Once upon a time, gaming and gambling were separate forms of entertainment, vying for their respective market share. In today’s world, now that people of all ages have wide-ranging access to the internet and smartphones, these industries have become powerhouses within their respective worlds. How people gamble has changed. How our youth play video games has changed as well: Never-ending self-contained online worlds, rife with micro-transactions fuel increased spending to simply keep up in the game. If this all sounds foreign to you, please connect with an under-40 gaming enthusiast near you. Gaming and gambling have changed. Now, there is even more reason to make sure we are doing both responsibly.
Community News
What Causes Tinnitus and How Can I Treat It
Tinnitus
Sufferers of tinnitus often describe it as a loud ringing, whirring, roaring, hissing, clicking, or buzzing sound in the ear or head.
The sound can range from intermittent and annoying to constant and debilitating and can even impede your ability to hear. Researchers have linked tinnitus to a variety of medical conditions, so treatment options are just as variant.
What causes tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a symptom of a variety of health conditions, so it can be hard to pinpoint the cause. However, a health professional may find a correlation between the onset of one medical issue and the period when your tinnitus began.
One of the most common causes of tinnitus is hearing loss. Excessive noise exposure resulting in permanent damage to the auditory system and hearing loss due to aging are the most common reasons for the onset of tinnitus.
Other tinnitus causes include:
- Wax buildup in the ear canal
- Jaw misalignment
- Head and neck trauma
- Certain types of tumors
- Fatigue
- Certain medications such as aspirin and quinine
Ear or sinus infections
Some diseases and disorders such as Meniere’s disease, hypothyroidism, cardiovascular disease, and kidney disease.
Treatment Options
Tinnitus can be such a persistent condition that many people just “learn to live/deal with it,” but going all or most of your life with a compromised hearing experience does not have to be a life sentence.
Two general approaches to treating tinnitus are to reduce the intensity and to reduce the patient’s reaction. These approaches can overlap and include:
- Masking through sound therapy – Uses an external sound source to eliminate or reduce the awareness of the tinnitus
- Relaxation therapy – utilizes progressive muscular relaxation to reduce overall reactions to stress
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – uses attention control, imagery training and relaxation methods to create more positive thinking about tinnitus
- Tinnitus retraining therapy – a combination of directive counselling and sound therapy
- Hearing aids – this solution can be combined with masking treatments, sound therapy, CBT and relaxation therapy. This may be the ideal solution if you also have a hearing loss
Tinnitus Prevention
Since a variety of health conditions can trigger tinnitus, an overall healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk.
- Practice safe listening by wearing noise protection in loud environments and reducing your noise exposure.
- Eat healthy and stay active to reduce your risk for diseases that could trigger tinnitus.
Healthy hearing begins with a hearing test. If you think you may have a tinnitus related hearing loss, or even a hearing loss in general, you can book a free, no obligation hearing appointment at HearingLife today.
Focus on What You Want
When someone heads towards their goals, versus trying to move away or reduce something, the outcome is more positively directed. By looking to something rewarding, success has a better chance of taking place. It also helps to focus on what you want to bring into being, as opposed to dwelling on what you don’t want anymore. A positive attitude is very powerful. When you have a positive attitude, negative thoughts are much less likely to come to mind. Positive thinking can help to control stress and also improve health.
Retirement Living
When you hear the words “independent retirement living”, what comes to mind? Do you think of *tasty home-cooked meals, *five-star plated celebrations, *fun-filled activities with friends, *weekly housekeeping and linen service and *24/7 emergency care when needed? This is what retirement living can offer and more. Whether relaxing in the privacy of your individualized senior apartment or indulging the company of others in a main living room, patio side lounge or dining room, you can be sure that your retirement will be a pleasurable one. Retirement is a time to relax and enjoy being with friends. After all, friendships are gifts to be treasured!
Drink Up to Stay Hydrated
Summer is here and so is the heat! At this time of year, dehydration can become a serious health issue for anyone and especially seniors. Many seniors are chronically dehydrated so hot weather is especially dangerous. Dehydration can result in symptoms such as confusion, sluggishness, fainting or worse. It is extremely important to drink plenty of water and eat foods with a high water content such as cucumbers and watermelon. If you find water boring, add juices or cut-up fruit to your glass for a refreshing summer drink. Have fun, stay safe and drink up this summer!
Help Parents Stay Independent
Seniors often face reduced independence due to health or mobility concerns. Mobility scooters offer a solution. Regardless of their location, a mobility scooter empowers parents to reclaim independence and relish outdoor experiences. With electric motors and a simple recharge, these scooters effortlessly transport them to desired destinations, allowing them to unwind and enjoy the ride. Portable models further facilitate transportation, ensuring the ease of taking them in cars when needed. By embracing mobility scooters, seniors can regain their freedom and embrace the world outside their homes.
When It’s Not Just Aging
While it’s true that some health conditions are more common with age, some symptoms should be discussed with your doctor. 1. Memory loss – this can sometimes be the result of medications, vitamin deficiencies and some disorders. 2. Vision problems – getting treatment early for certain vision problems like glaucoma can prevent serious damage. 3. Tooth loss – getting regular dental care can help seniors avoid tooth loss. 4. Depression – certain health conditions and medications can make depression symptoms worse. This problem can be treated professionally. 5. Weakness – a good exercise program can help prevent loss of muscle mass.
Simple UV Safety Tips for Seniors
Sunshine naturally provides our skin with Vitamin D which has many health benefits! Sunshine can also be harmful so we need to protect our skin. Keep these tips in mind year-round; especially in these sunny summer months! *See the dermatologist annually. It is a great idea to also self-check during a shower. *Apply sunscreen liberally and often. It is recommended that you re-apply a minimum of SPF30 every two hours. Use “broad spectrum” which protects from both UVA and UVB rays. *Cover yourself; clothing is a great option for sun protection. Vivid colours offer more protection than pale ones. Stay safe out there!
5 Benefits of Healthy Hearing
“Do you want to go out for dinner?”
That’s a question that always deserves an enthusiastic “Yes!”
But what if you stop yourself from enjoying a restaurant dinner because you find it too hard to follow a conversation in a noisy environment?
There have been tremendous advances in hearing aid technology since your grandparents’ day. Hearing aids can be highly customized to adapt to specific types of hearing loss and they are so discreet, they are barely noticeable.
Here are five reasons why getting your hearing tested will lead to a happier, more fulfilling life
1. You’ll say yes more often
Two people feel badly when you have to say “no” to an invitation. You, and the person doing the asking. Think of how much better you’ll feel when you can embrace new opportunities — and try out that new restaurant everyone’s raving about.
2. No more excuses
It can be difficult to explain why you are isolating yourself. Sometimes you make up reasons not to join friends or family at events. It’s hard for them to understand why, especially since all they want is to spend time with you.
3. You’ll feel more in control of your life
We waste a lot of energy finding ways to cope with awkward situations. It’s better to turn the awkward situation into a positive one. You’ll be glad you’re doing something about your hearing loss — and others will be, too.
4. Only actors get applause for pretending to be someone they’re not
Stop nodding your head to make people think you understand what they’re saying. Chances are they haven’t been fooled.
5. You can live in the moment
You have the right to feel fully involved in life. Your life. It wears you down to keep saying, “Pardon? Can you repeat that?” The only thing that needs repeating is time spent enjoying the company of others.
If you think it’s time to start living life in the fullest, or know someone who needs a gentle nudge, book your free HearingLife consultation here or call 1-833-776-4733
It’s Football Season
August is the annual kick-off to football season. As one of the most wagered-on sports, with an array of betting options including parlays, prop bets, futures, teasers and straight bets, football enthusiasts can often find themselves wagering more than they intended. With fantasy pools, online wagering, mobile betting apps and more so readily available, coupled with a few drinks, many are wagering beyond their budgets. What can a person do? Set a pre-game budget. Place bets before the game, not during. Avoid in-the-moment emotional wagering. Small tips to keep it fun! Play safe!
Principles of Happier Aging™
We want to change the perceptions of aging. We believe that getting older doesn’t have to feel sad or helpless; instead, aging is something worth celebrating. As Atul Gawande wrote in his book, Being Mortal, “Our ultimate goal, after all, is not a good death but a good life to the very end”. Through our principles of Choice, Belonging, Respect, Autonomy and Purpose, we live Happier Aging. Happier Aging, at home, is our philosophy of care: for our clients, their families, our people and everyone we meet.
