What is APD?

For some individuals, hearing difficulties can go beyond the loss of acuity at certain pitches. In fact, some individuals with “normal hearing” results on our traditional hearing test can still exhibit significant struggle hearing in their everyday life. Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) was first officially described in 1992 by the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and it is defined as having difficulty retrieving, transforming, analyzing, organizing, and storing auditory information. In more basic terms, individuals with APD have difficulty in properly “hearing” the auditory message, even though the ears are able to hear the acoustic signals themselves. The ears and the brain don’t seem to fully coordinate/ communicate, as something adversely affects the brain’s ability to interpret the sounds. We hear with our brain, not our ears.

What are some common complaints from individuals with APD?

• hearing in background noise is very difficult
• often require repetition
• when concentrated on another task, often struggle to hear speech
• difficulty following directions given in a series
• trouble taking in information presented in an auditory format
• hears better when watching the speaker
• problems with rapid speech

How do Audiologists test for APD?

At Hearing Institute Atlantic, we do use the QUICK-SIN, an additional test designed to test speech perception in background noise, which can help identify when possible processing deficits may exist. This is something additional to the traditional hearing test that is typically offered at most private clinics, and we have integrated it into our regular hearing tests to examine a more functional side of an individual’s hearing.

If an audiologist or other health professional has concerns with the individual’s auditory processing abilities, a referral to Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech Centers is made for the APD test battery. This is a variety of tests, designed to examine the many different types of auditory processing activities.

We hear with our brain, not our ears!

During the month of May, to encourage our communities to take our annual hearing check challenge, we offer free hearing tests! There is no better time to come in for a checkup.

If you have a hearing aid, make sure it gets a good cleaning for Spring either by calling your audiologist, or doing it yourself:

1) Change the waxguard (certain models only)

2) Change the domes (certain models only)

3) Have your audiologist change the tubes (certain models only)

4) Check your stay-dri jar; is the decissant brick the appropriate color?

5) Set up an appointment for a hearing aid performance check if you have not had one in the last six months.

For example: Can I purchase a hearing aid off of Kijiji? My second cousin just got new hearing aids, can I wear his old hearing aids?

Think of it on the flip side: would you take another person’s glasses and judge your potential success with glasses based on their glasses? Most people understand that glasses have both a prescription for the lens and a fit of the frame, and wouldn’t dream of wearing another person’s glasses as their own.

Hearing aids are much the same. They are a prescriptive medical device, both fit to your physical ear and programmed for your specific hearing loss and your lifestyle. First, the hearing aid itself is prescribed for you by an audiologist, who considers your hearing loss, dexterity and vision, technology needs, and many other factors when choosing a device to recommend.

Second, after choosing the hearing aid, it is either fit to your ear (as is the case with behind the ear hearing aids) in the office, or custom made using an earmold impression to your ear.

Third, after the physical fit of the hearing aid is finalized by the audiologist, the hearing aid is programmed specifically for your hearing loss and listening needs. This is based on the hearing test, as well as detailed case history and discussion between the patient and the audiologist. This can’t happen appropriately without face to face time with your audiologist; programming of a hearing aid can be very different, even for the same hearing test results. A 95 year old may have the same hearing test results as a 32 year old, but they don’t necessarily have the same listening demands for the hearing aid and thus the hearing aid should not have the same programming.

Wearing someone else’s hearing aid may actually cause more damage, as it may provide too much volume and may lead to more hearing loss.

Your ears are important. Don’t take chances when it comes to your hearing.

1) How do I know what battery to use? Hearing aid batteries come in 2 types, either disposable or rechargeable, and 4 sizes, size 10, 312, 13, and 675. Rechargeable batteries are available in certain hearing aids, and have to be replaced roughly once a year and charged after each usage. Disposable batteries are used until they are dead, and then disposed of. If you forget the size of your hearing aid battery, all packages are color coded so as long as you remember the color of the tab, you can remember your size. Yellow = size 10, brown = size 312, orange =size 13, blue = size 675.

2) How long should my battery last? Battery lifespan depends on both the size of the battery, and the power demands from the hearing aid. The smaller the battery, the shorter the lifespan; the more power or signal processing in the hearing aid, the shorter the lifespan of the battery as there is a higher power draw. On average, a size 10 battery will last 4-5 days, a size 312 will last roughly 6-7 days, and a 13 battery 8-9 days.

3) How long will my hearing aid batteries last in the box with the sticker on? Hearing aid batteries will have a “best before” date on the box, and normally the shelf life is a few years. Fresh batteries are best, but you can stock up on batteries when you find a good deal as the shelf life is quite long.

4) What happens once the sticker tab is pulled off? Once the sticker is pulled off the battery, the battery is active and losing power. This is why you don’t peel the sticker off until right before you put the battery in your hearing aid. It is a good idea to put the sticker on your wall calendar so you can track your battery life!

5) Why is it encouraged to open the battery door of the hearing aid when not in use? Even though the battery is active once the sticker is pulled off, it is still important to open the battery door so the hearing aid isn’t drawing power while not in your ear. This prolongs battery life and prevents corrosion of the battery compartment.

6) Where should I store my extra batteries? It is ideal to store batteries at room temperature; avoid storing them in direct sunlight or in extreme temperatures (so avoid leaving them in the car or on the windowsill).

7) Are hearing aid batteries safe for pets? Hearing aid batteries should not be swallowed by adults, children, or pets. Visit http://www.poison.org/battery/ if a battery is consumed.

8) What do the beeps mean?? Anytime your hearing aid beeps without you pressing a button, it is telling you something. Most likely, it is telling you that the battery is low and it needs to be changed. This doesn’t mean that your hearing aid is slowly dying off and you’re getting a weak signal, but rather that you should change the battery before it dies completely.

Hearing aid batteries keep you hearing your best. Understanding their functioning and their role in your hearing aid are essential to success!

Beth & Sarah got caught on camera by Snap Halifax last week. They were doing hearing screenings at the Berkeley for May – Speech & Hearing month!

Following my graduation last May, I, very fortunately, began working with the Hearing Institute Atlantic as a Client Care Representative.  I have experienced firsthand how exceptional the hearing aid technology is and how it has the ability to improve the quality of one’s life. Hearing is not only one of the most valuable of the senses, it has the ability to keep one safe (alarms, cars etc.) and help one stay connected to their world. I’ve seen patient’s attitudes, behaviors and lifestyles change completely once they are able to hear and engage in the everyday world. This is why this profession excites me, makes me happy when I go to work and I believe will make me a dedicated audiologist.

I find it hard to believe almost a year has gone by.  I have experienced an exceptional learning curve since being at the Hearing Institute Atlantic and have enjoyed working here so very much. Everyone has been so supportive, kind and encouraging. I have recently been accepted to the Western Masters program in Clinical Audiology and couldn’t be happier or more excited. Working in the field has been instrumental in fostering the passion I have to help those with hearing loss and the field of audiology, and has validated that this is truly the profession for me.  I am so excited to learn more about the field and to be totally immersed in it. Wish me luck and thank you Hearing Institute Atlantic!

                                                                                                   -Beth Conrod

Beth has been working in our Bedford Clinic for the past year and we are thrilled that she has been accepted into the Audiology program at Western. Good luck Beth!

While this is one of the first studies revealing this link and requires further research, it is important to be aware of all your medications and if there are potential side effects that could affect your hearing.

Curhan, Shargarodsky, Eavey, & Curhan (2012).  Analgesic Use and the Risk of Hearing Loss in Women. American Journal of Epidemiology.

Nicotine causes vasoconstriction, including the blood vessels that supply oxygen to the inner ear. Without adequate blood flow, the oxygen deprived regions of the cochlear can deteriorate, resulting in hearing loss.

Lalwani AK, Liu Y-H, Weitzman M (2011). Secondhand Smoke and Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Adolescents. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.

Viagra (and other similar performance enhancing drugs) have been linked to 47 cases of rapid, sudden hearing loss in a UK study (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/lary.21450/abstract) that coined the term “Viagra Deafness”. Since that study, there have been hundreds of other studies corroborating their findings and suggesting that sudden hearing loss is a risk of taking the little blue pill.

While the extent of the risk has not been officially determined, it is important to be aware of all your medications and if there are potential side effects that could affect your hearing.

Khan, Khan, & Benjamin (2011). Viagra Deafness- Sensorineural hearing loss and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors. The Laryngoscope.