1. Is there an epidemic of hearing problems today, especially among young people?
2. Why are there so many problems with our hearing today?
3. How do we hear?
4. What are some of the symptoms of hearing loss?
5. What usually goes wrong with our hearing?
6. How do people compensate for impaired hearing?
7. What needs to be fixed for better hearing?
8. Are there specific ingredients proven to support better hearing function?
9. Can you tell me about HearAll?
10. What are the ingredients for HearAll?
11. How does HearAll work?
12. Why do you use Methyl B-12?
13. Is HearAll expensive?
14. Where can HearAll be purchased?
15. Does aging automatically mean that we will be Hard of Hearing?
16. Do some medications damage our hearing?
17. Are there specific foods or a diet that supports optimal hearing function?
18. Are there specific exercises for optimal hearing?
19. How does accupressure help hearing?
20. What can we actively do now so that we will always enjoy our favorite sounds?

Q. Is there an epidemic of hearing problems today, especially among young people?
A. Yes, after years of exposure to various loud noises and other factors, many people are experiencing hearing loss and ringing in the ears (tinnitus) beginning in their 20's.

Finally, there's new, substantial breakthrough clinical research for hearing improvement and protection. This is welcome news that millions of people have been waiting for.

Hearing Issues Today
Hearing is the 2nd most common health concern today (behind heart concerns) for millions of Americans. Unfortunately, hearing aids, cochlear implants, and learning to read lips have been the only options available until now.

Projections indicate that the number of people with hearing concerns will grow as the population ages and increasing noise pollution continues to increase. Although hearing challenges are thought of as typically striking seniors, more people are experiencing hearing issues at an earlier age. A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that nearly 15% of school-aged children had hearing challenges.

Q. Why are there so many problems with our hearing today?
A. Well, it's a loud, loud world. Stereo headphones, TV, movies, power tools, lawnmowers, leaf blowers, motorcycles, etc. all add to the noise problem. Noise is a concern because it places stress on the auditory system function which may require additional nutritional support for optimal hearing function and acuity. And many experts believe that much of the cumulative effect of noise that occurs over a lifetime may be a major concern for most people.

Harmful Sound Levels
Sounds above 90 decibels (dB), particularly if the sound is prolonged, may be the most stressful. Motorcycles, snowmobiles, and similar engines range around 85 to 90 dB, and a rock concert may approach 100 dB. A jackhammer emits sounds of about 120 dB from 3 feet away, and a jet engine emits sound of about 130 dB from 100 feet away. A general rule of thumb is that if you need to shout to be heard, the sound is in the range that should become a concern for our hearing function. Train engineers, military personnel, construction workers, hunters and musicians-especially rock musicians-may all be subjected to excessive noise.

Studies of populations that are not exposed to noise (like remote tribes in the Sudan and Easter Island), don't experience hearing issues. Remote populations also have other differences including: a high-fiber low-fat diet, virtually no obesity, no industrial pollutants, and lots of exercise.

Recently, scientists have discovered nutritional ingredients and formulas that help support optimal auditory function and help maintain hearing acuity. And we're going to talk specifically about that today.

Q. In layman's terms, how do we hear?
Hearing Problem Symptoms

• Difficulty in following and participating in conversations.
• Poor attention span with distractibility.
• Accusations of others not speaking clearly
• Changes in quality of voice; speech too loud or too soft
• Changes in personality: indifference, social withdrawal, insecurity.
• Difficulty in hearing high-pitched voices of women and children

Q. What are some of the symptoms of hearing loss?
A. Hearing problems often come on gradually and unnoticed by the person with the problem. Psychological manifestations may occur before a conscious lack of hearing is admitted.

Q. What usually goes wrong with our hearing?
A. THINGS THAT CAN GO WRONG WITH YOUR HEARING

1. There can be an obstruction of the airway to the ear drum.
2. The eardrum can be damaged
3. Transmission of vibrations from the eardrum to the cochlea can be impaired by faulty mechanisms in the middle ear.
4. The transformation of vibrations into nerve signals can be impaired though damage to the hair cells which make this transformation.
5. The brain can misinterpret the signals it receives.

If any of these conditions have happened to you or to someone you know, a medical doctor should be contacted for a comprehensive assessment. Audiologists can measure the type and degree of hearing loss. It is much better to know the facts than to guess on your hearing.

Most often physicians discover that transmission of the vibrations into nerve signals is the major cause of loss of hearing for most people. So proper maintenance of the hearing cells in the cochlea is vital to good hearing. New, exciting scientific research shows that natural nutritional ingredients and formulas help support the hearing cells for optimal acuity.

Other personal difficulties can cause partial or complete deafness. Surgical procedures can result in damage to the inner ear, especially when excessive bleeding occurs there. A spasm of the artery going to the cochlea can leave the inner ear without circulating blood and thus cause deafness in the ear where the spasm occurs. Meniere's disease, thought to be caused by an over-secretion of fluids in the inner ear, can result not only in deafness but in sudden attacks of vertigo, tinnitus, and vomiting. All of these require medical attention which should not be delayed.

Q. How do people compensate for impaired hearing?
A. No one wears a hearing aid just to be fashionable. Hearing aids increase the amplification of sound waves that impact the eardrum and attempt to filter out background noise. They are very expensive and not many people enjoy wearing them.

Recently, new clinical research shows that hearing functions can be improved with natural ingredients and formulas.

Q. What needs to be fixed for better hearing?
A. The vast majority of people suffering from hearing loss (other than a simple buildup of wax) have something wrong with the function of the hearing (hair) cells in cochlea and the transmission of accurate signals to the auditory nerve.

Up until now this has been treated chiefly by amplification of the sound (hearing aids). More recent discoveries have pointed to improving the circulation to the hearing cells in the inner ear (cochlea) so that repairs can be made. Think of it, your own body is programmed to maintain adequate hearing, and to repair hearing malfunction. There are things you can do to enhance this maintenance program. That's why Dr. Bob Martin has developed HearAll.

Q. Are there specific ingredients proven to support better hearing function?
A. Recently scientists have discovered nutritional ingredients and formulas that help support optimal auditory function and maintain hearing acuity. The latest research studies illustrate how to:

• Support optimal hearing and hearing cell function
• Provide specific nutrients for the auditory system
• Promote circulation to the auditory system
• Sharpen auditory sensitivity and promote cochlear ear function
• Protect hearing cells from free-radical damage and maintain longevity

Q. Can you tell me about your HEARALL (product for hearing (tinnitus)?
A. I sure can! Dr. Bob's HearAll is an all-natural dietary supplement that affects hearing. In fact, it's the ONLY product in the market that supports and protects the ear's delicate hearing functions. [Sharpens auditory sensitivity and promotes circulation to the auditory system; Supports optimal hearing function and hearing clarity; Protects hearing cells from free-radical damage and helps maintain longevity.] Plus, we've received a lot of testimonials from people who say that it has helped tremendously with their tinnitus (ringing in their ears). I can tell you that we've had quite amazing results...in fact, miraculous results from people who have used HearAll!

Q. What are the ingredients?
A. HearAll contains key, standardized herbal extracts, important antioxidants, co-enzymes, and special nutritional ingredients, vitamins and minerals that are not available elsewhere. Some of the key, unique ingredients include: Methyl cobalamin (a special, preferred form of vitamin B-12 not readily available anywhere else), acetyl L-carnitine (an important nutritional ingredient related to B vitamins), n-acetyl-cysteine (a special amino acid), vin-po'-ce-tine (a powerful herbal extract), alpha lipoic acid (a powerful, important anti-oxidant), co-enzyme Q-10 (another powerful anti-oxidant similar to vitamin E), and other standardized, high-potency herbs (such as Ginkgo and Butchers Broom). There are additional ingredients, but these are the most important.

Q. How does HearAll work?
A. Acetyl L-carnitine (a powerful, important anti-oxidant) helps generate mitochondrea in the inner ear.* Acetyl L-carnitine is widely accepted as being able to cross the blood-brain barrier to give protection from stress and to prevent the effects of aging on the brain. It acts in many ways to prevent the deterioration of brain cells. It's useful in the transmission of the signals from the hair cells in the cochlea to the brain cells required to interpret the information about the sounds that the ear is encountering. Furthermore, acetyl L-carnitine has been used to help stroke victims recover. More specifically, Dr. Michael D. Seidman has shown in an excellent clinical study that acetyl L-carnitine improves the auditory thresholds in all frequencies.

Vinpocetine supports increased auditory and cerebral blood flow, promotes use of oxygen, and protects against free-radical damage.* Vinpocetine is an alkaloid found in the common periwinkle plant. Vinpocetine has been shown to be a cerebral metabolic enhancer and a selective cerebral vasodilator. The antibiotics used typically for staph and strep infections are ototoxic: they can damage our hearing by increasing auditory thresholds. It is believed that this type of hearing loss is due, at least in part, to oxidative damage caused by the antibiotics. In a previous study, alpha-lipoic acid was found to alleviate the severity of this type of damage.1 Now, vinpocetine, an alkaloid phytonutrient and a sodium channel blocker (the sodium channel is a voltage-sensitive intracellular signaling mechanism) previously known to be helpful with tinnitus (ringing in the ears), has been found to help prevent some of the antibiotics' ototoxicity as well.2

Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant that may help maintain circulation to the ears, support energy production in hearing cells, and protects against free-radical damage*

CoQ10 is an important antioxidant component of the lipid (fatty) membranes that surround all cells, as well as the lipid membranes surrounding the various organelles ("little organs"), such as mitochondria and microsomes, inside cells. CoQ10 is also an important member of the "Electron Transport Chain" (ETC) within mitochondria, which are the "power plants" of the cell. Most of the oxygen we breathe is used inside the ETC to produce much of the ATP bioenergy that powers virtually every activity of our cells and bodies. Without CoQ10 human life quickly ends.

Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is a powerful fat/water soluble antioxidant that protects against free-radical hearing damage, and supports the nerve system. As an antioxidant, ALA possesses an important advantage over vitamins: it is soluble in both water and fat. While vitamins are generally either fat soluble (vitamins A, D and E) or water soluble (the B complex and C), alpha lipoic acid is a relatively small molecule that can travel virtually anywhere in the body. On the other hand, vitamin C is usually restricted to the cell's watery interior (the cytoplasm), while vitamin E clings to fatty cellular membranes. ALA plays an essential role in cellular and muscular energy production. In so doing, it helps the body burn sugar: It functions as a cofactor for a number of enzymes responsible for the conversion of glucose (blood sugar), fatty acids and other molecules into energy.

Alpha lipoic acid has shown dramatic effects in repairing damage by an antibiotic. At the Hearing Research Laboratories at Duke University, in Durham, North Carolina, researchers investigated what positive effect lipoic acid could have on aminoglycoside (a class of antibiotics) induced damage to cochlear tissue of the The Duke researchers had earlier investigated the ability of alpha lipoic acid to reduce ear damage to the cochlea when damage is induced by this antibiotic, shown to be highly ototoxic to the cochlea. Specifically, this antibiotic causes damage to the inner hairs of the cochlea, which play a critical role in the neuroelectrical pulses which are sent to the brain. When the researchers measured electrical hearing threshold changes, the results showed that animals receiving alpha lipoic acid in combination with amikacin demonstrated significantly better hearing than the animals receiving amikacin alone. In effect, lipoic acid-protected animals did not have part of their hearing impaired compared with animals receiving the damaging antibiotic alone. Given the positive safety profile of alpha lipoic acid and the promise of a significant degree of auditory protection, it makes good sense to add lipoic acid to your supplement program.

Vitamin B-12 (Methyl cobalamin) aids in cell formation and cellular health, and helps support nerve function.* Methyl cobalamin is the active "coenzyme" form of vitamin B-12, and it's not readily available anywhere else. It's twice as expensive ($17,000/kg) as the common cyano B-12, but it's the only form of B-12 that supports optimal hearing function. The common cyanocobalamin (or cyano B-12) is used by essentially all other vitamin companies because it's cheaper and more available. According to a 1999 study, auditory dysfunction is associated with deficiencies in vitamins B12 and folic acid, nutrients that promote healthy nerve function and circulation.1 Another study2 has shown a definite connection between vitamin B12 deficiency and loss of hearing and tinnitus. A large study3 involving 522 patients showed that administering vitamin B12 along with oxygenation at high pressure to people with sudden hearing loss, gave many patients with complete recovery.

N-acetylcysteine may help protect hair cells in the inner ear*4 5; it helps to deoxity harmful toxins and protect the body from radiation damage.

Butchers Broom may help support circulation to the ears and control fluid levels; useful for inflammation, circulatory problems, Meniere's disease.

Ginkgo biloba may help promote blood flow into the ears, and help maintain balance.*6,7,8,9 As an herbal remedy used for centuries to improve balance there is little doubt that ginkgo biloba improves circulation to the brain and inner ear. This effect was born out in a 1995 study in Spain1 where 70 patients suffering from tinnitus and vertigo were observed to improve over a six month period of taking gingko biloba extract. The work by Hoffmann32 indicates that gingko biloba extract gives gradual improvement with fewer side effects than other treatments for sudden hearing loss.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) enhances circulation, helps optimize hearing and brain function, and offers antioxidant protection*2

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) facilitates the use of oxygen by hearing cells*

Vitamin B3 (Niacin, flush-free) helps promote circulation to the ears. Niacin provides nicotinamide in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and its derivatives, all vital in the transfer of energy in cells; and it helps nerve and hearing function cells operate at optimum efficiency.*

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxamine) may help regulate fluid levels in the ears*

Folic Acid supports energy production in hearing cells, and promotes circulation to ears*3

Magnesium supports healthy nerve function in the auditory system and protects the arterial linings from physical stress*4 5 6 Oral magnesium supplementation has been shown clinically to help in the recovery from noise-induced hearing loss.1

Zinc is an essential mineral that supports immune system function and protect hair cells in the ear from damage.*2

Betaine helps make nutrients more absorbable by the body. It's a valuable amino acid with the capability of transferring methyl groups. It is chemically related to choline, a compound necessary for all nerve functions.

SOME OF THE ADVANTAGES OF METHYL B-12

• More bio-available by the body
• More potent antioxidant
• The only form of B-12 that helps support normal nerve cell activity and nervous tissue function [helpful for the auditory system, and conditions like diabetes neuropathy and Lou Gehrig's disease].
• The only form of B-12 which can directly work to control homocysteine levels. [An excess of homocysteine, which is an amino acid, dramatically increases the risk of heart disease, alzheimer's disease, chronic fatigue syndrome/ fibromyalgia, and multiple sclerosis.]
• The only form of B-12 that helps generate an increased supply of SAMe (S-adenosyl methionine) which improves mood.

Q. Why does your HearAll use "Methyl" vitamin B-12 instead of the more common "Cyano" B-12 found in virtually all other supplements? Is it better?
A. Yes, much better. It's twice as expensive ($17,000/kg), but it's the only form of B-12 that supports optimal hearing function. The common cyanocobalamin (or cyano B-12) is used by essentially all other vitamin companies because it's cheaper and more available. As its name suggests, cyano B-12 has a cyanide chemical group attached which is not very well absorbed by the body. Whereas, methyl B-12 (or methylcobalamin) carries a preferred methyl group instead, and is the form naturally circulating in our blood plasma. It is the active "coenzyme" form of vitamin B-12.

And Dr. Bob Martin's Hearall is the only product that uses the preferred methyl B-12.

Q. Is HearAll expensive?
A. No. It's quite inexpensive. You need to use HearAll for a MINIMUM of 3 months, and for BEST RESULTS to use it for 6-months. In addition, we are recommending to take a double-dose for the first 30 days (i.e. 4 capsules per day instead of 2 capsules).

Q. Where can HearAll be purchased?
A. You can order HearAll directly from us using our fax/mail order form. Call us toll-free at (800) 525-2690 or email us at info@earinc.com for more information.

Q. Does aging automatically mean that we will be hard of hearing?
A. Most doctors tell us that hearing challenges increase as we get older. Almost all the available literature presumes that a certain percentage of the population will become "hard of hearing" when they get older.

John A. McDougall, M.D., presents evidence to the contrary in his book, The McDougall Program for a Healthy Heart.3 He notes that people in the Third World eating their traditional diets have better hearing at the age of 70 than the average American has at 20. These people live to a ripe old age with all of their senses intact, while many of us have more hearing issues as we get older.

When scientists compared the hearing of the African tribes people called Maabans with the people in Wisconsin, they couldn't find any of the Africans, at any age, with hearing concerns like those common in Wisconsin, the dairy capital of the United States. When scientists studied the Finnish people, who eat a high-fat diet, with Yugoslavs, who had a much lower cholesterol level, they found Finnish children with hearing challenges at the age of 10. By the age of 19, those young Finns had a marked inability to hear high frequency sounds. Yugoslav children had no such hearing concerns. Dr. McDougall points out that, just as the arteries nourishing the heart and brain become clogged with fat, the vessels supplying the inner ear also become clogged, causing hearing function concerns.

Ototoxic Drugs:
Antibiotics (especially the aminoglycosides), Anesthetics (Lidocaine (Novocain), Anti-malarials (Quinine), Cardiac (Heart) Medications, Chemotherapeutic (Cancer) Agents, Diuretics, Glucocorticosteroids (Cortisone, Steroids), Miscellaneous Substances (Alcohol, Caffeine, Lead, Marijuana, Nicotine, Mercury), Mucosal Protectant (Stomach Ulcer), Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (Aspirin, Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin), Methyl Salicylates (Bengay), Anaprox (Aleve), Psychopharmacologic (Mood Altering) Agents, and Vapors, Solvents (Gasoline).

Neomycin is found in many over-the-counter antibiotic ointments, and is the drug that is most likely to be a concern for our hearing function, so it is recommended for external use only. But even this topical therapy has resulted in hearing function concerns when large areas were treated which allowed for large amounts of the drug to be absorbed into the body. Vancomycin is a similar to aminoglycosides when used intravenously.

Q. Are there common medications that damage hearing function?
A. Yes, there are a number of commonly used drugs that are known to be a potential concern for hearing function and clarity.

Q. Are there specific foods or a diet that supports optimal hearing function?
A. Good nutrition is essential. Eat a diet that is low in saturated animal fat and refined carbohydrates and include plenty of cold-water fish (i.e. salmon, trout, albacore tuna, herring, mackerel, sardines, anchovies, etc.), whole grains, seeds, nuts, and fresh vegetables and fruits. Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish, canola oil, soybeans, flaxseed, walnuts, and wheat germ. Omega-3's are essential fatty acids that our bodies cannot create without first obtaining them from food. The benefits of omega-3 fatty acids have been touted for years - with documented research. What has brought omega-3 into the spotlight in recent years, however, is the possible protective role in cardiovascular health. And better cardiovascular health means a healthy hearing function.

Vitamins A and E also support optimal hearing function.4 Foods that contain vitamin A and E include: Liver, fish liver oils, eggs, carrots, nuts, wheat germ and dark-green leafy vegetables. Make sure that your diet contains plenty of fiber to prevent occasional constipation and keep the bowels clean. Drink 8 glasses of purified water per day. Ears are nourished by the body's blood supply. Fatty foods can change the blood supply to the ears. In some countries where people eat a vegetarian diet, the people were found to have better hearing even when they were quite old. This is not true in our country. Researchers believe this may be due to our "junk food" eating habits and noisy surroundings.

In some cases, hearing may be improved by reducing salt, which can cause fluids to be retained in the ear. Avoid dairy products, which some alterative practitioners believe create excess mucus in the body, especially in children. And take HearAll nutritional supplement daily to support optimal hearing function and acuity.

Q. Are there specific exercises for optimal hearing?
A. There are simple daily exercises that can provide tremendous support for optimal hearing function. Specific recommended exercises are included in the HearAll package.

Q. I understand that accupressure is helpful for hearing. What is accupressure and how does it help?
A. Acupressure is an ancient healing art developed over 5000 years ago. You use your fingers to press specific points on the surface of your body and head, in order to stimulate the body's natural self defense abilities. The origins of acupressure are as natural as the instinctive impulse to hold your forehead or temples when you have a headache. Most people can recall having used your hands spontaneously to hold tense or painful places on your body or head. Simple acupressure points to help support your hearing function are included FREE in every HearAll package.

Q. What can we actively do now so that we will always enjoy our favorite sounds?
A. If we have healthy ears now, we can do things to keep it that way.

• Evaluate your noise pollution and determine if you should be using earplugs or other types of protection. Be aware of risks connected with recreation such as shooting a gun, driving snowmobiles, or other similar activities. Do not listen to loud music for long periods. Avoid very loud and dangerous noise. Do not listen to loud music with earphones.
• Work in your community to keep it quiet. Let elected officials know that you are concerned about protecting ears and hearing.
• Be on the alert for possible hearing problems with your children. Does your 3-month-old daughter smile when you speak to her? More and more hospitals are testing newborns for hearing loss. The sooner their disability is discovered and treated, the less likely they are to fall behind in the development of important language and social skills. Educate your children about the danger of loud recreational noise.
• If your ears frequently tend to get severely blocked with wax, clean them periodically with hydrogen peroxide.
• Be sure to report any sudden hearing loss to your doctor or audiologist immediately.
• Use Dr. Bob Martin's HearAll

More Information: Ingredients | What are people saying? | FAQs about HearAll | Better Hearing Guide

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.