Spring into Better Hearing!
“People take it for granted that allergies cause sneezing in the nose and itching in the eyes. Yet they seem surprised to learn[that] allergies inevitably affect their ears as well,” said Dr.Ronna Fisher, Au.D.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, seasonal allergies affect between 10 and 30 percent of adults in the U.S. and as many as 40 percent of children, which means as many as 60 million people in the U.S. suffer from not only sneezing, itchy eyes, itchy ears, and sinus pressure, but ear pressure as well.
Blame Pollen
Trees produce more pollen in the springtime. For those who are allergic to pollen, their immune system reacts by producing antibodies. Those antibodies release a substance called histamine, which leads to increased mucus production.
Unfortunately, allergies also cause swelling of the Eustachian tubes, meaning they don’t open as they should. This combination of swelling and increased mucus causes the Eustachian tubes to become clogged.
Not only can this result in a feeling of fullness and pressure in the ears, but it can also lead to temporary hearing loss as well.
Barometric pressure changes also affect ears
It’s not just allergies that can cause ear problems in springtime. The sudden changes in barometric pressure that occur this time of year can make your ears feel clogged as well.
When the barometric pressure drops rapidly, the pressure outside your ears goes down before the pressure inside your ears can acclimate. This causes a pressure imbalance, which can lead to sensations of fullness and popping in the ears. Seasonal allergies can worsen these symptoms by causing a narrowing of the Eustachian tubes, making it even harder to equalize pressure.
Streaming Audio DirecTly to Hearing Aids
Streaming audio directly to hearing aids via Bluetooth allows users to enjoy phone calls, music, podcasts, and TV audio from various devices, improving clarity and convenience.
- Bluetooth Technology: Modern hearing aids often utilize Bluetooth technology to connect to smartphones, tablets, TVs, and other devices, enabling audio streaming.
- Direct Streaming: With Bluetooth, you can stream audio from your phone, TV, or other devices directly to your hearing aids, bypassing the need for external devices or complicated setups.
Benefits of Streaming:
- Improved Clarity: Streaming provides a clear, direct audio signal, minimizing background noise and improving overall listening experience.
- Convenience: You can easily switch between streaming and regular hearing aid use, making it easy to enjoy music, podcasts, or TV shows.
- Enhanced Communication: Streaming allows for clearer communication during phone calls and in noisy environments.
Streaming from Different Devices:
- Smartphones: You can stream audio from your phone, including phone calls, music, podcasts,and audiobooks.
- TV: Many hearing aids have TV streaming capabilities, allowing you to listen to TV audio directly through your hearing aids while others can listen at a comfortable volume.
- Other Devices: You can stream audio from tablets, computers, and other Bluetooth-enabled devices.
Pairing and Connecting:
- Pairing: You'll need to pair your hearing aids with your desired device via Bluetooth, similar to pairing headphones.
- Connecting: Once paired, you can select the hearing aids as the audio output device on your smartphone or other device.
- TV Streamers: Widex and Oticon have TV streamers that connect to your TV and stream audio directly to your hearing aids.
- Remote Microphones: Remote microphones can capture sound from a specific person and stream it directly to your hearing aids.
Battery Life: Streaming can increase battery consumption, so you may need to charge your hearing aids more frequently.
Streaming apps: Music and video streaming services are power-hungry due to the continuous data streaming and processing required for smooth playback. If you use YouTube, Spotify and Netflix, you may notice your battery draining much faster than usual.
Android Streaming:
- Some Android devices and hearing aids support direct streaming using Bluetooth Low Energy technology.
- For older Android devices and hearing aids, you may need to use a Phone Clip+or Phone Link accessory to stream audio.
Bluetooth Connection: Streaming audio requires a constant Bluetooth connection between your hearing aids and the streaming device (phone, tablet, etc.).
Increased Power Demand: This continuous Bluetooth connection puts a significant strain on the hearing aid’s battery, leading to faster battery drain compared to when the hearing aids are only used for amplifying sound.
Extended Use: Regular streaming, especially for long periods, can significantly reduce the time between battery changes or recharges.
Solutions:
- Minimize Streaming: Reduce the amount of time you spend streaming to conserve battery life.
- Choose Hearing Aids with Longer Battery Life: If you're a heavy streamer, consider hearing aids with longer battery life or rechargeable options.
- Proper Storage: Store your hearing aids in a dry place and avoid moisture buildup.
- Use the Five-Minute Rule: Wait 5-7 minutes after removing the tab from a new battery before inserting it into the hearing aid to maximize its lifespan.
Amazing Hearing
There’s no reason to live with untreated hearing loss. Schedule a hearing test with Amazing Hearing, so you can get help as soon as possible. We provide comprehensive hearing health services, from tests to hearing aid fittings. Contact us today to learn more!
