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That adjustment period for new hearing aids

Before new hearing aid patients depart from their first fitting, I always deliver a few brief reminders. I advise patients to exercise patience with their new technology. Unlike acquiring a new pair of glasses, which allows for an immediate verification of improved vision with a mere blink, the journey for a new hearing aid user requires an adjustment period. This involves acclimatizing to their proper fit, familiarizing themselves with the volume controls and understanding additional features, including cleaning and maintenance needs. To the families of these new hearing aid users, I ...

MAHA has reshaped health policy. Now it’s working on environmental rules

WASHINGTON (AP) — On New Year’s Eve, Lee Zeldin did something out of character for an Environmental Protection Agency leader who has been hacking away at regulations intended to protect Americans’ air and water. He announced new restrictions on five chemicals commonly used in building ...

Do you need to control your cortisol? Probably not, doctors say

Cortisol, what is known as the stress hormone, is the talk of the internet. Wellness influencers warn about the various symptoms of chronically high cortisol: waking up at 3 a.m., swollen “cortisol face” and accumulating belly fat. And many offer diet and exercise routines that they claim will help. But do you really need supplements and advice from influencers to control your cortisol? Doctors say it’s very unlikely. Don’t be so quick to label this hormone as a villain, they say. And if you suspect something is off, talk to a professional. Here’s what to ...

Why skin gets dry in winter and how to treat it quickly

As the colder months drag on and heaters continue to blast, many people notice their skin turning itchy, flaky, tight, or even cracked. If it feels like your skin transforms overnight once winter hits, you’re not imagining it. Dermatologists see a surge in dry-skin complaints every year, and ...

US life expectancy hit an all-time high in 2024, CDC says

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. life expectancy rose to 79 years in 2024 — the highest mark in American history. It’s the result of not only the dissipation of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also waning death rates from all the nation’s top killers, including heart disease, cancer and drug ...

Geisinger chief medical officer Jason W. Mitchell, M.D., named to HAP board

DANVILLE — Geisinger’s chief medical officer, Jason W. Mitchell, M.D., is among the newest members of the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania’s (HAP) board of directors. He started a 3-year term this month that runs through December 2028. The HAP board includes up to 28 health leaders from across the state in any year. HAP is a statewide organization that advocates on behalf of Pennsylvania hospitals and health systems to advance high-quality, accessible and financially sustainable health care. HAP includes most Pennsylvania hospitals among its more than 235 ...