Mobile sports betting is becoming normalized in our society. Advertisements abound, as do apps and opportunities to play. Unlike traditional parlay betting on 2-3 games and waiting for the outcome of a game, modern sports betting is usually done on a phone app that includes single games, in-game, and prop betting options. These micro-bet opportunities and early cash-out features mimic day trading behaviours and language. If your play is based on emotions and reactions with little time to reflect before you place that bet, it might lead to problematic gambling. Take a break. Tap out. Avoid bet regret.
Community News
Happy Holidays for Everyone
Holidays are an exciting time for many people. For others, the added activities could cause increased agitation and confusion, unpredictable behaviour or mood swings. This is often the case for older adults with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Here are a few tips for including everyone in holiday festivities. *Create a stress-free, holiday season by scaling things back and modifying activities so that everyone feels calm and safe. *Focus on a few of the most meaningful traditions. *Ask which activities people value most. This could be trimming a Christmas tree, lighting a menorah, singing songs or baking special holiday treats.
What Causes Hearing Loss?
We know that 60% of Canadians aged 19-79 experience hearing health issues including hearing loss and/or tinnitus, but what causes it?
For some, they were born with congenital conditions resulting in hearing impairment, while others experience a delayed onset of hearing loss caused by aging, health factors and their environment.
The Different Types of Hearing Loss
There are three types of hearing loss including conductive, sensorineural, and mixed.
Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss is when there is something blocking sound from passing through the outer ear or middle ear. It could be caused by an ear infection, earwax or fluid in the ear. If loud noises sound muffled and soft sounds are hard to hear, this may be what you are experiencing.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss means there is a loss of hearing in the inner ear or auditory nerve. It can be caused by loud noises, diseases or aging. Children are prone to this type of hearing loss due to congenital conditions, trauma during childbirth, head injuries or infections, and it is often permanent, but hearing aids can help.
Mixed Hearing Loss
Mixed hearing loss is when a person has both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, which may be caused by injury, infection or inherited condition. It is likely that specific treatment may be needed for both types.
Knowing the type of hearing loss a person is experiencing can help determine the cause and best treatment method.
Factors That Can Influence Hearing Loss
Loud Noises
If a sound is too loud or lasts too long, it can lead to noise-induced hearing loss. Hair cells in the ear are sensory receptor cells, and they are responsible for converting mechanical stimuli evoked by sound into electrical signals that are transmitted to the brain. In basic terms, loud noises can overwork these cells and cause them to die, and because there is a finite number of hair cells, damage to them is irreversible.
Because noise-induced hearing loss is a leading work-related condition, it’s important to protect your ears as much as possible if you’re often in a loud environment. Sound levels that are 85 decibels (dbA) and higher are considered dangerous if an individual is exposed for over 15 minutes.
If you’re listening to music through headphones at maximum volume, it is likely to be in the dangerous range. In addition, concerts, sirens and fireworks are often above this threshold. We recommend using ear plugs if you know you’ll be in a loud environment for extra protection.
Age
A natural byproduct of aging is hearing loss, which is known as presbycusis. This can begin as early as 30 years old, and often occurs in both ears. Because it is a gradual process, most people don’t notice it at first. Age-related hearing loss may present as having difficulty hearing clearly, especially when there is background noise.
Presbycusis is caused by changes that occur in our ears as we age. While it is most common for the inner ear to change, the middle ear may also change. Degeneration within the ear impacts the nerve pathways to the brain, which results in hearing loss. Furthermore, the medical issues that arise with age may increase one’s chances of presbycusis.
Health Factors
There are a variety of health factors that can impact one’s hearing, such as infections, diseases and trauma. Otosclerosis, for example, is a disease that causes the middle ear bone to be unable to move.
If the middle ear bone cannot vibrate, the ear cannot properly signal the brain. Another disease that causes hearing loss is Ménière disease, which is when there is build-up of fluid in the chambers of the inner ear. Furthermore, developing an acoustic neuroma, a type of brain tumor, also causes hearing loss.
In addition to health factors that arise within the body, a physical head injury could impact an individual’s hearing. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is often a cause for hearing loss due to damage to the eardrum or middle ear. Alternatively, a TBI may cause damage to the part of the brain that processes sound.
Ototoxic Medications
There are some medicines that can cause hearing loss. Some examples of these ototoxic medications include some chemotherapy drugs, some aminoglycoside antibiotics, loop diuretics, and high levels of aspirin.
Ototoxic hearing loss can occur in individuals with normal hearing or individuals who already have hearing loss. The first sign of ototoxic hearing loss is tinnitus, but it can develop into loss of balance and complete hearing loss. When ototoxic medications are removed, hearing loss may be reversed, however, damage may be permanent, especially if the dose was high or long-term. It’s possible that you may be experiencing a hearing loss emergency, so it is important to contact your physician if you are concerned.
Congenital Condition
Hearing loss is the most common congenital condition in Canada. Three out of every 1,000 babies are born severely deaf, and another three out of 1,000 have serious hearing loss, according to Caring for Kids.
Some babies have a genetic syndrome that causes hearing loss, such as Waardenburg syndrome, Alport syndrome, Treacher Collins syndrome, Usher syndrome, Down syndrome or Crouzon syndrome. While all of these are caused by different things, they all have the symptom of hearing loss.
Babies with a low birth rate are likely to have sensorineural hearing loss caused by their ears not being fully developed, and babies in utero exposed to alcohol and drugs may experience hearing impairment. In addition, premature babies may also be at risk of hearing loss later in life.
The most common factor for hearing loss in babies is anoxia, which occurs when there is a deficiency of oxygen in the body or brain.
Suspect Hearing Loss?
If you think you may be experiencing hearing loss, it’s important to find a good audiologist to run some tests. Living with untreated hearing loss can lead to mental fatigue, poor emotional wellbeing and dangerous falls.
With 60% of adult Canadians experiencing a hearing health problem, according to Statistics Canada, you are not on this journey alone.
The hearing professionals at NexGen Hearing are here to support you on your journey to better hearing and improved quality of life. They are passionate, dedicated and experienced.
At NexGen Hearing, appointments, hearing aid supplies and minor repairs are free of charge because every patient is valued and welcomed for as long as they need.
There are over 45 clinics in the BC Interior, Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. Book an appointment at the one closest to you online or by phone at 1-877-606-6671 today.
Profile: Literacy Now Cowichan
Since 2007, Literacy Now Cowichan has worked on many fronts to increase the visibility of literacy issues within the Cowichan Region. Pathways to Learning, the community adult literacy program, has helped almost 1,000 residents of the Cowichan Valley achieve their learning goals. A core group of 25 highly trained and dedicated volunteers provide hundreds of hours of tutoring each month. This community adult literacy program is funded completely with grants and donations and is provided free of charge to valley residents. If you or someone you know is struggling with reading or numeracy, contact us. No referral is required.
New Holiday Traditions
This month may be the first time for get-togethers after a long time and there may be loved ones who are no longer with us. The first holiday season after losing a loved one can be a very difficult time. Acknowledge that things are going to be different and the holidays will never be the same as they once were. Hold your memories of loved ones close and connect with other people during these cold winter days. There will be opportunities to make the holidays meaningful; be open to the change and accept it for what it is – a new opportunity to create stronger family bonds and traditions.
Sharing Time and Holiday Memories
The holiday season often brings about the feeling of “home” and family traditions. Many activities can be enjoyed by everyone in the family. The holidays provide an opportunity to reminisce about special ornaments acquired over the years and decorations that have been part of many special occasions. It is a perfect time to bring out old photo albums so that you can re-live past gatherings through pictures. Sing along with traditional and modern holiday favourites is always a crowd pleaser. The gift of time is the most thoughtful present you can give! Spending time with family and friends is priceless.
Socks for Christmas
What are you getting your family and friends for Christmas this year? How about a gift of Wellness? This year, give your loved ones a pair of socks. But not just any sock. Socks with wearable technology that works with the brain to reduce pain, increase strength and endurance and enhance stability and balance for months to come. Knee-high socks with mild compression are great for the travellers on your list. For the hikers, chose wool socks that hug the feet and keeps them warm in the outdoors. And don’t forget yourself, you too deserve a gift of wellness
Revitalize Your Skin
It is the holiday season, the time that we all want to look our best as we celebrate with friends and family. This is the perfect time for an AFA chemical peel that can stimulate new skin growth so your skin feels smoother and your skin tone appears brighter. It removes the damaged top layers, speeds up cell turnover and boosts collagen growth through the use of a naturally acidic solution. Once the peel penetrates the outer layer of the skin, it’s easier to exfoliate, hydrate, and anti-oxidate to keep your skin looking its best all season long.
Making New Holiday Traditions
The first holiday season after a move to a senior community can sometimes be stressful and difficult for your senior loved one. Creating new traditions can help with the transition and make the holiday season less stressful for everyone. Although your family holiday events may have been held at your senior loved one’s home in the past, holding gatherings at another family member’s home going forward can make things easier. Have your senior loved one help with one or two tasks that keep them involved without overwhelming them and take advantage of the many holiday events.
Do You Feel Emotional?
The holiday season can be an emotional time. It may be a time of loving reunions, heartfelt connections and joy or it can be filled with obligations, expectations and old memories. You may feel a full range of emotions from happy to sad. Be gentle with yourself in allowing any emotions you feel at this time. The holidays are an opportunity to nurture ourselves while giving and receiving. A Certified Body Code/Emotion Code Practitioner can help you release any unprocessed negative (trapped) emotions to make this season easier for you. Holiday Special: 2 Body Code Sessions for the price of 1.
Making Christmas Magic for Residents in Need
For more than 50 years, the SOS Caring for Community at Christmas program has been creating the magic of Christmas for District 69 residents. With community support, we can make sure local children find a special gift under their tree and that families and individuals can choose food that is important to them over the holidays, using grocery store gift cards. To help fill the SOS Toy Shop, find an SOS Angel Tree at participating local businesses or drop off a new, unwrapped gift or donation to the SOS Community Services Centre in Parksville. For registration information, please visit the SOS website.
