November 28 2006
Frequently asked questions regarding hearing aid batteries.
This is an important document for users of Basin Audiology's battery club. This document is useful to all hearing aid users, but our patient's will benefit the most. For example, do you know how long you should wait after removing the battery tab before placing it in the hearing aid? Well, the correct answer is about 60 seconds! Also, how should you store the battery overnight? You'll find the answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding batteries in this document. I placed a link here (about 500kb's to download). to a pdf document that you can download to your computer. You will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader to view this file. If you need more information or don't know what Acrobat Reader is, don't despair. The reader is FREE for all computer operating systems. Click here to visit Adobe's site and download a reader.

September 13, 2006
I accidentally swallowed a hearing aid battery. Should I be worried?
YES, YES, and YES! This is a question that often comes up during new fittings and follow ups. On the back of every package of hearing aid batteries there is a warning about the danger of battery consumption and a phone number you can call --you can even call it collect--202-625-3333. Batteries can cause serious damage to your esophagus if they get hung up on the way to your stomach.

Here are the steps you should follow:

• Immediately call you physician. If you don't have a primary care physician, go the the emergency room.
• DO NOT TRY to induce vomiting. Stay away from the ipecac syrup.
• If you have time and are our patient, call the office and let us know what happened so that we can also contact your physician or the emergency room.
  • Also take along the battery package. It's not a requirement, but it will be helpful.
• You need an x-ray of the throat, chest, and stomach. If the battery is still in the throat/esophagus area, it will need to be removed immediately using a special type of fiber optic tool, endoscope. Damage to the esophagus can occur in as little as one hour.
• If the battery moved to your stomach, then you will need to monitor your elimination to ensure that it passes in the stool. If you don't notice it after a week you will need another X-ray.

If have placed a link here to the National Capital Poison Center. This is the contact for the phone number listed above. In addition, I placed a link here (about 70kb's to download). to a pdf document that you can download to your computer. You will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader to view this file. If you need more information or don't know what Acrobat Reader is, don't despair. The reader is FREE for all computer operating systems. Click here to visit Adobe's site and download the reader.

September 12, 2006
Frequently asked questions related to loud sounds.
Recently I was visiting the EAR site, www.e-a-r.com, to review specifications of disposable ear plugs. They have an excellent FAQ section with responses prepared by an expert in hearing protection devices, Elliott Berger, MS, audiologist. He frequently answers consumer and audiologist questions on noise inducted hearing loss and hearing conservation. He has responded to a number of questions that frequently come up in our office.I have listed these questions below with links to his original response as well as a copy of the response on our web site in pdf format. To view the pdf's, you will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader. If you need more information or don't know what Acrobat Reader is, don't despair. The reader is FREE for all computer operating systems. Click here to visit Adobe's site and download a reader.

• Can automotive air bags that deploy during an accident cause hearing loss, tinnitus, and sensitivity to loud sound? The short answer is Yes. You can visit the EAR FAQ site here for more detailed information. I also placed a link here (about 25kb's to download). to a pdf document with his response.
  
  
• Can listening to loud music during an aerobics class damage my hearing? You probably won't permanently damage your hearing after just one session, but repeated noise exposure definitely can cause permanent hearing loss. If your ears are ringing and/or feel plugged after the session, you probably have a temporary hearing loss. You can visit the EAR FAQ site here for more detailed information. I also placed a link here (about 90kb's to download). to a pdf document with his response.
  
  
• I am out with a friend shooting or cutting firewood and I forgot my ear protection. I had some cigarette butts that I pushed in my ears to protect my hearing. I should be OK? No, Cigarette butts are just about useless for protecting you hearing. What makes a good cigarette filter and what makes a good ear plug are almost opposites. The filters on cigarettes allow you to draw in air, and this also allows for sound to pass through without much decrease in loudness. The best thing that you can do if you are stuck next to someone cutting firewood or shooting is to back up and plug your ears with your fingers. You can visit the Audiology Online site here for more detailed information. I also placed a link here (about 290kb's to download). to a pdf document with his response.
  
  
• Isn't there a pill that prevents hearing loss and can reverse nerve damage? Maybe for the first part of the question and definitely no for the second part if the hearing loss was long standing. There have been trials with animals and subsequent published data that looks encouraging using an antioxidant over-the-counter supplement. However, there is no information on human trials and I still urge all of my patient's to protect their hearing whenever exposed to loud sound. You can visit the EAR FAQ site here for more detailed information. Dr Dobie provides the actual response. I also placed a link here (about 60kb's to download). to a pdf document with his response.

September 22, 2005
Is It OK To Lick My Hearing Aid Shell And Then Place It In The Ear?
NO, no, and NO. Some people wouldn't dream of doing this, but I am surprised every time I see it happen! Usually they do this to lubricate the shell. Recently Dr. Bankaitis covered this question in detail. The article was written specifically for audiologists, but I think that anyone who uses a hearing aid and wants to know why they "shouldn't lick'en and stick'em" should read the information. Don't download this article if you have a weak stomach!

I've placed a link to this small pdf file here (about 168kb's to download). This article is from the American Academy of Audiology website, www.audiology.org and was published in Audiology Today, Vol 17:6, 2005. You will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader to view this file. If you need more information or don't know what Acrobat Reader is, don't despair. The reader is FREE for all computer operating systems. Click here to visit Adobe's site and download a reader

August 15, 2005
Ear Candles--Can They Help Me To Hear Better?
NO, no, and NO. This is a question that frequently is asked. I am always amazed to learn that someone wants to start a fire next to their head with the hope that this will remove ear wax. Recently in the July issue of the Academy of Dispensing Audiologist Feedback magazine, Dr. Lisa Dryer responded to this question. Click here to visit a site which also contains her response. I've also posted a pdf here (it's an 8 page document about 38 KB's to download).to download. You will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader to view this file. If you need more information or don't know what Acrobat Reader is, don't despair. The reader is FREE for all computer operating systems. Click here to visit Adobe's site and download a reader.

June 27, 2005
Meniere's Disease: A review of current information
This is a group of articles that was published in the March/April 2004 ENT Journal. This issue featured Meniere's disease. I posted this last spring and then accidentally deleted the link shortly after--sorry! I scanned these articles and included them in a single pdf. The titles include:

• Diagnosis and Management of Meniere's Disease
• A Review of the Pathophysiology of Meniere's Disease
• Living with Meniere's Disease--What Helps?

I've placed a link to the pdf file here. (about 5.2 mb's to download). You will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader to view this file. If you need more information or don't know what Acrobat Reader is, don't despair. The reader is FREE for all computer operating systems. Click here to visit Adobe's site and download a reader.

June 1, 2005
BHI Hearing Check
In addition to offering the Guide above, BHI features a new 15-question hearing check that is completed and scored online for adults. It is a quick screening assessment to determine if you possibly have a hearing loss that should be evaluated further. Click here to visit the test page. I've also placed a link here (approximate size is 52K) for you to download the screener in pdf format. By downloading, you will be able to print out the test and review it without being connected to the internet.

January 16, 2005
Can I reuse my Dad's hearing aids?
This is a question that I often receive. Sometimes a son asks about his dad's hearing aid, but other times it a friend asking about using hearing aids that were given to them The answer to this quesiton is usually no, but sometime yes! I have a good explanation for you to read below. You will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader to view this file. If you need more information or don't know what Acrobat Reader is, click here to learn more. Click here to download this short answer.

January 13, 2004
Ototoxicity
This is a great article to read if you want to learn how medications can effect your hearing. I just added the second portion of a two part series. You will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader to view this file. If you need more information or don't know what an Acrobat Reader is, click here to learn more. Click here to download this article.

December 3, 2003
Auditory Processing Disorder
This is a new application that I created to help parents, teachers, and other professionals understand Auditory Processing Disorder. Click here to go to the download page and learn more.

Note to webmasters: I will be moving the above information on this tool at some point Do not link to this page. Click here to go to the permanent page. Thanks

November 12, 2003
Cell Phones and Hearing Aids
This is a good article to read if you want to know how digital cell phones work with hearing aids. You will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader to view this file. If you need more information or don't know what an Acrobat Reader is, click here to learn more. Click here to download this article. Also, see our follow-up article from 10/2006 on cell phones, telecoils, and hearing aids here.

October 21, 2003
Tinnitus and Hearing loss
This is a very good article to read if you are trouble by tinnitus. You will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader to view this file. If you need more information or don't know what an Acrobat Reader is, click here to learn more. Click here to download this article.

March 25, 2003
Hearing, Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids: 2003 Issues and Answers
This is a very good article to read if you suspect that you have hearing loss or know that you need help with an existing hearing loss. It is 10 pages long and full of excellent information. You will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader to view this file. If you need more information or don't know what an Acrobat Reader is, click here to learn more. Click here to download this article

March 3, 2003
But What's Wrong With Q-Tips
The title of this article says it all! This article was written by Max Chartrand, PhD. Click here to read. You will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader to view these files. If you need more information or don't know what an Acrobat Reader is, click here to learn more.

March 3, 2003
Hearing Aid Batteries
About hearing aid batteries as reviewed in an nterview with Norman Ryan of Energizer Batteries. Click here to read. You will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader to view these files. If you need more information or don't know what an Acrobat Reader is, click here to learn more.

December 3, 2002
Report For New Hearing Aid Users--Setting Appropriate Expectations:
I was reading the December Audiology Online newsletter and came across this article by Mandy Lutz, Hearing Aids And The Consumer. This is an excellent 3 page report that explains what a new hearing aid user needs to know about setting appropriate expectations. You will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader to view this file. If you need more information or don't know what an Acrobat Reader is, click here to learn more. Click here to download it now. (approx. 151K)

Why Don't People Who Need Hearing Aids Get Them?
This is a good article written by Sam Trychin that examines in detail reasons why people don't get help with their hearing when they need it. It's plain talk about getting help. Click here to view this article.. You'll need Acrobat Reader to view the file. To learn more about Acrobat Reader, click here.

What my new hearing aids mean to me.
This is a great article for the new hearing aid users to read. It's plain talk about learning to hear again. Click here to view this article.. You'll need Acrobat Reader to view the file. To learn more about Acrobat Reader, click here.

A Hearing Aid Trouble Shooting Guide For Patients and Families.
This is an article written by Robert Martin, This article is a quick and easy reference guide to making a hearing aid work again. Click here to view this article now. Click here to automatically download a pdf version, HA_Trouble_Shooting.pdf, approximately 16k, of this article. You will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader to view this file. If you need more information or don't know what an Acrobat Reader is, click here to learn more.

Hearing Aid Technology: What Consumers Need To Know
I was reading the January/February issue of of Hearing Loss, a publication of SHHH, and found a great article on hearing aid technology written my Harriet Kaplan. This is an excellent 8 page article that explains the types of hearing aid technology available today. I've retyped the article and scanned the images. Unfortunately, the article is too long to display, but I have it available for downloading. Click here to automatically download a pdf version,Need To Know.pdf approximately 200k, of this article. You will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader to view this file. If you need more information or don't know what an Acrobat Reader is, click here to learn more.

NCOA publishes an article on hearing loss and aging.
This article was published on May 26, 1999 and discusses the link between hearing loss and depression. Click here to download a pdf version of the report.