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.
Another Reason to Eat Your Veggies!
February 7th, 2010Keep 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!
The Cost of Untreated Hearing Loss
September 20th, 2009Our patients typically seek hearing assistance to help them function more effectively socially (i.e. hearing friends and family, TV, in restaurants, etc), but what impact does untreated hearing loss have on individuals in the workplace?
A study by the Better Hearing Institute reveals that untreated hearing loss reduces the average household income an average of $12,000 a year. Proper treatment with appropriate hearing instruments and rehabilitation reduces that lost income by approximately one half.
The study shows that people with untreated hearing loss suffer higher rates of underemployment and unemployment, make more mistakes on the job, and in general, experience an overall reduction in quality of life (i.e. increased anxiety, depression, social isolation, social paranoia, decreased general health, emotional instability, decreased cognitive functioning, etc) which negatively impacts job performance.
Those who delay treatment for their hearing loss, particularly due to perceived expense, may be unaware of the financial and emotional costs of that decision. The price of hearing aids pales in comparison to the price of lost wages, lost promotions, lost opportunities and lower retirement income.
Pets and Hearing Aids- Don’t Let This Happen To You!
September 1st, 2009Patients often ask what kinds of ways their hearing aids might get damaged when they are considering various hearing aid insurance 
plans. One way that is surprisingly common is having them get chewed by their pets.
Your pet loves you and your own particular scent, which is also on your hearing aids. As a consequence, they are a natural magnet for your cat and/or dog. In order to keep them safe, it’s important to keep your hearing aids out of reach at all times, even when removed momentarily. You know how crafty pets can be! At night, store them in a closed box or dresser drawer in your bedroom. If you remove them throughout the day, perhaps have a couple closed containers in various rooms for convenient storage. Finally, call the National Battery Ingestion Hotline at (202) 625-3333 as soon as possible if your pet swallows a hearing aid battery in order to avoid esophogeal and gastric erosions. Keep your pets and hearing aids safe!
