Archive for the ‘Your Health Blog’ Category
Behind The Ear Hearing Aids
When looking into what kind of hearing aid to purchase, you have many lot of choices. You can purchase a digital unit or an analog unit. Within each of those choices, you can also decide if you need a unit that is programmable to not only amplify sound as it comes to your ear but to manage that sound and the surface noise that would keep you from hearing good sounds well. Even within the programmable hearing aid category, there are stages of sophistication from those you program yourself to digital units that automatically adjust to your surroundings.
Another decision to be made will be the style of your hearing aid you finally decide to acquire in terms of how it is worn. The usual “image” of a hearing aid is the behind the ear model, which seems old fashioned Vs the kind that fits inside the ear. In fact, some new models of hearing aids can be implanted entirely within the ear in the course of minor surgery so they are completely invisible to the outside world. Each of these styles comes with the usual advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages Of Behind The Ear Hearing Aids “BTE”
The behind the ear style of hearing aid seems like it is the most conspicuous and clumsy approach and until you actually get to know the different advantages and disadvantages of each kind of hearing aid, you might think that wearing the unit behind your ear is not a great design. But there are some noteworthy advantages to this hearing aid when it comes to helping your hearing. The BTE approach a serious option for a lot of people.
One persuasive advantage is cost. Since most behind the ear units are analog, the cost of getting set up with this kind of hearing aid is significantly lower than going with a more sophisticated unit that fits inside the ear. When you wear a hearing aid behind the ear, all of the electronics are housed in that small unit outside of the ear itself. That means that the sound that goes into the ear is just a unit to channel this amplified sound. The amplifier, programming controls and the battery stay outside the ear. It is a uncomplicated and yet well-designed tactic.
In reality the larger control box is an advantage to the behind the ear design. The batteries are easier to replace and the controls easier to manage which is a big advantage for senior citizens using this kind of unit. And because most of the hearing aid stays out of the ear, it is far easier to keep clean of earwax, which can really gum up a in the ear type hearing aid.
The notion that having a hearing aid behind your ear will be uncomfortable is unfounded because they can be customized to your own head. You easily get used to having it there. They are no more uncomfortable than a pair of glasses and no more conspicuous either. But because this kind of hearing aid is a lot cheaper to purchase and to maintain and they do a good reliable job day after day, going with this older technology may be the right choice for many hearing aid purchasers.
Are Digital Hearing Aids Worth the Expense?
For many years, hearing aids have used the same analog technology as radio and television. But when the digital revolution came along, it made sense that you would see a revolution in hearing aid technology in the form of newer and more advanced hearing aids as well. The result is that, you now have a choice of purchasing either digital or the older analog technology. Of course, the digital alternative is usually more expensive. But at the same time, there are some valid advantages to going digital in this area of your life like we all have in so many other ways.
One reason that new technology like modern hearing aids do come with a high price tag is that the research and development effort that goes on behind the scenes when a big breakthrough is brought to market is costly. In a few cases, new designs in hearing aid technology might take years to develop and test and all of that research has to be paid for. So when the hearing aid hits the market, much of that preliminary expense is there to pay off the tab from all the work it took to discover and test that technology.
For most of us, when we have made the change to digital technology in other areas of our lives, we are glad we did. That will be true when you make the switch to digital design in your hearing aid as the technology becomes more available to the rest of us. For one thing, a word that goes hand in hand with digital technology is miniaturization. So once we get used to hearing aids that take advantage of miniaturization, your hearing aid will get smaller so it is not as cumbersome to wear and not as noticeable as well.
Part of the huge expense in developing and distributing these new projects in hearing aid research is that digital technology allows scientists to embed micro computer chips right into your hearing aid. This makes your hearing aid a “smart hearing aid” that is able to make small adjustments and notice things about the atmosphere, noise level and other factors that can affect your ability to hear and it can make adjustments to the hearing aid settings to compensate for you.
In this way, the hearing aid of the future will be smart and do a much better task of working in any setting because of digital technology. And that technology isn’t centuries away, it is here right now and soon to become part of your life.
Of course, the price hurdle in digital technology in the hearing aid industry will almost certainly fall. Just as has happened in every other area of technology, once competition gets into the market and what might be an “exotic” feature in hearing aids becomes more common, the price will come down and make it possible for everyone to afford all of these nice features. So it might just be a waiting game as for as price to let the market catch up with the technology before making the transition to a digital hearing aid.
How serious is swine flu infection?
Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. Between 2005 until January 2009, 12 human cases of swine flu were detected in the U.S. with no deaths occurring. However, swine flu infection can be serious. In September 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman in Wisconsin was hospitalized for pneumonia after being infected with swine flu and died 8 days later. A swine flu outbreak in Fort Dix, New Jersey occurred in 1976 that caused more than 200 cases with serious illness in several people and one death.
How can someone with the flu infect someone else?
Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
What should I do to keep from getting the flu?
First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Are there medicines to treat swine flu?
Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).
How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?
People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.
What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.
How long can viruses live outside the body?
We know that some viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent handwashing will help you reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
* Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
* Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
* If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water. or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. we recommend that when you wash your hands — with soap and warm water — that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn’t need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.
What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
* Fast breathing or trouble breathing
* Bluish skin color
* Not drinking enough fluids
* Not waking up or not interacting
* Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
* Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
* Fever with a rash
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
* Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
* Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
* Sudden dizziness
* Confusion
* Severe or persistent vomiting
Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.