August 9th, 2010
As it stands today, Medicare coverage for audiology services requires a physician referral. However, a bill introduced in Congress last summer would allow Medicare recipients to directly seek audiological services without medical referral. Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA) recently added his name to the growing list of 70 Congress members co-sponsoring H.R. 3024, the Medicare Hearing Health Care Enhancement Act.
Medicare coverage for audiology services is currently limited to hearing evaluations to rule out medical involvement. What this essentially means is that your initial hearing evaluation would be covered, as your first hearing evaluation is always intended to rule out medical involvement. Subsequent tests performed every year or so in order to monitor changes in hearing typically are not.
Rome wasn’t build in a day- we are encouraged by every legislative “baby step” that leads to improved access and coverage for our patients!
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August 2nd, 2010
You have probably heard the qualifiers at the end of Viagra advertisements warning “seek immediate medical attention if you notice any sudden change in hearing”. While the risk of hearing loss has long been reported for those taking Viagra, prompting the FDA to require a warning label on the bottle in 2007, the actual data validating that risk has not been quantified until now.
A recent study of 11,525 men over the age of 40, performed at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, found a significant association between Viagra and permanent hearing loss for the first time. Men who used Viagra were more than twice as likely to report hearing loss than those who did not. Men who used Cialis or Levitra also reported a higher than normal incidence of hearing loss; however, the rate was not determined to statistically significant.
Dr. Gerald McGwin, the lead author in the study, suggests that increased blood flow associated with Viagra use may be the mechanism responsible for damage to the auditory system. He goes on to warn “it is prudent that patients using these medications be warned about the signs and symptoms of hearing impairment and be encouraged to seek immediate medical attention to potentially forestall permanent damage”.
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March 1st, 2010
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February 24th, 2010
Well, 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
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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.
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January 31st, 2010
I (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.
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November 30th, 2009
In 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 »
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November 17th, 2009
Do 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!
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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!
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November 8th, 2009
We 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 »
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