The American workforce is changing. The rate of young people entering the job market has slowed, and employees with experience are working longer. An increasing number of manufacturing positions are being replaced by service and tech occupations that prioritize excellent communication skills.The Hearing Loss Association of America believes as many as 60 percent of Americans with hearing loss are either in the workforce or in educational settings. That means that the 60 percent of the nearly 40 million Americans with hearing loss are still working.
Make hearing protection part of every wellness program
“In today’s service and knowledge based economy, good communication is critical to business success for both the employer and employee,” writes the non-profit Better Hearing Institute (BHI). And with many jobs involving damaging noise levels, hearing loss should be a workplace wellness priority. For example, hearing tests and hearing healthcare should be included in workplace wellness programs, and hearing protection protocols should be implemented in appropriate industries where noise exposure is dangerous (i.e. construction or factory work).Additionally, treating hearing loss and making workplace accommodations for employees with hearing loss can help ensure optimal on-the-job performance. “Treating hearing loss early is no longer an option. It is a career imperative,” says Sergei Kochkin, previous executive director of the Better Hearing Institute (BHI). “Great workplace communication is critical to both job performance and to getting a job. Great communication starts with great listening. And great listening starts with the ability to hear.”Here are six more reasons hearing loss should be a workplace priority:
- Noise-induced hearing loss is preventable. By instituting hearing protection protocols, occupational noise-induced hearing loss is preventable.
- Exposure to dangerous noise levels can cause permanent hearing loss and other health problems.Other health problems include headaches, elevated blood pressure, fatigue, irritability, digestive disorders, and an increased susceptibility to colds and infections.
- Untreated hearing loss increases the risk of falling and hospitalization. According to a Johns Hopkins study, middle aged people between the ages of 40-69 with a mild hearing loss were three times more likely than those with normal hearing to report a history of falls. The presence of hearing loss in older populations, age 70 and older, was linked to an increase in hospitalizations and poorer mental and physical health.
- Untreated hearing loss can impact job performance. Ninety-five percent of employees who suspect they have a hearing problem but have not sought treatment admit that their untreated hearing loss impacts their job performance according to EPIC’s “Listen Hear” survey.
- Untreated hearing loss can adversely affect productivity and earnings. A national study by the Better Hearing Institute found that people with untreated hearing loss make nearly $30,000 less annually. The same study found that treating hearing loss with hearing aids significantly reduces the risk of income loss.
- It’s about your overall health, not just hearing health. Studies have linked the top three wellness concerns for American employers, obesity, diabetes and smoking to an increased risk for hearing loss.
Federal and state workplace regulations reduce the health risks associated with noise exposure by protecting employees from unsafe listening levels via the limits set by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA limits the amount of time employees are exposed to noise exceeding 90 decibels and requires hearing protection when noise levels exceed 90 decibels.If you think you may have a hearing loss, make an appointment with South Suburban Hearing Health Centers today to get a hearing test and talk about your possible options!Hearing health is important, so be sure to discuss hearing related workplace accommodations with your employer. Hearing your best can help your health, job performance, and potentially your career.
For people who say a mild hearing loss is “no big deal,” research shows that it has the potential to turn into a very big deal over time.The good news? Research also tells us that treating hearing loss early can mitigate many of the consequences those with untreated hearing loss often face. Early action also offers other benefits as well.Do you ever feel any of the above feelings? Do you ever feel like you just can't explain why you can't hear certain things? Please 
Hearing aids today don’t just help provide better hearing. With the incredible advances in today’s mobile technology, hearing aids are able to work with our mobile phones, smartwatches and tablets. Apart from our hearing aids, we have mobile apps that can help us manage our tinnitus, tell us when to wear hearing protection and more!We caught up with Chris Howes, Senior Strategic Software Product Manager, and Penny Tyson, Product Manager, to talk about some of Starkey’s most popular mobile apps and how they can provide healthy hearing benefits. Below are summaries of the apps and some questions we asked Chris and Penny.
Hearing loss has been linked to a number of other health concerns in recent years, especially to cognitive decline, dementia and Alzheimer’s. Adults with hearing loss are 
Do you remember when glasses were thought to be “bad”? Once upon a time, eyeglasses came with their own negative stigma, and wearing them often resulted in being called “four eyes,” “brainiac” or “dork.” Bifocals were considered the glasses of the elderly, and for younger teens, glasses often unfairly got you branded as “bookworm” or “weakling.” You were picked last for sports and you were thought to know everything in class.Fast forward to today, and eyeglasses are a sought-after fashion accessory! People who don’t need glasses buy them anyway, and if you want the best example of how far glasses have come, look no further than the Warby Parker website!Now, hearing aids are undergoing the same transformation glasses went through. Once thought to indicate “old age” or an “inability,” hearing aids are now looked at as sleek, technologically advanced hearables that can not only help our health but provide us with entertainment capabilities as well.
The features inside hearing aids are pretty incredible. Hearing aids can identify noisy environments and make adjustments automatically to maximize speech and reduce noise levels — helping you stay comfortable and relaxed even in the most challenging listening environments.Muse, our brand-new family of 900sync technology hearing aids offer a lot of benefits for patients who want variety, flexibility and personalization.Here are the top eight benefits of Muse:
If you've got hearing loss or know someone who does, welcome to the (growing) club. Hearing loss is the third most common medical condition for adults, after arthritis and heart disease, and affects an estimated 765 million adults globally, according to the World Health Organization. For anyone dealing with hearing loss — you are definitely not alone.The good news? According to the Better Hearing Institute, for 90-95 percent of people with hearing loss, hearing aids are an option.If you're ready to learn more about hearing aids
Hearing loss can be hard to identify at times, but for film producer and avid outdoorsman Christopher Free, 41, he’s known for a while that hearing aids would be in his future. Born in Saginaw, Michigan, Chris estimates his hearing loss began over 20 years ago. This March, he decided to pursue hearing aids and has already seen incredible benefits.“I’ve had a few tests over the last 15 years and have been borderline needing hearing aids,” he said.” “In 2012, when my mother, Joyce Free, received her last hearing aids, the audiologist said I would be needing them in three to five years. I received a test last year and was told I needed hearing aids.”As a gas station cashier and established film producer, hearing conversations and environmental sounds is important. Christopher has produced over six feature films as well as music videos but also works on other films or at concerts doing camera work, lighting, special effects, casting and sound work. But, with a mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss, Christopher experienced challenges both at home and at work.“Over the last couple of years, I have done sound on three feature films. I typically wear headphones that are hooked into a sound recorder or camera. I always had to adjust the sound levels and turn the volume up,” he said. At the gas station, Christopher noted further difficulties. “I often have to ask people to repeat what they said, or I will repeat back to them to make sure what I thought I heard them say was correct. I have at times thought I heard something else. I usually would hear a voice but understanding them would be a problem.”Additionally, Christopher noted his hearing loss caused difficulties with enjoying media and having phone conversations. “I would turn the TV volume up and would have a hard time understanding people on the phone,” Christopher said. “I would playback the voicemail, or the answering machine, because I couldn’t understand someone. I would sometimes speak louder to compensate for my hearing loss, without knowing, and I often found myself hearing certain types of sounds better than others.”In early March, Christopher was fit with Halo 2 hearing aids by Dr. Emily Gaines of Eye Centers of Tennessee. These are his first set of hearing aids but he’s already experienced numerous benefits!“I love them,” Christopher said. “I actually get to enjoy listening to nature outside much better again. Sounds I normally am unable to hear or barely hear, I am now hearing. I don’t have to turn the TV up as loud and can hear voices much better. I am able to hear others without asking them to repeat as often, and I am constantly using the streaming features for the iPhone! I really love that I can stream all my phone calls from iPhone 5S into my hearing aid.”Other benefits Christopher has experienced so far with his Halo 2 hearing aids are improved management of his tinnitus (he experiences a constant ringing without his hearing aids in) and listening comfort in various environments.Learn more about Halo 2 hearing aids today by 
Regular tests, screenings and checkups should be a part of any active adult's health regimen. Exercising regularly, twice-annual dental visits and lab work performed at annual doctor checkups, all are important to overall health and wellness.But what about our ears? How do we keep them healthy and stay in front of—or catch early—any abnormalities, especially as we get older?Annual hearing tests are the best way to keep track of your hearing and to catch any sudden or gradual changes. Over 360 million people worldwide have disabling hearing loss, and one in three adults aged 65 and older have some degree of hearing loss. Yet despite these numbers, surprisingly few people test their hearing on a regular basis.If you're proactive about your health and want to be able to always live life to the fullest, getting your hearing tested on regular basis is an easy step you can take.If you don't have hearing loss, it sets a good baseline for future tests. And if you do, catching and treating it early could have profoundly impact your quality of life.Not sure who to see? Call
Having a hearing loss can be difficult. But trying to explain it to someone who has normal hearing can be even harder. For example, try explaining the difference between “hearing” and “understanding” to someone with normal hearing. It can take hours.To help provide a better understanding of what it’s like to really live with hearing loss, we ask hearing professionals in the Starkey Greenhouse Class each fall to participate in an experiment. They are asked to wear earplugs for six hours straight and then journal their experiences as part of their training in this special class.Below are excerpts from last year’s class. They show how just one day with a mild-to-moderate hearing loss can impact someone’s life at home, at work, alone and in social settings.Hearing loss can increase stress, worry and cause frustration and embarrassmentChristy B. chose to wear her earplugs at work. What she experiences is what someone with untreated hearing loss often goes through every day in many professional environments:“I felt very stressed and tense. I spent the whole time concentrating, and more than once, felt the need to take [the earplugs] out because it was interfering with my work. I felt insecure as if I had to stay on my toes to not miss anything. I caught myself repeating what coworkers said for confirmation. I wouldn’t take my eyes off them because I didn’t want to miss anything, and it was embarrassing to ask them to keep repeating things. Nothing was as clear as I felt it should be and that was frustrating.”At home, Christy described the following: “I was exhausted. I spent most of the day living in a slightly different world and just subtle changes I didn’t notice throughout the experiment started to present. My neck and back hurt. I had a headache. To be quite honest, I was a little moody. It’s amazing to me how exhausting, physically and emotionally, it was to have a little of my hearing altered.”Hearing loss can be exhausting, negatively impact work, and isolate you from friends and familyJoe S. wore his earplugs at lunch and at the office afterwards. He noticed immediate difficulty hearing in the noisy restaurant and relied on lip reading and context clues to follow his friend’s conversation. At the office, Joe notes the abrupt struggle in performing his job and, with his newfound hearing loss, he lost the ability to multitask. When he returns home, he notes not only the desire to isolate himself, but also his family’s frustration with him.“Right off the bat I noticed I was having trouble with my job. It was very difficult to understand what people were saying. I also spoke louder than necessary. I was unable to hear the bell when patients would walk in. It was very difficult to complete each task within a normal timeframe. I was not able to work and listen to someone else. Cleaning the hearing aids while also speaking to an associate became impossible. Hearing loss definitely has a major impact on your work and your ability to perform your job functions.”Afterward, Joe noted just how thankful he was for his hearing. “We take so much for granted and our hearing is definitely one. My mind and body were tired from straining to hear and understand all day. My brain was fatigued from working so hard to decipher sentences and phrases from a jumbled mess. Communication became very difficult and frustration ran high. I didn’t want to be around people as much as I normally do because of the trouble I had hearing and understanding. Also, my family was becoming frustrated with me because I couldn’t hear them when they needed me.”Hearing loss can impact your independence and ability to communicate effectivelyZvi H., noted feeling frustrated, depressed and even started using a common coping mechanism.“Conversing with people was very difficult. I constantly had to say “what” and ask people to speak louder. At times I just shook my head and made believe I heard what people said, just to avoid embarrassment. It became very frustrating, and I even began to feel depressed that I couldn’t communicate normally. Speaking on the phone wasn’t possible … I kept on worrying that I wouldn’t hear people when they were going to speak to me.When I was standing by the take-out counter ordering food, I was worried that my speech sounded strange and that I wouldn’t hear the man behind the counter if he had a question for me. I was sitting with some friends and they couldn’t stop laughing about how loud I was talking. My wife and kids were getting frustrated because I kept saying ‘What’ and ‘Please repeat yourself louder.’ I really got a sense of how difficult communication can be for someone who has a hearing loss. Communication, which is something that should be easy and natural, became a stressful activity when I was occluded which caused me stress and embarrassment. Not only was I affected tremendously but so were the people around me.”Your hearing loss affects those close to you and the way you experience lifeFor S. Temby, she experienced numerous problems with family and friends. After removing the earplugs at the end of six hours, she also noted that the experience helped her understand her grandmother’s behavior better in the past.“I had to strain to hear people speak to me. I could not understand what my grandchildren said to me. I found myself watching their actions and faces trying to figure out what they were talking about. Talking to my husband about what I could make him for lunch (from the kitchen to the office) was absolutely maddening. After asking my friends ‘huh?’ a few times [at dinner later that evening], it was just easier to eat and let them talk. They would look at me like I was an idiot for asking them to repeat. Everything was dulled down and muddled.”“I was relieved when I took out the plugs. I instantly felt calmer and at ease … it was quite an experience. It makes me see more clearly why my paternal grandmother did some of the things that she did. The TV was always turned up so loud that you couldn’t think straight. She was asking me to repeat often. She chose to stay closeted in her home because she said it was just too hard to be out in public. Did we offer her hearing aids? Yes, we did. She would have none of it. She said that she didn’t need it if she just stayed home. The last 8 years of her life were like this.”Untreated hearing loss has a profound impact on a person’s life and overall wellness. It can result in negative emotions and consequences both at home and at work. More than that, it affects not just the person with hearing loss but everyone in their lives, as well.Everyone’s hearing loss is different, but it’s important to help our friends, families and coworkers better understand what we go through each day with our hearing loss so that we can work together for better communication.If you are experiencing problems with your hearing, consider contacting us today to talk about your options. Visit the 
Did you know that moisture and debris can cause your hearing aids to malfunction? That is why caring for your hearing aids is so important. Following a few easy steps will keep you connected to your world by ensuring optimal hearing aid performance.Here are a few easy things you can do at home to keep your hearing aids in tip top shape:
Life is loud. Spending just an hour cutting your lawn without wearing hearing protection can cause irreversible damage to your hearing. But whether you’re cheering on your favorite sports teams, flying on an airplane, or getting your teeth cleaned at your dentist’s office, remember that you could be exposing your ears to unsafe noise levels.The good news is that noise-induced hearing loss is preventable. You can avoid damaging your hearing by establishing safe listening levels, understanding how much exposure is safe and by wearing hearing protection.
Tunz: Designed with musicians in mind, Tunz are custom-fit, filtered hearing protective devices designed to attenuate equally across all frequencies preserving sound quality. The filters for custom musician hearing protection can be changed by the musician to achieve different levels of attenuation (9, 15, or 25dB).
SoundGear: Designed with hunters and shooters in mind, these digital hearing protective devices are designed to enhance environmental awareness while suppressing dangerous sound levels. SoundGear is available in instant-fit, custom and behind-the-ear options for hunters, shooters, industrial and tactical environments.Excessive noise exposure can lead to permanent hearing loss. If you are concerned about noise exposure or have hearing concerns, 
Noise-induced hearing loss is becoming an epidemic in the United States! . WHO analyzed listening habits of 12-to-35-year-olds in various countries and found nearly 50 percent listened to personal audio devices at unsafe sound levels and about 40 percent are exposed to damaging volumes of music and noise at entertainment venues.(See the article here: “
Think you may have hearing loss? 
We know that taking the next step and purchasing hearing aids can be daunting. And with so many options in technology and product styles, it can be hard to choose one that not only meets your hearing needs but also satisfies your personal preferences and style.Starkey Hearing Technologies has long been the industry pioneer in custom, invisible hearing products. Now, we’re excited to announce that our most popular invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) hearing aid, SoundLens, is available in a wireless option and powered by brand new technology.Invisible. Powerful. And now wireless.Built on our new Synergy platform and Acuity OS operating system, SoundLens Synergy is powered by 900sync technology to provide patients all the benefits of a Starkey invisible hearing solution and the flexibility and personalization of wireless connectivity.SoundLens Synergy provides you with:
