Because we’re a hearing technology company and our business is singularly focused on helping people hear the best they can, the statistic above — that hearing loss is the United States’ third most common chronic physical condition and is more prevalent than diabetes or cancer — isn’t surprising to those of us. We’re plenty aware that hearing loss is common because we deal with it every day. We know, too, that it becomes even ...
In 2018, a team from the University of Michigan studied a group of older adults who reported they had severe hearing loss to see if hearing aid use impacted how they use our health care system. Some in the group treated their hearing loss with hearing aids, while others did not. Knowing that hearing aids can be a significant investment, the team was curious to find out if the cost of hearing aids was offset ...
Summer is upon us and now, more than ever, we’re looking forward to enjoying outdoor activities — particularly water sports! Unfortunately, with water sports, we also see an increase in swimmer’s ear. What is swimmer’s ear? Swimmer’s ear is an infection found in the outer ear canal, the area that extends from the outer ear (pinna) to the eardrum (tympanic membrane). The medical term for swimmer’s ear is otitis externa. Swimmer ...
Falls are some of the scariest and most frequent injuries suffered by older adults. According to the CDC: • One quarter of people over 65 fall each year • Three million older people go to the ER each year for falls • One in five falls causes a serious injury • Falls account for over $50 billion in medical costs each year There are many reasons why older adults are more prone to falls — from weakness or medication side ...
A few years back, a New York Times article pleaded that the treatment of hearing loss needs “to be taken much more seriously.” Much of the article’s basis for that plea were the numerous mental and physical health consequences of letting hearing loss go untreated, including increased odds of depression, falling, emergency room visits, and, of course, dementia. All are correlations that have been studied broadly and that we dig into regularly in this ...
A person with hearing loss symptoms may have difficulty hearing the higher pitched tones of children’s (and women‘s) speech. Missing out on a grandchild’s recitation of a wish list, or not being able to contribute to a family conversation about holiday memories, can be frustrating for both the person suffering from hearing loss, as well as family members who may not be aware of the hearing problem. There are ways to help ...
Hearing loss affects family members, too One common reason why people with hearing loss put off getting help is the misperception that it only affects them. They’re the one who can’t hear, so if it’s not a problem for them, it shouldn’t be a problem for others. Physically, the inability to hear warning sounds or the voices of those who depend on the individual with hearing loss could potentially put lives ...
Tinnitus is primarily caused by prolonged exposure to loud noises but also can stem from aging, head injuries or side effects from medications. For many of those afflicted, the impacts can be grave as the perpetual ringing can cause difficulties in concentration and sleeping. While there are no curable options, different treatments can be used to help ease the suffering from the condition or help reduce the degree to which it is prevalent. These treatments ...
Firstly, confront the individual in a constructive manner and make sure not to express personal frustrations. Help them identify situations in which they are missing out due to hearing loss when they don't need to. These areas can include withdrawal from social gatherings, difficulty hearing on the phone and more. If the individual can recognize the symptoms of hearing loss that exist and their effects on their ability to effectively communicate it will increase ...
Your Ears and Traveling Passport? Check. Luggage? Check. Ear Plugs..? With spring quickly approaching, many are traveling to warmer climates to get away from the cold, or returning home from spending their winter in the sunshine. There is a lot to remember when traveling, but something commonly forgotten is protecting their ears. When flying in an airplane, the change in pressure can cause travelers to develop “airplane ears”, also known as barotitis media. Airplane ears ...
