Why You Shouldn't Ignore Your Hearing Loss

    You may have noticed, as you age, that your hearing isn’t what it used to be. You might be chalking that up to overusing those headphones and listening to your music too loud, those heavy metal concerts you attended every other day, or just good old fashioned “getting old”. And while those things may be contributing factors to your hearing loss, it’s still a good idea to go to the doctor at the first sign of hearing diminishment, so you can get a full exam. 

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    There are various hearing loss risks associated with diminishing hearing ability, and failing to go to the doctor to get a proper diagnosis can further exacerbate those risks. Rather than risk having a worsened condition, make an appointment with your audiologist to get to the bottom of your hearing loss ASAP.

    Below are just a few of the risks associated with continued hearing loss: 

Loss of Balance

Inner ear problems can be related to or lead to balance issues. For someone who is of advanced age, mobility is already a concern. Hearing issues will only make those worse; resulting in a possible fall or issues with walking. 

Sleeping Issues

Hearing problems when untreated can lead to insomnia, sleep apnea and other major sleep problems. This can also lead to snoring and other sleep related problems. The more tired you are, the less balance you have, and it’s a never-ending cycle, which is why you should see a doctor. 

Mineral/Vitamin Deficiencies

Doctors have noted in recent years that often those with hearing loss have vitamin or mineral deficiencies that, while they aren’t necessarily causing the hearing loss, are often related to the hearing loss. So while you’re at that appointment, speak to your doctor about this possibility and schedule an appointment with your GP if you have any doubts as to where you might be deficient. A supplement or vitamin may be in order. 

Stress

Dealing with hearing loss on your own without any type of aid or assistance can be really stressful; craning your ear to try and hear, training yourself to read lips, begging people to turn up the volume; while these don’t seem like such a big deal, after time, they can begin to weigh on a person. Better to suck it up, make that appointment and just get to the doctor for that hearing test than force yourself to suffer with hearing loss. 

Permanent Damage

If you continue to let your hearing erode, rather than seeing a professional, you  may end up with permanent hearing loss that cannot be reversed or assisted. It is always a good idea, in the interest of preventative care as much as anything else, to see a doctor at the earliest signs of diminishing hearing, so you can get a proper diagnosis and the necessary treatment. Your doctor may be able to stave off any further, more debilitating, damage. 

    Now that you know the risks associated with hearing loss, don’t you want to make a doctor’s appointment today? Don’t let a small issue become a larger problem. 

Common Marriage Problems a Lot of Couples Face

You would have to be very lucky to go through your entire marriage without experiencing any sort of problems. Most couples go through hard times. However, it is how you deal with these difficult moments that will make or break your relationship. Below, we are going to take a look at some of the most common marriage issues that a lot of couples face.

Appreciation starts to dwindle - We often hear about couples that start to get comfortable. After all, you cannot stay in the honeymoon stage forever. However, when appreciation starts to fade, the conflict will arise. Both females and males crave positive recognition, and so it is important to make sure that you express your gratitude and appreciate the other person in your relationship. Think of different ways you can make loving gestures. These do not need to be grand gestures; small touches can go a very long way when it comes to showing someone how much you care. 

Fighting about finances - This is another cause of friction and frustration for a lot of couples today. Talking about finances with your other half can be tense and stressful, particularly if you both have different ways of managing money and different spending habits. If one person in the relationship has gambling problems or is addicted to spending money, this can be extremely challenging. Rather than burying your head in the sand, it is important to get on the same page regarding money and to put a financial plan together as a couple. This will help to prevent bigger problems later down the line. 

Communication breakdown - Aside from the problems that have been discussed so far, a lot of couples experience issues because of communication breakdowns. It is important to realise that talking and communication are not the same. Talking is about providing information without requiring a response. However, communication is the non-verbal and verbal exchange of information. Knowing how to communicate effectively is of huge importance. It is about listening to the other person and really understanding what they have to say. It is also about communicating how you are feeling so that the other person understands. 

Being unfaithful - Last but not least, there is no denying that being unfaithful is one of the most common causes of marriage problems in the current day and age. For some people, there is no going back once one person has cheated on the other. However, there are also a lot of couples that have managed to successfully rebuild their relationships after an incident like this. Partner support counselling can be very helpful here. A professional can help you to work through these issues together. 

All in all, there is no denying that there are a lot of different problems that people can experience in their marriage. If you are going through marriage difficulties, it is important to take a step back, breathe, and figure out how you are going to move forward and deal with this issue. 

Building Blocks for a Support System with Family Members

When you are a member of the family, there are some unspoken ‘requirements’ that come along with it, and it can vary from time to time. Perhaps your family makes a big deal about birthdays or getting together for the holidays. Perhaps your family really likes to take care of each other and be supportive in all aspects of life. Perhaps you have an extended family that is quite distant, and everyone prefers it that way; all families are different. But having a support system in your family, from immediate family members to extended family members, can be something that is really helpful as we all go through life. 

There is a lot of research into this kind of thing, and that most family research does actually suggests that having healthy and supportive families, will consist of a few things. This post will delve into those things, to see if you can better improve the support system that you have in place with your family, whether that is immediate family or extended family.

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Share appreciation

It is so important to show members of your family that you care about them. Thinking a little closer to home, if one of your children does something great at school or a great homeschool project, then make sure you let them know. The same goes for a spouse or partner; they get a promotion at work, tell them how proud you are of them. Expressing appreciation is something that really helps to strengthen family relationships. 

Improve communication

Communication is something that a lot of families do actually find hard, especially with life being busy and pulling us all in different directions. This can be even more tricky with extended family, as a result, as there is physical distance. But supportive families tend to promote some safe and direct communication. Talk to your children, partner, and even parents and siblings about how much you love them and want to support them. Then when something comes up down the line, like health challenges, for example, you’ll all be more likely to share. Then you will all be more open about talking about the issues at hand, like deciphering the facts about hearing aids together or knowing what the best course is with a sick and aging parent. Keep communication open and honest and that could be all of the support that you will ever need to have.

Problem solving skills

When you are a parent, you will have the chance to show your children some ways of doing things and how to handle certain situations. Children do learn from their parents a variety of different things, but they definitely learn how to best interact with the world, as well as dealing with challenges. So model your behavior in a positive way, and then they can learn in a positive way what they should do. You may need to help occasionally, but generally, giving them the chance to solve their own issues will help them later in life. 

Top Tips For Handling Neighbors Who Are a Nuisance

When you are living around other people, you expect a reasonable level of peace. It’s a bonus if your neighbors are the kind of people to offer to invite you to a cookout or who would clear snow from your yard in the winter. Unfortunately, if you are living nearby to those who are quite happy to make life difficult, it can really put a downer on the perfect home you’ve bought. There’s nothing worse than the awkward silences, cross words and averted eyes when you are going into and leaving your home. 

The problem is that confrontation can make a situation worse and not knowing how to handle it can be a problem. Whether the issue is with overly loud music played at unreasonable hours or a dog locked into the house that won’t stop barking all day long, resentment can build to dangerous levels. In some situations, it’s easy to divert the anger and resentment and resolve the whole issue with a conversation. In others, it’s not so easy and requires the help and advice of Takajian & Sitkoff to help to mediate the discussion and keep things civil. No one has to love their neighbors, but a level of calm civility that will enable you to live side by side without any tension building up. So, how do you deal with neighbors that make you feel uncomfortable?

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• Firstly, it can help to understand what your rights are. Some people have irritating behaviour, but is the behavior dangerous and becoming a genuine issue affecting your life or the life of your family? If it is, then there is a problem that may be bordering on illegal. Playing children who are screeching throughout the day may be annoying, but that’s not illegal. However, extremely loud music or noise disturbances that go long into the night may well be bordering on criminal behavior.
• Next, the most sensible thing to do is to have a calm conversation with your neighbor. Are they deaf and can’t hear how loud they’re being? Are they aware of their behavior being annoying? A conversation can get across your point of being disturbed without any animosity. It may be a simple case that they are unaware of the situation. You don’t have to march around there; waiting for a passing opportunity equals no pressure.
• If you don’t feel you can approach your neighbor, write them a letter instead. It doesn’t have to be formal, but it does need to be polite. It also gives you the chance to avoid a face to face confrontation. 
• If all these lines of communication don’t work, you can take the conversation in front of a mediator and manage the dispute that way. It’s essential to seek legal advice here, especially if you feel the situation won’t change. You don’t have to live anywhere you feel uncomfortable, but you equally shouldn’t have to move away because of their behavior. 

Living in peace is the goal here, so start with the tips above and go from there.

Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Accidents in the Home

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While domestic accidents are not an everyday occurrence for every family, they can easily happen due to carelessness. Luckily, being precautious can prevent accidents occurring to those who are most vulnerable, including children, disabled individuals and the elderly.

Electrical Safety

Our homes are our safe haven but can also unfortunately be a place where accidents can occur. While serious accidents and fatalities are uncommon, it is always important to consider the dangers and actively try to prevent them. Ensure that your wiring installation in your house is checked for safety every five years at minimum, replace worn or damaged appliances, and never overload electrical circuits.

Prevent Slips

While it may seem unlikely, slips and falls in the home can be hazardous. To reduce the risk,  mop up water that has been spilt on hard floor, and always ensure that pathways and stairways are clear of toys or clutter. This is also a useful step to take in preparation for potential emergencies such as fires and extreme weather where you need to escape quickly. 

Car Safety

It’s well known that car accidents can be devastating, and you may need a car accident lawyer to take legal action. Howr, it’s reassuring to know that you can take multiple steps to prevent any accidents. It’s important not to neglect the golden rule of buckling up, ensure your children have done the same if they are able to do so themselves, and to use a child safety seat for younger children.  Keeping your car maintained is equally as important in the prevention of car accidents. Most crucially, never drive while under the influence or allow someone to.

Safety in the Kitchen

Kitchens can pose a large threat to younger children if it is not made safe. To make your kitchen an area that is out of harm’s way, ensure that sharp tools such as kitchen knives are kept out of arm’s reach of children, such as in higher drawers. Similarly, keep medication and dangerous liquids such as bleach in a high place, or consider purchasing a container which you can lock and keep your potentially hazardous items secure. To prevent burns, always keep the handles of your cooking pans facing away from you so they can’t be easily grasped by children.

Safeguard the Risk of Fires

Fires can destroy your personal belongings, cause damage to your home, and can also be lethal. There are several leading reasons for fires, but also several measures that can be put in place to prevent them from occurring in your home. Ensure that candles, portable heaters, matches, lighters are always monitored around children, and kept away from flammable liquids and items in the home such as furniture and curtains. Be watchful of cooking pans, and never leave them unattended or overheating. You can greatly reduce the risk of a fire by installing a smoke detector ideally on each floor of your home. Additionally, if you have fire doors, check that they are shut at night, and that exits inside your house are not blocked in case you need to get out quickly.