Not sure if you have hearing loss? That’s not uncommon. Hearing loss symptoms are subtle and typically emerge slowly. It frequently takes years for people to realize they have hearing loss. Also, we simply don’t test our hearing enough. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that “less than half of adults who reported trouble hearing had seen a healthcare provider for their hearing in the past five years.” There’s ...
Mild hearing loss may sound, umm, mild, but it’s quite the misnomer. Professionals classify any hearing thresholds between 25-40 dB to be a mild hearing loss. But short of measuring your hearing loss precisely, how can you tell if you have mild hearing loss? People with a mild hearing loss tend to be able to hear speech when someone is speaking close to them or if the room is quiet. They can hear when ...
It’s no secret that treating hearing loss with hearing aids gives us the life-changing benefit of never missing a moment. But this just in: A brand-new study published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity Journal has revealed that hearing aids may also be life-lengthening—by nearly 25 percent. While the study had us at “live longer,” we wanted to know more and thought you might, too. Study examined longevity effects of regular hearing aid use ...
Ahhh, aging: Graying hair… emerging wrinkles… Shrinking brain?! Believe it or not, it’s true. Our brain shrinks as we age—a process also known as “brain atrophy” or “brain tissue loss”—and it’s simply a part of life. What’s important to be aware of, however, is that hearing loss has been found to accelerate that brain atrophy in older adults. So, how did this discovery come about and what does it mean ...
Whether you’re a regular gym devotee or planning workout classes for the new year—first off, congrats for making your physical health a priority. And while a fitness center can be a fun and motivating place to do just that, it is also important to look after your hearing health while you’re there. Here’s why: noise exposure. You may not even notice the high noise levels at first, amongst the upbeat, high-tempo ...
“I can hear fine.” If you ever found yourself feeling this sentiment, you’re not alone. And if you ever found out you were wrong about it, take heart—you’re in good company. Today’s fact is an important reminder of not only how prevalent hearing loss is, but also how difficult it can be to detect. On the bright side—the more you know, the better you can take care of your hearing ...
Who knew hearing aids had the power to change the world? Today’s fact underscores the vital role hearing aids can play in the prevention of dementia. According to the renowned Lancet Commission on Dementia, Prevention, Intervention and Care, dementia has become “the greatest global challenge for health and social care in the 21st century”. But by simply choosing to look after our hearing health, we can collectively make a difference in the fight against ...
When you think about noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), it’s natural to immediately associate the condition with exposure to loud events or activities like concerts, fireworks, and hunting. However, today’s fact is an important reminder of how prominent the risk of NIHL can be in our daily lives—and that includes where you work. 1 in 4 workers exposed to occupational noise have hearing difficulty: Let’s explore the research behind this fact and ...
Did you know that your heart health is linked to your hearing health? There’s an important connection between your ears and your heart, and neglecting your cardiovascular system could spell trouble for your hearing. 1. How are heart health and hearing health related? Normal blood flow is critical for good hearing health. Delicate hair cells in the inner ear (the cochlea) turn sound into electrical impulses that travel to the brain so we can ...
Nothing says summer like a refreshing dip in the lake or swimming the lanes on a sunny morning. Or maybe it’s pool volleyball you dream of while planning your annual tropical getaway. Whatever floats your boat, it’s hard to deny that summer and water activities go hand-in-hand. Unfortunately, water activities can often lead to swimmer’s ear. (Ouch!) What is swimmer’s ear? Swimmer’s ear (or otitis externa) is an infection found ...