Northgate Hearing Services, Seattle WA » Uncategorized http://www.northgatehearing.com/blog Providing Seattle with Hearing Evaluation, Hearing Aids and Hearing Protection Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:40:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 en hourly 1 Can Smoking Cause Hearing Loss? http://www.northgatehearing.com/blog/can-smoking-cause-hearing-loss/ http://www.northgatehearing.com/blog/can-smoking-cause-hearing-loss/#comments Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:16:34 +0000 Lori http://www.northgatehearing.com/blog/?p=95 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!The underlying mechanisms that cause such ear damage are fourfold:

1. The nicotine in cigarettes is a known ototoxic drug, related to increased hearing loss, tinnitus and dizziness.

2. Cigarettes are vasodilators (i.e constrict the blood vessels); as such they reduce oxygen supply to the inner ear hair cells.

3. Cigarettes generate free radicals in our bodies which can damage inner ear hair cells.

4. Smoking subdues the mechanism in the ears that protect us from loud noises, thus increasing our vulnerability to noise induced hearing loss.

If there weren’t enough reasons to avoid smoking, we now have one more!

]]> http://www.northgatehearing.com/blog/can-smoking-cause-hearing-loss/feed/ 0 Academy of Doctors of Audiology Convention http://www.northgatehearing.com/blog/academy-of-doctors-of-audiology-convention/ http://www.northgatehearing.com/blog/academy-of-doctors-of-audiology-convention/#comments Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:07:03 +0000 Lori http://www.northgatehearing.com/blog/?p=86 ada_logo

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!

]]> http://www.northgatehearing.com/blog/academy-of-doctors-of-audiology-convention/feed/ 0 Mission Concert for Hearing Impaired Children in Guatemala http://www.northgatehearing.com/blog/mission-concert-for-hearing-impaired-children-in-guatemala/ http://www.northgatehearing.com/blog/mission-concert-for-hearing-impaired-children-in-guatemala/#comments Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:00:40 +0000 Lori http://www.northgatehearing.com/blog/?p=54 mission concert final

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!

]]> http://www.northgatehearing.com/blog/mission-concert-for-hearing-impaired-children-in-guatemala/feed/ 0