When Hurricane Dorian was on the doorstep of the eastern seaboard a couple of months ago, governors took to the airways to warn their constituents of the impending danger. They were not alone, however. In many instances, such as in Florida and Georgia, these warnings were accompanied by an American Sign Language Interpreter. This is common during times of crises and, at times, the interpreter has been known to steal the show.
This is no mere sideshow, however. ASL interpreters, both hearing and deaf, are vital in times of disaster. While technology has advanced to the point where captions can be used on many live broadcasts, sign language may be a deaf or hard-of-hearing person’s first and even only mode of communication. Having an interpreter on hand means that those people have access to the same life-saving information as everyone else.
ASL: The Foundation of a Culture
American Sign Language is a beautiful language, incorporating many elements in its execution, including facial expression, body movement, storytelling, and more. Rather than signing each word (as with Signed Exact English), ASL approaches from a more visual perspective, focusing on the effective presentation of information.
This language is the foundation of a rich culture. To be part of Deaf culture is to be part of a close-knit community, brought together by language and shared experience, and Deaf events are known to be great social gatherings.
Did you know that sign language is not universal? There are different signed languages in different countries and regions, and those cultures influence the formation and execution of those languages. Just as you may not automatically understand Spanish or German, signers of ASL will not automatically be able to understand British Sign Language (BSL) or Lengua de signos española (“Spanish Sign Language” or LSE).
Hearing “Loss”?
Many deaf people do not consider their lack of hearing to be a problem, particularly when they have access to large Deaf communities such as the one here in our very own Austin, TX. They are no different from anyone else; their ears simply do not work. For many deaf people, hearing loss is no “loss” at all.
While this may mean that hearing loss is not a problem for you, it is always a good idea to get your ears checked, as hearing health is often an indicator of overall health. You can schedule an appointment with us today.
ASL is amazing, and a great way to kick off our “Spreading Good Cheer” series, which you can find on our blog. Even if your ears work perfectly, you can always learn sign language for yourself and your community. The benefits will amaze you.
The holidays are approaching, promising food, family, and gifts. While this is a season filled with joy, we want to help reduce any stress of the holidays which may take a toll on our mental and physical health – that includes our hearing. RK Audiology is going to keep the good cheer going throughout this season with a new series and some tips on keeping your hearing healthy for the holidays.
Looking Back on the Year
RK Audiology has had another great year! Here in our 8th year, we opened a new main office in West Austin, expanded our team and acquired a South Austin property just south of our original location to provide you with more convenience and serve you better! We also obtained new technology that makes us more effective in treating our clients. As always, it’s been a thrill to share our journey and knowledge with you. Here are just a few highlights from this year’s blog posts:
As you know by now, hearing and hearing health is our passion. Finding the latest and most inspiring information about how to keep ears healthy…well, that’s just a perk. So, we’re passing it on to you with our “Spreading Good Cheer” series for the holidays. Stay tuned to our blog this season as we share a series of posts on different topics, including new technologies, the Deaf community, and more!
Holiday Reminders for Good Hearing Health
‘Tis the season to indulge in our favorite foods. As you prepare your holiday menu, be sure to add some antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids. Your ears will thank you.
The holidays are a perfect time to celebrate — when we do it safely. Whether you’re attending holiday parties, watching the big game, or ringing in the new year with fireworks, there are ways to ensure you get the greatest enjoyment from your holiday experiences.
As always, ear scans and cleanings keep your ears in tip-top shape. Schedule an appointment with RK Audiology for a New Year’s resolution that’s easy to keep, and give yourself and your loved ones the best gift you can this season: healthy hearing.
The RK Audiology team is growing again, and we’re thrilled to introduce you to our latest addition: Victoria Villarreal. Victoria comes to us from The University of Texas at Austin, where she is studying for her Audiology Clinical Doctorate (AuD).
Victoria is with RK for her 4th-year internship year. She began in June of this year, and we couldn’t be more pleased with how well she fits into the RK team! Her expertise in ear scans, ear cleanings, and hearing instrument fittings make her a perfect staff member to fit our Lyric hearing aids. She believes in the benefits of the product as much as we do, and has this to say:
“Lyric is a great option for people who want a completely invisible, and natural-sounding device to treat their hearing loss. Lyric lives in your ear canal for a couple of months at a time, which means there is no daily hassle. This approach to treating hearing loss is an option worth considering for anyone looking for help with their hearing.”
Victoria loves dance and going to concerts with her new husband! You can read more about her on her profile page.
To learn how Victoria and RK Audiology can help you decide if Lyric is the right choice for you, check out our Lyric Hearing page and schedule an appointment today!
We’re really excited here at RK Audiology, and the reason is clear: the OtoscanⓇ Digital Ear Scanner. If you grew up dreaming of advanced gadgets like the ones in sci-fi movies and television, then you can understand why we couldn’t wait to tell you about this exciting new technology. This ear scanner is ahead of its time and is giving us new insight into the way we take care of you, the client. It’s official: the future is here.
What is a Digital Ear Scanner?
OtoscanⓇ is a 3D digital scanner for the ear. It renders 3D images of the inside and outside of the ear which are then saved for creating a digital earmold. This mold then assists in creating custom “in-ear” hearing aids and other custom earpieces with shorter turnaround time.
How Ear Scans Help Your Hearing
RK has recently acquired a 3D digital scanner and the results are amazing. Aside from greater accuracy in creating molds for hearing devices, the scanner is a much more comfortable experience for our clients than traditional ear molds. We are also able to keep these files on hand for future use to help our clients down the road. That means no need to schedule another visit for new scans.
Furthermore, this 3D ear scan allows our clients an accurate view of their own ear. This helps in explaining the often complicated ways in which the ear works and the best methods of treatment. In other words, we love the way it helps you learn how to care for your ears.
Ear Cleaning and Ear Scans Go Hand-in-Hand
If you have visited our office or read our blog posts, you know that we place high importance on getting your ears cleaned safely. One thing we love about the new scanner is how well it supports this treatment. Having an unobstructed view of your ear is key in diagnosing possible issues early on. When you get an ear cleaning and an ear scan together, you are getting the most effective results. It’s as if the two procedures were made for each other!
In general, we love the new Otoscan 3D Digital Ear Scanner. Ear scans are a big part of the future of hearing healthcare, and we can’t wait for you to experience the benefits!
You hear it all the time now, like your parents warning you not to run with scissors: don’t clean your ears with cotton swabs. If you’re like most people, however, the idea of getting your ears professionally cleaned sounds absurd. Why would you pay someone to get rid of a little earwax? The answer to that question has everything to do with the ear canal.
Respect for the Ear Canal
This tunnel is the on-ramp to a multilane highway of a number of different organs in our head. The first stop is the tympanic membrane, most famously known as the eardrum. After this gateway, we travel through the middle ear space and then branch off between the inner ear area and the eustachian tube. The inner ear contains the semicircular canals and the cochlea, which do the majority of the work of transmitting sound to our brain and help us maintain balance. The eustachian tube leads to the pharynx, the area of the throat just behind the nose, and fluid from the middle ear drains from here. (When we “pop” our ears while flying, the eustachian tube is largely responsible.)
Being the entry point of not only sound but also so many important regulatory organs makes the ear canal one of the most important parts of your body. So it needs protection.
A Little Earwax is Good for the Ear Canal
The first thing you need to understand is that earwax is not some foreign substance. The ear canal, like many units in the body, is self-cleaning. The skin on the inside of this tunnel secrets a substance called cerumen – earwax – which lubricates and protects. It’s much like the relationship between mucus and your sinuses. It traps dirt and prevents things like pollen and insects from entering the ear. It also has antibacterial and antifungal properties thanks to high acidity. That’s why it tastes so bad; imagine the bitter aftertaste of lemons, vinegar, and tomatoes without the sweetness to balance them, and you have earwax.
Why Clean My Ears at All?
For the most part, earwax removes itself in due time. In fact, cleaning it out can do more damage than good, especially if you are using a cotton swab. There are no two ways about it: you could very easily leave tears in the ear canal or puncture your eardrum. Even if one of these outcomes is not the case, you may wind up impacting the wax, a counterintuitive result to your efforts and therefore decide to not bother cleaning your ears at all.
Sometimes earwax impacts the ear canal even if you don’t use a cotton swab. Debris can still enter, or an infection may occur. If you are starting to feel itching, dryness, diminishment in hearing, or discomfort of any kind, you may need to get your ears cleaned. It is best, therefore, to have a professional cleaning done. The audiologist can then see if there is a greater problem and recommend a treatment plan. Additionally, cleaning your ears is a great part of health maintenance.
You may be wondering: what about home remedies? There are some you can try, such as using a washcloth or tissue to wipe the area outside of the ear canal, or earwax removal drops you can find over-the-counter. Caution is recommended when it comes to others, such as ear candling. It is always best to consult your audiologist when considering a method of ear maintenance and care. They know the most current and reliable methods and can recommend a treatment plan just right for you.
At RK Audiology, we conduct safe, comfortable cleanings that will keep your ear canals healthy and happy. Our audiologists utilize Video Otoscopy – state-of-the-art equipment allowing both you and the audiologist to view the inside of your ear canals with a small camera which transmits to a larger screen. Video Otoscopy is used with every client before and during all ear cleanings. Schedule a cleaning today!
Summer is a great time to indulge your favorite hobbies. Whether you’re out in nature, out on the lake, or out on the town, those humid summer days and warm summer nights make for a great chance to get out and have some fun. While hearing safety is important all summer long, here are some specific reasons why protecting your ears for your favorite hobbies is just a great idea.
Birding
Part of the joy of this hobby is hearing the symphony of bird song, or vocalizations. More importantly, being a proficient birder depends on a good sense of hearing. Hearing loss in the high frequencies is a common affliction, and as a birder, this will mean that you cannot hear bird calls or track birds and other wildlife. Furthermore, poor hearing can muddy the distinction between a mimic and an actual bird call.
Rock Climbing
Rock climbing is a hobby that should carry a healthy dose of respect. Being a well-prepared climber, however, makes this hobby fun and healthy. While the right gear, technique, and practice are needed for a safe climb, healthy hearing should also be a part of every climber’s preparation. A climber with diminished hearing cannot hear instructions from a partner or team. Also, a climber with hearing loss may have poor localization (the ability to tell the direction of a sound source in 3D space). These things can lead to missteps. Keep your hearing healthy, so it can keep you healthy.
Tennis
When the weather warms up, many of us seek outdoor sports to get our blood pumping. Did you know that the sound of a ball on a racket sounds different when you have hearing loss? It may seem like a small thing, but keeping your hearing on point can give you the competitive edge.
Music
Music is a big part of summer. From outdoor concerts to tunes by the pool, summer has a soundtrack. Everyone remembers their favorite song from “that summer when…” This rings especially true if you are a musician. Hearing loss can seriously affect those summer memories, in more ways than one.
Hobbies may not begin with healthy hearing, yet it’s clear you will enhance your summer fun by getting treatment for hearing loss and protecting your hearing. Schedule an appointment with RK Audiology today to find out how you can get the best out of the season!
