skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, September 20, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Dozens of CA events this weekend honor Latino Conservation Week; Kamala Harris joins Oprah Winfrey in emotional campaign event; Report finds poor working conditions in Texas clean energy industry; AI puts on a lab coat, heads to technical schools.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Hearing Checkups Down During COVID

play audio
Play

Tuesday, April 13, 2021   

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Medical hearing and inner-ear experts are encouraging Nebraskans to make an appointment if they are having difficulty hearing or are feeling dizzy or out of balance, signs of potential inner-ear trouble.

Amanda Rodriguez, vestibular audiologist for Barkley Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic at the University of Nebraska, pointed to recent research, which showed when hearing loss goes untreated, people can be at increased risk for social isolation and loneliness.

"If we can keep our patients engaging in everyday communications, but also keep them functionally independent, that is going to really help the overall longevity, and their ability to be satisfied with their life and have good quality of their life," Rodriguez explained.

Medical operations across the state are following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to keep patients safe during the pandemic.

In addition to social distancing in waiting rooms, Rodriguez noted health providers at her clinic are wearing masks and gloves, and treatment areas are completely sanitized after each visit.

Virtual checkups also are available, including UnitedHealthcare's recently launched "Right2You" program, which provides online hearing tests and access to hearing aids.

Many people with hearing loss have struggled to communicate during the pandemic because masks hide facial expressions and take away the option to read lips.

Jonathan Chiao, chief otolaryngology resident at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, said if anyone experiences sudden hearing loss, it's important to get checked out as soon as possible because some causes are reversible.

"There are ways for us to help bring your hearing back, especially in instances of viral-induced hearing loss," Chiao stressed. "We have treatments for that that should be instated within ten days of actually noticing your hearing is down."

Chiao suggested in order to avoid hearing loss, people should wear protective equipment such as earplugs or enclosed headphones that cancel noise if you are exposed to any loud sounds at home, at work, or hobbies such as hunting.

Children can be especially vulnerable, and Chiao added it's important for everyone to keep the volume down when using earbuds.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
Some 899 of 936 public comments on the plan for the proposed West Fork Dam, or 96%, opposed the West Fork Battle Creek Dam project, according to a tally by Wyofile. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

A federal agency is requiring Wyoming to update cost estimates for a large proposed dam in Carbon County, which has been under feasibility studies …


Social Issues

play sound

This Saturday marks the International Day of Peace and the advocacy group Nonviolent Peaceforce is kicking off a series of family-friendly events in M…

Environment

play sound

Latino Conservation Week is in full swing, with 330 events across the U.S. and 90 in California alone. The 11th annual event runs through Sunday…


Nebraska is one of 10 states to confirmed abortion-related constitutional amendment measures on the ballot in November. (Alcorn Imagery/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Some ballot initiatives this year have taken more than voter signatures to get onto the ballot in Nebraska. They've already withstood major court …

Environment

play sound

Maine officials are stepping up land conservation projects as climate change continues to alter the state's terrain. New funding from the Land for …

Social Issues

play sound

A new study showed as Texas has emerged as a national leader in wind turbine and solar energy installations, clean energy workers often face …

play sound

Students enrolled at Wisconsin's technical colleges this fall might take a course where artificial intelligence is the star of the classroom…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021