Dr. Izzy’s Sound News

Presented By: Isidore Kirsh, Ph.D., F.A.A.A. (N.J. Lic. #678)

Dr. Isidore Kirsh Ph.D., F.A.A.A.

4 Ways Hearing & Vision Work Together

Hearing actually enhances sight, According to a UCLA study, both senses work as a team to help you perceive and participate in the world around you. Study participants ran through a series of trials to correctly identify the direction in which a display of dots moved. Hearing the direction in which the dots were collectively traveling enhanced participants’ ability to see the direction of the movement.

Visually challenged seniors are more likely to experience hearing loss, A study published in the medical journal JAMA Ophthalmology uncovered links between age-related vision and hearing problems. Researchers found that even after considering age, the two conditions are somehow linked and “have a cumulative effect on function and well-being, significantly affecting both physical and mental domains.”

Vision and hearing loss accompany cognitive decline; Research shows that either condition is connected to reduced brain functioning over time. One study found that participants with the most profound vision impairment had the lowest average scores on cognition tests. And hearing-challenged seniors on average may experience significant- ly reduced cognitive function at least three years before their normal-hearing counterparts.

Healthy eyes and ears help you keep your balance. It’s pretty obvious that seeing your best helps you stay upright, but many people may not realize that the inner ear also plays an important role in maintaining balance. Conversely, untreated hearing loss could nearly triple your risk of a fall, per a study from Johns Hopkins. We all know that eyes and ears play a huge role in experiencing life’s adventures. Seeing and hearing the people, places, and moments that matter create wonderful, lasting memories. What fewer people know is that sight and hearing are intertwined. Here are four reasons to make regular checkups for hearing and vision an important part of your wellness plan:

Hearing and vision work together to help you live your best life, so remember to keep them both healthy. Start with a hearing checkup by contacting us today! 732-818-3610 (Toms River & Whiting) or 609-978-8946 (Manahawkin).

Dr. Izzy & his Staff are always available to answer any hearing care questions you may have. Visit us at www. gardenstatehearing.com.

6 Important Tips To Stay Safe

By Suzy Cohen, R. Ph.

Laxatives are intended to stay in the gut, however, some can affect the central nervous system indirectly by impacting electrolyte balance or stripping away the body’s natural gut microflora.

One in particular called MiraLAX® (PEG 3350) is an “osmotic” laxative. It draws water into the colon which softens the stools and stimulates peristalsis and ultimately a bowel movement. Like all other osmotic laxatives, it has the potential to mildly alter electrolyte balance in the bloodstream, although that effect is rare if it is used properly according to label directions.

MiraLAX is FDA-approved to treat constipation in adults only and is only supposed to be used for a week. It is recommended for opiate-induced constipation in adults. In a short time frame like these scenarios, you should not experience any untoward effects.

But what if you took it for several months?

What if you gave an adult-only drug to a small child? What if your doctor told you to keep taking it beyond a week?

Overusing, misusing or abusing laxatives is common and leads to unwanted side effects. The electrolytes that were in homeostasis in the bloodstream become altered unnaturally when laxatives are used chronically.

The FDA has received reports of behavioral changes over the years, especially in children taking PEG 3350. These include agitation and aggression and other behavioral issues. The relationship between PEG 3350 and these side effects hasn’t been formally tied together with a clinical trial. It’s what’s called “anecdotal” and these types of laxatives remain popular all over the world.

But are psychiatric/emotional problems even