If you’ve ever flown, you most likely know the sensation of your ears plugging up. Irritating, right? Here’s why that happens. The most common reason for ears to feel clogged or plugged is due to something called Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (Eustachian is pronounced “You-Station”). The Eustachian tube connects the back of the nose to the middle ear and serves to protect, ventilate and drain the middle ear when necessary to keep the air ...
Do you ever feel like the people you’re talking to are mumbling or speaking too quickly? Are you having to ask others to repeat themselves frequently? Or maybe you’re struggling to follow a conversation when there is background noise? If so, these could be indicators that you have a hearing loss. It’s not uncommon for friends and family members to notice we have hearing loss before we do. Most likely, it’s ...
By now we should all know that infectious pathogens — like COVID-19 — can be transmitted from person to person through coughing and sneezing. But did you know it may be transmitted simply by talking, too? In a study published just this month in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers found that normal human speech produces thousands of respiratory droplets that can linger in the air for up to 14 minutes. Basically, every time ...
Face masks are now an everyday accessory, “staying in” is the new “going out,” and you guessed it, video chatting is a necessary element of our social fabric and remote work. It’s all part of the new normal. For those with hearing loss, these changes haven’t been as seamless. As you or a loved one may have experienced, masks muffle speech and inhibit lip reading cues, complicating simple interactions; and video conferencing audio ...
Today’s hearing aids are more sophisticated than ever! One of the greatest advances in hearing aid technology is the ability to pair them to a variety of smartphones, including Apple iPhones and several Android handsets. The connection between smartphones and hearing aids brings a long list of incredible benefits. Here is my top 10 list of things you can do with your smartphone-connected hearing aids. 1. For Apple iPhone-connected hearing aids you can make ...
When you hear the word “earwax”, you might immediately think YUCK! But, did you know that earwax actually plays an important role in the health of your ear? I’d like to share some facts about earwax and the part it plays in a healthy ear. 1. Earwax is not YUCK at all In fact, earwax is a requirement of a healthy ear canal. It is a product of two glands that are in the ...
If you’re an older adult — or care for someone who is — falling is likely high on your list of worries. And for good reason. According to the National Council on Aging1: • Every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in an emergency room for a fall-related injury. • Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans. The current pandemic has only compounded anxiety for caregivers, particularly as long-term care and ...
Loneliness has typically been thought of like most other human emotions — fleeting and virtually harmless. While short periods of loneliness may not have negative effects, prolonged loneliness is toxic and increases the risk of dying by 26%. In fact, loneliness is as harmful to your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and increases the risk of heart disease, dementia, depression, stroke, diabetes and cancer. You may be wondering, how can loneliness lead to all ...
Stick it in your ear — why the ear is a smart place to put a fitness tracker Health and fitness trackers are now commonplace in our digital lives. As we strive to stay healthier and live longer, we look to these body-worn gadgets to tell us how were doing with our daily exercise goals, and as a gateway to our overall health and wellness. Wrist-worn fitness trackers aren’t always accurate Unfortunately, many commercially available ...
Face masks have unequivocally been a good thing when it comes to helping prevent the spread of COVID-19. But they present challenges when trying to communicate with others. Especially if you or the person you’re communicating with has hearing loss. Face masks muffle speech and block important lip-reading cues. Both are key to understanding speech. Add in social distancing or group video chats — which have nothing to do with masks but plenty to do ...
