August 17, 2020

Telemedicine Is Here: Experts Offer Tips for Seniors

MONDAY, Aug. 10, 2020 -- Virtual medical visits have been invaluable for many during the COVID-19 pandemic, but older adults may still need help managing them -- especially if they are hard of hearing.

That's according to doctors at Johns Hopkins University, in Baltimore. Writing in the Aug. 11 Annals of Internal Medicine, they offer some practical advice on navigating "telemedicine."

August 9, 2020

Face Masks Making Things Tough for the Deaf

TUESDAY, July 21, 2020 -- As the debate over face masks continues, few may realize how the coverings make it hard for the 48 million Americans with hearing loss to communicate with others.

Masks can muffle sound, making it more difficult to understand speech and higher-pitched voices; prevent the ability to read lips and see facial expressions, which help people with hearing loss better understand what they're hearing; and be uncomfortable for people with hearing aids or cochlear implants, hearing experts say.

August 9, 2020

Many Stay Optimistic Until Old Age Hits

THURSDAY, Aug. 6, 2020 -- People tend to be optimistic for most of their life, even when they have to cope with serious challenges, a new study finds.

Researchers surveyed 75,000 people aged 16 to 101 in the United States, Germany and the Netherlands to assess their optimism and outlook about the future.

July 17, 2020

More Clues to the Genes Behind Hearing Loss

THURSDAY, July 16, 2020 -- Dutch researchers have identified a common genetic variant as a cause of deafness, and say it could be a good target for gene therapy.

Deafness in adults is known to be inherited but, unlike childhood deafness, the genetic causes aren't clear.

July 17, 2020

Many Older Americans Face Ageism Every Day, Survey Finds

THURSDAY, July 16, 2020 -- Age-based job demotions, forced retirements and other overt examples of age discrimination can be harmful to older adults.

But what about more subtle forms of ageism -- like jokes about "senior moments," or assuming an older person can't use technology, or the constant barrage of anti-wrinkle ads in the media?

July 9, 2020

U.S. Air Pollution Still at Deadly Levels, Study Finds

TUESDAY, July 7, 2020 -- Fine particulate air pollution remains at levels deadly to older Americans, a new study finds.

If U.S. air quality standards for fine particulate pollution ((PM2.5) complied with World Health Association guidelines, more than 140,000 lives could be saved over a decade, say researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, in Boston.