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Hearing Aids Are Found to Improve Depressive Symptoms

In Hearing Aids, Hearing Health, Hearing Loss by Christa N. Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

With over two thirds of people over 70 years of age experiencing some form of age-related hearing loss, it is a remarkably common condition. Yet, did you know that hearing loss is highly associated with symptoms of depression and other mental health challenges? Indeed, the rates of depression among those with hearing loss are much higher than among their counterparts …

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Head Injuries & Hearing Loss

In Hearing Health, Hearing Loss by Christa N. Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

When you think about hearing loss, the most common image that comes to mind is age-related hearing loss. Indeed, most people who lose their hearing are in the golden years. In combination with noise-induced hearing loss, these forms are quite common, and most people who are fortunate enough to reach an age beyond 70 years will have some form of …

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How Smoking & Drinking May Affect Hearing

In Hearing Health, Hearing Loss by Christa N. Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

Lifestyle habits undoubtedly affect our risk of hearing loss. In the first place, the willingness to use hearing protection and to avoid noise exposure are both directly related to rates of hearing loss. However, indirect effects are evident, as well.  Health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes have been correlated with hearing loss. Although it is unclear how the …

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A Link between Hearing Loss & Diabetes

In Hearing Health, Hearing Loss by Christa N. Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

As you may already know, hearing loss is related to many other conditions in the body. Not only are those who have untreated hearing loss more likely to experience mental and social health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and social isolation, but they are also more likely to have physical health concerns. Studies have even shown a link between untreated …

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When Should I Update My Hearing Aids?

In Hearing Aids, Hearing Health by Christa N. Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

Hearing aids are an important treatment for those of us who suffer from hearing loss. They keep us more active and more engaged with the world around us, and that translates to better health and better well-being over time. But how do we know when our hearing aids are no longer doing the job we need from them? Much in …

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A Brief History of Hearing Loss

In Hearing Health, Hearing Loss by Christa N. Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

Over 5% of the world’s population today suffers from hearing loss-about 466 million people. The rate of hearing loss is expected to climb to 10% by 2050. Hazards to our hearing are all around us: at work, at play, and just walking down the street we encounter sound that can cause hearing loss. We are surrounded by ototoxic chemicals. Even …

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Celebrate World Alzheimer’s Month with a Hearing Test!

In Hearing Health by Christa N. Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

September is World Alzheimer’s Month, and The Lancet has published an update to the known risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. The 12 factors that are responsible for an estimated 40% of global cases of Alzheimer’s disease include: Excessive alcohol consumption Traumatic brain injury Air pollution Insufficient education in the first 20 years of life Hypertension Smoking Obesity Later-life depression Inadequate …

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Why Pretending to Hear Doesn’t Help

In Uncategorized by Christa N. Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

You’ve probably been on one or the other side of this conversation before. It starts out easily with some basic back-and-forth pleasantries, but before you know it something is missing. You felt like you understood one another in the beginning, but at some point it became clear that the signals were crossed. Maybe one of you answered a question with …

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Ways to Accommodate Your Loved Ones with Hearing Loss

In Hearing Loss by Christa N. Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

If you have a loved one with hearing loss, you might be able to recall some difficult interactions in the past. Whether you experienced the difficulty as a disappointment, frustration, or even in terms of sadness and anger, untreated hearing loss can bring up a complex array of emotions both for the person who is hard of hearing and for …

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Musicians & Hearing Loss

In Uncategorized by Christa N. Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

Many occupations have a risk of hearing loss, and our minds go immediately to industrial and manufacturing jobs with very loud machinery that can damage hearing through exposure day in and day out. Other occupations, such as those in the military or working with aircraft require expert hearing protection to avoid hearing loss over a lifetime of work. However, noise …