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This year, national Men’s heath Week runs from June 11-17. hearing health affects a man’s lifestyle, and if he wants to stay active, feel younger and remain socially and professionally engaged, he should address any hearing loss he may be experiencing.

Studies show that men who address their hearing loss with the use of hearing instruments or other appropriate treatment, most often improve their quality of life because it helps them maintain a more engaged, active lifestyle at both work and home. Fortunately, the vast majority of people with hearing loss can benefit from hearing instruments. In fact, eight out of ten hearing instrument users say they’re satisfied with the changes that have occurred in their lives specifically due to their hearing instruments.

For decades, research has shown an association between unaddressed hearing loss and a whole range of physical, mental and emotional conditions – from depression, anxiety, and strained relationships to cognitive decline, difficulty learning new tasks, and even failing grades. A national Better hearing institute study, in fact, uncovered income loss as an under-recognized consequence of leaving hearing loss unaddressed. People with untreated hearing loss, the study found, lose as much as $30,000 in income annually, depending on their degree of loss.

But the use of hearing instruments was found to reduce the risk of income loss dramatically – by 90-100 % for those with milder hearing loss, and from 65-77% for those whose hearing loss was severe to moderate. the study also found that people with severe hearing loss who do use hearing instruments are twice as likely to be employed as their peers who don’t use them.

In recent years, considerable information has emerged on the link between hearing loss and several common chronic diseases that men suffer – including heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, alzheimer’s disease and depression. While research is still needed to fully understand the association between hearing loss and these illnesses, this relatively new information makes it all the more important that men take a hearing check Up and include hearing health as part of their routine medical care.

Men are reminded that there are simple things they can do to protect their hearing. Listening to smartphones and MP3 players only at a low volume, and wearing earplugs in noisy environments like sporting events, clubs, concerts, or when using power tools and riding motorcycles are examples.

A Technological Transformation

Many men enjoy and keep pace with the latest in consumer electronics. it’s surprising, then, to find that so many men are not fully aware of the technological revolution that has occurred in the hearing aid marketplace in the past few years. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness of recent advances holds many back from dealing with their hearing health.

Here are four little-known facts about today’s modern hearing instruments that active, youthful-minded men should know:

1. they’re virtually invisible. Many of today’s hearing instruments sit discreetly and comfortably inside your ear canal, providing both natural sound quality, and discreet and easy use.

2. they automatically adjust to all kinds of soundscapes. Whether it’s the rustling of sheets and whispers on the pillow that you’re after, easy conversation in a crowded restaurant, or the chirp of crickets on a late summer’s evening, recent technological advances have made hearing instruments far more versatile that ever before and in a broad range of sound environments.

3. You can do water sports and sweat while wearing them. Water resistant digital instruments have arrived. this new feature is built into some newly designed hearing instruments for those concerned about water, humidity and dust. this feature suits the active lifestyles of swimmers, skiers, snowboarders, intensive sports enthusiasts, and anyone working in dusty, demanding environments.

4. they love iPhones, Smartphones, home entertainment systems, and other prized electronics. Wireless, digital hearing aids are now the norm. that means seamless connectivity-directly into your hearing instruments at volumes that are just right for you, from your smartphone, iPod, television, and other beloved high-tech gadgets. What’s more, you own the volume. no one around you needs to be affected.

To be informed healthcare consumers, men need to realize that today’s state-of-the-art hearing instruments are highly effective, sleek, and sophisticated wearable electronics that can help them stay actively connected, not only to life, but also to their other prized electronics, from smartphone to home entertainment systems.

Today’s hearing instruments make it quite simple for young, middle age or older men who have hearing loss to better their lives thru ‘selective’ amplification. Usually the only one that knows that you’re wearing them is you. our advice, very simple, schedule a hearing test, (most health insurance covers annual hearing test in full or little out of pocket expense) and speak to your hearing healthcare professional for direction. Begin to “hear the DifferenceSM.” Schedule your hearing test now rather than later, it may change your life forever.