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What You Need to Know About Motorcycles and Hearing Loss
The season for riding your motorcycle is winding down as the weather cools, but it’s not over yet. While you get in the last few rides, don’t forget about the effect riding a motorcycle can have on your hearing. What Causes Hearing Loss in Motorcyclists? Motorcycle engines are loud, but you may be surprised to…
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Are You Blowing Your Nose Correctly?
With cold and flu season upon us, stuffy and runny noses are going to become more common. You may be surprised to learn that there’s a right and a wrong way to blow your nose, and doing it wrong can have some significant effects. How to Blow Your Nose Focusing on one nostril at a…
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The Different Types of Sore Throat
Undoubtedly, you’ve experienced a sore throat before. All sore throats occur due to inflammation in the throat, but there are actually three subtypes of sore throat, and they’re sorted according to which part of the throat is experiencing inflammation. The subtypes are pharyngitis, laryngitis and tonsillitis, and they affect the pharynx, the larynx and the…
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How To Know You’re Dealing with Listening Fatigue
If you’ve been feeling abnormally or overly tired at the end of the day, especially on days when you were socializing a lot or doing a lot of listening, like at lectures or a conference, you may be experiencing listening fatigue. Hearing and paying attention are more tiring than we realize, but they can be…
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The Connection Between Your Jaw and Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a relatively common phenomenon, affecting 50 million Americans. It’s characterized by the perception of a phantom sound, such as ringing, humming or buzzing, in the ear with no external source. Tinnitus can be caused by a wide variety of other conditions, ranging from loud noise exposure to cardiovascular disease to ear injury. Research…
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What to Know About Sinus Infections During Allergy Season
We’re not out of the weeds yet for allergy season: ragweed begins flowering in August. If your allergies trigger strong sinus issues—such as an itchy, runny nose and lots of sneezing—you may be at risk for developing a sinus infection. Allergies and sinus infections have many similar symptoms, but they can last longer, and symptoms…
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Signs Your Sinus Infection Is Chronic
A sinus infection occurs when the sinuses—the spaces inside the nose and head—become blocked and can’t drain mucus. This results in a stuffy nose, facial pressure, headaches, postnasal drip and fever. Also known as sinusitis, a sinus infection usually lasts about a week and will go away on its own. But if symptoms last over…
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Understanding Decibel Measurements and How They Affect Your Hearing
Three sound measures indicate whether something you hear will damage your hearing. Knowing what they are and when a sound can become dangerous to your health can help you better protect your hearing, no matter where you are and what kind of hearing protection you can access. Sound Measures: 1. Sound Pressure Level (SPL)—measured in…
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How Can I Manage Eye Allergies?
Feeling something like there’s an eyelash in your eye that you just can’t see is a frustrating experience. While eyelashes are a common culprit behind eye irritation, there’s another significant cause: allergies. Eye allergies, or allergic conjunctivitis, happen when something, like pollen, dust or pet dander, irritates the eye. This irritation can cause red, itchy…
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How Could Construction and Urban Growth Impact My Allergies
The steady rise of new neighborhoods, office buildings and road projects may signal progress, but for the 100 million Americans who experience allergy symptoms each year, it can also signal trouble. Construction and urban development often stir up environmental changes that aggravate allergy symptoms. Whether you live near a construction zone or work in an…