Communication Strategies for those with A hearing impairment

Distance.

Do not talk from another room. Not being able to see each other when talking is a common reason people have a difficult time understanding what was said.

Prepare.

Say the person’s name before beginning a conversation. This allows the listener to focus attention and reduces the chance of missing words at the beginning of the sentence.

Visual.

Face the person you are talking to directly. Avoid having your hands near your face when talking. Make sure there is good lighting.

Sound.

Reduce any other distracting background sounds in your environment if possible, such as T.V, music, fans, etc.

Rephrase.

If they are having difficulty understanding what you said even after repetition, try rephrasing the sentence.

Clear.

Speak clearly, slowly, and distinctly (but naturally) without shouting.

Write.

If you are giving specific details (such as time, place, numbers, directions, etc.), try to provide the information in writing as well.

Train.

Enroll in aural rehabilitation classes. Auditory training can help improve speech recognition in noise and satisfaction with hearing devices. There are several online auditory training courses to chose from.

Ototoxic Medications

What is Ototoxicity?

Ototoxicity refers to the harmful effects that certain medications, chemicals, or substances can have on the delicate structures within the inner ear. Damage can cause hearing loss or other ear-related problems.

Here is a list of some common ototoxic medications, but please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and there may be other medications that can have ototoxic effects. It is essential to note that the specific dosage that causes damage can vary significantly depending on individual factors, such as age, treatment duration, individual susceptibility, specific drug, renal function, and overall health. Therefore, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional regarding the potential ototoxicity of any medication and its appropriateness for your condition.

Ear Toxic Medications

1. Aminoglycoside antibiotics (e.g., gentamicin, streptomycin, neomycin)

2. Loop diuretics (e.g., furosemide, torsemide)

3. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen)

4. Salicylates (e.g., aspirin)

5. Chemotherapy drugs (e.g., cisplatin, carboplatin, methotrexate)

6. Antimalarial drugs (e.g., chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine)

7. Antidepressants (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs))

8. Antipsychotic medications (e.g., haloperidol, chlorpromazine)

9. Antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine, promethazine)

10. Anticonvulsants (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine)

11. Antiviral drugs (e.g., acyclovir, ritonavir)

12. High-dose aspirin

13. Quinine-containing medications

14. Certain heart medications (e.g., beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers)

15. Certain antacids (e.g., cimetidine)

16. Certain antifungal drugs (e.g., amphotericin B)

17. Certain immunosuppressant drugs (e.g., cyclosporine, tacrolimus)

18. Certain antineoplastic drugs (e.g., etoposide, vincristine)

It is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional for specific information and guidance on ototoxic medications.

Ear toxic Medications

Information about Tinnitus

  • Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no actual external noise is present

  • Tinnitus is experienced by about 25 million Americans (~10% of the population)

  • Tinnitus can manifest as many different perceptions of sound, including buzzing, hissing, whistling, swooshing, clicking, humming, and more

  • Tinnitus can be temporary or chronic

  • Tinnitus is not a disease, but rather a symptom of some other underlying health condition

  • In most cases, tinnitus is a reaction in the brain to damage in the auditory system (hearing loss)

Why do we need to Protect our hearing?

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 22 million employees in the United States are exposed to potentially damaging noise at work each year

  • Exposure to noise is measured in units of sound pressure levels called decibels. Decibels are measured on a logarithmic scale which means that a small change in the number of decibels results in a huge change in the amount of noise and the potential damage to a person's hearing

  • Noise exposure can cause permanent damage to your auditory system — this is called Noise Induced Hearing Loss

  • Loud noise exposure can result in tinnitus even if the noise exposure was brief in nature