Health – Southern Nevada Audiology Las Vegas

The Power of Exercise for People with Hearing Loss

04/16/25

Staying active isn’t just about toned muscles or a healthy heart—it also plays a key role in your hearing health. For those living with hearing loss, regular exercise offers surprising benefits that go beyond fitness. From improving circulation to reducing stress, movement can help support both your ears and your overall well-being.

In this guide, we’ll dive into the best exercises for people with hearing loss and offer practical tips to help you stay active, safe, and energized.

Why Exercise Matters for Hearing Health
Physical activity is a proven powerhouse for your health—and your ears are no exception. Here’s why:

Better Circulation: Exercise improves blood flow, including to the delicate hair cells in your inner ear. These cells are vital for hearing, and healthy circulation helps keep them functioning at their best.
Stress Reduction: Chronic stress and inflammation can worsen hearing loss. Movement, especially mindful or aerobic exercise, helps reduce both.
Improved Balance: Hearing loss can increase your risk of balance problems. Certain exercises can help strengthen your stability and coordination.

Top Exercises to Support Hearing Health

Cardiovascular Workouts
Activities like walking, jogging, cycling, and swimming aren’t just good for your heart—they help pump oxygen-rich blood to your ears. Aim for 30 minutes most days of the week. Even a brisk walk counts!

Strength Training
Lifting weights, using resistance bands, or doing bodyweight moves (like squats or push-ups) helps build muscle and improve bone density. This is especially helpful for maintaining balance and preventing falls, which can be a concern for those with hearing issues. Try to include strength sessions 2–3 times per week.

Balance & Flexibility Training
Yoga, tai chi, and Pilates are fantastic for improving posture, balance, and range of motion. They also promote relaxation and reduce anxiety—both of which can positively influence hearing health. Plus, these activities are easy to modify and great for all fitness levels.

Smart Tips to Get Moving

Do what you love: Find activities you enjoy—whether it’s dancing, hiking, or a water aerobics class.
Start slow: If you’re new to exercise, ease in and increase intensity gradually.
Partner up: A workout buddy can add fun and accountability.
Warm up & cool down: Always take time to stretch before and after to avoid injury.
Pay attention to your body: Rest when you need to, and don’t push through pain.

Check In with a Professional
Before starting a new fitness routine, chat with your doctor or a Southern Nevada audiologist—especially if you have a chronic health condition. They can help tailor a plan that fits your needs and ensures your safety every step of the way.

Keep Moving, Keep Listening
Exercise is a powerful ally in your journey toward better health—and better hearing. By weaving cardiovascular, strength, balance, and flexibility training into your weekly routine, you can feel stronger, steadier, and more confident while supporting your ears in the process.

Your body—and your hearing—will thank you.

Signs of Hearing Loss You Might Be Overlooking

09/16/24

Hearing is something many of us take for granted—until it starts to fade. The problem is that hearing loss often creeps up gradually, and many of its early signs can be subtle or easily overlooked. By the time people realize they’re struggling to hear, significant damage may have already occurred. That’s why it’s important to recognize the early signs of hearing loss and take action before the problem worsens.

In this blog, we’ll discuss some of the most commonly ignored signs of hearing loss, why they happen, and what you can do to protect your hearing health.

1. Turning Up the Volume

One of the earliest signs of hearing loss is needing to increase the volume on your TV, phone, or radio more than usual. If others are constantly telling you to turn it down, or if you find yourself struggling to hear even at higher volumes, it may indicate that your hearing is fading. This gradual increase often goes unnoticed by the individual experiencing hearing loss but is more apparent to family or friends.

2. Difficulty Following Conversations in Noisy Environments

If you find it hard to follow conversations in busy places like restaurants, cafes, or parties, it might not just be background noise causing the issue. Difficulty hearing in noisy environments is one of the first signs of high-frequency hearing loss, which affects your ability to distinguish speech from background noise. You may also notice you often ask people to repeat themselves, which can lead to frustration and social withdrawal.

3. Muffled or Distorted Sounds

When sounds, especially speech, start to seem muffled or unclear, it’s often a sign that your hearing is deteriorating. You might feel like people are mumbling, even though they’re speaking normally. This muffled perception is typically caused by damage to the inner ear, making it harder for the brain to interpret certain frequencies.

4. Struggling with Phone Calls

If you’ve noticed phone conversations becoming more difficult, it’s a common early sign of hearing loss. Without visual cues like lip-reading or body language, understanding speech over the phone can become challenging. People may sound distant or unclear, and you may find yourself pressing the phone closer to your ear or using speakerphone more often.

5. Fatigue After Listening

Feeling mentally or physically exhausted after socializing or engaging in long conversations can be a sign that your brain is working harder to interpret sounds. As your hearing declines, your brain must compensate by straining to make sense of incomplete sound signals, which can be tiring. This fatigue can lead to avoiding conversations altogether, causing a negative impact on social life and mental well-being.

6. Ringing in the Ears (Tinnitus)

Tinnitus, a persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears, is commonly associated with hearing loss. While it’s not always a sign of hearing impairment, it can indicate damage to the auditory system. If you’ve been experiencing tinnitus, it’s a good idea to get a hearing test, as it often goes hand-in-hand with hearing deterioration.

7. Misunderstanding Conversations

If you frequently misunderstand words or phrases, especially in quiet settings, this could be a subtle sign of hearing loss. For example, you might think someone said “hat” when they really said “cat.” While everyone mishears things occasionally, repeated misunderstandings should be taken seriously, as they can indicate issues with processing certain sounds or frequencies.

8. Missing Out on Everyday Sounds

Pay attention to whether you’re missing common sounds, like birds chirping, the ticking of a clock, or the doorbell. These high-frequency sounds are often the first to fade with hearing loss. If you no longer notice these sounds, it’s time to assess your hearing health.

9. Withdrawing from Social Situations

Many people with hearing loss start to avoid social gatherings because they struggle to follow conversations or feel embarrassed about asking people to repeat themselves. If you find yourself isolating more or feeling anxious in group settings, this could be a sign that untreated hearing loss is affecting your lifestyle.

What You Can Do

If any of these signs sound familiar, the best course of action is to schedule a hearing test with a licensed audiologist. Regular check-ups can catch hearing issues before they progress, and there are many modern solutions, such as hearing aids or other devices, that can significantly improve your quality of life.

Ignoring early signs of hearing loss won’t make the problem go away. In fact, it can make things worse. By recognizing the symptoms early and seeking treatment, you can maintain your hearing health and stay connected to the world around you.

Make an appointment today to take control of your hearing health—your ears will thank you!

Protecting Students' Hearing Health This School Year

08/13/24

As the new school year begins, students are gearing up for a wide range of activities, from pep rallies and concerts to hands-on classes like shop and mechanics. While these experiences are exciting and integral to a well-rounded education, they also expose students to potentially harmful levels of noise. Protecting hearing health is vital, especially as students dive back into the energetic and sometimes loud environments of school. Here’s how students of all ages, including college-level students, can safeguard their hearing during the school year.

The Risks of High Noise Levels

Many back-to-school activities involve high noise levels, which can cause temporary or even permanent hearing damage. Pep rallies, sports events, and concerts often feature loud music and cheering that can exceed safe noise levels. Classes like shop, mechanics, and even band practice can also expose students to high decibel levels from machinery, tools, and instruments.

According to the World Health Organization, prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 decibels can damage hearing. For context, a typical pep rally or concert can reach 100 decibels or more, making ear protection a necessary consideration.

Strategies for Protecting Hearing Health

Wear Ear Protection: One of the most effective ways to protect hearing in loud environments is by wearing ear protection. Earplugs or earmuffs can significantly reduce noise levels while still allowing students to enjoy events and participate in classes. For younger students, parents and teachers can help ensure they wear ear protection during loud activities. College students should make it a habit to carry earplugs with them, especially when attending concerts, sports events, or classes that involve loud machinery.

Monitor Noise Levels: Both teachers and students can benefit from monitoring the noise levels in classrooms and during school events. Smartphone apps like Sound Meter or Decibel X can measure decibel levels and provide real-time feedback. If noise levels exceed safe thresholds, it’s time to implement hearing protection strategies or take breaks to give ears a rest.

Take Listening Breaks: Encourage students to take regular breaks from noisy environments. Whether it’s stepping outside for a few minutes during a pep rally or turning off loud machinery in a shop class, these breaks can give their ears a chance to recover and reduce the risk of hearing damage.

Choose Quiet Zones: Schools can designate quiet zones where students can take a break from the noise. These areas provide a space for students to rest their ears, especially after attending loud events or classes. For college campuses, libraries and study rooms can serve as excellent quiet zones where students can relax and recharge.

Get Regular Hearing Checks: Early detection of hearing issues is key to preventing long-term damage. Both children and college students should have their hearing checked regularly, especially if they participate in activities with high noise exposure. Schools can partner with local audiologists to provide hearing screenings, or parents can schedule annual check-ups with their child’s healthcare provider.

Promoting Awareness

Raising awareness about hearing health is essential. Schools can include hearing protection tips in their newsletters, during orientations, or as part of health education classes. College campuses can host workshops on the importance of hearing health and provide resources like earplugs at events.

By taking proactive steps, students can enjoy the excitement of the school year while safeguarding their hearing health for years to come. Whether it’s through wearing ear protection, taking breaks, or getting regular hearing checks, these strategies ensure that students can participate fully in school activities without compromising their hearing.

Summer Jobs and Hearing Safety for Teens

07/15/24

Summer is a great time for teens to gain work experience, earn some extra money, and learn valuable life skills. However, some summer jobs come with potential risks to hearing health that teens and their parents might not be aware of. Whether it’s working at a busy restaurant, lifeguarding at a noisy pool, or mowing lawns, it’s important to take steps to protect young ears from damage. Here are some key tips to ensure hearing safety for teens during their summer jobs.

Understanding the Risks

Many common summer jobs expose teens to potentially harmful noise levels. For instance:

Landscaping and Lawn Mowing: The equipment used in these jobs, such as lawnmowers, leaf blowers, and trimmers, can produce noise levels well above the safe threshold (85 decibels).

Food Service: Working in a busy restaurant or café can mean constant exposure to loud music, kitchen noise, and a bustling environment.

Construction: Teens working in construction or related fields are often around power tools and machinery that generate high levels of noise.

Lifeguarding and Pool Maintenance: Pools can be surprisingly noisy environments, especially with the constant sound of water, whistles, and people.

Tips for Protecting Hearing

Use Hearing Protection:

Earplugs: Simple foam earplugs can reduce noise levels by up to 30 decibels and are inexpensive and easy to use.

Earmuffs: For higher noise environments, earmuffs can provide greater protection and are often more comfortable for extended wear.

Custom-Fit Protectors: For jobs with constant exposure to high noise levels, investing in custom-fit earplugs can offer superior comfort and protection.

Take Regular Breaks:

Stepping away from the noisy environment periodically allows the ears to rest and recover, reducing the risk of permanent damage.

Limit Exposure:

Encourage teens to limit their overall exposure to loud environments, both at work and during leisure time. For instance, if they work in a noisy place, they should avoid attending loud concerts or using headphones at high volumes during their off-hours.

Educate About Safe Listening Levels:

Teach teens about the importance of keeping the volume at safe levels when using earbuds or headphones. A good rule of thumb is the 60/60 rule: listening at 60% volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time.

Recognize the Signs of Hearing Damage:

Teens should be aware of signs of hearing damage, such as ringing in the ears (tinnitus), difficulty understanding speech, or a feeling of fullness in the ears. If they notice any of these symptoms, they should seek medical advice promptly.

Encourage Open Communication:

Teens should feel comfortable discussing any concerns about noise levels or hearing protection with their employers. Many workplaces are required to provide hearing protection if the noise levels exceed certain limits.

Why It Matters

Hearing damage can be gradual and irreversible, impacting not just the ability to hear but also overall quality of life. By taking proactive steps to protect their hearing, teens can avoid long-term issues and continue to enjoy all the sounds of life without difficulty.

Final Thoughts

Summer jobs are a fantastic opportunity for teens to learn and grow, but it’s important to be mindful of the potential risks to their hearing health. With the right protection and habits, teens can safeguard their hearing while gaining valuable work experience. Encourage your teen to follow these tips, and they’ll be well on their way to a safe and productive summer job experience.

May, the Better Hearing and Speech Month

05/21/24

Neglecting untreated hearing loss can severely impact your overall health and well being. It’s easy to underestimate the consequences of occasionally missing sounds, thinking that simply increasing the volume on your TV might suffice. However, this is a significant misunderstanding. For the approximately 40 million Americans experiencing hearing difficulties, here are several compelling reasons why addressing your hearing loss and caring for your hearing health should not be overlooked.

The American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) is encouraging individuals with hearing loss to take action. Since 1927, ASHA has designated May as Better Hearing and Speech Month to increase awareness about speech and communication disorders. This observance also serves to showcase the contributions of ASHA members, including audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists, as well as audiology and speech-language pathology support staff. For more information, visit https://www.asha.org/bhsm/.

Hearing Loss and Its Impact on Relationships

Ignoring hearing loss can have serious consequences for your relationships and overall well-being. It often leads to a breakdown in communication with close friends and family, resulting in feelings of social isolation and loneliness. Difficulty in following conversations can cause individuals to withdraw from social interactions and disengage from activities they once enjoyed. Those who do not address their hearing loss may experience increased unhappiness, fatigue, and potentially even a reduced lifespan.

Investing in a quality pair of hearing devices can make a significant difference. They help maintain clear communication, full participation in conversations, and continued enjoyment of social activities. Many people, like a person from California, find that using hearing aids is transformative, allowing them to reconnect with their environment and greatly improve their quality of life.

The Link Between Hearing Loss and Mental Health

Research consistently demonstrates a strong connection between hearing loss and mental health, indicating that untreated hearing loss can have significant effects on the brain. Individuals with hearing loss are much more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression, and they often exhibit faster cognitive decline and brain shrinkage. A study from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine revealed that individuals with untreated hearing loss experienced cognitive decline at a rate 30-40% faster than those with normal hearing over a six-year period.

Addressing hearing loss early is crucial, as using hearing aids can help maintain cognitive functions and mental sharpness. Moreover, treating hearing loss helps reduce the risk of depression by keeping you connected with loved ones and engaged in enjoyable activities.

The Impact of Hearing Loss on Physical Well-Being

Untreated hearing loss impacts not only your emotional and mental well-being but also your physical health. The National Council on Aging reports that falls are a leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries among older Americans, and those with hearing loss are significantly more prone to experiencing falls. In fact, individuals with hearing loss are three times more likely to have a fall. This increased risk is due in part to difficulties in hearing and localizing sounds, which can compromise balance and environmental awareness, thereby heightening the risk of accidents.

Addressing hearing loss can enhance balance and reduce the likelihood of falls, thereby safeguarding your physical safety. With improved hearing, you’ll be more attuned to important cues like warning sounds, helping you remain alert and secure in your surroundings.

May, recognized as Better Hearing and Speech Month, emphasizes the importance of addressing hearing loss, which impacts an estimated 40 million Americans. Untreated hearing issues can lead to significant health challenges, including deteriorated personal relationships, mental health issues like anxiety and depression, and an increased risk of physical injuries from falls. The American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) encourages individuals to seek treatment, highlighting the transformative benefits of hearing aids in maintaining social connections, cognitive function, and overall quality of life. As we reflect on this month’s awareness efforts, let’s continue to prioritize hearing health to enhance well-being and prevent the myriad complications associated with hearing loss.

Las Vegas Spring Allergies Impact on Hearing Health

03/15/24

Hearing loss can have various causes, and one often overlooked factor is seasonal allergies, particularly prevalent during spring in Las Vegas. Allergic reactions triggered by local allergens like pollen from mesquite trees and desert winds stirring up dust can exacerbate existing auditory issues. For those susceptible to allergies, middle ear infections and hearing loss are more common occurrences, raising questions about their connection.

During an allergic reaction, typical symptoms such as a runny nose, burning eyes, and ear discomfort may manifest. Ear symptoms can include itching, swelling, drainage from one or both ears, balance issues, and ear pain.

Allergic reactions prompt an excess production of mucus, which can temporarily impair hearing due to poor conduction. This form of hearing loss often occurs when mucus, moisture, or earwax obstructs the middle ear. The desert’s dry, windy climate can intensify allergy severity, further emphasizing the importance of managing allergies effectively, especially for those with existing hearing issues.

The link between allergies and hearing loss varies depending on the individual and the specific allergens encountered. Symptoms like itchy eyes and nasal discharge are common, but allergies can also affect hearing. When the immune system responds to allergens by releasing histamine, it can lead to increased production of mucus in the nose and sinuses, potentially causing a type of hearing loss called transmission hearing loss.

Sinus-related allergies can pose additional challenges, causing issues such as clogged sinuses and swelling of the eustachian tube. This can result in temporary hearing loss, highlighting the importance of seeking medical advice and allergy testing to prevent further complications.

Symptoms associated with hearing loss due to allergies, such as itching in the ear and ear discharge, should not be ignored. Managing allergies effectively through antihistamines and decongestants can help alleviate ear-related symptoms, but it’s essential to seek a hearing test if allergies are suspected of affecting your ears. Being proactive and aware of these connections can help maintain optimal hearing health, especially during Las Vegas’ spring allergy season.

Please schedule your hearing assessment / checkup with Southern Nevada Audiology today! Learn more about the advancements in modern hearing aids.