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An astounding 35 million Americans suffer from some form of hearing loss. Whether extreme or mild, this is a condition which can change everything from communications to work performance. Hearing aids are, by far, the best way to work around this, yet just 28.5% of those 35 million go down this route.

Admittedly, there are varying reasons for this. For some, hearing aids aren’t viable, while others don’t realize this is a choice. In some cases, though, people steer clear due to common myths. The ‘bulky hearing aid’ myth is the most prevalent of these, but some also fear that hearing aids could make their hearing worse.

In reality, a well-suited hearing aid should never damage hearing. That said, there are rare cases where damage could, indeed, occur. Still, that by no means suggests you’d better of steering clear. In most cases, worsening hearing loss is due to a few basic hearing aid mistakes which are easy to rectify. We’re going to prove that by considering them here.

An incorrect fit

A poorly fitted hearing aid is the leading cause for hearing aid related hearing loss. You should always seek hearing aids from a trained audiologist who works to understand your hearing and needs. They will make sure both that your hearing aid is at the right frequency, and also that it sits right in your ear. This ensures that your aids aren’t too high or louder than necessary. It also guarantees you never need risk damaging your ears when inserting them.

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Improper care

Even once hearing aids have been professionally fitted, it’s down to you to care for them properly if you want to keep your hearing healthy in the long-term. It doesn’t take a genius to work out that dirty tubes could lead to infections which are sure to do damage. Not to mention that failure to change your batteries could prevent the positive impact of wearing aids in the first place. To make sure that doesn’t happen, it’s worth making an effort to learn more about proper hearing aid care. That way, you never need to worry about your negligence leading to a worsening in your hearing. You’ll simply be able to keep enjoying those hearing benefits.

Volume trouble

The majority of hearing aids now adjust their volume automatically depending on the setting. This, paired with proper programming, means you probably won’t have to worry about your volume settings. This is vital considering that continually turning your aids up too high could do significant damage to your hearing on the whole. Instead, try to adjust to the sound settings in place. If you’re struggling, you could even ask to use a hearing aid loop. This will transmit audio signals directly to the t-coil in your aid for clarity.

These steps are simple to keep on top with. In fact, they’re precautions any hearing aid wearer should already be paying attention to. And, with these in place, you’ll never again need to worry about your aids doing damage.

Fatigue isn’t just feeling tired. When you’re feeling fatigued, a nap alone might not just cut it. It’s feeling like you don’t have the energy for just about anything, and can get in the way of a happy, healthy life. So, what’s bringing your energy levels all the way down and what can you do about it?

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You’re not sleeping right

Though fatigue and sleepiness aren’t always linked, there is often a direct link between the two. If you have lost control of your internal sleep clock, you might find it hard to increase the number of hours you sleep or when you go to bed. There are ways to reset that sleep clock, however. Limiting your exposure to blue light (from laptops, smartphone screens, and other electronics), fasting with 12 hours between breakfast and dinner, and even going camping and exposing your body to the day-night natural light cycle can all help. If you can restart your sleep clock, it can be much easier to go to bed a little earlier and wake up much more refreshed.

You’re not getting the nutrition you need

What we eat and what nutrients we absorb also play a big role when it comes to determining our energy levels. Well balanced meals spaced throughout the day improve our ability to digest food and how our metabolism converts energy, which means we feel more energetic. Hydration is just as important, and IV vitamin therapy can be the boost you need of both nutrients and hydration. It can help give you the energy boost you need while you make the move towards a healthier diet.

It could be in your head

The fact that mood can affect your energy is not a thought to be taken too lightly. Chronic fatigue and a distinct lack of motivation is one of the strange ways that depression can affect you. Depression isn’t just a state of mind, it influences the chemical balance in your brain, and can stop you feeling the effects of natural feel good chemicals like dopamine and endorphins, which give you that energy rush. Taking steps to address depression is essential if you feel like your fatigue is also paired with low moods.

Why it’s worth getting checked out

If you do believe that depression might be the cause of your fatigue, then arranging an appointment with your doctor can be one of the best ways to start addressing it. However, there are many potential medical causes of fatigue, some of them with symptoms and impacts that could be legitimately dangerous. These include diabetes, anemia, liver failure, COPD, sleep apnea, and more. You shouldn’t jump to any conclusions about what might be causing your fatigue. However, it is wise to get yourself checked out just to make sure there are no more serious problems lurking beneath it.

Whether it’s caused by lifestyle factors or there are real reasons you should be seeking medical advice, it’s important to stamp fatigue out when you have the chance. It’s impact on your mood, social life, and health habits are too serious to let lie.