Jeanne M. Ward, Melissa L.

Anderson,
Au.D. A Newsletter Service of Premium Hearing Solutions Au.D.
Doctor of Audiology Doctor of Audiology

PREMIUM HEARING SOLUTIONS FALL/WINTER 2008

ASK THE EXPERT

Q. “Over the past several years I have noticed that my mother-in-law is having increasing difficulty hearing at family
gatherings. Do you have any suggestions that might motivate her to correct this problem? She is missing so
much.”

A. Some people are reluctant to admit to their hearing loss, as they fear nothing can be done, or have heard of others who were
unsuccessful with hearing devices. Encourage your mother-in-law to make a complimentary, fact-finding appointment
with one of our Doctors of Audiology. At this appointment a baseline hearing screen will be obtained, allowing us to
discuss the implications of any existing hearing loss and present the alternatives available to minimize the problem. If
it is warranted, an in-office demonstration of today’s most appropriate hearing technology would be offered, and an in-
home loan of the devices would be available-ALL AT NO COST! This offer allows her to see, touch and HEAR how today’s
advancements can make a difference in her life.

Q. “My wife complains that I can’t hear, but I keep telling her people just don’t talk as clearly as they used to. How do
I know when it’s time for a hearing check?”

A. It’s true that not all people enunciate as clearly as others, but in reality there have been mumblers throughout history and
there probably is not a higher percentage today than in the past. The fact of the situation is, if hearing is normal, you can
generally understand people in spite of their poor speaking habits. If you find that you ask for frequent repetitions, turn
the television higher than others, have difficulty hearing in crowds or noisy places, or find that you hear a conversation but
have difficulty understanding the words, it’s time to schedule a hearing check.

Do you have a question for us? Please email them to Dr. Ward at phsaud@hotmail.com for possible use in upcoming
newsletters.

TIPS FOR HEARING AID WEARERS

IN THIS ISSUE
Ask the Expert................................................ 1
Tips for Hearing Aid Wearers.................... 1
Warning: Check Smoke Alarms................ 2
Three Ladies Conversing............................ 2
Virtual Hearing Loss Seminar................... 2
Senior Living Community......................... 2
Where Did Dr. Hopkins Go?....................... 3
Live and Laugh.............................................. 3
New Addition to PHS Family.................... 3
Patient Referral Program............................ 4
u If your hearing device has a wax guard at the tip, change them monthly (or
sooner as recommended by our staff ). If you are unable to change them
yourself, we will be happy to do it when you come in for your regular check-
ups.
u Keep hearing devices away from moisture and extreme temperatures.
u NEVER put your hearing aid in the microwave to dry it out.
u Always open the battery door to turn the hearing device off when not wearing
it.
u Force yourself to put your hearing devices away in the SAME place every time
you take them out – this will reduce the risk of loss.
u Clean your devices EVERY a.m., just prior to use, to help prevent wax related
break-downs.

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 WARNING: PEOPLE WITH HEARING LOSS SHOULD CHECK SMOKE ALARMS
The Fire Protection Research Foundation, a non-profit organization, found that a typical smoke alarm fails to wake up almost
half of participants with hearing loss. Most smoke alarms use high-pitched sound signal that is not heard well by many people
with hearing loss.

In their study with 38 volunteers with mild to moderate hearing loss, 43% failed to waken when a
fire alarm went off while they were sleeping. However, a pillow vibrator device woke up 80% of the
participants. A strobe light alerting device had the worst results, alerting only 27% of the participants.
The most effective signal was a loud, low-pitched sound, which woke ore than 92% of listeners.

Unfortunately, low-pitched alarm clocks are not commercially available.

The fire Protection Foundation make the following recommendations for people with hearing loss:
1. Don’t be complacent! Test your smoke alarm. Can you hear it without your hearing aids? Would you be alerted while
asleep?
2. Don’t depend upon strobe light devices – they are not effective!
3. Consider purchasing a bed or pillow shaker alarm if you cannot hear your current smoke alarm. We can order one for
you – just give us a call!

Three ladies were traveling on top of
the Fifth Avenue open-deck bus. This is
the conversation that was overheard:
Lady #1: “Sure is windy today.”
Lady #2: “No it’s not. It’s Thursday.”
Lady #3: “So am I, let’s have a drink!”
CONSIDERING
LIVING IN A
SENIOR LIVING FACILITY?
Are you or a family member considering moving to a Senior
Living Community but don’t know how to pick a good
one? Here’s a tip: check the State of Michigan’s mandatory
inspection reports to learn the goods and bad about the
facility you are considering. Here’s how:

Steps to find reports on Senior Living Facilites:

Discover What You 1. Go to www.michigan.gov/dhs
Need to Know
BEFORE Even Considering 2. Click on “licensing” – this is found listed on the right
Buying Hearing Aids. side of the page (section with blue background).

Visit our Virtual 3. Click on “online license look-ups” – this is found in the
Hearing Loss Seminar at middle section of the page, to the right, on the section
www.premiumhearingsolutions.com! with a white background.
Click on the icon below
to start your personal seminar. 4. First bullet point under “online license look-ups” is
“Adult Foster Care/Homes for the Aged”. Click on this.

5. This will bring you to a new page, where you can type
in the info on the facility you are investigating to get
the report.

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 DR. WHO?
WHERE DID DR. HOPKINS GO??
Don’t fret, Dr. Melissa Hopkins has not disappeared – she
just got married! Her nuptials occurred over Labor Day
weekend, and she is now known as Dr. Melissa Anderson.
Dr. Anderson with her husband, Nick.
The bride and groom’s wedding cake.
Live and Laugh
Want to improve your health as well as
your disposition?
HAVE A GOOD BELLY LAUGH!
According to the study by the University of Maryland,
laughter helps relax the lining of blood vessels, easing
blood flow. Researchers measured the blood flow of
20 participants before and after they watched a funny
film. After the movie, 19 subjects showed improved
flow, with an average increase of 22 percent. Other
research shows that laughter can also reduce stress
and boost immunity.
NEW ADDITION TO THE
PREMIUM HEARING FAMILY
Premium Hearing Solutions’ newest staff member
is Margaret Mizzi. She is known as “Marge” in our
office so as to not confuse her with Margaret Moss,
who helps with the front office. Marge supports our
patients through a patient recall program and acts as
a patient advocate once the patient has been seen.
She helps Dr. Ward and Dr. Anderson ensure that the
patients’ hearing needs were met to their satisfaction.
By communicating with our patients soon after their
visit, we will provide the initiative to address any
immediate concerns without delay.
A longtime resident of the Clawson area, she enjoys
riding her bike and this summer participated in a
week-long, 270 mile bike ride across lower Michigan.
She has also participated with Team-In-Training, a
program of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, in
a half-marathon walk to raise money to fight blood
cancers.
The Staff of Premium Hearing Solutions
(Marge is pictured at the far left)
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 PATIENT REFERRAL PROGRAM
Because we are proud that you have chosen us to be your receive $25.00 off a purchase, and you will receive a
hearing care professionals, Premium Hearing Solutions $25.00 credit on your account.
has recently implemented a new referral program. We
know that we can help your family members and friends Although the $25.00 credit is not redeemable for cash,
and the best way to say thank the credit never expires. You can
you for what we have done is by bank the credits and use them for
referring everyone you know to any future purchases at our office
our office. (repairs, new hearing aids, etc.)
ant to be.
the way it was me
lth care...
Hearing hea
___
________
Our staff will give you referral cards ________ If you run out of referral cards,
________
rred by: _____ I 48 017
I was refe wson, M
2-A • Cla 5.6855
(similar to those pictured in this Mile Roa
d • Suite
Fax: 248.
43 please come in and get more.
555 W. 14 e: 248.435.6811 • ns .co m
Phon ingsolutio
article) with your name printed on iumhear There is no limit to the amount of
www.prem
them for you to hand out. When money you bank.
Bring this referral card to our office to receive a
the person you’ve given the card • complimentary hearing screen
to comes into the office, instruct • complimentary hearing consultation It’s our way of thanking you for
• complimentary hearing device demo
him or her to give us your referral and in-home loan
referring patients and in turn, you’ll
card. If he or she purchases hearing ________ Staff initials thank your family and friends!
help from our office, he or she will

Mission Statement: Premium Hearing Solutions is dedicated to becoming a trusted ally with each and every patient who seeks our services.
In order to obtain the trust of our patients, we place a high priority on ethics, patient education, and outstanding service. The “team” approach
between the patient, family and Doctor of Audiology is emphasized.

555 West 14 Mile Road, Ste. 2-A

Clawson, Michigan 48017

HOURS:
Monday - Friday
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m

We are also available early mornings,

evenings and weekends; just ask and
we can set up an appointment. Most
hearing aid insurance plans accepted.

Phone: 248-435-6811
Fax: 248-435-6855
www.premiumhearingsolutions.com

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