Top 5 things to feel thankful for with better hearing
/Ask just about any hearing aid wearer what it was like before treating their hearing loss and they’ll likely respond, “I can’t believe how much I was missing.”
Read MoreWhy hearing aid stigma is unmerited according to Huey Lewis, Daymond John
/"They’re not just about hearing—they’re about staying connected to your family, your friends, and your entire world. With my Starkey's, I’m fully immersed in every conversation and opportunity.”
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 MoreHow to keep hearing healthy at the gym
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You may not even notice the high noise levels at first, amongst the upbeat, high-tempo pop music that often fills the background of the main gym. Or the cheerful yet commanding voice of your headset-wielding workout instructor. Both of which, are often blaring.
Read MoreSix ways My Starkey app makes the holidays easier and merrier
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Whether you’re shopping for gifts at the local mall or taking a break at your favorite cafe, My Starkey can help you maintain your best hearing with features that allow you to adjust your hearing aid settings plus customize them for places you frequent.
Read MoreFact: Hearing aids help us hear better and feel better
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People who obtained hearing aids within the three years after being diagnosed with hearing loss had decreased rates of depression (in addition to lower frequencies of dementia and falls) versus those who did not receive hearing aids.
Read MoreClassical musicians at greater risk of hearing loss than rock ‘n rollers
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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 MoreHow to help a loved one get help for their hearing loss
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Having a family member or friend with untreated hearing loss can be a tough situation to navigate.
Read MoreHealthy aging begins with better hearing
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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
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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.
Hearing loss can make us socially withdraw
/Today’s fact raises awareness of two of the biggest detriments of hearing loss—loneliness and social isolation.
Read MoreHearing loss increases the risk of accidental injuries
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An analysis of data from the National Health Interview Survey found that, over an eight year period (2007 – 2015), people who reported that they had “a lot of trouble” hearing ended up being twice as likely to have an accidental injury — both at work and leisure — as people who reported no trouble hearing.
While the study didn’t dig into what it was about hearing loss that led to these higher numbers, experts suspect the effects of sensory impairment played a role. Falls, too, which happen more frequently to people with hearing loss, certainly contribute to the increase.
Why does this matter? Because according to the National Health Report by the CDC, accidental injuries are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the U.S.
But maybe a bigger “why it matters” is that if you have hearing loss and are wondering if you should treat it or not, this is one more fact to add to the “treat it!” side of your list.
Don’t wait any longer, call Land of Lincoln Hearing today to prevent any accidental injuries.
Photo by Fabio Neo Amato on Unsplash
