the wearer is moving while having a conversation and will automatically adjust the directional microphones to focus on the direction of speech." One of our patients here at Pioneer was struggling to hear when walking with friends each morning and when fit with hearing aids with this new technology it immediately solved the issue.

Take them for a "Test Drive"

Don't forget that here at Pioneer Hearing you can usually be fit with the latest technology available and try it for 60 worry-free days. Why not call today to set an appointment!

What is an "Extended Wear" hearing aid? Phonak Lyric 4 Release for 2021

Tue, 05 Jan 2021 22:52:39 GMT

Extended Wear or daily wear hearing?

For most people who have ever worn a traditional hearing aid, or even sought to treat their hearing loss, the term 'hearing aid' may make them think of a device that is worn daily. In other words, they expect to have to remove it at night, take it out to replace batteries, or handle it to clean it. This is because until a few years ago, that was the definition of a hearing aid. It was all most people knew.

Enter the Phonak Lyric - the world's first and only extended wear hearing aid. What is meant by extended wear? Well, I'm glad you asked. The Lyric is meant to be worn 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for months on end. On top of that the product is invisible.

Imagine not having to think about your hearing loss every day! The user could exercise, shower, and sleep without having to think about their hearing aids! Because of how they fit they also are more easily worn with a mask for protection from COVID without ear loop interference. The Lyric hearing aid also does not require daily maintenance or battery replacement by the user.

The fourth generation Phonak Lyric is only offered through Certified Lyric Providers, of which Pioneer Hearing Aid Centers is proud to say we are. It’s available now in select U.S. markets with nationwide availability expected by January, 2021.

If you would like to see more information on Lyric 4 click here: https://www.phonak.com/com/en/hearing-aids/lyric-invisible-hearing-aids.html

...and be sure to call us for a consultation at any of our 5 Oklahoma locations.