Beverly Hills Hearing Center was founded in 1983 by Bonnie Baehr. Prior to that, Dr. Baehr practiced at the House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles as a staff audiologist for seven years. She was involved with diagnostic testing, hearing aid evaluations, research and rehabilitation. Dr. Baehr did her clinical fellowship training at the Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinic in downtown Los Angeles. She is a member of the American Academy of Audiology, American Speech Language and Hearing Association, California Academy of Audiology and Academy of Doctors of Audiology.
Latest posts by Bonnie L. Baehr, Au.D. (see all)
- How Yoga and Meditation Can Help with Hearing Health - November 16, 2024
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- The Connection Between Allergies and Your Ears - October 28, 2024
It’s hard to believe January is right around the corner and with it comes a whole new year. What will you do to make this next year count? Will you pick up a new hobby, start an exercise routine, start a project, or just watch what you eat a little more this year? It’s an exciting time to also make sure your health is in order. Staying up to date with your health ensures that your body and mind are free to achieve whatever goals you set for yourself this year. Part of your health that is often overlooked is hearing health. Hearing issues often persist for years without any action to correct the problem. Read on to find out how you can improve your hearing health in 2022.
Set Up a Hearing Appointment
One of the biggest issues with diagnosing a hearing loss is that often people go years even decades without realizing there is an issue. This is in part because of the gradual and progressive nature of the condition often takes. It often starts as the subtle loss of some tones or pitches. Perhaps you will not be able to hear whispers or the sound of the leaves blowing in the trees. Over time hearing loss can progress to the point where you struggle to hear words in sentences even in the most ideal of listening situations. It’s often loved ones and the people you spend the most time with such as co-workers who notice a hearing issue before you, but by this point, it’s already started to affect your relationships. Unaddressed hearing loss can create resentment among family members and friends and cause co-workers to rely on you less. Don’t wait for it to get to this point.
If you are reaching 65 years or older, know that one in three people in your demographic has some degree of hearing loss that could be treated. By the time you reach 75, this number quickly rises to half of all people. Even if you are not at this milestone in your life hearing loss can occur at any age so annual checkups are recommended. Start this year out, by scheduling a hearing test and staying on top of your health.
Hearing Loss Solutions
While hearing loss is often irreversible there are several very successful treatments. After you attend a hearing test you will know the status of your hearing. If your hearing is not in a range showing any loss, then you can spend this year focusing on prevention such as wearing hearing protection in noisy places, lowering the volume on your headphones, and eating healthier. If you do have a hearing loss, even slight, it is important to be proactive. Even a slight hearing loss can cause people to score lower on cognitive tests, than those with normal hearing.
The most common treatment for hearing loss is hearing aids. These amazing devices continue to shock us all with countless improvements, enhanced hearing, and upgraded usability. Hearing aids in the past used to just amplify every sound your ears encountered. Today we know that with hearing loss, everyone struggles with an individual loss of different sounds, tones, and pitches. Based on your hearing exam we can program hearing aids that amplify only the sounds you need creating a pleasant and seamless listening experience. You will no longer have to strain to follow the conversation or feel isolated and confused in a room where many people are speaking at once.
Wear Your Hearing Aids Regularly
Hearing aids work best when you wear them every day. They can take time to get used to and at first, it may have been so long since hearing loss has begun to progress that even the sound of your voice will sound strange. When you wear your hearing aids every day, quickly you’ll experience added benefits to wearing them such as improved communication, higher self-esteem, and enhanced independence.
A Change for The Better
It’s not easy to confront your hearing loss, but it’s the first step towards an enhanced quality of life that will benefit you for years to come. This New Year, take the leap and address your hearing issues now. Schedule an appointment and get ready for all the benefits 2022 has to offer.