Access HEARS

Learn more about over-the-counter hearing aids through this upcoming webinar given by the Hearing Loss Association of America. When you're ready, our nonprofit, Access HEARS, will guide you through each step including setting up and customizing your device.
https://www.facebook.com/HearingLossAssociation/posts/pfbid096BqYZ8o9ZYUehev547uwVUD8UP9wVxoeroBc9c7wtYPbDRTHYf1T4yovy5PLNTEl

Friday - Do you know someone with untreated ?

A new class of over-the-counter (OTC) may help more people get the they need! On November 1, is launching an informative OTC 101 Ask the Experts webinar series to demystify this for all.

REGISTER: HearingLoss.org/OTC101

Please take our OTC Survey at the same link and share widely!

Read our News Release: https://ow.ly/OMS650PWxzM

Benefits of Wearing Hearing Aids Every Day

Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center | Posted on January 26, 2021

We are often asked “I’m home alone - do I really need to wear my hearing aids?” The quick answer is YES! We encourage our patients to wear their devices as much as possible every day. Below are some of the reasons, supported by science.

Progressive Hearing Loss Results in Brain Rewiring:

When we lose our hearing, it typically occurs very slowly over a period of years. The insidious nature of the change means that over time, sounds in our environment become less noticeable until, in many cases, they no longer are heard at all.
Sounds no longer heard can include both environmental and speech sounds.

These sounds may include simple environmental sounds like birds singing, footsteps, a car turn signal, someone flipping through the pages of a magazine, running water etc. Missing sounds These sounds also include speech sounds. Typically the high frequency sounds like /f/, /s/, /t/, /th/, /sh/, /k/, are affected first. This leads people to often express that they can hear people, but have difficulty understanding what they said. As the hearing loss worsens over time, the hearing nerve begins to lose the ability to send the sound signals on to the brain and the brain begins to "forget" that these signals exist. Once the brain forgets certain sounds exist it begins to rewire to focus on those sounds that remain and do the best it can with what’s left. The longer the brain experiences this form of sound desensitization, the more “cemented” the faulty rewiring process becomes. Sadly, on average people with hearing loss wait an average of 8-9 years before addressing their hearing loss. This delay makes the adjustment process more difficult and contributes negatively to a patient’s ability to adapt to and benefit from hearing aids, particularly during the initial days and weeks of hearing aid use.

Consistent Hearing Aids Use Can Rewire/Reactivate Dormant Pathways in the Brain

Ever heard the term “neuroplasticity”? It refers to the brain’s marvelous ability to make adjustments. The good news is, just as the brain will “rewire” to adapt to a hearing loss, it will also “rewire” to the signals sent by a hearing aid! Our most successful patients wear their hearing aids 12-16 hours per day. This consistent hearing aid use will help rewire the brain to once again categorize signals as important and in need of focus (or unimportant and can be ignored).

This process takes some persistence, patience and time.
As you can imagine, the brain is initially surprised and a bit confused by this new sound information. The unused neural connections need to “re-learn” sound. Many hearing aid users reports common sounds such as paper, dishes clanging, road noise, and one’s own voice very noticeable at first. For this reason, when we initially fit a patient who has experienced long term hearing loss “desensitization”, we sometimes start with amplification levels below optimal and then gradually increase the amplification target over a series of appointments with adaptation time in between.

This helps the brain gradually re-wire and can help the patient with overall acceptance of the device.

When you hear better it helps everyone.

Adult children often express concern about their loved ones health and safety if they don’t hear or answer the telephone or the doorbell. Neighbors appreciate not hearing a television set so loud that it disturbs others. Impromptu conversations with a neighbor at the mailbox are easier and meaningful. Being able to hear typical household sounds like a malfunctioning running toilet can save time and money.

To reach your full potential, wear your hearing aids as much as possible! Hearing levels with the hearing aids on need to become the new “normal”. Simply said, wear the aids whenever you are “awake and dry”.

https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2023/otc-hearing-aids-as-effective-as-prescription.html?EXP=aarp_now-ios3342003

Such great news for those in need of affordable hearing care. Ask how our nonprofit can help. [email protected]

Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Are as Effective as Prescription Devices, Study Finds For those who have mild to moderate hearing loss, self-fitting hearing aids work as well as ones fitted by audiologists

This is BIG, folks...and it’s been a long time coming.

For individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss, this is literally a life-changer. Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids will be available mid October, directly to consumers and without a prescription.

Our nonprofit is here to help navigate and connect our senior community with affordable, high-quality OTC hearing aids. accesshears.com

Over-the-Counter vs. Prescription Hearing Aids The FDA recently agreed to allow the sale of over-the-counter hearing aids. Learn the 5 differences between these and prescription hearing aids.

October is National Protect Your Hearing Month. Early identification and intervention for hearing loss is important. Many people live with unidentified hearing loss, often failing to realize that they are missing certain sounds and words. Checking one’s hearing would be the first step towards addressing the issue. - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention photo credit: westside head & neck

MILD HEARING LOSS DOUBLES THE RISK OF DEMENTIA.

The Hidden Risks of Hearing Loss Not hearing well isn’t just frustrating; it can bring surprising health risks. Here’s what you need to know.

Access HEARS is a member of , a network of vetted professionals who provide resources for seniors in our community. www.mdseniorresource.org Take a look at how Access HEARS can help your loved ones with their hearing needs. www.accesshears.com

HEAR WELL, LIVE WELL, AGE WELL: The Importance of Managing Your Hearing Health - Maryland Senior Resource Network Senior resource network of professionals offering products and/or services to seniors & caregivers helping seniors remain safe, comfortable & independent

MORE OPTIONS for consumers coming soon! The Over the Counter law was passed in 2017, largely due to the efforts and advocacy of Access HEARS co-founder, Dr. Frank Lin and colleagues. The law paves the way to loosen FDA regulations and allows over-the-counter sales of products for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. It also allows people to get hearing tests from audiologists without a physician referral.

https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-warren-grassley-call-on-fda-to-finalize-rule-on-over-the-counter-hearing-aids-without-delay

AARP believes in what we're doing at Access HEARS and supports the organization through funding. Change is coming with over-the-counter device regulations and we're here to help.

FDA Clears Way for Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids The FDA announced a proposal making hearing aids available without a prescription. The move could make the devices more accessible and affordable.