Out and About – Week of January 24th

Do you have trouble hearing? Here are some of the causes of the loss of that valuable sense:

Damage to the inner ear. Aging and exposure to loud noise may cause wear and tear on the hairs or nerve cells in the cochlea that send sound signals to the brain. When these hairs or nerve cells are damaged or missing, electrical signals aren’t transmitted as efficiently, and hearing loss occurs.
Gradual buildup of earwax. Earwax can block the ear canal and prevent conduction of sound waves. A certain amount of earwax is needed to keep dirt and dust from getting into the inner ear.
Ear infection and abnormal bone growths or tumors. In the outer or middle ear, any of these can cause hearing loss.
Ruptured eardrum. Loud blasts of noise, sudden changes in pressure, poking your eardrum with an object and infection can cause your eardrum to rupture.
Finally, here are a few ways to prevent hearing loss:

Protect your ears. Limiting the duration and intensity of your exposure to noise is the best protection.
Have your hearing tested. Consider regular hearing tests if you work in a noisy environment. Some hearing aid companies provide this service free with hopes that you will invest in their product.
Avoid recreational risks, such as riding a snowmobile, hunting, and using power tools. Wearing ear protection can offer some protection. Feel free to share this information with the younger generation.
To all my Aussie friends, I’d like to wish you a very happy “Australia Day”. Put a shrimp on the “Bar-B” for me. To Lions Club Past International President Barry Palmer, “Good day mate!”

I come from a family of huggers. Due to the Covid pandemic, you don’t see a lot of people hugging, but with testing and vaccinations, the act of hugging is slowly coming back. Not being able to hug, or shake hands has been very difficult. I do more elbow bumping nowadays, but am looking forward to the time when shaking hands is safer to do.

Hugging is good medicine. It transfers energy and gives an emotional lift. Research has shown that everyone needs four hugs per day for survival, eight for maintenance, and twelve for growth. Hugging is a great form of communication, because it can say things you might not have the words for. The nicest thing about a hug is that you can’t give one without getting one in return.

Are you a “Leader” or a “Follower”? Following is easy. Leading is more of a challenge. Here are a few things that a “Leader” should remember:

Leadership is not a position or a title. It is action and example.
“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” ~ John C. Maxwell
“Leadership is action, not position.” ~ Donald H. McGannon

“Shaving brush, don’t you cry. You’ll be a shoe dauber by and by.” ~ BURMA SHAVE

See you Out and About!

Submitted by Norm Stutesman