Hearing loss is a common medical condition that people live with today. Nearly 1 in 5 people have some degree of impaired hearing which affects over 48 million people. A common misconception about hearing loss is that it is only caused by aging. While this is one factor, there are other factors that contribute to the development of hearing loss. …
Questions to Ask During a Hearing Consultation & Fitting
If you are preparing for a hearing consultation and fitting, then a huge congratulations is in order! You are in the minority of people who choose to take action around your hearing loss. Of those 70 and older who could benefit from hearing loss, only 30 percent have ever tried them. However, for those who do, you can experience more …
The Role of Ears in the Balance System
Have you ever thought about how we are able to stand and move through space without falling? Though maintaining balance seems like an automatic process that just happens, it actually involves a complex process. The brain receives information from the body about spatial awareness and position which allows us to maintain balance. But there are ways these systems can be …
Hearing Loss & Traumatic Brain Injury: Is There A Connection?
If you’ve ever experienced a traumatic brain injury, it is important to have your hearing health evaluated. Over three million head injuries occur every year according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) is the most severe type of head injury. It is estimated that 1 in 3 head injuries is a TBI. Studies …
Swallowing Disorders: Symptoms, Causes & Treatments
Swallowing occurs so naturally and automatically that we don’t often think about it. It is common to experience “food going down the wrong way” and coughing as a result from time to time. But swallowing disorders describe difficulty swallowing that occurs regularly. Known as dysphagia, swallowing challenges can impact health and wellness in everyday life. Figuring out if you experience …
Add Improved Hearing To Your New Year’s Health Goals!
The new year offers a fresh start. This is a perfect time to prioritize your hearing health and the practices to achieve your health goals. Integrating the following tips in the new year offers a useful roadmap on how you can improve your hearing health. Schedule a hearing test. Hearing loss is the third most common, chronic health condition people …
Why Are Sinus Problems Worse in Winter?
Winter is here. This time of year means lower temperatures, dryer air, and tends to include sinus issues. Whether it is the common cold or the flu, winter months can be filled with dealing with symptoms like a runny nose, sore throat, and congestion. The symptoms can cause greater alarm now with COVID. Understanding sinus issues, why exactly they are …
Scratchy Throat: Allergies or COVID?
Between allergies, the flu, and COVID; identifying the cause of symptoms you may experience can be tough and confusing. The CDC estimates that over 60 million people experience allergies. Typically, people with allergies know their triggers and how they respond to being exposed to those triggers: runny nose, sneezing, coughing, scratchy throat etc. But living through this ongoing pandemic that …
Hearing Loss & Vertigo: All About Meniere’s Disease
Meniere’s disease is an inner ear disorder that can affect hearing health and balance. Named after a French doctor who first identified the disorder in 1861, meniere’s disease impacts 1 out of 1,500 people. It is a relatively rare condition but one that there are no cures for. There are effective ways symptoms are managed, reducing the impact of meniere’s …
How to Prevent Swimmer’s Ear
Swimmer’s ear, medically referred to as otitis externa, is an infection of the ear canal. Though swimming is a common way this infection can occur, it is not the only cause. Learn more about swimmer’s ear and the ways you can prevent this type of infection. Causes Swimmer’s ear is a bacterial infection that is usually caused by water …