Hearing loss can seem daunting, with its ability to affect relationships, self‑confidence, physical health, and more. Taking charge of it, however, can go a long way toward keeping you feeling empowered and engaged.
Start with these 10 helpful do’s and don’ts:
- DO know that you’re not alone. Hearing loss is a growing public-health challenge — the third most chronic condition in the U.S. and Canada. Science is always on the case, however, and effective solutions are available right now.
- DO stay atop your hearing health with regular checkups — just as you would for your eyes and teeth. Early intervention with the help of a licensed hearing care provider can make a big difference in your quality of life.
- DO maintain your hearing aids, which are powerful but require care. DIY cleaning, storage, wax-guard changing, and battery-charging are easy tasks. Bring your devices in periodically for professional clean and checks, too!
- DO explore your devices. Some of today’s hearing aids not only stream phone calls and other audio directly to your ears but can interact with innovative apps, handle remote fine-tuning, loop into venue sound systems, and more.
- DO try to optimize your communication environment with steps such as facing your conversation partner, sitting away from noise, choosing spots with good lighting (for lip-reading), and giving helpful feedback — including nonverbal cues or words of encouragement — to the person speaking.
- DON’T ignore hearing issues. Hearing acuity can change over time — or due to injury, medication, or infection — making it important to seek help if listening clearly or understanding certain sounds seems harder than it used to be.
- DON’T forget the importance of good nutrition, which can play a role in ear and hearing health. A recent Brigham and Women’s Hospital study, for example, found that certain dietary practices may help curb the risk of hearing impairment by 30% or more.
- DON’T tolerate excess noise, which can lead to hearing loss or worsen an existing hearing problem. Loud sounds are among the most common and preventable causes, so limit your exposure and keep quality hearing protection on hand.
- DON’T hide hearing loss from loved ones. Family members — also affected when someone has a hearing issue — report improvements in relationships, social life, and more when the problem is addressed. Consider tackling it together.
- DON’T deny yourself compassion and patience. Adjusting to new hearing technology can take time and some fine-tuning, so expect adjustments and know that it’s all about ensuring you’re hearing — and living — your best.
Have questions about managing hearing loss? We can help. Contact us today!
Kupoteza uwezo wa kusikia kunaweza kuathiri mahusiano, kujiamini, afya ya mwili, na mambo mengine. Hata hivyo, kuchukua jukumu la kufanya hivyo kunaweza kukusaidia sana kuhisi kuwa na nguvu na kushiriki. Kuanza na hizi 10 muhimu kufanya na si: - JUA kwamba wewe si peke yake. Kupoteza kusikia ni changamoto inayoongezeka ya afya ya umma - hali ya tatu ya muda mrefu zaidi nchini Marekani na Canada. Hata hivyo, sayansi inahusika sikuzote, na suluhisho zenye matokeo zinapatikana sasa hivi. - Fanya uchunguzi wa afya ya kusikia kwa ukawaida <unk> kama vile ungefanya kwa macho na meno yako. Kuingilia kati mapema na msaada wa mtoa huduma ya kusikia aliye na leseni inaweza kufanya tofauti kubwa katika ubora wa maisha yako. - Fanya utunzaji wa vifaa vyako vya kusikia, ambavyo ni vyenye nguvu lakini huhitaji utunzaji. Kusafisha, kuhifadhi, kubadilisha kifuniko cha nta, na kuchaji betri ni kazi rahisi. Kuleta vifaa vyako katika mara kwa mara kwa ajili ya kitaalamu safi na ukaguzi, pia! - Fanya kuchunguza vifaa vyako. Vifaa vya kusikia vya leo sio tu hupitisha simu na sauti nyingine moja kwa moja kwenye masikio yako, lakini vinaweza kuingiliana na programu za ubunifu, kushughulikia kusawazisha kwa mbali, mzunguko katika mifumo ya sauti ya mahali, na zaidi. - JITahidi kuboresha mazingira yako ya mawasiliano kwa hatua kama vile kukabiliana na mwenzi wako wa mazungumzo, kukaa mbali na kelele, kuchagua maeneo yenye taa nzuri (kwa kusoma midomo), na kutoa maoni yenye kusaidia - ikiwa ni pamoja na ishara zisizo za maneno au maneno ya kutia moyo - kwa mtu anayesema. - Usipuuze matatizo ya kusikia. Uwezo wa kusikia unaweza kubadilika kwa muda au kwa sababu ya jeraha, dawa, au maambukizo, na hivyo ni muhimu kutafuta msaada ikiwa kusikiliza wazi au kuelewa sauti fulani inaonekana kuwa ngumu kuliko ilivyokuwa. - USISahau umuhimu wa lishe nzuri, ambayo inaweza kuwa na jukumu katika sikio na kusikia afya. Utafiti wa hivi karibuni wa Brigham na Wanawake Hospital, kwa mfano, uligundua kuwa mazoea fulani ya lishe yanaweza kusaidia kupunguza hatari ya upotezaji wa kusikia kwa 30% au zaidi. - Usitumie kelele nyingi, ambazo zinaweza kusababisha upotezaji wa kusikia au kuharibu tatizo la kusikia lililopo. Sauti kubwa ni moja ya sababu za kawaida na zinazoweza kuepukwa, kwa hivyo punguza mfiduo wako na uwe na kinga ya kusikia ya ubora. - USIFUNDE upungufu wa kusikia kutoka kwa wapendwa wako. Washiriki wa familia <unk> pia huathiriwa wakati mtu ana tatizo la kusikia <unk> ripoti maboresho katika mahusiano, maisha ya kijamii, na zaidi wakati tatizo linashughulikiwa. Fikiria kushughulika nayo pamoja. - USIJITUKANYE huruma na subira. Kukabiliana na teknolojia mpya ya kusikia inaweza kuchukua muda na baadhi ya tuning, hivyo kutarajia marekebisho na kujua kwamba ni wote kuhusu kuhakikisha wewe ni kusikia na kuishi bora yako. Je, una maswali kuhusu jinsi ya kushughulikia upotezaji wa kusikia? Tunaweza kukusaidia. Wasiliana nasi leo!