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Healthy Hearing Means a Happier Life
by Nola Aronson
Imagine for a moment not being able to hear some of your favorite sounds. The sound of a loved one's voice. Your grandchildren playing. A classic song on the radio. Our lives are filled with so many sounds that add to our lives. I can tell you based on my 30-plus years of experience as an audiologist, that healthy hearing has a huge impact on people's mood and quality of life.

Studies have continued to show that untreated hearing loss can lead to a number of other health problems including depression, anxiety and social isolation. Hearing loss can also affect the progression of diseases such as Alzheimer's and dementia. The flip side of that coin is that healthy hearing can have a positive effect in slowing the progression of those diseases and lessening the risk of problems such as depression and anxiety. Truly, caring for your hearing health is an investment in your quality of life.

Just as it is important to take care of your body and promote wellness through exercise, mental stimulation and a balanced diet, it's vital to take care of your ears. Scheduling a hearing screening with a qualified audiologist to identify any potential risks and discuss treatment options is a good first step. Whether you're simply dealing with ear wax buildup or you require a hearing aid, there are a variety of advanced treatment possibilities.

Hearing loss is not untreatable. Caring for your hearing health is a step toward a happier life.
Nola Aronson, MA, CCC-A, is owner and founder of Advanced Audiology and has been fitting hearing aids for more than 30 years. Advanced Audiology is an authorized provider for Facey and UCLA Health patients. 425-9330


Take Care of the Caregiver
Taking care of someone is valuable and rewarding, but can also be exhausting and emotionally draining. Family caregivers may drop out of their normal hobbies and social activities, get inadequate sleep, follow an unhealthy diet or ignore their own health and relationships. This can have a negative impact on the caregiver, the person who needs care, as well as others in their lives.

It's very important that caregivers pay attention to their own health and wellbeing. Visiting Angels provides respite care, which allows family caregivers time to rest, recharge and remain engaged in their normal activities. They have flexible schedules that revolve around the needs of the client and services may even be temporary, occasional or as small as four-hour shifts.

The company provides complimentary meetings with a care manager, either in office or in your home, where they identify ways they can help prevent caregiver burn out - including suggesting other community resources.
Visiting Angels 263-CARE