Why People Avoid Treating Hearing Loss

Why People Avoid Treating Hearing Loss – and Why You Should Schedule a Hearing Test!

Leanne E. Polhill, LHAS, BC-HIS, BA Hearing Health, Hearing Loss

Treating hearing loss with hearing aids is one of the best ways to maintain our overall health and well-being for the long term. Research over the course of the past several decades indicates that hearing loss tends to engender a cascade of negative health outcomes that can be avoided with the use of hearing aids. Regular Hearing Tests To that …

Hearing Loss Could Restrict Mobility & Quality of Life

Hearing Loss Could Restrict Mobility & Quality of Life

Leanne E. Polhill, LHAS, BC-HIS, BA Hearing Health, Hearing Loss

Once upon a time, we may have viewed hearing loss as an unfortunate and annoying—but nevertheless benign—aspect of getting older. We might have images of our own elders starting to have trouble hearing: voices getting louder, phrases being repeated, situations arising that were sometimes comical and sometimes tragic. Back then, we knew they were getting “old” when their hearing started …

Unexpected Causes of Hearing Loss

Unexpected Causes of Hearing Loss

Leanne E. Polhill, LHAS, BC-HIS, BA Hearing Health, Hearing Loss

With about 20% of Americans suffering some form of hearing loss, it’s clear that hearing loss is an epidemic today. Our lives have gotten louder. Whether we’re on the job, enjoying a hobby, or using a personal listening device to hear music or podcasts, we’re acculturated to noise inundation.  We all know to protect our hearing when we encounter “loud …

Painkiller Use May Lead to Hearing Loss

Painkiller Use May Lead to Hearing Loss 

Leanne E. Polhill, LHAS, BC-HIS, BA Hearing Health, Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is typically associated with aging and exposure to loud noise. Though these are common causes, painkillers can also contribute to the development of hearing loss. People tend to be less aware of the impact prescription and over the counter medications can have on hearing health. There are numerous medications that are considered ototoxic which means potentially hazardous for …

Hearing Aids Are Found to Improve Depressive Symptoms

Hearing Aids Are Found to Improve Depressive Symptoms 

Leanne E. Polhill, LHAS, BC-HIS, BA Brain Health, Hearing Health

Hearing loss affects much more than hearing. A chronic medical condition, hearing loss strains communication which has a far-reaching impact. When communication, an essential way we navigate daily life, becomes challenging; participating in the most basic activities can be difficult. This can take a toll, leading to the development of depressive symptoms which research has also shown.  Treating hearing loss …

Head Injuries & Hearing Loss

Head Injuries & Hearing Loss

Leanne E. Polhill, LHAS, BC-HIS, BA Brain Health, Cognitive Health, Hearing Health, Hearing Loss

As recent evidence indicates that engaging in contact sports may have permanent effects on memory, there has been a lot of coverage on traumatic brain injury (TBI) lately. Let’s learn more about this condition and how it could lead to hearing loss. What is Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)? Any damage caused by physical force to the brain is known as …

Know Your Rights with Hearing Loss

Know Your Rights with Hearing Loss

Leanne E. Polhill, LHAS, BC-HIS, BA Hearing Health, Hearing Loss

The world poses several specific barriers for individuals with hearing loss. Fortunately, assistive technologies can go a long way toward helping people with hearing loss connect and communicate, from closed captioning to telecoils.  The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) advocated for the fundamental rights of people with disabilities. Being acquainted with your ADA rights will allow you to understand what …

How Loud is Too Loud for Kids

How Loud is Too Loud for Kids?

Leanne E. Polhill, LHAS, BC-HIS, BA Hearing Health, Hearing Loss

We navigate varying levels of sound every day. Having conversations, listening to music, watching television; we are constantly absorbing noise and can typically determine when something is too loud.  On the other hand, kids may not as easily decipher volume and know the impact of loud noise. Exposure to loud noise is a common cause of hearing loss, a pervasive …

How Smoking & Drinking May Affect Hearing

How Smoking and Drinking May Affect Hearing

Leanne E. Polhill, LHAS, BC-HIS, BA Hearing Health, Hearing Loss

The health risks of smoking and drinking are commonly known. But people tend to be less aware of the impact smoking and drinking has on hearing health. Research has shown that smoking and drinking actually increases the risk of developing hearing loss. One of the most common chronic medical conditions, hearing loss is effects 1 in 8 people (over 40 …

Studies on Hearing Loss and Injuries

Studies on Hearing Loss and Injuries

Leanne E. Polhill, LHAS, BC-HIS, BA Hearing Health, Hearing Loss, Overall Health, Research

If you experience hearing loss, you may be at higher risk for personal injury. The correlation between hearing loss and accidental injury was closely examined in a 2018 study. The research findings help us understand the ways in which hearing loss impacts people’s lives. Impaired hearing continues to be a growing public health concern that millions of people are navigating. …