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Everything You Need to Know to Protect Your Hearing

By | Hearing Loss | No Comments

Did you know that 466 million people live with hearing loss worldwide?

That’s why we celebrate World Hearing Day on March 3, 2020. World Hearing Day is a time to raise awareness for hearing loss prevention and help provide solutions for people with hearing impairments.

In today’s loud world, noise-induced damage is one of the most common causes of hearing loss. But the good news is that this type of hearing loss is preventable! By taking steps to protect your hearing now, you can potentially avoid premature hearing loss.

Here’s everything you need to know to protect your hearing:

Limit Your Exposure to Loud Noise

Noisy bars, sporting events, or any environment over 60 decibels can cause damage to your ears that gradually adds up. As a general rule, if a place is so loud that you have to shout to have a conversation, it’s too loud.

The 60/60 Rule

Listening to music on your phone or mp3 player is a great way to pass the time. But if the volume is too loud, it can cause hearing loss. That’s why it’s important to follow the “60/60 Rule.” This means only listening to music at 60% volume for 60 minutes at a time.

Earplugs Are Simple, Cheap & Effective

When your environment is too loud, use earplugs. Earplugs are one of the simplest, yet most effective tools for protecting your hearing. Wearing earplugs can reduce loud ambient noise to safe levels. We recommend keeping a pair of earplugs in your bag or your car so you’ll always have a pair at the ready. Your ears will thank you.

Give Your Ears a Break

Another great way to prevent hearing loss is whenever you find yourself in a loud environment, such as a concert or a club, do your best to step outside and get away from the noise for a few minutes. This will give your ears a chance to rest and recover. It’s also a great idea to pick a “quiet day” each week, where you avoid loud music and noisy places.

Choose Noise-Cancelling Headphones & Listening Assistive Devices

Many people turn up the volume on their phones and mp3 players to dangerous levels because they can’t hear their music over the sounds around them. By using noise-cancelling devices, you can block the noise in your environment. This means you can enjoy your music at a safe, low volume.

Similarly, use assistive listening devices like AudioFetch whenever available. By taking advantage of wireless audio streaming solutions offered at sports bars, gyms, or other loud public places, you can help control the volume of your environment.

Get 25% Off in Honor of World Hearing Day

To celebrate this year’s World Hearing Day, which was on March 3rd, AudioFetch is offering 25% off* MSRP on all hearing assistive applications for the month of March 2020. Contact us today and mention “World Hearing Day” to take advantage of this special offer.

*Discount available from March 1, 2020 through March 31, 2020. Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts. One discount per customer. Must contact AudioFetch to see if your application is eligible and mention World Hearing Day.

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Protect Your Hearing for a Healthier Brain

By | Hearing Loss | No Comments

There are many reasons to protect your hearing. By taking steps to avoid hearing loss, you can remain engaged in your community and continue living life to the fullest as you age. But did you know that protecting your hearing also leads to a healthier brain?

According to a recent Lancet study cited by the The New York Times, untreated hearing loss is the largest preventable risk factor for developing dementia. Protecting your hearing — or treating your hearing loss, if you already have it — can reduce incidences of dementia by 9%.

That’s higher than other common risk factors for dementia, like smoking and high blood pressure. So how exactly does hearing loss affect your brain as you age?

How Hearing Loss Affects Your Brain

Researchers believe that untreated hearing loss can contribute to dementia for several reasons.

First, untreated hearing loss causes the brain to work much harder to process sound. In other words, the brain becomes fatigued. It can’t perform other cognitive functions at the same level it used to.

Additionally, untreated hearing loss can negatively impact memory. When someone can’t hear clearly, it’s more difficult for them to retain new information. This leads to an under-stimulated memory, which can then “atrophy.”

Finally, untreated hearing loss often leads to social isolation. As people age, a sense of community is very important to overall health and well-being. Community helps people stay active, both physically and mentally.

Let AudioFetch Help You Hear Clearly

At AudioFetch, we’re devoted to helping people with hearing loss or impairment stay connected with the world around them. To help improve your brain health as you age, avoid hearing loss by using hearing protection and AudioFetch assistive listening devices to promote clear sound in your community.

As part of our Happy New Ear campaign, we’re offering 20% off all AudioFetch products for February 2020. Just enter code HAPPYNEWEAR20 at checkout when purchasing a FetchExpress online, or ask for the discount when speaking with us (offer cannot be combined with other offers or discounts).

If you’d like to learn more about how AudioFetch can help you or your customers hear better, contact us today.

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4 Surprising Causes of Hearing Loss

By | Hearing Loss | No Comments

Happy New Ear from AudioFetch! Have you started on your New Year’s resolutions? It’s not too late to make healthy hearing one of your goals. With a few simple lifestyle changes, you can protect your hearing in 2020 and beyond.

At AudioFetch, we’re passionate about providing solutions for people with hearing loss or damage. Like AudioFetch customer The Fort Mason Cowell Theatre, we’re dedicated to making the world more accessible for everyone. Our Happy New Ear campaign is all about healthy hearing education. After all, the best solution for hearing loss is prevention.

Protecting your ears starts by understanding the causes of hearing loss. Although some amount of hearing loss occurs naturally with age, many other causes of hearing loss are actually preventable.

Here are four surprising causes of hearing loss:

1. Loud Noise at Work

According to WebMD, 30 million Americans are exposed to dangerous levels of noise at work. Loud machinery, vehicles, and the general noise of factory settings or construction sites can lead to premature hearing loss.

To protect your hearing on the job, wear earplugs or earmuffs and take regular breaks away from the noise.

2. Pressure Changes

Anyone who has ever been on an airplane or driven up a mountain road knows that feeling when your ears need to pop. This sensation is caused by sudden changes in air pressure.

Overtime, this mild discomfort can actually damage your eardrum, inner ear, or middle ear, and result in permanent hearing damage. Frequent flying and scuba diving are common culprits. Use special anti-pressure hearing devices, like EarPlanes, for relief and protection.

3. Explosive Sounds

Exposure to sounds like gunfire, fireworks, and other explosions can cause a type of noise-induced hearing loss known as acoustic trauma.

When acoustic trauma occurs, the tiny hairs on the inner ear — which transmit sound vibrations to your audio nerves — become damaged. This causes hearing loss. Although you can’t always predict and avoid explosive noises, minimize your exposure to these sounds and always use hearing protection.

4. Certain Medications

Finally, certain medications have been known to cause hearing loss. This includes over-the-counter products like aspirin and NSAIDs (naproxen and ibuprofen), as well as prescription medications like blood pressure and chemotherapy drugs.

If you’re taking medication regularly, talk to your doctor about the potential risk of hearing damage. He or she can advise you and adjust your prescription if needed.

Happy New Ear from AudioFetch

To wish you a Happy New Ear, we’re offering 20% off all AudioFetch products for January and February 2020. Just enter code HAPPYNEWEAR20 at checkout (offer cannot be combined with other offers or discounts).

With an AudioFetch assistive listening device, communities like the Belvedere Tennis Club create a truly welcoming space for anyone with hearing issues.

To learn more about how AudioFetch can help you or your customers hear more in 2020, contact us today!