Millions of people in the country suffer from some form of hearing loss. Hearing aids help in significantly improving the ability to hear by simply making sounds louder, clearer, and easier to understand. Choosing the right hearing aid depends upon various factors like the severity and type of hearing loss, manual dexterity, and lifestyle.

Below are the three essential features to look for in hearing aids.

Telecoil
A telecoil is a copper wire or a small sensor that is placed in the hearing aid, it is an option provided by many modern hearing aids. When the telecoil is activated, it picks signals from the hearing-aid-compatible public address systems, such as concert halls, taxis, museums, conference rooms, and the subway trains, and telephones. The energy derived is then converted into a sound. A hearing loop or an audio induction loop, which is a wire that circles a telecoil-compatible space and emits the signal that the telecoil picks up. This technology is extremely helpful in hearing aids, especially, for people with moderate to profound loss of hearing. A telecoil helps to understand a speaker’s voice better by making it louder. It helps in the elimination of background noise and reverberation.

Digital feedback reduction
Digital feedback reduction is also known as feedback suppression. It helps to quell the high-pitched whistling sounds. Most of the modern hearing aids have this feature. However, its effectiveness tends to differ. If the hearing aid is slightly dislodged from the ear or if one is close, digital feedback reduction helps in minimizing the feedback. It also allows for much more comfort, venting, and sound quality for listeners who in their lowest pitches have a good hearing. Also, a proper fit of hearing aid helps in the reduction of feedback.

Directional microphone
A directional microphone helps to have a conversation in noisy environments by making the audio signal in front of the person and canceling the noise from the rear or the sides. This technology is available in most modern hearing aids and it works the best when one is close to the sound source. Most hearing aids are able to automatically switch between omnidirectional and directional settings, depending on how the environment is.

More and more people are waking up to the importance of fitness in their daily routine because the obesity rate in the country is increasing alarmingly. Fitness no longer takes a backseat when it comes to healthy living, and the proof is in the number of people signing up for gym sessions. However, gyms have multiple types of fitness equipment that work on specific parts of the body. The rowing machine is one such piece of fitness equipment that burns more calories as compared to running or cycling.

Here are a few known benefits of using the rowing machine.

Cardio session
Cycling and running will boost your cardiovascular activity, but rowing is specifically designed to keep your heart and lungs healthy. The rowing action helps pump more blood and fresh oxygen throughout your body while simultaneously burning calories faster than what you can achieve with running or cycling.

Complete body workout
Rowing is an exercise that engages most of the muscle groups in the body. It is one of the few fitness equipment that works on the upper back, shoulder, chest, arm muscles, lower quadriceps, glutes, calves, and hamstrings at the same time.

Endurance
If you are looking to prepare yourself for sporting and athletic events, a rowing machine will help you increase your stamina and endurance. Working out on this fitness equipment helps burn calories, builds muscle mass, and enhances your strength training.

A broad range of movements
Many fitness equipment limit your body’s motions, thereby failing to engage vital muscle groups. A rowing machine, however, has a broad range of movements that tone your muscles. Vigorous rowing not only strengthens the muscles but if done correctly, also enhance your form.

Better resistance training
Resistance training helps you increase your muscle mass, metabolic rate, improve insulin sensitivity, prevent weight gain, and increase bone mineral content. A rowing machine mimics the continuous pull-and-push motion of rowing to increase resistance in the workout. Thus, this fitness equipment aids in the overall development of your upper and lower body muscles.

People pick up unhealthy habits due to a variety of reasons; it can either be peer pressure or some personal issue that forces them into developing this habit. One such addiction that claims 480,000 lives every year is smoking. Smoking is a highly-addictive habit that poses a great threat to the individual who smokes and those in the vicinity of smokers. In fact, passive smoking or secondhand smoking has resulted in about 41,000 deaths every year.

So, if a loved one is trying to kick the butt, they’ll need all they can get. Here are some handy tips that will help people quit smoking effectively.

Gear up before going “cold turkey”
One cannot quit smoking simply by throwing away the cigarettes out. Smoking is an addiction and it affects the brain as well. The brain becomes addicted to the nicotine, and without it, the individual will experience withdrawal symptoms. Which is why it is imperative to make arrangements in advance as the individual will need support to get through this phase. So, it is sensible to ask the doctor for ways to cope with the withdrawal symptoms, or join some quit-smoking classes, establish a solid support system, counseling, or opting for hypnosis or medication.

Opt for nicotine replacement therapy
When someone decides to quit smoking, the nicotine withdrawal can give them headaches, fatigue, and mood swings. The craving will hit them hard, and the urge for “one last drag” will make all the efforts futile. If this is the case, opting for nicotine replacement therapy can help ease the withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine replacement therapy includes nicotine gum, nicotine patches, and lozenges, and these will improve one’s chances of quitting smoking successfully.

Avoid alcohol and other triggers
Alcohol is known to weaken one’s resolve as people under the influence of alcohol aren’t capable of making sound decisions. It is harder to stick to the goal of quitting smoking if one consumes alcohol. So, it is imperative to try and limit the alcohol intake in the beginning, and stop it completely as the journey to quit smoking progresses. Instead of drinking alcohol, one can switch to tea for a few weeks and the urge to drink will subside eventually.

Adhering to these tips to quit smoking will require a lot of conviction and willpower, and even if the individual fails the first time, the resolve to kick the butt should make them try harder the next time.

Dental care has improved by leaps and bounds over the past several years; however, billions of people continue to suffer tooth loss. The loss of teeth can be attributed to factors like aging, decay, injury, or oral disease. Damage or loss of a tooth can not only affect oral functions but can also affect the health of the surrounding teeth. For the longest time, the only treatment option available to people with missing teeth included dentures and bridges. However, the advancement in technology has made the dental implant treatment widely accessible to people.

Replacement tooth roots and dental implants are designed to be a strong foundation that supports permanent or removable teeth. These artificial teeth match the look and the functionality of natural teeth. There are numerous advantages associated with getting dental implants and here are the most notable ones.

Easier chewing
Tooth replacements like dentures can make chewing a little difficult. On the other hand, dental implants function just as well as your own teeth. One can munch and chew even tough foods comfortably and without experiencing any kind of pain.

Better oral health
Tooth-supported bridges and other forms of tooth replacement treatments may require reduction or filing of other teeth. However, with dental implants, the size or the placement of the nearby teeth does not have to be altered. Thus, this leaves more of the natural teeth intact and your oral health is better protected. Dental implants also help one to achieve better oral cleaning and improved hygiene because of the easy access between teeth.

Natural appearance
Dental implants render the most natural feel and look. They appear and begin to become a part of your own tooth set. Moreover, they fuse with the bone over a period and become permanent. You regain your beautiful smile, making you feel more confident.

Added convenience
The popularly used dentures are removable and must be maintained well through several cleaning steps. Dental implants let an individual do away with the added chore of removing and cleaning the dentures. No more does one have to be hassled with the inconvenience of dealing with messy adhesives.

Durable
Dental implants are one of the most durable tooth replacement methods. When cared for well, the implants can last for several years. Typically, dental implants are recorded to last a lifetime.

While choosing the best probiotic supplements, you need to consider the one that has multiple strains of effective bacteria. Also, the dosage has to be good enough to produce the results that are needed. Below are some of the best probiotic supplements for different health requirements.

Islands Miracle Ultra-30 Probiotics
This is the best probiotic for general digestive health. If there is no specific medical reason for consuming probiotic and you simply want to maintain your gut health, this is one of the best probiotics for you. This probiotic leaves a number of good bacteria floating around the system of your body. This probiotic contains the right strains that are ideal for gut health. One of the biggest reasons you should choose this probiotic is that it does not contain any gluten or dairy. It is great especially if you have a sensitive digestive system. However, unlike most probiotics that usually require only one supplement per serving, this probiotic requires two. If you don’t prefer swallowing pills, swallowing two pills per serving can be a bit inconvenient. When you open this bottle of probiotics, you may notice a sour smell that is common in many probiotics. It is a subtle smell but if you are particularly sensitive to smell, you might want to give it a second thought before buying.

MegaFood® MegaFlora®
This is one of the best probiotics, especially when it comes to antibiotic recovery. This probiotic supplement fills your digestive tract with good bacteria. Your microbiome is wrecked by antibiotics by decimating good and bad bacteria. This is one of the best probiotic supplements if you have an infection and will prove to be an effective treatment if you have a weak immune system. One serving of this probiotic contains 20 billion CFUs to replenish all the good bacteria. The length of the capsule is only that of a small fingernail. These pills can be dropped or misplaced easily but at the same time, you will have no trouble swallowing them. Also, you need to take only one serving per day. MegaFood is one of the top picks because it is certified as vegan. It is also gluten-free and dairy-free, making it the best probiotic choice for sensitive stomach. However, these probiotic supplements are required to keep in the fridge to sustain the life of the CFUs. The label of the supplement specifies that the supplement must be stored in cold and it is usually shipped also with an ice pack.

Renew Life Ultimate Flora™ Extra Care Probiotic 30 Billion
This is the best probiotic supplement for immune health. This supplement uses bacteria that will help to improve not only the upper respiratory infections but also aid in the treatment of autoimmune disorders. The supplement has a prophylactic effect which helps to stock good bacteria in your gut and even improves your immune system. The supplement has also shown promising results in treating autoimmune disorders. One of the major reasons for consuming this probiotic supplement is that it has a high accuracy of labeling. If you have trouble consuming big capsules, you might want to reconsider consuming these pills. However, you have to only consume one pill a day, so it shouldn’t be a big issue. The probiotic supplement suggests cold storage as well.

Dr. Formulas Nexabiotic Advanced Multi-Probiotic
This is one of the best probiotic supplements for IBS/IBD relief. The bacteria contained in this probiotic supplement are proven to ease the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome as well as acute infectious diarrhea. The probiotic supplement contains the right strain that helps to ease the symptoms of IBS and IBD as it contains the strains that are proven to alleviate the symptoms. Like most probiotic supplements, you need to take only one supplement per day and the size of the capsule is average as it is not too big or small.

Dental implants are metal frames or posts that are surgically positioned into the jawbone beneath the gums. They allow the dentists to mount artificial replacement teeth onto that frame, providing support to the artificial teeth. There are various types of dental implants as every patient has a different type of jaw and teeth to gum ratio. A dentist will also recommend a dental implant based on the patient’s oral and general health history.

The following are the four main types of dental implants recommended by dentists:

Subperiosteal dental implants
These types of dental implants are placed in the jaw bone using metal posts to hold restoration. Subperiosteal dental implants are used in a single-stage treatment.

Single-stage dental implants
These are longer implants placed on the jaw and the gum. The top of the implant is exposed, allowing the dentists to access the area of bone after several months of healing. As a result, they can place the abutment and restore the implant without surgically exposing the dental implant again.

Endosteal/endosseous dental implant
These types of dental implants are placed on to the jaw and are usually used in place of a bridge or a denture.

Two-stage dental implants
The patient requires surgery for placing this type of dental implant into the jawbone. After a few months of healing, the dentist will perform a second-stage minor surgery, exposing the dental implant and attaching the dental implant with a temporary crown and abutment for restoration.

Mini implants
They are also referred to as small diameter or narrow diameter implants requiring a less-invasive procedure. Measuring less than three millimeters in diameter, mini implants are recommended for patients who do not have a healthy bone tissue for traditional dental surgery.

Same day implants
These implants are also known as immediate load dental implants. The same day implants allow the dentist to place temporary crowns over the dental implants in a single treatment session. These dental implants fuse with the natural bone over a period of three to six months. The temporary crown is then replaced with a permanent custom crown.

The patient needs to have healthy gums and adequate bone to support dental implants. It also requires commitment toward oral hygiene and regular dental visits for the long-term success of the dental implants.

Almost everyone on a keto plan will agree that preparing everyday meals can be exhausting. Also, the most difficult part is saying goodbye to the unhealthy but rather delightful carbs! However, your keto recipes don’t have to be bland and limited. To revive your taste buds, here are 3 healthy but appetizing keto recipes that you should try.

Broccoli cheese soup
A perfect last-minute pick for demanding weeknights, broccoli cheese soup merely takes 20 to 25 minutes to prepare. To whip up this recipe, you will just require five ingredients, i.e., broccoli, chicken broth (you can also use bone or vegetable broth), heavy cream, garlic, and cheddar cheese. All you need to do is saute minced garlic on medium heat for a minute or so. Then, add the broth, cream, and chopped broccoli and let it boil until the broccoli turns soft. While stirring the mixture, keep adding shredded cheese on a low heat. Once the cheese melts and the soup reaches a thick consistency, turn off the heat and serve it in a bowl with some cheddar cheese shavings on top.

Chicken Alfredo with zucchini noodles
One of the things that makes keto extremely frustrating is giving up the beloved, comforting pasta. The good thing is that pasta can be replaced with something healthier. In this recipe, zucchini comes to the rescue. For throwing this recipe together, cut 3 to 4 small zucchinis in long strands with a vegetable peeler. Put the zucchini strands in the colander and place the colander over a bowl. Season zucchini with salt and let it rest for at least half an hour.

Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a pan and season the diced chicken with salt and pepper (you can customize the seasoning by adding some herbs and spices). Then, add the diced chicken pieces to the pan and cook them for at least 10 to 12 minutes. Lower the heat, add butter to the pan, and let it simmer until brown. Then, pour heavy cream and whisk it continuously until it comes to a boil. Then, add garlic and parmesan and cook it until the cheese melts. Finally, add the zucchini strands, chicken, and some parsley and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes.

Keto pancakes
If you are a “pancake for breakfast” kind of a person, this recipe is a must-try to salvage your early morning cravings. A mere 20-minute recipe, to make keto pancakes, you need blanched almond flour, coconut flour, your choice of natural sweetener, unsweetened almond milk, vanilla extract, avocado oil, and sea salt. Mix all these ingredients in a bowl until the batter turns smooth. Then, in a preheated oiled pan, add the batter and flatten it into small circles. Cook both the sides on medium heat for 2 minutes each or until they turn golden brown. Then, serve it with maple syrup or coconut sugar on top.

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For the past few decades, the sports and fitness industry has been on an all-time high in the country. Not just for athletes, even the common consumers have become extremely brand-conscious, and demand the best for their fitness endeavors. Fortunately, various sports and fitness brands were able to create products that were comfortable, durable, stylish and most importantly functional. Here are a few of the most popular labels you should consider shopping from!

Nike
Apart from their eternally inspiring tagline, Nike is renowned for their quality athletic footwear across the world. Aside from footwear, they manufacture a number of sports and fitness products including clothing, accessories, and equipment for men, women, and children. At the moment, Nike is flourishing in China, amplifying their overall brand reach internationally.

Adidas
The ace competitor of Nike, this German-based multinational is one of the oldest sports and fitness brands known for its athletic shoes and clothing. In 2017, Adidas observed a sales growth of 30% in the country alone. Recently, they have successfully revived their classic collection of sneakers, bringing the retro chic vibe back in trend.

New Balance
Like Adidas, New Balance has a legacy of over a century and has been extremely popular for its creative sneaker designs. It is the only brand to produce over 4 million pairs of sports shoes annually. Moreover, they have made their customization process easier and quicker by digitalizing it on their website, a feat that no other athletic footwear brand has delivered yet.

Under Armour
A much younger brand in comparison, Under Armour, offers a range of casual and athletic wear as well as shoes. In a short span of time, it has managed to become the third best sports and fitness brand in the country. An eco-friendly approach and innovative utilization of fabric technology are two main reasons why Under Armour has gained recognition on an international scale.

Sketchers
Like Under Armour, Sketchers is a fairly new contender in the sports and fitness market. However, within 36 years, the label has succeeded in creating a loyal customer base for itself. One of the biggest reasons for Sketchers’ success is tapping into the athleisure retail trend, where customers use sports shoes as well as athletic clothing, whether they work out or not. In a nutshell, their sports and fitness products are not restricted to athletic use and can be worn in school, at work or even on social occasions.