Quincy Hearing - September 2017

September 2017

THIS hear Follow the beat of better hearing and healthy living

Why, for Me, September Is a Time of Reflection Taking Stock for the Coming ‘School Year’

I’ve found that by simply eating with more awareness, making it a consistently deliberate act, has transformed my life. I feel like I’ve really fortified my routines with better food, regular exercise, and drinking lemon water every day. I feel more physically prepared for the future than I have in years. The more balance I’ve been able to find in my life in the wake of tragedy, the better I’ve been able to be there for the people who matter in my life, whether it’s my husband, Phil, my patients, or my friends. I’ve always considered myself a good listener (any good audiologist is), but since taking these steps, I feel that I’ve moved into a place in my life where helping people comes even more naturally than before. Really, it all comes down to doing everything I do with intention, staying as present and mindful as possible in the moment. Moving into this next “school year,” I feel more centered than perhaps ever before. I look forward to the future, ready for whatever changes it might bring.

This year’s theme was “essentialism,” a concept that resonated with me after reading Greg McKeown’s book of the same title. The idea is to consider those things in your life that are most important to you, and then to distill your life into those aspects, enabling you to focus on what you truly care about. of myself and my psyche. I recently participated in the Wanderlust 108 Triathlon, a really nontraditional race. The first leg is a 5K run, though it’s not timed and competition is far from your mind. During the second part, participants do 90 minutes of yoga, directed by an experienced instructor. Then, everybody does a guided 30-minute meditation, focused on mindfulness and compassionate thought. It truly was a moving experience, and probably one of my favorite events of the summer. Additionally, I’ve been trying to eat a little healthier. I’m not a dieter — usually depriving myself of the foods I love just causes me to crave themmore — but To that end, in the past few months I’ve been taking steps to truly take care

Growing up, I loved school. So much so, in fact, that I got two undergraduate degrees before going on to secure a doctorate in audiology. That said, I’m never going back — I put in more than my share of time in the classroom. But each year when September came around and the new school semester started, I would take stock of my life, reflect on my accomplishments and challenges, and form new goals for the coming year. It’s a practice that stuck with me long after there were no more classes to go to. The changing leaves give me an opportunity to start fresh. My mother’s passing last year was sort of a wake-up call for me. One of the most central presences of my life was suddenly absent, and aside from the pain of that fact, the transience of human life suddenly became concrete. I thought a lot about my future. How do I want to move forward, I wondered, and what person do I really want to be for the brief time I have left on Earth? What can I do to not only live a more fulfilled, happy life, but to take care of myself so that I can be more present for the people around me?

617-934-2422 | quincyhearing.com | 1

Renovating Reality

Testimonial Corner

Home improvement and renovation shows are as fun to watch as they are frustrating. They can be inspiring when you see design elements you want to incorporate into your own home. And they can be infuriating as you watch a design expert or homeowner make a questionable choice. But one thing’s for sure: Home renovation shows are more popular than ever, making up the bulk of HGTV’s programming. However, not everything is as it seems. Lurking behind the scenes are truths that don’t make it to broadcast. Home renovation is boring. If you’ve ever been involved in a home remodel, you know that from start to finish, the process isn’t that interesting and can take weeks or even months. Shows leave out many of the dull details, giving viewers a feeling of instant gratification. For younger would-be home remodelers, a real home reno can be an eye-opener when they realize just how much of a time investment it requires — even if it’s a single- room reno. Home renovation is expensive. And speaking of the investment, even seemingly simple remodel projects can break budgets. Unlike the average homeowner, home improvement shows get to defer some of that cost. Every home renovation show is one big commercial, and they get steep discounts when they use specific products and manufacturers. Sometimes, they get materials for free. On top of that, TV shows often cut corners to minimize costs. Home renovation is time-consuming. To cut costs and speed up renovation times, on-TV contractors often use cheap, quick-to- install materials. On camera, these materials can be dressed up to look Instagram-worthy, but in reality, they probably won’t last long in the real-world home environment. They want it to look as good as possible in the shortest amount of time, and the camera can hide a lot of the disappointment. The Truth Behind Your Favorite Home Improvement Shows

“Janice stands out among her peers for her experience and customer-focused service. In my experience with hearing aids, no other individual comes even close.” – Jeff L. “My referral to Quincy Hearing led to a very satisfying experience. Conversations with Mia, the secretary, were efficient and pleasant. Since I found it necessary to request an earlier appointment, it became a pleasant and doable call. Dr. Powis provided my hearing evaluation in a most thorough and impressive manner; she began our appointment by ascertaining MY goals for the session. The exam itself and debriefing were thorough and expertly administered.” – John S.

2 | quincyhearing.com | 617-934-2422 | 67 Coddington Street, #103 Quincy, MA 02169

HEARING AIDS The Real Cost of Over-the-Counter

individual ear they fit inside. Experts take measurements to ensure proper comfort with the hearing aids, and they program the microcomputers within to specifically address each patient’s type of hearing loss, implementing your feedback to maximize their benefit. Not only that, but audiologists go to great lengths to educate patients on the proper use and maintenance of these complicated devices, teaching patients how to deal with any issue that might arise. Every ear is completely unique, and hearing loss is no different. It takes a professional, well-versed through years of study and experience, to take your needs and goals into account and provide the exact result you’re looking for from your hearing aids.

Hearing loss can make it difficult to keep up in conversations with loved ones, and it’s easy to be deterred from seeking help. Social stigma and price can be significant barriers to seeking effective hearing aids from a licensed audiologist. The recently-updated Grassley-Warren Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2016 aims to address these concerns, allowing individuals above the age of 18 to purchase hearing aids over-the-counter, without a medical evaluation. But the act doesn’t take into account the real cost of over-the-counter hearing aids: impersonal devices that either don’t work for the patient, or even make hearing more difficult. In an article from The Mighty, titled “Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids May Harm People With Hearing Loss,” Sarah Bricker describes a harrowing experience she had with over-the-counter hearing aids. “Every sound echoed off the walls and the floor, assaulting my ears with pain. The buds were too big for my ear canals, the sounds too much to bear.” The truth of the matter is, as Bricker writes, “Hearing aids aren’t a one-size-fits-all commodity, and they shouldn’t be purchased like reading glasses.” With the aid of an experienced audiologist, hearing aids are delicately calibrated to the needs of every

There’s no need to suffer from shoddily programmed over- the-counter hearing aids. Let us work with you to curb your hearing loss and make talking with friends and family easier than ever before.

Like what you are reading? Drop us a line at [email protected] to receive weekly email content from Dr. Powis, as well as special offers and promotions! Train Your Brain With Sudoku! One-Pan Harvest Pasta

This easy, healthy, hearty recipe is a delicious way to employ the harvest from your vegetable garden.

Ingredients

• 1 (19-ounce) can cannellini beans (white kidney beans), rinsed and drained • 1 3/4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth • 1 cup dried whole grain elbow macaroni • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper • Kosher salt • Ground black pepper (optional) • Snipped fresh basil • Grated Parmesan cheese reduce heat. Cover and simmer 7–10 minutes more or until vegetables and pasta are tender, stirring occasionally.

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil • 1 small eggplant, cut into 1-inch pieces (4 cups) • 1 medium zucchini, coarsely chopped (2 cups) • 2 tomatoes or 4 Roma tomatoes, coarsely chopped (1 cup) • 1/3 cup chopped red onion • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Directions

1. In a very large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, red onion, and garlic. Cook, uncovered, 7–10 minutes or until vegetables are almost tender, stirring occasionally. 2. Add beans, broth, pasta, and crushed red pepper. Bring to a boil, then

Solution

Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper; top with basil and Parmesan cheese and serve.

Recipe courtesy of midwestliving.com.

617-934-2422 | quincyhearing.com | 3

617-934-2422 quincyhearing.com

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

PHONE

WEB

FOLLOW US!

INSIDE this issue SEE WHAT’S 67 Coddington Street, #103 Quincy, MA 02169

Taking Stock for the Coming ‘School Year’ PAGE 1 The Truth Behind Your Favorite Home Improvement Shows Hear What Our Patients Are Saying PAGE 2

The Real Cost of Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids One-Pan Harvest Pasta Sudoku PAGE 3

This Month in History PAGE 4

THIS MONTH IN HISTORY Celebrate a Muppet of a Man

“My hope is still to leave the world a bit better than when I got here.”

Today, almost 30 years after Henson’s sudden death in 1990, the legacy he left behind still creates joy around the world. The Muppets recently returned to the public spotlight with two features films and a sitcom. Jim Henson’s Creature Shop continues to create fantastic designs, from the puppets on “Sesame Street” to characters that perform onstage beside singer Lady Gaga. This past summer, the Creature Shop announced they were teaming up with Netflix to produce a 10-episode prequel series to “The Dark Crystal.” When it comes to people who left the world a better place, it’s easy to see how Jim Henson’s unique brand of magic and creativity allowed him to do just that.

Henson’s Creature Shop, a special effects company that specializes in puppetry, animatronics, and creature suits. Henson also helped create movie history when he was invited to the set of “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” to aid in the creation of an iconic character: Yoda. Prior to Henson’s involvement, director George Lucas intended to use a trained monkey in a mask to portray the Jedi Master. Henson encouraged Lucas to hire puppeteer Frank Oz instead. Oz has since voiced Yoda in five Star Wars films, with rumors he will return to the character for the upcoming “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.”

–JimHenson

September 24, 2017, marks the 81st birthday of Jim Henson. While the general public may know Henson best for his zany, beloved Muppets, the celebrated storyteller was involved in many groundbreaking shows and movies. Other fantastical productions beneath the Henson banner include the eerie and magical cult classic “Labyrinth,” starring music icon David Bowie, “The Dark Crystal,” and the TV series “The Storyteller.” Henson also founded Jim

4 | quincyhearing.com | 617-934-2422 | 67 Coddington Street, #103 Quincy, MA 02169