Izzy’s Sound News

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

Hearing Aids And Water

By now, you’ve probably heard that there are waterproof hearing aids. This is true, and they’re an amazing technological advancement, but most devices are only water resistant. This is made possible by a moisture-repellent nano-coating. It’s helpful but not impenetrable. Here are some tips to protect your tech from water damage: Want more advice on how to protect your investment in better hearing? Call us today — we’re HEAR to help! This may seem like a lot of things to keep in mind while wearing and caring for your devices, but the precautions are worth it. Over time, exposure to moisture can corrode the delicate electronics and shorten their lifespan. By doing what you can to keep them dry, you’ll save on repairs, replacements, and premature upgrades.

Avoid Moisture Altogether Remember to take your devices out of your ears before showering, hitting the pool, or getting into the hot tub. Be sure to store them in their own secure case rather than in a pocket or purse. The safest risk is the one you don’t take.

Wipe Them Down Wiping your devices daily with a clean, dry cloth helps clear moisture and debris. Audiowipes can be purchased from your hearing healthcare professional which is even a better option than using a dry cloth. This is especially important during the colder months when condensation is more likely to form.

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

Use Hearing Aid Covers These can help protect your devices from water splashes, sweat, humidity, dust, and dirt.

Try a Hearing Aid Dryer or Dehumidifier

This small appliance not only dries and sanitizes your devices as you sleep but can also double as their regular storage container. Hearing aids should be dried every night. Many rechargeable hearing aids incorporate a dehumidifier built into the charging unit. Keep a Hat on Hand You never know when an unexpected rain shower might crash your outdoor fun. Having a spare hat can help keep the rain off you as well as your hearing aids.

Act Quickly If the worst happens and your hearing aids get soaked, thoroughly dry them and call your audiologist — don’t put them in a bag of rice!

This may seem like a lot of things to keep in mind while wearing and caring for your devices, but the precautions are worth it. Over time, exposure to moisture can corrode the delicate electronics and shorten their lifespan. By doing what you can to keep them dry, you’ll save on repairs, replacements, and premature upgrades.

Dr. Izzy & his Staff are always available to answer all of your hearing care questions. They can be reached at 732-818-3610 (Toms River/Whiting) or 609-978-8946 (Manahawkin) or visit us at www.gardenstatehearing.com.

His offices are in Toms River, Whiting, and Manahawkin. He can be reached at 732-276-1011 or via Web site at gardenstatehearing.com. Dr. Izzy & Staff gives Retirement Community Talks!

Discover Assistive Communication Technology

BRICK – People with disabilities, their families, teachers, and employers can benefit greatly from advances in assistive technology. Learn about augmented and alternative communication devices at the Ocean County Library Brick Branch, 6:30 p.m. April 17.

Kate Flaxman, MS CCC-SLP, Augmentative Communication Specialist for Advancing Opportunities (AO) will provide extensive details about the uses of assistive technology and augmented and alternative communication devices.

She will also offer information about AO’s technology lending library, which helps individuals identify effective technology for their goals, and also offers instructions for implementation. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation.

Advancing Opportunities, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is recognized as one of the leading disability service providers in New Jersey, offering solutions to foster independent living.

The presentation is part of OCL’s Milestones in Neurodiversity & Literacy to Grow program, providing literacy-based services for the neurodiverse community, from birth to age five, through a Library Services and Technology Act 2022 (LSTA) grant administered by the New Jersey State Library, an affiliate of Thomas Edison State University.

LSTA 22 funds are awarded to library projects that address literacy needs including, but not limited to, early literacy, family literacy, adult literacy, digital literacy, and financial and English language learning activities. Awarded projects are designed to provide training or other literacy-focused support or activities for adults and/or children.

Funding for LSTA 22 grants is made possible by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, with the purpose of addressing literacy needs and supporting literacy projects across the state. Register at theoceancountylibaryorg/events to attend this free program. For more information, visit the Brick Branch, 301 Chambers Bridge Road, or call 732-477-4513.

Suzy Cohen, R. Ph.

Can Vitamin C Replace Statins? Potential Benefits For Cardiovascular Health

By Suzy Cohen, R. Ph.

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid plays a vital role in various physiological processes in the human body. We can’t make it ourselves. We have to eat it or take dietary supplements.

As you know, vitamin C functions as an antioxidant, protecting our body against oxidative stress caused by free radicals which destroy cells. This leads to chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and faster aging (due to a breakdown in collagen).

A deficiency of vitamin C can cause numerous problems to occur, mainly because of the lack of collagen production which C facilitates. Low collagen will cause more wrinkles as well as fatigue, endothelial dysfunction, anemia, frequent infections, anxiety, depression, and tender, bleeding gums.

Low collagen causes vasoconstriction which increases blood pressure. The collagen that C helps you produce ensures a more elastic blood vessel, and that’s what you want. Without enough collagen, the vessels are not as bendy and it’s this loss of elasticity (and resulting oxidative stress) that increases your risk for hypertension.

Several studies have shown that vitamin C supplementation can lead to a significant reduction in blood pressure in people with hypertension. For example, a meta-analysis of 29 randomized controlled trials found that vitamin C supplementation led to a modest but statistically significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Some studies suggest that vitamin C may have a modest beneficial effect on cholesterol levels. You can certainly take it with a statin drug if your practitioner likes the idea because there’s no bad interaction. The C enhances the effect of the statin’s cholesterol-reducing power. But to answer the question, “Can vitamin C replace statins” the answer is no. It definitely doesn’t reduce cholesterol like the pharmaceutics, but it will contribute to better cardiovascular health if you maintain adequate levels. People like to supplement with vitamin C. The truth is that synthetic ascorbic acid will give you vitamin C - it’s made in a laboratory and derived from corn usually. It’s not bad, it’s just that some people think that all those supplements are made by squeezing oranges, and that’s just not true. There are some 100% natural vitamin C brands that are produced by extracting the nutrient from actual fruits like cherries, lemons, oranges, and grapefruits which is what I do.

Here’s a fun fact about blood pressure: Did you know that giraffes have incredibly high blood pressure, it’s around 280/180 mmHg, which is more than twice the average human blood pressure!

This is because giraffes have really long necks, so their hearts have to work extra hard to pump blood all the way up to their heads. But they’re generally healthy and rarely experience cardiovascular problems since their blood vessels are very elastic so they don’t rupture or tear.

Ask your physician about it if you take certain medications like antibiotics like tetracycline or erythromycin. High doses of vitamin C may interfere with the effectiveness of chemotherapy. I have a more comprehensive version of this article.

To read that, please visit my website, suzycohen.com.”

(This information is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Suzy Cohen is the author of “The 24-Hour Pharmacist” and “Real Solutions.” For more information, visit www.SuzyCohen.com) ©2022 SUZY COHEN, RPH. DISTRIBUTED BY DEAR PHARMACIST, INC.