Dealing with Hearing Issues

Dealing-With-Hearing-LossSociety doesn’t like to talk about the hearing loss that comes with age. It’s a reminder that we’re getting older, which is in turn a reminder of our own mortality. We rationalize it and tell ourselves that it’s fine, and we’ll just lean in closer when someone is talking, and surely no one will really notice anything is wrong, right? Unfortunately, people notice. It’s one thing if you have trouble making out certain words and phrases in the middle of a loud, crowded party. It’s another thing if you struggle to hear something being said to you in the middle of a quiet library.

Hearing loss can be embarrassing and inconvenient, but it can also be dangerous. Most states have laws requiring drivers to move over if there’s an ambulance or emergency vehicle coming through. If you can’t hear the wail of an ambulance siren, then you won’t know to move over. That’s putting yourself and others in a perilous situation. The best-case scenario in that situation is that a cop pulls you over and gives you a ticket. You’ll probably be shaken up by such an experience, but it won’t do you much good if you don’t use that lesson to start searching for a solution to your hearing loss.

Hearing aids and beyond

People with bad hearing can often be afraid of hearing aids. They think they’re bulky and unattractive, but the truth is, hearing aids have come a long way in recent years. An experienced audiologist can evaluate your hearing and talk to you about what sort of hearing aids might work best for your particular needs. Cosmetic concerns play a part, just like they do when you visit the dentist or go to the eye doctor. Communication style and financial considerations will also have a role in this process, since there’s no one-size fits all solution to helping patients hear better. Some people prefer in-the-ear hearing aids, or ITE, while others like behind-the-ear devices, or BTE. There are even accessories that work with Bluetooth to stream phone calls directly to your hearing aid. People with bad hearing can often be afraid of hearing aids. They think they’re bulky and unattractive, but the truth is, People with bad hearing can often be afraid of hearing aids. They think they’re bulky and unattractive, but the truth is, digital hearing aids that are rechargeable have come a long way in recent years

Not everyone goes to a hearing clinic for the same issue, of course. Tinnitus is a poorly-misunderstood condition that can cause a lot of misery if it’s not treated properly. Hearing roaring, buzzing, clicking, and hissing noises with no apparent source can make you feel like you’re losing your sanity. Tinnitus can be caused by age-related hearing loss, or it can be caused by things like medication prescribed by your doctor. It may even be related to impacted earwax buildup, a condition that’s just as fun as it sounds.

Sometimes people blame themselves for their hearing loss. They think things like “I went to too many death metal concerts in college” or “I really should have worn earplugs when I was mowing the lawn.” Some experiences can certainly be more damaging to your eardrums than others (ask war veterans who spent time in combat zones), but to some degree or another, hearing loss happens to us all. If you’re experiencing it, then it’s not going to do you much good to worry about the past. The past is gone, and now it’s time to focus on creating a brighter future, one where you no longer have to say, “Sorry, I can’t hear you.”

Related:
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How Winter Tests Your Home

Are you ready for the winter that is coming?How-winter-tests-your-home

How Winter Tests Your Home

 

People tend to associate winter with lots of wear and tear on the body. Your skin is dryer. Your feet are always cold. Depending on how dry the climate is, you may even be prone to nosebleeds and need a humidifier. It’s true that harsh winters take a toll on the body, but it’s also true that harsh winters can really do a number on your home. 

Rain and snow build-up 

There are two types of weather patterns you tend to hear a lot about in winter: La Niña and El Niño. In the former case, the northern part of the U.S. is generally colder and wetter than average, while the southern portion is dryer and warmer. In the latter, the northern parts tend to be warmer and drier while the southern parts are cooler and wetter. That doesn’t mean El Niño is going to bring a blizzard to New Orleans, just that New Orleans will be colder and rainier. The effects of climate change may worsen these weather patterns, but we’re not to the point where we expect January heat waves in Montana or major snow events in South Florida. 

Still, the areas that get more precipitation than usual in winter are also more likely to see structural damage to their homes, office buildings, and even carports. Some roofs just aren’t graded to receive the massive amounts of snow and rain that can fall. If you drive through an area that received a ton of snow, you’ll likely see a lot of warped, twisted carports. Most carports can only take so much before they start to wither under the pressure. 

A lot of rain and snow can also mess up the plumbing. Old pipes that can’t handle the load are more likely to crack both literally and figuratively. It can happen anywhere in the U.S. If you’re in the Southeast during an El Niño year, you  may have to call a South Florida plumber after a particularly heavy rainstorm. If you’re living in Colorado and get a foot of snow during a La Niña year, you may find yourself looking for drain cleaning services in the Greater Denver area. 

It’s easy to forget about the plumbing when you’re busy trying to dig your car out of the snow with nothing more than a shovel and some pluck. But if there’s an issue, you’ll find out sooner rather than later, although hopefully not when the toilet overflows and floods your bathroom. 

Around October or so, you’ll usually hear weather forecasters list the chances of a La Niña or El Niño winter. There are also neutral winters where there’s not really enough evidence to support either pattern developing. The two patterns don’t necessarily alternate years, either, as the winter of 2017-2018 is looking like it will be the second year in a row where the Northern Hemisphere will have to deal with La Niña. It’s all about which way the sea surface temperatures are trending. 

Some people love winter, while others hate it with a passion. However you feel about it, keep an eye on the forecasts and make sure you’re prepared for a range of possible outcomes. 

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