May Flowers: Allergy Solutions With Ear Gear
As discussed in Ear Gear’s “April Showers” blog, moisture is a major concern facing hearing device users—A major concern that Ear Gear can help to solve! Of course, moisture is not the only thing that spring ushers in which can be a concern for device users. Spring is full of green budding plants, blooming flowers, and…hay fever season. For those who are sensitive to allergens, all the swirling pollen and dust can bring in a whole host of problems. We’re here to help hearing professionals and hearing device users alike understand how Ear Gear can help prevent some of the issues that may occur with hearing devices, and with sensitive or reactive skin.
Can seasonal allergens really cause problems with hearing devices?
Dirt and dust, and in this case pollen, are always a concern as fine particulate matter can deposit in the crevices of devices and work their way into the delicate inner electronic components. This impacts function in many ways, but most notably with sound quality and battery life. Monitoring hearing devices is important so that any sudden fluctuations in battery life or any significant changes in volume or sound can be identified.
In addition to monitoring, regular service and maintenance on hearing devices is critical. Keeping them clean and well maintained will avoid a number of problems as well as make the difference more clear as to whether a lessening in sound quality might be caused by impaired device functionality or from allergy related hearing loss.
Can allergies really impact hearing directly?
Conductive hearing loss, the impairment of sound moving from the outer ear through the middle ear to the inner ear, can be caused by allergic reactions. Sometimes allergies will lead to itching, irritation, and inflammation of that pathway and the resultant swelling can block and impair sound. Allergy-related congestion can also result in fluid build-up, which may clog the Eustachian tubes and is often indicated by a “full” or “heavy” sensation inside the ear, along with temporary hearing loss or temporary worsening of existing hearing loss.
How can hearing devices users keep their devices and themselves safe from allergens and related concerns?
First and foremost, if you have a client who deals with significant seasonal allergies, advise them to seek out the advice of a medical doctor or allergist. There are a lot of wonderful antihistamines available to help manage the effects of the increased allergen load in our environment, and someone with experience can help them to find the best option for their needs.
Next, it’s important to book your patient in for servicing and maintenance of their hearing devices. This is important for a couple of reasons.
Professional servicing and maintenance ensures their hearing devices will work to the best of their capability. This way, if the client has been experiencing muffled sound or impaired audio volume, you will be able to help them pinpoint whether it was an issue with the device, or a different factor causing the concern.
Hearing changes, especially a worsening of hearing, should always be examined. Once you have been able to ensure that your patient's hearing devices are not a factor it is important to understand if their hearing changes are consistent with the conductive loss associated with seasonal allergic reactions or if there may be other, potentially more serious, factors involved. This way you will be able to identify the correct course of action and the most relevant solutions.
And after that? Well, that’s where Ear Gear comes in! Once hearing devices are cleaned, serviced, and functioning optimally, we are here to help keep them that way.
Ear Gear protects hearing devices, and Ear Gear protects hearing device users. By keeping dirt, dust, and pollen out of device components, we can cut down on future maintenance needs. Device batteries will last longer and with our acoustically transparent design, sound quality will continue to deliver.
So how does Ear Gear protect hearing device users directly? The double layered fabric sleeve is hypoallergenic and latex-free, so while your patients are facing down seasonal allergies, Ear Gear is ensuring that they don’t have additional irritants to worry about. The skin behind and around the ears can be delicate and sensitive, so we aim to reduce discomfort and elevate the every day experience of hearing device users.
