What does a hearing evaluation look like? To begin, your Hearing Care Professional will take a thorough medical history and inspect your ear canals and middle ears to confirm good ear health. Then sitting in a sound treated booth, while wearing headphones, you will be asked to respond to tones. The tones tested are specific and range from the low to high frequencies that are important for hearing speech. There is also word testing to measure communication abilities and your ability to hear speech in quiet and in noisy situations. If you are over the age of 50 or suspects hearing loss, a hearing evaluation is recommended.
Community News
Changing Traditions
The first holiday season after losing a loved one can be a very difficult time. Family traditions and rituals are sacred events that can be adapted to the changing dynamics in the family. By planning for the change, whether it be starting new family traditions or updating old ones, you can help create realistic expectations around the significant events. It is important to acknowledge that things are going to be different. Adjusting to a family member passing is a big transition; be open to the change and accept it for what it is – a new opportunity to create stronger family bonds and traditions.
New Community Support Rep
The GAM Info Rep is a new service offered by the BC Responsible & Problem Gambling Program. GAM Info Reps are part of your Gaming & Gambling support services. Like any advisor, the GAM Info Rep is there to support you with your distinct needs every step of the way. Whether you need to inquire about counselling services, legal services, housing, community health, debt management or any other support service, the GAM Info Rep is there to help. Your GAM Info Rep on Central Vancouver island is Tracy Tsui. 778-386-9955 or toll free 1-888-558-2857.
Take Time for Yourself
December is always a month that people look forward to but also dread. We look forward to seeing family and getting a few extra days off work, while we dread the traffic and trying to find the right gift for our loved ones. It is important for us to take a little time for ourselves to relax so we don’t become overwhelmed. Curling up with a good book for 20 minutes, going for a walk, or taking a relaxing bath is all it takes to help us relax. Schedule down time and you will find the holidays a little easier to manage.
New Community Support Rep
The GAM Info Rep is a new service offered by the BC Responsible & Problem Gambling Program. GAM Info Reps are part of your Gaming & Gambling support services. Like any advisor, the GAM Info Rep is there to support you with your distinct needs every step of the way. Whether you need to inquire about counselling services, legal services, housing, community health, debt management or any other support service, the GAM Info Rep is there to help. Your GAM Info Rep on Central Vancouver island is Tracy Tsui. 778-386-9955 or toll free 1-888-558-2857.
Sharing Holiday Memories
The holiday season often brings about the feeling of “home” and family traditions. Your loved ones can still be part of the celebration even when they may not cognitively be able to take part in the festivities. The holiday season provides an opportunity to reminisce about special ornaments or decorations that have been set out for the special occasion. These items can help you share holiday memories with your loved one. This is also the time to bring out old photo albums so that you may re-live holidays past through pictures.
Heal Chronic Respiratory Issues with Ozone
Prolozone and Inhalation Ozonide Therapies are excellent for any acute upper respiratory infection, such as sinus infections, bronchitis, flu, colds, and viral pneumonias. Both asthmatics and patients with chronic lung disease can use inhalation ozonide therapy. It is completely safe and ozonides can last for weeks in the human body. They stimulate your immune systems use to control and eliminate infections. They also increase the delivery of oxygen to the cells, which is critical for lung conditions. Then they stimulate the cells to generate more energy and that is the key to the vitality we all want to feel, in each breath.
Stress and Hearing Loss
Long-term stress can have taxing effects on our health; our hearing health is no exception to this. Our hearing relies on tiny sensory hairs in the inner ear to translate sound frequencies into electrical pulses that can then be received and interpreted by our brains. These tiny hairs rely on oxygen from blood circulation to function. When our bodies experience stress, our adrenaline increases to prepare our bodies to act— we breathe faster to divert oxygen to our muscles. This isn’t harmful in the short term, but long-term stress can suppress our bodily systems and lead to a variety of illnesses. Taking deep breaths, exercising, and taking time out of your day to spend time with loved ones can help to reduce stress and guard against the illnesses that may result.
Bring Joy to a Child this Christmas
For more than 50 years, The SOS Caring for Community at Christmas program has been making life a little bit brighter for local residents in-need. The program provides a special gift for children and youth, and adults receive local grocery store gift cards. Find an SOS Angel Tree in one of dozens of local businesses, purchase the gift listed, and return your unwrapped gift to the store. A local child’s heart will fill with excitement when they find your gift on Christmas morning. The program also gratefully accepts monetary donations to ensure adults can purchase food that is important to them over the holidays.
Squeaky Clean Ultrasonic Facial
The Squeaky Clean Ultrasonic Facial is a quick, pain free beauty service that turns your complexion from dull and dry to bright, vibrant, and smooth in under an hour! Regular ultrasonic facials can reduce fine lines and wrinkles and keep your skin much softer. Sound waves are used to gently and thoroughly exfoliate the skin. Skin that is not blocked by layers of dead skin and dirt can absorb serums and moisturizers more effectively. This is also true for makeup and sunscreen; application will be smoother and more even. Consider Gift Certificates for holiday giving.
Healing with Reflexology
There are reflex points on your feet that are thought to relate to specific organs and glands in the body. Through the application of pressure on these reflexes using specific hand and finger techniques, reflexology therapy can relieve tension, improve blood circulation and support the body’s efforts to function optimally. The benefits of reflexology include its ability to stimulate nerve function, increase energy, boost circulation, induce a deep state of relaxation and eliminate toxins from the body. Your feet will love the pampering and you may feel calm and a sense of well-being.
