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Unprecedented Study of Hearing Aid Outcomes in Older Adults Released

11/7/2017

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Unprecedented Study of Hearing Aid Outcomes in Older Adults Released

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Research Published in American Journal of Audiology Has Implications for Millions of Adults with Hearing Loss

Rockville, Md. (PRWEB) March 02, 2017

The first-ever placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial of hearing aid outcomes published today in the American Journal of Audiology shows that older adults benefit from hearing aid use.

Led by researchers at Indiana University with funding support (Grant No. R01 DC011771) from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), the study sought to compare patient outcomes when hearing aids are delivered via an audiology “best practices” model compared with an “over-the-counter” (OTC) model. In the context of this study, the OTC model meant that patients received a high-quality, pre-programmed hearing aid that was not fitted by an audiologist.

The methodology is generally considered the highest standard for clinical trials.

“The research findings provide firm evidence that hearing aids do, in fact, provide significant benefit to older adults,” said Larry Humes, PhD, CCC-A, a distinguished professor in the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences at Indiana University Bloomington and the study’s lead author. “This is important because, even though millions of Americans have hearing loss, there has been an absence of rigorous clinical research that has demonstrated clear benefits provided by hearing aids to older adults. Consequently, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has not been able to support widespread hearing screening for adults over age 50. This study, along with others to follow, will help establish the evidence base needed to foster better hearing health care for many older Americans.”

The study looked at 154 adults ages 55–79 years with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. All participants received the same high-end digital mini hearing aids fitted in both ears. Subjects were divided into three groups. One (the best practices group) received “best practices” services from audiologists that included professional fitting and counseling; one (the OTC group) received no professional fitting by an audiologist and selected their own pre-programmed hearing aids; and one (the placebo group) received a professional fitting but used a hearing aid that was programmed to provide no acoustical benefit.

Researchers found that hearing aids are effective in older adults for both the audiology best practices model and the OTC model. There were no significant differences in outcome between these two service-delivery approaches for five of the six outcome measures, but the OTC group fared somewhat worse when it came to satisfaction with their hearing aids. Fewer OTC participants were also likely to purchase their hearing aids after the trial (55% for the OTC group vs. 81% for the best practices group, with 36% for the placebo group). Following the initial 6-week trial, both the OTC and placebo groups were offered hearing aids under the best practices model. Satisfaction significantly increased for patients in both groups who chose to continue under audiologist care, and more participants opted to purchase their hearing aids after this continued period of care than after the initial trial.

In the United States, a large discrepancy exists between the number of people who could benefit from hearing aids and those who actually wear them. Close to 29 million U.S. adults could benefit from using hearing aids, according to NIDCD. Yet, among adults aged 70 and older with hearing loss who could benefit from wearing hearing aids, fewer than one in three (30%) have ever used them. Even fewer adults aged 20–69 (approximately 16%) who could benefit have ever used them.

In the study, researchers noted that NIDCD has prioritized identifying research areas that could lead to the improvement of hearing health care for adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss—in particular, enhancing the accessibility and affordability of hearing health care. This study helps answer a high-priority research question of how current delivery systems can be used or modified to increase accessibility and affordability of hearing health care, according to study authors.

“More studies are needed to assess the generalization of the results obtained here to other patient populations, other devices, and other models of OTC service delivery,” said Humes, adding, “All of the devices used in this study were of high quality as opposed to the simpler, less expensive devices many associate with an OTC model. Also, all patients received a complete audiologic evaluation prior to treatment—another potential difference from some OTC models under consideration. These factors could impact patient outcomes. However, the results of this study should serve as a yardstick for comparing outcomes of future hearing aid studies.”

The American Journal of Audiology is published by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
About the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

ASHA is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 191,500 members and affiliates who are audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech, language, and hearing scientists; audiology and speech-language pathology support personnel; and students. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing and balance disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment, including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists identify, assess, and treat speech and language problems, including swallowing disorders. http://www.asha.org

(Source: www.prweb.com/releases)

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Solutions For Invisible Hearing

6/7/2017

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Solutions For Invisible Hearing

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Many people are embarrassed at the thought of wearing a hearing aid.  The good news is that whilst many people have a hearing loss, only 30% require correction with a hearing instrument.  And even better than that is that hearing aids have become so small that recently 2 world leaders in technology development released INVISIBLE aids!

These ultra tiny hearing instruments are recessed deep inside the ear canal and are invisible to those around you.  in the past there have been hearing aids that sit completely in the ear canal and are flush with the entrance of the ear canal, but now the invisible hearing instrument sits further in the canal making it hard to notice.

Other invisible aids are implantable "extended wear" instruments which can be worn for up to 3-4 months (continuously), whereas the invisible in the ear instrument can easily be inserted and removed by the user.  The sound quality is crisp, clear and natural, and uses some of the industry's best microchip technology.

"People feel unaffected, confident and spontaneous again when wearing their invisible hearing instruments.  They will transform the lives of those people who need to wear hearing aids but are looking for the most discreet option possible!" says Alison Chiam, Audiologist.

All  hearing aid fittings need careful consideration and consultation, so make sure that you have all the facts and information from clinicians Alison and Michael.

Leading manufacturers have used their most recent technology and microchip inside these invisible hearing aids, ensuring excellent sound quality.  The Phonak 'Nano' and Oticon 'Intiga' represent great technology in the most invisible style hearing aids available.  Both of these are available at the Jervis Bay Hearing Centre.

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Jeans For Genes Day - More Than Buying Badges!

4/7/2017

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Jeans For Genes Day - More Than Buying Badges!

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The Jervis Bay Hearing Centre is not only here to help with your hearing health, but is also an active and caring member of the community as a whole.  And this means helping out those in need!

On August 4th 2017 the nation will be working hard to raise money for The Children's Medical Reasearch Institute through the anual Jeans For Jeans Day event. 


The Jervis Bay Hearing Centre will be proudly contributing to this important cause by doing 2 great things:
  1. Selling Jeans For Genes merchandise in both the Vincentia and Ulladulla centre's, and participating in the fun on Friday the 4th August, 2017!
  2. Running a facebook competition where we'll be matching the prize value of $120 and donating to the cause on the 4th August!
So please join us in supporting this great cause by entering our facebook competition here and also by buying a badge or other merchandise items at any of our centre's!

Let's help the next generation grow up to be happy and healthy!


WHAT IS JEANS FOR GENES DAY?

Each year, Australians unite by wearing their favourite jeans and outdoing each other with crazy denim outfits, and donating money or purchasing merchandise, to support genetic research.

On the first Friday in August each year workplaces, schools and streets become a sea of denim in a united stance against childhood disease. 

Every dollar raised on the day helps scientists at Children’s Medical Research Institute discover treatments and cures, to give every child the opportunity to live a long and healthy life.



WHO IS THE CHILDREN'S MEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE?

Most babies are born healthy, but sadly 1 in 20 children are born with a birth defect or genetic disease. On average, that’s one in every classroom. 

Children’s Medical Research Institute is dedicated to finding ways to treat or prevent childhood cancer, epilepsy, birth defects and genetic diseases in order to create brighter futures for all children including those who are with us today & those yet to come in to this world.

Many major advances in children’s health have resulted from medical research including the demise of previously fatal illness like polio, smallpox & diphtheria so, together, we really can make a difference & give kids around the world the opportunity for a healthy start to life.


What they’ve accomplished in the last 20 years:
  • Found a single genetic defect can cause cleft lip and palate
  • Fate map of the early embryo to help us understand many developmental problems
  • Identification of the components of telomerase, which will be important for treating 85% of all cancers
  • Discovery of the Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) mechanism, which can lead to treatments for the other 15% of cancers
  • Developing a blood test for ALT cancers that will allow physicians to diagnose and plan treatments for cancers such as aggressive glioblastoma brain tumours
  • Partnering with the Children’s Hospital Westmead on a cure for genetic liver disease, with clinical trials about to begin
  • Discovering and developing a new class of drugs for treating epilepsy


What they plan to accomplish in the next 20 years:
  • Develop epilepsy treatments that will help children (and adults) around the world
  • Develop new treatments for kidney disease and diabetes
  • Gene therapy cures for rare genetic diseases in children
  • New treatments for infectious diseases
  • Telomere research to help us understand predisposition to disease
  • Find new and better treatments for every type of cancer

For more information, please visit www.cmri.org.au



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