We have returned safely after an incredibly busy week. Our team expanded it’s outreach to two new areas of the country and are excited about the future of the program. The three audiology technicians, local Guatemalans, have received training in hearing testing and hearing aid maintenance and will carry on the work between the teams’ trips. They are incredibly passionate and devoted to the cause and eager to carry on this coming year. Hope you enjoy the photos…
the tall one is my son 
More from Guatemala…
March 1st, 2010Greetings from Guatemala!
February 24th, 2010Well, we have survived a five hour power outage (during clinic) and earthquakes and are still standing! We were awoken by a good shaker early Tuesday morning, rattling our windows and shaking our beds for about 20 seconds, with several following over the mid morning hours. We Americans get quite nervous, looking anxiously toward the door but the locals barely acknowledge them due to the frequency.
Getting out into the countryside to see the children is a very different experience than being in Guatemala City. We are in the mountainous Western Highlands area- this county is so incredibly beautiful! So lush and green with volcanoes dotting the mountainside…none of them smoking, fortunately! The population is much more native Mayan than in the city and wear traditional Mayan dress.
We have seen 152 children so far in two days and have fit approximately 50 hearing aids. We all love seeing the children (and parents) light up when we first turn that hearing aid on. Our team is fabulous- two interpreters and three audiology technicians, native Guatemalans, who have been trained to test hearing and provide follow up hearing aid services in our absence. It makes it much easier to fit these children knowing that they are in good hands in our absence. More to follow with photos (assuming we can find internet access again).
Blessings,
Dr. Mercer
Another Reason to Eat Your Veggies!
February 7th, 2010
There are so many studies stressing the importance of green vegetables in our overall health, but our ear health? A new study conducted by the Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation reveals that men over 60 whose diet included foods and supplements high in folates have a 20% reduced risk of hearing loss. What foods are high in folates? Asparagus, lettuce, spinach, fresh and dried peas and beans, sunflower seeds, fortified Baker’s yeast and liver all fit the bill.
Keep Up With Guatemala Mission Trip
January 31st, 2010I (Dr. Mercer) will be off to Guatemala February 20-28th to fit children with hearing aids along with the Audiology Team of Healing The Children. I’m optimistic that there will be internet access to provide daily blogs of our experiences and progress. Please stay tuned! To learn more, see our mission page, http://www.northgatehearing.com/healingthechildren.html.
Can Smoking Cause Hearing Loss?
November 30th, 2009In addition to all the other warnings against smoking, we know that it can also increase your risk of hearing loss. In a study of approximately 3000 individuals, it was found that those who smoke are 1.3 times more likely to suffer from hearing loss than their non-smoking counterparts. Interestingly, those exposed to second hand smoke were almost 2 times more likely to suffer from hearing loss! Read the rest of this entry »
Hearing Aid Batteries Join the Green Revolution
November 17th, 2009Do you ever worry about the impact all those used hearing aid batteries have on our earth? In the past, the amounts of mercury and lead in these tiny objects posed great threats to the environment and recycling was often difficult to execute. However, battery manufacturers have 
recently made great strides to reduce hearing aid batteries’ risk to both humans and the environment.
A few of the major hearing aid manufacturers, Siemens and ReSound in particular, now offer some hearing aids that utilize rechargeable batteries. Now, you can “plug” your hearing aids in to charge every night along with your cell phone! These batteries last approximately one to two years before requiring replacement.
Just a few more battery care reminders:
1. Do not remove the tab from your batteries until you are going to use them. As soon the tab is removed, oxygen permeates the cell and there’s no going back.
2. Do not keep loose batteries in your purse or anywhere they can come in contact with other metals.
3. Keep batteries away from fire or heat (i.e. glove compartments on a hot summer day).
4. Make sure you turn your hearing aids off at night to conserve your batteries. Remember, after the tab has been removed the battery continues to drain even when your hearing aids are turned off, just at a lower rate than when turned on. That means that if you set your hearing aid aside for a month (nobody does that, do they?), the battery will most likely be dead when you try to use it later.
5. Store hearing aid batteries at room temperature in a dry place, not the refrigerator.
It’s so wonderful to see these new technologies come to market to help our planet and home. It’s even more wonderful when it helps make our lives richer through better hearing!
Academy of Doctors of Audiology Convention
November 11th, 2009
Dr. Mercer recently attended the Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA) convention in Clearwater, Florida. This organization “is dedicated to the advancement of practitioner excellence, high ethical standards, professional autonomy and sound business practices in the provision of quality audiologic care”. Over 500 primarily private practice audiologists participated in courses involving patient care, practice management and new hearing technologies. Dr. Mercer attended several sessions including determining candidacy for cochlear implants and other implantable hearing aids, collaborating with various medical specialties, meeting the unique hearing and listening needs of older adults, assessing various staffing models and a plethora of new hearing instrument technologies. Our staff is excited to share our new knowledge with you!
Do You Hear Your Fire Alarm?
November 8th, 2009We so often see house fires on the evening news. Notice how they usually occur at night? What is really alarming is that 40% of people killed in fires never awaken! Read the rest of this entry »
Mission Concert for Hearing Impaired Children in Guatemala
November 1st, 2009
Please join us for a mission concert at Dr. Mercer’s church, Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, on Saturday, November 7th at 7:0oPM. Dr. Mercer will be traveling with the Healing The Children audiology team in late January. 100% of your donations will go directly toward hearing aids for the children of Guatemala. Dr. Mercer and Dr. Gray will sing with the choir and Dr. Mercer’s Elliott Bay Pipe Band will perform as well. The address is 19540 104th Ave NE, Bothell. We’d love to see you there!
Looking Good Through Hearing Well: 5 Tips for Job Interviews
September 24th, 2009In our search for the perfect job, or any job in this economy, we place so much emphasis on our appearance during the interview process. But, what happens during that interview when you start looking unsure or respond inappropriately to your interviewer’s question because you didn’t hear them correctly? What image does that present? Are they already starting to think about the next employee prospect waiting in the lobby?
Approximately 3.1 million people have hearing loss, including 3 out of 10 over the age of 60. These individuals are actively competeing with younger people with typically better hearing. We also know that excellent listening skills are rated high by employers seeking qualified candidates. In fact, 73% of employers questioned ranked listening as extremely important job skills. While people often worry about how hearing aids will make them look, they tend to underestimate the negative impact NOT hearing can have, especially at work where effective communication is critical to success.
Before you start your job search, follow these guidelines:
- If you think you have a hearing loss, see a licensed audiologist to receive a comprehensive hearing evaluation
- If your hearing loss can be helped with hearing instruments-and 95% of all hearing losses can- get properly fitted, again by a licensed audiologist
- Start using your hearing aids immediately and consistently to optimize the adaptation process
- Take advantage of any “Learning to Hear” classes or software programs offered in order to “teach your brain to hear” again
- Go to your interview confident in your hearing ability- you’ve acted proactively and the job is yours for the taking!
