hearLIFE Clinic Nassau

Face to Face: A Story about Dr. Kim Scriven

“She is not just a doctor; she is an angel” said one of Dr. Scriven’s patients. Read the story of this exceptional woman who improves the lives of Bahamians suffering from hearing issues.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2018/sep/25/face-face-going-above-and-beyond-help-people-hear-/

FACE TO FACE: Going above and beyond to help people hear again The Bahamas is a small country filled with incredible people and it never ceases to amaze me when I have the good fortune to meet one of them. In this case, it was a Bahamian woman who is a trailblazer in medicine and continues to work hard to improve the lives of Bahamians suffering from hearing is...

On Friday May 25, come and get your hearing tested for free.

Bring family and friends with you! Learn a lot and enjoy all kinds of give-aways. This is one event that can really change lives. When you can't hear well, life can be difficult and lonely. Don't let that happen to you or those you care about. So drop in 9 to 5, or call for appointment, at the Hear LIFE Clinic at the Bahamas Medical Center, Blake Road.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Do you have a hear-versary? That's the date when you got back the gift of hearing. It's worth celebrating. For one thing, it, it's good to remember that treating your hearing brings joy back to those around you too. A major British study confirms hearing spouses suffer loneliness, frustration and depression when their husbands or wives don't get their hearing treated. When hearing loss happens, couples stop talking as much together, they joke a lot less, they go out less, they can argue more. But with treatment -- hearing aids or, where not effective, hearing implants – those with hearing loss can communicate and participate more fully in life. So come and see us, and prepare for your hear-versary. You can read about the study here: http://bit.ly/2AUo82k

Being able to ear in just one ear isn't uncommon. And many who have single-sided deafness (SSD) may also have tinnitus. That's a ringing, buzzing, screeching or hissing sound in your ear that only you can hear. It has no external source.
For those who suffer from severe chronic tinnitus, it can be debilitating. But a study of 26 patients with SSD showed every one found relief from their severe tinnitus after receiving a cochlear implant. The majority found the noise significantly reduced. For 15%, their tinnitus disappeared entirely. And other studies show similar findings. http://bit.ly/2yNHmAW
Sadly, too many people remain unaware of options and despair instead of talking to us.

Can Cochlear Implants be a Tinnitus Cure? Tinnitus. If you can think of a more persistently annoying hearing-related word let us know. Tinnitus is a “ringing, buzzing, roaring, or hissing sound without any external acoustic source”,1 and studies have shown that it affects between 10-15% of adults2 and up to 30% of those age 55 or older....

What's your for 2018? How about being a trendsetter. Most people get their eyes checked regularly, but less than 10% get their hearing checked! And that's a terrible thing because untreated hearing can cause depression and mental decline. So what about being a role model for others? The more people get their hearing loss treated, the more others will do. You'll help spread the gift of hearing. Right now, hearing loss leaves out too many. Visit us and we'll help change that.

Happy New Year from all of us at The HearLIFE Clinic. And make 2018 the Year of Hearing. Our Leading Lady of Audiology has a special New Year's tip for all.
If you're welcoming in 2018 with loud music, do it in earplugs (and bring in extra for people you love). Our Dr. Scriven is pictured here on stage at the last Red Dress Soiree in a gown she loves by designer Brynda Knowles but she says the most beautiful thing you can wear to any party this year are ... earplugs!
If you don’t protect your ears, you can suffer tinnitus or permanent hearing loss just from repeated exposure to loud music over a short period of time.
With earplugs, you’ll still hear the music just fine –and you’ll be able to keep hearing it for years. Stay safe and make 2018 the Year of Hearing.

Best wishes for the holidays from all of us at the HearLIFE Clinic. This holiday, make sure you're hearing laughter of loved ones, and everything else that brings you joy.
Too often people wait 7 to 10 years to treat their hearing loss. We might not always know what we’re missing, but science does. Research tells us how quickly our physical and mental health declines when we have untreated hearing loss.
You'll likely be amazed at the technological breakthroughs to better treat hearing loss – with hearing aids or hearing transplants. So if you can't hear the birds, come in and see us. We can help.

Is there a Grinch at your table this holiday? Do your older friends or family members seem more easily upset? Their bad mood could be hiding loneliness, confusion and frustration at not being able to hear or understand what those around them are saying. Hearing loss changes a person's personality -- that's the conclusion of a Swedish study of 400 people in their 80s and 90s.
But Grinchs' hearts grow when they receive treatment, and when they are reassured that if hearing aids are no longer effective, are the standard of care. At the hearLIFE Clinic, we want everyone to enjoy better quality of life --and age is no barrier. People can get hearing implants well into their 90s.

We love this video for a lot of reasons. For one thing, it makes it so clear and easy to understand some of the most important aspects of a cochlear implant. Take a look for yourself. More questions? We're here for you.

Why Can Triformance Give You the Best Hearing with Your Cochlear Implant? http://www.medel.com/triformance What's the most important consideration when choosing a cochlear implant? It's how well you are going to hear! In this video...

Ever worry that wearing a hearing device, like a hearing aid or the audio processor (for a hearing implant) is ageing? That's an actual concern that gets in the way of treatment for some people. But no more. With everyone wearing earbuds, we're all used to seeing devices in ears -- and wearing one doesn't make you look old, just trendy!
Young people agree. A MED-EL survey shows they have less problem talking about hearing loss than older adults. At get-togethers this holiday, ask those around the table what they think about you wearing a hearing device so you can participate more in life. We know they'll say the same thing we'll say to you --that's awesome!
We have lots of awesome options for you if you have hearing loss, come see us soon to chat about it.

Can only hear with one ear? That is known as Single-Sided Deafness (SSD). It's not uncommon but many don't realize that it makes life more tiring. Here's why: If you're deaf in one ear, the head acts as a barrier and stops some sounds and noises from reaching your hearing side. So hearing is more of a strain. It is difficult to understand speech in noisy places and sound localization is very hard.

With two-sided hearing, the brain combines and compares input from both ears to give you 3-D sound. Many don’t realize they may have treatment options, including bone conduction implants, CROS hearing aids, and cochlear implants.

Love holiday music? When you get together with a group and sing from the heart you're doing wonderful things for your health. That’s the finding of many studies that confirm what we know -- singing with others has proven benefits for the body, mind and spirit. But sadly, many with hearing loss or single-sided deafness avoid choirs -- and other social situations.

When Wesley St. West lost his hearing, he says he was devastated that he couldn’t hear his own singing voice. Since receiving a cochlear implant at the hearLIFE Clinic, Wesley is thrilled he can once again hear himself, and harmonize.

If your hearing loss is leading you to turn away from groups, and choirs, visit us. Hearing aids, or when those are not effective, hearing implants, can give you back the joy of participation. And when we can make music together, we’re all happier.

Watch a video about Wesley’s story here. http://www.hearlifeclinic.com/bs/show2/index/id/782/

Singing Changes Your Brain | TIME.com Group singing has been scientifically proven to lower stress, relieve anxiety, and elevate endorphins

Today is World Diabetes Day. Sadly, Bahamas leads the world in number of diabetics per population. Did you know that diabetes can cause hearing loss? If you have hearing loss, come see us because early treatment can make a difference --just like early treatment of diabetes is critical.
Experts say too many in the Bahamas are unaware they are suffering from diabetes. Many with Type 2 Diabetes may not have any symptoms. But untreated diabetes carries many risks, not just for hearing loss, but for heart disease and other serious complications. Today is meant to remind everyone to get regular check-ups.

When meningitis left singer Johanna Patzold deaf in one ear at 23, her life turned upside down. As a musician, losing the ability to hear in stereo was devastating to her career. But even regular daily activities, like looking for a ringing cell phone, were difficult and frustrated Johanna. That's because it is hard to localize sound with just one hearing ear.

So 17 months after her hearing loss, Johanna had a cochlear implant. And that was a game changer. Now 8 years later, she's still awed by how much her cochlear implant has improved her life, and her music.

If you have hearing loss, there are treatment options to help you. The first step of your journey to restore the quality of your life is simply to step into the hearLIFE Clinic.

Hearing the colours again – This is MedTech Pure Tech By Karen Finn Republish this article 26th October 2017 Hearing the colours again “Hearing with only one ear is like living in a black and white world without knowing that somewhere else colours exist,” explains Johanna Pätzold. When the singer became deaf in her right ear as a result of me...

Getting older doesn’t need to mean that you become invisible! Barbara learned that the hard way. Barbara’s hearing aids stopped working for her when she was in her mid-70s. And still she waited 2 years to get treatment – in her case, bilateral cochlear implants. Barbara said she wasted those 2 years trying to make herself invisible. She withdrew from family conversations and cut out socializing. She gave up the joy of hearing music, stopped driving to visit her son, stopped talking on the phone, stopped attending her church. Today, with her hearing restored, she participates fully in life again.
37% of people don’t know that when hearing aids stop working, other options are available to restore hearing. Don’t disappear from your life, come talk to us. Read Barbara’s story here:https://blog.medel.com/an-80-year-old-with-two-cochlear-implants-meet-barbara/

We know untreated hearing loss can leave you feeling lonely, even if you're in a couple. But did you know your hearing problems has your wife or husband feeling alone and sad too? A recent study in England examined the impact of hearing loss on relationships. Here's what the researchers found: When someone in a couple has hearing loss, partners don't speak to each other as much. They stop sharing jokes and small talk that made for friendly companionship. They don't get together as often with others. And because when you have untreated hearing loss you may misunderstand what's being said to you, husbands and wives have more conflict, they get frustrated with each other, even resentful.
Still, many people wait 7 to 10 years to seek treatment. That's a long time in the life of a marriage. If you're not motivated for yourself to come in and talk to us about treatment for your hearing loss, this study makes a case for doing it for your loved ones.

idainstitute.com

Today is Mental Health Day. More than 300 million people suffer from depression around the world. And those plus-55 are at added risk because too many have untreated hearing loss. Studies keep confirming what we know --hearing loss often causes depression, loneliness, isolation, and can speed up dementia in older adults.
Today is dedicated to awareness of mental health issues – make sure you or others can hear the conversation. Hearing aids or hearing implants can help mental health. We don't have to leave anyone feeling they're alone on their side of the wall because of hearing loss -- treatment is available. We are here to bring people together.

Is there someone you know who always turns the same side of their head toward you when you speak? They may have single-sided deafness (SSD) --this means they can only hear in one ear. This is not uncommon in the Bahamas. But because people get by, we tend to think it’s really not a big deal. But think again. Click on this simulation and experience just one minute of life with SSD. Not easy, is it?

If you, someone in your family or a friend, can only hear in one ear, come tell us about it. You'll find it interesting to learn about several treatment options that are available. That's good news because as you can hear for yourself, life with just one hearing ear can be downright exhausting.

Hearing With Only One Ear: Binaural Hearing vs. Unilateral Hearing Loss What happens when you can only hear with one ear? This hearing loss in only one ear is often known as unilateral hearing loss or single-sided deafness. Heari...

Hearing matters to golfers! It’s just been announced that 18 of the world's best golfers will tee-off when the Hero World Challenge opens in the Bahamas on November 27. The news marks the one-year anniversary of the passing of champion golfer Arnold Palmer (Sept. 25). Palmer wore hearing aids for 30 years and did he think they helped his game? He said, "Absolutely!" If you need help to hear the sound of the golf ball against the clubs, be sure to drop in for a golfer's chat with hearLIFE clinic's head of audiology, Dr. Scriven.

When something big happens in life, people want to hear about it! A survey of 2,700 adults found 66% are motivated to get treatment for their hearing loss if there's a major event coming up -- like a reunion, a wedding, a birth, or after a health scare or crisis. When you can communicate, you can participate! And if you want someone in your family to get their hearing checked, talk to them about it. The survey shows most people will go for a screening if a family member chats to them about their hearing loss. At the hearLIFE clinic, we're always here for a chat --and you'll find we care so much --we feel a lot like family.

In times of high stress and danger, people with hearing loss can suffer extreme anxiety and fear. This is because when you have hearing loss you may be able to hear sounds, but you can not make out words. Imagine being in a crisis and not being able to understand what people are saying. If you suffer hearing loss, or if you have a family member or friend who does, come and have a chat with Dr. Kim Scriven. Hurricanes happen and can keep us in the dark-- at these times we need more than ever to reach out and support each other so let's not keep anyone feeling alone. There is treatment.

It's easy to forget to do this in the rush to prepare for the storm, but make sure to charge the batteries for your hearing devices now. If you are evacuating, pack spare parts and disposable batteries if you can. Stay safe -- our thoughts and prayers are with you.

If you can't read this, would you put on glasses so that you could? If you can't hear your friends, children, or colleagues clearly, would you get a hearing device so that you could?
Studies show people rush to get their eyes tested when they have trouble seeing. But, they don't get their hearing checked. That's terrible because hearing loss affects your health and your quality of life --and that of your family.
So do for your ears what you do for your eyes, and come see us at the hearLIFE Clinic. By the way, if you are worried that you look good in glasses, but you won't look good with a hearing device -think again. Devices can be discreet or fashionable. In any case, hearing is always "cool"

One in 3 cases of dementia could be prevented if people managed just 9 lifestyle factors – one of which is managing their hearing loss! That’s the finding of a massive study that made headlines around the world last month.

The researchers found that hearing loss puts a lot of strain on the brain (as we have to work so hard to make sense of speech) and causes anxiety, depression and loneliness -- all of which can speed up cognitive decline.

The science makes the case for addressing your hearing loss. We're here to help with treatments that include hearing aids or possibly hearing implants. Come in for a chat and learn more.

The study found other preventative factors for dementia include education, exercise, reducing smoking, and managing hypertension, depression, diabetes and obesity.

Can Treating Hearing Loss Prevent Dementia? Can treating hearing loss help prevent dementia? Turns out being proactive about your hearing health could help reduce the risk of dementia later in life.

Worldwide, we’re getting pretty old. There’s more and more people over 60 wherever you go. By 2020, there'll be more people over 60 than under 5 on this planet! And that'll mean more people with hearing loss.
That's because ageing is the number of cause of hearing loss. Losing your hearing can cost you the joy of living. But thanks to hearing aids or hearing implants, you can get it back. So if you or a family member have problems hearing, come in for chat with our head of audiology, Dr. Kim Scriven. People everywhere are living longer --and we all want to hear life for the entire ride.