Better hearing can boost our brain power, study shows
/This study is just one of many that prove how important it is to prioritize our hearing health-brain health connection as we grow older.
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/Read on to get the full scoop on the study, the impact, and what you can do about your own hearing health, moving forward.
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 MoreWireless hearing aid accessories enhance your hearing experience
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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 MoreHearing screenings typically absent from routine doctor exams
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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.
Why it’s important to check your hearing regularly
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We are all concerned about our health and well-being! Benjamin Franklin once said “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Whether it is diabetes, cancer, heart disease or hearing loss, we have become increasingly more focused on stopping illness through preventative healthcare. It’s one reason why we’re living longer and why, if Mr. Franklin were alive today, he’d agree that “60 is the new 40.”
We get yearly physicals to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol and evaluate risks for cancer, diabetes and heart disease. We should approach our hearing the same way.
Early treatment can help prevent future issues
In recent years, research has shown that hearing is not just about our ears! Our hearing impacts many aspects of our health and life. Untreated hearing loss has been linked to increased likelihood of dementia, decreases in cognitive function, increased isolation and higher incidences of depression. Discovering and treating hearing loss sooner rather than later can ultimately improve our overall health and well-being.
Many people will wait until they are having difficulty before getting their hearing tested. The reality is that they have most likely been living with hearing loss anywhere from 5 to 15 years before they take action. Could you imagine living with high cholesterol or high blood pressure or diabetes for a dozen years before taking action?
Start with a baseline hearing test
For many of us, the last time we had our hearing checked was when we were in grade school. According to healthcare professionals, we should get a “baseline” hearing test early in our adulthood. The recommendation is around 18 or 21. If you are past 21 and have not had a baseline test, the sooner the better.
A “baseline” hearing test will provide a frame of reference for tests later in life. It is important to remember that hearing is more than just detecting beeps! A baseline hearing test will measure your sensitivity to sounds (the beeps), but it will also measure your ability to understand speech, both at soft levels and when the volume is comfortable. In addition, the overall health of the ear will be evaluated via a visual exam.
Follow-up hearing tests may be recommended
How often you have your hearing checked after the baseline depends on a few different variables: the results of your baseline test, your risk for hearing loss, and your age are just a few. If hearing loss exists at the baseline, yearly testing is recommended.
If your risk for hearing loss is high, yearly hearing tests are also recommended. Things that increase your risk of hearing loss include noise exposure, both at work and recreational (motorcycles, guns, loud music), as well as your age. As hearing loss is found more often with increasing age, individuals 60 years of age and older are recommended to have their hearing tested every two years, if no hearing loss was apparent in their most recent test.
Land of Lincoln Hearing in Lake Forest!
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LAND OF LINCOLN HEARING IS THE AREA'S MOST TRUSTED AUDIOLOGY & HEARING AID CENTER!
We are excited to announce our newest Land of Lincoln location in Lake Forest, IL! The Land of Lincoln location in Lake Forest is conveniently located off Highway 94 and Townline Road in the suburbs of Chicago.
Address:
100 S Saunders Rd.
Suite 150
Lake Forest, IL 60045
At Land of Lincoln Hearing, we are changing the way you hear. We don't only fit you with a hearing aid - we walk with each patient step by step throughout their hearing journey. We would love to help you get started on your hearing journey. Please make an appointment with one of Hearing Practitioners to schedule your first hearing evaluation.
We truly can't wait to hear from you!
