Tag Archives: healthy

Mar2

Hearing Loss From Noise Exposure: How Loud Is Too Loud?

Posted on by
Standard
Hearing Loss From Noise Exposure: How Loud Is Too Loud?

Everyone loses their hearing a bit as they get older. However, some people experience much more drastic hearing loss at a younger age – often as a direct result of noise exposure. It’s important to identify when things get too loud so that you can take steps to either protect your ears or turn down the volume. Below is more information on exactly how loud noise damages the ears, how to identify unhealthy noise levels, and how to preserve your hearing:

How does noise exposure cause hearing loss?

Our auditory system is complex and delicate. Hair cells within our ears are responsible for picking up sound waves. When the vibrations are too strong for extended periods, these hair cells and their connected nerve endings can die. Some noises can even be so loud that they instantly rupture our ear drums, leading to instant hearing loss. While sometimes hearing can return, damage can often be permanent.

How loud is too loud?

Our hearing starts to become damaged once sounds reach 85 decibels. As the volume exceeds this, hearing damage occurs more quickly. Below are a few different decibel levels, what they equate to, and how quickly hearing loss occurs:

Safe volume:

  • 60 decibels: Normal speaking volume
  • 65 decibels: Dishwasher in next room
  • 70 decibels: Vacuum cleaner
  • 75 decibels: Busy restaurant
  • 80 decibels: Alarm clock

Hearing damage occurs within hours of prolonged exposure:

  • 85 decibels: Food blender
  • 90 decibels: Lawnmower
  • 95 decibels: Hand drill

Hearing damage occurs within minutes of prolonged exposure:

  • 100 decibels: Factory machinery
  • 105 decibels: Helicopter up close
  • 110 decibels: Rock concert
  • 115 decibels: Chainsaw

Instant hearing loss:

  • 120+ decibels: Jet engines, fireworks, gunshots

Signs noise exposure is causing hearing loss:

If you notice ringing in your ears, it’s a sign that hearing damage has already occurred. This ringing can often go away if you make sure to take a break from loud noises the next day, but could become permanent if you keep exposing yourself to loud noise. Muffled hearing is another sign that permanent damage has taken place. If you notice yourself struggling to hear people in conversations, turning up the volume higher on the TV, or not hearing people calling your name, it might be worth seeing an audiologist and getting your hearing checked. Hearing aids can help to restore some hearing, while treatment may also be possible for tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

How to protect your hearing:

Make sure to wear ear protection in loud environments – this could include ear defenders or earplugs. There are specialist earplugs that you can buy for music events that can quieten noise while still providing some clarity. Otherwise, if you can, try to limit time spent in loud environments. When listening to music on headphones, you should also try to avoid listening to music at overly loud levels (many devices will now warn you if the volume is too loud). When buying power tools and appliances, look into quieter options that can help to reduce your exposure to loud noise and wear ear protection when operating.

Hear loud and clear with the tips above!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Feb23

Are You Looking After Your Hearing Right?

Posted on by
Standard
Are You Looking After Your Hearing Right?

Protecting your hearing is a huge part of protecting both your mental and physical health and there are a lot of things you might want to think about to ensure that you are doing this effectively. In this post, we are going to consider some of the main ways in which you can look after your hearing with best practices you can start today. Like the following:

Slow Fading:

Hearing loss is rarely dramatic at first. It tends to creep in. High-frequency sounds usually fade before lower tones, which means consonants like “s,” “f,” and “th” become harder to distinguish. Conversations start to sound muffled, especially in places with background noise. You may still hear that someone is speaking, but clarity drops away. The brain works overtime to fill in the gaps. That mental effort can be surprisingly exhausting. Many people attribute the fatigue to stress or poor sleep, never suspecting that straining to hear is draining cognitive energy throughout the day.

Noise Is Louder Than You Think:

You do not need to stand next to jet engines to risk damage. Prolonged exposure to everyday noise can be enough. Traffic, construction, power tools, loud gyms, concerts, and even constant headphone use all contribute. A good rule of thumb is this: If you need to raise your voice to be heard at arm’s length, the environment is probably too loud for prolonged exposure. The same applies to headphones. If someone sitting next to you can hear your music clearly, it is too loud. If you are using them for hours a day, even moderate volume can become an issue over time.

^^^ Pexels Image

Importance Of Hearing Tests:

One of the most overlooked parts of hearing care is simply having a hearing test. Many people wait until they notice a clear problem, but by that stage, changes may have been happening for years. A professional hearing test is quick, painless, and far more detailed than most expect. It measures how well you hear different frequencies and volumes, identifying patterns that might indicate early-stage loss, noise damage, or other issues. Even if your hearing is currently fine, a baseline test gives you something to compare against in the future.

Small Habits:

Looking after your hearing does not require drastic change. Often, it is about consistent small habits. Lower the volume on personal devices and use noise-cancelling headphones rather than turning music up to drown out background sound. Wear proper ear protection when using power tools or attending loud events. Give your ears rest periods after exposure to high noise levels. Be mindful of ear hygiene too. Cotton buds can push wax deeper into the ear canal, potentially causing blockages. If you suspect excess wax, professional removal is safer than attempting to clear it yourself. Hydration, general cardiovascular health, and avoiding smoking also play a role. The inner ear relies on healthy blood flow, and what benefits your heart often benefits your hearing as well.

Can you hear me now? Good! Keep it that way with these tips!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Feb21

How Technology Has Changed The Performance Of Modern Hearing Aids

Posted on by
Standard
How Technology Has Changed The Performance Of Modern Hearing Aids

The technology within many of the modern hearing aids nowadays is incredible. It’s a lot different from the older versions, some one or two decades ago. Modern hearing aids have been transformed by AI, Bluetooth, and advanced signal processing. It’s shifted from simple amplification to intelligent and personalized sound enhancement. In this guide, we’ll take a look at how technology has changed when it comes to the performance of modern hearing aids and how they’re something to be sought after, rather than avoided by people who need them:

Artificial intelligence and machine learning:

AI enables hearing aids to learn user preferences, whilst automatically adjusting settings in real-time. It helps you to switch from a quiet room to a busy street without needing to do anything. AI hearing aids are certainly the future of hearing aid technology.

Advanced noise reduction and directional microphones:

With modern devices, they analyze sound in real time in order to reduce background noise and instead focus on speech. It allows the user better hearing in complex and noisy environments.

Rechargeable batteries:

Modern hearing aids now eliminate the need for small, disposable batteries. Instead, users benefit from rechargeable hearing aids that can be charged overnight while you sleep. It provides all-day power, which is highly beneficial for uninterrupted audio experiences.

Smart apps and personalization:

With modern hearing aids, it works with smartphone apps that allow users to fine-tune sound, adjust volume, and help to monitor battery levels directly too.

Health tracking and biometrics:

Some advanced models will include sensors that monitor physical activity, analyze environmental data, and track your heart rate, too. These insights can be great for improving your overall health and not just your hearing.

Telehealth and remote fitting:

Audiologists are now able to adjust hearing aid settings remotely. It removes the need for in-person appointments for any minor tweaks that need to happen, which is helpful for those who might not live near an audiologist or hearing center.

Smaller and discreet designs:

With smaller and discreet designs, you’re getting a more comfortable and less noticeable device.

Signs you need a hearing aid or two:

There are some tell-tale signs that you need a hearing aid or two. Such signs include the following:

  • Difficulty with conversations – Frequently asking people to repeat themselves.
  • Volume adjustment – Turning up the TV or radio to levels that are too loud.
  • Muffled sound – Voices and surrounding sounds are muffled or unclear.
  • Tinnitus – Persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears.
  • Social withdrawal – Avoiding social situations as it’s too exhausting or difficult to keep up with conversations.
  • Fatigue – Feeling stressed after conversations and fatigued as your brain is working harder to understand sounds.

Technology has changed the performance of modern hearing aids, so explore what they could do for you if you need them in the future!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Feb20

How To Stop Stressing Over Your Age

Posted on by
Standard
How To Stop Stressing Over Your Age

Getting older is something that happens to everyone. In fact, it’s a sign that you’ve been successful. Once you reach the age of 50, 60, 70 or beyond you have survived a long time in an otherwise difficult world. But people have many problems when it comes to their age. They often look at it the wrong way. If you’re somebody who’s stressing about their age and worried about getting older then this post is for you. We are going to look at some strategies you can use to reduce the stress you feel and really enjoy your life day to day:

Reframe aging as a privilege:

The first thing to do is to reframe aging as a privilege. This was something that we hinted at in the introduction. Instead of seeing birthdays as the next stage in the inevitable march through life, you can look at them more as success stories or milestones. Getting to a specific age is actually quite an achievement, especially once you start getting into the higher numbers. If you can reframe how you look at the situation, then you can totally control how you feel about it.

Focus on the things you can control:

Another thing you can do is stop pretending that aging is something you can control. You can’t actually map and manage the time passing on the calendar, but you can intervene in your lifestyle to change how you feel and function. Many people forget all about aging once they improve their exercise routine, stress management, nutrition, sleep, and skincare. Combining all of these factors often slows down the aging process significantly. It can also change the nature of the aging process so that it doesn’t lead to chronic disease and dysfunction.

^^^ Unsplash Image

Get the treatment you need:

Sometimes, feeling less stressed about the aging process is simply getting the treatment that you need. For example, if you have hearing loss, go to the audiologist and ask for hearing aids. Similarly, if you struggle to walk or you have physiological problems, you can get a trainer to improve muscle strength. You should find that once you’ve got this treatment, it has a meaningful and lasting effect on your life. It makes a profound difference to how you approach things.

Practice being present or mindful:

Worrying about aging also often means worrying about the future. Therefore, it’s a good idea to practice being present or mindful. Many people get to a certain age and wonder why their lives aren’t turning out the way they wanted them to. They stress about the things that they should have done differently in the past. Being present is the best way to counter this sort of thought process. If you can focus on what you’re doing now, you often discover that your life is much better than what you thought.

So there you have it – some of the things you can do to stop stressing about the ageing process. Looking at the positives and accepting what’s happening is often the best approach!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Feb20

Early Signs Of Hearing Loss Every 20 Something Should Know

Posted on by
Standard
Early Signs Of Hearing Loss Every 20 Something Should Know

Anyone can lose their hearing. No matter how old you are or how healthy you feel, your hearing can be affected by your day to day activities. Too much loud noise at home, in the workplace, or coming through your headphones and you could be dealing with a lower level of hearing. And for some people, genetics play a role in causing hearing loss at a younger age. It’s a complex thing, and it’s something to keep an eye out for so you can act in time. As such, here are some of the most common early signs of hearing loss that you should know about as a young adult:

Everything Needs Turning Up Higher:

Have you started needing to turn the volume up on your phone, tablet, or TV much louder than you used to? Say you always had the volume set to fifteen and that was fine, but these days you need it at twenty and above. Dialogue just doesn’t feel all that easy for you to parse anymore. It could be an issue with the device itself, of course. It could also be a problem with the way the sound was recorded for whatever media you’re watching. But it could also be a sign your hearing has been impacted.

People Keep Saying You’re Being Loud:

Are you noticing that more and more people are saying you’re talking quite loudly, but you didn’t even realize? That could be a sign of hearing loss, especially if no one really said anything like this to you before. Or alternatively, you think you’re speaking at a normal volume, but everyone’s suddenly telling you that you’re being really quiet. Both of these things can, in fact, be a sign of hearing loss. And when it comes to difficulties in general conversation, a trip to the audio doctor is the next best thing to plan. After all, you could be in need of hearing aids. And if you do, there’s no need to worry. There are plenty of different styles and options to suit your ears, lifestyle, and personal preferences. Plus, your audiologist will be there to walk you through choosing a set that’s right for you.

You’ve Stopped Noticing Background Noise:

It’s hard to notice when you’re not noticing something – that’s why it’s called ‘background noise’. But if you’re never noticing when there’s some sound going on around you, it could be another sign you’re dealing with a form of hearing loss. Maybe cafes aren’t as loud as they used to be, as you haven’t really heard much chatter going on around you? And what about when you’re on the bus to work – does the sound of the bus sound as loud as it used to? The next time you get the chance, focus on the background and see what you’re picking up.

Hearing loss can creep up on you, and it can happen at any age. Pay attention to signs like these to prevent the problem from getting worse!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Feb20

5 Technologies That Can Improve Your Health

Posted on by
Standard
5 Technologies That Can Improve Your Health

There’s no doubt that technology is making our lives easier – but the right tools can also make us healthier! If your priority is to look after your health, form better habits, and improve your living space, some technologies can make it easier to improve your well being and prevent future health problems. In this guide, we’ll look at a few investments worth making this year. Let’s dive in:

Wearables:

Wearable devices like smartwatches play a key role in helping you take better charge of your health. They can help you track essential indicators such as step counts, heart rate, stress levels, sleep quality, and more. Some specific devices, such as wearable alarms, can also improve safety levels among older people and those with mobility limitations. Make sure to find the best model for your needs and consult a doctor to understand how to best use your wearable technology to support your health.

Smart Home Technology:

Smart home devices can create a healthier home that fosters healthy habits. As well as adding convenience to everyday life, these technologies can help you control temperature, lighting, air quality, and safety features. Some investments worth making for your health and well being include:

  • Air Purifiers: Improve indoor air quality, reducing the risk of allergies and respiratory issues.
  • Smart Thermostats: Maintain temperatures for better sleep quality and overall comfort.
  • Smart Lighting: Support healthy sleep cycles and mood regulation.
  • Voice-Activated Assistants: Help with reminders for hydration, exercise, medication, and provide hands-free emergency assistance.
  • Sleep Trackers: Monitor sleep patterns for better sleep health.

AI Hearing Aids:

Did you know that unaddressed hearing loss can lead to significant complications, including an increased risk of dementia? However, deciding to wear hearing aids is not always an easy choice, as it can impact your confidence and comfort. Thankfully, newer models are less noticeable, more efficient, and fully adjustable. For instance, AI hearing aids can adapt to different sound environments, filter out background noise, and even learn your listening preferences, making communication much easier and natural.

Telemedicine Platforms:

Telemedicine has been a game changer for both healthcare providers and patients. Over the past few years, it has contributed to overcoming common barriers to treatment, including long travel distances, childcare or eldercare, busy schedules, and mobility limitations. Telemedicine allows you to consult specialists within your area and beyond from the comfort and privacy of your home. Patient portals can also help in scheduling appointments, getting test results, asking questions to your provider, and repeating prescriptions as directed. Consult your primary healthcare provider to understand what telemedicine systems they offer.

Digital Mental Health Tools:

Last but not least, technology can help in supporting mental health, too. Thanks to guided meditation apps, online therapy platforms, and support from mental health professionals available via chat or video calls, getting support at any stage of life is easier than it has ever been. Be sure to explore the best tools to boost your health and make calculated investments in the technologies that can provide support in the long term.

Improve your life and health with the technology above and you will be sure to notice a huge difference!

Featured Image By: Freepik

Nov27

How To Shop For Your First Pair Of Hearing Aids

Posted on by
Standard
How To Shop For Your First Pair Of Hearing Aids

Shopping for your first hearing aids can feel a little daunting, especially if you’re not sure what you’re looking for or what the market of hearing aids looks like nowadays. There’s been a lot of significant advancements in hearing aids, so your idea of what they might look like may be a lot different from reality. It’s good to know what to expect when shopping for hearing aids and what steps are required to get them that are tailored for you and your hearing needs:

Get a comprehensive hearing test:

The first step to getting hearing aids is to book in with your local hearing specialist for a hearing test. A comprehensive hearing test will look at anything and everything when it comes to your hearing to understand what exactly is missing and what needs improvement. Have a thorough hearing test to not only check your hearing but to rule out anything that might be underlying as a medical condition that you weren’t even aware of. There are often reasons why your hearing loss is the way it is, and for some, that might be an infection or wax buildup.

Discuss options and choose a professional:

Based on the test results you’re given, the audiologist will recommend some suitable hearing aid options. These may be prescription or over-the-counter options. Those who have mild to moderate hearing loss can purchase OTC hearing aids, but those with significant loss will be required to work with a professional to get a prescription device instead. This is due to the need for custom fitting and ongoing support for the user. Shop around for your options, as hearing care providers will often set their own prices and costs, which are bundled into the service.

Select the right hearing aid for style and features:

This may be the point at which you realize that the options for hearing aids are vast and a lot more versatile than you first thought. To find hearing aids, the right style and features are a personal choice. Take a look at everything that’s offered to see which ones match your style and needs. Common devices include Behind-the-Ear (BTE), Receiver-in-Canal (RIC), and In-the-Ear (ITE) or Completely-in-Canal (CIC) models. Features of the device are important to consider too, like noise reduction, rechargeable batteries, and Bluetooth connectivity, for example.

Trial periods and aftercare:

Before you commit to the hearing devices, review any associated policies and be aware of any warranty attached to them. Be aware of what trial period you have available so that if needed, you can return them for a refund if they don’t work well for you. You also will want all of the details when it comes to the aftercare of your devices to ensure its longevity.

Get fitted and follow up:

Finally, it’s time to get the hearing aids fitted properly and to adapt to these devices as you navigate day-to-day life. Keeping up with follow-up appointments will help to address any concerns you have so that adjustments can be made accordingly.

Life will change for the better once you find the hearing aid that is just right for you. Use the tips above to get started!

May26

Don’t Knock It!

Posted on by
Standard
Don’t Knock It!

Hello!! Those of you who have been long term readers of lifewithlilred will know that I absolutely despise going to the dentist due to a horrible oral surgery gone wrong. For those of you who are just tuning in: I absolutely despise going to the dentist due to a horrible oral surgery gone wrong lol. It took a lot of time for me to feel even remotely comfortable going to routine cleanings and I am proud to say that they are a lot easier than they once were. Part of it definitely has to do with where I go for my cleanings: Aspen Dental.

I know, I know – Aspen Dental isn’t the most well reviewed dentistry practice in the world. In fact, I know several people who vowed to never step foot in one again lol. However, it is affordable and I love my oral hygienist who has been taking care of me since I started going a handful of years ago. She is well aware of my dentist phobia and does her best to accommodate anything that I need to make me more comfortable. This includes explaining everything she’s doing as she does it as well as providing ample time for me to take breaks. It might not seem like much but it has transformed my appointments into a more positive experience and encourages me to keep trying to do better with my oral health.

I had an appointment at Aspen Dental this past week and as I was waiting for the dentist to check in on me after my cleaning, I couldn’t help but snap this picture of my X-Rays. It always makes me laugh to see my piercings show up:

^^^ Lol so cool!

As I waited, I also pondered all of the ways that Aspen Dental has helped me. Regardless of if the practice as a whole might not be well received, the people who work at mine are phenomenal and their expertise is crystal clear. So, I guess what I’m trying to say is Don’t Knock It! I began going to Aspen Dental because they were able to get me in immediately for a chipped tooth. That experience alone told me everything I needed to know because I was upset and in pain and they took excellent care of me. I scheduled an appointment for a cleaning that very day, kept every single appointment since, and have no regrets. I feel fully confident in their team and I hope this instills confidence in you should you ever need to get dental help ASAP!

My appointment went great this week and I feel so good about the strides I have made in tackling my phobia and improving my oral health. I can’t believe I’m saying it but… I’m actually looking forward to my next cleaning!

What are you scared of? What helped you get over your fears? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May6

Boo To You!!

Posted on by
Standard
Boo To You!!

Howdy!! Once upon a time, I received a Stanley mug as a gift and it was glorious. It was a beautiful shade of sea foam green and no one could tell me NOTHING while I toted my gigantic mug of ice water around. Then, my niece came over for a slumber party a few weeks later. I didn’t have any sipper cups for her drinks or straws so I improvised and offered her my Stanley mug. She delighted over the fact that she could drink her chocolate milk “like a big person” and it was just the cutest! I put my mug in the sink for Johnny to wash and then he… didn’t lol. For some reason, he bypassed the mug and by the time he opened it up to wash, it was filled with mold and he proceeded to throw it out so no more Stanley for me. SMH.

Since then, I wasn’t bringing any type of tumbler mug with me as I went about my day and opted for bottled water instead. Then, my niece came over for a slumber party recently and the same song and dance of no straws or sipper cups played. I browsed my options in the cabinets and stumbled upon this mug that I had all but forgotten and we were in business!

I purchased this mug from our local discount store, Marc’s, during the Halloween season. It was a steal for three dollars and I considered it my replacement Stanley – until I brought it home, couldn’t open it, and chalked it up as a three buck loss. Oddly enough, the top opened up so easily when I used it for my niece and I have been using it ever since! Not only do the spooky ghosts make me smile but I cannot recall the last time I have drank so much water regularly. It’s so nice to have the mug with me so I can sip away whenever I need to wet my whistle and I couldn’t even tell you the amount of times I refill it per day. It’s a lot!

Drinking more water in and of itself is a positive and I have definitely noticed the benefits as I increased my normal intake. I feel like I fall asleep so much easier at night and that has decreased my morning dose of caffeine significantly, which is something I have wanted to change. Don’t get me wrong, I still have my coffee and Diet Coke but I am no longer slamming them back to back lol. From a beauty standpoint, my skin looks fresher and clearer and it’s like getting a free skin care treatment every time I fill my mug back up. Why didn’t I start doing this sooner?! I guess I just needed the right mug. 😀

This is your friendly Lil Red Reminder to stay hydrated. Get yourself a fun mug and you will be amazed at how quickly drinking more water becomes part of your daily routine!

What is your favorite mug to use? How much water do you drink per day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb16

Gym Bunny Update

Posted on by
Standard
Gym Bunny Update

Howdy!! In November of 2024, I began making weekly visits to the gym with my brother. It was the first time I stepped foot in a gym since I was a teenager and, I’m not going to lie, I was pretty nervous. However, my brother wanted to improve his health and I wanted to support him so we became gym buddies. We have been going every week since our first visit and I am crushing one of my New Year’s Resolutions of maintaining that. I look forward to our work out every week and I am so happy that my big bro and I are committed to branching out of our comfort zone together.

My goal for going to the gym isn’t about getting jacked but toned, instead. I can most definitely feel the difference, especially in my upper body. Prior to working out, I had no upper body strength whatsoever and using the machines that targeted those areas felt like torture. But guess what? It got easier every single time. In fact, I have increased my reps to twenty-five on each machine I use and it was so exciting to have that undeniable evidence that I was making progress. The shoulder press still gives me a lot of grief, but I felt really proud of the fact that my reps on the other machines that I used to dread were completed with ease during my last visit.

I never had any interest or desire to go to the gym prior to making this change with my brother and it truly has become a source of fun. We love to see the familiar faces as we make our rounds and it’s encouraging to be in a place where everyone is there to improve themselves. If you are considering going to a gym or if you would rather chop your arm off than step foot in one – just give it a try! If you don’t like it, you don’t like it but it never hurts to try something new. I certainly fell under the “would rather chop my arm off” category and I ended up surprising myself.

As an extremely goal oriented person, the gym has turned into something incredibly appealing to me. I have found that the goals I have been setting are achievable and it feels great to meet and surpass them. The jury is still out on when I will try to increase the amount of weight on the machines. So, my focus remains on steadily upping my reps. My next number I’d like to get to is thirty-five and I know, without a doubt, that I can do it. And that is a beautiful thing!

As soon as the weather warms up in Ohio, we will begin incorporating some laps in the pool into our work out routine. I simply cannot wait but the first order of business will be finding an excellent swim cap to protect my colored hair!

Do you like to go to the gym? How are your New Year’s Resolutions going? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah