Hearing Loss

November 19, 2018

Hearing loss is on the rise, due to an aging population but also unhealthy lifestyles of the younger generation.

Hearing loss makes many common social activities more challenging and many people with hearing loss simply don’t participate.

Going to the movies is one of the social activities that often falls by the wayside for those with hearing loss.

The good news is that if you are a movie lover and have missed going to the movies because of your hearing loss, you may be able to enjoy a night out again!

Technology Assisting People With Hearing Loss

More movie theaters are using technology to help their hearing-impaired clientele enjoy the movie experience again.

Ask your local theater if they have one or more of these hearing devices for you to use:

1. Assistive listening devices:

These headphones can be used with your hearing aid to help you hear more of the movie. Some volume adjustment will probably be necessary though.

2. Subtitle glasses:

These glasses can be worn over regular glasses and will provide the user with subtitles. The size of the subtitles can be adjusted to be as large as you need.

3.Smart phone apps:

Augment surrounding sound. Using this app with headphones means you can turn the volume up as high as you need without bothering anyone around you.

On the day of the movie you should arrive early so you can get the device and learn how to use it, get the volume adjusted, etc. before the movie starts.

Today, thanks to technology, people with a hearing loss can enjoy a night out at the movies too.

For more information on hearing health issues, come see me and I’ll be happy to help in any way I can!

Hearing loss is on the rise, due to an aging population but also unhealthy lifestyles of the younger generation.

Hope For Reversing Noise Induced Hearing Loss

It seems many of the greatest scientific breakthroughs in history are found by accident.

A recent study about reversing hearing loss is one of those accidental breakthroughs!

It’s still years away, but research recently published by the Stanford University School of Medicine shows potential in reversing hearing loss that is caused by explosions or other loud blasts.

This is great news to many veterans since over 60% of them suffer from hearing loss or tinnitus.

The study actually started as a way to develop a technique that could detect ruptures such as those that would be caused by explosions.

But researchers changed direction when they realized that a loud noise didn’t cause structural damage but rather hair and nerve cell damage.

Even though any actual human trials are still a decade away, this study does give hope to those who are suffering from hearing loss.

Before this can become a reality, though, scientists need to find a way of regenerating nerve and hair cells since humans don’t regenerate hair cells.

Still it is good news for the veterans, or anyone else, who is suffering from a hearing loss.

Easy Steps To Avoid Hearing Loss

Preventing hearing loss is important for everyone, no matter their age or current hearing level.
Even if you already have some hearing loss, there are simple steps you can start taking that will help you keep more of your hearing, such as:

1. When you are going to be in a loud environment, even if it’s for a short time, use hearing protection like inexpensive ear plugs.

2. Turn down the volume. This is really becoming a big issue due to the advent of ear buds and personal music players.

3. Stay healthy. Eating right and getting enough
exercise can help all parts of your body, including your hearing. Controlling your blood pressure is especially important.

4. Get regular hearing checks even if you think you’re “too young” for hearing loss. Lifestyle can play a big part in how well you hear and how long you keep your hearing healthy!
No one wants to miss out on hearing their loved ones telling them “I love you” or the laugh of a child. It’s never too late to start protecting your hearing from loss, or further loss.

As always, if you have any questions, stop by and see me. Together we will find out how healthy your hearing is and I can help you keep it healthy!

How To Talk To A Loved One About Hearing Loss

It’s not easy to tell someone you love that they are suffering from a hearing loss. But often, it is the family who notices it first (or at least will admit it first).
Every person is different and ultimately you need to decide how best to handle the situation, but these tips may make the conversation a little easier:

1. It’s easy to get aggravated when dealing with someone with a hearing loss. You may be tired of having to repeat yourself endlessly, or you may have had enough of being blasted out of the house every time you sit down to watch t.v.
But, it’s in your best interest (and theirs) to hold off this discussion until a time when you aren’t annoyed or frustrated.

2. Make sure you don’t come off sounding arrogant or judgmental. This is a delicate subject and you want to respect them and try to understand that they are fearful of growing old and losing some independence.

3. Make sure you don’t confuse the issue by getting too involved in the technical aspects of hearing aids. Instead focus on all the benefits they will get with improved hearing.

Point out that they can watch t.v. without blasting everyone else out of the room.

Point out that telephone conversations will become easier and more frequent if they can hear better.
Impress upon them that they will be able to do more than before; things like going to a movie or hearing a conversation at a crowded party will be possible once they improve their hearing.

4. And last, but not least, try to be involved in the whole process as much as possible. Being there to help your loved one navigate the confusing and scary situation will make the whole process easier for them.

Conclusion

It’s not easy for anyone to admit that they have a health issue that needs to be addressed. This can be especially true for those who are dealing with the emotions associated with a hearing loss.

But, with love and patience you may be able to help them come to terms with heir hearing loss and in the process, improve the quality of their life.

When they do get to that point, they will thank you!

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