Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
By Hoglund Family Hearing and Audiology Services
Many people think of their hearing loss from simply an annoyance, frustration, or embarrassment perspective such as “It is annoying to my family that the TV is louder than they like“, or “It is embarrassing when I answer a question inappropriately” or, “It is frustrating when I miss a punch line of a joke” states John Hoglund of Hoglund Family Hearing and Audiology Center, “Very FEW people fully under stand the medically beneficial or medically necessary side of treating their hearing problems! Hearing loss affects MANY aspects of our lives according to medical experts.” It has been shown that our overall health is significantly impacted by untreated hearing loss. “It is a lot more important than ever that you check your hearing regularly and take care of hearing problems promptly, as soon as they emerge, John states.
Previous research has shown that untreated hearing loss leads to increase in cognitive problems and impacts memory function. Johns Hopkins Research shows that if left untreated, “hearing loss can accelerate brain shrinkage and make people dramatically move vulnerable to acquiring Dementia.” We have had public lectures throughout the community about this topic”, states Mr. Hoglund “and we encourage anyone who has questions about this topic schedule a COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION with our staff. We will do FREE Baseline Hearing Tests, give you detailed handouts about this topic, answer any of your questions and even arrange for a FREE Memory screening for anyone interested in this topic”. Please call (239) 498-7142 for more information!
Hearing impairment has been associated with an increase in DEPRESSION especially among females. Reports show that 11.4% of adults with hearing loss reported moderate to severe depression compared to only 4.9% with “excellent” hearing in a study published by Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery group. It is recommended that adults over fifty begin to routinely monitor their hearing so that problems can be detected and addressed at earlier stages.
Dr. Frank Lin an Otologist and assistant professor at Johns Hopkins and Dr. Luigi Ferrucci of the National Institute on Aging report that people with mild (25 decibel) hearing loss were almost three times more likely to fall than those with normal hearing. Every additional 10 decibels of hearing loss increased the chances of falling by 1.4 fold! People who can’t hear well have a limited awareness of their overall environment, accounting for more tripping and falling according to the study.
Your heart and hearing may also have more in common than you realize. A growing body of research shows that a person’s hearing health and cardiovascular health frequently correspond. Studies show that a healthy cardiovascular system—a person’s heart, arteries, and veins—has a positive effect on hearing. Conversely, inadequate blood flow and trauma to the blood vessels of the inner ear can contribute to hearing loss. David R. Friedland, MD, PhD, Professor and Vice-Chair of Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, has been studying the relationship between cardiovascular and hearing health for years. He says, “The inner ear is so sensitive to blood flow that it is possible that abnormalities in the cardiovascular system could be noted here earlier than in other less sensitive parts of the body. In their study, they concluded that patients with low-frequency hearing loss should be regarded as at risk for cardiovascular events, and appropriate referrals should be considered.
All the research continues to show how critical your hearing health can be to your overall health and well being, yet unfortunately, hearing tests are typically not part of an annual physical! “It is amazing how many people who regularly monitor their health through regular tests of blood pressure cholesterol, blood sugar, vision, mammograms, and PSA tests, and have annual physicals report that their last hearing test was 20 or more years ago”, states Patricia Hoglund BC-HIS, ACA. “We feel strongly that by offering these FREE HEARING EVALUATIONS to Lee and Collier county residents, that we are helping people stay informed about these critical health issues!” We always say, “All it will COST is a little of your TIME… but the KNOWLEDGE you receive may be PRICELESS!” adds John. Please call one of the locations below to learn more about your hearing!
Five Heart-Healthy Reasons to
Get a Hearing Test
1. Six decades of research points to heart-hearing health link. A comparative review of more than 60 years of research found a correlation between cardiovascular and hearing health.
2. The ear may be a window to the heart. Some experts find the evidence showing a link between cardiovascular and hearing health so compelling that they say the ear may be a window to the heart. They encourage collaboration between hearing care providers, cardiologists, and other healthcare professionals
3. The same lifestyle behaviors that affect the heart impact hearing. More evidence of the interconnectedness between cardiovascular and hearing health is found in three studies on modifiable behaviors: One found that a higher level of physical activity is associated with lower risk of hearing loss in women. Another revealed that smokers and passive smokers are more likely to suffer hearing loss. And a third found that regular fish consumption and higher intake of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are associated with lower risk of hearing loss in women. Research is ongoing.
4. Addressing hearing loss improves quality of life, helps reduce stress. Eight out of 10 hearing aid users say they’re satisfied with the changes that have occurred in their lives due to their hearing aids. Many say they see improvements in their life overall, in interpersonal relationships, and that they experience reduced anger and frustration, and enhanced emotional stability.
5. Today’s hearing aids are better than ever and virtually invisible. State-of-the-art, sleek, sophisticated, and virtually invisible, today’s hearing aids combine high-performance technology and style with durability and ease-of-use. They’re a high-tech tool to help people stay socially, physically, and cognitively active. The options are so varied there’s an attractive solution for just about anyone.
Love Your Heart, Test Your Hearing!
Hoglund Family Hearing And Audiology Center
Fifteen 8th Street (Next to Royal Scoop Ice Cream)
Bonita Springs, FL 31434
(239) 498-7142
Southwest Florida Tinnitus And Hearing Center
10020 Coconut Rd. Ste.120 (Next to LabCorp)
Estero, FL 34135
(239) 992-HEAR (4327)
