Masks back in hospitals, the 30 best diets, and screen time warnings

BACK TO MASKING – Some hospitals in New York and several other states have reinstated mask mandates. Here's what doctors have to say. Continue reading…

FLU-FIGHTING FOODS – A registered dietitian shares 10 immune-boosting recipes to help you stay healthy during flu season. Continue reading…

TODDLER TECH – Screen time for kids under age 2 has been linked to sensory differences in toddlerhood. See what the study revealed. Continue reading…

EARLY DETECTION – Getting breast cancer screenings every year instead of every other year can reduce all-cause mortality, a new study suggests. Continue reading…

NOT YOUR GRANDPA'S HEARING AIDS – Designers have transformed the devices into "sexy" accessories. See the photos. Continue reading…

BEST DIETS OF 2024 – A panel of 43 health experts selected the best diets in 11 different categories. Continue reading…

‘THIEF OF SIGHT’ – For National Glaucoma Month, an expert debunks 7 myths about the common eye disease. Continue reading…

‘NEVER TOO LATE’ – Seniors in New York City share their New Year’s resolutions and words of wisdom for 2024. Continue reading…

DEMENTIA DRIVERS – A major study has identified these 15 factors of young-onset dementia. Continue reading…

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Twitter

LinkedIn

Fox News First

Fox News Opinion

Fox News Lifestyle

Fox News Health

Fox News Autos

Fox News Entertainment (FOX411)

Fox Business

Fox Weather

Fox Sports

Tubi

Fox News Go

Fox Nation

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/sUXuW96

Read More

Hearing aid use could help people extend their lives, USC study finds

Wearing hearing aids could increase life span, a new study has found. 

Research by the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California found that people who wear hearing aids regularly had a 24% lower risk of mortality.

The study, published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity earlier this month, evaluated the history of nearly 10,000 patients over the age of 20 who received hearing evaluations.

HEARING AIDS ARE NOW CHEAPER AND EASIER TO BUY FOR HARD-OF-HEARING AMERICANS

Researchers looked at data compiled by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 1999 and 2012 and followed the mortality status of each adult over an average 10-year period.

Of the 1,863 adults who were identified to have hearing loss, 237 were regular hearing aid users and 1,483 were considered "never users."

The near-quarter difference in mortality rate remained evident between the two groups, regardless of factors like hearing loss severity, age, gender, income and medical history.

People who reported wearing their hearing aids less frequently were considered "non-regular users" in the study.

Between non-regular and never users, there was no difference in mortality risk indicated, which revealed that wearing hearing aids only occasionally may not extend life span.

HEARING AIDS TO BE AVAILABLE WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION AFTER FDA RULE

Janet Choi, M.D., a Keck Medicine otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat doctor) and lead researcher of the study, reacted to the findings in a statement sent to Fox News Digital.

As someone who uses a hearing aid herself, Choi said she found the significant difference in mortality risks "exciting."

"It suggests that there may be a potential protective role of hearing aid use against mortality among those who could benefit from hearing aids," she said.

Next, Choi and her research team plan to investigate the "cause-and-effect relationship between hearing aid use and mortality, as well as other health outcomes and the underlying mechanisms."

ALL EARS FOR 'SEXY' HEARING AIDS: DESIGNERS TRANSFORM KEY DEVICES INTO COOL ACCESSORIES

"I encourage anyone experiencing hearing difficulties to get their hearing tested and determine the type and severity of their hearing loss," she said. 

"You might be surprised at the variety of hearing device options available to assist with hearing loss that can enhance daily communication and quality of life."

The researcher noted that it may take time to find the right hearing aids and get used to them.

"Once you do, you'll be amazed to hear the sounds that you have been missing," she said.

While the study did not pinpoint the reason that life span could improve with hearing aid use, Choi suggested there are "several possible mechanisms" that could contribute.

YOUNG PEOPLE AT RISK OF HEARING LOSS DUE TO UNSAFE LISTENING PRACTICES: NEW STUDY

"One hypothesis is that the use of hearing aids modifies the effect of hearing loss on various health outcomes that contribute to mortality, including social isolation, loneliness, depression, anxiety, decreased physical activity and dementia," she said.

"Another potential mechanism is the restoration of auditory input itself, which may impact brain structures."

Hearing aids may also "improve communication and adherence in medical settings," Choi added.

People who use hearing aids regularly are also likely to be more health conscious and have a "higher level of access to health care," according to the doctor.

Kamal Wagle, M.D., a geriatrician at Hackensack University Medical Group in New Jersey, who was not involved in the study, reiterated the importance of the findings in an interview with Fox News Digital.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

The research highlighted how hearing loss is associated with other aging-related health issues, the doctor said, like social isolation, depression, dementia, falls and overall frailty.

"This is really good to know," he said. "For me, as a clinician, it has a lot of implications – and I can bring it up with patients, so we can engage them in correcting hearing aids, so we can improve their quality of life." 

This study could help encourage more widespread hearing aid use, he noted, which could lead to improved social interactions, mood and "overall quality of life."

This increase in social and physical engagement could then be a factor in living longer, Wagle suggested.

The doctor also noted that a "good number" of his aging patients are "not really engaged" in correcting their hearing, especially since the cost of hearing aids can be a deterrent.

"I think a study like this will probably also help move the momentum of insurance coverage for hearing aids," Wagle added.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/dtEMFD5

Read More

Seniors in New York City share New Year’s resolutions for 2024: ‘Never too late’

Regardless of age, there is always the opportunity to set and achieve new goals.

That’s the mindset of three women, all in their 90s, who live at Sunrise at East 56th, a senior living facility in Manhattan, New York.

"It’s never too late to improve yourself," said Barbara Fleischman, 99, who is originally from Detroit, Michigan.

MOST SENIORS IN AMERICA CAN’T AFFORD NURSING HOMES OR ASSISTED LIVING, STUDY FINDS

Along with Lois Hummel, 90, and Dolores Wharton, 96, Fleischman spoke with Fox News Digital via Zoom about their New Year’s resolutions for 2024. 

They also shared some advice for younger generations. Their answers may surprise you.

Fleischman's biggest New Year’s resolution is to be less judgmental of others.

"I want to assume that everyone is trying to be better, just like I'm trying to be better, and so I'm not going to sit in judgment," she said.

"I'm just going to accept people and say, ‘They're trying.’"

WHEN SHOULD OLDER DRIVERS HAVE TO STOP DRIVING?

Fleischman also aims to stop jumping to conclusions this year, she said.

Her resolutions for 2024 are quite different from the ones she set in years past, she indicated.

For example, she used to resolve to not eat so many sweets — but now she feels she's earned the right to enjoy her dessert.

"Why do I need restraint? I’m 99," Fleischman said with a laugh. "I’m having pumpkin pie or mint chocolate ice cream, and enjoying it very much."

Hummel, who grew up in Pennsylvania, said her primary New Year’s resolution is to continue her focus on staying active.

The day after Christmas, to mark her 90th birthday, she accomplished her longtime goal of walking across the Brooklyn Bridge.

"I couldn't have done it without my trainer, Doug, and my very close friend, Miriam, who went with us and has a great sense of humor," Hummel said.

The bridge was quite busy that day and not quite as serene as she expected — but Hummel said she still enjoyed the experience.

Looking ahead, she will continue working with her physical therapist and plans to walk around Roosevelt Island, which is about a mile in circumference, she said.

Like Fleischman, Hummel has also resolved to work on mastering the art of acceptance.

"Acceptance is absolutely the key to happiness — but it’s probably the most difficult thing you could possibly achieve," she told Fox News Digital. "I try, but I haven’t been very successful at it."

Wharton, a lifelong New Yorker who's been close friends with Fleischman for over 50 years, also has a resolution to walk regularly.

"I’m using a walker now, after having been in a wheelchair for a while after a fall last week," she told Fox News Digital. 

"So now I want to be able to walk — not with a walker, but on my own — right into Bergdorf Goodman and Bloomingdale’s, my favorite stores."

When asked to share her best advice for younger generations, Fleischman stressed the importance of constantly growing and learning.

"You have to learn from what is happening around you and be smart enough to accept it," she advised. "Acceptance is very important."

INTERNET USE BY SENIORS ON REGULAR BASIS COULD SLASH THEIR DEMENTIA RISK, STUDY SUGGESTS

For example, Fleischman said she’s learned to accept the fact that she doesn’t hear or see as well as she once did, and she can’t swim like she used to — but she's accepted those realities and still considers herself "very lucky."

Hummel, a retired economist, encourages others to adopt a practice that encourages introspection and reflection.

"The most important thing I ever did for myself was to spend four years doing silent meditation," she said, a practice that she started in her 60s and wholeheartedly recommends.

"It will give you insights into yourself and will serve you for the rest of your life, because you can learn more about acceptance than you can learn any other way."

She added, "The more you look, the more you see the type of person you really are."

Hummel also stressed the importance of looking after animals and the environment.

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS: NO REASON WHY THESE CAN'T INCLUDE FAITH GOALS, URGES PASTOR

Wharton’s advice is for people to "interact harmoniously" with one another.

After working for years on a nonprofit program to advance the careers of women and minorities, she also encourages females "to aspire to go into the corporate world."

The three women agreed that giving back to others and to the community should be a primary focus.

Fleischman, who spent many years doing volunteer work, shared a mantra she said her husband used to follow. 

"He said if the community has been good to you and you haven’t suffered, you owe something back to it. It’s a joy to help others who haven’t done as well as you have." 

Above all, she added, people should try to be better, whatever that means for them.

"If each individual tries to be better and helpful to others, then the whole world will change."

Fleischman also advised people to be "less concerned about themselves and more concerned about others," noting that "self-absorption" is not healthy. 

5 WAYS TO STICK WITH YOUR ‘EXERCISE MORE’ NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION IN 2024, FROM A NEW YORK DOCTOR

"We’re here not only to help ourselves, but to help others," she said. 

"You learn so much by reaching out to others — it’s a wonderful gain. And I hope that will be a resolution for many people."

New Year’s resolutions are especially important for seniors because they represent looking toward the future, according to Dr. Sandi Petersen, VP of health and wellness at Pegasus Senior Living in Dallas, Texas.

"Seniors should be encouraged to look forward, regardless of age," she told Fox News Digital. 

As a geriatric clinician, Petersen considers this a critical factor in her evaluation of older adults.

"Are they looking forward to the future — or are they feeling isolated, alone or hopeless? If individuals are focused on the future, it’s a sign of mental health, whether they are 9 or 90+," she noted.

As some older adults with cognitive decline cannot make resolutions on their own, Petersen stressed the need for their loved ones to engage them in future-oriented conversations to promote socialization and improved quality of life. 

"And, given the mind-body connection, we know that improved mental health increases the likelihood of improved physical health and a better sense of overall well-being," she added.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Diana Santiago, clinical supervisor at Caron Treatment Centers in Pennsylvania, noted that future goals for the older adults in her facility are mostly focused on "purpose and quality of life." 

"Family seems most important to these folks, as that is what drives them to seek treatment," she told Fox News Digital.

Some of the most common resolutions among her senior patients include improving relationships with family members, getting physically stronger and healthier, managing anxiety and depression, and managing chronic pain.

"Sometimes goals with this population can even be simply focused on getting home from treatment and seeking to get better quickly," Santiago said.

"We will use this as a motivation rather than as an obstacle."

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/BedtYD5

Read More

Screen time for kids under age 2 is linked to sensory differences in toddlerhood, new study finds

Allowing very young children to access televisions and other screens could lead to sensory challenges for them later in their childhoods, according to a new study from Drexel University in Pennsylvania. 

The study, "Early-Life Digital Media Experiences and Development of Atypical Sensory Processing," was published on Jan. 8 in JAMA Pediatrics. 

"This study finds an association between greater screen time in the first two years of life and ‘high’ sensory-related behaviors in areas," the study's lead author, Karen Heffler, M.D., an associate professor of psychiatry at Drexel University, told Fox News Digital.

BABIES, YOUNG CHILD EXPOSED TO MORE SCREEN TIME LINKED WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS: STUDY

To arrive at the findings, the research team analyzed data on TV or DVD-watching among 1,471 babies and toddlers at 12 months of age, 18 months and 24 months. 

The data came from the National Children’s Study, a long-term look at "U.S. children and their parents designed to study environmental influences on child health and development," according to the National Institute of Health.

The behavioral differences include "sensory seeking," "sensory avoiding," "sensory sensitivity" and "low registration," Heffler said.

A child who is "sensory seeking" may be "attracted to spinning or shining objects" — whereas a child with "low registration" would typically avoid eye contact and may not respond in a timely manner to being called or to familiar voices, said Heffler. 

The study also found that children experienced different atypical behaviors depending on when they were exposed to screens.

"Although screen time of the children at each of the ages studied was found to be associated with atypical sensory processing at 33 months of age, the types of atypical sensory processing differed by the age of exposure," Heffler noted.

LIMITING SCREEN TIME IN INFANTS MAY DECREASE RISK OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER, STUDY FINDS

Children exposed to any amount of screen time at the age of 12 months were found to have a 105% greater likelihood of exhibiting "high" sensory behaviors, according to a press release.

At 18 months old, each additional hour of daily screen time for children was associated with a 23% increased likelihood of "high" sensory behaviors, as well as later sensation avoiding and low registration, the release stated.

Screen exposure at 24 months "was associated with sensation avoidance, sensory sensitivity and sensation seeking," said Heffler.

"Atypical sensory processing is commonly seen in several behavioral health problems, including children with ADHD and up to 90% of children with autism," she also said. 

Autism is typically not diagnosed until a child reaches 2 years of age, according to experts.

"Prior to this study, there was little understanding of potential risk factors for atypical sensory processing," said Heffler. 

While the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), based in Illinois, recommends that children avoid screen time altogether — aside from video chats with family members and friends — until they are about 18 to 24 months, "this study gives further evidence that screen time for the youngest children should be avoided," the expert noted.

KIDS BENEFIT FROM ‘DITCHING THEIR DEVICES’ AT HOME, URGES PARENTING EXPERT 

Screen exposure among very young children had previously been linked to autism, ADHD, language delays and other brain differences, Heffler told Fox News Digital. 

"This study adds atypical sensory processing to the list of other developmental outcomes," she said. 

As Heffler pointed out, infants "do not have the capability to fully understand what they see on TV or video, but the lights, colors, sounds and movement experienced during screen time would have an impact on how the neurons in the brain connect, potentially affecting sensory processing pathways and sensory-related behavior."

The hope of researchers is that the study will aid clinicians who are encountering young patients with sensory issues, she said. 

"For young children who are experiencing symptoms associated with atypical sensory processing, clinicians may wish to inquire about the children’s screen viewing habits," Heffler said. 

Parents and clinicians who are seeing these types of behaviors may want to try eliminating screen time in favor of "social interaction and play," said the expert.

"There is emerging evidence that markedly reducing screen time and increasing socially engaging activities in young children with autism, for example, is associated with reduction of autism-related symptoms, including the sensory-related symptoms of restricted/repetitive behavior," she added.

Per its website, the American Academy of Pediatrics discourages any use of media for children younger than age two, as Fox News Digital has previously reported.

For kids ages two years and older, the organization recommends capping screen time at two hours per day.

The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) outlines specific guidelines for each age group on its website.

For babies up to 18 months, it recommends limiting screen use to video chatting with an adult.

Between 18 and 24 months, its guidelines are to use screens only for educational programming.

For kids between two years and five years of age, the AACAP recommends a limit of one hour per weekday and three hours on weekends for any non-educational screen time.

It does not specify an hourly limit for ages six and older — but does recommend encouraging healthy habits and limiting screen-based activities.

"To be honest and point-blank, the least amount of screen time is healthy for children," Dr. Zeyad Baker, a pediatric physician with Baker Health in New Jersey, told Fox News Digital previously. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

However, he admitted that it gets trickier for parents to moderate when kids need to do homework online — and he believes the quality of screen time comes into play when setting limits. 

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/pXPs92K

Read More

Microplastics found in overwhelming majority of American meat, water, plants: study

A new study finds that the overwhelming majority of protein foods such as meat and fish are contaminated with microplastics. 

The comprehensive study, conducted by researchers at the nonprofit Ocean Conservancy, found that approximately 88% of protein samples tested contained microplastic particles. 

"Highly processed products contained the most microplastics per gram," the study said in its findings. "Microplastic contamination did not differ between brands or store types."

SPAIN FACES ECOLOGICAL CRISIS AS MILLIONS OF PLASTIC PELLETS WASH ASHORE FROM SHIP SPILL

The samples were differentiated into 16 types, such as beef, chicken, seafood, pork, tofu and plant-based food products. 

Microplastic particles were discovered across all 16 sample types.

"Maximum U.S. adult exposure from these proteins is ∼3.8 million microplastics/year," the study reports. "Mean U.S. adult exposure from consuming these proteins is >11,000 microplastics/year."

PLASTIC POLLUTION IN WORLDS' OCEANS COULD HAVE $2.5 TRILLION IMPACT, STUDY SAYS

Microplastics are pieces of plastic that measure less than five millimeters. Nanoplastics are even smaller, measuring less than 1 micrometer. 

Among the tested samples, approximately 44% of the microplastics found were in the form of fibers. 

An additional third of the particles were in the form of plastic fragments.

The study, performed in conjunction with the University of Toronto, notes that due to limitations on their detection methods, the amount of particles could be even higher.

"While our study significantly advances the understanding of MP prevalence in the human food system, there are some inherent limitations to our findings," the study reports. "Due to the limit of detection associated with counting and identifying suspected MP particles under a microscope, our results pertain only to microplastics 45 μm and larger. This means that nanoplastics (NPs) and any MPs <45 μm are not included in our results."

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/O0IlVyh

Read More

Annual breast cancer screenings linked to lower risk of death, study finds

Making breast cancer screenings an annual event could save women’s lives, new research suggests.

In a study led by Epic Research, a health analytics firm based in Verona, Wisconsin, women who were screened for breast cancer on a yearly basis were shown to have a 17% lower risk of death by any cause compared to those who received screenings every two years, according to a Jan. 4 press release.

"Vulnerable populations have a greater risk of mortality following a breast cancer diagnosis than less vulnerable populations," Kersten Bartelt, a Wisconsin-based registered nurse and member of Epic’s clinician team, told Fox News Digital. 

"Annual breast cancer screenings may help to lower this risk."

BREAST CANCER BREAKTHROUGH: AI PREDICTS A THIRD OF CASES PRIOR TO DIAGNOSIS IN MAMMOGRAPHY STUDY

This finding could call into question the updated screening guidelines released by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) in May 2023.

It recommended that women between the ages of 40 and 74 get screened every other year. 

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that women between the ages of 45 and 54 should get mammograms every year, while women between 40 and 44 also have the option to do so.

For women 55 and older, ACS guidance is to get a mammogram every other year, unless they choose to continue with annual screenings. 

CANCER SCREENINGS: HERE ARE 5 TYPES AND CRITICAL INFORMATION TO KNOW ABOUT EACH

In the Epic study, researchers evaluated 25,512 women between 50 and 74 years of age. 

All participants had been diagnosed with breast cancer between Jan. 1, 2018, and August 1, 2022, and were not considered at high risk prior to getting the disease.

Compared to those who were screened every two years, the annually screened group had a 17% lower risk of all-cause mortality after their diagnosis.

The study also said that women who are Black, over age 60, live in a "socially vulnerable area" or live in a rural area are more vulnerable to all-cause mortality after being diagnosed with cancer compared to women who are not in those groups.

Nicole B. Saphier, M.D., director of breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and a Fox News medical contributor, was not involved in the Epic study but shared her reactions.

"This is a really interesting analysis and certainly supports annual mammograms," she told Fox News Digital. 

The American College of Radiology and the Society of Breast Imaging recommends annual mammography beginning at age 40 for "normal-risk women," which Saphier also endorses. 

NEW BREAST CANCER SCREENING GUIDELINES CALL FOR WOMEN TO START MAMMOGRAMS AT AGE 40

"Annual mammograms starting at the age of 40 increase our ability to capture more aggressive breast cancer that forms prior to menopause, and therefore give the patient the best chance at survival because early detection and treatment saves lives," she said.

Saphier did point out one limitation of the study. She said it does not account for the association of different lifestyle choices between women who get mammograms every year and those who do so every other year. 

"Women who get mammograms every year may be more active and aware regarding their personal health screenings and preventative care, therefore contributing to better outcomes after breast cancer diagnosis," noted Saphier. 

The Epic researchers also acknowledged the study's limitations.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"We were not able to adjust for all factors that may increase a woman's risk of breast cancer, breast cancer complications or mortality, such as lifestyle factors," said Bartlet.

"Additionally, the factors that resulted in a patient choosing to screen annually instead of biennially were not included in this study."

To determine the appropriate frequency of screening, Bartelt said women should consult with their health care provider to weigh the harms and benefits as well as their personal risk factors.

Other than skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common type of women’s cancer in the U.S., accounting for about 30% of all new female cases each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/XFxlzkI

Read More

All ears for 'sexy' hearing aids: Designers transform key devices into cool accessories

Hearing aids have come a long way from the ones our grandparents used to wear. 

Some designers have added "bling" to hearing devices, transforming them into fashion statements rather than obligatory items to be hidden.

Fox News Digital spoke to several audiologists who often refer their patients to these designer merchants — including independent vendors on Etsy, Instagram and other websites — to find unique accessories that personalize and beautify their hearing aids. 

DEAF GIRL FINALLY TELLS SANTA WHAT SHE WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS AFTER ELF HELPS HER ‘SIGN’ HER WISH LIST

Available designs include diamond-encrusted attachments, crystal or silver charms and chains — even superhero charms for children. 

Some vendors even offer colorful and pearl-clasped molds worn around the ear to help people accentuate their style.

The jewelry is typically attached through a clasp that hugs onto a piece of the hearing aid, several of these vendors told Fox News Digital.

"Not only do they look stunning, but our chains and cuffs offer a functional purpose by keeping the hearing aids from falling off the ear. They are also perfect for physically active individuals or sports enthusiasts," the Indiana-based designer company Deafmetal USA states on its website.

Suzannah Parker, owner of Purple Cat Hearing Aid Charms in Colorado, began designing charms and jewelry attachments for hearing aids when she became aware that her daughter was hard of hearing and needed to be fitted with hearing aids when she was three years old. 

MOMENT DEAF BABY HEARS MOM'S VOICE AFTER HEARING AIDS SWITCHED ON

Worried that her daughter would be teased by others, Parker began looking for ways to make hearing aids a fun experience. 

"I was able to fashion a way to hang earrings safely from the tubing of her aids," Parker told Fox News Digital. "She loved them and so did the people in her audiologist’s office. She was so proud to show them off to strangers."

Parker began making these attachments for other children and later launched her company.

"I decided to do what I could to help make other girls and boys proud to wear their aids, to make it fun and to maybe stop bullying," she said. 

Parker also designed attachments to hold the hearing aids in place and even attach to clothing in case they fall out.

"My goal is for hearing devices to be looked upon as normally as glasses are," she told Fox News Digital.

Another designer, Florida-based Nikki Seagraves, told Fox News Digital that she creates hearing aid charms to help instill confidence and pride in those who wear them.

NORTH CAROLINA BABY HEARS HER FATHER'S VOICE FOR THE FIRST TIME — IMMEDIATELY BURSTS INTO TEARS

"The charms are a doorway to the conversation about hearing aids and what they are, while still focusing on the fun," said Seagraves, who launched a company called Whatnot and Wonder. 

"It gives other people an easier way to ask about hearing aids instead of shying away or making assumptions."

Multiple audiologists told Fox News Digital that these fashionable hearing aids may have growing appeal to younger adults, among whom hearing loss is becoming more prevalent.

"Hearing loss is being detected in those in their 40s due to noise population," Dr. Tanya Linzalone, an audiologist on Long Island, New York, and an adjunct professor in the Speech and Communications Department at Long Island University in Brookville, New York, told Fox News Digital. 

In addition to the more fashion-forward designs, advances in Bluetooth technology could help younger adults adjust to the notion of wearing hearing aids, Linzalone said. 

AS EYE DROP RECALLS CONTINUE, HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO PROTECT YOUR VISION

"They don’t have to finagle the device like their grandpa’s volume wheel," Linzalone said.

Hearing loss can be socially isolating, said Dr. Leslie Rosenthal, director of speech and audiology and an audiologist at LIJ Northwell Health Hearing and Speech Center on Long Island, New York.

While a hearing aid is a necessity for some, Rosenthal believes it can double as an accessory — and that all patients, from children and young adults to older individuals, should wear them proudly.

"You don’t have to hide your hearing loss or your hearing aids — there are options now," she said.

Linzalone agreed that hearing aids have evolved a great deal over the decades.

"When I started over 34 years ago, hearing aids were only available in skin colors or hair colors to make them as invisible as possible," she told Fox News Digital. "Now they come in colors like purple, fire engine red, neon green and yellow."

‘ZOOM FATIGUE’ IS A COMMON STRUGGLE FOR REMOTE WORKERS. HERE’S HOW TO HANDLE IT, ACCORDING TO EXPERTS

Others reiterated that hearing aids have come a long way in terms of both features and style.

"Many are discreet and even fashionable — similar to today's trendy headphones," Dr. Maria Pomponio, an audiologist at Stony Brook University Hospital in New York, told Fox News Digital. 

"Ultimately, we hope that aesthetic changes to these devices will be useful in reducing the stigma associated with hearing loss and hearing aids."

Hearing loss affects about 60.7 million Americans age 12 and older and over 15% of adults 20 and older, according to a November report by the National Council on Aging.

The condition affects some 31% of people age 65 and older and 40% of those 75 and older.

One of the major obstacles in addressing hearing loss is patients’ noncompliance with wearing a hearing aid, experts told Fox News Digital.

"If you bought it and don’t wear it, it’s useless. If making it more cosmetically appealing helps, then go for it," Linzalone said.

People have a fundamental need to belong, said Dr. Nancy Frye, Ph.D., a psychologist and professor of psychology at Long Island University in Brookville, New York. 

ALL EYES ARE ON GLAUCOMA, THE ‘SILENT THIEF OF SIGHT’ — AND THE TRUTH BEHIND 7 MYTHS

"Because of that, people are reluctant to do things that might make them feel like they don't fit in with others, including wearing a hearing aid," she told Fox News Digital. 

In some cases, people might opt to miss out on conversations and downplay their hearing loss rather than stand out, Frye added.

Decorative hearing devices could satisfy an individual’s "need for uniqueness … as opposed to threatening their need to belong," while also fostering connections with others, the psychologist said.

Unaddressed hearing loss contributes to social withdrawal and isolation, Dr. Jamie Cluna, an audiologist at Stony Brook University Hospital, agreed.

 CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"Older adults with hearing loss are also at a greater risk for depression, cognitive decline, falls and dementia," she told Fox News Digital.

Dr. Ashutosh Kacker, an ear, nose and throat doctor, and Dr. Haley Bruce, an audiologist — both of Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City — cautioned that if a person uses charms or accessories that attach to their hearing aid, it is important not to cover the microphone, as this will interfere with the hearing aid's effectiveness.

For those who prefer more subtle hearing aids, audiologists said the devices are becoming more discreet and tech-savvy. 

Some can even be adjusted through a smartphone app. 

Regardless of their style preferences, experts recommend consulting with an audiologist to be fitted properly for the hearing aid device.

"An audiologist needs to communicate with their patients … and have a lifestyle analysis to pick the right unit for them," Linzalone told Fox News Digital.

Based on their needs, preferences and activities, different people may need different types of aids even if their hearing loss is the same, she added.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/93fPo1J

Read More