Our Veterans should never be forgotten. Honour them at this Service of Reflection on Friday, November 11th, 2022 from 1 pm to 3 pm at Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens, 2347 Cedar Road, Cedar. Veterans and The Royal Canadian Legion will be present. Special remarks will take place at 2pm. Light refreshments will be available. Everyone is welcome to this free community event. For more information call: (250) 722-2244. Remembrance Day ceremonies allow us to reflect and take a few moments out of our lives to say thank you to those who risked theirs and made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our freedom.
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!
Too Much Screen Time
A 2019 report from Common Sense Media into media use by US tweens and teens stated: *8- to 12-year-olds in the US used screens recreationally for an average of 4.44 hours per day – excluding time spent online for schoolwork. This is twice the recommended healthy exposure. *8- to 12-year-olds from high income families spent 1 hour 50 minutes ˂ low-income families. *Gaming accounts for (31%) of all screen time among 8- to 12-years-olds; (46%) play mobile games daily (in 2015 it was 27%); (24%) play console video games daily. On average, an hour and a half per day are spent gaming. citation: intenta.digital
Benefits of Pet Therapy
Pet therapy is a great form of compassionate care that has been popularized over the years, primarily on school campuses and across communities. The research on pet therapy’s effect on our aging population is remarkable. Pet therapy has been shown to decrease stress and anxiety. By providing connection and comfort through animals, pet therapy is extremely beneficial for feelings of stress and anxiety. Some studies even show positive results on mental functioning through pet therapy. Playing with animals is also a fun way to increase mobility as we age.
Cognitive Functions Decline with Age
Cognitive decline is a fact. Another fact is that there are exercises that you can do to combat this decline. Cognitive Therapy Exercises can help you think faster, focus better and remember more. You can build happy neurons for healthy aging. Happy Neuron Pro has nine categories for executive functions: *Verbal Memory, *Visual Memory, *Verbal and Visual Memory, *Spatial Memory, *Visual and Spatial Abilities, *Visual Attention, *Processing Speed and *Auditory. There are 45 exercises that are uniquely designed to be engaging and relevant so that you can practice skills and learn strategies to overcome cognitive obstacles and decline. Contact us to find out more.
Medical Emergency Hearing Loss
There are many causes of sensorineural hearing loss, including noise exposure, aging, exposure to ototoxic medication, head trauma and illness. Typically hearing loss declines gradually over time, however in cases of sporadic hearing loss it is important to seek immediate assessment to ensure the best treatment plan is established.
With the help of Oksana Melnichuk, a Registered Hearing Instrument Practitioner (RHIP) at NexGen Hearing, we have compiled a list of symptoms that could suggest the need for urgent medical intervention.
1. Sudden Hearing Loss
A Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL) occurs when there is a significant decline in hearing over a 72 hour window. This condition commonly affects only one ear and may present independent of other symptoms or in combination with a feeling of aural fullness, tinnitus and/or dizziness. A sudden decline in hearing requires immediate medical intervention to ensure treatment can be provided in a timely manner. Treatment should be received within 48 hours of the onset of a SSHL. An untreated SSHL can significantly impact an individual’s communication abilities and quality of life.
2. Fluctuating hearing loss
Fluctuating hearing loss can occur as a result of several different conditions, such as Ménière’s disease (MD), autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED), head trauma, and/or ototoxic medications. It can occur in individuals with normal hearing or individuals who already present with hearing loss. The fluctuation may be noted in one ear or both and may occur on an irregular basis. It is important to contact your physician if you notice hearing fluctuations to establish the cause and treatment plan.
3. Tinnitus
Tinnitus is not a condition itself, but rather a symptom of another condition. Causes of tinnitus can range from prolonged exposure to loud sounds, aging, injuries to the head and neck, certain medications and/or other medical conditions such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease to name a few. Tinnitus is often described as a ringing in the ears; however, it can also be described as buzzing, hissing, chirping, whistling, etc. The sound can be intermittent or continuous and can vary in loudness. While there is no cure for tinnitus, some individuals find the perception of tinnitus can be reduced with the use of external masking devices. Medical treatment should be sought if tinnitus leads to an increase in stress, sleep disturbances, is pulsatile, and/or perceived in one ear only.
4. Ear discharge
The discharge of earwax from the ear canal is a normal occurrence, however if blood or fluid is noted medical intervention should be obtained as it may be indicative of a more serious medical condition, such as infection, trauma to the ear canal, middle ear space and/or skull bone and/or swimmer’s ear. If left untreated discharge from the ear can lead to reduced hearing abilities, discomfort and/or damage to the structures of the middle ear.
The staff at NexGen Hearing are dedicated to working alongside other health care professionals to ensure all patients receive timely access to care, information, and assistive technology.
If you or a loved one is currently or has experienced one or more of the above symptoms, please contact your local NexGen Hearing during business hours and advise you need an urgent diagnostic hearing assessment. If it is outside of normal business hours, please visit the Hospital Emergency Room for urgent assessment.
A Gift for Your Family
Making final arrangements ahead of time is a wise and considerate decision. This guarantees that your wishes are observed and spares your family from undue pressure at a time of great emotional stress. Having final plans in place is a blessing when passing is anticipated. With an unexpected death, they are even more important. An unexpected death can bring overwhelming grief, guilt and anger. These feelings can make it very difficult to plan an end-of-life service that respects the wishes of a loved one. Preplanning is a special gift to give your family. We can help.
