Dry, itchy skin? Rash or broken skin? It could be eczema. Moisturizing is a key aspect of eczema management, though topical medications may be needed for more severe symptoms. It’s also recommended to take short, lukewarm showers or baths, and moisturize right after. Apply moisturizer liberally at least once daily or up to several times a day. And avoid scratching, if possible. We can help you select a moisturizer that feels good and works for you.
Community News
Volunteers Always Needed!
The strength of CVSS is its contingent of amazing volunteers. If you would like to visit with a lonely or isolated senior, or assist someone with accessing services in the community, or have another strength to offer, please contact us to learn more about providing support in your community. Beginning in September, volunteer training sessions will be done monthly so there will be only minimal waiting before you can begin!
Summer Heat Safety
In the event of extreme heat this summer, please be sure to reach out to your senior friends, family, and neighbours and make sure they are okay. Fans, room coolers, ice packs can all help to keep people cool in extreme heat. As well, cooling centres may be available. Keep you eyes on the local news for locations.
For seniors on their own, please contact CVSS is you need assistance in the event of extreme heat. 250-871-5940.
Outstanding Seniors
Would you like to highlight an outstanding senior in the Comox Valley? Send a brief paragraph, explaining why, to Chris at admin@comoxvalleyseniorsupport.ca. We will need contact information for the senior you are recommending as we will need to attain consent from them to share their story. We will feature as many as possible in upcoming issues!
Community Announcement
Come and enjoy the welcoming atmosphere of the Comox Seniors’ Centre at 1801 Beaufort Ave in Comox. Enjoy a coffee and meal at Dei’s Cafe with friends or meet new acquaintances. Pick up Dei’s hot meals to go; ask what’s on the menu. Check out the library for a good book, DVD or puzzle. Looking for a handmade gift for someone special; our best kept secret Gift Shop is waiting for you. Become a member and participate in the many activities available.
Community Announcement
The Wicking Dementia and Research Centre offers free online courses. Based in Tasmania, Australia, these programs use data from around the world to provide excellent information for students. Links to the following course can be found here: https://mooc.utas.edu.au
Understanding Dementia begins in July
The ageing of human populations across the globe has contributed to dementia being identified as one of the public health issues of the 21st century. The MOOC curriculum addresses this health issue by drawing upon the expertise of neuroscientists, clinicians and dementia care professionals from both within the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, and beyond.
Community Announcement
Comox Valley Senior Support Society, dedicated to helping seniors, is seeking volunteers to join our Board of Directors. The Board provides governance, leadership, fundraising, and financial oversight to staff and the Society’s operations. Meetings are held once per month, with additional support required on an as needed basis. If you have a passion for seniors, an interest in working with a collaborative Board, and supporting an active staff team, please contact Chris at admin@comoxvalleyseniorsupportsociety.ca
Caregiver Support Group
Did you know that CVSS offers caregivers Support groups? For those providing care for a loved one living with dementia, being able to visit with and seek support from others with similar experiences can be very helpful. You are not alone in the caregiving community. For more information, please call the CVSS office at 250-871-5940 or email at admin@comoxvalleyseniorsupport.ca
Local Spotlight: Canada Scooters
Canada Scooters is the leading supplier of electric mobility scooters – offering a wide rage of 3 & 4-wheel new and used scooters, portable scooters, accessories, and rentals. They deliver right to your door for an in-home demonstration or a test drive. They also carry mobility products such as walkers, canes, crutches, power chairs, wheelchairs and bathroom safety products or equip your home with lift chairs, ramps, and railings. Canada Scooters offers service and repairs, safety courses and expert professionals with service across all Vancouver Island, all with flexible financing and payment options.
How to prevent hearing loss in the workplace
Noise-induced hearing loss is one of the leading work-related conditions and affects millions of people around the world. People who work with heavy machinery, in loud sound environments and noisy factories for example are commonly affected.
According to “Public Health Burden of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss” a report published by the CDC, over 10 million people suffer from noise-induced hearing damage. It’s become a public health concern and the statistics are only expected to rise.
Sound levels that are almost or more than 85 decibels or dbA, especially in enclosed spaces where sound can’t travel and for long periods of time, are considered dangerous and too much noise for individuals to withstand without hearing damage.
With the employer identifying the best protective measures and the employee taking the steps necessary, hearing loss can be prevented in the workplace.
How is hearing loss in the workplace caused?
When there are consistently excessive and loud noises, it can damage the hair cells in our inner ear. The hair cells are very important when it comes to hearing because they communicate with our brain to detect sounds.
Eventually, these cells may suffer from extensive damage and die off. The more cells that are damaged beyond repair, the more severe the hearing loss.
Tips to prevent hearing loss in the workplace:
1. Use Hearing Protection Devices (HPD)
When the sound or noise level is around or greater than the occupational exposure limits (often 85dBA), hearing protectors are essential for hearing health.
The correct type of HPD varies, but properly fitted earplugs or earmuffs are most commonly used and work well when limiting exposure and muting noise.
2. Safety Controls to protect workers from hearing loss
In situations where certain hazards can be replaced with a safer alternative, it’s recommended to take that precaution and use quieter equipment where possible. If not, use engineering controls to reduce the noise risk.
Physically modifying the workspace, equipment and processes can put the worker in control of the noise and also reduce their risk of noise-induced hearing loss.
It may mean changing the work process to limit loud machinery use, servicing a machine for quieter operation or using sound barriers and making better use of space to limit noise.
It all helps prevent hearing loss for workers and won’t negatively affect their quality of life.
3. Shift Rotations
Implementing shift rotation is a great way to limit the amount of noise a person is exposed to daily and is crucial to hearing protection.
For example, rotating schedules and reduced shift lengths provide additional protection workers need for their hearing health.
4. Education on preventing hearing loss
Workers should be receiving regular training with instructions about the best practices on how to prevent hearing loss, how to use HPDs, how to diagnose the early signs and symptoms of hearing loss and further prevention information.
There should also be warning signs wherever the noise is greater than 85dBA informing workers of the hazard and need for hearing protection.
5. Conducting hearing tests
Annual hearing tests are essential to preventing noise-induced hearing loss for employees who work in a noisy environment.
The tests can give the employer a better understanding of dangers in the workplace, how to help prevent hearing loss and how to improve prevention programs and safety measures.
However, employees can detect early signs of hearing loss caused in the workplace, any changes in their hearing ability can be managed and solutions can be provided when necessary.
Does WorkSafe BC cover hearing loss in the workplace?
If you or an employee has noise-induced hearing loss from their work environment, you or they are eligible to claim workers’ compensation as long as it’s caused by exposure to noise at work.
For a claim to be accepted by WSB:
- Must have a medical diagnosis of hearing loss due to noise
- Work must have involved work exposure to noise levels averaged above 85 dBA for 8 or more hours per day for at least two years
- There must be no evidence of your hearing loss relating to other causes
WSB also offers compensation for other cases as each situation is unique, but those suffering from noise-induced hearing loss in the workplace can receive support from WSB.
Finding a trained practitioner who can help you navigate the tricky situation of protecting your own hearing or your employee’s hearing while working in a noisy environment is important.
Hearing professionals at NexGen Hearing are dedicated to improving your experience and quality of life by seeking to understand each individual’s unique situation, sound environment and hearing abilities.
With personalized recommendations and hearing services, they can help you learn the best ways to protect yourself or your team members.
To learn more about NexGen Hearing and find a clinic near you, click here.
Sources:
https://peninsulacanada.com/blog/health-and-safety/how-to-prevent-noise-induced-hearing-loss-in-your-workplace/
https://deserthearingcare.com/blog/how-to-prevent-hearing-loss-at-the-workplace
https://advancedhearingcare.org/latest-news/tips-to-prevent-noise-induced-hearing-loss-at-the-workplace
https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/hearing_loss/how_do_i_prevent_hearing_loss.html https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/prevention/ppe/ear_prot.html https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/employment-standards-advice/personal-injury-and-workplace-safety/factsheets/specific-health-concerns/hearing-disorders-5617#:~:text=WorkSafeBC%20accepts%20two%20kinds%20of,exposure%20to%20noise%20at%20work https://www.worksafebc.com/en/claims/report-workplace-injury-illness/types-of-claims/hearing-loss
Do I Have Hearing Loss?
Unlike vision loss where people tend to promptly seek assistance by wearing glasses, hearing loss tends to be ignored, become rationalized by age or is blamed on others for not speaking clearly enough.
Hearing loss is common for many people throughout Canada. According to the Stats Canada Participation and Activity Limitation Survey (PALS), 6% of adults over the age of 55 report limitations as a result of hearing loss and this number increases to nearly 36% of adults aged 75 and older. In total, this works out to roughly 966,000 Canadians who are willing to report awareness of hearing loss (and that’s not considering those who are possibly in denial).
Many people are simply unaware of the signs and symptoms of hearing loss, the benefits of early detection and intervention, and what resources are available. In order to reduce the likelihood of a hearing loss going undetected, being ignored, and left untreated, here is what you can watch for:
Is there a problem?: The most common signs of hearing loss are needing repetition, turning the volume up on the television, difficulty hearing on the telephone, difficulty hearing clearly, difficulty hearing in background noise, and failing to hear common household sounds like the doorbell. Schedule a hearing test: Annual hearing testing is recommended for adults over the age of 55, even if they do not suspect a hearing loss. Hearing test results are medical records and, as such, are kept on file for 7 years. These results can be used as a baseline to compare with any future hearing evaluations. The best thing is that hearing testing is complimentary and does not require a referral from your family doctor or ENT specialist. Investigate available resources: While hearing aids are often recommended to treat hearing loss, there are other helpful devices that you may not have considered. For example, amplified telephones boost the volume of incoming calls and can often be adjusted for tone and customized for your hearing loss. TV devices amplified alarm clocks and alerting systems for doorbells and smoke detectors are also available.
If you believe that your parents, grandparents, or friends are suffering from a hearing loss (see hearing loss and parents for more), the best thing you can do for them is to speak up and, if necessary, help them choose a hearing care provider to work with them on their individual needs. For more information on hearing loss and available resources, or to take a free online hearing test, visit www.mainlandhearing.com.
Contributed by Dr. Susan Marynewich, Au.D., RAUD, RHIP
