Have you ever been in a social setting where you are struggling to understand or keep up with the conversation? If so, how did you navigate the interaction? A common strategy that people often use in this context is pretending to hear. This looks like nodding your head or giving verbal cues that you are following along. Pretending to hear …
Know Alzheimer’s Disease: Treat Hearing Loss in September during World Alzheimer’s Month
September is World Alzheimer’s Month! Started in 2012, this global awareness and advocacy campaign focuses on challenging the stigma associated with dementia. Dementia refers to a group of medical conditions that progressively reduce cognitive functions including: thinking, memory, learning, and decision making. Worldwide, 50 million people live with dementia, a number projected to increase. The most common form of dementia …
A Brief History of Hearing Loss
An estimated 48 million people in the U.S. have some degree of hearing loss. This is nearly 1 in 5 people, making hearing loss the third most common, chronic, medical condition that people experience today. Though hearing loss is pervasive, it is often undertreated. Hearing loss usually happens gradually so it can take some time for people to notice changes …
Ways to Accommodate Your Loved Ones with Hearing Loss
Did you know that over 50 million Americans have hearing loss? Older adults often have age-related hearing loss, but younger adults, teenagers, and children can have hearing loss from exposure to loud noise, an illness or injury, or even due to genetics. If you have a friend or family member with hearing loss, there are a few ways you can …
Musicians & Hearing Loss
It makes sense that loud noise can damage hearing. You’ve probably experienced a ringing or buzzing sound in your ears after a night at a concert or sports game. And you’ve most likely heard from friends or family members that they credit their noisy workplace as the cause of their hearing loss. Musicians spend hours every day surrounded by extremely …
Going Digital with Your Hearing Aids
Technology is making life easier. From smartphone apps to computers, smartwatches to Fitbits, we use digital technology every day. Hearing aid technology is also going digital, and it’s revolutionizing how we hear. Analog Hearing Aids Before digital hearing aids became the norm, hearing aids relied on analog processes. Analog hearing aids convert sound waves to electrical signals for processing. Then …
Difficulties with Communication Could Signal Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is one of the most common chronic medical conditions that people navigate today. Nearly 48 million people experience impaired hearing which has multifaceted effects if left untreated. Though hearing loss is a pervasive health issue, it tends to be underdiagnosed. Part of this is because hearing loss typically happens gradually, so it can remain unnoticed for quite some …
Dealing with Noise Pollution in Your Neighborhood
We are constantly absorbing and processing different sounds throughout the day. From waking up with the help of an alarm, commuting to work, listening to music, and using household appliances; noise is part of daily life. While most noise that we experience is normal, it is important to be mindful of noise that can be hazardous to hearing health. Exposure …
How Hearing Aids Can Change Your Life
Wearing hearing aids can transform your daily life and health. Communication is part of the foundation that shapes our lives. It is critical for developing and sustaining relationships, engaging in social activities, work, and navigating life independently and comfortably. Hearing loss, one of the most common medical conditions that people experience today, strains communication which creates various challenges that take …
How Treating Hearing Loss Supports Your Brain
Did you know that healthy hearing is deeply connected to cognitive wellness? It is one of many ways that your hearing is connected to your overall health. The connection between hearing health and cognitive health is also an important consideration when considering when to treat hearing loss. Early treatment is key to minimizing the overall health impact hearing loss has …