March 24, 2008

By Jeanne Millsap special to the herald news

JOLIET -- Dr. Karen Pastell is a new audiologist in Joliet, and at just the right time.

The advent of excellence in digital hearing aids has come about at the same time as the aging of the baby boomer generation, she said.

"Technology has come along at a time where baby boomers are really starting to notice a problem," Pastell said.

A history of loud rock music and concerts has gradually damaged the tiny hair cells inside the inner ears of boomers over the years, she said, and more and more adults in their 50s and 60s are having some hearing loss.

They're not the first generation to need some help with hearing problems, though, Pastell said. The World War II soldiers came back from the war with some pretty extensive hearing losses, and men and women who worked in noisy factories before OSHA restricted noise levels had hearing problems, too.

And there is concern for the younger generation with the MP3 players. Long hours of listening at loud levels can cause damage. There are some noise limiting and earphone options that may help. Pastell counsels patients of all ages on noise exposure and fits hearing protection devices.

Pastell opened Prairieland Audiology just a few months ago in the Triumph Professional Building in Joliet, at 2121 Oneida St., Suite 303. She has her doctorate in audiology and has worked in the field for 18 years, from Seattle to Anchorage, and has now settled in the Joliet area.

She invites anyone who might wonder if they are having a hearing loss to come in for an audiological evaluation.

"If you're kind of wondering," she said, "you might be having trouble."

Pastell said people don't always know they are experiencing a hearing loss until a family member asks them why they always have the TV so loud. Or maybe they notice they are having to ask people to repeat themselves more than they used to. Pastell said approximately 95 percent of hearing losses are sensorineural and may be helped with today's advanced technology. Testing will reveal if there's a need for a medical referral.

Sometimes, it's just wax in the ear canal. Other times, it might be a middle ear infection, where a fluid build-up is causing some hearing loss. She refers those patients to a medical doctor.

Inner ear expertise

It's the inner ear problems in which Pastell's an expert. The first thing she does with new patients is talk with them about their problems and their needs. Questions she might ask are whether they are exposed to several different types of environments in a typical day, whether they are having problems with a particular situation, such as not being able to hear people well in meetings; or if they just want to hear the TV better.

"It's all very individual," she said.

Then she tests them to pinpoint the exact problem. If it's hearing aids they need, she fits them with the technology based on their hearing loss, communication needs and budget. Pastell cautions those who feel they might need a check-up not to come in with a request for a specific aid, such as one a friend has.

"All hearing loss is not the same," she said, "and you may not be able to use what your neighbor uses."

Finding the right fit

Baby boomer concert-goers might have a pattern of good hearing in the low frequencies and not-so-good hearing in the higher frequencies. So they might be missing out on hearing high-frequency letters, such as S, F and "th" sounds. Speech may sound garbled, and they tend to have difficulty in background noise.

These patients can typically use the small open-fit hearing aids that don't completely "plug up" the ear.

Someone else, she said, may have greater loss. These clients might need more amplification and can not wear the smaller aids, but there are many options for all types of hearing losses.

Pastell offers a total rehabilitation package for those coming to her with a hearing loss. Not only does she counsel, test and fit for hearing aids, but she focuses on follow-up services.

"There's a lot more to helping a client hear better than just putting a hearing aid on," she said.

Pastell counsels on communication strategies to help her clients, such as teaching them to face people when conversing and not choosing the noisiest table in a restaurant when dining out.

Pastell also offers auditory training for her patients, where they train their brains to process sounds better with hearing aids. For that, she has a computer program her clients can use in her office or can take home and use from their own computers.

Pastell invites those interested to call her office and make an appointment. She sees children and adults. Pastell also offers help for those with tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

For information about Prairieland Audiology, call Dr. Pastell at (815) 744-5661 or visit www.prairielandaudiology.com.

Below is an interview/article Betty Wirth did for the Joliet Herald News

January 27, 2008

The changes usually are subtle. Most of us don't experience hearing loss in a dramatic way.

We may notice that our spouse or other family member isn't speaking as loudly as he or she used to. Or if we can hear quite well, we may notice that he or she doesn't seem to be paying attention to what we're saying.

What we come to realize, according to Dr. Karen Pastell of Prairieland Audiology, is that, "As we get older, we lose some of our hearing. Some people are more affected than others. And, hearing loss can happen at any age.

"What happens is, the inner ear is affected. We see the effect first off in higher frequencies, as an example, some of the higher sounds, 'S, Th, F, consonants that make words distinguishable. People will say everyone is mumbling because they can't hear those clear sounds," Pastell said. "Or certain sounds may seem annoying or overly loud.

"Another thing that happens with aging is that there can be changes in our auditory processing -- that is, the signal going up to the brain. Hearing aids can make sounds audible. But they can't treat the brain," she added.

At a recent talk at Timbers of Shorewood, the audiologist told members and guests how important it is to use communication strategies, which can be used along with hearing aids to help people understand what others are saying.

Say you're in a crowded restaurant. If you understand the subject people are talking about, you can try to fill in the blanks. It's a learned behavior. A lot of us think it's a bother to other people. But you feel, "I want to be part of this conversation and this is what I need."

With the new technology, hearing aids can do a very good job, she said. But some factors are out of their control. "Aids, necessary as they are, can't take care of everything," she said.

She advises hearing-loss people to remember three things: 1. I have a hearing loss. 2. I need your help. 3. This is what I need.

They can use repair strategies: "I didn't understand what you said. Could you please rephrase your comment. Run that by me again. Back up a minute. Repeat what you said. Say that a different way."

And they can confirm the message. Verify what you heard. "Did you want me to ... ? Did you say ... ? I understand you want me to ... I heard you say ... Let me repeat what you just said."

Pastell emphasizes a combination of hearing aids and communication strategies will provide the greatest benefit not only for the hearing-loss person, but for the spouse or other family members or friends.

Communication tips:

• Face the person who has a hearing loss so he or she can see your face when you speak.
• Be sure that lighting is in front of you when you speak. This allows a person with hearing impairment to observe facial expressions, gestures, and lip and body movements that provide communication clues.
• During conversation, turn off the radio or television. Move away from rooms with constant noise, such as a dishwasher.
• Avoid speaking while chewing food or covering your mouth with your hands.
• Speak slightly louder than normal, but don't shout. Shouting may distort your speech.
• Speak at your normal rate, and do not exaggerate sounds.
• Clue the person with the hearing loss about the topic of the conversation whenever possible.
• Rephrase your statement into shorter, simpler sentences if it appears you are not being understood.
• Even with a hearing aid, don't try talking or listening from another room.

Pastell has been an audiologist for 18 years, working in a variety of settings. She can be reached at (815) 744-5661, or at her office at 2121 Oneida St., suite 303.