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Comorbidities of Hearing Loss

In Health, hearing loss by Laurie Duffy, M.S.

Hearing loss is not only a loss of one single sense. It can appear along with other issues. Sometimes hearing loss is actually symptom or an outcome of another potentially more serious health issue. The issues and ailments that can accompany hearing loss, when simultaneously present and chronic, are called comorbidities. These comorbidities can include physical disorders like heart disease, thyroid disease, and diabetes. They can also include mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, …

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How to Prevent Swimmers Ear

In Health, Lifestyle by Laurie Duffy, M.S.

Now that summer time has arrived and temperatures are heating up, no doubt you and your family are on the look out for swimming pools, lakes, rivers and beaches to beat the heat. While the water is fun and relaxing it’s important to practice proper ear care hygiene to prevent the onset of swimmer’s ear. Below we discuss more about swimmer’s ear, how to prevent this common condition, and the best swimmer’s ear treatment. What …

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Hearing Aids Can Improve Your Sense of Balance

In Health, hearing loss, Lifestyle by Laurie Duffy, M.S.

Often as we age, our hearing abilities may naturally decline. This is known as presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss. While numerous studies show that untreated hearing aids can improve every aspect of your life did you know that this also includes your balance? Recent studies suggest that older people with hearing loss may find that their balance improves when they use hearing aids. The finding supports the idea that improving hearing in older people with …

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Hearing Loss is an Important Part of Caring for Your Health as You Age

In Health, hearing loss by Laurie Duffy, M.S.

Things change as you get older. Some of us battle aging, but many of us cope with it and try to stay as healthy as we can. We go to the doctor regularly, get all the recommended screenings, and add a trip to the dentist and eye doctor as needed. You should be adding an annual hearing evaluation at HearCare RI to stay healthy and young. Maintaining your hearing health is important to your general …

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A Connection between Diabetes and Hearing Loss

In Health, hearing health, News, Research by Laurie Duffy, M.S.

When it comes to your hearing health, some causes of hearing loss seem pretty obvious. Everyone knows that extremely loud noises can cause hearing loss, and that age slowly wears away at your hearing. But there are many causes of hearing loss you might not know about, and if you’re one of the 30 million Americans who have diabetes, your hearing may be at risk. What is Diabetes? Diabetes is a disease that affects insulin …

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Patients With Untreated Hearing Loss Incur Higher Health Care Costs Over Time

In Health, hearing loss, News by Laurie Duffy, M.S.

Do you struggle to hear, and have difficulty communicating with family, friends, and colleagues? If you’ve been living with untreated hearing loss, you might not be too keen on seeking treatment. Like many Americans, you think struggling through a few conversations doesn’t seem too bad, and you don’t want to invest in hearing devices. But would you change your mind if you knew that those with untreated hearing loss incur high health care costs, and …

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Hearing loss patients at higher risk of hospital readmission

In Health, hearing loss, Lifestyle, News, Research by Laurie Duffy, M.S.

If you have hearing loss, you know how difficult it can be to get through the day. You struggle to communicate with your family during breakfast, narrowly avoid an accident on the way to work since you didn’t hear the warning honk from the car in your blind spot, and have a difficult time following the conversation during the weekly staff meeting. You get home from work exhausted, and cancel your evening plans with friends, …

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November is National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

In Family and Relationships, Health, Mental Health by Laurie Duffy, M.S.

How much do you know about Alzheimer’s Disease? If you don’t know a lot about this brain disease, then November is the time to learn more. November has been designated National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, and if you want to discover more about this disease, or find resources for yourself or a loved one, this is the perfect time. Want to learn how to reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s Disease? Treating your hearing loss is actually …

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Is Your Mood Connected to Hearing Loss?

In Health, hearing health, hearing loss, hearing loss causes, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Research by Laurie Duffy, M.S.

Most people don’t realize how intricately linked your sense of hearing is to other parts of your life. When hearing loss is left untreated it takes a large toll on our total health affecting everything from coordination to quality of life to mental health. Hearing loss has long been linked to increased risk of depression, anxiety and even dementia. Now, research is underway to see if hearing loss is linked to the neurotransmitter dopamine and …

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People with Hearing Loss are at Higher Risk for Accidents

In Health, hearing health, hearing loss, Hearing Loss Impact, News by Laurie Duffy, M.S.

Our physical abilities to navigate the world around us greatly depend on the clarity of our hearing. Our awareness of our surroundings diminishes in proportion to the fullness of our hearing. When we lose our hearing, especially when this occurs gradually, we lose our ability to track those small, light, ambient noises that we hear every day, even if we don’t notice that we do. These sounds include the noises our pets make as they …