How can I recognize hearing problems? Hearing problems rarely cause discomfort or pain, and because the hearing loss onset is often gradual, it’s common to adapt to hearing loss without realizing it. If you think you might be experiencing hearing loss, ask yourself the following questions: If you answered yes to several of these questions, […]
Independence Day is near once again, which can only mean one thing: fireworks season is about to kick into high gear. But for as festive and beautiful as fireworks can be, they also pose some significant risks. This is especially true when it comes to hearing-related issues, which is something that older adults are particularly […]
Hearing is a critically important sense for typical development of speech and language which carries us through the formative years of learning and socializing so unique to humankind. Loss of hearing can come from illness, heredity, noise exposure, among a variety of other causes. As we mature and approach retirement age, Age Related Hearing Loss […]
The worldwide impact of implementation of unprecedented social distancing and limitations on social activities because of the COVID-19 pandemic may have helped control the spread of the disease but impacted older adults disproportionally. In a report from May of last year Hwang and colleagues noted: “…there is a high cost associated with the essential quarantine […]
Throughout 2020 COVID-19 had us hiding out at home, washing our hands, wiping down surfaces and masking up. Quite a bit wasn’t known for some time. We knew about flu-like symptoms and disturbances in smell and taste, but not enough about the full spectrum of effects. A year later now, evidence is emerging about symptoms of […]
There are two traditional types of hearing loss: conductive and sensorineural. The classification of each relates to the specific physiological cause. Some cases of hearing loss can involve a combination of the two – what hearing healthcare providers call mixed hearing loss. Recently, a third category called “Hidden Hearing Loss” has been described in peer reviewed […]
Most people know that older adults are more likely to develop hearing loss as a result of Age-Related Hearing Loss (ARHL), but does a person’s gender also have an impact on their chances of having hearing problems? Men are more likely than women to develop hearing loss Decades of research data have shown that, regardless […]
In the past decade several scientific studies have shown an association of hearing loss with onset of dementia. With one in eight people over the age of 12 suffering from some level of hearing decline, the importance of this line of study is clear. How are these two seemingly separate conditions linked, though, and how does treatment […]
Hearing loss is considered a significant public health issue and the third most prevalent physical health condition. In the U.S. alone, approximately 15 percent of adults over the age of 18 report some degree of hearing difficulty. It is estimated that 28.8 million adults in the United States would benefit from the use of hearing aids. There are […]
According to the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention: The Connection Between Hearing Loss and Diabetes Diabetics suffer from several additional medical issues that often accompany the disease (comorbidities), one of those being hearing loss. A recent study (Ren et al 2017) found “Compared with healthy controls, diabetic patients had higher mean hearing thresholds…” […]
Hearing loss doesn’t typically hurt, leave a rash or overtly impair us overnight. Because of its gradual nature (in most cases), hearing loss can often go undiagnosed or feel less urgent to address. Here are six reasons why ignoring hearing loss is not advised and why the American Speech- Language-Hearing Association recommends regular hearing screenings […]
Whether at home or in a doctor’s office, there can be numerous tests that used to find out if you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss. Here are a number of common tests that are used today to determine a person’s level of hearing loss. Self-Tests You Can Perform at Home Generally, these […]
Hearing is a vital part of how we experience the world around us. All too often we take it for granted, focusing instead on the seemingly greater impact that vision provides. It is this attitude that prevents many people from seeking early treatment for hearing loss, not realizing how much it can improve their quality […]
Many of these hearing loss stats may be surprising, but they illustrate just how common the condition is, and how important it is for many Americans to seek treatment. Factors closely tied to hearing loss Hearing loss may result from illness, genetic predisposition, head injury or noise exposure to name a few. One thing we […]
Modern technology is often expected to do wonders for the 360 million people worldwide affected by hearing difficulties. When we see what can be done with implantable devices for diseases such as diabetes, cataracts, and heart rhythm abnormalities it is not surprising that we hold the hearing industry and specialists to such high standards. Compared to some […]
During the winter, the biggest threat to hearing aids is moisture. The problem with cold weather is that it often includes rapid changes in temperature to your device. If you’re outside, the drop in temperature might be extreme from that of a heated home or car. These rapid changes in temperature can produce condensation on […]