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 ...
Today’s hearing aids are more sophisticated than ever before. They utilize the most advanced microelectronics, wireless radios, and computer processors, and they are built to exacting specifications to offer the best hearing possible. This includes being as resistant to moisture, dust and dirt as a high-tech instrument that sits in your ear all day can be. However, this does not mean hearing aids never break down or never need to be replaced. If hearing ...
We all want to stay healthy and happy as we age. Exercising and eating right are two obvious things we can do to help. But did you know hearing our best has a big impact, too? Here are four ways hearing your best can help you age your best. Hearing your best helps keep you social When we hear clearly and without limitations, it’s easier to be engaged, maintain connections, feel a part of ...
Have you seen our Livio Edge AI custom rechargeable hearing aids? If we say so ourselves, our new Livio Edge AI custom rechargeable hearing aids are pretty great. But we’re biased. So we won’t blame you if you want a second opinion. How about this one? Youtuber and audiologist, Dr. Cliff Olson, recently called them “the most significant innovation we have seen in the hearing aid world since 2018.” Here’s another — wearer ...
We all want to maintain our mental sharpness as we get older. Dementia, Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline are conditions everyone hopes to avoid. A growing body of research has shown that hearing loss plays a role in our ability to stay mentally sharp as we age. In fact, in a 2018 review of the research, it was concluded that untreated hearing loss increased the risk of dementia by 50 percent. While researchers admit the ...
COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, brings with it a host of health concerns. Most of these symptoms are respiratory in nature as reported by the CDC; shortness of breath, coughing, sore throat [1]. However, there is some concern that the coronavirus may cause some neurological symptoms as well. In a study of 214 patients with varying degrees of respiratory involvement from novel coronavirus, 36.4% of patients had symptoms of neurologic manifestations ...
Hearing loss is typically gradual, and therefore, often something we adapt to over time. We might not notice it for months or years. However, age-related hearing loss, known as presbycusis, is one of the most common conditions affecting older adults, so experiencing hearing loss is not uncommon. Approximately one in three people in the United States between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss, and more than two-thirds of those older than 75 ...
Like any high-tech device, hearing aids may occasionally become fussy. Not to worry – most issues can be solved easily and at home. Below are some of the most common calls we get at our Support line, and the simple troubleshooting tips you can do to fix them from the safety of your home. If you experience one of the following problems: • Loss of sound • Weak or intermittent amplification • Internal noises or distorted/garbled sound Then ...
Many wearers of hearing aids view them as communication devices. They are! Really great ones! Communication is often the primary function that we ask hearing aids to fill in our lives. But it is also thoughtful to note that your hearing aids are also brain activators, emergency alert notification tools, and connectivity devices! That’s why hearing professionals like me recommend you wear them every day! Hearing aids activate your brain Even when we are ...
During these uncertain times of COVID-19, many of us are feeling increased levels of stress — whether it’s stress about our health or the health of a loved one, stress about our finances or job, the future of the economy, or...(fill in your own stress here). Just know that these feelings are all completely valid. You’ve likely seen more media coverage on these topics in recent weeks. Maybe you’ve even confided in ...
Over 50 million Americans experience tinnitus — or ringing in the ears. When you first realize you have tinnitus, it can be difficult to know what to do. Here is a starter list of dos and don’ts for people dealing with tinnitus. Do’s 1. Do talk to a hearing health professional if tinnitus is affecting your ability to sleep, read, concentrate or take part in normal activities. 2. Do realize that every person responds ...
