On average, people with hearing loss wait over seven years before they visit a hearing healthcare professional in order to address it. Untreated hearing loss has been linked to other health concerns such as dementia, and depression. A person’s quality of life can decline. They may no longer enjoy social events where hearing in noisy environments, in group settings, or in restaurants is more difficult.  They may begin to decline social invitations or stop attending church. When someone struggles to fully engage with others, relationships become strained, and feelings of isolation can worsen and lead to depression.

There are countless reasons why you can benefit from using your personal 'my Social Security' account. From saving you time to giving you the control, here are five that highlight why opening an account today can help you and the people you love.

Women fought for, and won, the right to vote 100 years ago. Contact your local board of elections or Ohio's secretary of state's website to learn how to make your vote count this November. And while you're at it, consider being a poll worker this year. The pandemic is likely to make it difficult for counties throughout Northeast Ohio to find people willing to perform this civic duty.

Northeast Ohio Boomer & Beyond is on the lookout for creative ways people are handling the pandemic. Tell us about what you or your company/organization is doing to make life easier for those around you. We're all in this together — safely and for the long haul.

“So much of everyday life seems to be on pause,” says Medina County Park District Interpretive Services Manager Shelley Tender. “We can take solace in the fact that nature’s seasonal wonders continue and beckon us to get outside and enjoy the colors and cooler temperatures of fall.”

For a variety of reasons - financial concerns about the cost of hearing aids,  self-image, acceptance of aging, vanity, etc. - we often hear of those who are reluctant to receive an audiologic evaluation.  It can be a tough conversation to have with a loved one.