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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 …

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A Link between Hearing Loss & Cardiovascular Disease

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

The more we learn about hearing loss the more we realize that it is connected to every aspect of our total health. To maintain healthy hearing it is important to take care of every aspect of your health. Dangers of heart disease Heart disease is also referred to as cardiovascular disease and is used to describe any condition that involves narrowed or blocked blood vessels. When heart disease advances it can lead to a heart …

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Household Items That Could Damage Your Hearing

In hearing health by Laurie Duffy, M.S.

From chirping birds to our favorite song on the radio, there are so many amazing sounds for our ears to take in everyday. Even so, with sound, there can be too much of a good thing. When sounds exceed safe listening levels they can cause our ears damage that is irreversible. The thing is we may not realize the sounds around us everyday that can gradually lead to hearing loss. Noise Induced Hearing Loss Noise …

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Tips for Better Hearing in Noise

In hearing health by Laurie Duffy, M.S.

It is common for hearing loss to appear gradually, even without our awareness. In many instances it is our ability to hear in noisy situations that declines first. Even if we can still hear fine in quiet places we may struggle to single out voices in crowds and noisy environments. When immersed in noise, the excess sound can mask the finer sounds of speech. Certain pitches and frequencies that help us interpret conversation may be …

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Common Excuses for Not Buying Hearing Aids 

In hearing aids by Laurie Duffy, M.S.

Hearing loss is the third most common chronic public health epidemic. Impacting millions of people, impaired hearing often occurs gradually, over a long period of time so it can be difficult to notice changes to hearing. This contributes to the under-treatment of hearing loss. There are numerous ways that people commonly overlook or ignore their hearing health. People typically make common excuses for not addressing any hearing loss and buying hearing aids. Not addressing this …

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A Healthy Diet Can Lower the Risk of Hearing Loss 

In hearing loss by Laurie Duffy, M.S.

We know the many benefits of healthy eating: disease prevention, enhanced mood, improved cognitive function etc. A healthy diet boosts wellness and is one of the most critical ways we can be proactive about caring for and protecting our health. Healthy eating can significantly reduce the risk of various medical conditions including hearing loss. Hearing loss is the third most common chronic health condition that older adults experience in the U.S., making it a public …

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Communication at Work – May is Better Hearing and Speech Month!

In Communication by Laurie Duffy, M.S.

Communication is a foundational aspect of how we live. Effective communication is critical for healthy relationships, social engagement, and success in the workplace. One major way communication can be strained is by hearing loss which is the third most common health condition older adults experience. Over 30 million people have some degree of hearing loss in the United States which is at least 14% of the population. This prevalent health condition reduces a person’s ability …

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Acupuncture for Hearing Loss & Tinnitus: Does it Really Work?

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

Hearing loss affects 466 million people worldwide and yet there is no cure for most cases. Hearing loss from old age or exposure to harmful noise is referred to as sensorineural hearing loss. This hearing loss occurs when the tiny hairs or nerves in the inner ear responsible for transmitting sound information to the brain become damaged, impeding hearing. There is no proven way as of yet, to reverse sensorineural hearing loss, only treatments like …

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Studies on Hearing Loss & Injuries

In hearing loss by Laurie Duffy, M.S.

It is estimated that 50 million people in the U.S, deal with some degree of hearing loss. This problem is most prevalent with seniors as one in three people over 65 deals with hearing loss. Hearing loss puts you at risk for more than not being able to hear clearly. People who struggle to hear often have strained relationships with the people closest to them and also in their professional relationships. This can lead to …

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Hearing Loss Cures of the Past

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

Today hearing aids are recognized as the standard in treating hearing loss. But what did people do before hearing aids were developed? It has been a long journey of trial and error to arrive at modern hearing aids. Let us explore some attempted hearing solutions of the day. Some of them brought us closer to modern hearing aid solutions while many did not. Early attempts to restore hearing Starting as early as the 13th century, …