(BPT) Seniors are swarming onto pickleball courts across the nation, making it the sport with the fastest rate of growth in the nation. However, for the finest performance, all senses—especially our hearing—must be used, whether it’s an intramural clash or a friendly game.
When was the last time you had a hearing test performed? Did that happen recently? It’s time to have your hearing examined by an audiologist or hearing instrument specialist if it wasn’t and you find yourself turning up the TV or straining to hear conversations in crowded spaces.
Over 60 million Americans aged 12 and older suffer from hearing loss, according to the National Council on Aging (NCOA). Over 30% of people have hearing loss by the time they are 65, and the number only rises with age. According to the NCOA, having a hearing aid could be extremely beneficial for around 30 million Americans.
USA Pickleball + HearingLife
In order to increase awareness of the value of hearing health and the risks associated with hearing loss, HearingLife, a world leader in hearing care, has joined USA Pickleball as an official hearing care partner. HearingLife is aware that an active lifestyle, such as playing pickleball, promotes a healthy lifestyle in general, which includes taking care of one’s hearing.
HearingLife is providing free hearing tests to participants and spectators at a few USA Pickleball events all year long.
According to Dr. Leslie Soiles, chief audiologist at HearingLife, hearing loss can make it difficult for people to participate in their favorite pastimes, such as pickleball. Ironically, these kinds of exercises and activities can actually slow down the rate at which hearing loss occurs. This is why it’s so crucial to have your hearing examined. It serves as a springboard to a busier, more satisfying life.
HearingLife’s presence will feature instructional materials on how hearing loss can affect not only sporting performance but also general quality of life, in addition to on-site services like free screenings. The newest developments in hearing aid technology are also available for visitors to learn about, including gadgets that improve clarity in noisy settings, making them ideal for sports like pickleball.
Untreated hearing loss’s danger
Many people ignore hearing loss and don’t consider hearing to be vital to longevity and good health. If left untreated, hearing loss can cause social withdrawal, loneliness, and isolation. It might also cause issues at work if you don’t understand coworkers or miss instructions. Even worse, it can lead to memory issues, cognitive impairment, and even a higher risk of falls.
Taking good care of your hearing
You take care of your body by eating healthily and exercising, and you take care of your teeth by brushing twice a day. How do your ears feel? The experts at HearingLife have provided some tips on how to take care of your hearing.
1. Be mindful of the loud noises you are around.Did you like those sold-out shows when you were younger? And so did we. Earplugs are advised for the reunion tour. This also applies to being near noisy machines or building sites.
2. Keep track of how long you spend wearing earbuds or headphones.Don’t wear the earbuds for long periods of time, and turn down the volume on your favorite podcast or music.
3. Schedule routine examinations.Regularly see your hearing care specialist, particularly if you experience other symptoms like ringing in your ears or worsening hearing loss.
4. Take care of long-term illnesses.Smoking, diabetes, and high blood pressure can all cause hearing loss. You can maintain the health of your ears by managing those problems and stopping smoking.
5. Stay busy.Exercise improves blood flow, which is beneficial for your ears. Exercise in the gym, walking, cycling, and canoeing are all beneficial to hearing health. How about learning to play pickleball?
You can visit www.hearinglife.com to discover the closest HearingLife location and learn how to receive a free hearing evaluation.
