hearing health Tag

When Your Ears Feel Plugged, But It’s Not Wax: What Now?

Do you ever experience the sensation of your ears feeling plugged as if they're full or blocked, but after checking, you find that it's not due to wax buildup? If so, you're not alone. Many individuals encounter this discomfort, and it can be frustrating trying to figure out what's causing it and how to alleviate it. In this blog post, we'll explore some potential reasons why your ears might feel plugged when it's not due to wax buildup, along with some strategies to help relieve the discomfort. Understanding the Sensation: The feeling of plugged ears can vary from person to person. Some may describe it as a fullness or pressure in the ears, while others may experience it as a sensation of being underwater or having muffled hearing. Regardless of how you perceive it, the sensation can be bothersome and affect your daily activities. 1. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: One possible reason for that plugged feeling in your ears is dysfunction of the Eustachian tubes. These tubes connect your middle ear to the back of your nose and throat and are responsible for regulating air pressure and draining fluids from the middle ear. When they become blocked or don't function properly, you may experience symptoms such as ear fullness, popping sensations, or even temporary hearing loss. https://coastalearnoseandthroat.com/blog/do-you-have-etd/ Solution: To alleviate symptoms related to Eustachian tube dysfunction, try techniques like swallowing, yawning, or chewing gum to help equalize pressure in your ears. You can also try the Valsalva maneuver by gently blowing air...

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Statistics

The Numbers Game: Exploring the Statistics on Hearing Loss

Welcome, fellow statistics enthusiasts and curious minds! Today, we're diving into a topic that affects millions around the globe but often flies under the radar: hearing loss. Yes, you heard that right, MILLIONS! Pun intended. Let's kick things off with some staggering statistics on hearing loss: The Global Statistic According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 5% of the world's population – that's 466 million people – experience some form of hearing loss. That's like the entire population of a small country dealing with hearing difficulties! They did a whole report on hearing in 2021. You can check out our summary of that document here. Getting Louder The prevalence of hearing loss is on the rise, with estimates suggesting it could affect 900 million people worldwide by 2050. That's almost double the current figure! Perhaps it's time to turn down the volume on those earbuds. Age Ain't Just a Number While hearing loss can affect people of all ages, it becomes more prevalent as we get older. Approximately one-third of people over 65 experience some degree of hearing loss. A baseline test in your 40s to 60s is always a great idea to catch things early! The Sound of Silence Hearing loss isn't just an inconvenience; it can also impact mental health. Studies have shown that individuals with untreated hearing loss are at a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and even cognitive decline. So, if you've been ignoring those muffled sounds, it might be time for a check-up! The Price...

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comorbid, piling up

Navigating Comorbidities: The Impact of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is often perceived as a consequence of aging, and many individuals tend to overlook its potential impact on overall health. However, untreated hearing loss can lead to a range of comorbidities, affecting not only a person's auditory experience but also their mental, emotional, and physical well-being. As February spotlights preventative health, this blog will explore the various health issues associated with untreated hearing loss, emphasizing the critical importance of regular hearing testing and early intervention. Potential Consequences of Hearing Loss Left untreated, hearing loss does not simply impede your ability to hear and communicate, it can also influence your mental and physical health. Common and very possible consequences include cognitive decline (including risks of dementia and Alzheimer's) as the brain expends excessive cognitive resources to cope with auditory challenges. Social isolation and reduced quality of life often follow, impacting mental well-being in the form of depression, anxiety, and straining relationships. Additionally, the increased risk of falls stems from difficulties in perceiving environmental sounds. Hearing is more than the ability to perceive sounds, it allows us to connect and experience the world around us. When that becomes quiet, our whole being can suffer. Comorbidities of Hearing Loss A comorbidity is when two or more conditions are connected or commonly occur at the same time, piling on top of each other. While some of these may be coincidental and more common as we get older, there are several conditions that have been linked to hearing loss. Some increase your risk for...

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hearing loss, can't hear

What You Should Know About Sudden Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can happen to anyone, but typically, it happens gradually. Sudden loss, also known as sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL), is a frightening and potentially life-altering condition that can occur suddenly and without warning. In this blog, we will delve into what it is, its symptoms, and what to do if sudden hearing loss happens to you or someone you know. Understanding Sudden Hearing Loss Sudden hearing loss is a rapid-onset hearing impairment typically affecting one ear but can sometimes be both. It often occurs overnight or in less than 72 hours, significantly impacting your inner ear function. This sudden change to your hearing can be caused by various factors such as viral infections, inner ear disorders, head trauma, or issues with blood circulation to the ears. Symptoms of Sudden Hearing Loss Symptoms include the following, with onset either overnight or within 24 hours: Feelings of fullness or pressure in the ear Significantly reduced hearing, usually in one ear Difficulty localizing sound Possible tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and/or vertigo (dizziness or imbalance) What To Do If It Happens to You Stay Calm: We know this is scary, but there is hope. Seek medical attention: Call us or another hearing clinic for an emergency hearing test. After we have confirmation of hearing loss, you need to see a family doctor or go to the ER within 24-48 hours. This condition typically needs to be treated with *corticosteroids or antivirals. Don't wait: The first 72 hours are CRITICAL. Prognosis and recovery...

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men vs women

Women vs. Men: Do They Really Hear Differently?

When it comes to the question of whether men and women hear differently, most people tend to assume they do. But what does the research actually reveal? While various factors contribute to hearing and hearing loss, do these factors vary between the sexes? In this blog post, we'll look into the causes of hearing loss, use of hearing aids, and determine whether there are indeed differences between women's and men's hearing. Understanding the Causes of Hearing Loss: Hearing loss is often associated with aging, but it's crucial to note that this is just one of several contributing factors. Extensive research indicates that occupational noise stands as the primary culprit behind hearing loss. Followed closely by factors like age, exposure to recreational loud noises, and genetics. Consequently, the prevalent belief that men experience more hearing loss primarily due to exposure to noise is not without merit. Interestingly, both men and women exhibit a relatively similar pattern of age-related hearing loss at comparable rates. While other elements, such as genetics and environmental factors, can influence instances of hearing loss, it remains notably consistent between the genders. Although some studies suggest minor physiological differences, such as men experiencing more high-frequency hearing loss and women more commonly encountering low-frequency loss, these distinctions tend to have little effect on the overall rate of loss. Men and Women Using Hearing Aids: Notably, statistics indicate that men use hearing aids slightly more compared to women, a trend that is mirrored even within our own clinic. While we serve...

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benefits

10 Incredible Benefits of Hearing Aids for a Healthier Life

Aside from the obvious improvement in hearing ability, hearing aids offer a myriad of advantages that positively impact both your physical and mental well-being. Many people hesitate to get help for their hearing because they think it's a sign of getting older, but that's not true! Hearing loss can happen earlier than we expect, so it's important to act early. Let's explore 10 fantastic incredible benefits hearing aids can improve your life and why you should consider taking the next step! 1. You hear everything far clearer - conversation and your environment. Hearing aids do much more than just make things louder. They are designed to make speech and sounds much clearer, so you can experience the world of sound like never before. 2. You can more confidently participate in social gatherings. Participating in group conversations can be challenging with untreated hearing loss. Hearing aids are designed to navigate such situations and reduce background noise, allowing you to enjoy social gatherings with confidence. 3. They relieve the mental strain of always trying to listen harder. Hearing aids take a lot of the mental energy used when straining to hear, follow the conversation, or guess what was being said, leaving you with more energy to do the things you love. 4. Hearing aids reduce social isolation, depression, and anxiety. Untreated hearing loss can lead to social isolation, depression, and anxiety. Embrace an active social life with hearing aids, as they are clinically related to reduced social isolation and improved emotional well-being. 5....

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warning signs

Catch It Early: How to Recognize Signs of Hearing Loss

The impact of hearing loss on our lives is not always immediately apparent. The human body and behaviour are very adaptable, so we often fail to notice the overall effects of a health issue until it reaches a critical level. However, we can avoid such situations by identifying early patterns and taking proactive measures. As with most health concerns, we want to catch it as early as possible. Here are some indicators and tips to recognize the signs of hearing loss. Signs you may have hearing loss Hearing loss to any degree can cause changes and struggles to your quality of life. The more severe the hearing loss, the greater impact on your daily life. Recognizing the following common early signs of hearing loss is crucial: Struggling to understand conversations, particularly in crowded or noisy environments. Feeling exhausted or stressed after engaging in conversations. Perceiving people to be mumbling more frequently. Finding it challenging to follow conversations in group settings or with background noise. Frequently asking others to repeat themselves, speak slower, or louder. Increasing the volume of your TV or radio beyond what others prefer. Experiencing difficulty hearing on the phone. Feeling physically and/or mentally drained after listening to people talk. Feeling irritated, stressed, or overwhelmed by noise or voices. Experiencing frustration or embarrassment in certain social situations or conversations If you or a loved one are experiencing any of these frustrations in everyday conversation, you may have hearing loss.  Why early intervention? Hearing loss places additional strain on our...

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summer fun

Safeguard Your Ears This Summer

Summer is here, and it's time to soak up the sun and embrace the excitement of the season. From beach parties and music festivals to backyard barbecues and water sports, the options for fun seem endless. But amidst all the noise and revelry, it's crucial to protect your precious hearing. Don't worry, we've got your back! In this blog, we'll dive into some tips on how to safeguard your ears this summer while still rocking those awesome, noisy summer activities. How Loud Is It Really? Let's talk numbers for a moment to highlight just how loud some of these summer activities can get. Concerts and music festivals can reach ear-piercing levels of up to 120 decibels (dB), comparable to a jet engine taking off! Fireworks can explode with a bang of around 150 dB, equivalent to standing next to a roaring freight train. Motorized water sports, like jet skis or speedboats, can generate noise levels of up to 100 dB, akin to the sound of a chainsaw. It's important to realize that prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 dB can cause irreversible damage to your hearing. So, understanding the intensity of these noises emphasizes the importance of taking precautions to protect your ears during these exciting summer activities. 5 Tips to Protect Your Ears and Still Have Fun 1. Gear up with hearing protectors. Before diving headfirst into those ear-splitting activities, grab some reliable hearing protection. Earplugs (custom or universal foam ones) and earmuffs are your trusty sidekicks when it comes...

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client-centred

Client-Centred Care in Hearing

In the field of hearing, the idea of client-centred care, in its basic form, is implicit as there is a subjective perspective along with the technical. Yet, many hearing clinics still adhere to a biological or sales model when dispensing hearing aids. In this article, I'll discuss what client-centred care could look like in audiology and how to ensure your needs are met by your chosen hearing health team. Client-Centred Care Defined So, what is client-centred care? This concept includes client-centred care, patient-centred care, or patient activation. They all refer to the same framework of clinical practice. Generally, client-centred care changes the focus from a professional-centred authority to the individual client. Additionally, it considers that "the whole person is understood," acknowledging the "full range" of human experience; biological, emotional, psychological, and social in treating hearing loss. Hearing is more than just how the ears respond to sound, it significantly affects the individual and those around them. Shift to Care Approach Traditionally, medical fields have centred around biomedical or disease-oriented models. Simply, a problem is identified, and only the problem/symptoms are fixed. Also known as "doctor-knows-best." In this, the client is a passive recipient. The client-centred framework is a shift away from this style of care. In contrast, client-centred care is more holistic in nature. The goal is to understand the client's personal experiences and empower them to be active, engaged participants in their health care. This shift is especially evident in treating chronic conditions like hearing loss. Thus individualized treatment is...

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Cognition

Hearing and Cognition: Are hearing and Dementia connected?

Introduction Hearing loss is a condition that affects 1.5 million people in 2021 according to the World Health Organization(1). People with age-related hearing loss have a higher risk of developing cognitive impairments like Dementia and Alzheimer's. But why? In this blog, we'll look at the connection between hearing and cognition through research that has been done to explore the link. Cognitive Decline and Dementia Firstly, what is cognitive decline? Cognitive decline, like Dementia and Alzheimer's, are debilitating impairments of the brain. These diseases affect over 50 million people worldwide (2). Dementia is an umbrella term for various cognitive diseases, including Alzheimer's. All are a reduction in cognitive functions like memory, attention, processing, etc. in varying parts of the brain. Now, it's relation to hearing... Hearing loss affects more than your ability to hear. On the surface, hearing loss may seem like a relatively minor nuisance. You might have trouble hearing your spouse or kids. Additionally, you might have to ask people to repeat themselves when they talk to you. These difficulties can actually have a significant impact on your health and quality of life, especially for adults over 65 years of age. Negative impacts on physical and mental health coincide with symptoms of hearing loss. Including difficulty communicating, social isolation, higher risk of falls, depression, heart problems, diabetes, and cognitive decline. For unknown reasons, hearing loss overlaps with a variety of other health-related issues. With Dementia and Alzheimer's, hearing loss is the highest independent risk factor (1, 2, 4) followed by...

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