Everyday Noises that Could Cause Hearing Loss

Everyday Noises that Could Cause Hearing Loss

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

Approximately 50 million Americans have hearing loss. Common causes of hearing loss include an illness, injury, or age-related hearing loss. Everyday noises can also cause permanent hearing loss. These are just some of the everyday sounds that could lead to hearing loss. Types of Hearing Loss There are two main types of hearing loss.  Conductive hearing loss is caused by an …

Building Connections May is Better Hearing and Speech Month

Building Connections: Better Hearing and Speech Month

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

Are you ready to celebrate Better Hearing and Speech Month? This annual event is organized by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and this year we’re talking about Building Connections. Do you have a loved one who has a hard time hearing conversations? Join us in celebrating Better Hearing and Speech Month to find out how you can encourage your loved …

Is Your Mood Connected to Hearing Loss

Is Your Mood Connected to Hearing Loss? 

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

Hearing loss doesn’t just affect your ears- it’s well known to have a ripple effect through many aspects of your life. Compromised hearing can affect your balance and coordination, heart health, and even your mood. Although it’s easy to blame a bad mood on the wrong side of the bed or the luck of the draw, researchers are learning that …

Tips for College Students with Hearing Loss

Tips for College Students with Hearing Loss

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

The months of April and May are where prospective college students find out if they have gotten into their desired colleges. Those with hearing loss have a further question to consider as they prepare for the fall semester – how will the college accommodate their hearing loss?  Thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and decades of education and …

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 …

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 …