Using hormone therapy in late menopause heightens hearing loss risk
/Women in menopause commonly experience physical and emotional symptoms that can impact sleep, energy levels, and emotional health.
Read MoreIt's time to spring clean your hearing aids
/Imagine what this could mean to your spring: Listening to the return of nature’s best sounds, such as birds chirping and melted waters lapping; taking in the relaxing rhythmic crunch of gravel beneath your feet on a morning stroll; participating in conversations with loved ones over that first alfresco lunch; or cheering for a homerun by your favorite little leaguer. The list goes on.
Read MoreBetter hearing continues to be easier than ever with Genesis AI
/Addressing your hearing needs just like your brain would, Genesis AI uses Neuro Sound Technology to "fill in the gaps" where hearing is impaired. This helps you hear missed sounds quickly and accurately. Repeating this process up to 80 million times per hour, Genesis AI ensures you can hear better anywhere, any activity—without having to do anything:
Read MoreLove can conquer hearing loss in relationships
/The research identified issues reported by the individual with hearing loss as well as their partner.
Read MoreHeads up—hearing loss linked to brain shrinkage
/After examining MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans of all the participants, the researchers found that those with untreated hearing loss from the start of the study had accelerated rates of brain shrinkage compared to those with normal hearing.
Read More1 in 4 who have hearing damage are unaware of it
/“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.
Read MoreMake the one New Year's resolution that covers them all
/A silver-colored Happy New Year banner lies atop a pretty spring of eucalyptus leaves (wide, round, bluish-green leaves) laid out on a dark hardwood floor.
Read MoreBalancing volume and duration makes earbud listening safer
/When you use these personal listening accessories for listening at a volume that’s too loud and for too long, you run the risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).
Read MoreThe Twelve Days of Better Hearing
/From the oohs and ahhs of gift-opening to the giggles of your favorite little elves, you won’t miss a moment during family gatherings with the ability to distinguish words more naturally, plus hear soft sounds without distracting noise.
Read MoreVeterans face more hearing issues than any other health condition
/The reason why hearing loss and tinnitus are so widespread among servicepeople may not surprise you: hazardous noise exposure.
Read MoreClassical musicians at greater risk of hearing loss than rock ‘n rollers
/Whether you are a musician, music fan, or simply enjoy fascinating expert findings, today’s fact may perk up your ears: Why would classical musicians be more likely to have hearing loss than rock ‘n roll artists?
Read MoreStay safe in sound this October
/Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the second-leading cause of hearing loss after aging, and impacts nearly 40 million U.S. adults aged 20–69, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). NIHL occurs when excessively loud noise damages the hair cells in your inner ear and the hearing nerve.
Read MoreWireless hearing aid accessories enhance your hearing experience
/It’s no secret that hearing aids are essential for helping those of us with hearing loss hear to the best of our ability. But because hearing loss is complex and different for everyone, sometimes—even with our hearing aids in—certain listening situations may continue to be challenging.
Read MoreWearing hearing aids may prevent millions of dementia cases
/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.
Read MoreHearing screenings typically absent from routine doctor exams
/While the reasoning behind the lack of hearing screenings at routine exams isn’t clear-cut, we can take today’s fact as a reminder of how important it is to prioritize our hearing health.
Read MoreHow to know when it's time to get new hearing aids
/We use and enjoy our technology to the fullest. But in the back of our minds, we also have that feeling that, one day, our much-loved device will run its course and need to be replaced. Oftentimes, this is simply the culmination of the wear-and-tear process—which yes, includes hearing aids.
Read MoreMy Starkey app – tap into better health and hearing moments
/Imagine getting instant hearing help the second a gathering becomes louder, taking calls straight from your hearing aids or, cooler yet, using them to track your steps, exercise, and interactions — all from the palm of your hand.
Read MoreWhy it’s important to check your hearing regularly
/We are all concerned about our health and well-being! Benjamin Franklin once said “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Whether it is diabetes, cancer, heart disease or hearing loss, we have become increasingly more focused on stopping illness through preventative healthcare. It’s one reason why we’re living longer and why, if Mr. Franklin were alive today, he’d agree that “60 is the new 40.”
We get yearly physicals to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol and evaluate risks for cancer, diabetes and heart disease. We should approach our hearing the same way.
Early treatment can help prevent future issues
In recent years, research has shown that hearing is not just about our ears! Our hearing impacts many aspects of our health and life. Untreated hearing loss has been linked to increased likelihood of dementia, decreases in cognitive function, increased isolation and higher incidences of depression. Discovering and treating hearing loss sooner rather than later can ultimately improve our overall health and well-being.
Many people will wait until they are having difficulty before getting their hearing tested. The reality is that they have most likely been living with hearing loss anywhere from 5 to 15 years before they take action. Could you imagine living with high cholesterol or high blood pressure or diabetes for a dozen years before taking action?
Start with a baseline hearing test
For many of us, the last time we had our hearing checked was when we were in grade school. According to healthcare professionals, we should get a “baseline” hearing test early in our adulthood. The recommendation is around 18 or 21. If you are past 21 and have not had a baseline test, the sooner the better.
A “baseline” hearing test will provide a frame of reference for tests later in life. It is important to remember that hearing is more than just detecting beeps! A baseline hearing test will measure your sensitivity to sounds (the beeps), but it will also measure your ability to understand speech, both at soft levels and when the volume is comfortable. In addition, the overall health of the ear will be evaluated via a visual exam.
Follow-up hearing tests may be recommended
How often you have your hearing checked after the baseline depends on a few different variables: the results of your baseline test, your risk for hearing loss, and your age are just a few. If hearing loss exists at the baseline, yearly testing is recommended.
If your risk for hearing loss is high, yearly hearing tests are also recommended. Things that increase your risk of hearing loss include noise exposure, both at work and recreational (motorcycles, guns, loud music), as well as your age. As hearing loss is found more often with increasing age, individuals 60 years of age and older are recommended to have their hearing tested every two years, if no hearing loss was apparent in their most recent test.
Why it’s important to check your hearing regularly
/We are all concerned about our health and well-being! Benjamin Franklin once said “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Whether it is diabetes, cancer, heart disease or hearing loss, we have become increasingly more focused on stopping illness through preventative healthcare. It’s one reason why we’re living longer and why, if Mr. Franklin were alive today, he’d agree that “60 is the new 40.”
We get yearly physicals to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol and evaluate risks for cancer, diabetes and heart disease. We should approach our hearing the same way.
Early treatment can help prevent future issues
In recent years, research has shown that hearing is not just about our ears! Our hearing impacts many aspects of our health and life. Untreated hearing loss has been linked to increased likelihood of dementia, decreases in cognitive function, increased isolation and higher incidences of depression. Discovering and treating hearing loss sooner rather than later can ultimately improve our overall health and well-being.
Many people will wait until they are having difficulty before getting their hearing tested. The reality is that they have most likely been living with hearing loss anywhere from 5 to 15 years before they take action. Could you imagine living with high cholesterol or high blood pressure or diabetes for a dozen years before taking action?
Start with a baseline hearing test
For many of us, the last time we had our hearing checked was when we were in grade school. According to healthcare professionals, we should get a “baseline” hearing test early in our adulthood. The recommendation is around 18 or 21. If you are past 21 and have not had a baseline test, the sooner the better.
A “baseline” hearing test will provide a frame of reference for tests later in life. It is important to remember that hearing is more than just detecting beeps! A baseline hearing test will measure your sensitivity to sounds (the beeps), but it will also measure your ability to understand speech, both at soft levels and when the volume is comfortable. In addition, the overall health of the ear will be evaluated via a visual exam.
Follow-up hearing tests may be recommended
How often you have your hearing checked after the baseline depends on a few different variables: the results of your baseline test, your risk for hearing loss, and your age are just a few. If hearing loss exists at the baseline, yearly testing is recommended.
If your risk for hearing loss is high, yearly hearing tests are also recommended. Things that increase your risk of hearing loss include noise exposure, both at work and recreational (motorcycles, guns, loud music), as well as your age. As hearing loss is found more often with increasing age, individuals 60 years of age and older are recommended to have their hearing tested every two years, if no hearing loss was apparent in their most recent test.
Noise-induced hearing loss is becoming epidemic
/Between 2000-2015, the number of Americans with hearing loss doubled, approaching 50 million people.
How many times have you heard someone say (or maybe you’ve said it yourself), “I’m looking forward to some peace and quiet”? We’re guessing plenty.
Between the noise at work (thank you, open office spaces), the noise outside (traffic, we blame you), noise inside (good luck finding a quiet restaurant…or gym…or sporting event) and the noise we subject ourselves to voluntarily (we’re looking at you, earbuds), finding peace and quiet can feel a bit like a treasure hunt.
All that noise is a big reason why hearing loss has nearly doubled so far this century, according to the American Academy of Audiology.
And though peace and quiet might sound dreamy at times, it isn’t when it’s all the time, as anyone with severe hearing loss will tell you.
The good news is that noise-induced hearing loss is preventable. To learn ways to protect your hearing, help avoid noise-induced hearing loss, and remain in control of when those moments of peace and quiet get scheduled, consult with a Land of Lincoln Hearing healthcare professional today. Click here and we can help!
