10 Ways to Stop Your Hearing Loss from Getting Worse
Nov 15, 2021

10 Ways to Stop Your Hearing Loss from Getting Worse

You’re not alone if you’re having issues with hearing loss. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has identified hearing loss as the third most common chronic health problem in the country.

For me, hearing loss is much more than a matter of statistics. As a child, seeing my father’s struggles with hearing loss inspired me to become an audiologist. I wanted to help people with hearing loss have full lives with their family and friends. That’s why sharing strategies to stop hearing loss from getting worse is a critical part of our work at Johnson Audiology.

 

Try to Avoid Noisy Places

If possible, it’s best to stay away from loud environments. Since most of us aren’t walking around with sound level meters, we need another way to tell when the noise level is not safe for our ears. One sign the surroundings are too noisy is you have to raise your voice to be heard by someone who is within three feet.

 

Stay Away From Loud Noises

It only takes one exposure to loud noise for your hearing to get worse. For example, being too close to firecrackers or sirens once could damage your hearing. A more common danger is regular or prolonged exposure to moderate noise. These sounds come from everyday items like power tools, gas-powered lawnmowers, factory machinery, and even poorly-designed children’s toys.

Using headphones and earbuds at a high volume also can damage your hearing. We recommend keeping the volume level below 60 percent (just past halfway).

 

Use Hearing Protection

It’s important to wear hearing protection when you have to be around loud noises. Using either earplugs or snug-fitting protective earmuffs is helpful. Wearing protective earmuffs and earplugs together provides greater protection. Earplugs and protective earmuffs are widely available online or over-the-counter from hardware stores and home improvement stores. When hearing protection is necessary at work, federal regulations require your employer to provide it as personal protective equipment.

 

Know the Signs of Hearing Loss

It’s possible to have hearing loss and be unaware of it. You should schedule a hearing assessment in Chattanooga if:

You have difficulty hearing over the phone

People sound muffled in person

You hear ringing or hissing in one or both ears

You have trouble hearing high-pitch sounds like birds or the doorbell

You’re always asking people to repeat themselves, speak louder, or more slowly

 

Take Care of Your Overall Health

Making healthy choices is good for hearing health and your overall health. A healthy diet is associated with a lower risk of hearing loss. Getting enough sleep, lowering stress, and staying physically active is good for your ears and the rest of your body. In contrast, smoking increases your risk of many health problems, including hearing loss.


Look Into Your Family History

Learning your family history can reveal health problems that can have an impact on your hearing. Of course, you want to find out if there’s a history of hearing issues. It’s also a good idea to learn if any chronic health problems like diabetes run in your family. People with certain chronic illnesses, such as high blood pressure , have higher rates of hearing loss than the general population. When you’re aware of your risk for chronic health problems, you can work with your primary care physician to lower your risk.

 

Get Regular Hearing Exams

Annual hearing tests are essential for anyone who has hearing loss. Each year your audiologist will compare the result of that year’s exam to your previous tests. Regular examinations allow your hearing specialist to catch problems early.

 

Listen to Your Loved Ones

Your friends and family may realize you’re having more trouble with your hearing before you do. Your loved ones may say you’re always asking them to speak more clearly or slowly. They may have noticed that you tend to switch ears on the telephone. Your family may complain you’re turning the volume too loud on the television. When your loved ones suggest you see a hearing specialist, it’s time to make an appointment.

 

Take Steps to Prevent Head Injuries

An appropriate helmet is necessary when you’re playing contact sports like football or rugby. Your employer should provide a hard hat if your job puts you at higher risk for a head injury; if they don’t, we encourage you to invest in one.

 

Make the Most of Your Hearing

If your hearing loss has had an impact on your lifestyle, hearing aids may be helpful. We can adjust them to meet your specific needs. However, they’re only effective when you use them. If you’re concerned about how they look, there’s no need to worry. Due to the wide variety of styles available, many hearing aids are barely visible.

If you’re struggling with hearing loss, scheduling your hearing assessment is a great way to start protecting your hearing. Contact us today at Johnson Audiology to make an appointment.


By Jan Hollingsworth 09 Jan, 2024
Johnson Audiology is pleased to announce that the practice will be moving one of its Chattanooga area offices from its current location on Gunbarrel Road to a new location at 6830 Lee Highway. The move will take place January 15. “We are extremely excited to be re-locating to a much larger space later this month,” Dr. Megan Johnson, founder and owner of the award-winning practice, says. “About a year ago, we realized that we needed more room to meet the needs of our growing patient base so we could help even more people with hearing loss. We sought a place that would allow us to stay in the East Brainerd/Hamilton Place area so that the office would still be conveniently located for patients. Our Hixson office will remain at 5617 Highway 153, Suite 203 and is also being upgraded with a second sound booth and beautiful new decor. These two strategically located offices mean that we can continue to serve patients who live east and west of the Tennessee River.” Dr. Johnson says that when she identified the building on Lee Highway, she knew it was an ideal site for this next growth leap. “Our company culture is anchored on the premise of always offering an exceptional patient experience,” she says. “Thanks to our wonderful family of Johnson Audiology patients, we have outgrown our current office and have found the perfect location for offering the best care to even more of our Chattanooga neighbors.” The new location offers many positive features that will benefit patients: The office is conveniently located off Lee Highway in the area between Shallowford Road and Hickory Valley Road, directly behind Dr. Keith B. Dressler’s orthodontic practice. It is a stand-alone office that is not shared with any other businesses. The building is more than 4,000 square feet, which is double the space of the current office on Gunbarrel Road. The added square footage will accommodate a spacious patient welcome and reception area, three sound booths for hearing testing, and a private area for patient check-out. The building has exam rooms for four full time audiologists and an audiology assistant, a large front desk area, and a sizeable lab for hearing aid maintenance and repair. The office has ample space for the practice’s growing Cochlear Implant (CI) Program with a dedicated sound booth and exam area just for CI patients. The building design allows for easy circular patient flow throughout the office. The building has a dedicated, 20-space parking lot just for Johnson Audiology patients and additional parking for Johnson Audiology staff. Dr. Johnson mentions that the building was a non-medical office previously, so updates were needed to bring it up to par for a bustling hearing health care clinic. It currently is being remodeled, and the parking lot resurfaced. “We have plans to transition to the new building by January 15 with some final touches to the office’s aesthetics continuing through the spring,” she says.  Dr. Johnson wishes to assure folks that measures are in place to alleviate disruption to the service patients receive during this time and thanks patients in advance for their continued support and understanding during the transition. “The new office is going to be incredible!” she says. Initial correspondence has been delivered to patients about the move. Dr. Johnson says, “Patients who have appointments scheduled in early January or those who need walk-in service for hearing aid maintenance and supplies from now until January 15 should continue visiting the Gunbarrel Road location.” Dr. Johnson says, “In February, we will invite our friends and neighbors in the Chattanooga community to an open house celebration, where we will do an official reveal of the new space!” Johnson Audiology has been faithfully serving the citizens of Chattanooga since the practice opened its doors on October 1, 2009. “As we prepare to celebrate our 15th anniversary this year, the new office location on Lee Highway and the upgrades to the Hixson office are evidence of our commitment to patients.” Dr. Johnson goes on to say, “Chattanoogans have named Johnson Audiology Best of the Best in the category of Favorite Audiologist and Hearing Aid Clinic for 11 years straight. And they consistently name Johnson Audiology in the top three in the category of Best Customer Service among all Chattanooga businesses. We seek to live up to those accolades daily!” Dr. Johnson concludes, “One of our patients, Mr. Van Tenpenny, recently had this to say about us: ‘My visit to Johnson Audiology has been life changing! After decades of hearing loss, I am able to hear normal conversations in any environment.’ It is our highest ideal to be here for Mr. Tenpenny and the thousands of other patients like him who prioritize their hearing for the best quality of life.” Do you want to get on the road to healthy hearing? Johnson Audiology is currently accepting new patients at all locations. Call today to schedule an appointment or book online at www.johnsonaudiology.com/schedule.
15 Aug, 2023
Tinnitus, often described as a persistent ringing or buzzing sound in the ears, is a common auditory phenomenon that affects millions of people worldwide. While tinnitus is not a disease itself, it can be a symptom of an underlying issue. At Johnson Audiology, we are committed to helping you understand tinnitus and guiding you through the steps to manage this often-distressing condition. Understanding Tinnitus Tinnitus can vary in intensity and pitch, and it may present as a constant sound or come and go intermittently. It can be caused by a range of factors, including exposure to loud noise, age-related hearing loss, earwax blockage, and even certain medications. Tinnitus can impact your quality of life, leading to sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, and emotional distress. Steps to Manage Tinnitus Consult an Audiologist: If you're experiencing tinnitus, the first step is to seek professional help. A university-trained audiologist, a hearing health specialist, can conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine the underlying cause of your tinnitus and its impact on your hearing. Identify Underlying Causes: Tinnitus often has an underlying cause, such as hearing loss, a medical condition, or exposure to loud noise. An audiologist can help identify these causes and recommend appropriate treatment options. Customized Treatment Plans: Based on the evaluation, your audiologist will develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Treatment approaches may include: Hearing Aids: If hearing loss is contributing to your tinnitus, hearing aids can help by amplifying external sounds and reducing the perception of the tinnitus. More than 90% of those who have tinnitus, also, have hearing loss, even if the loss is mild. Sound Therapy: Sound therapy involves using external sounds, such as white noise or nature sounds, to mask or distract from the tinnitus noise. Counseling: Counseling and education can help you better understand tinnitus and learn coping strategies to manage its impact on your daily life. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT): TRT combines sound therapy and counseling to help you habituate to the tinnitus and reduce its perception over time. Lifestyle Modifications: Your audiologist may recommend lifestyle changes, such as managing stress, avoiding loud noise exposure, and adopting healthy sleep habits. Monitor and Adjust: Tinnitus management is an ongoing process. Regular follow-up appointments with your audiologist allow for adjustments to treatment plans based on your progress and changing needs. Seek Support: Tinnitus can be emotionally distressing. It is important to seek support from friends, family, and even support groups where you can connect with others who are experiencing similar challenges. While tinnitus can be disruptive, understanding the condition and taking proactive steps to manage it can lead to improved quality of life. At Johnson Audiology, our dedicated team of audiologists is here to guide you through the journey of tinnitus management, providing the expertise and support you need to find relief and regain control over your hearing health. Contact us today to take the first step toward a more peaceful and harmonious auditory experience.
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