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Headline News
Aiding Communication—Baby Boomers’ Key To A Healthy Marriage
Posted: 6/5/2013
For many baby boomers, hearing well can be the key to a healthy marriage. (NAPSI)—What did you say? Can you repeat that, please? Hearing loss makes communication a challenge, which unfortunately may put relationships—in particular, a marriage—in peril. Feelings of anger, frustration and resentment are often experienced by those suffering from hearing loss, as well as by spouses who are constantly barraged with having to repeat themselves or talk louder.
With 36 million people affected by hearing loss, according to the American Academy of Audiology (AAA), there are, no doubt, a significant number of marriages suffering from a lack of communication. In fact, in a U.S. survey of baby boomers conducted by Energizer Battery, Inc., nearly half (48 percent) of those surveyed said their marriages have suffered because of their spouse’s hearing loss. While the best way to treat hearing loss is with a hearing aid, the AAA also cites that only one out of every five adults who needs a hearing aid actually wears one. What is it about hearing aids that people avoid? For some, perhaps it is vanity or denial, but for most it is the cost factor, as hearing aids are not covered by Medicare or most insurance plans and can cost up to $3,000 per ear.
The good news is that thanks to Dr. Sreek Cherukuri, M.D., Board-Certified Ear, Nose & Throat Physician from Chicago, Ill., those who can’t afford hearing aids no longer have to suffer through silent marriages. In 2009, Dr. Cherukuri pioneered the affordable hearing aid by creating MDHearingAid®, a line of aesthetically discreet, behind-the-ear-design hearing aids.
Recently, the brand launched its newest innovation, the physician-created, FDA-registered and audiologist-tested MDHearingAid AIR, one of the smallest, digital and affordable hearing aids-just $350 per ear-featuring telecoil technology integration (or t-coil), typically reserved for expensive hearing aids. T-coil in the AIR functions as a wireless antenna that links to sound systems found in smartphones, landline telephones and loop-equipped public spaces, such as many churches and movie theaters, to deliver customized sound and seamless transitions between listening environments.
If you or your spouse experiences any of the signs below, Dr. Cherukuri urges you to see an otolaryngologist or physician to be examined and counseled on purchasing the best hearing aid within budget.
Muffled hearing and asking your spouse to repeat constantly.
• If your other half is covering his or her ears because the TV is too loud and you still can’t hear it, it’s time for a hearing test.
Difficulty understanding what your partner is saying in public spaces.
• When there are competing voices or background noise and you cannot distinguish the specific words, it can be a sign of hearing loss.
Avoiding conversation and social interaction.
• If you’ve always loved going out but suddenly it is “too much,” once again being able to hear those you love will make conversation more fun.
Depression.
• All of the above situations can cause depression and isolation. A good course of action to pursue is a hearing test and trying a hearing aid to be sure the depression is not hearing related.
For more information on hearing loss, visit www.mdhearingaid.com. |
Why—And How—To Boost Your Money IQ
Posted: 6/5/2013
Figuring out your finances can be more fun than you think. (NAPSI)--Many people might get and keep their hands on more money if they had a better grasp of finances. Consider these statistics from Indiana State University:
• Only 25 percent of Americans feel well informed about managing household finances.
• Less than 50 percent of parents think they’re good role models regarding spending and saving.
• Less than 60 percent of millennials pay their bills on time.
• Young adults between 20 and 24 represent the fastest-growing segment of bankruptcy filings.
Fortunately, the needs of an undereducated America regarding personal finance can now be met in an entertaining way. Author (“Doing the Impossible,” “The Next Perfect Storm”) and entrepreneur Patrick Bet-David created a noncommercial website, GoAskNewton.com, that makes learning about the concepts and terms of personal finance easy and interactive through fun quizzes, weekly lessons and social media integration, all led by Newton, financial literacy’s best friend and the world’s smartest (cartoon) dog. For example, it can show you 10 steps toward better budgeting:
How To Budget
1. Identify why you want to start a budget. Write down your reasons and keep them where you’ll be reminded of them.
2. Determine your income and expenses. Once you know what money comes in and where it goes, you can see where to cut back.
3. Pay yourself first. Have an expense area called “personal savings.” Try to save at least 10 percent of what comes in monthly.
4. Set goals you can hit, weekly, monthly or quarterly.
5. It’s okay to spend on yourself, as long as it doesn’t ruin your overall progress.
6. Don’t expect to get it perfect the first time. Give your budget a month, then see where to improve.
7. Adjust as necessary.
8. Consider hiring professional help.
9. Be flexible. Don’t panic if your finances fluctuate here and there.
10. Communicate your budget and intentions to your family.
GoAskNewton.com offers a free weekly newsletter that delivers a personal finance lesson, a Financial Term of the Week, and quick quizzes to test your financial knowledge and spending habits, whether you’re a teenager or ready to retire.
There’s also Newton’s Bark, a weekly blog on saving and budgeting, retirement planning, home mortgages, health insurance and many more personal finance tools, including a Credit Card Debt Analyzer, a Budget Worksheet and a Life Insurance Needs Estimator.
Learn More
Find further information and get your finance questions answered at http://GoAskNewton.com and follow on Twitter @GoAskNewton.
Supplement Your Health With Curcumin
Posted: 5/22/2013
Curcumin may have the power to ease inflammation, promote healthy cell growth, protect against infections and improve heart health. (NAPSI)—It could be a healthy idea to take a new look at an old spice.
The Root of the Situation
Turmeric, a tropical root and pungent spice used in Indian and Southeast Asian recipes to add a wonderfully nutty flavor, it seems, can also deliver a smorgasbord of powerful health benefits. The main bioactive compound in turmeric is called curcumin. It’s impressing scientists around the world with its ability to ease inflammation, promote healthy cell growth, protect against infections and improve heart health.
The Benefits
Modern science has found that curcumin has remarkable properties for improving health.
Studies suggest inflammation results from the overexpression of a protein molecule called nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB). Curcumin has been found to inhibit NF-kappaB activation within the body. Clinical trials also show it can help maintain healthy bowel and joint functions and normal platelet function and inhibit histamine. It may even contribute to supporting healthy brain function. Curcumin’s multifaceted effects also include protecting against estrogen-mimicking chemicals, protecting against free radicals, and promoting normal cell cycle growth while effectively supporting pancreatic health.
The Problem
Unfortunately, curcumin is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream.
An Answer
To help, a patented formula has been developed that is absorbed up to seven times better than conventional curcumin. This can be the most cost-effective way to supplement with this critical nutrient.
One 400-mg capsule a day of Super Bio-Curcumin turmeric compound can provide curcumin blood levels equal to ingesting 2,500 to 2,800 mg of commercial curcumin supplements. In addition, the curcumin remains in the bloodstream almost twice as long as conventional supplements. This enhanced absorption delivery complex provides other beneficial turmeric compounds in addition to standardized curcumin. Each capsule of Super Bio-Curcumin from Life Extension is equivalent to 2,772 mg of a typical 95 percent curcumin extract.
Learn More
For further facts and a free, six-month subscription to Life Extension magazine with the latest anti-aging research results and health news, visit www.LEF.org/bioc or call (888) 895-4756. |
Caring For A Loved One Who Is Far Away
Posted: 5/22/2013
If a loved one needs help while far away, both of you can still get the support you need. (NAPSI)—Following her father’s life-threatening fall, Peggy Stritch placed a call to her company’s employee assistance program.
After being connected with Kathryn, a representative from Solutions for Caregivers, Stritch was immediately reassured that she would have access to the right care planning and care coordination services for her father, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease and lives several hours away from her. With Kathryn’s assistance, “Dad went from the hospital to transitional care, where he received the help he needed.
“Even though we are far away, Kathryn was on the phone with us two to three hours a day, every day,” Peggy said. “She sent us weekly e-mails on his progress.” In addition, “Kathryn has helped us better understand the trajectory of Dad’s Parkinson’s disease—what is going to happen and how we can navigate it with him.
“She has been with our family since his fall. We don’t talk with her as much right now, but we know we can call her at any time,” Stritch added.
Solutions for Caregivers “understands what you are going through. They become a trusted adviser through some very personal and critical family issues. When something like this happens, you are immobilized, and Kathryn helped me get to the next step so I could move forward.”
The resource helped put Stritch at ease by helping her find ways to address her father’s health needs. “This is a tremendous resource that many employees don’t know about. If they don’t know about it, they need to,” Peggy added.
Solutions for Caregivers provides care planning and care coordination services designed to support the overall well-being of the person receiving care and help alleviate stress for you and your family. Services are available in all 50 states and can be tailored to your needs.
You can learn more at www.WhatIsSolutionsForCaregivers.com or by calling (877) 765-4473. |
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