You At Your Best

sPonsoR Content If you are suffering from hearing loss, you're not alone. While an estimated 36 million American adults experience some degree of hearing loss, those closest to you – your immediate family – are affected even if they don't share your hearing impairment. Your spouse, in particular, may have a difficult time dealing with your hearing loss. Many spouses complain of a lack of communication. They resent having to repeat themselves, and adopt strategies such as positioning themselves in front of their husband or wife when speaking, encouraging lip reading and relying on handwritten notes. The big effect is on everyday activities, mainly television and telephone use. Spouses must deal with increased volume when the TV is on, making it uncomfortable for them to watch television in the same room. They also tend to be the ones to answer and make all telephone calls. There is also a reduction in social activities, with the hearing impaired partner more likely to want to stay at home rather than venture out and put him or her in a potentially uncomfortable situation. Naturally, these factors lead to resentment and put a strain on the marriage. Increased tension often leads to a lack of intimacy, causing serious damage to the relationship. If you are hearing impaired and married, there are steps you can take to improve your relationship with your spouse and ease his or her burden. If you own hearing devices, use them – and if you don't, speak with your audiologist to see if they will help. There is a direct correlation between hearing device use and relationship satisfaction. Of equal importance: accept your condition rather than wallowing in self-pity or despair. Nobody wants to have difficulty hearing, but dealing with it in a positive manner can go a long way toward maintaining a solid marriage. When you accept your impairment, your spouse is more willing to help and it's easier for both of you to adapt to the situation. The staff at Wolfpack Hearing Clinic joke that they are cast in the role of marital counselors when hard of hearing couples come to visit them. Knowing what we know about communication difficulties that come with hearing loss, we can see why! Contact Wolfpack Hearing Clinic today for a hearing evaluation. Wolfpack was voted Best Hearing Center, Dr. Richards Best Audiologist and the clinic was recognized for Best Customer Service in the 2018 Best of Northwest Arkansas contest. The effects of hearing loss on the spouse Read labels of personal care products by suzanne RHoDes nWa DemoCRat-Gazette Did you know that when you took a shower this morning, shampooed your hair, brushed your teeth, applied lotion and put on your makeup, many of the products you used haven't been tested or approved by the federal government? According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a watchdog nonprofit organization that monitors various products and foods for safety, "the Food and Drug Administration doesn't even require the basic safety testing of ingredients in personal care products before they are used." In other words, the industry is self-regulated. Dr. Orie Quinn, a chiropractor and holistic practitioner with the Ozark Holistic Center in Fayetteville, says, "It's important to think about what you're putting on your skin, as some chemicals and additives found in products will have the opposite effect that you're looking for if used over the long term. They can lead to dryer skin, brittle nails, loss of hair, and on top of all that, these same compounds can have long term health side effects." He also advises consumers to read product labels. "Stick to ingredients you can pronounce and are familiar with." His list of offenders includes dioxane, methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, and isobutyl paraben; diethylhexyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, toluene, aluminum and triclosan. "I see the aluminum in deodorants being an issue, as it is more easily absorbed through the skin after shaving. Also, dioxane as it is commonly used in natural products. Toulene is another, as it is linked to anemia." Dr. Quinn prefers "mineral-based lotions and supplements to help with long-term skin health, such as seaweeds, kelp and algae," and warns that just because a product is labeled natural "doesn't mean it's in your best interest. You need to look at the ingredients, even if it says 'natural.'" Making the switch to safer products may make an enormous difference in a woman's health and appearance. Dr. Quinn mentioned a patient in her early 60s who came in "due to hair thinning and loss. We looked at her current hair products and realized that some of the ingredients weren't good. We also ran a couple of labs to identify specific deficiencies." He then recommended she switch products to an organic brand and added supplements for her deficiencies. "By the end of the month she could tell she wasn't losing hair like she had been. By the end of three months, her thickness had returned." While many companies have improved their products due to public fears over safety—CVS, for example, announced it was removing parabens and other ingredients from hundreds of its house- branded products by the end of the year— the demand for federal oversight is rising. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Susan Collins introduced the Personal Care Products Safety Act (S.726) "to protect consumer health and strengthen the Food and Drug Administration's efforts to regulate ingredients in personal care products. The bill will update 80-year- old federal safety rules for the $60 billion personal care products industry," as stated in a March 9, 2019 press release. The bill has bipartisan support and "would modernize FDA's oversight authority and give consumers confidence that everyday personal care products won't harm their health," Sen. Feinstein said. SATURdAY, SEpTEmBER 28, 2019 | wOmEn'S HEAlTH - OcTOBER nwAdg.cOm/YOUATYOURBEST | YOU AT YOUR BEST | 11 Our patients succeed. You will, too! 479.957.9300 Wolfpackhearing.com 2630 E Citizens Dr #7 • Fayetteville, AR Best BestNWA.com of Northwest Arkansas the

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