Taking Care of Your Hearing Aids
If you take good care of your hearing aids, your hearing aids should take
By: admin | December 31, 2016
Did you know the custom of making New Year’s resolutions occurs all over the world, but is more common in the West? According to History, New Year’s resolutions originated with the ancient Babylonians about 4,000 years ago. The Babylonians made promises to their (pagan) gods to pay debts and return objects they had borrowed. If the Babylonians kept their word, their (pagan) gods would bestow favor on them in the coming year.
With 2017 arriving this weekend you may have considered making a New Year’s resolution. If you are in the 45% of people who make New Year’s resolutions, add these to your list to help ensure good hearing healthcare for the coming year. If you are part of the other 55%, take these recommendations as good healthcare advice. Here are some suggestions for resolutions for better hearing in 2017.
Protect Your Hearing
One in three Americans with hearing loss has noise-induced hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss is caused by damage to the sensory cells or hair cells found in the inner ear (cochlea). Loud noise exposure causes damage to those hair cells and ultimately causes them to die. Hair cells do not regenerate once they die. Noise damages the hearing system based on two factors, how loud the noise is and how long you are exposed to it. There are three ways that you can protect your hearing.
Quit Smoking
People who smoke are almost twice as likely to have hearing loss as those people who do not smoke. Additionally, people who do not smoke but live with someone who does are also more likely to develop hearing loss. How does smoking impact the hearing system? The nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarettes restrict blood flow, preventing oxygen from effectively circulating in your inner ear. Poor blood flow can permanently damage the sensory cells in the hearing organ.
Exercise
Maintaining good overall health is also important in maintaining good hearing health. Exercise is a great way to help decrease your risk of chronic illness and other risk factors for hearing loss. People who are overweight are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and people who have diabetes are twice as likely to have hearing loss. Being overweight makes it more difficult for the heart to circulate blood throughout the body, and that includes the small structures of the inner ear. Having high blood glucose levels may also damage the blood vessels in the inner ear.
Have Your Hearing Tested
A comprehensive hearing evaluation performed by an Audiologist is the first step in identifying hearing loss. Results of a hearing evaluation may help your Audiologist identify the cause of the hearing loss and will also assist in determining appropriate rehabilitation recommendations. Benefits of identifying hearing loss early and beginning rehabilitation can include:
Let’s make 2017 the “Year of the Ear” by making hearing healthcare a priority! Consult with the Audiologists at Mile High Hearing to assist you in your journey to better hearing in 2017!
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