Instead of gifting more material things this holiday season, why not give the gift of healing and wellness? A gift card for SALT Wellness Centre makes the perfect gift for your family, friends, and co-workers. A unique, alternative healing centre featuring Flotation therapy and British Columbia’s first dry SALT therapy bed. Offering both wet and dry SALT therapy, SALT has two sensory reduction float tanks, a float therapy room, a dry salt bed and dry salt room, an infrared sauna, an ionic detox foot bath, counselling and somatic trauma therapy, as well as both relaxation massage and Registered Massage Therapy (RMT) services. Take advantage of our first time and package discounts we offer. Have extended health benefits? We offer direct billing for RMT services!
Community News
Healthy Play Guidelines
As we head into the holiday season and emerge from Covid restrictions, our gambling habits may have been stretched beyond our usual boundaries. Gambling or sports betting to make money is always dangerous, as is gambling to escape our day-to-day preoccupations. If you are not sure if your gambling habits fall within healthy playing guidelines, check Canada’s Low-Risk Gambling Guidelines at GamblingGuideLines.ca. Using the 1-4-2 formula can help contextualize your play: No more than 1% of your income, a Maximum of 4 days per month and Only 2 types of gameplay. If you’re unsure, check out the self-assessment tool.
Do Hearing Aids Hurt?
Hearing aids are highly valuable for people who have hearing loss, but it can be an overwhelming process to find the right fit. One of the most important things to know before you begin the search for your new device is that they should feel natural on your ears.
Finding the right fit can take some time, but there is support available for your journey and the results will be life-changing.
Should Hearing Aids Hurt Your Ears?
The short answer is no, hearing aids shouldn’t hurt your ears. Hearing aids should be comfortable. They are designed to improve your quality of life, so there should be no discomfort or pain associated with them.
The best way to ensure your hearing aids are comfortable is by getting them fitted by an audiologist or RHIP. They will conduct several tests and assessments to confirm your hearing aids are the correct size, structure, and type.
There are four types of hearing aids including behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-canal (ITC), in-the-ear (ITE), and receiver-in-canal (RIC). All of them have their unique benefits, so meeting with a professional to discuss which one is right for you is the key to finding the perfect fit.
If your hearing aids aren’t fitted properly, they can cause discomfort.
Getting Used to Your Hearing Aids
Although it may take some time to get used to your hearing aids, wearing them should never cause you pain. It’s important to take it slow when you’re adjusting to new hearing aids. We suggest wearing your new hearing aids for about four hours a day. Sometimes people dive right in and wear their new hearing aids for 14 hours straight, but this can cause irritation to your skin.
Allow the skin around your hearing aid to adjust to the device. It can take up to a week to get accustomed to the feeling of your new hearing aids, but taking breaks will help ease the process.
If you have previously worn hearing aids and are trying out a new pair, another option is to alternate between the new and old pairs throughout the day. With regular care and maintenance, your hearing aids can last five years or more, so it is a good idea to prepare yourself appropriately.
Every hearing aid feels a little different, so giving yourself the time to get used to something new is important.
What Could Be Causing Pain?
Sometimes hearing aids feel perfect when they’re being fitted, but they don’t feel right after you’ve left the hearing clinic. It is likely that all they need is a slight adjustment.
If you notice a specific area where your hearing aids are rubbing and causing discomfort, you should see a professional to make any necessary changes. Sometimes it takes a little bit of extra work to get the perfect fit, and that’s okay.
Another potential cause for pain is that the hearing aids simply aren’t placed properly. A misplaced hearing aid can cause pain because of pressure in unwanted areas. Consider practicing how to place and remove it, as demonstrated by your hearing professional during your fitting appointment.
You could also be feeling some pain if you’re not cleaning your hearing aid properly. Following the cleaning instructions for your specific model will decrease your chances of getting an ear infection, bacterial growth, and irritation. These issues are extremely painful but avoidable with proper sanitization and maintenance.
If you’ve developed a rash, it’s possible you have an allergy to the materials of the hearing aid. These allergies are rare, but a hearing aid specialist will be able to provide you with alternative options to ensure you are using the device that’s right for you.
Finding Comfort With Your Hearing Aids
Your hearing aids should be completely comfortable. Audiologists and hearing professionals at NexGen Hearing are passionate, dedicated and experienced, and they’re here to help you find the perfect fit.
NexGen Hearing offers free hearing tests and hearing aid consultations, hearing aid fittings and sales. To book an appointment at one of our 45+ clinics in the BC Interior, Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, click here or call 1-877-606-6671.
Caring for a Loved One with Alzheimer’s Disease
Here are a few tips: *Incorporate light exercise into their daily routine. This improves cardiovascular health, prevents muscle loss, and can improve sleep and bathroom habits. Daily walks are one of the easiest ways to add exercise. There is evidence that regular physical activity can lead to improvement in cognitive function. *Practice good sleep hygiene. Many Alzheimer’s patients have a disrupted circadian rhythm which can lead to sleep disorders and changes in behaviour. *Try music therapy. Playing your loved one’s favourite song can evoke a strong response or memory. Music can reduce feelings of anxiety and depression and help your loved one better express their emotions.
Sleep Changes & The Elderly
Seniors who wake up more often during the night and earlier in the morning, usually have a harder time falling asleep, and spend less time in deep, dreamless sleep. Some measures to help you sleep better include: 1) Eat a light bedtime snack. 2) Avoid caffeine for at least 3 or 4 hours before bed. 3) Avoid napping during the day. 4) Exercise regularly, but not within 3 hours of bedtime. 5) Practice relaxation techniques at bedtime. 6) Don’t watch TV or use devices while in bed. 7) Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
As Winter Comes
Most everyone on the West Coast knows, November brings with it more rain and overcast skies. Many people experience an effect on their mood during this time, which can certainly make things more difficult. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a known phenomenon, where the winter weather affects moods and outlook on life. A couple strategies to help overcome these “winter blues” is to continue with those all-important self-care strategies of enjoyable activities, and the regular use of a full-spectrum light of some sort throughout your day! Fight back against the dreary with light!
Are You Prepared for Flu Season?
Your pharmacist is the best person to help you be prepared for flu season. Here are three reasons to discuss the flu with your pharmacist. 1)They can answer all your questions about the flu shot and administer it in the pharmacy. 2)They know the flu virus can hit hard and they are equipped with the advice you need to feel better as soon as possible. 3)They can recommend over-the-counter remedies for your symptoms and ensure they don’t interact with your other medications. Book your flu shot today!
Meet Dr. Robert Hogarth
Dr. Hogarth has been helping patients feel better since 2014. He is a graduate of the Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary and the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine at Boston University. Dr. Hogarth is a member of various professional organizations such as the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain, the Academy of General Dentistry, the Holistic Dental Association, and the International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine. His interests include metal-free dentistry, zirconia implants, TMJ dysfunction/myofascial pain treatment and sleep therapy. Fontana and Red Light Laser therapy, Oxone and PRF (platelet-rich fibrin) are some common tools he uses in his treatments.
Book Club
Burnout – The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle – By Emily Nagoski PhD and Amelia Nagoski DMA. This ground-breaking book explains why women experience burnout differently than men—and provides a simple, practical plan to help women minimize stress, manage emotions, and live a more joyful life. With the help of eye-opening science, prescriptive advice, and helpful worksheets and exercises, all women will find something transformative in these pages—and will be empowered to create positive change.
Sleep Changes & The Elderly
Seniors who wake up more often during the night and earlier in the morning, usually have a harder time falling asleep, and spend less time in deep, dreamless sleep. Some measures to help you sleep better include: 1) Eat a light bedtime snack. 2) Avoid caffeine for at least 3 or 4 hours before bed. 3) Avoid napping during the day. 4) Exercise regularly, but not within 3 hours of bedtime. 5) Practice relaxation techniques at bedtime. 6) Don’t watch TV or use devices while in bed. 7) Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
Profile: Revitalize Laser Clinic
At Revitalize Laser Clinic, we are passionate about education and knowledge! It doesn’t matter what age you are: investing in yourself is a vital part of your life journey! All our treatments are provided by trained and certified professionals who can create a custom treatment plan to fit your needs. Our Nanaimo location offers skincare treatments for face and body including treatments for men; we’ve got everything you need in one place. Great skin doesn’t happen by chance; it happens by appointment. Be sure to enter this month’s Wellnessnews contest for a chance to win an AFA Facial.
