Hearing Health

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Q&A: Does Caffeine Affect Hearing and Balance?

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Q: Is caffeine harmful?

A: This is one of the most loaded questions about everyday health. Many studies have been conducted on the effects of caffeine on the body. Some of these effects are positive and some are negative. Some studies suggest a correlation between moderate caffeine consumption and lower risks of some diseases, while others have shown the opposite. Different lifestyle and genetic factors determine whether caffeine is a healthful substance for you personally, so always check in with your physician before making decisions about which drugs to ingest and how much to use. Caffeine can also interact with certain medications and supplements, so it’s always a good idea to discuss your intake with a doctor if you have questions or concerns.

Q: How does caffeine impact hearing?

A: Frustratingly, the jury is still out on this, but here’s what we know so far:

One animal model study demonstrated that caffeine may impair the body’s ability to recover from acoustic trauma. Typically, the effects of acoustic trauma are temporary and resolve days or weeks after exposure, but test subjects given daily doses of caffeine and subsequently exposed to loud noise recovered their hearing more slowly than those without caffeine. These findings are important to consider, because if the same results are observed in humans, it could change how we approach hearing safety in a variety of environments.

Another study using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey discovered that tinnitus was less prevalent in daily coffee drinkers in the 19–39 and 40–64 age groups than in their peers who rarely drink coffee. It also suggested that brewed coffee may have preventative effects on hearing loss and tinnitus, but that other coffee preparations may induce tinnitus in some age groups.

A UK study found that coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of disabling hearing loss in men. It is thought that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of coffee are responsible, rather than caffeine content, since the result held true for both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffees. Interestingly, female coffee drinkers did not receive the same benefit.

Q: Does caffeine affect balance?

A: Possibly. According to a study from 2021, consumption of caffeinated beverages may enhance postural stability and voluntary motor control. Because caffeine is a stimulant, it increases attention, which can have an effect on a person’s balance. We’re not yet sure if caffeine affects the vestibular system directly, or if caffeine’s effect on the central nervous system is responsible for observed improvements in the posture and balance of the test subjects. More research is needed to understand these results.

If you’re experiencing hearing loss, tinnitus, or balance problems, please don’t wait. Contact us today to get your questions answered or to schedule an exam. We’re HEAR to help!

An illustration of a hearing care team examining a giant ear

What Causes Itching Sensations in the Ear?

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Next to pain, itching is probably the most uncomfortable physical sensation we experience. It is annoying, distracting, and in some cases, absolutely maddening. When that itching occurs in a place we can’t reach, it can be difficult to find relief, and our ear canals are the most common place unreachable itching occurs. Fortunately, most causes of deep ear itching are understood, and there are things we can do to alleviate or even prevent it.

ALLERGIES

One of the most common culprits of inner ear itching is allergies. The same histamine response that causes itchy hives on the skin, watery eyes, and sneezing can also cause the eustachian tube to become inflamed. Most of us will press on our tragus (that small flap of cartilaginous skin near the ear’s opening) and wiggle it vigorously to relieve the sensation, but the best home remedy is to take an antihistamine.

DRY SKIN

For the outer ear, itching is rarely a notable issue, since we can easily rub or scratch that itch away. It is usually caused by dry skin or irritants that come into contact with the skin. It is no different from itching on any other exposed part of the body, but if it becomes a nuisance, applying a bit of mineral oil or Vaseline to the affected area with a cotton swab can help rehydrate the skin and protect it from further irritation.

SKIN CONDITIONS

In addition to the superficial irritation from substances you come in contact with, two of the most common benign skin diseases, eczema and psoriasis, can also affect your ears. If scaling of the skin is present, one of these conditions will be suspected as the cause of your itching. Your hearing care provider and dermatologist can provide solutions.

INFECTION

Almost everyone has suffered an ear infection at some point in their lives, and when we think back on this experience, it is usually the pain that we remember the most, but itching can also be an important indicator of bacterial buildup in the middle ear. If the itching you feel is persistent and intense or accompanied by a throbbing sensation, schedule an appointment with your audiologist or ENT. Treating an infection at this
stage can save you from further discomfort down the road.

ANXIETY

You may be surprised to learn this, but simply being nervous, stressed, or feeling on edge can cause itching in any area of the body, including the ears!

What Can I Do to Relieve Itching?

As mentioned above, medication is usually the best method to relieve persistent itching deep in the ear, but there are also some over-the-counter remedies you can try. Commercial eardrops that dissolve wax can clear the ear of buildup and debris and relieve itching. Taking a hot shower or sipping a hot cup of tea may also help, as the heat dilates blood vessels and improves circulation to the ears. An added benefit of
this approach is that it is likely to relax you, which will reduce nervous itching.

Can I Prevent Itchy Ears?

The best way to prevent itching in any part of the ear is to practice good ear hygiene and avoid allergy triggers. While we are all tempted to clean our ears at home, this often does more harm than good. No foreign object should ever be inserted into the ear. This pushes wax deeper into the canal, which can cause everything from
painful blockages to that persistent itching we’re trying to avoid. Wax is actually a very important component of ear health; it keeps the inner ear waterproof and resistant to microbes. Gently washing the outer ear with a soft washcloth and warm water will rinse away any excess wax or debris and help keep dermatitis at bay. Click here for more information.

If you wear earrings, make sure they are made of a hypoallergenic metal
such as pure gold, sterling silver, or titanium, as some other metals (chiefly nickel) can react with the skin and cause itching. This is especially important for cartilage piercings.

Avoid getting excess water in your ears whenever possible. Swim with your head above the surface and consider wearing a shower cap while bathing. Switching to a shampoo formulated for sensitive skin can also cut down on ear irritation.

Steer clear of allergens whenever possible, and follow your allergy treatment plan.

And finally, when inserting hearing aids, earbuds, or any other device that fits into the ear, do so gently and carefully, and ensure the device is clean. It may seem like a small gesture, but anytime we place something in or near the ear canal, we’re potentially disrupting the ear’s natural biome.

If you’re dealing with itchy ears this spring, don’t hesitate to call our caring team for a consultation. We’re here to help!

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National Heart Month: Are Your Ears & Cardio Health Connected?

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Take a Closer Look With These 5 Facts

What do hearing and your heart have in common? They both help you experience the world in your own unique way. And with National Heart Month celebrated in February, it’s a great time to talk about the importance of taking care of cardiovascular and ear health. They’re even more connected than you might think!

Check out these five facts:

1. Global Issue

Like hearing loss, which affects more than 1.5 billion children and adults, per the World Health Organization, cardiovascular disease — including heart disease and stroke — is a global challenge affecting people of all walks of life. It’s the No. 1 killer worldwide, with nearly 18 million deaths annually, according to public-health estimates.

2. Higher Risk

A study reviewing national health surveys found that the majority of older adult respondents who had heart failure were also experiencing hearing loss, per a Harvard news report on the investigation. A separate study discovered that a history of heart attack could mean at least a two-fold chance of hearing loss for women.

3. Increased Mortality

Hearing loss alone is linked to a respective 13% and 28% increase in the odds of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. When hearing loss is paired with vision loss, the increase jumps to 40% and 80%, respectively. The reasons aren’t fully known, but ties between hearing loss and other conditions that contribute to physical frailty — cognitive decline, for example — are suspected factors.

4. Mitigating Factor

Both hypertension — a major contributor to development of heart disease — and hearing loss may play a significant role in curbing dementia globally. The UK-based Lancet Commission identified hypertension and hearing loss among 12 potentially modifiable risk factors that, when addressed, could prevent or delay 40% of dementia cases worldwide.

5. Blood Flow

Exactly how heart issues and hearing loss are connected isn’t yet conclusive in all cases. Cardiovascular disease, however, can cause decreased hearing sensitivity by actually restricting blood flow to the structures of the inner ear. These structures require blood flow for nourishment.

As you can see, taking care of both your heart and your hearing supports overall health in more ways than one. Some risk factors such as age and family history can’t be helped, but healthy choices such as avoiding tobacco, choosing a nutritious diet, taking up physical activities, and scheduling regular health checkups can make a difference in helping prevent either condition.

If you have or suspect heart-health issues, see your cardiologist and make sure professional hearing help is also part of your wellness plan. Our knowledgeable team can evaluate any hearing problems and provide solutions that help keep you healthy and connected to what you love. Contact us today!

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How Loud Is It?

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When Breaking Out the Power Tools, Protect Your Ears

Since childhood, you’ve probably heard the warnings about loud noises and hearing loss. Maybe you’ve even experienced the sensation of ear pain, ringing in the ears, a headache, or a moment of hearing difficulty after the piercing bang of a firecracker, a blast from an MP3 player on high volume, or an ice-crushing blender whirring at the fastest speed.

But how loud is too loud? As power tools get pulled out of storage for spring projects, let’s take a look at the level of noise they generate and what you can do. After all, hearing is one of the most important senses. Understanding the dangers of excess noise exposure — and how you can protect your ears — can go a long way toward preserving your hearing.

What’s the Problem?

It’s rather fascinating that sound can affect your health, but it’s also a fact. Your ears and brain work together to perceive and process sound. The cochlea, an organ within the inner ear, contains tiny hair cells that detect sound and send signals to the brain through the auditory nerve. Excess noise can damage the hair cells, leading to temporary or even permanent hearing loss.

Hearing loss not only might impact communication but can also:

  • Lead to withdrawal from social situations
  • Play a role in increased risk of balance issues and falls
  • Go hand in hand with dementia and other cognitive problems
  • Appear alongside tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears or head)

When Is It Too Loud?

As a measure of loudness, decibels play a critical role. Your own perception also matters, but sometimes unsafe volumes aren’t perceived to be as loud as they truly are. If you already have hearing loss, the sounds may not seem as loud but can still do damage. Generally, sounds that are 85 decibels or higher can be especially harmful. The louder the sound and the longer it lasts, the more dangerous it can be for your ears.

 
Consider these decibel estimates for some common power tools as well as other familiar sounds:

  • Whisper — 30 decibels
  • Typical conversations — 65 to 80 decibels
  • Lawnmowers — 80 to 100 decibels
  • Gas leaf blower — over 100 decibels
  • Sports games — 94 to 110 decibels
  • Hand drill — 98 decibels
  • Personal listening devices at highest volumes — 105 to 110 decibels
  • Chain saw — 110 decibels
  • Jet at takeoff — 140 decibels
  • Fireworks — 140 to 160 decibels

What Can You Do?

Power tools can be hard on the ears, making it all the more important to take control of your listening environment. Where to start? Look for equipment that’s rated for being quieter while still ticking all the performance boxes. With no power parts, reel mowers can do the job with a lot less noise, but electric, battery-operated, and even some quieter gas mowers might fit the bill, too.

Lowering the “volume” on your equipment can make a difference as well. You won’t find a volume knob, but a reduced speed setting — when appropriate for the job — might bring the noise level down. In addition, the user manual may provide options on limiting noise. And remember to take periodic breaks from using the equipment altogether, giving your ears a breather.

Steering clear of excess noise isn’t always possible, but hearing protection has your back. Earmolds with a variety of filter systems that help keep louder sounds at a safer, more reasonable level can help you tackle spring projects with confidence. The best part? They can be customized to the contours of your ear for an effective, snug, and comfortable fit.

Measuring Noise: Easy App

Did you know? The free NIOSH Sound Level Meter app, compatible with iOS-based mobile devices, can measure the sound level in your environment — at home, work, or play.

Using your phone or tablet’s built-in microphone, the easy-to-use app offers an instant decibel rating. It doesn’t replace professional instruments or expert opinion, but it can help approximate noise.

Check it out!

Count on us to help you seize the season. Have questions about noise-induced hearing loss or options for hearing protection? Reach out to our knowledgeable team today!

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Use Audiobooks to Hone Your Hearing

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Better Hearing Is a Process, Not an Event

When you get hearing devices, your hearing improves dramatically. But there’s still plenty of fine-tuning to do.

That’s why an experienced hearing care professional schedules follow-ups. As you encounter different environments in your life, you’ll notice sounds that don’t seem quite right. At your follow-ups, your provider uses your feedback to customize your hearing aid settings even more to your unique needs.

But you can take charge of encountering new sounds by using at-home tools — enter the humble audiobook.

Audiobooks Are a Perfect Complement to Hearing Aids

When someone speaks to you, your brain (among other things) targets the voice, concentrates on it, ignores background noise, and tries to match the sounds to words in your memory.

If you’ve had hearing loss for a long time, you’ve missed certain words — or heard them incorrectly — for years. When you get hearing aids, your brain needs to adjust to hearing them again.

With audiobooks, you can focus entirely on the words being spoken. You can practice listening without the issues that arise during a conversation, such as background noise. And you can rewind!

Using an Audiobook to Adjust to Hearing Aids

Head to the local library

Don’t worry — this isn’t a high-cost solution. Audiobooks are as close and accessible as your local library.

Grab the CD version if you prefer that format. For a mobile experience, confirm with your library which app you can use to check out and download their audiobooks. Some hearing aids even allow you to stream them directly via Bluetooth!

People at all listening levels can benefit — if you have a cochlear implant, ask your provider for the best way to train using audiobooks.

Stick to the familiar to begin with

Audiobooks let you focus on a single voice before jumping into real-life, two-way conversations. How better to start than with a book you’re already familiar with?

  • Choose a book you own a copy of in print or e-book format, and follow along with the narrator — this helps your brain process the heard speech.
  • Listening like this is tiring — keep it short to begin with, only for 20 to 30 minutes at first.
  • Library apps usually offer a sample to listen to — take advantage of it to make sure you’re comfortable with the narrator’s voice.
  • Listen in a room with minimal background noise

Branch out when you’re comfortable

Changing different aspects of your listening experience will challenge your brain in healthy, helpful ways. It also provides helpful feedback for you to bring to your provider.

  • If you really like the first book, listen to it again without reading along.
  • Ready for another book? Choose one you’ve read before, but don’t follow along in a print copy or e-book.
  • If your first book was narrated by a man, choose a woman narrator for the second.
  • For every new book, change something — switch from fiction to nonfiction, choose a narrator with an accent, or increase the amount of background noise.

Have Fun With It

You’ll be learning how to make the most of your new hearing aids regardless — why not enjoy books you’ve been meaning to read? Plus, you can choose books that pleasurably stretch your listening skills. Besides — it’s also the perfect excuse to read those guilty pleasures.

When you’re ready to move beyond audiobooks in your better-hearing journey, contact us — we’d love to help you push your hearing skills even further!

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Better Hearing: Paying It Forward

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5 Ways to Help Others With Hearing Loss

Getting treated for hearing loss can be such a life-changing experience that it’s only natural to want to share the sense of independence, reconnection, and other positive outcomes that can go hand in hand with improved hearing. These five tips can help you pay your better-hearing success forward, inspiring others living with hearing difficulties to get the help they need.

1. Share Your Story

Research indicates hearing-aid wearers on average waited over a decade after a hearing loss diagnosis before getting the proper hearing technology. That’s a lot of time spent potentially missing out on important moments in life — not to mention the physical, mental, social, and even financial consequences linked to untreated hearing issues.

What if sharing your experience could motivate others to walk their own better-hearing path a lot sooner? Consider telling your inspiring story — whether virtually or in person — to neighborhood groups, senior-living gatherings, community sports teams, and other audiences eager to learn. Moving even one person with hearing loss to take action is time well spent.

2. Be the Companion  

Seeking hearing help is a big, empowering step, made even easier with the support of friends and family who not only want the best for the people they care about but who are also affected when those loved ones have unaddressed hearing loss.

If you’ve had a companion at hearing care appointments, you may already appreciate the power of having that emotional support, an additional perspective on your hearing needs, or a familiar voice for test-driving hearing technology. Imagine the satisfaction of being that companion for someone else.

3. Lend Your Skills

Whether streaming from media devices, connecting to hearing loops, interfacing with smart-home technology, providing fall detection, or translating other languages, today’s cutting-edge hearing aids bring their A-game, but knowing how to work them is key.

As hearing care professionals, we love helping patients get the most out of their hearing devices, but sharing your own tips, tricks, favorite apps, and compatible smartphone settings can also go a long way. If you know someone who might benefit from your helpful discoveries, consider offering a hand today.

4. Donate Your Hearing Aids

Ever wondered whether your used hearing aids could help someone else in need? They sure can! An estimated 466 million children and adults around the globe have disabling hearing loss, per the World Health Organization, and some have benefited from pre-owned hearing technology.

If you have an old set of hearing aids taking up space in a drawer or are thinking of upgrading your current ones to newer technology, please let us know. We may be running periodic donation drives or can help connect you with charitable organizations seeking used devices.

5. Remember Self-Care

In the excitement of a new year, you might forget to keep your own hearing health at its best. But as you plan upcoming adventures and begin working on your New Year’s resolutions, it’s a perfect reason to get your hearing — and your hearing technology — checked.

Not only do adults treated for hearing loss report significant improvements in relationships, mental health, social engagement, and other crucial areas, but their loved ones report improvements, too. So take care of yourself — for them and for you.

What if sharing your experiences could motivate others to walk their own better-hearing path? Consider telling your story to neighborhood groups and other audiences eager to learn.  

Has it been a while since your last hearing evaluation? Do you have a loved one experiencing listening difficulties of their own? Don’t wait. Please contact our caring team today. We’re here to help!

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6 Soup Recipes That Support Hearing Health

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A Delicious Way to Make Your Cochlea Happy

Nutrition is an easy way to keep your hearing health going strong. January is National Soup Month, and it’s just the time to try some great soup recipes that will please your taste buds and your cochlea.

Folate and Omega-3

Savor the flavor of these six soups rich in folate, omega-3 fatty acids, or both! Folate ensures plenty of healthy blood gets to all the structures of your inner ear, and omega-3 fatty acids fight inflammation and protect your inner ear from age-related deterioration.

Lentil Soup with Lemon and Turmeric

If you’re new to lentils, this soup is a great introduction — it’s delicious and simple to make! The recipe has tips for preparation, several ingredient alternatives, and instructions for blending the soup, if you decide to go that route. Plus, if you’re no stranger to cooking, you probably have most of the ingredients in your kitchen already.

The hearing-health kickers are the lentils and veggies, which are all brimming with folate!

Vegetable Beef Soup

There’s nothing more satisfying than this classic omnivore standby option on a winter evening — savory stock, tender beef, a medley of veggies, and bread nearby for dipping in the bowl after you finish. This recipe uses staples like onions, carrots, celery, tomatoes, potatoes, green beans, corn, and peas, but you can use whatever you have on hand! The recipe also provides tips for using a slow cooker instead of a pot.

This dish supports your hearing health by providing ample folate from the veggies.

Easy Clam Chowder

This clam chowder truly is a cinch. The trade-off, at least for the purists, is that the clams in this recipe are canned. But you can make them as thick or runny as you like and, as the recipe says, it’s chockfull of clams!

The hearing-health superstars in this recipe are the clams, which pack in the omega-3s, but the onions and potatoes are no slouches in the folate department, either.

Chicken and Kale Soup

This simple, hearty, satisfying soup is ideal on a crisp, rainy day or a cold winter evening. The seasonings are unassuming and easy to adjust to your taste. If kale isn’t your leafy green of choice, feel free to substitute your favorite.

Your cochlea will thank you for all the folate support from the onions, beans, potatoes, and leafy greens!

Easy 20-Minute Moqueca

The textures and flavors of this Brazilian classic are complex, lovely additions to a simple side of rice, beans, or both (adding even more folate!). This recipe uses cod, but you can easily replace it with flavorful shrimp, catfish, or salmon — all of which also pack a more powerful omega-3 punch! In fact, this recipe is full of opportunities to swap, add, and substitute, so you can put your own unique spin on it.

Plus, this delicious dish is a perfect balance of folate (onions, tomatoes) and omega-3s (fish)!

Four-Bean Chili

I can practically hear you saying, “Hey, what’s the big idea? Chili isn’t soup!” You might be surprised to find out it’s an age-old debate — is it a soup or a stew? No matter what category you put it in, you’ll pronounce it “yummy”! This unassuming four-bean delight has a secret — that fourth bean is refried beans! The as-written recipe won’t satisfy fans of very spicy foods, though, so feel free to toss in jalapeños, habaneros, or whatever food on the Scoville scale you can handle.

Beans are nature’s little folate fountains, so your inner ear is sure to appreciate this chili.

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Living Longer With Hearing Loss

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It’s Not Just About Hearing

Hearing loss can affect not only your well-being but also your overall quality of life. If you have hearing loss, read on to for ways to be the happiest, healthiest you.

Hearing Loss and Falls Are Linked

Research backs up the connection between hearing loss and falls. In one study, those with at least a mild hearing loss fell more often than those with healthy hearing. In fact, the odds of a fall increased as hearing loss worsened — falls were 1.4 times more likely for each 10-decibel increase in hearing loss.

One possible cause is that hearing loss robs your brain of resources. As more brainpower becomes devoted to hearing, less is available for postural control, which increases the risk of falling.

According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA):

  • Falling is the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for older Americans.
  • Falls threaten safety and independence, and they generate enormous economic and personal costs.
  • Falls result in more than three million injuries treated in emergency departments annually, including over 800,000 hospitalizations and more than 32,000 deaths.

Hearing Technology Can Help

In a study from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, participants with hearing loss had better balance when using hearing aids than when they didn’t. Senior author Timothy E. Hullar explained they seemed to use “the sound information coming through their hearing aids as auditory reference points or landmarks to help maintain balance.”

Lifestyle and Hearing Are Linked

A study done by Age and Ageing looked at hearing loss alongside disability and mortality in older men. The study found that, compared with those with no hearing loss, those with hearing loss have a greater risk of mobility problems and difficulties when performing daily activities. It also found that men with hearing loss have a greater risk of dying of any cause.

In a different study, it was reported that hearing loss is 5.5 times more prevalent in men than in women. In particular, those with high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as smokers of more than 20 years, are more likely to have a hearing loss.

Hearing Technology Can Help

A study done by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) found that people who used hearing aids reported an increased sense of independence and safety, as well as improvements in depression, anxiety, and social isolation compared with the time before they treated their hearing loss.

Nutrition Affects Your Hearing

Nutrients are a great first-line defense against hearing loss, especially folate and omega-3 fatty acids.

Folate, a B vitamin, helps prevent age-related hearing loss. It does this by regulating the amount of homocysteine (an amino acid) in your system. A lack of homocysteine reduces blood flow to the inner ear, resulting in hearing loss. Good sources of folate include broccoli, leafy green vegetables, pulses, and liver.

Omega-3 fatty acids are a building block of your cell membranes. They fight inflammation, too. These are two properties that make omega-3 fatty acids ideal protectors of hearing health, and research backs this up. It’s well established that omega-3 fatty acids do, indeed, prevent age-related hearing loss. Good sources of this nutrient are fish, nuts, seeds, plant oils, and fortified foods.

Hearing Technology Can Help

If you do have age-related hearing loss, it’s easy to miss out on children laughing in another room, birds chirping, or your sweetheart’s whispered “I love you.” It’s these little moments that make life so rich. But hearing technology is now so advanced that you can adjust your settings to your surroundings.

Don’t miss another moment — contact us today!

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How Better Hearing Improves Romance

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Hear With All Your Heart

Better hearing improves your relationship with everyone in your life — especially your romantic partner. Read on to find out how.

Better Hearing, Less Miscommunication

Stakes are high in romantic relationships. Treating hearing loss is a small price to pay for dramatically lowering the chance of miscommunication. Hearing your best means a more harmonious relationship, less confusion about plans, and making more time for each other.

Better Hearing, Less Frustration

When you have hearing loss, responsibilities shift. Your partner has to answer when the phone or doorbell rings, call to schedule appointments, or even respond for you in social situations if you miss a question. No matter how understanding your partner is, frustration can still settle in. Hearing your best shifts the responsibilities back to a balanced state.

Better Hearing, Less Distance

You might not even notice it, but when conversations start to become difficult or even embarrassing because of your hearing loss, you withdraw a bit. You might even avoid interacting with your partner. But better hearing means more confidence in conversations, making you both more proactive about engaging each other.

Better Hearing, More Affection

Intimacy and affection are built from the small things, like inside jokes, whispered “I love yous,” and enjoying movies or music together. Hearing better means once again enjoying those beloved subtleties in your partner’s voice, the nuances of the first song you danced to, and the sweet nothings said quietly over dinner in a restaurant.

Tips for Date Night

If you’ve just started your better-hearing journey, here are some strategies to ensure your first date as a hearing aid wearer goes great.

Be Practical About the Location

Don’t set yourself up for failure. If you’re still learning how your hearing devices perform in different environments, it’s best to choose something quiet. Head to the park for a picnic, stay in and cook dinner together, or choose a restaurant you know will be quiet. If you’re past the adjustment phase, consider your limitations when choosing the venue.

Be Prepared

Put fresh batteries in your devices or, if you have rechargeable devices, ensure they have enough charge to last you through the evening. Give your devices a maintenance once-over as well, to clear them of wax and debris.

Be Your Own Advocate

Let your partner know the best ways to communicate with you. If they need to switch seats or talk slower, tell them. They’ll be grateful for the feedback; they want your time together to be special, too. And don’t be shy with the staff — let them know what your needs are, such as a table away from excessive noise.

Are you wondering how your hearing is doing? Contact us today to schedule an appointment!

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6 Questions to Ask During Your Annual Physical

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A Bit of Preparation Can Go a Long Way

It can sometimes take a little nudge to schedule an annual physical. So when you finally take that step, it’s important to maximize your visit. For National Heart Month and beyond, we’re helping you make the most of that critical appointment with six questions to ask your medical provider.

1. What Vaccines Am I Due For?

Vaccinations don’t stop when you’re 18. Ask your doctor what regular or special vaccines you may need and when, based on your age, health, and any travel plans. Afterward, the front office can work with you to schedule any applicable immunization appointments and send convenient reminders.

2. What Types of Exercise Do You Recommend?

Nearly every aspect of health — heart, lungs, muscle strength, circulation, brain function, and more — can benefit from regular exercise. Conversely, hearing loss and certain other conditions may be associated with decreased physical activity. An exercise regimen that is tailored to you can support your health goals.

3. How’s My Hearing?

Though age can be a strong predictor, hearing loss doesn’t have to be inevitable as you get older. Eating healthy, avoiding excess noise, keeping cotton swabs and other objects out your ears, and scheduling regular hearing evaluations can help you preserve one of your most precious senses.

4. What Health Issues Am I at Risk For?

The health issues that should be on your radar can vary with age, race, lifestyle, family history, and sex. Some conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, smoking, dementia, and even falls, can go hand in hand with hearing loss. Your doctor can help you practice prevention or proper management.

5. How’s My Mental Health?

If you’ve been feeling a lack of energy or drive, experienced a change in mood, or noticed that you’re withdrawing from social engagements, it might mean a range of issues tied to mental, emotional, or physical health — even hearing loss. Having a frank chat about it is the first step to effective solutions.

6. What Is This?

Have a weird tic? A clicking sound when you walk? Maybe your elbow hurts, there’s a new spot on your skin, or your vision isn’t quite the same recently. This is a good time to ask about those issues that may have presented since your last annual visit. Be sure to write them down ahead of the appointment.

Having a frank conversation with your health care provider is the first step to finding an effective solution.  

Do you have questions about your hearing health — including ways to protect it? Ask your doctor to refer you to a licensed hearing care professional, or contact us to schedule a consultation today. We’re here to help!

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2200 Rutherford Rd #202, Concord, ON L4K 5V2