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Advances in technology may just change the way you think about hearing aids
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The hearing impaired stay connected with high-tech Bluetooth technology and their cellphones. - photo by Erin Goff
After a little nudging from his wife, 59-year-old Mike Stocking found himself at the audiologist office.

"I would always say don't talk to me in this ear, I can't hear you as well as this one here. She kept telling me you need to get your ears checked," Stocking said.

Stocking originally was not interested in hearing aids, but his mindset quickly changed six months ago when he opted for the new high-tech wireless hearing aids with Bluetooth capability.

His audiologist, Dr. Michael Walker, explained how they work and the benefits, "You can route phone calls directly from your cellphone through your hearing aids. The neat thing is you're hearing it in both ears and it's converted to your hearing loss."

Stocking said he just uses an app. "You get the app and (snap) you're just that fast and I'm not very smart with smartphones, but it was quick to put it on there," said Stocking.

Dr. Walker makes all the settings specific to Mike's hearing loss. Stocking can then make quick and easy adjustments for different environments, like restaurants and other noisy situations.

Stocking drives tractor trailers nearly 500 miles every day, hearing the hum of the highway. His new aids are music to his ears. He can now hear people talking 100 feet away, and then there are the little things that Stocking didn't know he was missing. "I can hear myself walking on carpet barefoot," said Stocking.

Dr. Walker says the stigma attached to hearing aids is long gone and increasing communication with the hard of hearing helps everyone. "If you're cut off from society, like a hearing loss would do that, you are unable to communicate with your family, your friends and a lot of times people will be isolated," said Walker.

The hearing aids help get rid of the isolation factor Walker said and increase the quality of life.

These new hearing aids are smaller size. They are also more comfortable and Stocking proudly shows them off, he said, "The benefit far outweighs not having the negative to me."

These new high-tech hearing aids do not come cheap. You can expect to pay about $4,000 to $7,000 a pair. Some insurance does cover it, and some audiologists allow patients to try them first before purchasing.
Its toxic: New study says blue light from tech devices can speed up blindness
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A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers. - photo by Herb Scribner
It turns out checking Twitter or Facebook before bed is bad for your health.

A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers.

That process can lead to age-related macular degeneration, which is a leading cause of blindness in the United States, according to the researchs extract.

Blue light is a common issue for many modern Americans. Blue light is emitted from screens, most notably at night, causing sleep loss, eye strain and a number of other issues.

Dr. Ajith Karunarathne, assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, said our constant exposure to blue light cant be blocked by the lens or cornea.

"It's no secret that blue light harms our vision by damaging the eye's retina. Our experiments explain how this happens, and we hope this leads to therapies that slow macular degeneration, such as a new kind of eye drop, he said.

Macular degeneration is an incurable eye disease that often affects those in their 50s or 60s. It occurs after the death of photoreceptor cells in the retina. Those cells need retinal to sense light and help signal the brain.

The research team found blue light exposure created poisonous chemical molecules that killed photoreceptor cells

"It's toxic. If you shine blue light on retinal, the retinal kills photoreceptor cells as the signaling molecule on the membrane dissolves," said Kasun Ratnayake, a Ph.D. student researcher working in Karunarathne's cellular photo chemistry group. "Photoreceptor cells do not regenerate in the eye. When they're dead, they're dead for good."

However, the researchers found a molecule called alpha-tocopherol, which comes from Vitamin E, can help prevent cell death, according to Futurism.

The researchers plan to review how light from TVs, cellphones and tablet screens affect the eyes as well.

"If you look at the amount of light coming out of your cellphone, it's not great but it seems tolerable," said Dr. John Payton, visiting assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. "Some cellphone companies are adding blue-light filters to the screens, and I think that is a good idea."

Indeed, Apple released a Night Shift mode two years ago to help quell blue lights strain on the eyes, according to The Verge. The screen will dim into a warmer, orange light that will cause less stress on the eyes.