Doctor’s Senior Exercise & Health Newsletter

September 1, 2004

Issue Vol. 4 No. 9

In This Newsletter
Introduction
Healthfully yours
Health Hints

Introduction***

The Doctor’s Senior Exercise & Health Newsletter is written monthly, solely for information to help seniors, baby boomers and anyone who may have an interest in staying healthy, living a vigorous, active lifestyle and combating the aging process. It does not constitute the practice of medicine and is not meant to prescribe treatments. It is offered strictly as an educational aid. Any medical problems you may have, we recommend that you seek the help of your physician or other healthcare professional. Discussing your intentions with your doctor is always the proper procedure. The newsletter also includes know-how in the form of useful tips and links to more extensive material on the Internet. You may wish to share this newsletter by sending a copy to a friend, neighbor or relative and suggesting they subscribe to it.

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Healthfully Yours***

A Treasure To Protect…Yours Ears

Just as your eyes are the windows to the world, your ears are the windows to the sounds of the world. As we grow older and start to have some diminishing eyesight, we also may find that our hearing acuity may not be as sharp. The aging process is the culprit, and one that will affect us all. Age related hearing loss generally makes understanding ordinary conversations difficult at times, especially where there is background noise. The “s” and the “th” sounds are difficult to make-out.

There are many reasons that can be attributed to hearing loss. Some of these are:

Congenital hearing loss that results when the pregnant mother has had Rubella. (German measles.
Congenital hearing loss that results if the child has had a loss of oxygen (anoxia) during the birthing process.
Congenital hearing loss when there is trauma with bleeding into the middle ear.
Congenital hearing loss due to ototoxic drugs given to the pregnant mother causing damage to the hearing apparatus of the fetus.
Sudden or gradual deafness that can be induced by a viral infection.
Sudden or gradual deafness that can be induced by a thrombosis or embolism due to vascular disease.
Méniére’s disease. A disease of unknown origin that causes dizziness that may or may not be constant. It usually affects one ear, but can affect both ears in some cases. It causes a feeling of fullness in the affected ear. Hearing may only be impaired at times, but will gradually worsen as the disease progresses.
Severe sudden straining that can occur in weight lifting.
Punctured tympanic membrane (eardrum) due to trauma, such as a sharp object penetrating the eardrum, or a sharp blow to the ear.
Chronic buildup of wax that becomes impacted, causing obstruction of tympanic membrane (eardrum),
Noise-induced loss of hearing. This can be the result of a sudden loud noise, or a gradual exposure to loud noise as in an occupation. Occupational exposure is more prevalent by far because the average individual will ignore the fact that they are exposed to these noises. Examples are, musicians, heavy machine operators, jackhammer operators, and listening to loud music, just to name a few.

The sooner you start protecting yourself will be paramount in maintaining good hearing quality in later years. Some suggestions are noted in health hints below.

Health Hints***

The levels of noise are measured in decibels (dB). The scale runs from 0 to 80 dB. It is a logarithmic scale, and the higher the figure goes, the louder the noise. Noise becomes more intense as you go up the scale. Noise above the 180 dB levels becomes hazardous to your hearing and if exposed to these levels for extended periods, it can definitely lower your hearing capacity. Each 10db increase of noise level actually increases the intensity by ten. An example is the 20dB becomes 100 times more intense. A 20dB is not twice the intensity of 10dB, but is 100 times more intense than the 10dB sound.

Protective measures are a matter of common sense as you become aware of the pitfalls of loud sound.

While listening to the radio or watching television, keep the sound to a level that is satisfactory to your comfort. If it is blaring and you can’t control it, leave if necessary.
Do not linger where there is constructing going on, using heavy machinery, jackhammers, etc.
Should you be outdoors and someone is using a lawn mower, just go inside until they are finished.
Should your doctor prescribe a medication, especially antibiotics and blood pressure medication, ask if this medication can affect your hearing.
If you are using appliances such as a washer, dryer, or dishwasher, stay out of that room as much as possible, until finished.
If you are exposed to the sounds of a fire alarm that is longer than necessary, you might have to take precautions. More on how to do that will be addressed at the end of this newsletter.
If you are subjected to slow moving or stalled traffic for a long period of time, you may need to take precautions as well.
Vitamin supplements can also aid in protecting the hearing apparatus, the anti-oxidant vitamins such as vitamin C, E and beta-carotene are prime examples and should be added to your dietary supplementation.

Precautionary measures are up to the individual. Here is a case in point. Several years ago, I was at a wedding. I was unfortunate enough to be seated about ten feet from the band and the drummer was directly behind me. Believe me when I tell you I have never heard such loud music played, ever. Asking the bandleader to lower the volume on the amplifier fell on deaf ears and did nothing to reduce the sound. I couldn’t very well leave the affair, and I hadn’t brought earplugs, so I had to improvise. I took pieces of paper napkins, rolled them into 2 plugs by wetting them with water, and presto, I had 2 earplugs that helped immeasurably. Several people at my table followed my lead and then thanked me for rescuing them as well. As you can see, there is always you can do. At home, you can keep on hand earplugs that can be used when necessary. Do not use the rubber-preformed earplugs, because they do not conform to the ear canal. Instead, use the wax or silicone variety that you form into a cone, and when inserted into the ear canal, it conforms to its shape and gives you maximum protection. Another suggestion. For any of you, who have children or grand children? Be sure to consul them on the dangers of listening to very loud music. Try to instill in them what they will be facing in the future, which is not an easy task at best.

Doc Cane

Copyright, Disclaimer, and Trademark information Copyrightã 1997-2003 Emanuel M. Cane. All rights reserved. Except stated below, this material or parts thereof may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed by any means whatsoever without explicit, written permission from the author.

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