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Understanding the Degrees of Hearing Loss

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

When you get a hearing test your results are formatted as a chart called an “audiogram”. Audiograms show the specific challenges your hearing has, as well as overall patterns in your hearing ability. When your hearing specialist reviews the results with you, they will often tell you the degree of hearing loss present-but what exactly do these different degrees mean- and what can you do about them? One important thing to keep in mind is …

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A Link Between Hearing Loss and Rheumatoid Arthritis

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

Hearing loss affects approximately 48 million people in the US and is more than just an ear issue. Hearing loss affects how you relate to others, your self confidence, self esteem and physical health. When we can hear and communicate confidently, you can be more likely to succeed in social situations, and in physical activity.  The more active we are, the more our physical and mental health excell. Untreated hearing loss has been connected to …

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Growing Evidence that Noise is Bad for Your Health

In hearing aids, hearing health, Prevention by Laurie Duffy, M.S.

The world continues to get noisier and noisier! If you live in an urban area the sound of traffic, construction and neighbors can become cacophonous. If you work in a noisy setting like an airport, busy restaurant or even office setting, it can get so loud that your hearing can become damaged over time.  There are so many sources of noise that can damage our hearing and some have become so commonplace in our daily …

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Hearing Loss Patients At Higher Risk Of Hospital Readmission

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

When people with untreated hearing loss enter the hospital, the stakes can be unusually high. A recent New York University study has found that patients with unaddressed hearing loss were far more likely to be readmitted into the hospital within a month of their initial discharge than patients with normal hearing. This gap in health outcomes is part of the toll hearing loss can extract on personal wellness and hospital readmissions increase costs for both …

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As an Invisible Disability, Hearing Loss Often Goes Ignored     

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

Hearing loss affects a vast swath of the population – over 40 million Americans live with significant hearing loss and it is the third most common chronic health condition in the country. Despite its prevalence, hearing loss is drastically under-treated with only 20% of those with hearing loss using treatments like hearing aids to manage their disability.  People often ignore changes to their hearing, on average waiting seven years between when they first notice hearing …

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A Link Between Gout & Hearing Loss

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

Researchers are constantly uncovering more proof that our diet can affect our physical and mental health. Now a recent study has found that a healthy diet can reduce the risk of gout, a frequently occurring form of arthritis and while simultaneously protecting your hearing. What is Gout? Affecting 4% of Americans, and 20% of those whose parents had it. Men are at a higher risk, while gout does not affect the majority of women until …

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Support an Active Lifestyle with Hearing Aids

In hearing aids, hearing health, hearing loss by Laurie Duffy, M.S.

Are you ready to invest in your hearing health, and get hearing aids? You’ve made a great decision! That’s just the first step in finding the right hearing aids, and you still have a few more steps before you have the perfect fit. This guide will help you find the right hearing aids to support your active lifestyle. Get a Hearing Test The first step in finding the right hearing aids is to get a …

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Hearing Loss and Millennials

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

Most Americans think that hearing loss only affects seniors. It is true that age can affect hearing. However, it’s noise, not age, that’s one of the leading causes of hearing loss! Noise induced hearing loss affects people of all ages, not just seniors. Adults, teens, and even children can have hearing loss from exposure to dangerously loud noise. What Noises Damage Hearing? Noise induced hearing loss is caused by very loud noises in the environment. …

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How do Hearing Aids Work?

In hearing aids, hearing health by Laurie Duffy, M.S.

Hearing aids have been found over and over again to help combat the negative side effects of hearing loss. From reducing the risk of miscommunication, falls, accidents, depression, anxiety, social isolation and even dementia, hearing aids are essential tools for staying healthy. How exactly do these amazing contraptions work? What is a hearing aid? A hearing aid is a tiny electronic device worn in or behind the ear that supplements for hearing loss, improving speech …

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A Link between Hearing Loss & Second Hand Smoke

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

Even after years of scientific evidence that smoking has negative effects on health and longevity, people still choose to smoke. If the risk of lung cancer asthma, heart disease and more isn’t enough to persuade people to avoid smoking, now research is finding that smoking and even second hand smoke can negatively affect your hearing. How tobacco affects hearing loss  When we smoke, the risk of hearing loss climbs faster than many of us would …