Monthly Archives: July 2009

Humorous Take on Serious Quiz

Posted on by

After reading through questions on a hearing loss quiz from an article in U.S. News, my strange sense of humour kicked in and I had to comment on some of the questions. Yes, hearing loss is a serious subject and I highly advocate (as you know) the use of hearing protection. However, in a world so full of serious stuff, let’s take a break and have a bit of a laugh! Well, I hope you do, anyway!

If you take the hearing loss quiz and answer yes to more than three questions, you may have some amount of hearing loss. I was thinking, though, that many of the questions could have another reason or answer. Here’s my take. Continue reading →

Are You Genetically Predisposed to Hearing Loss?

Posted on by

It’s a typical image of an elderly person, the old guy with his hand cupped over his ear saying “Speak up, I can’t hear you lad!” But not all folks lose their hearing merely from aging. Could this be due to genetics?

Neurotologists at the House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles, CA have identified a gene that is responsible for glutamate regulation, which may be one cause of hearing loss in the elderly. Glutamate, apparently, is a necessary neurotransmitter in the ear, but some people produce too much glutamate and this then damages sensory cells and neurons in the ear causing hearing loss. Continue reading →

The BEST iPod Accessory!

Posted on by

If you’ve read my blog before, you know I’m a major music lover. As I write, I’m listening to my iPod (drowning out the kids in the background, see previous blog entry on this!). I also love to have my music playing while I run on the treadmill. It takes me to another world so I can get through the rather monotonous cardio. However, as often as I listen to my iPod, I didn’t want to experience hearing damage, so I made an investment and had my custom earphones made to protect my ears.

The process was quite simple. I ordered the ProGuard fleximonitor kit and had an appointment at a local audiologist where they took impressions of my ear canals. I sent the impressions back in the pre-paid post box, and two weeks later, my custom earphones arrived. Continue reading →

What Makes These Earplugs So Popular?

Posted on by

There are literally hundreds of choices when it comes to earplugs, but some earplugs seem to reign supreme: Alpine MusicSafe Pro, Macks Ultra SafeSound, Macks Pillow Soft Kids, Moldex Spark Plugs, Moldex Mellows, and Heartech Silent Ear. I thought I’d look these customer favourites over and determine why they are so popular!

Musician earplugs are highly popular these days with all the attention given to hearing damage that avid music lovers, rock stars and club employees were encountering without proper hearing protection. Alpine MusicSafe Pro earplugs are affordable music earplugs that allow you to choose the proper level of protection with three different attenuating filters: white for low level pub music, silver for music venues and gold for D.J.’s and others who are exposed to very loud music. I give these a top rating because they offer professional quality in protection, but at affordable rates for those of us who are not highly popular D.J.’s or rock stars! Continue reading →

More Depressing News to Tune Out with Earplugs?

Posted on by

Wow, what a week for Hollywood! Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson and now, Billy Mays (the infomercial guy… Sham Wow, OxyClean etc.). Of course, Michael Jackson is deemed the most shocking death and you’d be hard pressed to turn on the television and not find something about the eccentric King of Pop. While I think it’s tragic that a music icon is dead and one who was only 50, I’m afraid I find myself reaching for my earplugs as my husband watches the news these days.

Yes, I remember watching the music video Thriller (remember when MTV actually showed music videos?) when I was a tween and watching the boys in my class attempt the moonwalk at every middle school dance. I think Michael Jackson made huge contributions to the entertainment industry, and I certainly don’t want to sound as though I’m tuning out the media coverage out of disrespect. Continue reading →