ENT, Hearing Loss / 27.12.2024

Hearing is one of the most critical senses, allowing us to connect with the world, communicate effectively, and enjoy life’s simplest pleasures. Yet, many people take their hearing for granted until they notice a decline. While minor changes in hearing may seem insignificant at first, they can lead to more serious problems if ignored. Thankfully, if you live in Shrewsbury, you have access to exceptional hearing centres that can help you maintain or restore your hearing health. In this blog, we’ll explore five signs that indicate it’s time to book an appointment with a hearing centre. Recognizing these signs early can make all the difference in your quality of life.

1. Struggling to Understand Conversations

Do you find yourself asking people to repeat themselves often? Is it particularly challenging to follow conversations in noisy environments, such as cafes, restaurants, or family gatherings? If so, this could be an early sign of hearing loss. Hearing loss often starts with difficulty understanding speech, especially when there’s background noise. You may feel like people are mumbling or speaking too softly, even when they’re not. This can lead to frustration and social withdrawal over time. Why Visit a Hearing Centre? Hearing centres  are equipped with advanced diagnostic tools to assess your hearing accurately. Professionals can identify whether your issue is due to hearing loss, earwax buildup, or another condition, and recommend appropriate solutions. (more…)
Aging, Alzheimer's - Dementia, Author Interviews, Hearing Loss, JAMA, Johns Hopkins / 10.01.2023

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle,   MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Alison R. Huang, PhD MPH Senior Research Associate Cochlear Center for Hearing & Public Health Department of Epidemiology Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: Hearing loss is a critical public health issue affecting two-thirds of older adults over 70 years old. There is growing understanding of a strong link between hearing loss and dementia, which impacts millions of Americans. Our main findings are that in a nationally representative sample of older adults in the United States from the National Health and Aging Trends Study, every 10 decibel increase in hearing loss was associated with 16% greater prevalence of dementia, such that prevalence of dementia in older adults with moderate or greater hearing loss was 61% higher than prevalence in those with normal hearing. We also found that in older adults with moderate or greater hearing loss, hearing aid use was associated with a 32% lower prevalence of dementia. (more…)