Northgate Hearing Services, Seattle WA » Hearing Loss

Another Reason to Eat Your Veggies!

Lori — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:43:40 +0000

There are so many studies stressing the importance of green vegetables in our overall health, but our ear health? A new study conducted by the Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation reveals that men over 60 whose diet included foods and supplements high in folates have a 20% reduced risk of hearing loss. What foods are high in folates? Asparagus, lettuce, spinach, fresh and dried peas and beans, sunflower seeds, fortified Baker’s yeast and liver all fit the bill.

Looking Good Through Hearing Well: 5 Tips for Job Interviews

Lori — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 22:09:39 +0000

In our search for the perfect job, or any job in this economy, we place so much emphasis on our appearance during the interview process. But, what happens during that interview when you start looking unsure or respond inappropriately to your interviewer’s question because you didn’t hear them correctly? What image does that present? Are they already starting to think about the next employee prospect waiting in the lobby?

Approximately 3.1 million people have hearing loss, including 3 out of 10 over the age of 60. These individuals are actively competeing with younger people with typically better hearing. We also know that excellent listening skills are rated high by employers seeking qualified candidates. In fact, 73% of employers questioned ranked listening as extremely important job skills. While people often worry about how hearing aids will make them look, they tend to underestimate the negative impact NOT hearing can have, especially at work where effective communication is critical to success.

Before you start your job search, follow these guidelines:

If you think you have a hearing loss, see a licensed audiologist to receive a comprehensive hearing evaluation
If your hearing loss can be helped with hearing instruments-and 95% of all hearing losses can- get properly fitted, again by a licensed audiologist
Start using your hearing aids immediately and consistently to optimize the adaptation process
Take advantage of any “Learning to Hear” classes or software programs offered in order to “teach your brain to hear” again
Go to your interview confident in your hearing ability- you’ve acted proactively and the job is yours for the taking!

The Cost of Untreated Hearing Loss

Lori — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 21:30:30 +0000

Our patients typically seek hearing assistance to help them function more effectively socially (i.e. hearing friends and family, TV, in restaurants, etc), but what impact does untreated hearing loss have on individuals in the workplace?

A study by the Better Hearing Institute reveals that untreated hearing loss reduces the average household income an average of $12,000 a year. Proper treatment with appropriate hearing instruments and rehabilitation reduces that lost income by approximately one half.

The study shows that people with untreated hearing loss suffer higher rates of underemployment and unemployment, make more mistakes on the job, and in general, experience an overall reduction in quality of life (i.e. increased anxiety, depression, social isolation, social paranoia, decreased general health, emotional instability, decreased cognitive functioning, etc) which negatively impacts job performance.

Those who delay treatment for their hearing loss, particularly due to perceived expense, may be unaware of the financial and emotional costs of that decision. The price of hearing aids pales in comparison to the price of lost wages, lost promotions, lost opportunities and lower retirement income.