Tips for College Students with Hearing Loss

Tips for College Students with Hearing Loss

Leanne E. Polhill, LHAS, BC-HIS, BAHearing 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 …

All About Earwax

All About Earwax

Leanne E. Polhill, LHAS, BC-HIS, BAEar Health

When you think of earwax, “healthy” might be the last word to come to mind. And yet, this substance is essential to keep our ears in top shape. Perhaps the discomfort we feel at the thought of earwax is picturing it out of place, and indeed overproduction can be a problem for some people. Although this substance, technically known as …

Common Hearing Aid Problems & How to Fix Them

Common Hearing Aid Problems & How to Fix Them

Leanne E. Polhill, LHAS, BC-HIS, BAHearing Aids

Getting new hearing aids is such an exciting step in improving hearing health and overall wellness. Hearing aids provide significant support that enables people to hear much more clearly and with greater ease. Transitioning into hearing aids includes hearing sounds you haven’t experienced in quite some time, being able to follow conversations comfortably, and spending quality time with loved ones. …

March 3 is World Hearing Day Hearing Care for All

March 3rd is World Hearing Day: Hearing Care for All!

Leanne E. Polhill, LHAS, BC-HIS, BAHearing Health

Launched by the World Health Organization (WHO), World Hearing Day is a global call to action to comprehensively address hearing loss, one of the most common chronic medical conditions people experience. WHO estimates that 466 million people live with disabling hearing loss globally and that untreated hearing loss poses an annual cost of $750 billion.  The prevalence of hearing loss …

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, BAHearing 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, BAHearing 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, BAHearing 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, BAHearing 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 …

Supporting A Loved One with Hearing Loss in a Nursing Home

Supporting A Loved One with Hearing Loss in a Nursing Home

Leanne E. Polhill, LHAS, BC-HIS, BAFamily & Relationships

Hearing loss is one of the most common health conditions that older adults experience. One in three people, 65 and older, has some degree of hearing loss. The number of people impacted increases with age: 50% of adults 75 and older have impaired hearing. As age is the largest indicator of developing this chronic condition, it is likely that high …

Hearing Aids Are Found to Improve Depressive Symptoms

Hearing Aids Are Found to Improve Depressive Symptoms 

Leanne E. Polhill, LHAS, BC-HIS, BABrain 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 …