When you’re young, you don’t think twice about your hearing. Everything just works.
But as you get older, things can be different. You suddenly notice that you’re having to say, “what” and “pardon” more than you used to. And it’s not just because you let your hair drop down past your ears. Something’s gone wrong with your hearing.
Popular culture says that hearing loss is the result of aging. But as you learn more about it, you soon discover that lifestyle is also a major contributing factor, just as it is for practically every other illness.
That’s both good and bad news. It’s bad news because it might mean that your hearing loss was preventable. But it’s good news because it means that you can take control of your ear health in ways you never imagined.
In this post, we take a look at some of the easy ways to protect your ears as you get older.
Avoid Continuously Loud Noises The odd clap of thunder here and there isn’t going to wreck your ears. But if you’re in the habit of exposing your auditory system to loud noises continuously, then you could be in for a lot of trouble.
The biggest culprit is listening to loud music through earbuds. Many people don’t realize that these devices can produce sounds well in excess of the 85 dB safety cut-off. And some of them can be as loud as a pneumatic drill.
Unlike those sounds, though, listening to music is pleasurable. So people will happily listen to noises with the sound cranked up to the maximum, even if it is damaging the internal machinery.
Loud noises damage the ears via several mechanisms. The first is by damaging the tiny sound-sensing hairs in the middle ear that send nerve signals for processing in the brain. These are extremely delicate. When they stop working, incoming noises sound more muffled.
The second mechanism is by damaging the eardrum, a critical flap of skin that transmits sound signals from the outer to the inner ear. High-energy sound waves cause it to become slack, diminishing its effectiveness.
Actively Seek Quiet If you want to protect your ears, though, you need to do more than just stay away from loud noises. You also need to actively seek out quiet in your day-to-day life.
Remember, 85 dB isn’t actually that loud. It’s about the same volume as somebody talking normally six inches from your ear.
People who want to look after their hearing will often, therefore, seek out low-noise appliances. They will also ask managers in commercial settings to turn the music down if it’s too loud.
Wear Hearing Protection Hearing protection is usually something you only see people wearing on building sites to protect their ears from high noise levels. But ideally, you should be wearing them in all excessively loud environments.
Hearing protection can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Some people like to wear earmuffs because they look stylish, but there are plenty of other options out there. Earplugs, for instance, are sold by the hundred and actually block out more noise than their more expensive counterparts.
Avoid Smoking What could smoking possibly have to do with your hearing? Well, quite a lot actually. Just as smoking damages the lungs and heart, it also adversely affects the ears. The blood vessels supplying the auditory system fur up and, eventually, stop supplying it with the blood it needs. Critical tissues then die back, leading to hearing loss which is hard to recover.
Usually, earwax will drain from the ear naturally, carrying debris to the auricle, before drying and flaking off into the environment harmlessly. However, sometimes it can become compacted, and the ear can’t remove it naturally. When this happens, it blocks sound waves from reaching the eardrum, giving people a “head in a barrel” sensation.
Fortunately, there’s a lot that you can do to keep earwax levels low. If you have mildly-impacted ear wax, you can get over-the-counter drops that you pour into the ear to loosen the cerumen and eventually dissolve it. If, however, it is more severe, you may have to go to an audiologist to get it removed physically using special tools.
Check Your Meds While most medications are safe, some are associated with progressive hearing loss. Aspirin, for instance, can harm the ears, as can some antibiotics and chemo drugs. Always check your hearing status before and after a course of medications to determine whether they’re harming your ears or not.
One of the more commonly overlooked benefits of living in the modern world is the freedom we have to move to another state or even another country. It’s one of those things that’s easy to take granted, but this hasn’t always been the case. While you could move around in days gone by, the difficulty in doing so often meant that people mostly just stayed where they were born. Today, it’s much easier. With that being said, it’s not necessarily easy. As with anything else as big as a cross-country move, there are things that can go wrong.
In this blog, we’re going to take a look at a few tried and tested tips that’ll help to push you in the right direction.
Know Where You’re Moving The more that you know about the place you’re moving to, the easier everything will be. After all, knowledge is power! There’s plenty that you can learn. If you have a strong sense of the climate, the cost of living, the good points and bad points, and so forth, then you’ll feel much more confident. It’s when we undertake a big move without any information that things can become a little difficult. This way, you’ll be prepared.
Work With the Experts It’s tough enough trying to move your life to another house on the same street, let alone to another state. As such, it’s important that you’re taking a focused, smart approach to this big move. And that will mostly mean working with the professionals. If you’re not an expert at moving across the country, then put it in the hands of those that are. A reliable shipping company can transport your belongings and car, and even move your pets. It’s one of the simplest ways to free yourself from one of the most stressful aspects of moving.
Talk With Locals Unless you’re moving into the wilderness, you won’t be the only person living in your new city of choice. So why not reach out and pick the brains of the other people that also live there? They’ll be full of useful advice, particularly regarding the big matters, such as which neighborhoods are good or bad for living. Also, these people might just become your friends, and talking of which…
Find a Gang Everything’s better when it feels like you’re not alone in this world. Even if you’re moving to a new place with your partner, it’s important to get out there and make friends. This can be a little difficult, and it’s not as if you’ll find friends for life at the first time of asking, but if you stick with it, then you’ll eventually find that your new place is feeling like home in more ways than one.
Patience Finally, the key ingredient: patience! You’ll naturally feel a little anxious and disoriented from time to time when you move to a new city, but eventually those feelings will pass. So long as you’re aware that you’re moving in the right direction, you’ll be fine.
When we grow a little older many of us start to struggle with aches and pains we didn’t have when we were younger. This is part of growing older and a natural part of life but it doesn’t mean we have to suffer in silence. If you have started to struggle with your joints and mobility it is time to do something about it and try these tips to help you live life more comfortably and independently.
Take an aromatherapy bath
One of the best remedies for aching joints and muscles has to be a bath filled with Epsom salts. If you have been stiff and in pain for a few days, invest in Epsom salts and run a warm bath to sit in for 30 minutes while you watch your favourite show. An aromatherapy bath also isn’t complete without some aroma – and here’s where lavender oil can provide a calming influence and help all of that muscle tension slip away. Do this once a week for maximum effect and it will make a huge difference to your life.
Consider wearing gloves
Gloves are the easiest way to help you if you struggle with stuff hands throughout the year – even once winter has passed. Many of us suffer from a condition called Raynaud’s syndrome which impacts the circulation to our hands and feet and makes our joints stiff and painful. Sleeping in socks and wearing gloves throughout the day is a helpful way to avoid this pain and live life to the fullest.
Eat ginger
If you struggle with arthritis and inflammation around your joints as well as poor circulation- it is time to add ginger to your diet every single day. Eating one small chunk of ginger every day fresh from the root will not only warm the body and improve circulation but it will also reduce inflammation and help you to cope with your joints and muscles. This is a brilliant natural remedy and will keep you fighting for for years to come.
Use a walking cane
It is not at all embarrassing to use a walking cane if you are struggling on your feet. It is important for you to support your body when it is under strain because if you don’t effectively support it, your body will overcompensate and end up struggling even more. Be sure to always consider the way your body feels and if there is any equipment or medication you can use to help you live your life comfortably. A walking cane is a brilliant tool to take strain off the back and legs and will keep you mobile for longer.
Practice stretches
Yoga is a great idea for anyone who has struggled with their body and it will make a huge difference to your health. Make sure to practice some simple stretches every day such as backbends and hip openers to lengthen muscles and keep them mobile throughout the years.
Try these tips today to keep your body healthy and allow you to move freely this year.
When looking at any diamonds with a view to purchasing, there are many aspects to consider and you do want to be sure that the diamonds are real and worth the asking price. It is never a good idea to buy things of value with little or no knowledge and in order to get acquainted with diamond grading, you should understand the 4C diamond grading system.
The 4 Cs Namely, colour, clarity, cut and carat, the 4 Cs are globally used when appraising precious stones. Indeed, a genuine diamond would be accompanied with a grading certificate from the Gem Institute of America (GIA) or another well-respected diamond evaluator. This applies to diamonds of all kinds, even the blue variety and a little online research is advised to acquaint yourself with grading certificates and protocols when acquiring diamonds. Spend a couple of hours researching diamond grading and you will be glad that you did.
Buy From An Established Jeweller This is the best way to ensure that the blue diamonds are, in fact, genuine and fairly priced and there are online jewellers with blue diamond engagement rings for sale that come complete with GIA certification. It is possible to approach a custom jeweller who has access to loose stones and the expert can hand-craft the ring in line with your concept, whatever that might be.
Blue Diamonds The blue tint comes from a portion of the carbon transfused with nitrogen and this is a very rare occurrence, hence blue diamonds are rare and therefore, expensive. There are two types of blue diamond:
– Natural: Carbon and nitrogen transfusing to give a blue tint. – Artificial: A chemical process can be used on genuine, clear diamonds to produce an artificial blue colour.
If you take a look at a blue diamond’s certificate, under the tile ‘origin’, it should read as ‘natural’, which means the diamond is a naturally occurring blue colour. Of course, a natural blue diamond is worth far more than an artificial blue diamond and when you buy from a respected jeweller, you can be sure the stones are real and have corresponding certification from a recognised body. The blue diamond that has been artificially coloured will not state ‘natural’ as colour origin on the certificate, so bear this in mind when looking at diamond certification.
If you are planning to include blue diamonds in an engagement ring, why not approach a custom jeweller? The jeweller has access to loose stones and can create a perfect design for a special ring and with diamond certification, you can be sure the diamonds are real. If you are worried about cost, having a ring made is no more expensive than purchasing an existing ring, plus you get to create something unique.
The custom jeweller can buy loose and uncut blue diamonds at trade prices and that will result in a big saving and with your input, the perfect clue diamond ring design awaits. First Image Source: Unsplash
Hearing loss can happen at any stage of life and because of a variety of reasons. I know someone my age who are already experiencing significant hearing loss. Dealing with hearing problems can be tough, but it’s something you should try to do properly as it’s a vital aspect of your overall health. If one of the things you’ve been struggling with is the use of a new hearing aid, we’ve got some things you need to understand. The points we’re about to raise are things all new hearing aid users need to know, so keep reading.
Let a Hearing Instrument Specialist Calibrate the Hearing Aid If you’ve chosen a hearing aid but you haven’t yet had it calibrated, it’s a good idea to let a hearing instrument specialist who has trained in audiology do this for you. The calibration of hearing devices is not something that can be done by simply anybody. Instead, it should be done by a trained professional who knows exactly what they need to do. So let them carry out that work for you.
Note Down Your Experiences So Future Adjustments Can be Made Once the initial calibration has taken place, you shouldn’t expect your hearing aid to be perfect. It’s still possible that a few tweaks will need to be made. So, note down what you’re experiencing or any moments at which you feel that your hearing aid is not performing as you want it to. You can then report these to your audiologist who can translate them into necessary tweaks to your hearing aids.
It’s Important to Set Your Expectations Carefully When you’re first buying hearing aids, you need to make sure that your expectations are in check. Of course, hearing aids are fantastic and they can change your life for the better when it comes to hearing and communicating with others. But they can’t replicate natural hearing, so if you expect perfect clarity at every moment of the day, you might end up a little disappointed.
Let Those Around You Offer Their Support As you’re adjusting and getting used to life with a hearing aid, you should always accept the support of those around you. They’ll want to help and accommodate your needs, and that’s a good thing. If they don’t know what you’re going through, be sure to discuss it with them so they know to be patient when it comes to communicating with you.
Give Yourself Time to Get Used to It You’re definitely going to need a little time to get used to living with a hearing aid. It might be strange and unfamiliar at first, but if you get the device tweaked when necessary and try to get used to it, you’ll soon see the benefits of using a device like this when you’re suffering from hearing loss.
When you first start using hearing aids, it can be very scary and daunting. But if you take the time to get used to them and follow the advice outlined above, you’ll be in a much better position to get the most out of your hearing aids and to improve your day to day hearing at the same time.
Beauty really doesn’t need to be all that complicated. In fact, sometimes it’s the small, simple things that can be the most effective for enhancing our look. With that in mind, if you are looking for some straightforward beauty boosts, keep reading my post below.
Try a new product It’s easy to get stuck in a rut without our beauty routines. However, sometimes one small change can be all we need to make a significant difference! In particular, look out for a new product that could replace or enhance what you are already using but in a more effective way.
A great example of this is the many serums for skin that are now on the market. This is because they both moisturize and nourish while delivering specific ingredients designed to target article issues such as dullness, dark circles, lines, or dryness. In fact, it is often the oil base of the serum that allows these specific nutrients to be properly absorbed by the skin in the targeted areas. Something that makes them much more effective.
Improve your diet They say that a six-pack is made in the kitchen, and considering we are what we eat, the same goes for our beauty. In fact, we can radically improve how we look by sticking to a healthy diet.
In particular, that means lots of antioxidant foods such as blueberries and kale. This is because these foods will help to transport oxidants out of your bloodstream and prevent lines and wrinkles. Additionally, staying hydrated on the inside as well as the outside is vital too.
Also, do forget to give sugar, and trans fatty acids a wide berth as well! In fact, sugar can cause inflammation in the body that will aggravate any current or underlying skin conditions such as acne.
Treat yourself to a home beauty treatment Probably my favorite way of boosting beauty is to treat myself to a home beauty treatment. After all, it’s not just doing you good but can also be a very enjoyable experience.
The good news is that there are many beauty treatments to do at home to choose from. With some of the most popular being face or hair masks that contain only everyday household ingredients. Whether you opt for an egg or mayonnaise mask for your hair or a homemade face mask, you’ll get some good results.
Move your body Yes, that’s right; moving your body can absolutely help boost your beauty. We’re not talking about trying to lose weight to conform to some unrealistic beauty standards either. In fact, when we do aerobic exercises like running, dancing, or a fitness class, it causes our bodies to sweat.
This is actually a great way of getting rid of any nasty toxins in the skin. Additionally, by working out, you can improve circulation and get plenty of oxygen to your skin. Therefore if you want to boost your beauty, working out regularly is a must!
Finally, don’t forget that when exercising, the skin is being worked out as well. Something that helps it to keep its elasticity and therefore, can help prevent wrinkles and fine lines!
Learn More About JT Bubbling with Elegance and Grace is a place for life long learners. The Bubbling With Elegance And Grace team was created 14 years ago. A passion for fashion sparked a lifestyle blog for our Elegant Community to enjoy. We are thankful and in gratitude to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for those who have been with us from the beginning and those who have just started riding with us on this lovely journey.
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