Healthy Hearing Tips
By Dr. Frieda Toback, CCC/A, FAAA

Hearing Screening

Federal guidelines suggest that individuals ages 25 through 60 receive a hearing screening test every 5 years. If a hearing loss is suspected, a visit to a qualified audiologist of hearing specialist is suggested immediately.

For individuals over age 60, federal guidelines stipulate that hearing screenings should be scheduled for every year, regardless of hearing health.

All McGuire’s patients should receive annual hearing screenings.

The Facts on Wax

For most people, earwax is nothing more than a nuisance. In rare instances, however, earwax buildup can hamper hearing. McGuire’s experts don’t recommend using cotton swabs, however. To minimize wax, use a washcloth to remove wax just inside the ear canal.

McGuire’s also can help by using an “otoscope” to visualize inside the ear canals to check for the presence of wax. If wax is visualized, McGuire’s staff members can remove it from the ear canal.

Office Visit Tip

We're often asked why we strongly suggest that patients bring a family member. Quite simply, a large body of research (and our own experience!) has shown us that patients will remember about 50% of the information they receive. Only half of that 50% will be recalled correctly. So quite simply, most patients will return home and recall correctly only 1/4 of the information we provided them. When a family member accompanies a patient, much more of the information is retained, and the patient tends to be less anxious, less stressed and more satisfied with the visit.

Medicines Matter!

Patients scheduled for an office visit to McGuire’s should bring a list of currently used prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, and herbal remedies. The staff at McGuire’s is trained to recognize the effects on hearing caused by specific medicines and remedies.

Healping the Hearing Impaired Communicate

Here are a few tips when communicating with someone who’s hearing impaired:

Do not shout, especially if the other person is wearing hearing aids.1
Get the other person's attention before you begin speaking.
Look directly at the listener and converse where the lighting is adequate.
Do not speak with a cigar, cigarette or food in your mouth.
Speak slowly but naturally.
If the listener doesn't understand what you have said, REPHRASE , don't repeat.
Be patient and considerate.