Hearing loss is part of a vast web of physical conditions that are connected with one another to varying degrees. Research scientists and experts are engaged in the ongoing process of understanding how these connections work. In some cases, experimental evidence and body imaging technology make it possible to have a clear understanding of how other conditions related to hearing loss. When the statistics show …
Ear Candles: Effective or Dangerous?
If you find yourself in conversation with someone interested in natural and homeopathic remedies, you might hear about something called an ear candle. These devices are sold in some health food stores and specialty shops online. Many of them look like a wax-coated spiral piece of paper that has unfurled like a party favor, forming a long conical shape. How can something like this be …
Check Your Hearing This November for American Diabetes Month
Each November, we observe American Diabetes Month. This honorary occasion is an opportunity to show respect for the many people involved in the fight against the disease. The people we honor do not only include those with diabetes and pre-diabetes but also the doctors and researchers who are working to find cutting-edge treatments, the caregivers who tirelessly work to provide those treatments, and the family …
All About Ototoxic Hearing Loss
The two most common forms of hearing loss are noise-induced, whereby exposure to loud sound over time has a damaging effect on the inner ear, and age-related, wherein something about the aging process causes a dysfunction of hearing ability. Most of our thinking and research about hearing loss revolves around these types, but what about ototoxic hearing loss? Although less common than these dominant causes, …
October is Protect Your Hearing Month
Did you know that October is National Protect Your Hearing Month? A campaign to raise awareness about hearing loss, this month is a great reminder to prioritize your health by learning what you can do to reduce your risk of developing hearing loss. What is Noise-Induced Hearing Loss? Hearing loss is the third most common, chronic, medical condition that people experience today. Impacting over 48 …
Weather Preparedness Tips for People with Hearing Loss
It’s important to be prepared for the unexpected. You never know what may happen during an emergency but having a plan in place can help you feel confident no matter what. Do you live in an area that’s prone to severe weather patterns? Whether you fear floods, fires, earthquakes, or anything in between, weather preparedness can give you peace of mind whatever comes your way. …
Nonverbal Cues to Help You in Meetings
The hearing community has much to learn from those with hearing impairment. When one of our senses is compromised, we tend to strengthen and enhance our other senses to make up the difference in understanding. This well-known phenomenon has led to some remarkable findings about non-verbal communication. For instance, a person who has total deafness or severe hearing impairment is likely to rely on visual …
Understanding the Degrees of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss comes in all shapes and sizes. Some people have loss in one ear or the other, while other people have balanced hearing loss between the two ears. Some people find that hearing ability is missing in a certain frequency range, while others feel like the entire spectrum of sound is muffled or indecipherable. Despite the many varieties of hearing loss, specialists tend to …
How to Properly Care for Your Hearing Aids
Acquiring hearing aids is a momentous occasion, so congratulations if you have newly arrived in the world of hearing assistance! When you get your new aids, you might be particularly careful with them, tenderly removing them and placing them in a case or charging station each night. Over time, that conscientious approach might wane, and you might even find yourself tossing your aids into a …
A Link Between Hearing Loss and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder that produces chronic inflammation of the joints. The body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells which causes swelling in targeted areas. Most commonly, these targeted areas are the joints in the: wrists, hands, and knees. RA specifically affects the lining of joints but can also impact tissues throughout the body, leading to additional health issues that involve other …