Let the games—and hearing protection—begin
/Some will watch from the comfort of their living rooms. Others may join like-minded folks at a sports bar or pub. And a very lucky bunch will be applauding from the stands of Paris, itself.
Read MoreTop 5 ways better hearing can help you enjoy summer gatherings
/Wearing hearing aids can help ensure you never miss a story, a gossip tidbit, a riveting show recap—all the things we share with one another that connect us, deepen our relationships, and make every moment together worthwhile.
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 MoreHey, Men—here’s why it’s important to prioritize your hearing health
/In his newest blog written exclusively for Starkey, Justin Osmond—who was born with a severe-to-profound hearing loss and has been wearing hearing aids since he was two years old—talks to men about the importance of prioritizing their hearing health during Men’s Health Month, already in progress.
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 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 MoreLove can conquer hearing loss in relationships
/The research identified issues reported by the individual with hearing loss as well as their partner.
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 MoreGetting used to new hearing aids: A how-to guide
/Congratulations! You’ve got your new hearing aids and taken that first step towards hearing better and living better. So, what’s next?
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 MoreVeterans face more hearing issues than any other health condition
/More than 1.3 million veterans received disability compensation for hearing loss and more than 2.3 million received compensation for tinnitus in 2020 alone, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
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 MoreHigh noise levels at work prove harmful to hearing
/1 in 4 workers exposed to occupational noise have hearing difficulty: Let’s explore the research behind this fact and specifically how noise exposure at work can affect your hearing.
Read MoreWearing hearing aids may prevent millions of dementia cases
/Who knew hearing aids had the power to change the world? Today’s fact underscores the vital role hearing aids can play in the prevention of dementia.
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.
Read MoreHearing loss can make us socially withdraw
/Today’s fact raises awareness of two of the biggest detriments of hearing loss—loneliness and social isolation.
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