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Sound Relief Tinnitus & Hearing Center Quarterly Newsletter | Winter 2024
Silent Nights: Coping with Holiday Stress and Tinnitus
While the winter holidays are a joyful time, they can also bring added stress, which may trigger or worsen tinnitus symptoms. Managing stress during the holidays is essential for your mental and emotional well-being, and it can also help minimize the impact of tinnitus.
Common Holiday Stressors:
Travel Stress: The added pressure of holiday travel can create anxiety for many people.
Work Deadlines: The end-of-year work rush can be overwhelming.
Family Dynamics: Navigating family gatherings and potential conflicts can be stressful.
Financial Pressure: Holiday expenses for gifts, decorations, and travel can be financially stressful.
Time Constraints: Trying to fit everything in during the busy holiday season can leave you feeling overwhelmed.
Why Does Stress Make Tinnitus Feel Worse?
Heightened Sensitivity: Stress activates the body’s “fight or flight” response, which releases adrenaline and increases muscle tension. This heightened state of alertness can make you more sensitive to the internal sounds of tinnitus. This could make tinnitus feel louder or more bothersome and intrusive.
Offering New
Tinnitus Treatment
As the regional experts in tinnitus treatment, we monitor current and emerging tinnitus treatments and research so that we can offer you, our patient, the best treatment options available. Research around “bimodal stimulation” has been encouraging and is now strong enough that we are proud to offer a new tinnitus treatment utilizing this concept; and it is called the Neosensory Duo.
We Love Referrals!
Referrals are the greatest compliment you can give us!
Homes of Hope
This was the Prutsmans’ second build this year with Homes of Hope. We learned about this ministry from one of our patients, Steve James, and we plan to do at least one house each year until we can no longer swing a hammer. To learn more about Youth with a Mission and Homes of Hope, visit https://www.ywamhomesofhope.org/.
Q&A with Mary Azo,
Patient Care Coordinator
1. Can you tell us a little about your family? What brought you to Arizona, and what do you love most about living here?
“I was born and raised in Chicago, and my move to Arizona was initially meant to be temporary—just a six-month stay before returning to Chicago. But life had other plans. Six months later, I found myself married, and now, seven years later, I am the mother to a son named Elijah, after my late father. I also share my home with my mother, three dogs, and a fish named Mario. We’ve all grown to love Arizona—its stunning sunsets, beautiful weather, and endless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.”
2. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
“If I could travel anywhere in the world, it would be Israel. I’d love to visit the significant sites associated with the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus, such as Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Nazareth. Since my ancestors come from that region, I’m eager to explore my ancestral heritage. I’d also enjoy the unique experience of floating in the Dead Sea.”
3. What’s your favorite part of working at Sound Relief?
“When patients are overflowing with excitement, sharing all the little sounds they hadn’t realized they’d been missing — like birds chirping, the rustle of leaves, or the whoosh of a car passing by — it’s incredibly rewarding. Another part of working at Sound Relief that I cherish is not just seeing the transformation in our patients, but also hearing from their spouses about how much their relationship has improved.”
4. What’s your favorite holiday & why?
“Christmas is my favorite holiday because it brings a sense of warmth and excitement. There’s something magical about the decorations, the music, and the moments spent with family and friends.”
Offering New
Tinnitus Treatment
A technological breakthrough in hearing healthcare
- 15+ years of lab research
- 27 patents
- Peer-reviewed scientific publications
- An award winning, patented wristband
Neosensory app
- Get access to all modes with the free Neosensory companion app
- Available on iOS and Android
The Neosensory Duo provides a new way to manage tinnitus by retraining the brain using bimodal stimulation (touch and sound). It includes a wristband with vibratory motors and an app that delivers tailored vibrations and tones. With guidance from an audiologist, a personalized treatment plan involves using the device for 10 minutes daily over 8 weeks. This approach helps the brain distinguish internal tinnitus from external sounds, reducing attention to tinnitus over time. Backed by Sound Relief audiologists, this FDA-approved wristband offers an innovative, holistic treatment option. Ask your audiologist if it’s right for you, and stay tuned to learn more about its features!
At Sound Relief, We Are Thankful For:
- I am grateful for our amazing team because without each and every person in our organization, Sound Relief would not be able to serve our patients effectively. I am also grateful for our patients and the mutually beneficial relationships we have established over the past 13 years. To help change a person’s quality of life for the better is truly a blessing that never gets old! Thank you to my whole team and to all of the patients who have trusted us with their care. We wouldn’t be where we are today without you!
- Two things I’m thankful for: Time with my family, and for the awesome team I get to work with in Golden.
- Incredibly thankful for my job, not just because of the work itself, but because of the amazing team we get to share it with. Each day, I am reminded of how much we rely on each other-not just to get the job done, but to truly grow and succeed together. Our team is a place where learning, support, and collaboration thrive, and I am grateful for every person who steps up to help and inspire one another. It’s more than just work at Sound Relief, it’s a shared journey and I couldn’t imagine doing it with a better group of people!!
- I’m simply thankful for my team
- I’m thankful when patients trust me with their care. It’s a privilege to be a part of their journey to better health and I recognize that a great deal of trust goes into choosing who they want to partner with for that process. I’m grateful when my patients are willing to give me the opportunity to make a difference in their lives.
- A hard working team to bounce ideas off of
- Thankful for such a positive, supportive, and fun work environment!
- I’m thankful for all the amazing people at this company. From peer support to helping patients, I couldn’t ask for a kinder, more thoughtful group of people to work with.
- I’m thankful for our PCCs who are always making sure the office is running smoothly and it helps me to keep my day on track on a daily basis.
- I’m thankful to all of our wonderful patients who are kind and respectful to all of us throughout their visits at our offices! It puts a smile on our faces and reminds us why we are doing what we are doing!
- I’m thankful for the fresh smell of cookies every morning!
- I’m thankful for all of the fellow coworkers, they are just all so awesome to work with! I love that we are such a good team and we all have a good work ethic! I feel like I found the place I “fit in” most here at Sound Relief!
- I’m thankful to work in a place where patients feel like friends and coworkers feel like family!
- I am thankful for the feeling when scheduling an out-of-state patient who wants to see what we do, then traveling into one of our offices to see us, moving forward with treatment, and finding relief. Unfortunately, we aren’t located everywhere, so it does take a type of person to travel for treatment – it isn’t always possible – but when someone can do it and eventually pursues treatment and finds relief – it highlights the reason Sound Relief exists. I’m grateful to work on a team capable of helping these people.
- I am grateful for the trust and bond I form with patients. There’s nothing like seeing someone empowered and taking back control over their life. Our patients continue to amaze me!
- I’m thankful for the laughter I get to share with patients.
- I am thankful for patients trusting us when they were told nothing could help
Chilling Noises:
Winter Sounds That
Pack a Dangerous Punch
The winter season is full of festivities, but it also brings a variety of sounds that can potentially harm your hearing. Prolonged exposure to loud noise, whether during winter or any other season, can lead to noise-induced hearing loss or worsening tinnitus. Be on the lookout for these potential hazards and take precautions to protect your hearing.
Common Sources of Excessive Noise Exposure In Winter:
Snow Blowers & Snowmobiles: Snow blowers and snowmobiles can reach noise levels above 85 decibels (dB), which can be harmful over time. Always wear hearing protection when operating these machines.
Ice Drills & Winter Sports: Ice drills used in ice fishing can generate sharp, loud sounds, and high-speed activities like snowmobiling can expose you to damaging noise. Use earplugs or earmuffs designed for winter sports to protect your hearing.
Fireworks: Firework displays, common during winter festivals, can exceed 120 dB and cause immediate hearing damage. Always stay at a safe distance and wear ear protection.
How To Protect Your Hearing:
Wear Hearing Protection: Earplugs or earmuffs are essential when exposed to loud sounds, especially while using machines or engaging in noisy activities.
Limit Exposure: Take regular breaks to reduce the risk of prolonged noise exposure.
Keep Safe Distances: Stay away from fireworks displays and distance yourself from excessively loud noise sources.
Lower the Volume: If you’re listening to music or podcasts, keep the volume at a safe level to avoid adding to your noise exposure.
Get Regular Hearing Checkups: Stay on top of your hearing health with regular visits to an Audiologist.
Did You Know?
- Roosters tilt their head back when they crow to protect their hearing. When they tilt back, their ear canals get covered, acting like built in hearing protection.
- Scientists know the age of a whale by evaluating their earwax! When sliced in half, there are dark and light segments. The lighter segment represents a feeding period, and the darker section a migration time. Each segment represents about six months.
We Love Referrals!
Referrals are the greatest compliment you can give us!
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Coping with Holiday Stress and Tinnitus
Increased Focus on Tinnitus: Stress often causes anxiety, and anxiety can make people hyper-aware of their tinnitus. When you’re stressed, you’re more likely to focus on the ringing or buzzing in your ears which will amplify your perception of the tinnitus.
Changes in Blood Flow: Stress can cause changes in your blood pressure and circulation, potentially impacting blood flow to the inner ear.
Disrupted Sleep: Stress can lead to poor sleep quality. Sleep deprivation can make it harder for the brain to process and ignore the tinnitus sound, leading to increased distress.
Increased Muscle Tension: Stress can cause muscle tension in the neck, jaw and head. This can exacerbate other conditions such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction and worsen the perception of tinnitus.
Managing stress is key to reducing its negative effects on tinnitus. Relaxing and taking time for yourself can alleviate the anxiety that often amplifies tinnitus symptoms. By reducing stress, you can enjoy the holidays and minimize the impact of your tinnitus.
Which relaxation techniques can help?
Deep Breathing: Deep breathing helps activate the relaxation response in the body, reduces muscle tension and lowers the heart rate. Sit or lie in a comfortable position, close your eyes and take a slow, deep breath through your nose. Hold for a few seconds before exhaling through your mouth. Repeat for 5-10 minutes.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR): PMR helps release physical tension to promote whole-body relaxation and alleviate stress-related tinnitus symptoms. Start at your toes and tense each muscle group one by one for a few seconds each. Slowly work your way up the body
Guided Imagery: Immersing yourself in a calming mental image can divert attention from tinnitus while reducing stress and anxiety. Close your eyes and imagine a peaceful scene. Focus on the details, utilizing as many senses as possible (sounds, smells, sight) until you feel calmed.
Mindfulness Meditation: Mindfulness encourages awareness of the current moment to prevent fixation on the tinnitus and reduce its emotional impact. Find a comfortable position and focus on your breathing. Let go of distracting thoughts and bring your attention back to your breath when your mind starts to wander. Start with a short period of time and gradually increase it as you develop this skill.
Sound Relief’s Treatment Options
At Sound Relief, we offer effective treatment options to help manage tinnitus and improve your quality of life. Our approach includes:
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT): This combination of prescriptive sound therapy and educational counseling helps retrain your brain to reduce the perception of tinnitus. TRT is most effective when tailored to your needs and guided by an experienced audiologist.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Tenets of CBT can help address the emotional and psychological impact of tinnitus, allowing you to manage stress and anxiety more effectively.
Bimodal Stimulation: For some patients, combining sound therapy with vibratory stimulation can help rewire the brain’s response to tinnitus.
We are here to support you with compassionate care and proven treatments to help you manage tinnitus, improve your quality of life, and find relief during the busy holiday season and beyond. You don’t have to face tinnitus alone—our team is here to help you every step of the way.
We Are Thankful For:
- I am grateful that Sound Relief feels like family. I feel endlessly supported in providing our patients with the best care possible. I’m grateful to be a part of an organization that is clear about their values and upholds them. And I am most grateful to spend my days with incredible people. Witnessing my patients excel and improve their lives is one of my greatest blessings.
- I am thankful for so many things at Sound Relief, but most of all, I am thankful for Amy, who does so much behind the scenes for all of the team members, patients, and me personally. My work/life balance would be a disaster without her!
- This year, I’m deeply thankful for my wonderful family and friends, whose support and love mean the world to me. I’m also incredibly grateful for my health and the opportunity to do meaningful work. Seeing our patients thrive and do so well fills me with gratitude and reminds me of the impact we can have on each other’s lives. I’m truly grateful to work alongside my amazing team. I feel incredibly lucky to work with such genuinely kind and thoughtful people who treat each other like family. The laughter we share and the positive energy they all bring to each day makes this workplace so special.
- First and foremost I am BEYOND thankful for the generous company that I get to be a part of and the amazing co-workers I have in AZ AND CO!
- I’m grateful for mine and my family’s health and this blessed life that I get to call my own.
- I’m incredibly thankful for my SRHC team. Whether in Arizona or Colorado, I always have someone to rely on. What I cherish most is how everyone, from PCCs, team leads, to doctors and beyond, treat each other with the same respect and care. The teamwork across all roles is truly moving. Working with such a diverse group of personalities and positions has been an incredible opportunity to learn and grow. These
experiences have shaped me into the versatile and skilled PCC I am today. I’m especially thankful for my peers’ confidence in me, allowing me to support them when they need it most.
- I’m thankful for our patients, for the trust they place in us, and for the support we give each other as a team. I’m grateful to work alongside coworkers who feel like family and to learn from everyone around me every day.
- I’m so thankful for my job, the opportunity to work alongside such amazing coworkers, and the patients I get to serve. My team’s support and collaboration make each day fulfilling, and I truly feel privileged to be part of a work environment where we make a difference in people’s lives. I’m grateful for the trust of our patients and the chance to contribute to their well-being.
- I am truly grateful to have a job I love, where I get to help my patients improve their quality of life every day. I also feel so lucky to work with such a wonderful team that I genuinely enjoy seeing and collaborating with. On top of that, I deeply appreciate the work-life balance that allows me to be present both at work and at home.
Answers: 1. MISOPHONIA 2. AU8DIOGRAM 3. HEARINGLOSS 4. OTOSCOPE 5. EARDRUM 6. TINNITUS 7. AUDIOLOGIST 8. DUO 9. VERTIGO 10. IRRIGATION 11. EASRPLUGS 12. HYPERACUSIS
Across
- Decreased sound tolerance to specific types of sounds, regardless of the level
- Graph used to show hearing test results
- 90% of people with Tinnitus also have this
- Device used to look in your ears
- Membrane that separates the outer ear from the middle ear
- Perceived as ringing/buzzing in ears
Down
- Healthcare professional who specializes in diagnosing, treating, and managing hearing, balance, and ear problems
- Wristband worn for Tinnitus relief
- Dizziness or unsteadiness
- Method sometimes used to remove wax from ears
- Use when exposed to sounds louder than 85 dB
- Decreased sound tolerance to normal everyday sounds