Tag Archive for: Feb Post 1

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The Importance of Regular Hearing Checkups

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If your hearing was slightly worse today than it was yesterday — how long would it take for you to notice? Some people don’t consider below-average hearing to be a problem, but more and more studies are showing that untreated hearing loss leads to bigger problems, for example, issues like cognitive decline and dementia. This is why regular hearing checkups matter more than ever.

 

Hearing Loss Is Widespread

Hearing loss is actually very common. According to the World Health Organization, over 5% of the global population — which amounts to approximately 466 million people — have some form of hearing issue. This number is expected to rise due to factors such as increased noise pollution, prolonged exposure to loud music, and an aging population.

 

Early Detection Is Key

Hearing loss happens gradually. Most of the time, a person will barely notice it until it gets unmanageable. Its effects on a person’s quality of life can be huge. Undiagnosed and untreated hearing loss can lead to a great variety of consequences: physical, emotional, and social. The sooner hearing issues are diagnosed, the better chance a person has of managing and intervening in the impact. Here’s how early intervention can help:

  • Avoiding Isolation: Hearing loss can lead to depression and feelings of isolation. Withdrawing from social activities is one of the first things a person who cannot hear well may do, impacting their relationships and overall well-being.
  • Cognitive Health: Recent studies have shown a strong link between untreated hearing loss and cognitive decline, including an increased risk of conditions like dementia. The good news is hearing aids may reduce the risk of cognitive decline by almost half!
  • Safety: Hearing loss can be a safety hazard, especially in situations where you need to hear important cues, such as an alarm, siren, or approaching vehicle.
  • Better Communication: Early intervention can significantly improve communication abilities, leading to better relationships and overall quality of life.

 

How Audiologists Help

Regular hearing checkups are instrumental in the early detection of hearing loss. Audiologists, as certified and trained professionals, are equipped to diagnose and manage hearing issues. During a hearing checkup, they assess various aspects of your hearing, including the ability to hear different pitches and the clarity of speech. They also can build you a unique treatment plan if needed, because everyone’s ears are different.

 

How Technology Helps

The technology used in modern audiology has seen significant advancements, making hearing checkups more precise and comfortable. Audiologists use cutting-edge tools and equipment to evaluate your hearing. These assessments provide a comprehensive understanding of your hearing and guide the audiologist in tailoring recommendations specific to your needs.

 

Hearing Aids and Assistive Devices

For those with hearing loss, hearing aids and other hearing devices can put your hearing right back on track. These devices not only significantly enhance your ability to hear, but also give you back the tools to engage with the world, improving your overall quality of life.

The sign of good health may just begin with the sound of your own voice, your loved ones’ laughter, and the world around you. Regular hearing checkups are not merely a matter of maintaining good hearing but are crucial for overall health and well-being. It is time to give your hearing the attention it deserves. So, why wait?

Put it on the calendar! In addition to scheduling your yearly physical, make sure to call and schedule time with an audiologist for a hearing checkup as well. Contact us today!

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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 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!

Ready to take the next step towards better hearing?
Contact us to book an appointment.

Call us today:

(289) 963-1510


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

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