IN Upper St. Clair Spring 2016 | Page 40

INDUSTRY INSIGHT YOUR HEARING SPONSORED CONTENT PUT A SPRING IN YOUR STEP WITH BETTER HEARING Technology keeps hearing loss from being a barrier BY DRS. ERINN ALTMAN, NICOLE WASEL, AND MARY CATHERINE MAZI A s the snow piles melt, the red robins return, and everyone waves goodbye to the last signs of winter, don’t let hearing loss keep you from enjoying an active spring season. Today’s hearing technology, with numerous options to match your lifestyle and individual needs, makes it easier than ever to take charge of your hearing wellness. You’re not alone Hearing loss – whether caused by noise exposure, a congenital condition, ear infections, aging, or other factors – is more common than you might think. An estimated 48 million Americans, about 15 percent of the population, have some form of hearing loss ranging from mild to severe, and almost everyone knows someone who has experienced it firsthand. It’s a public health issue that can affect anyone at any age. So if you’re having hearing difficulties, you’re not alone. Improved hearing improves your life It’s no wonder that improving your hearing can improve your life. Like the senses of smell, sight, touch, and taste, hearing connects you to what matters most. It enhances brain function, helps you create COULD YOU BE MISSING OUT ON THE LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE THAT MATTER MOST? FIND OUT WHAT YOU’VE BEEN MISSING. Call today to schedule a hearing evaluation from the regional leader in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss. 724.209.1028 Meadows Landing Outpatient Center 80 Landings Dr, Ste 207 • Washington, PA 15301 Erinn Altman, Au.D. Nicole Wasel, Au.D. Mary Catherine Mazi, Au.D. washingtonent.net 38 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | Upper St. Clair lasting memories with loved ones, and builds a bridge to the rest of the world. In a 1999 study published by the National Council on Aging, seniors with treated hearing loss reported a greater quality of life over their untreated counterparts. Family relationships, mental health, independence, and sense of security were all reported by the survey participants as improved through better hearing. In the same study, adults with untreated hearing loss were more likely to report a lower quality of life, including depression, anxiety, more emotional problems, and less social interaction. The takeaway? Better hearing removes barriers, helping you be more active, more engaged, and lead the lifestyle you want. Hearing technology has come a long way Hearing aid technology has evolved significantly since the days of ear trumpets, carbon transmitters, transistors, and other earlier devices. Today’s sophisticated hearing technology includes digital and even wireless options, with various sizes, capabilities, and features to fit your lifestyle. Key benefits of this latest technology include feedback cancellation and voice recognition, along with advanced noise management strategies. Some hearing aids are even designed to be “invisible” to the eye. This type of device offers a sleek and comfortable look by conforming to your ear’s shape to deliver sound as naturally as possible. The people you meet may not even notice you’re wearing a hearing device, but you’ll notice a huge difference in how you can communicate with them. Imagine hearing aids compatible with your smartphone, enabled for Bluetooth®, and controlled with an app. Imagine hearing with clarity and confidence, whether at a crowded restaurant, a concert, the boardroom, or your backyard. This is now possible because the hearing aid technology works with your brain to recognize, separate, orient, and focus your hearing on the sounds around you, so you experience the sounds of your life – as nature intended. An audiologist, specially trained to diagnose and treat hearing loss, can evaluate your hearing, understand your listening needs, and customize a treatment solution for you. Whether you have untreated hearing loss or need newer technology to better fit your current lifestyle, put a spring in your step with a hearing check from your local audiologist. Erinn Altman, Au.D., CCC-A; Nicole Wasel, Au.D., CCC-A; and Mary Catherine Mazi, Au.D., CCC-A, are audiologists with Washington Ear, Nose & Throat in Washington, PA. Their practice can be reached at 724.209. L