You At Your Best

SATURdAY, nOvEmBER 24, 2018 | dEcEmBER - SEniOR cElEBRATiOnS nwAdg.cOm/YOUATYOURBEST | YOU AT YOUR BEST | 13 by KareN rice NWa Democrat-Gazette Dr. Dustin Richards, an audiologist and owner of Wolfpack Hearing Clinic in Fayetteville, says with the wide range of cost for a pair of hearing aids, patients often ask, "What's wrong with the less expensive ones?" The answer, Dr. Richards says, is nothing. "Budget hearing devices could be the perfect choice for you," he maintains. "We rely on hearing aids to sample and filter a ton of information in a matter of milliseconds. The patient's brain needs to then process that signal and make sense of it. That is easy to accomplish in a quiet setting, but difficult listening environments, such as a crowded restaurant, poses a challenge. Higher end hearing devices are much more capable of filtering background noise, so you can understand conversation at a restaurant. For that reason, we make recommendations based on your lifestyle. If all you want to hear is 1 on 1 conversation with your spouse and the TV, budget hearing devices will suit you just fine." The advanced technology of today's hearing devices means you have more features and benefits to choose from, which can also make a device more expensive. However, as Dr. Richards alluded to, more is not necessarily better. If you are very active, live in a variety of noisy environments, then you will probably want advanced features such as wireless compatibility, binaural directionality, and automatic adjustments. If you live a quiet life, then a more economical hearing device might be perfect for you. No matter which technology you choose, it is imperative that your hearing aids continue to be adjusted based on your own experiences and complaints. Dr. Richards reminds us that every patient is "completely unique" regardless of your hearing test results. Wolfpack Hearing Clinic has been interesting to watch since opening its doors from scratch in 2016. The young staff appears to have the recipe for success, as the clinic continues to be the local darling, with an extremely loyal following from their patients rarely seen in the medical community. Wolfpack is located in Fayetteville in the Kantz Center plaza, at the intersection of Crossover and Mission. For more information or to book a consultation with Dr. Richards, visit wolfpackhearing. com, or call (479) 957-9300. Our patients succeed. You will, too! (479) 957-9300 wolfpackhearing.com Located in East Fayetteville – 2630 E Citizens Dr #7 by SuzaNNe rHoDeS Special to NWa Democrat-Gazette Joel Doelger has a heart for helping seniors maintain a decent standard of living in retirement. He's the community relations director for Credit Counseling of Arkansas (CCOA), a nonprofit in Fayetteville that offers free budget, debt management and credit counseling. Below are some strategies he recommends for enjoying financial health in the golden years. 1. "Beware of scams!" Seniors should arm themselves with information to avoid being robbed. Credit Consumer Action and AARP are sources that "do a nice job of bringing awareness of those scams to the public." (See the article on page 14 of this supplement for more tips on avoiding scams.) One measure Joel proposes is to "put a freeze on your credit reports." Thieves try to purchase expensive items by using a person's identity to access their credit, then fill out an application. If everything looks good, Joel says, "they'll open an account in your name, take home a big TV screen and you get billed for it." There's no charge to get a credit freeze, and it's an effective way to keep merchants from accessing personal information to determine credit worthiness. "As a result, they're not going to open up a line of credit in your name without being able to check that," he advises. 2. "Get in the habit of creating and following a budget." Take advantage of online tools like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (www.consumerfinance.gov/). Many people think of setting up a budget as a one-time deal, "but it should be an ongoing exercise" to help with spending choices to make sure goals are met. It also ensures that money isn't "falling through your fingers without your being aware of it." Joel urges seniors to leave a cushion so "you're not living on the edge," especially during times of increased inflation. 3. "Say no to your children and grandchildren." It disturbs Joel to see a senior citizen struggling financially because they're supporting "a child or grandchild who doesn't know how to manage their own finances." In such cases, tell them, "I'm sorry, that's the end." 4. Get unbiased counseling if you're considering a reverse mortgage. CCOA is a HUD-approved counseling agency and is neither for or against reverse mortgages. "We receive no benefit either way," Joel points out. "We sit down with seniors who are interested in doing this to find out what their financial goals are, what they might need the reverse mortgage for, and talk about other alternatives that might be cheaper in the long run." For more information, contact Credit Counseling of Arkansas at 479-521-8877 or ccoacares.com. Smart money strategies for seniors a perfect fit: The art and science of hearing device selection

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