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Know Alzheimer’s Disease: Treat Hearing Loss in September during World Alzheimer’s Month

In Dementia & Alzheimer's, Health, hearing health, hearing loss, Hearing Tests by Laurie Duffy, M.S.

September is World Alzheimer’s Month, and so our attention draws to Alzheimer’s Disease, a devastating cognitive disorder with mysterious causes. Although more and more research is being devoted to this condition, many of the causes remain elusive to scientists. The symptoms are well known, as is the degenerative nature of the disorder. And we have yet to discover a cure or a failsafe preventative measure to protect ourselves and our loved ones from the disease. …

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Sensitivity to Sound As We Age

In Ear Health, hearing loss, Hearing Tests, Research by Laurie Duffy, M.S.

As we get older, we face a growing number of critical life transitions, such as employment changes and retirement, children leaving home, the loss of loved ones, —and even the loss of independence. Healthy aging is typically determined by how we respond to and grow from these changes.  There are changes to your hearing, too, including an increased risk of sensitivity to sounds. Let’s take a closer look at this condition.  Aging and sensitivity to …

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Comorbidities of Hearing Loss

In Dementia & Alzheimer's, Family and Relationships, Health, hearing loss, hearing loss causes, Hearing Loss Impact, Hearing Loss Treatment by Laurie Duffy, M.S.

Comorbidities is an intimidating-sounding term that is used to indicate when a health condition has other health concerns that often manifest alongside it. A testament to how all the systems in the body are connected, the frequency of comorbidities is often an indicator of cause and effect relationships in one’s health.  Hearing loss can seem like such a singular health concern it can be hard to understand that, like many other chronic health conditions, it …

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What to Ask During A Hearing Consultation 

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

Have you found that your relationships have become strained due to communication problems? Do the people in your life seem frustrated because you have to ask them to repeat themselves more often than not? While these are major signs of hearing loss,  you can’t be exactly sure about the status of your hearing  t until you’ve had a hearing exam. Many people put off getting a hearing loss due to denial, procrastination, or they earnestly …

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Building Connections | May is Better Hearing and Speech Month!

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

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) was founded in 1926 in order to advocate for people with communication disabilities and promote consistently higher standards for professionals in audiology, speech-language pathology, and speech and hearing science. For nearly a century, ASHA has designated May as Better Hearing and Speech Month (BSHM) in order to raise awareness and promote the importance of treatment for those with communication issues around speech and hearing.  This year’s theme “Building Connections” is …

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Hearing Loss and Sleep

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

Quality sleep is necessary for the body to rest and replenish for the next day. Restful sleep provides the time and space for the body to recoup and have the energy to healthily sustain.   According to the Sleep Foundation, adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per night but over 35% of people receive less than this amount. This produces effects that most people are familiar with: fatigue, irritability, reduced ability to concentrate, etc. Chronically experiencing …

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Hearing Aids Can Help Single-Sided Hearing Loss

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

Hearing loss often affects both your ears. But what happens when you have single-sided hearing loss? Do hearing aids help? The answer is yes! Hearing aids will make a huge difference in how you’ll experience the world around you. If you’ve been putting off treating your hearing loss, here’s why you need to consider hearing aids. Binaural Hearing We naturally have binaural hearing. This just means we hear with both ears. Binaural hearing helps us …

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Hearing Loss & Vertigo: All About Meniere’s Disease

In hearing loss, Meniere's Disease by Laurie Duffy, M.S.

Are you experiencing spells of vertigo or dizziness? Do these spells come on unexpectedly and last for just a short time or many hours? If you are, it could be a sign you are dealing with Meniere’s disease. Meniere’s disease is a condition in the inner ear affecting approximately 615,000 people in the United States, making it a relatively rare but serious disorder. What is Meniere’s Disease?  Meniere’s often materializes as acute and unpredictable dizziness …

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Osteoporosis and Hearing Loss

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

If you are dealing with osteoporosis, then there is a lot of added care you may do for your body already. Aside from making sure to get plenty of exercise, eating a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D and avoiding heavy drinking or smoking to keep your bones healthy, now studies are suggesting that you should also monitor your hearing health closely. growing research suggests a link between this chronic bone density disease and …

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All About Ototoxic Hearing Loss

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

Many medications are designed to help us with specific ailments and continue to become more advanced. However even the most helpful and essential medications can have unexpected side effects. It is important to be aware of these side effects before you begin any new medication so you can weigh the benefits of the medication with the risk. Certain medications are considered ototoxic, meaning that they have the potential to damage hearing permanently.  Symptoms of Ototoxic …