Senior Style

T he saying "you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone" is never more true than in regard to hearing. It's easy to take hearing for granted, but even momentary hearing loss can highlight how vital it is to protect hearing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says five in 10 young people listen to their music or other audio too loudly. Overall, 48 million people in the United States have trouble hearing in one or both of their ears. Johns Hopkins Medical Center reports approximately 15% of adults 18 years of age or older report some trouble hearing, and the risk of hearing problems increases with age. Once it's gone, hearing cannot be restored in many cases. To protect hearing and guard against future hearing loss, consider these recommendations. 1 .Ask for a baseline hearing test. It's easier .to measure hearing loss if there is a baseline by which it can be measured. During your annual physical, ask for a hearing test or a referral to an audiologist. This can set the course for monitoring progression of any future hearing loss. 2 .Wear hearing protection. There are various .types of hearing protection that can filter out certain levels of sound. Many earplugs, like the ones musicians wear or those worn when attending rock concerts, can reduce the sound by approximately 25 dB. Custom fit ear plugs provide more noise reduc- tion, in upwards of 35 to 40 dB. They are optimal for high-noise environments, such as when mowing lawns or operating machinery, according to the hearing loss resource Hearts for Hearing. 3 .Turn down the volume. Experts recommend .adhering to the 60/60 rule when enjoying audio through headphones. This suggestion is to listen with the headphones at no more than 60% volume for no more than 60 minutes a day. Earbuds fit directly next to the eardrum and can be harmful to your hearing. If possible, choose over-the-ear head- phones instead. 4 .Have custom molds made. Rather than turning .up the volume, people can have custom ear molds made for use with earphones, suggests Johns Hopkins. The custom ear molds will block outside noise, allowing for higher quality listening. 5 .Keep your ears dry. Moisture in the ear can .cause bacteria to grow and potentially lead to infections. Towel-dry ears gently after showering or swimming. Avoid the temptation to use cotton swabs to dry the ears. For the most part, ears are self- cleaning, and using a cotton swab can push wax and cause it to become compacted in the ear canal. n What did you say? 5 ways to protect hearing every day Villa Marin CCRC #158, CA Dept. of Health Lic: #22000161 • The Madison Company Realtors BRE# 000656419 • CA Dept. of Social Lic: #210108102 Villa Marin CCRC #158, CA Dept. of Health Lic: #22000161 • The Madison Company Realtors BRE# 000656419 • CA Dept. of Social Lic: #210108102 R E T I R E M E N T L I V I N G R E D E F I N E D VILLA MARIN We're All in This Together. Sheltering in place can be a difficult time for many, and especially so for seniors. At Villa Marin, we're taking all necessary precautions to maintain our status of being completely Covid-19 free, while encouraging our active and independent residents to stay engaged on their own. Our doors will open again, and once they do, we invite you and your family to tour our beautiful hilltop community. Meanwhile, we are offering Live individual virtual meetings and tours to see how we're doing and what we have to offer. Stay healthy and safe and we look forward to welcoming you in the future. 100 Thorndale Dr., San Rafael • (415) 492-2408 • villa-marin.com Virtual showings available! A Marketing Supplement of the Marin Independent Journal | marinij.com Senior Style October 18, 2020 13

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