The three main components of a hearing aid are the microphone to pick the sound, the amplifier to make the sound loud, and the receiver that sends the sound into the ear canal. Also, in the modern digital hearing aids, the microphone transmits the sound to a computer chip to adjust the volume and amplifies the sound frequencies that help in improving one’s hearing.
There are different types of hearing aids available, below are the three popular types of hearing aids.
Traditional behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid
In this type of hearing aid, all the electronic components are placed in a plastic case and are worn behind the ear. The tube that connects the case to the receiver sends the sound to the ear. Also, a custom earmold is worn in the canal of the ear. The advantage of using a traditional behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid is that it provides amazing and flexible features like high- and low-frequency amplification, which makes it a great choice for people with severe hearing loss. Also, the controls of these traditional models are easy to manage and the telecoil mode gets selected and used easily. Additionally, the custom-made earmold is easy to clean.
Mini-behind-the-ear (mBTE) hearing aid
This type of hearing aid goes by different names like receiver-in-the-canal (RIC), canal receiver technology (CRT), receiver-in-the-ear (RITE), and receiver-in-the-aid (RITA). The receiver is the speaker that transmits the sounds to the inner ear that is inside the ear canal. It attaches to the ear through a thin wire and a custom-made earmold. The custom-made earmold is a made of a soft material that is made to fit snugly in the ear to channel the sound into the ear. The mini-behind-the-ear (mBTE) hearing aid is quite comfortable and barely visible. Also, larger versions of the same are available that are easy to insert. However, the moisture and wax buildup may limit the life of the receiver.
In-the-canal (IIC) hearing aid
These hearing aids are barely visible and it does not feel plugged-up as the hearing aid sits deep in the canal. Larger units of these types of hearing aids include directional microphones. The major issue people face while using this hearing aid is discomfort. Also, the battery tends to be small, making the battery life relatively short. These models are prone to moisture and the receiver may face clogging because of earwax.
Millions of people in the country suffer from some form of hearing loss. Hearing aids help in significantly improving the ability to hear by simply making sounds louder, clearer, and easier to understand. Choosing the right hearing aid depends upon various factors like the severity and type of hearing loss, manual dexterity, and lifestyle.
Below are the three essential features to look for in hearing aids.
Telecoil
A telecoil is a copper wire or a small sensor that is placed in the hearing aid, it is an option provided by many modern hearing aids. When the telecoil is activated, it picks signals from the hearing-aid-compatible public address systems, such as concert halls, taxis, museums, conference rooms, and the subway trains, and telephones. The energy derived is then converted into a sound. A hearing loop or an audio induction loop, which is a wire that circles a telecoil-compatible space and emits the signal that the telecoil picks up. This technology is extremely helpful in hearing aids, especially, for people with moderate to profound loss of hearing. A telecoil helps to understand a speaker’s voice better by making it louder. It helps in the elimination of background noise and reverberation.
Digital feedback reduction
Digital feedback reduction is also known as feedback suppression. It helps to quell the high-pitched whistling sounds. Most of the modern hearing aids have this feature. However, its effectiveness tends to differ. If the hearing aid is slightly dislodged from the ear or if one is close, digital feedback reduction helps in minimizing the feedback. It also allows for much more comfort, venting, and sound quality for listeners who in their lowest pitches have a good hearing. Also, a proper fit of hearing aid helps in the reduction of feedback.
Directional microphone
A directional microphone helps to have a conversation in noisy environments by making the audio signal in front of the person and canceling the noise from the rear or the sides. This technology is available in most modern hearing aids and it works the best when one is close to the sound source. Most hearing aids are able to automatically switch between omnidirectional and directional settings, depending on how the environment is.
Your food choices have a great impact on both your physical and mental health. Good nutrition is an important aspect to lead a healthy lifestyle. Dieting with proper food choices and schedule reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as heart diseases and even cancer. Our country has been witnessing an obesity epidemic as nearly 35% of adult citizens are suffering from the same. This also results in a rise in the cases of type 2 diabetes, stroke (heart failure), and osteoporosis. Mentioned below is a list of diets full of nutritious food sources that you can space out evenly through the day and lead a healthy lifestyle.
DASH diet- It stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. The diet is promoted by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to prevent the symptoms of high blood pressure. It emphasizes eating blood pressure-deflating fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and low-fat dairy. DASH diet focuses on nutrients like calcium, protein, potassium, and fiber. Dietitians suggest that following this diet caps the daily sodium intake to roughly 1500 milligrams per day.
Mediterranean diet- This diet is low in red meat and saturated fats and high in nuts and produce. A Mediterranean diet offers a host of health benefits, including heart and brain health, weight loss, and other chronic diseases. The diet pyramid consists of food sources like whole grains, beans, nuts, legumes, olive oil. It also focuses on eating a lot of seafood and moderate consumption of eggs, cheese, and yogurt.
Flexitarian diet- The name of the diet is made from two words: “flexible” and “vegetarian”. It was coined at least a decade ago. A flexitarian diet focuses on reaping the benefits of vegetarianism. It suggests that you can focus on eating healthy greens most of the time and still eat a steak when the urge hits. Populating your diet with green leafy vegetables helps you get your daily dose of fiber and vitamins, thereby reducing cholesterol in the body that is accumulated due to a high meat diet. A flexitarian diet restricts your per day calorie intake to 1500. However, the plan can be tweaked on the basis of age, gender, and overall health condition.
MIND diet- Short for Mediterranean- DASH Intervention for Neurogenerative Delay, the diet is a combination of the two most effective diets: the Mediterranean and DASH diets. The MIND diet zeroes in on food that especially lower the risk of a mental decline. The diet emphasizes eating more berries, nuts, and leafy greens as it slows down the progression of certain mental disorders.
People pick up unhealthy habits due to a variety of reasons; it can either be peer pressure or some personal issue that forces them into developing this habit. One such addiction that claims 480,000 lives every year is smoking. Smoking is a highly-addictive habit that poses a great threat to the individual who smokes and those in the vicinity of smokers. In fact, passive smoking or secondhand smoking has resulted in about 41,000 deaths every year.
So, if a loved one is trying to kick the butt, they’ll need all they can get. Here are some handy tips that will help people quit smoking effectively.
Gear up before going “cold turkey”
One cannot quit smoking simply by throwing away the cigarettes out. Smoking is an addiction and it affects the brain as well. The brain becomes addicted to the nicotine, and without it, the individual will experience withdrawal symptoms. Which is why it is imperative to make arrangements in advance as the individual will need support to get through this phase. So, it is sensible to ask the doctor for ways to cope with the withdrawal symptoms, or join some quit-smoking classes, establish a solid support system, counseling, or opting for hypnosis or medication.
Opt for nicotine replacement therapy
When someone decides to quit smoking, the nicotine withdrawal can give them headaches, fatigue, and mood swings. The craving will hit them hard, and the urge for “one last drag” will make all the efforts futile. If this is the case, opting for nicotine replacement therapy can help ease the withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine replacement therapy includes nicotine gum, nicotine patches, and lozenges, and these will improve one’s chances of quitting smoking successfully.
Avoid alcohol and other triggers
Alcohol is known to weaken one’s resolve as people under the influence of alcohol aren’t capable of making sound decisions. It is harder to stick to the goal of quitting smoking if one consumes alcohol. So, it is imperative to try and limit the alcohol intake in the beginning, and stop it completely as the journey to quit smoking progresses. Instead of drinking alcohol, one can switch to tea for a few weeks and the urge to drink will subside eventually.
Adhering to these tips to quit smoking will require a lot of conviction and willpower, and even if the individual fails the first time, the resolve to kick the butt should make them try harder the next time.
Battling an addiction is one of the toughest journeys one can embark on as it takes more than just the will to quit the addiction. Not many people can quit an addiction in the first attempt itself. One such habit that takes a toll on an individual’s willpower is smoking. Smoking is one of the highly-addictive habits which claims numerous lives every year. The health issues that arise out of chain smoking are extremely grave, which is why smokers are encouraged to quit smoking at any point in time.
The decision to quit smoking won’t be easy; it will be initially met with reluctance to go through the strenuous process of withdrawal, but the motivation to keep going through the grinding process comes from the various benefits of finally quitting smoking. So, take a look at the major benefits of kicking the butt and this will be the catalyst to help people continue their journey.
It reduces the risk of heart diseases
It is common knowledge that even light smoking damages the heart and blood vessels. This is a euphemistic way of saying that it makes smokers highly susceptible to developing coronary heart diseases. Smoking causes plaque to build up in the coronary arteries that supply oxygenated blood to the heart; when this supply is reduced or obstructed, it causes a heart attack. When one quits smoking, it reduces the risk of developing coronary heart diseases greatly. In fact, one year after the person quits smoking, the risk of heart diseases is cut in half.
Reduces the risk of lung cancer
One of the major causes of lung cancer is smoking. Smokers face 20 times more chances of dying from a disease like lung cancer than non-smokers. Which is why smokers are encouraged to quit smoking even if they have been smoking for years. Ten years of leading a smoke-free life will reduce the risk of lung cancer by half compared to a regular smoker.
Improved sensations
Smoking hinders the individual’s eyesight and dulls the sense of taste and smell. So, the moment the person decides to quit smoking, they will witness a marked improvement in the way they perceive food and smell.
Improves the skin
Continuous smoking affects the skin as well; the skin tends to lose its elasticity, which makes it more prone to develop wrinkles at an early age. Moreover, it makes the skin appear dull and lacking in luster. Therefore, quitting smoking will reverse the damage smoking inflicted on the skin, and gradually, it will attain a healthy glow again.
Dental care has improved by leaps and bounds over the past several years; however, billions of people continue to suffer tooth loss. The loss of teeth can be attributed to factors like aging, decay, injury, or oral disease. Damage or loss of a tooth can not only affect oral functions but can also affect the health of the surrounding teeth. For the longest time, the only treatment option available to people with missing teeth included dentures and bridges. However, the advancement in technology has made the dental implant treatment widely accessible to people.
Replacement tooth roots and dental implants are designed to be a strong foundation that supports permanent or removable teeth. These artificial teeth match the look and the functionality of natural teeth. There are numerous advantages associated with getting dental implants and here are the most notable ones.
Easier chewing
Tooth replacements like dentures can make chewing a little difficult. On the other hand, dental implants function just as well as your own teeth. One can munch and chew even tough foods comfortably and without experiencing any kind of pain.
Better oral health
Tooth-supported bridges and other forms of tooth replacement treatments may require reduction or filing of other teeth. However, with dental implants, the size or the placement of the nearby teeth does not have to be altered. Thus, this leaves more of the natural teeth intact and your oral health is better protected. Dental implants also help one to achieve better oral cleaning and improved hygiene because of the easy access between teeth.
Natural appearance
Dental implants render the most natural feel and look. They appear and begin to become a part of your own tooth set. Moreover, they fuse with the bone over a period and become permanent. You regain your beautiful smile, making you feel more confident.
Added convenience
The popularly used dentures are removable and must be maintained well through several cleaning steps. Dental implants let an individual do away with the added chore of removing and cleaning the dentures. No more does one have to be hassled with the inconvenience of dealing with messy adhesives.
Durable
Dental implants are one of the most durable tooth replacement methods. When cared for well, the implants can last for several years. Typically, dental implants are recorded to last a lifetime.
Living with a chronic condition like diabetes can be extremely difficult. Moreover, the restrain diabetics have to show when it comes to food is something others cannot fathom. The food that people with diabetes are asked to switch to is healthy, but at the same time, it doesn’t stand a chance against bacon and fried eggs, which people usually love having for breakfast. However, to ensure that they do not experience hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia, it is imperative for diabetics to consume healthy food even though it tastes bland.
Diabetics can now rejoice as the days when oatmeal or kale were the only options for breakfast are long gone. The internet is rife with amazing breakfast recipes for diabetics, and these are extremely healthy. So, read on to learn about some amazing breakfast recipes that do not require much effort.
Breakfast shake
Though diabetics need to refrain from consuming ready-to-make shakes without consulting their doctor, they can enjoy a nice homemade breakfast shake. For this easy breakfast shake, you’ll need one cup of fat-free milk or plain nonfat yogurt and half a cup of fruit, such as blueberries, bananas, or strawberries. You will have to blend these ingredients with one teaspoon of wheat germ, a teaspoon of nuts, and ice. Once you blend it, you’ll be looking at a tasty, filling, and healthy breakfast.
Muffin parfait
Muffins are a big no for people with diabetes, but healthy muffins, a completely new concept, will not trigger fluctuations of the blood sugar level. So, get a whole grain or high-fiber muffin and cut it into half. Once you complete halving it, cover it with berries and top it with a dollop of low or non-fat yogurt. This muffin parfait recipe ensures that you can relish the muffin without feeling guilty at all.
Breakfast burrito
Burritos are not exactly known for being healthy, but you can definitely make healthy breakfast burritos. You will need a nonstick skillet and cooking spray, and once you are armed with these, scramble eggs with onions and green peppers or spinach. Once the filling is ready, place it in a warm, whole-wheat tortilla and sprinkle some non-fat cheddar cheese and salsa over it. Voila! Your breakfast burrito is ready. Also, using whole eggs for this recipe won’t cause problems for diabetics as whole eggs have more nutritional value than egg whites.
Tags- recipe
Dental implants are metal frames or posts that are surgically positioned into the jawbone beneath the gums. They allow the dentists to mount artificial replacement teeth onto that frame, providing support to the artificial teeth. There are various types of dental implants as every patient has a different type of jaw and teeth to gum ratio. A dentist will also recommend a dental implant based on the patient’s oral and general health history.
The following are the four main types of dental implants recommended by dentists:
Subperiosteal dental implants
These types of dental implants are placed in the jaw bone using metal posts to hold restoration. Subperiosteal dental implants are used in a single-stage treatment.
Single-stage dental implants
These are longer implants placed on the jaw and the gum. The top of the implant is exposed, allowing the dentists to access the area of bone after several months of healing. As a result, they can place the abutment and restore the implant without surgically exposing the dental implant again.
Endosteal/endosseous dental implant
These types of dental implants are placed on to the jaw and are usually used in place of a bridge or a denture.
Two-stage dental implants
The patient requires surgery for placing this type of dental implant into the jawbone. After a few months of healing, the dentist will perform a second-stage minor surgery, exposing the dental implant and attaching the dental implant with a temporary crown and abutment for restoration.
Mini implants
They are also referred to as small diameter or narrow diameter implants requiring a less-invasive procedure. Measuring less than three millimeters in diameter, mini implants are recommended for patients who do not have a healthy bone tissue for traditional dental surgery.
Same day implants
These implants are also known as immediate load dental implants. The same day implants allow the dentist to place temporary crowns over the dental implants in a single treatment session. These dental implants fuse with the natural bone over a period of three to six months. The temporary crown is then replaced with a permanent custom crown.
The patient needs to have healthy gums and adequate bone to support dental implants. It also requires commitment toward oral hygiene and regular dental visits for the long-term success of the dental implants.