Most people understand that hearing loss can be caused by exposure to noise. The CDC reports that an estimated 12.5% of children and adolescents aged 6–19 years (approximately 5.2 million) and 17% of adults aged 20–69 years (approximately 26 million) have suffered permanent damage to their hearing from excessive exposure to noise. It is important to understand the amount of noise you are exposed to and protect your ears …
Undertreated & Undiagnosed: Age-Related Hearing Loss
There are many causes of hearing loss, however, the most common type comes from a lifetime of listening. It is estimated that one in three people over 65 have hearing loss and this statistic climbs to half of all of those 75 or older in the US. If you are approaching this age bracket it is important to stay on …
Staying Safe with Hearing Loss
While hearing loss is an issue that begins in the ears, its effects are far-reaching. Communication issues caused by hearing loss can cause alienation from loved ones, diminished confidence, chronic depression and loneliness. These issues can affect many aspects of life such as less likely to live an active life, to cognitive decline and a higher risk of dementia. However, …
Healthy Habits to Protect Your Hearing
There are many factors that can damage your hearing. Knowing the threats to your hearing can help you to make healthier choices, which avoid the devastating side effects of hearing loss. The Dangers of Hearing Loss When you start to look at hearing and health, you may find that the two are more interconnected than you may first suspect. Commonly …
Trouble Hearing in Noisy Places? Train Your Brain
Have you been struggling to hear when you are out and about? Is it especially difficult to follow a conversation in noisy rooms and spaces, amongst multiple conversations or ambient noise? This is one of the most common and earliest signs that you may have an issue with your hearing. Relearning to Hear First and foremost, it is important to …
Building Connections | May is Better Hearing and Speech Month
In 1927 The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) named the month of May as Better Hearing and Speech Month as a way to raise understanding and awareness for those with hearing and speech issues. While it is important to understand and self-diagnose and be compassionate to these communication issues year-round, BHSM is designed to inspire and instigate action and accommodation for …
The Pros & Cons of Different Hearing Aid Types
If it has been years since you first have suspected you’ve had a hearing loss and are just now making the leap to wearing them, then you are not alone! On average it takes people seven to ten years from the time they suspect they have a hearing loss to finally get treated. Now that you’ve had a hearing test …
Sounds That Could Harm Your Hearing
It’s a noisy world out there. Even if you don’t live in a noisy neighborhood or working environment you may be surprised at all the noise you come into contact with every day. If you believe that a little noise can’t hurt you, nothing could be further from the truth. When noise becomes loud enough it can induce hearing loss …
How Treating Hearing Loss Supports Your Brain
Many people think of hearing loss as an ear issue; however, your brain is just as affected. While we hear with our ears, we interpret this information once it is sent to our brain. If the sound never reaches our brain, then our mind is forced to process audio information with limited data. The brain is responsible for controlling the …
How Exercise, Diet, Sleep, and Hearing Affect Brain Aging
Brain health is critical for the various functions that allow us to live and navigate life independently. Cognitive abilities including remembering, decision making, completing tasks, organizing etc. are essential to daily living. As people age there is a range of changes- physical and cognitive – that occur naturally. These changes can be accelerated by various medical conditions, unhealthy behaviors, and …