What a crazy time it is! Some days, I feel emotionally stable, and other days, I feel a little panicked. I also realized the more I watch TV or read the news, the more stressed I become. I am now limiting the amount of TV/news exposure I get and have much less physical tension and emotional stress. We are all trying to navigate staying healthy with staying sane as we take care of our basic needs. It seems that day to day, things ebb and flow, but try to remember this has happened to society … [Read more...] about Considering Daily Practice During COVID-19
Trinity Hearing
Hearing Mythbusters
With the internet being ubiquitous, information is easier to access than ever. However, that does not mean that the information is necessarily correct. This sentiment is especially relevant when it comes to health advice. One might read that carrots help improve eyesight; in actuality, this was wartime propaganda to disguise radar technology. Given the daily onslaught of information, it can be difficult to determine what is factual. Cleaning Your Ears Earwax is not innately bad. In … [Read more...] about Hearing Mythbusters
Which Hearing Aids Are Right for Me?
The world of hearing aids can be intimidating. With multiple manufacturers and models, it can feel akin to purchasing a vehicle. A minority of adults with hearing loss are actually fit with hearing aids, while the average length of time between noticing an issue and seeking treatment is seven years. Fortunately, licensed providers are available to act as guides, with “guides” being the keyword. While providers are very knowledgeable and reliable sources, the question of which type of hearing aid … [Read more...] about Which Hearing Aids Are Right for Me?
Understanding the Effects of Noise Pollution
Noise, or unwanted sound, is one of the most common environmental exposures in the United States. In 1981, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated that nearly 100 million people in the United States (about 50% of the population) had annual exposures to traffic noise that were high enough to be harmful to health. How Does the Body Respond to Noise? Despite the widespread prevalence of noise exposure, noise has historically been treated differently from pollutants of a … [Read more...] about Understanding the Effects of Noise Pollution
Understanding the Value of Baseline Hearing Tests
People getting a hearing test are often asked if there has been a change in their hearing. Some want to know how much their hearing has diminished through the years. Others ask to have a comparison made from the test and ask if their hearing is likely to change significantly. These are important concerns; however, let’s look at a missing component. Why Baseline Tests are Important Hearing, as with any function of our body, will change or fluctuate through time. The bloodwork you had to … [Read more...] about Understanding the Value of Baseline Hearing Tests
Understanding Your Audiology Results
The first step on any hearing health journey is undergoing an examination. This exam provides you and the audiologist an understanding of your current state of hearing and allows for proper recommendations to be made. The findings are presented in a report called an audiogram. An audiogram contains both a written section and a graph. While the audiologist does review the audiogram during the appointment, it can sometimes be difficult to remember or fully grasp how to interpret your results. … [Read more...] about Understanding Your Audiology Results
Strategies to Improve Communication
One inevitable side effect of hearing loss is increased difficulty communicating with others. Specifically, the person with hearing loss will often not hear, or will misunderstand, what someone has said. Sometimes, the misunderstanding can be humorous. More often, though, it is frustrating and embarrassing. Some people with hearing loss will eventually began to retreat from social interactions, reducing quality of life. Hearing aids can be of great benefit in restoring these communication … [Read more...] about Strategies to Improve Communication
Becoming Hearing Aid Savvy
Hearing is something we often take for granted, until we have concerns. The following are some of the commonly asked questions that come up when individuals are considering hearing aids. I think I need hearing aids, but how do I know what I should buy? Your lifestyle determines the technology that would be the best for you. Those who are in group settings for church, meetings or family gatherings will need to purchase aids with more advanced technology than someone who is usually in quiet … [Read more...] about Becoming Hearing Aid Savvy
Exploring New Hearing Aid Technology
A new technology in the hearing aid industry is remote adjustment to the hearing aid. This reduces the number of trips back to the office to have fine tuning completed. An appointment is made with your audiologist to be seen remotely at your house or office. It has been an interesting option to implement during the last few months. Most of the people I have contacted remotely are happy about the process, as they can stay in the comfort of their home or go to the environment causing difficulty … [Read more...] about Exploring New Hearing Aid Technology
Understanding the Connection Between Sleep Apnea and Hearing Loss
Sleep apnea is a common disorder and, according to the National Sleep Foundation, it affects about 18 million Americans. Most of us think of sleep apnea as snoring with periodic gasping or “snorting” noises. This seemingly innocent annoyance interrupts sleep and can cause excessive daytime fatigue and other symptoms such as generalized inflammation, cardiovascular and endocrine problems. It can also affect the way a person thinks and even hears. More than half of individuals with sleep apnea … [Read more...] about Understanding the Connection Between Sleep Apnea and Hearing Loss