FREE Hearing Aid? Yes, you read that correctly. We are giving away a FREE hearing aid in the month of September! For more information, click here: http://www.audibel.us/free-hearing-aid
August 21, 2014 - Love Your Skin in Your 50's, 60's, 70's and Beyond
No matter your age, the inevitable changes to your skin with each passing decade can take you by surprise. In your 50s, you may notice more fine lines and wrinkles; in your 60s, you may experience sagging skin and more rough patches; and after 70, you may be facing more age spots. The good news? With proper care, you can keep your skin healthy and looking decades younger than your years. Here's how.
In Your 50s
Step 1. Cleanse
Choose cleansers that remove the dirt without stripping your skin of moisture. Products containing natural exfoliators, such as alpha hydroxy acids, help slough away dead skin, clear up menopausal acne and stimulate collagen production. Your skin cells are constantly regenerating, even in your 50s, and exfoliating encourages the process, notes New York dermatologist Francesca Fusco.
Step 2. Protect
Daily sunscreen use can halt skin aging by 24 percent, an Australian study finds, so slather up. And monitor pimples that don't heal, bumps that bleed easily and rough patches — they could be precancerous. A dermatologist can freeze the area with liquid nitrogen or prescribe topical creams, including 5-fluorouracil and tretinoin, which can wipe out precancers in eight to 12 weeks.
Step 3. Smooth
Retinoids increase collagen production, which promotes younger-looking skin and minimizes skin imperfections, including wrinkles, fine lines and age spots. "The most effective formulations require a prescription, so speak with your dermatologist," says Fusco. "Antioxidant creams, lotions and serums containing vitamins C and E also help soften and smooth the skin."
To read more about your 60's, 70's as well as find out recommended products, read the entire article by clicking here:
http://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2014/skin-care-guide.html?intcmp=HPBB4
In Your 50s
Step 1. Cleanse
Choose cleansers that remove the dirt without stripping your skin of moisture. Products containing natural exfoliators, such as alpha hydroxy acids, help slough away dead skin, clear up menopausal acne and stimulate collagen production. Your skin cells are constantly regenerating, even in your 50s, and exfoliating encourages the process, notes New York dermatologist Francesca Fusco.
Step 2. Protect
Daily sunscreen use can halt skin aging by 24 percent, an Australian study finds, so slather up. And monitor pimples that don't heal, bumps that bleed easily and rough patches — they could be precancerous. A dermatologist can freeze the area with liquid nitrogen or prescribe topical creams, including 5-fluorouracil and tretinoin, which can wipe out precancers in eight to 12 weeks.
Step 3. Smooth
Retinoids increase collagen production, which promotes younger-looking skin and minimizes skin imperfections, including wrinkles, fine lines and age spots. "The most effective formulations require a prescription, so speak with your dermatologist," says Fusco. "Antioxidant creams, lotions and serums containing vitamins C and E also help soften and smooth the skin."
To read more about your 60's, 70's as well as find out recommended products, read the entire article by clicking here:
http://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2014/skin-care-guide.html?intcmp=HPBB4
July 15, 2014 - What Causes Hearing Loss?
It is estimated that a person with hearing loss waits anywhere from seven to ten years before taking action. Yet unlike vision loss, which most people readily accept, part of the delay for treating hearing loss is due to a lack of understanding or denial for the underlying causes. In this blog we will explore the causes of hearing loss and options for seeking treatment.
There are actually a few different causes of hearing loss with the most common being sensorineural hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss generally occurs when inner ear nerves are damaged and do not properly transmit sound signals to the brain. Your inner ear contains tiny hair cells. Prolonged exposure to loud noises can cause these hair cells to wither and die off. This type of hearing loss can also occur as a result of aging, injuries, illnesses or medications side-effects.
Other individuals may experience hearing loss as a result of disorders with the inner and outer ear. This type of hearing loss is called conductive hearing loss and can result from ear infections, impacted earwax, malformation of the ear structures or other issues. These factors can occur at birth or as a temporary dysfunction.
Lastly, both types of hearing loss can be combined for what is called mixed hearing loss. Individuals with mixed hearing loss not only have inner or outer ear problems but also reduced hearing due to aging and noise exposure. It is recommended to treat each factor separately to get the best treatment options.
Regardless of what types of hearing loss you, or a loved one may have and the related causes, it is important to seek hearing care to avoid communication and listening difficulties. We recommend having your hearing checked by one of our qualified specialists. If hearing aids are recommended for your type of hearing loss, don’t delay in getting fit. Hearing loss is not something you should just “put up with.” In fact, research shows early treatment can make a difference.
Also, check out this video for more information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhd8TxDKXHM
There are actually a few different causes of hearing loss with the most common being sensorineural hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss generally occurs when inner ear nerves are damaged and do not properly transmit sound signals to the brain. Your inner ear contains tiny hair cells. Prolonged exposure to loud noises can cause these hair cells to wither and die off. This type of hearing loss can also occur as a result of aging, injuries, illnesses or medications side-effects.
Other individuals may experience hearing loss as a result of disorders with the inner and outer ear. This type of hearing loss is called conductive hearing loss and can result from ear infections, impacted earwax, malformation of the ear structures or other issues. These factors can occur at birth or as a temporary dysfunction.
Lastly, both types of hearing loss can be combined for what is called mixed hearing loss. Individuals with mixed hearing loss not only have inner or outer ear problems but also reduced hearing due to aging and noise exposure. It is recommended to treat each factor separately to get the best treatment options.
Regardless of what types of hearing loss you, or a loved one may have and the related causes, it is important to seek hearing care to avoid communication and listening difficulties. We recommend having your hearing checked by one of our qualified specialists. If hearing aids are recommended for your type of hearing loss, don’t delay in getting fit. Hearing loss is not something you should just “put up with.” In fact, research shows early treatment can make a difference.
Also, check out this video for more information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhd8TxDKXHM
July 1, 2014 - Meet Audibel Patient & Silver Star Father, John Hensley
You won’t meet a nicer man than John Hensley. His soft, loving personality will charm you, if not totally take you by surprise. In today’s world, it is really refreshing to meet people with great hearts and caring personalities, and John is one of those people.
Audibel owner, Doug Haws, has known John for nearly 20 years. John became a hearing aid wearer at an early age, due to hearing damage he incurred during his work in construction in his forties. Now 85, he is still enjoying life with his Audibel Hearing Aids.
John was nice enough to let me into his home and interview him about his experience with Audibel, about our free Veteran’s Club, and talk about his two sons who served in the U.S. Military during the Vietnam era.
His son, Jim, was sent to Vietnam on December 13, 1968 as a member of the 101st Airborne. Jim was soon transferred into the 1st Air Cavalry Division because the Airborne had been sent home. Jim was one of an elite group (only 12) of helicopter rescue units and did 37 jumps before he was killed in action on September 22, 1969. Jim’s mother, Annette described him as a “happy-go-lucky guy who loved life.” She said she had heard on the radio that he had won the Silver Star. Upon writing him to inquire about it, she said Jim didn’t know what she was talking about. Annette said he could care less about medals.
Jim’s older brother, John, was also set to go to Vietnam but his orders were changed to remain in the country and serve as a drill instructor. John later moved back to Decatur where he still lives, and is retired from Jones Blythe Construction Company in Springfield.
During my time with John, he also spoke about the Audibel Veteran’s Club, which he is very passionate about. Although he is not a Veteran himself, he truly cares about them and is always happy to see good things being done for them. He spoke about how we can’t always depend on our government to take care of our Veterans. He joked, saying, “only the government can take a 4-foot blanket, cut a foot off the top, sew it to the bottom and then say that they added a foot to the blanket.”
John has been very happy with his Audibel hearing aids and said that without them he really couldn’t hear anything at all. The damage done to his ears during his younger years was just too much to handle. So let that be a lesson to our children and grandchildren - Take Care of Your Ears!
You can watch all of John’s interview and hear more about his story by going to our YouTube page at this address:
www.youtube.com/audibelhc
Story by Jim Wilkerson
Audibel owner, Doug Haws, has known John for nearly 20 years. John became a hearing aid wearer at an early age, due to hearing damage he incurred during his work in construction in his forties. Now 85, he is still enjoying life with his Audibel Hearing Aids.
John was nice enough to let me into his home and interview him about his experience with Audibel, about our free Veteran’s Club, and talk about his two sons who served in the U.S. Military during the Vietnam era.
His son, Jim, was sent to Vietnam on December 13, 1968 as a member of the 101st Airborne. Jim was soon transferred into the 1st Air Cavalry Division because the Airborne had been sent home. Jim was one of an elite group (only 12) of helicopter rescue units and did 37 jumps before he was killed in action on September 22, 1969. Jim’s mother, Annette described him as a “happy-go-lucky guy who loved life.” She said she had heard on the radio that he had won the Silver Star. Upon writing him to inquire about it, she said Jim didn’t know what she was talking about. Annette said he could care less about medals.
Jim’s older brother, John, was also set to go to Vietnam but his orders were changed to remain in the country and serve as a drill instructor. John later moved back to Decatur where he still lives, and is retired from Jones Blythe Construction Company in Springfield.
During my time with John, he also spoke about the Audibel Veteran’s Club, which he is very passionate about. Although he is not a Veteran himself, he truly cares about them and is always happy to see good things being done for them. He spoke about how we can’t always depend on our government to take care of our Veterans. He joked, saying, “only the government can take a 4-foot blanket, cut a foot off the top, sew it to the bottom and then say that they added a foot to the blanket.”
John has been very happy with his Audibel hearing aids and said that without them he really couldn’t hear anything at all. The damage done to his ears during his younger years was just too much to handle. So let that be a lesson to our children and grandchildren - Take Care of Your Ears!
You can watch all of John’s interview and hear more about his story by going to our YouTube page at this address:
www.youtube.com/audibelhc
Story by Jim Wilkerson
June 12, 2014 - Top 10 Summer Vacation Destinations for Seniors to Enjoy Rest and Relaxation
10. Las Vegas
9. San Francisco
8. Maui
7. West Palm Beach
6. Blue Ridge Parkway
5. Panama City Beach, Florida - Seniors will enjoy summer vacation destinations in sunny Panama City, Florida. Stay at the Wingate hotel for $45 a night and enjoy the breath of fresh air of Florida. This hotel offers comfortable beds and a breakfast bar, indoor pool that can be enjoyed anytime of day or night.
4. Lake Tahoe - If perfect summer vacation destinations for seniors don't include beaches check out Lake Tahoe for the perfect hot spot for seniors. June through August is the best times for backpacking, hiking, biking and many other fun activities. Enjoy your stay at a local hotel for as little as $65 a night or camp at a local campground for $45 a night.
3. Tennessee - Summer vacation destinations for seniors don't get any better than Tennessee. There is plenty to do in Tennessee starting with Dollywood, The Great Smokey Mountains, Nashville and more. Seniors can enjoy over night stays in great hotels for $65 a night. The best times to vacation Tennessee are June through October.
2. Grand Canyon - What better way for seniors to enjoy a summer vacation destination than the Grand Canyon. Take a look at the Grand Canyon Vacation Packages to see for yourself what you will experience and that the prices are not so bad either.
1. Disney World - Last but not least and at the top of the list for the top 10 best summer vacation destinations for seniors is Disney World. Seniors can take their grandchildren on a vacation they will never forget. Check out Vacation Packages for Disney World and save some extra money to buy souvenirs. Stay at local hotels for under $65 a night.
Source: Yahoo Voices
9. San Francisco
8. Maui
7. West Palm Beach
6. Blue Ridge Parkway
5. Panama City Beach, Florida - Seniors will enjoy summer vacation destinations in sunny Panama City, Florida. Stay at the Wingate hotel for $45 a night and enjoy the breath of fresh air of Florida. This hotel offers comfortable beds and a breakfast bar, indoor pool that can be enjoyed anytime of day or night.
4. Lake Tahoe - If perfect summer vacation destinations for seniors don't include beaches check out Lake Tahoe for the perfect hot spot for seniors. June through August is the best times for backpacking, hiking, biking and many other fun activities. Enjoy your stay at a local hotel for as little as $65 a night or camp at a local campground for $45 a night.
3. Tennessee - Summer vacation destinations for seniors don't get any better than Tennessee. There is plenty to do in Tennessee starting with Dollywood, The Great Smokey Mountains, Nashville and more. Seniors can enjoy over night stays in great hotels for $65 a night. The best times to vacation Tennessee are June through October.
2. Grand Canyon - What better way for seniors to enjoy a summer vacation destination than the Grand Canyon. Take a look at the Grand Canyon Vacation Packages to see for yourself what you will experience and that the prices are not so bad either.
1. Disney World - Last but not least and at the top of the list for the top 10 best summer vacation destinations for seniors is Disney World. Seniors can take their grandchildren on a vacation they will never forget. Check out Vacation Packages for Disney World and save some extra money to buy souvenirs. Stay at local hotels for under $65 a night.
Source: Yahoo Voices
April 15, 2014 - Visit from Richard Rotz, US Navy Veteran
One of our Veteran's Club Members, Richard Rotz, came in today for a free cleaning of his hearing aids. He told us a couple of neat stories:
1. Although he didn't enter the US Navy until 1946, the US Government extended WW2 Veteran status to those serving in 1946 (even though the fighting was over). Richard was humble about it, and kinda joked by using a joke that an old Indian told about daylight savings time. The Indian said "Only the government would cut a foot off the top of a blanket, sew it to the bottom of the blanket and then say that the blanket was longer."
2. Richard also shared with us a tradition his family started over 15 years ago. One day every month (3rd Tuesday for instance), the family meets for dinner at the same restaurant and at the same time. If you can't make it, that's fine, but if you can, that's great. It's a way of keeping family together more often.
It was nice to visit with Richard Rotz today. Thank you, all Veterans for your service to our country!
1. Although he didn't enter the US Navy until 1946, the US Government extended WW2 Veteran status to those serving in 1946 (even though the fighting was over). Richard was humble about it, and kinda joked by using a joke that an old Indian told about daylight savings time. The Indian said "Only the government would cut a foot off the top of a blanket, sew it to the bottom of the blanket and then say that the blanket was longer."
2. Richard also shared with us a tradition his family started over 15 years ago. One day every month (3rd Tuesday for instance), the family meets for dinner at the same restaurant and at the same time. If you can't make it, that's fine, but if you can, that's great. It's a way of keeping family together more often.
It was nice to visit with Richard Rotz today. Thank you, all Veterans for your service to our country!
April 2, 2014 - Does it Matter WHEN You Take Your Medication?
Some drugs are best used in the morning, others should be taken in the evening or right before going to bed. Find out when to take medication for things such as High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, Osteoarthritis, Heartburn, Asthma, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Hay Fever, by reading this article: CLICK HERE
Fun Moment Captured On Video!
In a recent commercial shoot at our Springfield office, we were able to capture this cute moment with patient, Bonnie. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chzyHUN0joQ
Activities with the Grandkids!
The winter months can be a bit daunting when it comes to finding fun things to do with your grandchildren. It's cold outside and often you don't really want to get out. So it's up to you to find things to do inside, right? Well, here are a few things we found online that you might find interesting!
Frozen: Build a Snowman!
Chances are, your grandkids have seen the movie “Frozen” by Walt Disney.If not, it’s a great movie! Visit this link to find a print-out where you can cut these pieces out and make your own “Olof” snowman.
CLICK HERE for the link.
Chances are, your grandkids have seen the movie “Frozen” by Walt Disney.If not, it’s a great movie! Visit this link to find a print-out where you can cut these pieces out and make your own “Olof” snowman.
CLICK HERE for the link.
Homemade Sand Castles!
You don't need a beach to make sand castles anymore! This can be a bit messy, but LOTS of fun for the kids.
And that's what it's about, right?
CLICK HERE for the link.
You don't need a beach to make sand castles anymore! This can be a bit messy, but LOTS of fun for the kids.
And that's what it's about, right?
CLICK HERE for the link.
Jello Worms!
Kids love treats, and this is a fun food project to make (and eat!) with your grandkids!
CLICK HERE for the link.
Kids love treats, and this is a fun food project to make (and eat!) with your grandkids!
CLICK HERE for the link.
50 Homemade Toys for Kids!
If you have the itch to REALLY create some things, check out this website where you can learn how to make 50 different homemade toys!
CLICK HERE for the link.
If you have the itch to REALLY create some things, check out this website where you can learn how to make 50 different homemade toys!
CLICK HERE for the link.
December 2, 2013 - Continued Education - The Path To A Better Practice
At Audibel we want to be the best at what we do. Have the best products, the best service, and the most knowledge when it comes to the hearing aid industry. A part of accomplishing that is with continued education.
Above is a picture of some of our local staff, Angel Berry, Bonnie Porter, and Brenda Daniels who visited our corporate offices back in November for continued education in their fields. They were congratulated by none other than Bill Austin, the CEO of Starkey Technologies. With continued education we hope to better serve our patients and give them the kind of service they expect.
Above is a picture of some of our local staff, Angel Berry, Bonnie Porter, and Brenda Daniels who visited our corporate offices back in November for continued education in their fields. They were congratulated by none other than Bill Austin, the CEO of Starkey Technologies. With continued education we hope to better serve our patients and give them the kind of service they expect.
November 12, 2013 - Veteran's Day Cookout
At our corporate office in Decatur, we held a special Veteran's Day cookout, to honor area veterans and show our support. We were a bit worried about what the turnout would be, because the night before had brought us some snow. YES - snow in the middle of November already!
The Decatur specialist and Air Force Veteran, Brian Hassinger, did the cookin' and staff of Audibel did the servin'. It was a great time and the food was good. What a great day!
While we weren't able to get stories from everyone, we did get to meet several veterans and hear what they had to say:
The Decatur specialist and Air Force Veteran, Brian Hassinger, did the cookin' and staff of Audibel did the servin'. It was a great time and the food was good. What a great day!
While we weren't able to get stories from everyone, we did get to meet several veterans and hear what they had to say:
Calvin Hollon served in the United States Navy from the years 1956-1978. He spent his time on submarines, starting off in diesel subs and then moving onto nuclear submarines later. He grew up in Nahsville, Tennessee, later got married, went to college and then went into active duty. Later he worked for Illinois Power at the Clinton Power Station in Clinton, Illinois.
On the left is John C. Hensley, a Gold Star Father of two sons who were killed in action during the Vietnam War.
On the right is Steve McGuire who served in the United States Air Force from 1964-1967. He spent time stationed in Dover, Delaware as well as Fairbanks, Alaska.
On the right is Steve McGuire who served in the United States Air Force from 1964-1967. He spent time stationed in Dover, Delaware as well as Fairbanks, Alaska.
Here is Ira Jacoby, and his wife, Dorothea. Ira served in the Korean War from 1950-1953. He also had four older brothers who served during World War II.
Gail A. Leonard served as an Army Sergeant from 1971-1980. She was stationed all around the southern states as well as some time in Germany.
Robert Hughes served during the Vietnam War and was stationed in Ft. Louis, Washington.
Glenn Coffman is here with his wife, Lynn. Glenn served in the Army Air Core (what would become the Air Force), from 1942-1946. He worked in supply in the states. Glenn and Lynn met while he was stationed in Texas and they hoped to be married, but there was a catch. Lynn did not want to get married if he was going to be called to move to New Mexico. At that time in early 1945, the atomic bomb was well underway and there was a possibility that Glenn would be called to be stationed there in New Mexico where the testing was going to take place. Glenn lucked out and was able to get discharge papers. They both got married and moved to Decatur where Glenn worked for the post office. They have been married for 67 years.
Sterling Wilson also served in the Army Air Core and was stationed in Burma from 1943-1946, where he worked as a radar mechanic on the P-38 Lightning. Located between China and India, Burma was the spot where Sterling found himself working on the P-38 which was used extensively in the Pacific theater of operations in World War II. Sterling also became familiar with soldiers known as Merrill's Marauders - a long range penetration special operations jungle warfare unit who fought in the South-East Asian theater of World War II.
October 28, 2013 - Buying Hearing Aids Online?
These days, many things can be purchased online. The internet has become a great place for shopping, finding great deals and eliminating the hassle of getting out of the house. With the click of a button you can have something sent right to your doorstep. But what about bigger purchases? When it comes to hearing aids and other devices, we recommend staying away from online purchases.
When you come into Audibel, we not only do a thorough hearing exam, but we also get to know YOU. Knowing your lifestyle, your work, your hobbies, the places you go and the situations you are in – having this knowledge is very important in finding the right hearing device for you. The internet can’t do that.
Looking at your hearing exam results, our experienced specialists are able to determine what areas of hearing that you suffer from. Not all people are the same, so it takes great skill to know what each individual needs. When you buy a hearing aid over the internet, you don’t get that service. All you get is a “one size fits all” sort of device, which wrongly programmed, can be useless, or worse yet, even damage your hearing. Don’t take that risk. At Audibel you will find state-of-the-art devices that can be programmed to a variety of specifications.
But technology alone is not enough. You need to have the knowledge and experience to apply that technology to your individual needs. You can’t get that over the internet. This is where a knowledgeable professional comes into play. At Audibel you can rest assured that the investment you make in your hearing and improving your life, will be taken seriously by someone who really cares about you and your hearing.
If you’ve been struggling with hearing, don’t hesitate giving us a call and scheduling a free hearing examination.
Don’t put it off any longer, because when you HEAR better, you LIVE better!
When you come into Audibel, we not only do a thorough hearing exam, but we also get to know YOU. Knowing your lifestyle, your work, your hobbies, the places you go and the situations you are in – having this knowledge is very important in finding the right hearing device for you. The internet can’t do that.
Looking at your hearing exam results, our experienced specialists are able to determine what areas of hearing that you suffer from. Not all people are the same, so it takes great skill to know what each individual needs. When you buy a hearing aid over the internet, you don’t get that service. All you get is a “one size fits all” sort of device, which wrongly programmed, can be useless, or worse yet, even damage your hearing. Don’t take that risk. At Audibel you will find state-of-the-art devices that can be programmed to a variety of specifications.
But technology alone is not enough. You need to have the knowledge and experience to apply that technology to your individual needs. You can’t get that over the internet. This is where a knowledgeable professional comes into play. At Audibel you can rest assured that the investment you make in your hearing and improving your life, will be taken seriously by someone who really cares about you and your hearing.
If you’ve been struggling with hearing, don’t hesitate giving us a call and scheduling a free hearing examination.
Don’t put it off any longer, because when you HEAR better, you LIVE better!
October 25, 2013 - To Hear & To Serve
Audibel patient, Rev. Chuck Banning, has been volunteering in his community since his high school years. He has served with organizations such as The Good Samaritan Inn, the Pana Community Hospital Foundation Board, Central A&M School Foundation Board, Christian County Mental Health Foundation Board, Project Read, the Assumption Optimist Club, Toys for Children, as well as others. He spent over 20 years Shrine clowning for nursing homes, hospitals, parades, etc…
We caught up with Chuck and asked him a little about his volunteering experiences.
What do you enjoy about volunteering? I find that there is a “helper’s high” one receives when you give a helping hand to others. I get satisfaction when I feel that my efforts have helped someone else. I’ve been very blessed in life and this is my way of giving back.
What has been the most challenging aspect of volunteering? A big challenge is “balancing volunteerism” with other pieces of my life. Volunteering can become very consuming in time and energy.
Do you have a story you would like to share? For a number of years I did volunteer clowning at the Muscular Distrophy camp. I met two young brothers who were in advanced stages of MS. What a joy it was to take time to be with them individually, and to bring some joy and laughter to their young lives. Both boys died shortly after my second year at camp. I was glad I was there to make them feel important and to share some joy.
I also volunteered for Project Read and I helped a grandmother go from first grade/first semester reading ability, to the seventh grade/second semester level ability. She was so eager to be able to read to her new new grandchild, and it was a joy to see her accomplish that.
If someone is interested in volunteering in their community, how would you advise them to get started? Think about what you would be most interested in – whether it is a nursing home, hospital, school, or social service organization. It starts with a simple phone call or visit. You can also lend a helping hand to a neighbor in need. It simply begins with opening your eyes and your heart to the many needs that are around you and then begin. You will be mighty glad you did!
The picture above is of Buckeye the Clown (Chuck Banning), beside his friend, Richard, at the MDA Camp in 1991. Chuck learned the art of clowning from master clown, Lou Jacobs from the Ringling Brothers Circus. Though he no longer conjures Buckeye, Chuck Banning remains very active in volunteer work and he has been very pleased with his hearing aids and how they help him to communicate not only in the church when he is preaching, but also out in the community in his volunteer work.
Watch Chuck’s new Audibel commercial in which he talks about volunteering, below:
We caught up with Chuck and asked him a little about his volunteering experiences.
What do you enjoy about volunteering? I find that there is a “helper’s high” one receives when you give a helping hand to others. I get satisfaction when I feel that my efforts have helped someone else. I’ve been very blessed in life and this is my way of giving back.
What has been the most challenging aspect of volunteering? A big challenge is “balancing volunteerism” with other pieces of my life. Volunteering can become very consuming in time and energy.
Do you have a story you would like to share? For a number of years I did volunteer clowning at the Muscular Distrophy camp. I met two young brothers who were in advanced stages of MS. What a joy it was to take time to be with them individually, and to bring some joy and laughter to their young lives. Both boys died shortly after my second year at camp. I was glad I was there to make them feel important and to share some joy.
I also volunteered for Project Read and I helped a grandmother go from first grade/first semester reading ability, to the seventh grade/second semester level ability. She was so eager to be able to read to her new new grandchild, and it was a joy to see her accomplish that.
If someone is interested in volunteering in their community, how would you advise them to get started? Think about what you would be most interested in – whether it is a nursing home, hospital, school, or social service organization. It starts with a simple phone call or visit. You can also lend a helping hand to a neighbor in need. It simply begins with opening your eyes and your heart to the many needs that are around you and then begin. You will be mighty glad you did!
The picture above is of Buckeye the Clown (Chuck Banning), beside his friend, Richard, at the MDA Camp in 1991. Chuck learned the art of clowning from master clown, Lou Jacobs from the Ringling Brothers Circus. Though he no longer conjures Buckeye, Chuck Banning remains very active in volunteer work and he has been very pleased with his hearing aids and how they help him to communicate not only in the church when he is preaching, but also out in the community in his volunteer work.
Watch Chuck’s new Audibel commercial in which he talks about volunteering, below:
August 28, 2013 - Hearing Loss and the Workplace
Hello, I am Kerri Schackmann, the hearing specialist in our Effingham, Illinois office.
As Labor Day approaches, it is a good idea to monitor how your hearing is doing, especially in the workplace.
Due to the poor economy and uncertain finances, more people are finding themselves needing to stay in the workforce longer than they first expected. Did you know that hearing loss can affect how employable you are?
Research by the Better Hearing Institute has shown that the use of hearing aids reduces the risk of losing income by 90 to 100 percent for those with mild hearing loss and 65 to 77 percent for those with moderate to severe hearing loss. This just goes to show how important hearing is to anyone’s career. But what about hearing loss DUE to your workplace?
Hearing loss in the workplace is quite common, especially in the manufacturing sector. Being around loud noises for a prolonged time can damage your hearing for life. Not all employers take hearing seriously, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. Using hearing protection around machinery is a great step to prevent hearing loss. Even if the sound does not seem to be very loud - if you are exposed to it constantly, for hours on end, it can hurt your hearing. For example, just spending over 30 minutes around hair dryers or blenders can cause some hearing loss. Just over a 30 second exposure to gunfire can cause hearing loss. Are you spending an entire day around a printing press? You may want ear plugs. We just happen to be able to make custom fit ear plugs for you at Audibel!
Take good care of your ears and protect them. You need them more than you think. Protect them now, and you will be thankful later!
As Labor Day approaches, it is a good idea to monitor how your hearing is doing, especially in the workplace.
Due to the poor economy and uncertain finances, more people are finding themselves needing to stay in the workforce longer than they first expected. Did you know that hearing loss can affect how employable you are?
Research by the Better Hearing Institute has shown that the use of hearing aids reduces the risk of losing income by 90 to 100 percent for those with mild hearing loss and 65 to 77 percent for those with moderate to severe hearing loss. This just goes to show how important hearing is to anyone’s career. But what about hearing loss DUE to your workplace?
Hearing loss in the workplace is quite common, especially in the manufacturing sector. Being around loud noises for a prolonged time can damage your hearing for life. Not all employers take hearing seriously, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. Using hearing protection around machinery is a great step to prevent hearing loss. Even if the sound does not seem to be very loud - if you are exposed to it constantly, for hours on end, it can hurt your hearing. For example, just spending over 30 minutes around hair dryers or blenders can cause some hearing loss. Just over a 30 second exposure to gunfire can cause hearing loss. Are you spending an entire day around a printing press? You may want ear plugs. We just happen to be able to make custom fit ear plugs for you at Audibel!
Take good care of your ears and protect them. You need them more than you think. Protect them now, and you will be thankful later!
July 1, 2013 - When Should You Get Your Hearing Tested?
Hi there! I am Ashley May, and I am the hearing specialist in our Taylorville, Illinois office.
People often ask, “when is a good time to get my hearing tested?” I would recommend getting your hearing tested every other year once you reach the age of 45. Then once you hit the age of 65, I would recommend an annual hearing exam. According to the National Institute for Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), 36 million Americans have some form of hearing loss. Once you reach the age of 65, your chances of having some hearing loss increase to one in three, and one in two once you reach the age of 75.
It is important that you pay attention to the warning signs of hearing loss, because in most cases, people lose their hearing very gradually over time. Sometimes it is easier for family members to notice, since they are usually the ones who will have to repeat themselves.
What are some of the warning signs?
- Difficulty hearing people talk in noisy environments such as a restaurant, shopping mall, in a car, or at the movie theatre.
- People seem to “mumble” all the time.
- Family, friends, or colleagues often have to repeat themselves when speaking to you.
- You have trouble hearing people when they are not facing you or are in another room.
- You have trouble following conversations.
- You have ringing, buzzing, or hissing sounds in your ears.
It is important that if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, that you get your hearing checked as soon as possible. Untreated hearing loss can affect your ability to understand speech and can negatively impact your social and emotional well-being – decreasing your quality of life. Some studies have also shown that untreated hearing loss is linked to Dementia, Alzheimer’s and Depression.
Some people try to “get by” with poor hearing. But in the end, it’s not something to mess around with. If you are not sure if you have hearing loss, you should be tested just to be safe. Hearing tests are easy and pain-free, so there’s nothing to lose, and you’ll be glad you did it.
People often ask, “when is a good time to get my hearing tested?” I would recommend getting your hearing tested every other year once you reach the age of 45. Then once you hit the age of 65, I would recommend an annual hearing exam. According to the National Institute for Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), 36 million Americans have some form of hearing loss. Once you reach the age of 65, your chances of having some hearing loss increase to one in three, and one in two once you reach the age of 75.
It is important that you pay attention to the warning signs of hearing loss, because in most cases, people lose their hearing very gradually over time. Sometimes it is easier for family members to notice, since they are usually the ones who will have to repeat themselves.
What are some of the warning signs?
- Difficulty hearing people talk in noisy environments such as a restaurant, shopping mall, in a car, or at the movie theatre.
- People seem to “mumble” all the time.
- Family, friends, or colleagues often have to repeat themselves when speaking to you.
- You have trouble hearing people when they are not facing you or are in another room.
- You have trouble following conversations.
- You have ringing, buzzing, or hissing sounds in your ears.
It is important that if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, that you get your hearing checked as soon as possible. Untreated hearing loss can affect your ability to understand speech and can negatively impact your social and emotional well-being – decreasing your quality of life. Some studies have also shown that untreated hearing loss is linked to Dementia, Alzheimer’s and Depression.
Some people try to “get by” with poor hearing. But in the end, it’s not something to mess around with. If you are not sure if you have hearing loss, you should be tested just to be safe. Hearing tests are easy and pain-free, so there’s nothing to lose, and you’ll be glad you did it.
May 1, 2013 - Should You Get Two Hearing Aids or Just One?
Hello! I am the specialist in our Decatur, Illinois office. I have been with Audibel since 1996. Over the years I have received numerous questions, but one that keeps coming up is: “why would I buy two hearing aids, when one of my ears only has a slight hearing loss?”
Occasionally, after completing a hearing exam I will find that one ear has severe loss, and the other ear has a moderate loss. Some patients figure that because only one ear has severe loss, that they only need one hearing aid. But is that true?
When you only have good hearing in one ear, you can suffer from several things.
1. Background noise can become a major problem. If you are in noisy restaurants or social gatherings, it becomes more difficult to understand speech.
2. Many people complain about their inability to hear soft spoken or environmental sounds. To accommodate this, many people are forced to turn up the volume of their single aid, to a level that may get them the softer sounds, but in the end will make the louder sounds way too loud. This can become very uncomfortable. Adding a second hearing aid will have the effect of increasing the range of sound that you can hear comfortably.
3. With only one hearing aid, many patients are forced to rotate their head back and forth just to be able to hear someone speak, and also be able to see them. This can become very tiresome and embarrassing in social situations.
4. And finally there is the issue of being able to locate sounds. This could possibly be the most important reason to have two hearing aids instead of one. Think about this: if a person loses vision in one eye, they no longer have peripheral vision. This can be very unsafe, especially while driving a vehicle. The same goes for only being able to hear well in one ear. When you only have the ability to hear well in one ear, you lose the ability to discern the direction of where sounds are coming from. This can be very dangerous especially if you are driving or if you are out in public. If someone yells to you, “watch out for that...” – you won’t know where that voice is coming from and by the time you figure it out, it’s probably too late.
That is not to say that there aren’t some situations that call for only one hearing aid. If you only have hearing loss in one ear and the other one functions perfectly, then one hearing aid makes sense. But it’s always good to have your hearing checked every year just to make sure your good ear isn’t starting to lose hearing. Because once it does, you will want to get that second hearing aid.
Think about it. When you go to the eye doctor and your left eye is a different prescription than your right eye, do you tell the doctor “well, just give me a lens for one eye, and I’ll just put a patch over the other eye”? Of course you wouldn’t say that. You want to see the best you can, right? The same goes for your hearing. Treat yourself to great hearing. Don’t settle for anything less.
Brian Hassinger
Hearing Specialist
Audibel - Decatur, Illinois
Occasionally, after completing a hearing exam I will find that one ear has severe loss, and the other ear has a moderate loss. Some patients figure that because only one ear has severe loss, that they only need one hearing aid. But is that true?
When you only have good hearing in one ear, you can suffer from several things.
1. Background noise can become a major problem. If you are in noisy restaurants or social gatherings, it becomes more difficult to understand speech.
2. Many people complain about their inability to hear soft spoken or environmental sounds. To accommodate this, many people are forced to turn up the volume of their single aid, to a level that may get them the softer sounds, but in the end will make the louder sounds way too loud. This can become very uncomfortable. Adding a second hearing aid will have the effect of increasing the range of sound that you can hear comfortably.
3. With only one hearing aid, many patients are forced to rotate their head back and forth just to be able to hear someone speak, and also be able to see them. This can become very tiresome and embarrassing in social situations.
4. And finally there is the issue of being able to locate sounds. This could possibly be the most important reason to have two hearing aids instead of one. Think about this: if a person loses vision in one eye, they no longer have peripheral vision. This can be very unsafe, especially while driving a vehicle. The same goes for only being able to hear well in one ear. When you only have the ability to hear well in one ear, you lose the ability to discern the direction of where sounds are coming from. This can be very dangerous especially if you are driving or if you are out in public. If someone yells to you, “watch out for that...” – you won’t know where that voice is coming from and by the time you figure it out, it’s probably too late.
That is not to say that there aren’t some situations that call for only one hearing aid. If you only have hearing loss in one ear and the other one functions perfectly, then one hearing aid makes sense. But it’s always good to have your hearing checked every year just to make sure your good ear isn’t starting to lose hearing. Because once it does, you will want to get that second hearing aid.
Think about it. When you go to the eye doctor and your left eye is a different prescription than your right eye, do you tell the doctor “well, just give me a lens for one eye, and I’ll just put a patch over the other eye”? Of course you wouldn’t say that. You want to see the best you can, right? The same goes for your hearing. Treat yourself to great hearing. Don’t settle for anything less.
Brian Hassinger
Hearing Specialist
Audibel - Decatur, Illinois
March 8, 2013 - Ringing in Your Ears? - by Douglas Haws
Buzzzzzzz....
Ringing, whooshing, chirping, pulsing, and hearing things in your head that no one else does. Tinnitus is the formal name for what many call “head noises.” Many people think of ringing in their ears as tinnitus, but the ringing is really just one of the forms these sounds can take.
50 million people in the United States have experienced tinnitus. 30 million people state tinnitus impacts their daily life. That is one out of 10 people who may have problems falling asleep, concentrating when reading or watching TV, or finding it hard to follow a conversation, all because of tinnitus.
What is Tinnitus?
The definition of tinnitus is the perception of a sound that doesn't exist in the environment. Many people will ask what causes tinnitus. The reality is that we do not know the exact physical reason for tinnitus. We do know of many things that trigger or aggravate tinnitus. Loud sounds, like working in a factory, construction, rock concerts, particularly if for long periods of time, can be associated with tinnitus. Certain medications and supplements, both prescription and over the counter, can aggravate tinnitus. Many of our favorite foods, particularly those with salt, caffeine or alcohol, work against us with tinnitus. Trauma to the head and neck as well as some medical conditions, such as cardiovascular disorders or hypo/hyper-tension may also impact tinnitus.
What does it mean to have tinnitus?
Tinnitus often doesn't occur alone. The two most common symptoms to occur with tinnitus are hyperacusis and hearing loss. Hyperacusis is a sensitivity to loud sounds. In extreme cases, the ring of the telephone may be too loud. More often, raised voices or loud environments may cause discomfort or make the person become tired and easily overwhelmed. Hearing loss is very common with tinnitus as well, but many people are not aware of the hearing loss. They may believe that it is the tinnitus that is causing the problems with hearing and understanding the people in their life.
Can anything be done?
There are hundreds of “cures” for tinnitus on the internet, but he reality is there is no cure. There are ways to manage tinnitus. Research has shown that the most successful way to manage tinnitus involves three basic components: 1) a sound stimulus to help distract the brain from the tinnitus; 2) education and counseling about tinnitus; 3) amplification if the patient also has a hearing loss.
New Devices
Today, there are new devices created just for tinnitus patients that provide a custom sound stimulus to help distract the brain from the tinnitus. These new devices can also help if a hearing loss is present. These devices combined with education and counseling, offer one of the best options to manage tinnitus.
Doug Haws
President & Owner
Audibel Hearing Center
Ringing, whooshing, chirping, pulsing, and hearing things in your head that no one else does. Tinnitus is the formal name for what many call “head noises.” Many people think of ringing in their ears as tinnitus, but the ringing is really just one of the forms these sounds can take.
50 million people in the United States have experienced tinnitus. 30 million people state tinnitus impacts their daily life. That is one out of 10 people who may have problems falling asleep, concentrating when reading or watching TV, or finding it hard to follow a conversation, all because of tinnitus.
What is Tinnitus?
The definition of tinnitus is the perception of a sound that doesn't exist in the environment. Many people will ask what causes tinnitus. The reality is that we do not know the exact physical reason for tinnitus. We do know of many things that trigger or aggravate tinnitus. Loud sounds, like working in a factory, construction, rock concerts, particularly if for long periods of time, can be associated with tinnitus. Certain medications and supplements, both prescription and over the counter, can aggravate tinnitus. Many of our favorite foods, particularly those with salt, caffeine or alcohol, work against us with tinnitus. Trauma to the head and neck as well as some medical conditions, such as cardiovascular disorders or hypo/hyper-tension may also impact tinnitus.
What does it mean to have tinnitus?
Tinnitus often doesn't occur alone. The two most common symptoms to occur with tinnitus are hyperacusis and hearing loss. Hyperacusis is a sensitivity to loud sounds. In extreme cases, the ring of the telephone may be too loud. More often, raised voices or loud environments may cause discomfort or make the person become tired and easily overwhelmed. Hearing loss is very common with tinnitus as well, but many people are not aware of the hearing loss. They may believe that it is the tinnitus that is causing the problems with hearing and understanding the people in their life.
Can anything be done?
There are hundreds of “cures” for tinnitus on the internet, but he reality is there is no cure. There are ways to manage tinnitus. Research has shown that the most successful way to manage tinnitus involves three basic components: 1) a sound stimulus to help distract the brain from the tinnitus; 2) education and counseling about tinnitus; 3) amplification if the patient also has a hearing loss.
New Devices
Today, there are new devices created just for tinnitus patients that provide a custom sound stimulus to help distract the brain from the tinnitus. These new devices can also help if a hearing loss is present. These devices combined with education and counseling, offer one of the best options to manage tinnitus.
Doug Haws
President & Owner
Audibel Hearing Center
March 1, 2013 - Tips From Our Springfield Specialist
Hello Audibel Friends,
I hope you had a great start to 2013! For those who do not know me, my name is Stephanie Pinkston and I am the Specialist in our Springfield office. I began working for Audibel in 2008, and have found a passion for helping people hear. In this time, I have acquired a list of helpful tips that I encourage you to follow. This ensures you are getting the quality of hearing you deserve.
First, I want to start with the things you should be doing daily at home. The most important thing is to put your hearing aids in first thing in the morning and wear them until bedtime. Wearing your hearing aids not only helps you hear better, but it keeps your understanding speech from getting worse. Before you put your aids in, take a minute to brush the microphone and tip of the aid so that wax and oil do not build up and clog your hearing aid. The morning is the best time to clean them so wax/oil is dry and comes off easy. Depending on the hearing aid, you may need to do additional cleaning periodically as well, such as cleaning tubing or changing the wax guard. Stop in and ask us if you need help.
When you remove your aids for bedtime, make sure you open up the battery door so that you are saving battery life. Remove your aids when you shower, swim, sleep, or use hair spray and always put them in the same case/place every night. Doing this will prevent you from losing them or having them damaged. It is a good idea to purchase a dehumidifying case for storage, especially in the summer months. Hearing aids collect moisture from the air, from your skin, as well as moisture from wax - dehumidifying them throughout the night helps maintain good sound quality and cuts down on potential repairs. This is especially good for those who perspire much or are very active throughout the day. Taking good care of your hearing aids at home covers half of the maintenance hearing aids need, and the rest we take care of for you.
We offer an in office maintenance program that is very beneficial. Your office visits were included in the purchase of your hearing aids and are free of charge. This plan consists of monthly cleanings, 4 month check up’s, and yearly exams. Although, you clean your aids yourself, you should still be stopping in here once a month so that we can clean and check your hearing aids. We have equipment that vacuums deeper into the aids than what you are capable of doing at home. You do not need an appointment for monthly clean and checks.
Your 4 month check up’s are also important. It gives us another chance to clean and check your hearing aids. Having your aids checked is important because having a hearing loss, you may not always detect an issue or problem with the aid that we can detect. In addition to checking your aids, we also check your ears for excess wax. This appointment also gives us the chance to check in with you, see how you are hearing, and schedule any necessary adjustment appointments or exams if needed.
Lastly, take advangtage of receiving your yearly hearing exam. You may not detect changes in your hearing because they can occur very gradually. The only way to know is to get an exam. If there have been changes, we are able to adjust or reprogram the hearing aids which can make a big difference in your daily hearing. It is also important to keep yearly documentation of your hearing loss so we know if it is slow or fast progressing.
Our recommended maintenance program is full of tips. I’m including a few more random tips for you to adopt if you have not already. Carry an extra storage case in your purse, your pocket, or in your vehicle. You never know if you may need to take your aids out and you will need a safe place to put them. Also, carry extra batteries either in your extra case, or pick up a key chain holder from us. Do not remove the sticker on your battery until you are ready to use the battery. Removal of the sticker activates the battery. If you have trouble understanding on the phone, experiment with speaker phone. It can help substantially for certain people. The last tip I leave you with is to communicate with us. If you are having any difficulty with your hearing aids, you must let us know. We are here to help, but we can’t if we don’t know. We will do whatever we can to solve any hearing problem. If there is an issue, there is usually always a solution, so do not hesitate to talk to us regardless of how big or small the problem may seem.
If you follow these tips, and our recommended maintenance program you will keep your hearing aids performing better, lasting longer, and maintain a high quality of hearing. If you are not following this system, I encourage you to do so. Your hearing aids are valuable so taking good care of them should be a priority. You invested quite a bit of money to enhance your life with better hearing, so let us make sure you are getting the optimal performance out of your hearing aids.
God Bless you and your family. Next time I see you, I will have a little baby boy of my own! I can’t wait to show my patients pictures when I’m back to work in May!
Stephanie Pinkston
Hearing Specialist
Audibel - Springfield, Illinois
I hope you had a great start to 2013! For those who do not know me, my name is Stephanie Pinkston and I am the Specialist in our Springfield office. I began working for Audibel in 2008, and have found a passion for helping people hear. In this time, I have acquired a list of helpful tips that I encourage you to follow. This ensures you are getting the quality of hearing you deserve.
First, I want to start with the things you should be doing daily at home. The most important thing is to put your hearing aids in first thing in the morning and wear them until bedtime. Wearing your hearing aids not only helps you hear better, but it keeps your understanding speech from getting worse. Before you put your aids in, take a minute to brush the microphone and tip of the aid so that wax and oil do not build up and clog your hearing aid. The morning is the best time to clean them so wax/oil is dry and comes off easy. Depending on the hearing aid, you may need to do additional cleaning periodically as well, such as cleaning tubing or changing the wax guard. Stop in and ask us if you need help.
When you remove your aids for bedtime, make sure you open up the battery door so that you are saving battery life. Remove your aids when you shower, swim, sleep, or use hair spray and always put them in the same case/place every night. Doing this will prevent you from losing them or having them damaged. It is a good idea to purchase a dehumidifying case for storage, especially in the summer months. Hearing aids collect moisture from the air, from your skin, as well as moisture from wax - dehumidifying them throughout the night helps maintain good sound quality and cuts down on potential repairs. This is especially good for those who perspire much or are very active throughout the day. Taking good care of your hearing aids at home covers half of the maintenance hearing aids need, and the rest we take care of for you.
We offer an in office maintenance program that is very beneficial. Your office visits were included in the purchase of your hearing aids and are free of charge. This plan consists of monthly cleanings, 4 month check up’s, and yearly exams. Although, you clean your aids yourself, you should still be stopping in here once a month so that we can clean and check your hearing aids. We have equipment that vacuums deeper into the aids than what you are capable of doing at home. You do not need an appointment for monthly clean and checks.
Your 4 month check up’s are also important. It gives us another chance to clean and check your hearing aids. Having your aids checked is important because having a hearing loss, you may not always detect an issue or problem with the aid that we can detect. In addition to checking your aids, we also check your ears for excess wax. This appointment also gives us the chance to check in with you, see how you are hearing, and schedule any necessary adjustment appointments or exams if needed.
Lastly, take advangtage of receiving your yearly hearing exam. You may not detect changes in your hearing because they can occur very gradually. The only way to know is to get an exam. If there have been changes, we are able to adjust or reprogram the hearing aids which can make a big difference in your daily hearing. It is also important to keep yearly documentation of your hearing loss so we know if it is slow or fast progressing.
Our recommended maintenance program is full of tips. I’m including a few more random tips for you to adopt if you have not already. Carry an extra storage case in your purse, your pocket, or in your vehicle. You never know if you may need to take your aids out and you will need a safe place to put them. Also, carry extra batteries either in your extra case, or pick up a key chain holder from us. Do not remove the sticker on your battery until you are ready to use the battery. Removal of the sticker activates the battery. If you have trouble understanding on the phone, experiment with speaker phone. It can help substantially for certain people. The last tip I leave you with is to communicate with us. If you are having any difficulty with your hearing aids, you must let us know. We are here to help, but we can’t if we don’t know. We will do whatever we can to solve any hearing problem. If there is an issue, there is usually always a solution, so do not hesitate to talk to us regardless of how big or small the problem may seem.
If you follow these tips, and our recommended maintenance program you will keep your hearing aids performing better, lasting longer, and maintain a high quality of hearing. If you are not following this system, I encourage you to do so. Your hearing aids are valuable so taking good care of them should be a priority. You invested quite a bit of money to enhance your life with better hearing, so let us make sure you are getting the optimal performance out of your hearing aids.
God Bless you and your family. Next time I see you, I will have a little baby boy of my own! I can’t wait to show my patients pictures when I’m back to work in May!
Stephanie Pinkston
Hearing Specialist
Audibel - Springfield, Illinois