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Not all of us are blessed with excellent hearing. Many people suffer from hearing loss from a very young age, and others see (or rather hear) a deterioration as they age. And chances are, you may struggle with hearing yourself.

 

If you do notice the signs of hearing loss, you should visit your doctor or audiologist for advice and support. They will guide you on the way forward. However, you can also take steps to protect your hearing, and this includes making an effort to avoid the following bad habits we will cover in this article.  

 

Bad Habit #1: Poking around in your ear

 

If you have a build up of wax in your ear, the tendency might be for you to stick your finger in there and have a dig around. Not a good idea, as the deeper you probe, the higher the chance of you perforating your eardrum. This can result in lasting damage to your hearing. And the same applies to cotton buds or Q-tips. While they can be used to clean the outer rim of your ear, you could cause damage if you push any further. Therefore, avoid sticking anything into your ears in the first place. Use ear drops to soften up the wax and/or visit your doctor for ear irrigation, which is a painless process of cleaning out your ear.

 

Bad Habit #2: Smoking

 

You know smoking is bad for you, but did you know it can affect your hearing? As is discussed in this article, research suggests smokers are 70% more likely than non-smokers to suffer from hearing loss. This is because the nicotine and carbon dioxide from cigarettes lower oxygen blood levels and limit the blood vessels that are needed for good ear health. If you ever needed another excuse to give up smoking then, let the state of the long-term health of your hearing make you think you think twice before having another cigarette.

 

Bad Habit #3: Playing music too loud

 

When listening to music through your headphones, you should set the volume so you can still hear what is going on around you. If you can’t hear anything other than your rocking tunes, then you have the volume turned up too loud. Prolonged exposure to loud noises will affect your hearing, and this extends to having the television turned up to the max, or listening to music at a concert without some form of ear protection to dampen the noise. You might find reading the information here will be useful to you, so check out the article, and then think twice before turning up the dial on your music in the future.

 

Bad Habit #4: Drinking alcohol

 

As with smoking, it will be of no surprise to you to know that drinking alcohol in excess is bad for your health. As well as damaging your liver and your nervous system, studies suggest excessive drinking can also lead to ototoxicity, a condition that creates a toxic environment in your bloodstream which can result in permanent hearing loss. If you don’t want to cut out alcohol from your life forever, the least you can do is moderate your drinking habit to alleviate the risk to your hearing.

 

Hear this!

 

Stop poking around in your ear, ditch the cigarettes, turn down your music, and cut back on the alcohol!  By taking steps to avoid any of these bad habits, you stand a better chance of good hearing in your life. Consider this today, and see your doctor if you need any further advice.

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Living a healthy lifestyle is about so much more than feeling good in the here and now, but futureproofing your body. All of us want to be around for as long as we can, we want to see our children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren grow up. Here are some of the ways you can keep your body fighting fit.

 

Live a healthy lifestyle

It goes without saying that living a healthy lifestyle will set you up for success. It doesn’t mean you need to be ‘perfect’ but eating a balanced diet, getting plenty of physical activity, sleeping enough each night and drinking enough water will all benefit your body. Things like bone health is important to build when you’re young, once you reach old age your bone cells can deteriorate quicker than they’re replaced leading to weak and brittle bones. Building up their strength throughout your life and increasing the density means you keep osteoporosis at bay for as long as possible. With a healthy lifestyle, you slash your risk of preventable illnesses. And since heart disease is the leading cause of death, this isn’t something to overlook. 

 

Attend all of your screenings

Living a healthy life is a good start, but attending all of the screenings you’re invited to (this will usually be based on your age and gender) ensures any medical issues are picked up at the earliest stage. This means conditions like certain cancers can be spotted and treated before they become dangerous. Since lots of illnesses don’t show symptoms until they’ve progressed, this is a great way to keep tabs on your health. As well as cancer screenings, eye tests can pick up problems like high blood pressure and diabetes, an audiologist can give you pointers on how to take care of your hearing health such as ways to prevent tinnitus. It’s a good idea to go to your GP once a year, have them check your weight, blood pressure, blood sugar and urine to assess your overall health. 

 

Keep stress down

Stress is a natural human response, it’s something that all of us will experience from time to time. Pressures from work or school, family, money or health can all elevate our stress levels. While many stresses will come and go and resolve themselves, if you’re experiencing long term stress it can wreak havoc on your body. It can prevent you from getting enough sleep, raise blood pressure, affect hunger hormones leading to obesity (and all of the related illnesses with that). Life is unpredictable, it’s impossible to alleviate all stresses within our lives as things just don’t work like that. But what you can do is make sure you’re responding to them in the healthiest possible way. Avoid alcohol, drugs, binge eating or smoking as a way to cope with stress. Take up a sport, practice meditation, take time out to put your feet up and relax. It’s not a luxury, it’s essential for wellbeing. 

 

Something we can all be sure of is that we age, and that hand-in-hand with the process of aging come all sorts of health problems too. Accepting this is great, and being prepared is even better, but in order to be able to do that you need to know what they actually are, and what kind of preparation you actually need to engage in in order to make sure you are doing whatever you can. In this post, we are going to take a look at some of the most common age-related health issues which you might want to try and prepare for, so that you can much more readily ensure that you are doing so. That could mean a better quality of life on the whole, and at the very least it will mean that you are able to know how to look after your body a little better.

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Hearing Loss

 

Something that happens to some extent to almost everyone as they age is hearing loss. If you are past the age of forty, chances are you have already have some kind of hearing loss – although it might have been so gradual that you are not even aware of it. Nonetheless, if you have experienced it and you know you have, then you will probably want to do something about it before it gets worse. The most important thing is to avoid loud sounds as best as you can, and to make sure that you keep your ears clean without intruding on the ear canal. If you experience something like tinnitus, be sure to get tinnitus therapy before it gets worse, and make sure that you follow the doctor’s orders when they say that you might need a hearing aid and so on.

 

Worsening Eyesight

 

By the age of 30, most people have lost some degree of clarity that they used to have in their eyesight. If you have already noticed this, you might be keen to do something about it. As such, it is important to make sure that you don’t overlook this problem, and that you instead go and get your eyes checked professionally to see how bad it is. If you have a prescription, then you should make sure you get it as soon as you can – otherwise you could be allowing your eyesight to get even worse. Avoid straining your eyes wherever you can, and you should hold off vision loss much more effectively in the long run.

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Breathing Troubles

After a certain number of years, it is likely that your lungs will start to struggle ever so slightly more than they used to. Such breathing troubles can be tiresome, literally, and can cause you to feel as though you are indeed getting old. But you can help to stave this off for longer in one simple way: make sure that you carry out plenty of cardiovascular exercise while you are young. The more you do that, the healthier your lungs will stay. You should also, of course, avoid smoking wherever possible, as that is just about the worst thing for your lungs that you can do.

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Our five senses literally help us to make sense of the world. As we get older, many of these senses naturally deteriorate, however certain lifestyle choices can speed up this deterioration process. Here are a few tips on how you can keep your senses sharp.

 

Sight

 

The biggest way to look after your eyesight is to avoid any activity that strains your eyes.

 

Using the right lighting when performing tasks such as reading or working on a computer is important. If the surrounding lighting is too dim or too intense, it could damage your eyesight.

 

Protecting your eyes from the sun is also important. Wearing sunglasses can stop harmful UV rays entering your eyes, preventing conditions such as photokeratitis and cataracts.

 

Your diet can also help you to maintain good eye health. Omega-3 fatty acids as found in fish and walnuts have been linked to a decrease in the risk of oracular degeneration, dry eyes and glaucoma. Meanwhile, foods that are rich in vitamins can also help to protect vision loss, often linked with a reduced risk of cataracts (this includes carrots, which may not help you see in the dark, but are good for your eyes due to their high vitamin A content).

 

Once you notice the first signs of vision loss, you should book an eye test immediately. Wearing glasses or contact lenses could help restore your vision and reduce eye strain, preventing further deterioration. Some companies such as Vision Express even offer free eye tests.

 

Unfortunately, vision loss can be hereditary for some people – myopia (or longsightedness) is a common example of this, although many of the above measures can prevent it from getting worse. Presbyopia (short-sightedness) meanwhile is a common symptom of aging and similarly may not be preventable.     

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Hearing

 

Hearing loss is most commonly caused by prolonged exposure to loud noise. Anything over 85 decibels can be harmful when listened to for sustained periods – this could include loud music or loud machinery. People that work jobs in noisy environments such as air traffic controllers, nightclub workers and builders are most at risk and should wear ear protection at all times.

 

Using cotton buds to clean your ears can also cause hearing loss. Cotton buds have a tendency to push wax further into the ear and can cause damage to the inner ear. You’re much better off cleaning your ears out with eardrops or using water. It’s possible to seek professional treatment to get your ears cleaned out if you have an unhealthy build-up of wax.

 

If you notice that you’re having trouble hearing people or having to turn the TV up very loud, it could be worth getting a hearing test. Companies such as ListenLively offer free hearing tests online. Getting a hearing aid could help you to restore your hearing back to normal.

Like vision loss, hearing loss can naturally occur with age. Infections may also lead to hearing loss – if you experience pain as well as hearing loss you should consult a doctor immediately.

 

Touch

 

Many factors can affect our sense of touch, causing unusual pain, tingling and sometimes numbness. Some drugs may cause numbness, whilst sitting or lying awkwardly could also restrict blood circulation and cause a temporary lack of feeling (also a big cause of pin and needles) – however these are generally forms of temporary lack of sensation. It’s when numbness is ongoing that you should worry as this could be a sign of nerve damage.

 

Handling hot foods without protective gloves is a common cause of nerve damage in the hands that many chefs can suffer from. By always taking care with hot objects, you can avoid this damage. Similarly, you should take care with tools like blades and sanding machines – injuries involving these tools often lead to nerve damage.

 

A number of medical conditions may also lead to nerve damage, causing unusual tingling and numbness in arms or legs. A few conditions that can cause this include diabetes, HIV, lupus, vasculitis, vitamin b12 deficiency and lyme disease.

 

Conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome can also cause numbness by putting pressure on nerves, usually as the result of an RSI. Multiple sclerosis is another disease that leads to a gradual lack of feeling (the cause of this disease is largely unknown and thought to be genetic – although it has been linked with a lack of vitamin D, as well as habits like smoking).

 

In all cases where you may feel unusual prolonged numbness, it’s a good idea to consult a doctor. You may not be able to reverse numbness causes by nerve damage, however you may still be able to stop the condition developing.

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Smell

 

Many people experience a loss of smell when they have a cold or are bunged up from an allergy. However, there are causes for a lack of smell which can cause long-term damage.

Smoking is one bad habit that can permanently damage the sense of smell. By quitting smoking, you can protect nerve receptors in the nose.

 

You may also want to be careful when breathing in certain chemicals. If you work with pesticides or solvents, you could be at risk of animism – wearing a protective mask is advised.

 

If you think you’re losing your sense of smell you should always see a doctor. This is wise just to rule out conditions such as polyps.

 

Taste

 

The sense of taste and smell are strongly linked and as a result both are affected by similar factors.

 

Smoking is a major cause of lack of taste. This is because smoking kills of taste receptors (in serious cases it can lead to oral cancer). Fortunately, taste receptors can regenerate, so by giving up smoking you may regain your sense of taste.

 

Poor dental hygiene and use of certain medicine may also negatively affect your sense of taste. It could be worth seeing a doctor if you’re suffering a serious lack of taste (it’s worth noting that cold can sometimes cause temporary lack of taste).

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As we all get older, health problems can become more common. Many of these health problems can be reduced or cured by taking steps against them early. In order to take these steps, you need to catch the warning signs early. Here are just a few warning signs to be wary of.

 

Keep forgetting things?

 

Many of us get more forgetful as we get older, and this is usually nothing serious. However, if you find yourself continuously forgetting things, it could be an early sign of dementia. You should see your doctor the moment you notice this and get tests done to get an official diagnosis. Whilst there is no current cure for dementia, there are many medically approved ways to slow it down and stop it in its tracks.

 

Keep losing your balance?

 

A lot of people have more frequent falls as they get older. This could be due to naturally weaker muscles and joints, however, it could be a sign of other conditions too such as labyrinthitis or low blood pressure if accompanied by dizziness. It’s worth seeing a doctor get this diagnosed. Preventing falls could be particularly important if you have osteoporosis.

 

Straining to see things properly?

 

Loss of vision is also common as people get older. This could include struggling to read or struggling to see things far away, both of which can be easily corrected with prescription glasses. More serious visual symptoms to look out for include clouded vision or sensitivity to light which could be a sign of cataracts – this can be cured if caught early. Sudden blurry vision could also be a symptom of diabetes.

 

Having trouble hearing?

 

Hearing loss is also common with age – especially if you’ve had jobs in the past that were based in noisy environments. Hearing aids can usually help to restore hearing to full working order. You should see a doctor immediately if hearing loss is accompanied by pain in your ear or you’re suffering a loss of balance as well. Some people can also experience hearing loss accompanied by ringing in the ears, which can be a sign of tinnitus.

 

Not reaching the toilet on time?

 

A lot of older people can develop incontinence, which is an inability to control one’s bladder. If you notice that you’re unable to reach the toilet on time because you get a little warning, it could be worth seeing a doctor. Changing your diet and exercising your pelvic floor may be able to counter this issue. Whilst this condition can be embarrassing, it’s worth getting a diagnosis just to cancel out any serious digestive problems.

 

Getting regular chest pain?

Regular chest pain is one of the more serious symptoms to look out for on this list. It could be a sign of heart disease, which could be fatal if you don’t take steps to control it. Heart disease is the biggest killer in the world. That said, it can usually be kept at bay by making certain lifestyle changes and taking medication. A doctor will be able to diagnose this condition for you.

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No matter how busy your personal schedule may be, it’s extremely important that you prioritize your health and schedule routine appointments with various health professionals in order to assure yourself that your body is functioning as it should. Here are just a few professionals you should consult on a regular basis!

 

A Doctor

 

The majority of us only ever visit our doctor when we are experiencing symptoms of illness or significant problems with our overall health and wellbeing. But you can visit for a general health check too! This will involve having your BMI worked out (to check that you are a healthy weight) and having blood taken for routine examinations. If your weight is deemed unhealthy, a doctor will then be able to advise you of parts of your lifestyle that can be changed for positive improvement. This kind of check can put your mind at rest. They’re essentially an MOT for your body and will ensure that everything is working and in good nick.

 

An Audiologist

 

Believe it or not, hearing loss affects a large percentage of the population at some point or another. What’s more? Its effects aren’t limited to the elderly. Individuals of any age can experience problems with their auditory health. Changes can be temporary or permanent and they can also take place suddenly or over a gradual period of time. Regardless of the way that hearing loss begins to creep into your life, it’s important to remember that it can ultimately have profoundly detrimental effects on your day to day routine, so you do need to monitor your hearing carefully. Sometimes changes may not be immediately apparent to you. But there are signs that you can look out for. Common symptoms of auditory loss include having the volume turned up too high on devices and not realising until someone with good hearing points it out, misunderstanding what others are saying to you, asking people to repeat themselves regularly, or having to concentrate and focus intensely on what people are saying in order to gather the information that they are putting across. If you do begin to experience any of these symptoms, however, don’t despair. There are plenty of brilliant developments taking place in the field of auditory health. You can learn more about the options available to you here!

 

A Dentist and a Hygienist

 

When it comes to dental care and hygiene, you only need to routine two appointments on annual basis – one with your dentist and one with your hygienist. This, for the most part, will consist of your dentist poking around your mouth and giving you the all clear, and the hygienist giving you a quick scale and polish. However, if problems are identified, these professionals will be able to rectify them with relatively quick and completely painless procedures!

 

These are just a few health care professionals you should make time for in your routine. But they are perhaps the most important! So, schedule your next appointments as soon as possible for the sake of your health and wellbeing!

It can be agonizing to come to terms with the fact that you have a disability. This will be true whether you recently received a medical diagnosis of a mental disability. Or, if you have suffered a life-changing injury. You will certainly feel the impact on your quality of life, and it is sadly, common for people with a disability to experience some level of debt. Usually, this is because someone who has special needs will find it more difficult to get a job and move forward with their life. But, hope is on the horizon because new tech is benefiting people with disabilities in lots of fascinating, often incredible ways. Let’s look at some of the different tech that has helped those with special needs.

 

Hearing Again

 

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Yes, technology has certainly helped those with hearing issues. In the past, hearing aids were your best option for getting help with a hearing issue. This would essentially amplify the sound to make sure that you could still hear properly and understand when people were talking to you. However, hearing aids often broke for various reasons. Thankfully, hearing aid repairs are often quite simple, and it’s easy to get the devices working again as they should be. But recently we have moved past hearing aids with hearing implants.

 

These implants are useful for several reasons. First, they can be completely hidden, and as such, no one will be able to tell an individual has hearing difficulties. Second, the quality of the sound often seems to the user for more natural, as though their ears are learning to hear once more. Implants can also be used to block out sound caused by a disability such as tinnitus.

 

Robotics

 

 

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