Intro: With a relentless focus on excellence in
healthcare, Pullman Regional Hospital presents the Health Podcast.

Deborah Howell (Host): Agriculture is a main industry on
the Palouse. But what do farmers need to do to protect their hearing out in the
field? To learn a little bit more about this, Dr. Anna Curet, an audiologist at
Palouse ENT and Audiology, will break down what hearing protection looks like,
what options are available and why hearing preservation is so important. Hello,
Dr. Curet, and welcome.

Anna Curet, AuD: Good morning. Thank you.

Host: If it's okay by you, we'll just jump right in.

Anna Curet, AuD: Absolutely.

Host: So, why is it so important to protect your hearing
when you're in an environment with loud noise?

Anna Curet, AuD: Well, there's a lot of reasons. But
most importantly, loud noise, it may not have an obvious impact on people's
hearing immediately. But over time, the impact of noise on our hearing can be
quite significant. It's hugely important to protect our hearing when any loud
noises are present. And it's really also important for our long-term hearing
health. The more noise we're exposed to, the worse our hearing will be,
particularly when we also combine in that natural aging process of our hearing
system.

Host: Now, you've lived on the Palouse where agriculture
is the main industry all your life. What do farmers specifically need to do to
help protect their hearing?

Anna Curet, AuD: Great question. A rule of thumb when it
comes to protecting your hearing is to always use hearing protection when
operating any equipment or machinery, as those can be very loud. If you're not
sure if something is too loud, it is better to play it safe and use that
hearing protection. Chances are if there is any equipment that you are using
for your day-to-day work, it may be loud enough to impact your hearing if you
don't play it safe.

Host: So as a DJ, I've worn pretty heavy headphones for
many, many years, and as a radio host as well. I'm sure it's even worse for
people who really need to protect their hearing from loud, loud noises. What
types of hearing protections are available?

Anna Curet, AuD: There's a bunch of options that are
available when it comes to hearing protection. Of course, you can find simple
over-the-counter earplugs at most stores and pharmacies. There are also the
kinds that you can roll up and put in your ears. The kind that you wear over
the ear like earmuffs are also a good option. But again, these are simple. If
you know that you're going to be around loud noise for extended periods of
time, as are many individuals in agriculture, maybe smart to double up your
hearing protection and wear both in the ear and over the ear options.

There are also other types of hearing protection available,
like custom hearing protection, which can be made to help you hear the
important things that you need to hear, but that can also block out the loud
noises using specialized filters. typically the audiologist can help fit you
with these types of devices. They may be a bit more expensive, but they tend to
have better long-term outcomes when it comes to protecting your ears.

Host: Interesting. And what do those look like?

Anna Curet, AuD: Typically, the audiologist takes an
impression of your ear. So just how you know, for example, if you went to the
dentist and you had to get an impression taken of your teeth, we do something
similar for the ear. It's a pretty quick and simple process. But really in the
long run, it's a great option for people that are around that noise all day,
every day.

Host: Wow, that is really innovative. I never heard of
an ear print before.

Anna Curet, AuD: Yeah, they're pretty interesting
pieces.

Host: Yeah. Now, are they very, very heavy? Because I
know that can be quite taxing on a person to wear, you know, for six hours in a
row, very heavy headphone-type situations.

Anna Curet, AuD: Sure. No, the nice thing about those
custom hearing protection is they are, again, custom to your ear. They are
very, very lightweight and many people don't even notice that they are in.

Host: Well, that's pretty wonderful, and they can
communicate via phone or text if they need to keep their hearing protection on?

Anna Curet, AuD: Absolutely. There are filters again
that we can install in those devices that will allow the individual to be
protected from the louder sounds in their day-to-day work, but also hear those
things that they need to be able to.

Host: Lovely. Now, if people don't protect their hearing
when they're encountering loud noise, what could happen?

Anna Curet, AuD: So, hearing loss is really what can
happen. Hearing loss is caused by that noise and it is irreversible leading to
reduced ability to understand speech, and it can unfortunately cause even more
serious damage to the auditory system over time.

Host: I think you just answered my next question, can
you reverse any hearing loss at all?

Anna Curet, AuD: Nope, unfortunately, especially that
type that's caused by noise, it's not reversible. It is treatable with hearing
aids or other devices, but it's not reversible. So, better to play it safe.

Host: Yeah, you would hope that those little molecules
would grow back, but I guess they don't, huh?

Anna Curet, AuD: They do not, unfortunately.

Host: Okay. Now, how often should people get their
hearing checked by an audiologist?

Anna Curet, AuD: Annually. So just as we go to the
dentist or the doctor every year for a checkup, we should also be going to our
audiologist to have our hearing checked. Somebody who has not had their hearing
tested before should do so. I would highly encourage that. Even if you're not
concerned about your hearing at this time, it is always good to establish a
baseline of your hearing in case you do end up having hearing concerns.

Host: Right. And take us through the process. I go to
you, I sit down in the chair and what happens?

Anna Curet, AuD: Basically, all that you do is you
listen for some sounds. They're usually pretty quiet. And you say yes or raise
your hand when you hear those sounds. I'm looking for the softest sound that
the individual is able to hear. And this will give me an idea of their hearing
sensitivity.

Host: I'm smiling because I think people probably guess
a lot. Is that right?

Anna Curet, AuD: Absolutely. We get a lot of guessing in
the clinic. But you know, there are specific protocols that I follow to make
sure we're getting the best results possible and that the patient knows exactly
what is going on with their ears.

Host: All right. No cheating at the audiologist.

Anna Curet, AuD: Oh, no.

Host: All right. Is there anything else you'd like to
add to our conversation?

Anna Curet, AuD: Overarching theme here, protect your
hearing. Reach out to your local audiologist. Consider scheduling a hearing
test. It's always great to have an idea of how your hearing is looking now, so
that you can best protect it for your entire life.

Host: It's one of the easiest doctor visits of all. It
does not hurt a bit, right?

Anna Curet, AuD: Absolutely.

Host: No needles, no nothing. Just sit down and listen
to sounds, right? Okay. Well, Dr. Curet, we so appreciate your time and
everything you do to help our wonderful patients and farmers. Thanks so much
for being with us today.

Anna Curet, AuD: Of course. Thank you for having me.

Host: And you can learn more about this subject,
providers and services at Pullman Regional Hospital online at
pullmanregional.org/audiology. This has been The Health Podcast from Pullman
Regional. I'm your host, Deborah Howell. Thanks for listening and have yourself
a terrific day.