Hearing loss can have a detrimental impact on one’s quality of life. A recent development in cognitive research shows that hearing loss can potentially affect one’s chances of becoming diagnosed with dementia. When it comes to brain health, it’s important to keep the brain stimulated and active. When a person experiences hearing loss, it can be difficult to complete the necessary cognitive processes. In turn, this can cause dementia to develop.
Wearing hearing aids can potentially decrease the chances that dementia occurs for a variety of reasons. With experience helping people in central New Jersey with services including hearing aid repairs and maintenance and VA community care, Horizon Audiology, Inc. talks about hearing loss and dementia.
In August 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved new guidance that allows hearing aids to be sold over-the-counter, instead of only via prescription. This regulatory change will help expand the availability of assistive devices in the United States and make hearing aids financially accessible for a broader range of customers. Learn more about over-the-counter hearing aids from Horizon Audiology, Inc., providing hearing care to people throughout central New Jersey.
New U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations mean hearing aids are now available without a prescription for the first time in the United States. This is good news for people with hearing loss, as over-the-counter hearing aids may be more accessible and affordable than prescription devices. But how do these two categories of hearing aids differ? Learn more about the differences between prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids from the team at Horizon Audiology, Inc., providing hearing care throughout central New Jersey.
Hearing loss is a medical issue typically associated with growing older. But once a patient experiences a problem with their hearing, they must seek the right medical attention. Hearing loss can cause many other issues or diseases, making treatment important for increasing one’s quality of life. Horizon Audiology, Inc., serving patients throughout central New Jersey, has extensive experience in hearing care, such as hearing protection, musician monitors, and hearing aid repairs and maintenance. Here, we discuss the disorders and issues patients with hearing loss can experience.
HORIZON AUDIOLOGY
OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
OUR OFFICE IS CURRENTLY CLOSED TO WALK-IN VISITORS
Nothing is more important than the health and well-being of our patients and employees. Our audiologists are still available to assist you in-person or over the phone.
Please call upon arrival or to schedule an appointment:
East Windsor – 609-448-9730
Pennington – 609-303-0291
MASKS ARE REQUIRED IN THE OFFICE AT ALL TIMES
In preparation for your appointment we have:
- Enhanced our regular cleaning and sanitation practices, including disinfecting exam rooms and equipment after each patient.
- Provided hand sanitizer for patients, visitors, and staff throughout the office.
- Enforced staff members who are sick to stay home until cleared by a medical doctor.
- Limited the number of people allowed in our waiting areas in compliance with CDC recommendations and allowed patients to wait in their cars.
- Monitored updates from local and national health agencies to ensure health and safety protocols are diligently followed.
Out of respect for our staff and patients, we request that if you are not feeling well at the time of your scheduled appointment, please call to reschedule.
Thank you for your understanding and support!
Question: What is the difference between Over-the-Counter (OTC) and Custom Fitted Hearing Aid Amplification Devices?
Answer:
OTCs are personal sound amplification devices (PSAPs). FDA defines PSAPs as being wearable consumer electronic product intended for non-hearing impaired individuals to use to augment hearing in environments, such as recreational activities. PSAPs are not intended to compensate for hearing impairment and they are one size fits all.
Custom Hearing aids on the other hand, are wearable devices designed for the purpose of aiding persons with impaired hearing. Hearing aids are considered Class 1 Medical Devices and are fitted by Audiologists or Hearing Healthcare Professionals. Hearing aids are measured to accommodate individual ears, sizes and shapes.
Improving hearing and communication requires more than increasing overall volume, which is about all PSAPs can do. Louder does not mean clearer. Louder can be noisy and uncomfortable. Most OTCs are amplifiers that make everything equally loud, including the speech you want to hear and environmental noise you don’t. Hearing aids are custom and programmed specifically to the degree and configuration of your hearing loss, providing amplification to the deficit frequencies. Instead of just making everything louder, hearing aids can actually discern between noise and speech you want to hear. Hearing aids can automatically adjust, enhancing speech while suppressing background noises. Hearing aids can help you hear better in wind, reverberate rooms, crowds, and other challenging listening environments. OTCs simply cannot do this.
Consumers are cautioned that by skipping the audiologic evaluation and health-care professional, underlying hearing issues could be missed or untreated. Untreated hearing loss has been linked to increased stress, anxiety, depression, cardiovascular disease, fall risks, dementia, and diabetes.
If you or someone you love is having difficulty hearing, listening, or communicating, Dr. Tara Fuchs and Dr. Jane Brady invite you to contact them for a consultation. Their offices are in East Windsor 609-448-9730 and Pennington 609-303-0291.
