People are waiting to treat hearing loss—learn why you shouldn’t
/On average, hearing aid users wait 10 years before getting help for hearing loss.
Read MoreNoise-induced hearing loss increasingly affecting U.S. workers
/Excessive noise exposure can cause permanent and irreversible hearing loss. Fortunately, protecting your hearing can help prevent hearing damage from occurring in the first place, which we’ll discuss momentarily.
Read MoreTinnitus expert shares hope and solutions for affected veterans
/Are you or someone you know suffering from tinnitus? You're not alone. Tinnitus affects millions of people worldwide, including countless veterans for whom it is the number one service-related disability.
Read MoreToo few treat their hearing loss—here’s why you should
/Today’s fact reveals that only 20% of people who could benefit from wearing hearing aids actually seek help from a health professional. Are you surprised or not surprised
Read MoreWhere is the best place to get hearing aids?
/Today, your options have gotten more complicated, with online-only retailers, big-box stores and over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids you can buy at places like Walgreens and CVS. Here’s the thing, though—seeing a hearing care professional is still the best way to be treated for hearing loss or get hearing aids. Let us explain why.
Read MoreWhat to do if you think you have hearing loss
/Most people who have hearing loss aren’t born with it. Instead, hearing loss creeps up on us over time, usually caused by exposure to loud noises, aging, or some combination of the two.
Read MoreHearing aids 101: Your guide to styles, power, connections
/Thanks to today’s innovations, you have many hearing aid options to choose from to suit your hearing loss, ear anatomy, lifestyle, budget, and cosmetic appeal.
Read MoreTinnitus shown to impact physical and mental health
/In honor of National Stress Awareness Month already in progress, we would like to take today’s hearing fact to spotlight tinnitus and the ripple effect it can have on your physical and mental well-being.
Read MoreUsing hormone therapy in late menopause heightens hearing loss risk
/Women in menopause commonly experience physical and emotional symptoms that can impact sleep, energy levels, and emotional health.
Read MoreIt's time to spring clean your hearing aids
/Imagine what this could mean to your spring: Listening to the return of nature’s best sounds, such as birds chirping and melted waters lapping; taking in the relaxing rhythmic crunch of gravel beneath your feet on a morning stroll; participating in conversations with loved ones over that first alfresco lunch; or cheering for a homerun by your favorite little leaguer. The list goes on.
Read MoreHeads up—hearing loss linked to brain shrinkage
/After examining MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans of all the participants, the researchers found that those with untreated hearing loss from the start of the study had accelerated rates of brain shrinkage compared to those with normal hearing.
Read More1 in 4 who have hearing damage are unaware of it
/“I can hear fine.” If you ever found yourself feeling this sentiment, you’re not alone. And if you ever found out you were wrong about it, take heart—you’re in good company.
Read MoreMake the one New Year's resolution that covers them all
/Think about all the best New Year’s resolutions you could make—and actually achieve—with the power of better hearing though hearing aids.
Read MoreBalancing volume and duration makes earbud listening safer
/When you use these personal listening accessories for listening at a volume that’s too loud and for too long, you run the risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).
Read MoreClassical musicians at greater risk of hearing loss than rock ‘n rollers
/Whether you are a musician, music fan, or simply enjoy fascinating expert findings, today’s fact may perk up your ears: Why would classical musicians be more likely to have hearing loss than rock ‘n roll artists?
Read MoreWireless hearing aid accessories enhance your hearing experience
/It’s no secret that hearing aids are essential for helping those of us with hearing loss hear to the best of our ability. But because hearing loss is complex and different for everyone, sometimes—even with our hearing aids in—certain listening situations may continue to be challenging.
Read MoreHow to help a loved one get help for their hearing loss
/Having a family member or friend with untreated hearing loss can be a tough situation to navigate.
Read MoreHealthy aging begins with better hearing
/What are some positives of aging that speak to you? If you’re having a little trouble getting your list together, don’t despair: Healthy Aging Month was created as an opportunity to choose happiness for your future by taking active steps to maintain your physical and mental well-being. And where to begin isn’t as daunting as you may think.
Read MoreHearing screenings typically absent from routine doctor exams
/This post originally appeared on Starkey.com
Today’s fact headlining the lack of hearing screenings at routine doctor exams may surprise you—or not.
If you’re surprised: It’s probably because you’ve been keeping up with the mounting research that strongly links hearing loss with dementia, cognitive decline, depression, loneliness, and falls.
If you’re not surprised: You may be familiar with the current state of shorter appointments in the U.S. and let’s face it—it’s not uncommon for physicians to prioritize other tests, labs, and questions before hearing. You’ve likely “been there,” and realize if you had any hearing loss concerns, it would be your role to mention them to the physician.
Regular hearing screenings are essential to your health
While the reasoning behind the lack of hearing screenings at routine exams isn’t clear-cut, we can take today’s fact as a reminder of how important it is to prioritize our hearing health. Regular hearing exams not only are the first step in helping to prevent the long-term detriments of hearing loss, such as dementia, but also play an immediate role in the early intervention of age-related hearing loss—which is gradual and often difficult to detect. As a result, people may not even realize they have hearing loss until it is further along and more challenging to treat.
On a positive note, the case integrating hearing screenings into regular health exams appears to be gaining some momentum: The esteemed National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, for example, recently recommended routine doctor hearing screenings in a published report titled Hearing Health Care for Adults: Priorities for Improving Access and Affordability.
But while progress continues to grow, taking care of our hearing is up to us.
Fortunately, there are two things you can do:
Option 1: Tell your physician about hearing concerns
If you think you may have hearing loss, or even if you’re unsure, tell your physician. They can refer you to a licensed hearing care professional in the same way they might refer you to a dermatologist for skin issues. A hearing specialist will have the equipment and expertise to evaluate your hearing and counsel you through treatment options for any hearing issues you may be experiencing.
Option 2: Visit a hearing care professional yourself
As it stands, experts recommend having your hearing screened every three years once you’re 50. So, you can feel empowered to make it a part of annual health checks. Hearing evaluations are simple and pain-free, and can easily be set up with a hearing care professional near you.
For a head start, simply type your zip code in here to generate a list of local providers. They will be happy to show you how your hearing is doing, and as mentioned, discuss treatment if needed.
If you’re interested in a hearing test, visit your closest Land of Lincoln Hearing office to learn more about your hearing health.
How hearing aid programs help you hear better in places you frequent
/Today’s state-of-the-art hearing aids give us the power to adjust sound whenever we need—for even greater listening experiences. And a quick and convenient way to do this is by utilizing one of the top tools in your better-hearing artillery: a hearing aid program.
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