In Texas, those close enough felt the effects of hearing loss, and this was seen in a video that went viral of a father and daughter taping the fire near Waco, Texas. In the Boston Bombings many people who were within 100 feet of the explosions suffered injuries to the ear, some minor, and some people suffered from holes and or tears in the eardrum. In many cases with minor ear injuries, the ears will be able to repair themselves. This can take a few weeks or up to a few months. If the eardrums suffered severe enough tears, they may need to be surgically repaired. These ear injuries are very similar to those seen in soldiers in active war zones. In some cases, hearing loss will be temporary or minor but in others it will be permanent. The technology available today for both treatment of ear injuries and for hearing loss are far beyond what they were even a few years ago, which should help bring hope to anyone suffering from hearing loss.

If you or a loved one is in search of a friendly audiology center, see why North County Audiology is a San Diego favorite! We offer hearing tests and hearing loss treatment for tinnitus, as well as other hearing care services. Contact us today to schedule your next appointment.

*At North County Audiology, we extend our deepest sympathies for those affected by the Boston Bombings and the fertilizer plant explosion in Texas.

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It is estimated that at least 1 in 5 Americans suffer from hearing loss in at least one ear. Yet, many people go untreated for their hearing loss and suffer on a daily basis because of it. For the month of May and in the spirit of Better Hearing and Speech month, we ask you how will you help spread awareness of hearing loss to those in need? One way to spread awareness is by sharing your hearing loss story with others. You can create a blog about your hearing loss journey or join a hearing loss support group. You could accompany a family member or friend to receive a hearing test. Many people are embarrassed to admit they are suffering from hearing loss, so by making sure they aren’t alone when going for a hearing test you can help make them feel more comfortable. Another idea is to share the importance of hearing protection to those around you. Make sure your loved ones keep their ears protected when in loud environments by wearing ear protectors. These are a few simple ideas, however we are sure San Diego can come up with more ideas to show their support for Better Hearing and Speech month! Share them with us.

If you are looking for a friendly and knowledgeable audiology center in the San Diego area, look no further than North County Audiology! We are a full service hearing center located in San Diego, California. Contact us today to set up your hearing test appointment.

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• Shouting: First and foremost we have to address the misconception that in order to speak to someone who is hard of hearing that you must shout to them This is not true! When speaking to someone who suffers from hearing loss, shouting at them only distorts your voice, it doesn’t make it easier for them to understand. When speaking to someone who is hard of hearing, make sure you are facing them, so they can see you speak and if needed you can speak a little bit louder but do not yell.
• Getting the Attention of a Hard of Hearing Person:  Before you begin a conversation make sure that you have the attention of the person who experiences hearing loss. One way to do this is by raising your hand or pointer finger as a visual aid, then proceed with conversation.
• Understanding the Room or Environment Around You: You should assess the room or environment you are in before/as speaking. Does the room echo a lot? Is there a lot of background noise? These are two things that will make it more difficult for a hard of hearing person to understand you in conversation. In these situations, use visual aids, always face the person when speaking to them, and if possible have the hard of hearing person sit with their backs to a wall, as this will help with background noise.

These three simple tips will help you communicate with your family member or friend who suffers from hearing loss. Not only will you feel more comfortable when going out, but now you can also help your family or friend feel more comfortable as well! For more information on hearing loss, hearing aids, hearing tests, and more contact North County Audiology today! We look forward to helping you beat your hearing loss!

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In SSHL cases it is estimated that only 15% of cases have a known cause. We know that viral infections, tumors, and trauma have been causes of SSHL before.  However, new research suggests that there may be another known cause to add to the list. Recently researches from Taipei Veterans General Hospital in Taiwan began to study SSHL. In this study, they took a group of people who suffered from migraines and a group of people who did not suffer from migraines. The group who suffered from migraines were almost twice as likely to develop SSHL. This gave researchers the confidence to say that there is a possible link between migraines and hearing loss. There will be more research conducted to find out the exact link between the two. SSHL is a rare disease with many of its causes still unknown. This research puts doctors one step closer to being able to understand why people experience sudden hearing loss. The technology available today means that we can look forward to understanding this disease in the near future.

At the North County Audiology hearing care center in San Diego, California, we provide quality hearing health care with friendly and knowledgeable staff under Dr. Podlenski, our hearing specialist. We offer hearing tests and hearing aid services. If you or a loved one has concerns about hearing loss, please contact us today.

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Recently, New York City proposed a $250,000 social media campaign to educate people, especially teenagers about the hearing loss earbuds may be causing. While hearing loss from earbuds affects people of all ages, studies are showing that younger people tend to like their music much louder. According to the American Academy of Audiology, noise at 85 decibels can start to cause hearing loss. MP3’s at full volume produce 100 decibels of sound and listening to a few songs from an MP3 player can start to cause hearing loss. As a general rule of thumb, a person standing next to you while you are wearing your earbuds should never  be able to hear the music you are listening to. There is one little tip to help you enjoy your favorite music without damaging your ears for many MP3 players and other portable devices. You can turn the volume limit setting down on your device, so you never put yourself at risk of turning your volume up too loud. This simple step will help keep your ears at much less of a risk when listening to music or anything else on a portable device. In educating ourselves about hearing loss, we can keep our ears health for longer!

Our goal at North County Audiology is to help you prevent any further damage to your hearing. At North County Audiology, you can also get your hearing loss treated by one of the best audiologists and hearing care professionals in the San Diego area. So if you are looking for hearing loss treatment in San Diego, CA that is friendly and comprehensive then contact North County Audiology today. We offer custom hearing protectors, hearing aids, and other hearing care treatment options. You can start hearing better today with North County Audiology!

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First, your audiologist should perform a comprehensive hearing evaluation. This helps to determine what kind of hearing loss you are suffering from and how to best treat it. Once there is a firm understanding of your hearing loss, the doctor will then determine which hearing aid style, power level, and technology level is best suited for you. There are many style options including behind-the-ear, in-the-ear, and many more. You and your doctor will pick the one that is most comfortable for you to wear. Another important step in a proper hearing aid fitting, is programming. Hearing aids come preprogrammed, however to ensure that it works best for you, your audiologist should program it to your meet your specific needs. Proper programming is the difference between a pleasant experience and a frustrating experience when finding the right hearing aid for you. Your hearing device should be set to the appropriate frequency levels so noises are not harsh, but are natural sounding and clear. Once the proper sounds are being amplified, your listening experience will be drastically improved. Your audiologist should also offer you support and have a follow up exam to make sure that you are happy with the settings on your hearing device.

San Diego audiologist, Dr. Kenneth A. Podlenski, Au.D., FAAA of North County Audiology is experienced and knows about proper hearing aid fittings. North County Audiology is a hearing care provider in San Diego, CA offering top quality hearing care services. If you or a loved one has any questions about hearing aid products, please contact us. We look forward to helping you!

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Soldiers are exposed to loud noises on a regular basis, whether it be from a generator, helicopter, gunfire, etc. The first step to preventing hearing loss is by wearing hearing protectors whenever possible. There is quite a bit of resistance from many to wear hearing protectors. Many soldiers often say it will hinder their ability to hear important noises such as the click of a grenade or an alarm sound. This is not true with the hearing protectors of today. The companies that provide in-ear monitors have worked hard to solve this problem by trying to find the perfect balance between protection without blocking out important outside noises. Available are custom hearing protectors and even custom in-ear monitors with radio communication capabilities. Soldiers should also frequently participate in hearing screenings to make sure that their ability to hear has not been severely compromised.

Veterans often experience hearing loss and tinnitus. An audiologist will often ask about the kinds of noise exposures  that veterans were exposed to, so they can better understand their hearing needs. Hearing loss and tinnitus can be treated by the use of hearing aids. With the technology that comes fitted into hearing aids today, many veterans will be pleased to know that there is a solution for their hearing loss. Many hearing aids are fitted with wireless and bluetooth capabilities, are more comfortable than older hearing aids, and come in nearly invisible style options.

Hearing loss can be a serious health problem among soldiers and veterans. If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss problems, do not wait another moment to find a solution. Contactus today to speak with a hearing professional in San Diego about how we can help you improve your hearing.

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As the daily use of NSAID pain relievers increases, so does the risk for decreased hearing. There were dramatic results in people who took these kinds of pain relievers 6 or 7 days a week. The study followed over 60,000 women ages 31-48 years old and their use of NSAID pain relievers for fourteen years. At the end of the fourteen year research over ten-thousand women reported decreased hearing. There was a slight difference between women who had taken Ibuprofen and acetaminophen, with acetaminophen users resulting in less reports of hearing loss. The research did not show hearing loss associated with the use of aspirin or naproxen.

So what actually causes the hearing loss? Researchers believe that NSAID pain relievers, especially ibuprofen can reduce blood flow to the cochlea or inner ear which could be what is impairing its function. It is believed that acetaminophen may be damaging structures in the ear that would normally help protect the cochlea. The link between hearing loss and NSAIDs seems to only be between ibuprofen and acetaminophen, for reasons not yet known. Does this mean you need to stop the use of NSAID pain relievers? Not necessarily, but you should be aware of the potential side effects. Regular NSAID users are encouraged to speak with a hearing care professional.

North County Audiology offers hearing loss diagnostics and treatment plans. If you are concerned about your hearing and how it could be affected by NSAID pain relievers, contact the hearing professionals at North County Audiology. We are leading hearing care professionals with top notch hearing services in the San Diego area. We look forward to helping you.

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As a child in school, there are people to help advocate for your hearing loss needs but in college you are your own advocate. This small difference can be monumental. Hearing loss

makes communication and education extremely difficult. When in an environment such as the college classroom, that focuses largely on lectures, hearing loss becomes an even bigger obstacle to get over. The first step to succeeding as a young adult or an older adult  in higher education is to reach out to your professor to let them know about your hearing loss. Colleges and universities have programs set up to help students of all ages if their hearing loss is serious enough to affect their educational performance. The requirements for receiving assistance become more strict once in higher education. With that in mind, self preparation is extremely important.

When walking into the college lecture hall, understand your hearing loss needs. Sit close to the front of the room and closest to the professors podium. For quite some time it has been believed that sitting in the front of the classroom will directly translate into better grades, while that may not be the case, it certainly helps create a better rapport with the professor. Students who sit in the front of the class are often taken more seriously by professors and are easily visible to the professor, helping to create a much better relationship than a student sitting in the back of the classroom. Creating a better relationship with your professor will help them better understand your hearing loss needs and also help you communicate in the classroom.These two simple tips will help you succeed in the lecture hall with your hearing loss. Don’t let higher education make you nervous because of your hearing problems!

If you are in the San Diego area and have questions about your hearing loss, make an appointment to speak with Dr. Ken Podlenski, our knowledgeable audiologist. North County Audiology also offers hearing services such as hearing tests and assistive listening devices.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment!

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• At first finding the right balance between sound and volume can be a little bit tricky. The brain must get used to hearing new sounds it hasn’t heard in quite a while. It is important to make sure that the volume is not set too high or too low, but is just perfect. With the help of a hearing healthcare professional this balance can be achieved.
• Another setting that may take some fine tuning is frequency. It is important to make sure that your hearing aid amplifies the right frequency. If the hearing aid is set to amplify too much frequency that a patient is sensitive to, it may cause a negative effect instead of a positive hearing experience. This can also be fixed with the help of a hearing health professional.
• When you receive your hearing aid it is a good idea to walk around the clinic and or go outside to see if it functions the way you want it to in different environments before even leaving the clinic.
• If at first, wearing your hearing aid feels uncomfortable gradually increase how long you wear it each day. This will help your brain and ears adjust to the new sounds coming in without feeling overwhelmed.

Your new hearing aid will open up exciting new opportunities for you or a loved one. It is extremely important to communicate with your audiologist if you have any concerns or issues with your hearing aid so they can be addressed and properly adjusted. Like all things new to us, hearing aids can take some getting used to. Once your brain and ears have gotten used to the new sounds you are experiencing, you will see just how well your life has changed due to hearing aids.

At North County Audiology we strive to give our patients their hearing back. If you or a loved one is suffering from hearing loss please don’t hesitate to contact us.  We offer hearing tests and hearing aid services in San Diego. Call us at (858) 240-4722 for any questions or to set up your appointment today!

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