Our own Dr. Laura Chylinski talks all things audiology in a recent television appearance
Did you know? Most hearing loss can be effectively treated with hearing devices, but only a fraction of those who could benefit — less than one in five people — ever use them. At Chesapeake Hearing, however, we see every day the difference improved hearing makes in people’s lives. That’s why we love spreading the word in any way possible.
Recently our own Dr. Laura Chylinski, Au.D., an audiologist extraordinaire, appeared on local CBS affiliate television station, WBOC’s Delmarvalife, show to discuss just that. The four-minute segment covered a range of issues, from the basics of hearing testing to hearing loss, today’s exciting hearing technology, and even our personalized approach to helping people along their better-hearing journey!
Getting Your Hearing Tested
Speaking of hearing tests: Dr. Chylinski helped demystify them a bit during her interview. That’s important, because many people don’t know what the process is all about. Others may have a stereotypical image in mind, thinking the testing process simply involves listening for beeps and raising your hand. Getting a full picture of your hearing takes a little more than that, however.
In testing, we look at pitches, frequencies, and speech understanding. One of the critical factors many don’t realize is that there are two parts of hearing — the perception of sound and the ability to process or understand what’s being heard. You may be able to hear someone speaking to you, for example, but not quite understand them due to loss of hearing sensitivity, which can range from mild to profound.
Our hearing tests are quick, painless, and a great start to helping you and your provider craft a plan for improved hearing health. The provider goes over the results with you and shares their recommendations. Sometimes addressing hearing difficulties is as simple as a proper ear cleaning. A comprehensive exam can help uncover this or other underlying contributors to hearing problems.
Enjoying Today’s Innovative Devices
Given the bulky hearing devices of yesteryear, it’s pretty exciting how modern instruments are small, sleek, and practically invisible. As Dr. Chylinski noted during the interview, hearing aid manufacturers have done a great job of making these powerful little devices quite discreet. It’s often hard to tell a patient has them on when they walk through our doors!
What’s more, hearing technology has advanced beyond your wildest dreams, with various features that go a step farther than crisp, clear sound. Some of the latest devices also offer features and benefits such as:
- Rechargeability, providing convenient full-day power and freedom from disposable batteries
- Feedback suppression, which helps further curb squealing, whistling, or hissing sounds
- Wireless streaming, with music, phone calls, and other audio delivered right to your ears
- Noise filtering and microphone directionality, letting you focus on the sounds that matter
- Language translation, fall detection, health-tracking, and other aspects of artificial intelligence
- Connectivity to hearing-friendly looping systems at museums and other participating venues
- Remote professional fine-tuning of your devices for expert help in the comfort of your own home
- Automated settings and programs that can change based on your specific listening environment
Coupled with the range of styles and designs available across different product lines, these exciting hearing aid innovations make it even easier to say “Yes!” to hearing help. And the best part? Researchers are always on the case, looking for ways to make the technology even more aligned with the way people live, work, play, and connect with their world.
Recognizing Signs of Hearing Loss
When’s the best time to seek hearing help? It’s never too late, but the sooner, the better. Often hearing loss occurs gradually — it can sneak up on you — so the ideal time is always now. Plus, it’s common to underestimate the extent of one’s own potential hearing difficulty. Regular professional checkups, however, can provide a more accurate picture of your hearing health and help catch issues early.
As Dr. Chylinski shared during her TV interview, struggling to maintain conversations in everyday life can indicate a hearing loss. Difficulty understanding the person next to you at the dinner table — especially in a crowded restaurant — may also signal the need for hearing help. And if a loved one mentions that you ask “Huh?” or “What?” a lot, it’s likely an indicator of hearing trouble.
Do you suspect a hearing loss? If any of these sound familiar, it’s another good reason to get your hearing checked:
- Family history of deafness or hearing loss
- Folks complaining about your radio or TV volume
- Belief that those around you seem to mumble all the time
- Ringing or buzzing in the head or ears (tinnitus)
- Difficulty understanding the speaker at a meeting or religious service
- Trouble engaging in phone conversations or video chats
- Regular noise exposure at work, home, or recreation
- A gut feeling that something’s off with your hearing
The good news is that improved hearing can be a big boost not only to communication but also overall wellness. A growing body of research links hearing aid use to reduced odds of dementia, depression, and falls; better brain function; and other aspects of healthier living. Keeping the potential signs of hearing loss in mind — and seeking treatment — can help you safeguard your total health.
Taking Care of You
Like expert audiologist Dr. Chylinski, our entire team is committed to raising awareness about hearing and its important role in a healthy life. It’s a commitment that goes back to our founding in 1975 by Dr. Charles Hutto, Au.D., who dedicated his professional career to hearing care. We’re proud to continue his legacy with the highest levels of service and patient-oriented care.
Whether receiving hearing, balance, or tinnitus help, you can count on us for:
- Highly trained providers and staff
- Complete diagnostic evaluations
- State-of-the-art equipment
- Cutting-edge technology, including the best hearing aids
- Solutions personalized to your communication needs
What makes us different?
- We’re the first private-practice audiology group in Maryland
- Our expert audiologists stay atop the latest advances in hearing care
- We give back to our community through donations, volunteerism, and more
- The philosophy of “doing what is best for the patient” has guided us since 1975
- We’re proud to deliver the best in service and care to people of all ages across our great state
With a passion for caring service and quality hearing care, we’re here for you. So don’t wait. If hearing seems harder than it used to be or it’s been a while since your last checkup, book a visit with Chesapeake Hearing today!