You At Your Best

16 | YOU AT YOUR BEST | nwAdg.cOm/YOUATYOURBEST OcTOBER - wOmEn'S ISSUE | SATURdAY, SEpTEmBER 29, 2018 Special to NWa Democrat-Gazette We tend to take our hearing for granted, assuming it will always be there for us, even though hearing loss affects 1 out of 3 adults aged 65 or older. Hearing impairment develops so gradually that many aren't even aware of a problem until it has advanced beyond an easily treatable stage. This could be avoided if we treated our ears with the same care and attention paid to our eyes; much like routine vision exams, regular hearing exams are an excellent first line of defense. Early detection increases the odds of successful treatment. Some degree of hearing loss is natural as we age. But other factors can lead to hearing impairment, as well. Excessive exposure to loud noise, impacted earwax, chronic ear infections and certain medications can all contribute to (or speed up) hearing loss. Regular hearing exams can help an audiologist spot these issues before they get worse and offer a treatment solution to those who might otherwise experience the debilitating social and emotional effects of living with a hearing impairment. Confusion, depression and social withdrawal are all common in individuals with untreated hearing loss. Adults aren't the only ones who benefit from regular hearing screenings. Most newborns are screened at birth, but these tests aren't always effective at detecting a hearing problem. In addition, some conditions develop or worsen in the first months of life. Hearing plays a crucial role in a child's language and social skills development; catching a problem early provides an opportunity to treat the condition sooner rather than later, allowing the child to develop at a normal rate alongside his or her peers. Teens and young adults shouldn't overlook hearing tests, either. Studies show that hearing loss is affecting younger and younger people all the time, thanks in large part to the explosion in popularity of personal music devices and ear buds. Together, these are a dangerous combination when music is played at excessive volume levels. Hearing tests offer the opportunity for early detection, as well as a chance to educate this segment of the population on proper usage of these devices. Hearing exams are quick, painless and the most fun you could possibly have. Audiologists tend to be trapped into the stigma of 'used car salesmen'. Know that there are some of us who see beyond our bottom line. When the time is right for you, consider scheduling your annual hearing evaluation! — Dustin Richards, Au.D., Owner, Audiologist Our patients succeed. You will, too! (479) 957-9300 wolfpackhearing.com Located in East Fayetteville – 2630 E Citizens Dr #7 By KareN rice NWa Democrat-Gazette Single-income households have decreased dramatically over the last several decades, and escalating costs of living have made it difficult for many families to get by on just one income. In Arkansas, 53% of women aged 16 and older are in the civilian labor force, according to the Institute of Women's Policy Research as of 2015. In Benton and Washington Counties, that rate is over 56%. Women own 33% of businesses in the state of Arkansas. According to the 2015 Status of Women in Arkansas report card, 28% of families in the state are headed by single women. That's above the national average. Many women may be struggling to balance work and family. Even for women who don't work outside the home, or working women who don't have families, balancing their own needs and the needs of others—bosses, family members, co- workers, employees, neighbors—is vital to overall health and well-being. Feelings of being pulled in too many directions can cause stress. According to Mental Health America, stress can compromise a person's ability to concentrate, lead to feelings of irritability or depression, negatively affect personal relationships, and weaken immune systems, increasing a person's susceptibility to a variety of ailments. Women shouldn't be afraid to tweak a routine, think outside the box and change things up if they are feeling overwhelmed by conflicting responsibilities. The following strategies can make the job of balancing work, life and family a little less hectic. - Establish your priorities. Make a list of the things that are most important to you. Having this list put on paper can make goals more attainable. Think about the main things you want to focus on in life and go from there. • Learn to manage your time. One of the keys to creating a work-life balance is to hone your time management skills, to fit more in without feeling rushed or anxious. Start by determining just how much time you need to perform certain tasks. Then divide up the day accordingly. You may find that by waking up an hour earlier each day, you achieve a lot more without affecting your well-being. • Don't procrastinate. Stick to your schedule so you don't feel stressed and as if you are constantly rushing around. Complete one item before you move on to the next. • Communicate effectively with your bosses. A major concern many women have as they attempt to balance work and family is that they are not spending enough quality time with their children and spouses. Communicate honestly with your bosses or colleagues if you feel like work is negatively impacting your home life. Supervisors may be flexible and receptive if it means keeping good employees happy and productive. Bosses may allow you to work from home or be willing to arrange a flex schedule. • Use your vacation days. According to recent study from Project: Time Off, 55 percent of Americans did not use their full allotment of vacation days in 2015. That translated to 658 million unused vacation days. Examine your vacation day usage and resolve to use them all. By taking vacation days on national holidays when schools are closed, you can squeeze in more family time. • Unplug at home. When spending time at home, disconnect from your devices, especially those that connect you to work. Making yourself too available for work can be a detriment to your health. • Divide your responsibilities. Allow family members to tackle some household duties to free up more time to spend together. • Schedule a mental break each day. Give yourself time to perform one activity per day that you really enjoy. This will help you recharge and manage stress even further. Creating a better work-life balance Importance of hearing tests

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