1. finance
2. bank
3. bank account

2010 Consumer
How To Guide
A special supplement to The Carroll News
2
2010 HOW TO GUIDE
SEPTEMBER 29, 2010
Sleep Medicine
Teleneurology
Wellness Center
Women’s Health & Birthing Center
& Many Other Services
00338446
SEPTEMBER 29, 2010
2010 HOW TO GUIDE
3
4
2010 HOW TO GUIDE
SEPTEMBER 29, 2010
Your Hometown Hospice
How Hospice Can Help Yo
ou:
s
#OMPASSION AND CARE FOR THOSE
WITH LIFELIMITING ILLNESSES
s
0AIN SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT
s
)NFORMATION
s
#OMFORT AND SUPPORT FOR YOU
AND YOUR FAMILY DURING
YOUR ILLNESS
Twin County Hospice Stafff
)F YOU HAVE ONE OF THESE ILLNESSES YOU
MIGHT QUALIFY FOR HOSPICE SER VICES
Jeanne Thompson, RN, CMT provides
massage therapy services for
patients
Twin
win County Hospice
H
#ANCER
,IVER DISEASE
!LZHEIMERS DISEASE
0ULMONAR Y DISEASE
!,3MUSCULAR DISORDER
(EART DISEASE
$EMENTIA
+IDNEY DISEASE
3TROKE
!)$3
Joint Commission Accredited
Since 1995
Serving
ng the Twin
Twin
w Counties
Co
Alison Blevins, T
Twin
County
Volunteer
win
w Co
ounty Hospice V
o
olunteer
olu
o unteerr, Michele Hamm
Coordinator with V
Volunteer,
s s
www.tcrh.org
www
w.tcrh.org
.tc
.
00338450
SEPTEMBER 29, 2010
2010 HOW TO GUIDE
5
6
2010 HOW TO GUIDE
SEPTEMBER 29, 2010
SEPTEMBER 29, 2010
2010 HOW TO GUIDE
Where Your Family is Our Family
7
Hospital-quality
medical services at
your doorstep:
• Professional, caring staff
with numerous years of
home care experience
• Skilled nursing
• Full-service therapy staff
(Physical, Occupational
and Speech Therapy)
• Certified wound, ostomy
and continence nurse
• Aide services
• Medical social services
• Family focused care
• 24-hour coverage
Serving the Twin Counties Since 1985
Joint Commission Accredited
(276) 728-9068 • 1-800-514-4156
www.tcrh.org
8
2010 HOW TO GUIDE
SEPTEMBER 29, 2010
We understand the need for services which preserve
the memory and dignity of your loved one, whether it’s
traditional services, cremation or veteran’s services.
Since 1913...Our family has been
serving your family in your time of need.
We are locally owned and operated and offer many options for pre-planning.
Pre-Plan may include information only, pre-payment or at your request we will
handle the transfer of any pre-arranged, pre-paid funeral contract or life insurance.
Vaughan-Guynn
Funeral Home
Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady
Chapel
201 West Center Street • Galax, Virginia 24333
276-236-2442 • www.vaughanguynn.com
1035 North Main Street, Hillsville • Virginia 24343
276-728-2041 • www.vaughanguynnandmcgrady.com
SEPTEMBER 29, 2010
CONSUMER
2010 HOW TO GUIDE
HOW-TO
Questions
to ask when
pre-paying:
• What are you paying for?
Does your purchase include
merchandise such as a casket, vault or urn, services
only, or both?
• What happens to the money you have prepaid? What
are the laws that govern how
the money can be handled in
the state you are making
your pre-arrangements in?
• Is the funeral pre-arrangement transferable to another
funeral home and to what
extent?
• Can you cancel the pre-financed contract and if so,
for how long?
• What happens if the funeral home you choose goes
out of business?
• How will this affect your
eligibility for Medicaid or
SSI?
9
PRE-PLAN A
MEANINGFUL
FUNERAL SERVICE
Grieving family members and friends often have to make
many decisions at a time when they are experiencing many
emotions. There can also be confusion and indecision when
trying to arrange final details when a loved one has passed
away. Because of this, many people now choose to pre-plan
or pre-arrange their own funeral. Following are many questions and answers regarding pre-planning
What is pre-arrangement?
Pre-arrangement is basically the planning of a
funeral/memorial services before the need arises. This is often done years before death occurs but can be done at anytime. It usually involves meeting with a funeral director
who will record your wishes of what type of service you desire, whether it be a traditional service or a cremation service; the details of the service from music and flowers to the
choice of a cemetery; as well as casket, vault or urn choices.
The funeral director will keep a copy for their records and
you and your family will be given a copy as well. These
records should be kept in a place where surviving family
members will have access. Some funeral homes also have
pamphlets available that allow you to record information
that will be helpful to your family when the need arises. You
should check with the funeral home of your choice to see
what options are available and what information they can
provide.
Why should I pre-arrange?
There are many reasons why people choose to prearrange. It could be a person has definite ideas about the
service they want and they want their family to know what
their wishes are. Others want to save their survivors the
pain and uncertainty of having to make decisions at a time
when they are already upset and confused. Often, the person
has already had to make final arrangements for a loved one
and wants to spare their family from having to go through
the same emotions associated with funeral planning. Still
other instances arise where there may be no one in the family capable of making the decisions required to plan a funeral
service. If a person chooses to pre-pay for their funeral expenses, this can alleviate a lot of financial burden for surviving family members. At any rate, funeral pre-planning is often very helpful to loved ones and should be considered as
an element of estate planning.
Do I have to pre-pay?
You do not have to pre-pay, however; there are many reasons why you may choose to do so. Pre-financing ensures
that funds are available when needed and it eliminates the
family’s financial concerns and burden at a time of loss.
Also, pre-financing can help offset inflation by allowing you
to pay today’s prices for a service that will be needed at a
later date and could cost more later. Often this is called a
guaranteed funeral and means that your family is guaranteed
not to have to pay additional cost associated with the service
you have chosen. Additionally, some choose to pre-pay as a
way to ensure continued eligibility for Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Whether you pre-finance or
not, any pre-planning you do will be a great comfort to your
loved ones.
What are my pre-financing options?
When pre-financing a funeral service most options include either a trust or life insurance. A trust can be either
revocable or irrevocable with revocable meaning that funds
can be withdrawn at any time. The funds for a trust are set
aside and can with paid directly to the funeral home at the
time of death. Trusts are used to protect an individual’s assets, especially for those that are in nursing homes or those
trying to continue their eligibility for Medicaid or SSI.
Life insurance is another way to pre-finance a funeral
service. Coverage often begins the day you apply and you
may not be required to maintain the policy for a specific
amount of time before you receive full benefits. Funding
with life insurance can assure that your funeral is paid for
when death occurs. A benefit to funding with life insurance
is that earnings from life insurance are not taxed like earnings from a trust. Also, flexible payments may be available.
What if my plans change?
Sometimes it may be necessary to make new or alternate
plans with a funeral home other than the one you made prearrangements with. In those cases, a record of your choices
can be transferred to the alternate funeral home. Also, any
funds held in a trust or any insurance maintained for final
arrangements can most likely be transferred to the funeral
home providing the service; however, it may not cover the
entire cost of services.
How do you begin?
While you are not required by law to use a funeral home
for a funeral or memorial service, the experience and knowledge of details a funeral home can provide may be very
comforting and beneficial. To start pre-planning your funeral you should first contact the funeral home of your choice.
The things that influence your decision of which funeral
home might include the location of the funeral home,
whether they have provided services for your family in the
past, recommendations from family and friends, and the cost
of services and merchandise they provide. When you contact a funeral home, keep in mind that they are required by
law to give you a general price list as well as a list of the cost
of merchandise available they offer.
Once you select the funeral home you want to use, you
should contact a funeral director to set up an appointment.
During this appointment it may be beneficial to take a family member or close friend to provide support or make suggestions. While there, you may provide information and details of your wishes, you may make a selection as to the type
of service and merchandise you prefer, or you may pre-finance your entire funeral cost.
If you choose not to use a funeral home, make sure to put
all of your wishes in writing. A will is not a good place to
record these wishes because the will is often not read or
even found until after the funeral ceremony. Also make sure
that your loved ones have copies of your request or know
where to find one when the need arises. The main thing to
remember in pre-planning is the choice is yours and you
should never feel pressured to do anything you do not feel
comfortable with.
10
2010 HOW TO GUIDE
SEPTEMBER 29, 2010
Serving Hillsville
and surrounding areas
for 30 years and
going strong
•
•
•
•
•
•
Home
Health
Renters
Automobile
Motorcycle
4-wheeler
•
•
•
•
•
•
Boat Owner
Mobile Home
Flood
Life
Annuities
Business
•
•
•
•
•
Farm
Commercial Auto
Worker’s Compensation
Bonds
RV’s
Jackson Insurance Agency
208 N. Main St., Hillsville
276-728-4212
www.jacksoninsagency.com
SEPTEMBER 29, 2010
2010 HOW TO GUIDE
11
12
2010 HOW TO GUIDE
SEPTEMBER 29, 2010
00338831
SEPTEMBER 29, 2010
2010 HOW TO GUIDE
CONSUMER
HOW-TO
Back Pain
Myths...
MYTH: “If you think it hurts
now, wait until you get older.”
FACT: According to the National Institutes of Health, the
incidence of back pain is highest between the ages of 35
and 55. After age 55, people
actually have less pain.
MYTH: “I’m in pretty good
shape, so I shouldn’t get back
pain.”
FACT: Guess what? 80 percent of Americans who experience back pain includes millions who exercise regularly.
MYTH: “Rest is the key to recovery.”
FACT: Not always. While a
short period of rest will probably reduce acute pain, the two
main reasons bed rest may be
recommended are to reduce
pressure on the discs in the
spine and to stop the mechanical stresses that are irritating
pain receptors.
MYTH: “Heat and massage
feel good, so they must be
helping.
FACT: Heat and massage are
best used to manage pain during your treatment and recovery, allowing you to complete
your rehabilitation program
and participate in daily activities.
MYTH: “Grandpa had back
problems too. It must run in
the family.”
FACT: There is no genetic predisposition for the vast majority of back and neck conditions.
FACT: Consult with your
doctor before practicing
any home treatments.
13
CHOOSE A
CHIROPRACTOR
ous privacy forms. Then you should have a private interview with
WHAT IS A CHIROPRACTOR?
Chiropractors are well-trained doctors specializing in the structure the doctor to discuss your particular problem in detail. This should
and function of the spine and joints. Chiropractors receive a doctor be followed by a problem-focused examination that includes a range
of chiropractic degree and their training involves intensive studies of of orthopedic and neurological tests, and an analysis of the structure
and function of your musculoskeletal system.
spinal manipulation techniques and advanced radiology.
Chiropractic is among the safest of the healing arts. Doctors of Chi- If your chiropractor says that X-rays or laboratory tests are necesropractic represent the nation’s largest drugless, non-surgical health sary, ask why they are necessary in your particular case. An x-ray is
a tool a doctor may use to confirm your diagnosis but is not always
care profession.
required to start treatment.
QUESTIONS TO ASK AND TOPICS TO DISCUSS
First, just like choosing any type of doctor, this is a personal choice. After the history and examination are complete, you should receive a
You may wish to start your search by asking friends, coworkers and complete report of findings. The doctor should be able to explain
relatives for recommendations. Next, set up an interview with the your problem to you in clear and understandable terms, discuss options for treatment, and outline a
doctor to make sure you are comfortcustomized treatment plan inable. There are many questions you
PITFALLS TO AVOID
cluding specific therapeutic
may wish to ask at this interview:
goals and an estimate of the fre•Did the chiropractor go to an ac- •Avoid offices or doctors that don’t seem legitimate because:
- They work alone with no support staff.
quency and number of visits
credited school? This is important as -They aren’t listed as a business in the phone directory.
your condition will require bethese schools must meet certain stan- -They don’t use government compliant paperwork.
fore you can expect to feel betdards with specific curricula being -They never use x-rays or advanced testing.
ter.
taught. Also, does the doctor regular- -They don’t keep charts or notes on patients.
THE TREATMENT
ly attend continuing education semi- -They only accept cash and don’t generate receipts.
nars? By doing so, the chiropractor •Avoid doctors that guarantee results and don’t have proof of Most patients who seek chirotheir abilities (such as prior x-ray results).
practic care have conditions rewill be current on the latest methods
•Avoid expensive “up-front” payment plans. (No one knows
sulting from stiff or tight joints
of care.
exactly how long it will take you to heal.)
•What are the chiropractors feelings •Avoid doctors who never re-check or re-x-ray you to show and muscles that are tight and in
spasm. During the examination,
about when chiropractic fits in with your condition is better.
the doctor should have deterother health professions, what he •Avoid offices that you have heard many bad things about.
sees as his responsibilities in per- •Avoid offices that frequently change doctors. (You need stan- mined and discussed with you
which joints aren’t moving
forming a competent diagnosis of pa- dardized care.)
properly. The chiropractor may
tients, and what kind of experience
he has with patients who have similar problems as you. Avoid any choose to use spinal manipulations to treat these joints or may
chiropractor who sees the chiropractic profession as being opposed choose to use physical modalities such as ice, heat, electrical muscle
to the medical profession or who denies his responsibility to diag- stimulation, ultrasound, traction, or massage.
Spinal manipulation consists of the chiropractor using his hands to
nose and refer appropriately.
•Ask about the hours the office holds. Many conditions require a se- gently but quickly introduce a specific impulse to “unlock” the reries of visits, so compare your schedule against the office schedule, stricted joints. Sometimes, the manipulation is accompanied by a
and location to make sure it will be possible for you to receive ap- “popping” sound. This sound occurs when tiny bubbles of gas are released from the fluid that surrounds the joint surfaces. The therapeupropriate care.
•Discuss the financial aspect of chiropractic care. The best chiro- tic benefits of the adjustment come from quickly separating the surpractic offices will go over their fees and be able to help you under- faces of the tight joint. The bubbles are released from the joint fluid
stand the financial costs by evaluating your insurance coverage and when the high pressure in the abnormally tight capsule surrounding
out-of-pocket expenses. Any doctor whose fees are substantially the joint is suddenly reduced. The bubbles are eventually reabsorbed
into the joint fluid. Some people find the “popping” sound disconhigher or lower than other chiropractors should raise a warning flag.
•Ask about their treatments. Most chiropractors use adjustment/ma- certing, but the sudden release of pressure from the “locked” joints
nipulative treatment. This is used to restore normal joint function. to can result in immediate relief from pain and stiffness.
decrease pain, swelling, and muscle spasms, as well as to improve For more conditions you should see significant progress after only a
range of motion. Avoid a chiropractor who answers your questions few visits, although patients with more chronic or severe conditions
by sticking you in a room with a video or whose attitude is more may require more extensive treatment before they can expect
progress. A doctor should periodically re-evaluate your progress and
sales pitch than discussion.
After interviewing the chiropractor(s) you should be able to deter- openly share this information with you. A re-evaluation is an accumine who has good communication skills, who you feel comfortable rate assessment of how you are actually improving while under the
talking with, and who seems eager to answer your questions. In ad- doctor’s care.
dition, ask to meet the other staff you will encounter on your visits to It is important in any recovery that you are actively involved in your
treatment and rehabilitation. You should expect to be given instrucmake sure you will be treated with courtesy and professionalism.
tion and education on the proper exercises needed to improve your
YOUR CHIROPRACTIC EVALUATION
Before beginning your evaluation, you should be asked to fill out a problem. Additionally, it may be recommended that you use ice,
few forms focusing on your problem and past history as well as vari- heat, or other home-based treatments.
14
2010 HOW TO GUIDE
SEPTEMBER 29, 2010
SEPTEMBER 29, 2010
2010 HOW TO GUIDE
CONSUMER
HOW-TO
Key
points to
consider:
1. Location
2. Technology
3. Customer
Service
4. Checking
5. Loans
6. Community
Involvement
15
PICK A
COMMUNITY BANK
Selecting a bank seems like an easy assignment.
Many times the bank we select is chosen because it's
closer to where we live or work. Convenience of location has always been the number one reason customers
select a bank. Convenience is important and should be
considered when making a banking decision on where
to bank. Some banks today offer seven-day a week
banking with expanded hours and are open most holidays. This gives you flexibility to do your banking
when it is convenient to you. But, you should expect
more from a bank than a good location and hours.
Banks today are technologically superior and offer
products that are key elements in selecting a financial
institution. What do you need from your bank and
what do you expect your bank to provide should be
questions asked when making decisions to select a
bank. Suddenly the "free" checking account with no
services or options is not as important as being able to
access an account and whether you feel comfortable
and welcome when you enter or telephone your bank.
Are you greeted with a familiar, smiling face? Do they
call you by name, do you genuinely feel that the staff
cares about you?
Checking products and how they are marketed to
customers is another important difference to compare
when selecting a bank. Most banks offer checking
products that range from "free" checking to club
accounts. These two types of accounts are the extreme
examples of relatively no service or features from a
bank with a "free" account and an account with many
features that are paid for on a monthly basis.
Overdraft fees and protection vary from bank to
bank as well. No customer wants to be overdrawn, but
it happens from time to time and a bank may charge
from $15 to $30 dollars per item for an overdraft fee.
Know what you're getting into before you open the
account. You may also want to know how to visit with
a customer service or bookkeeping person to answer a
question or solve a problem. Most community banks
have local people handling your problems such as a
lost or missing check or even help balance your checking account. If the customer service is available only
through a 1-800 number, you might think twice before
selecting this bank.
Lending is another product that customers expect
and need from banks. Most people need a loan for a
car, business or home and rely on their bank to provide
this service. All banks make loans, but their process of
approving an application may differ. How they handle
a customer may differ, if they keep the loan or sell it to
another financial institution. These questions may not
seem important when you open an account at a bank
but when you need a loan it will matter.
Most local banks make decisions locally and have
continuity in their lending staff as officers move up
through the ranks in the same bank. This allows you to
keep the same loan officer as you grow with the bank.
In a regional bank the decisions many times are
made in the lending centers where applications are
sent. They use formulas and credit scores to approve
loans. The loan officer for a regional bank may work
in the community for a few years and move to another
community for a few years and move to another community as they are promoted within the bank's system.
Comparing interest rates and fees are also important in deciding on a bank as banks may differ. This
would include document preparation fees, late fees,
extension fees, and other fees that might relate to the
type of loan you are requesting. Rates and fees are disclosed and can be compared before designing a loan
application. It's good policy to always ask what the
fees and rates on a loan are before applying. Bankers
do like customers who are concerned about lower rates
and fees as they feel the customer will pay the loan
back.
The location(s) of your bank is important. But also
be sure to consider the technology the bank has
installed and the products you might use such as banking with your personal computer, checking services,
researching a problem, or just working with a loan
officer to get a fair loan at a competitive interest rate
with reasonable fees. These factors will help you to
know your money is secure, and have access to it when
it counts.
Last, but not least, is community involvement. In
today's hectic and sometimes seemingly uncaring
world, it is refreshing to see and know that a bank and
its staff are involved in your community and care. Also
it is good to know that your money is being invested in
your community. Community reinvestment and support are crucial to most areas. Is the bank involved in
your community; are they not only giving financial
support, but seen actively working for and in the community?
16
2010 HOW TO GUIDE
SEPTEMBER 29, 2010
CONSUMER
HOW-TO
Top 10
Reasons to
Advertise in
Newspaper
1. Newspapers reach the
majority of adults daily
and on Sundays.
2. Higher-income-earning
adults are more avid
newspaper readers.
3. People with higher
education are more
likely to read
newspapers.
4. People in higherresponsibility professional
positions read
newspapers more
frequently than the
average person.
5. Newspaper advertising
can be targeted by
section — and reader.
6. Newspaper advertising
can target specific
geographic locations.
7.You can select
advertising alternatives
from preprint inserts to
full- or partial-page ads.
8.With short deadlines,
newspaper advertising
can be tailored for
immediacy.
9. Newspapers are
portable and
convenient.
10. Newspaper advertising
builds business credibility
and momentum.
CHOOSE NEWSPAPER
ADVERTISING
Why Newspapers?
Targeting customers in a media-fragmented
marketplace is a continual challenge for many
advertisers.
The abundance of advertising sources has
overwhelmed and divided consumer attention. This
means media planners and buyers need the right
tools to help them decide on the best allocation of
advertising dollars. As advertisers strive for an
effective media mix, they should know there is one
medium that can deliver strength to advertising and
marketing strategies.
The newspaper continues to be a powerful
medium for reaching shoppers in the market for a
broad range of products and services. It is a portable
and convenient source of advertising information —
helping consumers decide where to shop and what
to buy. The newspaper delivers customers unlike
any other medium each and every day, reaching an
array of traditional and emerging markets with
unsurpassed advertising impact.
Universal coverage, utility and power are the
driving forces behind newspapers. And that is why
they add value for advertisers!
Newspapers offer advertisers alternatives to reach
customers — new and potential — with effective
messages for long-term awareness or immediate
call-to-action responses. Whether it’s a preprint
insert or run-of-paper (ROP) advertising adjacent to
select editorial content, newspapers deliver the right
message to the right people at the right time.
If we combine frequency measures for ROP and
newspaper preprints, we have 90 percent of adults
who use one or the other or in combination — a
powerful pairing.
Opportunities in Newspapers
ROP: Run of Press advertising means an ad placed
on the pages of a newspaper. This best-known
newspaper advertising option offers short deadlines
and proximity of editorial that enhances visibility.
Preprints: Preprinted inserts offer advertisers the
flexibility and control of creating and printing
advertising that the newspaper distributes.
Commercial Printing: N e w s p a p e r s o ffer
customers who need major printing the opportunity
and cost efficiency of using their presses to print
catalogs, inserts and other commercial print needs.
Niche products/special sections: Newspapers offer
a myriad of opportunities where a special
marketplace is created to help in targeting an
advertiser’s best prospects. These products may be
inserted into the newspaper or may be distributed in
other ways needed to best attract the niche audience.
Highlights
The compelling facts below underscore the strength
of newspapers:
— The majority of adults (54 percent) read a
newspaper on an average weekday.
— More than six out of 10 adults (64 percent) read a
newspaper on an average Sunday.
— More than seven out of 10 adults (73 percent) read
a daily newspaper in the past five days.
— More than three-quarters of adults (77 percent)
read a Sunday newspaper in the past month.
— Newspaper usage is strong among emerging
markets — teens and Hispanics.
— Customers for many products and services are
also the heaviest newspaper readers.
— The newspaper provides advertisers with unique
targeting opportunities.
— The newspaper is the most-used advertising
source for various store categories.
— Newspaper Web sites are highly rated for being
useful and informative.
SOURCE: National Newspaper Association
SEPTEMBER 29, 2010
2010 HOW TO GUIDE
Carroll County Is In Your Hands
RIGHT NOW
you are holding
one of the most
powerful tools in
Carroll County –
KNOWLEDGE.
AND RIGHT NOW
you can get this
amazing tool
delivered every
Wednesday for
one year for only
$
00
31
Local Area
Call today & subscribe to
The Carroll News
276-728-7311
17
18
2010 HOW TO GUIDE
SEPTEMBER 29, 2010
4XDOLW\6HUYLFH ‡ 4XDOLW\ 3URGXFWV ‡ &RPSHWLWLYH3ULFHV
Anderson Audiology is committed to bringing total hearing healthcare to the people in our
hometown. We provide “Old Fashion Service With Modern Technology”. With years of
experience, we’re not just changing hearing, we’re changing lives.
‡+HDULQJ7HVW‡+HDULQJ$LG(YDOXDWLRQ‡'D\7ULDO3HULRG
‡'HPRQVWUDWLRQRID'LJLWDO+HDULQJ$LG‡9LGHR2WRVFRSH
ANDERSON AUDIOLOGY
HEARING AID SALES & SERVICE, INC.
Locally Owned and Operated Since 1963
DR. JANICE ANDERSON, AUDIOLOGIST
DR.TINA PROFFIT,AUDIOLOGIST
DARRELL ANDERSON, *BC-HIS
(*Board Certified In Hearing Instrument Sciences)
680 West Lee Highway
Wytheville, VA 24382
(276) 228-0866
8052 Carrollton Pike
Galax, VA 24333
(276) 236-0778
ZZZKHDULQGXEOLQFRP
85 Cleburne Blvd.
Dublin, VA 24084
(540) 674-4889
00338470
SEPTEMBER 29, 2010
2010 HOW TO GUIDE
CONSUMER
HOW-TO
Choose A
Hearing Aid
Loss of hearing is one of the major health concerns of today.
Things You
Should Know:
•
Most
problems
gradually.
hearing
develop
• Most people with
hearing difficulties
can benefit from
hearing aids.
• Hearing keeps us
in contact with life.
• Nerve deafness
can also be helped.
• Hearing aids work
as personal amplification systems.
19
Hearing is one of the basic ways we communicate. From early
infancy, we begin to distinguish sounds and attach meanings. We
learn our first words from hearing other people speak.
There’s hardly any aspect of our lives that doesn’t have sound
associations. Through our ears, we share the closeness of a loved
one’s words, the joy of beautiful music, the peacefulness of nature.
Our sense of hearing can also serve as a warning device — alerting
us to heed a siren or horn. Hearing keeps us in contact with life,
with people, with the sounds of the world around us.
As important as hearing is to our daily lives, it is also one of our
major health concerns.
More than 27 million people in the U.S. and Canada have hearing problems. These are people of all ages and from all walks of
life. Most hearing problems develop gradually, often causing the
hearing impaired person to slowly withdraw from normal social
and business situations.
Fortunately, the vast majority of people with hearing difficulties
can benefit from either medical treatment, hearing aids, or both.
Even people who have been told they have “nerve deafness” can
be helped by the advanced technology of today’s hearing aids.
No two hearing losses are exactly the same. The exact pattern of
frequencies you may be missing are as individual as you are. Although each loss is different, all hearing problems can be divided
into two general groups: Conductive and Sensorineural.
Conductive hearing loss affects the outer or middle ear structures. Causes include a buildup of wax or fluid, a punctuated
eardrum or abnormal bone growth in the middle ear. This kind of
hearing loss can often be improved by medical or surgical methods.
Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing
loss, accounting for more than 90 percent of all losses. It involves
the deterioration of the delicate “hair cells” of the inner ear and
may be referred to as “nerve deafness.” Most causes are caused by
prolonged exposure to loud noises or the aging process, but also
may result from infections, head injuries and certain medications.
While there is no cure, in most cases, hearing aids will help.
A person with this type of loss frequently hears low-pitched
tones better than high ones and may have trouble understanding
letters like f, s, th, p and ch. They may complain that a person
mumbles — not because the sounds are so soft — but because the
words sound jumbled and confusing. The higher pitched voices of
women and children may also be more difficult to hear.
There are three parts to the human ear: The outer ear, middle ear
and inner ear (also called the cochlea). Although the outer ear is
the most visible, the two main organs of hearing are really the middle ear and the cochlea. These complex organs of hearing are hidden in a space about as big as the end of your thumb. the middle
ear includes the eardrum and three tiny bones that conduct sound.
The snail-shaped cochlea contains thousands of tiny sensory cells.
For you to hear, sound waves enter the outer ear, pass through the
ear canal and strike the eardrum. The eardrum vibrates and sends
the sound waves through the middle ear to the cochlea, where sensory cells generate electrical impulses that send the sound messages up the auditory nerve to the brain, where they are interpreted
as sound.
A hearing instrument works as a personal amplification system.
Sound enters the hearing instrument through a microphone. A tiny
amplifier makes the sound louder. The amplified sound is transmitted through the receiver or speaker into the ear canal. This provides
increased stimulation through the middle ear to the inner ear, making sounds easier to hear.
Today, there are four basic hearing aid shell styles to choose
from. Completely-in-the-canal (CIC) and in-the-canal (ITC) instruments are small and custom-made to match the individual contours of your ear.
In-the-ear (ITE) instruments fit better within the outer portion of
the ear and may be a better choice for those with limited dexterity.
Behind the ear (BTE) instruments have a plastic housing for
components, which rests behind the ear. These models can be more
durable and provide more amplification than other types.
There are 10 warning signs of hearing loss:
1. People seem to mumble more frequently.
2. You hear, but have trouble understanding all the words in a
conversation.
3. You often ask people to repeat themselves.
4. You find telephone conversations increasingly difficult.
5. Your family complains that you play the radio or television
too loudly.
6. You no longer hear normal household sounds, such as the
dripping of a faucet or the ringing of a doorbell.
7. You have trouble hearing when your back is turned to the
speaker.
8. You have been told you speak too loudly.
9. You experience ringing in your ears.
10. You have difficulty understanding conversation in a large
group or crowd.
20
2010 HOW TO GUIDE
NUCKOLL’S
SEPTEMBER 29, 2010
DRUG
Your Hometown Pharmacy Since 1896
Longest Continuous Service
Little changes to lose weight
Weight control is all about making small changes that you can live with forever. As you
incorporate these minor adjustments into your lifestyle, you'll begin to see how they can
add up to big calorie savings and weight loss. Here are my top 10 habits to help you turn
your dream of weight loss into a reality:
1. Evaluate your eating habits. Are you eating late at night, nibbling while cooking, finishing the kids' meals? Take a look around, and it will be easy to identify a few behaviors
you can change that will add up to big calorie savings.
Across from the New Carroll County Government Complex
2. If you fail to plan, plan to fail. You need a strategy for your meals and snacks. Pack
healthful snacks for the times of day that you know you are typically hungry and can easily stray from your eating plan.
3. Always shop with a full belly. It's a recipe for disaster to go into the grocery store when
you are hungry. Shop from a prepared list so impulse buying is kept to a minimum. Eating
right starts with stocking healthy food in your pantry and refrigerator.
Nuckoll’s Drug
Welcomes
Justin Jackson
To Our
Pharmacy Staff
4. Eat regular meals. Figure out the frequency of your meals that works best in your life
and stick to it. Regular meals help prevent bingeing.
5. Eat your food sitting down at a table, and from a plate. Food eaten out of packages
and while standing is forgettable. You can wind up eating lots more than if you sit down
and consciously enjoy your meals.
6. Serve food onto individual plates, and leave the extras back at the stove. Bowls of
food on the table beg to be eaten, and it takes incredible will power not to dig in for seconds. Remember, it takes about 20 minutes for your mind to get the signal from your belly
that you are full.
7. Eat slowly, chew every bite, and savor the taste of the food. Try resting your fork
between bites and drinking plenty of water with your meals.
8. Don't eat after dinner. This is where lots of folks pack on the extra pounds. If you are
hungry, try satisfying your urge with a non-caloric beverage or a piece of hard candy.
Brushing your teeth after dinner helps reduce the temptation to eat again.
9. If you snack during the day, treat the snack like a mini-meal. The most nutritious
snacks contain complex carbohydrates and a small amount of protein and fat.
Left to Right: Wanda Vaughan, Don Primm, Angelique Phipps,
Crystal Pruitt and Keith Walke
Tired of long lines, prescriptions that aren’t ready when promised? Service
that ends at the cash register? Tired of feeling you are just another sale?
Come see why Nuckoll’s Drug was voted the # 1 Pharmacy by our
customers. Don’t you derserve to be treated better?
Let us show you why we have been in business since 1896?
100 Carroll Street • Hillsville, VA 24343
276-728-2731
10. Start your day with breakfast. It is the most important meal of the day. After a long
night's rest, your body needs the fuel to get your metabolism going and give you energy
for the rest of the day.
Know Your Pharmacist
Know Your Medicine
* Support your community *
Insurance copays are the same everywhere.
Go where you are cared about.