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Health Wellness FALL 2015
THE BEAUTY OF ESSENTIAL OILS ALTERNATIVE 5 HEALTH THERAPIES Your Guide to Health and Wellness Produced by the BEACON’s Advertising Team
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DIY essential oil remedy recipes To strengthen nails: 10 drops of frankincense 10 drops of myrrh 10 drops of lemon 2 tablespoons of vitamin E oil Mix ingredients and apply to cuticles. Rub on cuticles. To reduce wrinkles: 3 drops of sandalwood 3 drops of geranium 3 drops of lavender 3 drops of frankincense unscented lotion Mix ingredients and apply mixture to face, avoiding the eyes. To whiten teeth: Lemon essential oil coconut oil strawberries Mix ingredients and rub on teeth. Leave on for two minutes and rinse. To reduce age spots: Apply frankincense essential oil to skin three times a day.
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The beauty of essential oils By Sandra Gordon
A
whiff of lavender before bed to make you drowsy is a popular way of using essential oils. But don’t stop there. The powerful elixirs have other benefits, including beautifying your skin.
“Essential oils, which are distilled or extracted directly from plants, have the potential to boost your skin care routine,” said dermatologist David Bank, who is also the author of “Beautiful Skin: Every Woman’s Guide to Looking Her Best at Any Age.” “They can correct a problem or add an additional benefit beyond what your current skincare products are imparting.” Despite their name, however, essential oils aren’t actually an oil (fat). Rather, “they’re concentrated constituents from plants that have anti-bacteri-
To heal dry feet: 3 drops of lavender oil 2 tablespoons of coconut oil Mix ingredients and apply mixture to feet at night. Wear socks to bed.
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al and anti-inflammatory properties,” Bank said. They’re so potent, in fact, that essential oils are typically mixed with a nourishing carrier oil, such as argon, sweet almond, jojoba, coconut, rose hip or even olive oil before they’re applied to your skin. You can also apply essential oils to your skin as a mist, using one ounce of distilled water, two droppers of vodka (to help the oil and water mix), and 45 drops of any essential oil, single or in combination. By themselves, essential oils can cause chronic allergic contact dermatitis, an irritating skin condition. Lavender oil is an exception to the rule. “It’s one of the few essential oils that can be safely applied ‘neat,’” New Hampshire aromatherapist Heather Tobin said.
“My skin is noticeably better,” Sherwood said. “Not only does it not flake anymore, but I can even skip my morning moisturizer on some days because I just don’t need it.” Beyond alleviating itchy skin, essential oils have broader applications. Here’s a rundown of the most beneficial essential oils, which are available at most health food stores, and the best ways to use them in your daily routine.
All-over skincare: Lavender
Sarah Sherwood, a publicist from San Mateo, California, discovered the power of essential oils for her chronically parched skin. “My skin was so dry that if I scratched my arm with my fingernail, lots of white stuff would always flake off,” she said. “My dermatologist told me it was sun damage and there was nothing I could do.” After trying several different over-
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the-counter moisturizers, Sherwood met with a registered aromatherapist who recommended a homemade facial moisturizer with rose essential oil and a lavender oil-based body butter for the rest of her body.
Lavender is a go-to essential oil that helps calm the skin and reduce the inflammation associated with redness and sunspots. To apply: Dab lavender essential oil on a blemish or make your own day and night moisturizer by mixing one ounce of a carrier oil, such as argon oil (for mature skin) or jojoba oil (if you’re acne prone) with 10 drops of lavender essential oil in an amber glass bottle with roll-on applicator. Apply it in the morning and at night, after cleansing. In general, a one-ounce bottle of any essential/carrier oil can last for one to two years and cover multiple applications.
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Soothing dry skin: Sandalwood or Rose Geranium Sandalwood or rose geranium oil helps take the sting from dry skin. To apply: Add 10 to 30 drops of sandalwood or rose geranium essential oil to one ounce of almond oil as the carrier oil and smooth it on your skin. “Essential oils are also wonderful for the bath,” Tobin said. For a luxurious, rehydrating soak, add 30 drops of sandalwood or rose geranium oil (or your favorite essential oil) and 1/2 cup of Epsom salts or Dead Sea salts to the tub.
Rejuvenating mature skin: German chamomile This beautiful Safire blue essential oil contains azulene, a component that helps cool the skin and reduce inflammation associated with rosacea. “It’s also fabulous for reducing the appearance of brown spots,” California aromatherapist Mary Pancoast said. Even though it’s blue, German chamomile won’t stain your skin or your sheets. To apply: Mix 10 to 30 drops of German chamomile essential oil with one ounce of argon oil in a roller bottle and use it as a day and night moisturizer.
Reducing wrinkles: Lavender and Rose Geranium or Rose Damascus For younger-looking skin on your face, neck and décolletage area, combine up to 30 drops in total of lavender, rose geranium or pure rose Damascus essential oil with one ounce of evening primrose oil (the carrier oil) and two capsules of pure vitamin E oil (cut and squeeze the capsules) in an amber glass bottle with a roller applicator. “Rose Damascus oil can be expensive,” Tobin said. “Feel free to use just five drops of the rose Damascus with 25 drops of lavender. The overall combination is incredible.”
To apply: Smooth on your face, neck and chest area at bedtime, during your nighttime skincare routine.
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Stress Rx: Frankincense and Myrrh “Frankincense and myrrh have been used since Biblical times for ulcers and boils. But they also work together as a massage oil, to keep the skin supple and young,” Tobin said. To apply: For one massage, add 15 drops each of Frankincense and myrrh to one ounce of sweet almond oil. Feel free to experiment with essential oils and carrier oils, to make your own synergistic recipe. “To come up with a blend of two or three oils that are right for you and your skincare issue, smell each essential oil first,” Pancoast said. “If you don’t like the scent, aromatherapists have a common belief that you probably don’t need it.”
Safeguard your skincare routine Even though essential oils are natural, they’re not risk free. These guidelines can help you use them safely. Choose carefully. If you’re allergic to grasses or nuts, avoid essential oils or carrier oils related to grasses or trees, such as lemon grass essential oil or sweet almond oil. Do a tester. Before first use, apply a tiny drop of an essential oil mixed with a carrier oil to the inside of your arm. If you don’t get a skin reaction, that’s a green light that the essential oil is safe to use. ■
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FALL 2015
Why don’t people use more herbal products? After all, they’re natural Healthy Geezer, By Fred Cicetti
I
get a kick out of people who are big on “natural” and “organic” products. Poison ivy is natural and organic. So is cobra venom. You should be very careful when using herbal health products and dietary supplements, especially if you’re a senior. Always consult a doctor before taking any of these products, which I like to call “alternatives.” These products may not be safe if you have cancer, an enlarged prostate gland, high blood pressure, diabetes, glaucoma, heart disease, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, psychiatric issues, or problems with clotting blood, your immune system, liver or thyroid. You should be especially cautious about these products if you are taking drugs that treat any of these health problems. These alternatives can interfere with the way your body processes medicine. For example, you may not absorb enough of the medicine you need. They can cause difficulties during surgery, including bleeding and problems with an-
esthesia, and you should not use them at least two weeks before surgery. In the U.S., alternatives are regulated as foods by the Food and Drug Administration. Therefore, they are not held to the same standards as medicines whose manufacturers must prove they are safe and effective. These products can also contain ingredients that aren’t on the label. That bottle of natural elixir on the shelf could contain plant pollen, steroids, arsenic, lead and pesticides. The active ingredients in many of these products are unknown. In fact, because alternatives are not held to tough standards, you may even consume more or less of the supplement than what the label tells you you’re taking. Some of the most popular alternatives include chondroitin, echinacea, ephedra, garlic, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, glucosamine, kava, melatonin, black cohosh, saw palmetto and St. John’s wort. Here are some side effects you should know about: • If you are sensitive to aspirin, don’t take black cohosh because it contains salicylates. Black cohosh is used for menopausal symptoms. Aspirin or acetylsalicylic acid is a drug in the family of salicylates. • If you have a shellfish allergy, you may also be allergic to glucosamine. Glucosamine is typically taken for arthritis. • Don’t drink alcohol if you take kava products. Kava is used to calm nerves and can increase the effects of alcohol. ■
Send your general health questions to the Healthy Geezer in care of the BEACON, or email fred@healthygeezer.com.
FALL 2015
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Why accept worn or ill-fitting dentures? D
entures are removable, custom-fitted replacement teeth that are crafted from strong, durable materials like acrylic resin, which can be reinforced with porcelain or metal. There are two main types of dentures: complete and partial. Worn or ill-fitting dentures are a problem that is commonly overlooked by patients. Like many things that change over time, we become accustomed to the changes and assume they are normal.
These are a few of the common problems we see: • Dentures should be comfortable. Although you may need time to adjust to a new denture, you should not accept continuous pain or discomfort. • Dentures should not come loose unexpectedly. • Denture teeth will wear with time, which may result in an incorrect bite or a poor appearance. • Changes in the denture fit and condition can lead to swollen gums and soreness, along with eating and speaking problems. Simply relining your existing denture may correct problems caused by changes to the soft and
hard tissue in your mouth. In other cases, a complete new denture may be required. Several appointments may be required to get the correct fit. Make sure you select a dentist who is willing to take the time necessary to make a denture that fits you correctly and looks natural. Kathy came to see us last year with a worn denture and severely worn lower teeth. After a review of the options, she decided to replace her upper dentures and restore her lower teeth to be healthy, strong and beautiful. Kathy loves her new smile! If you, a friend, or loved one has questions about dentures, give us a call. We would love to show you what we can do. Contact Dr. Julie Gillis at 242-3635 or visit www.juliegillisdds.com for more information. ■
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FALL 2015
5 alternative health therapies you’ve probably never thought of By Jan Weeks
Another common misconception is that the therapist will pound you to a pulp with a heavy hand. Not so, DeLong said. Although she does kay, so maybe you’re very famil- deep tissue massage, she also uses long, gliding strokes alternating iar with massage therapy. But I bet you that’s the only method men- with kneading motions. Clients must always let the therapist know tioned below that comes to mind if something is too painful. when you think about alternative “Massage isn’t effective if it makes therapies. your muscles tense because they’re Massage therapy hurting,” she emphasized. “The Oh, those knotted neck muscles whole point is to relax.” and backs that seem to hold all the Reflexology is an adjunct to tension of the year! The aching regular massage. Using pressure arches and tingling tootsies! A good points in the hands and feet, the massage is just what the holistic practitioner can diagnose problems health practitioner ordered. Masin other parts of the body. DeLong sage, however, is more than just a remembers one woman who came real good, feel good hour of pamto her, and during the reflexology pering. It has a sedative effect on on her feet, DeLong intuited that the nervous system, helps the body something was amiss with the recover from fatigue, breaks up scar woman’s heart and advised her to tissue, relieves pain, removes toxsee a doctor right away. The woman ins, and stimulates the circulatory did, and the doctor scheduled her system as it benefits the lymphatic for immediate pacemaker implansystem. tation. While working on one man According to Rhonda DeLong, who had not been able to close owner of DeLong’s Holistic Health, his hands, she cleared up some massage is a good all-around health blockages and he could make a fist, benefit. which he hadn’t done for years. “It can relieve chronic back and shoulder pain,” she said. “What hap- Hypnotherapy DeLong is also a licensed hyppens after a massage is as important as the treatment itself. Drink lots of notherapist. She debunks another commonly held belief, fostered by water, take a hot Epsom salt bath, 1950s stage show magicians, that a and rest. All of these will speed hypnotist can make you do someup the release of toxins.” thing that you find distasteful. Some people hesitate to take “You are always in control and advantage of massage because no one can make you cluck like a they’re afraid of being naked in chicken,” she said. front of a stranger. Hypnotherapy “bypasses the con“To be effective, massage has to scious and gets to the subconscious take place on bare skin, but you memories that are always buried disrobe in private and are always covered with a sheet, except for the alive but never die,” she said. When memories are brought to area the therapist works on,” she the surface, the client can deal with said. them at his or her own pace. It’s also acceptable to keep your “I mostly see people who are gounderwear on or wear a swimsuit. Author’s note: The material in this article is not to be construed as medical advice. It is for information only.
O
ing through changes in their lives,” she said. “They know something is wrong but they don’t know what.” One woman struggled with obesity for years. When she was still in grade school, subtle and not so subtle messages from her family convinced her that they were ashamed of her because she was fat, leading to a life of bingeing and purging. Her skin and hair were dry and damaged, she was dehydrated, and her digestive system was a mess. Through hypnosis, she overcame her destructive habits. Her skin cleared up, her digestive system normalized, she had more energy, and her weight is now where she wants it to be.
Reiki DeLong is also a Reiki master teacher and practitioner and holds licenses and certifications in all her therapies. Reiki is a Japanese healing technique based on the principle of channeling energy to relieve stress and to activate the natural healing processes of one’s body. DeLong’s rates are very reasonable. “I think that people should not have to decide between rent and good health,” she said. Biofeedback Bill Harney, who holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology, provides options for mental health issues through his business, Better
Brain, LLC. “Basically, any condition that requires medication can be treated with alternative means,” Harney said. “If medications haven’t worked, the problem is probably a brain issue.” He works with patients who have seizures, cognitive decline, ADHA, depression, migraines, panic attacks and other disorders. He also works with people who just want to feel more focused. “Say an executive wants to feel sharper,” Harney said. “I can help him through biofeedback.” First, Harney does an EEG, using electrodes to create a “brain map” that he uses to assess function. Treatment consists of attaching five electrodes to the head and using fractile images, similar to the old kaleidoscope pictures, on a computer screen, which he controls, to train the brain to function differently. Clients use their brains to make the image move, and Harney has the options of dimming the picture and increasing or decreasing sounds so that the brain will work differently to bring back the picture and sound. “For younger clients, I use video games such as Pac Man or Space Invaders,” he said. “For adults, I may stream a TED talk or YouTube videos so that they can learn something while they train the brain.” He also uses traditional biofeed-
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“Any time we can avoid taking medications, the better off we’re going to be.” back methods, such as breathing and mindfulness exercises to either stimulate or calm the person’s brain waves. Veterans suffering from PTSD often find relief through his methods. “They may be reluctant to talk to a therapist,” Harney said, “but changing how the brain functions ‘softens’ the stress without forcing them to relive past trauma. Then they may be more open to therapy.”
Ozone therapy Jane Kauffman, a certified ozone therapist, touts the value of ozone, which she has used to heal sores on diabetics’ feet, detoxify the liver, cure liver cancer and colon cancer, and strengthen the immune system. “Ozone has an extra molecule that allows it to go into the body through the skin and organs much more easily than oxygen can pen-
etrate,” she said. “Ozone basically destroys bad bacteria and pumps up good bacteria without nasty side effects.” She cites antibiotics, which destroy all bacteria, leaving the gut without the good bacteria it needs to function properly. “Ozone therapy can cure MRSA, staph, and strep easily,” she said. To treat sores and other limb dysfunctions, she encloses the affected leg or arm with a plastic bag containing high gamma of ozone. Leaving the bag on until it deflates allows all the ozone to enter the body, so the client may go home with the bag on and remove it when it’s flat. However, she cautions that it’s not an instant fix. Cancer patients may have to be treated for as long as a year, while a diabetic’s foot lesion may need only a few treatments.
“Any time we can avoid taking medications, the better off we’re going to be,” she said. She talked about a diabetic whose foot was scheduled to be amputated. “I bagged his limb and by the time his surgery date rolled around, his leg was healed,” she said. “I’ve had success treating gangrene, too.” She also told a story about a teen boy who had frostbite and surgery to remove his big toe was scheduled in a week. She treated him and “by the time he went in for surgery, his toe was pink, and surgery wasn’t necessary.” All these practitioners say that healing is their top priority. They either charge very reasonably for their services or use a sliding scale to accommodate those with lower incomes, and some even dedicate themselves to occasional charity work. To contact DeLong, call 314-9442. Harney can be reached at 261-8488. Kauffman’s contact number is 261-5603. ■
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A LENS look at your brain By Marsha Kearns
S
ometimes your brain may feel like it’s full of crashing waves or like it’s in a fog. This may result in such symptoms as stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, migraines, pain, TBI, and ADD/ADHD. One safe new way to calm your brainwaves is through LENS, the low-energy neurofeedback system—a medication-free option. Different methods of neurofeedback have been used for decades to change behavior or thought processes. LENS was developed by Dr. Len Ochs in 1994 and has racked up an impressive body of positive study results and glowing testimonials from the people who have used it to help themselves update their brain’s operating system and reduce or eliminate annoying symptoms that interfere with their lives on some level. Yes, you may feel like a science experiment with electrodes stuck to your head, but there is nothing to fear. The electrodes simply record your brain activity and map them onto a graph showing where and how well different areas of your brain are functioning. The same electrodes deliver a feedback frequency to the brain that helps the brain find its way back to healthier functioning. With new, improved brain communication to the nervous
system, a person experiences reduction or elimination of symptoms. “The electromagnetic signal is much less than that of a watch battery,” said Loraine Adams, Ph.D. “Yet the mapping shows impressive change over time with no stress or pain for the patient. The patient simply sits comfortably with eyes closed to receive a LENS treatment.” Adams has used the LENS therapy successfully with patients since 2004. She serves patients from Montrose to Delta to Grand Junction. Her portable system allows patients to have sessions in the comfort of their own homes. Adams said it has been very satisfying to see lives improve and change, especially when people claim to have “tried everything” before finding neurofeedback. A primary benefit of the therapy is that there are no negative side effects. LENS may also be helpful when medication is not an option. It is recommended that patients seek advice from their primary physician prior to reducing or stopping any medication. Some insurance companies reimburse for neurofeedback services. For more information, contact Adams at 319-9228 or ladams2222@ gmail.com. A LENS informational brochure is available by request. ■
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ly removed, two more showed up. Advanced melanoma kills 95 percent rand Junction resident Pat Holof patients within two years and the lowell was diagnosed with the deadly skin cancer melanoma on her grim outlook for her recovery was compounded by the fact that 30 scalp in May 2012. After months of years before, she had suffered breast tests and surgeries with no success, cancer, and her then stagedoctors four colon suggestcancer ed that within a her only two-year hope period. This was to time she join a figured her clinical luck had trial. run out. Now “It was three my sumyears latmer from er, at age hell,” she 81, she recalled. is can“It was like cer free, everything Pat Hollowell, right, with her daughter Teri, left. thanks was over.” to a new She was accepted into Daud’s clinclinical trial in melanoma treatment ical trial in San Francisco and stayed involving immunotherapy. with her daughter in a nearby town During the month following her for the duration of her treatment. diagnosis, Hollowell endured three By the time Hollowell began treatseparate surgeries to remove the ment, there were four tumors on her melanoma and lymph nodes in her head. The series of treatments in the neck. Although she was optimistic first trial consisted of a drug injected that the cancer had been removed, into each individual tumor, followed her daughter, who lives in Califorby an unpleasant electric shock. The nia, arranged an appointment for her tumors disappeared. However, more with Dr. Adil Daud, a leading author- tumors appeared on her head, neck ity on melanoma and director of the and lymph nodes. So in June of 2013, Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Daud entered her into a new trial Center at the University of California involving immunotherapy. San Francisco. At the time, Daud was According to the American Candirecting a clinical trial of melanoma cer Society, immunotherapy is a treatment. Tests performed at the treatment that uses certain parts of clinic showed Hollowell was cancer a person’s immune system to fight free, so she returned home to Grand disease. Hollowell began a biweekly Junction. IV of an antibody that targets an imBut several months later, tumors mune inhibitor called PD-1, a protein appeared on the side of her head. found in cancer cells that prevents Shortly after having them surgicalthe immune system’s T-cells from
G
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attacking the cancer cells. The reason the body’s immune system has been ineffective in fighting cancer has long confounded scientists. The assumption has been that cancer was beyond the reach of the body’s natural defenses. A new generation of drugs is proving otherwise as they enable the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. Immunology has been especially effective in the treatment of melanoma and lung cancer, and oncologists worldwide are now rushing to test the treatment against all types of cancers. Although the treatment is extremely effective for some, it does not work for everyone and is used as a last-ditch effort after all conventional treatments have failed. The number of successful respons-
es with the late-stage melanoma patients in Daud’s clinical trial has, within a few years, risen from 10 percent to 30 to 50 percent, compared to chemotherapy having a 10 percent response rate which can be short-lived if even one cancer cell remains after treatment. The immune system has a built-in memory, so once it is enabled to recognize cancer cells, it continues to go after them. “Immunology is not a sure thing even now, but hopefully it will become a building block, and we will add to it and go beyond a 50 percent response rate in the coming years,” Daud said. The drug used in Daud’s trial was Merck Pharmaceutical Company’s Keytruda, the first FDA-approved
drug for immunotherapy. Hollowell’s treatments ended in July 2014. She continues to visit the clinic every three months to ensure that there are no new tumors. In the unlikely event that they do reappear, she will reenter the program. “Within a month, my doctors could see the difference, and I am now tumor free,” she said. “For me, it’s been an absolute miracle. I’m very grateful to Dr. Daud and to Merck, not only for saving my life, but for all the lives this therapy will save in the future.” For more information about Keytruda, visit www.keytruda.com. For more information about Daud’s treatments, visit www.ucsfhealth. org or call 415-476-1000. ■
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He re WE GRO W!
(again)
NOVEMBER 2014 •
• 2014 Holiday events you don’t want to miss
page 6 & 12
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Your Guide to a Happy Holiday
Now on the web at www.BeaconSeniorNews.com
Western Colorado’s Monthly Newspaper for Adults 50+. Over 34,020 Readers.
Vol. 28 No. 11
Celebrate the holidays with gift-giving ideas galore from our area’s finest merchants.
Healing with Art The Veterans’ Art Center is a place where veterans can heal their emotional wounds through music and art. Page 6. Elks’ Lodge It was no easy task establishing a lodge in both Delta and Montrose, but perseverance and creativity prevailed. Page 20. Museum honors Ute heritage The Ute Indian Museum helps share the stories and livelihoods of the native Utes. Page 30.
Our annual salute to local veterans
Photo courtesy of Veterans Committee of Photo the Western by Xxxx Slope Xxxx.
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
www.BeaconSeniorNews.com
FALL 2015
Your hearing can affect your golf score By Dr. Joe McDermott, Au.D., F-AAA, CCC-A hether you’re playing the alpine courses in Eagle-Vail or Beaver Creek or the high desert links in Rifle, Grand Junction or Moab, the game of golf is filled with hazards. Bodies of water, bunkers and sand traps, and dense vegetation can all wreak havoc with your game. Another important yet often ignored factor that can affect your final score is your hearing. Studies show individuals with strong binaural hearing, the ability to perceive sound with both ears, tend to play better golf than those suffering from hearing loss. What role does hearing play in golf? An important one, it turns out. The sound emitted when the ball comes in contact with the club’s sweet spot, for example, is different than the sound emitted from any other part of the clubface. By paying close attention to that sound, golfers can control their shots better. This is especially true when taking chip shots or putting. In these situations, power is less a factor than finesse. Hearing the tone produced by the club striking the ball can help the golfer judge how well the ball was hit, allowing him or her to make any necessary adjustments for the next swing. Conversely, when hearing is impaired, the golfer loses the benefit of this additional sense. Swings are less accurate, and scores tend to rise. Let’s not forget the social impacts of hearing loss on the game. Golfers with hearing deficits, playing in pairs or groups may have trouble following conversations, especially when there is background noise (e.g. wind blowing or a bumpy golf cart ride). This can lead to misunderstandings and poor decision-making skills. Inevitably, when an individual is suffering from a hearing loss, he or she tends to lose interest in otherwise enjoyable activities. Having difficulty hearing while
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playing prevents them from being fully engaged in the game. Golf legend Arnold Palmer lends credence to the idea that good hearing is crucial to accuracy. Palmer was diagnosed with hearing loss in his 40s, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. He credits hearing aids with improving his hearing ability and golf game. “When I walked out on the golf course the first day I had hearing aids, I heard things I hadn’t heard on the golf course, like the click of hitting a putt or hitting a golf ball, or the air going through the club when I was swinging it,” he said. “It made a tremendous difference.” Paul Azinger, winner of eleven PGA tournaments and the 1993 PGA Championship at Inverness, echoed Palmer’s sentiments. He is quoted as saying “Hearing is huge,” when referring to golf, and described the golfer’s ability to hear how well contact is made with the ball as a key factor in becoming a great ball driver. Indeed, good hearing allows you to better enjoy the activities in which you compete, and will naturally make you feel more engaged with your golf game. You’ll enjoy increased confidence, and will have more control over your swing—and ultimately, your final score. Regular hearing evaluations by a qualified audiologist or otolaryngologist are a good idea for avid golfers. Hearing loss is both progressive and cumulative, and often develops so gradually you are unaware of a problem until it has progressed to an advanced stage. The earlier hearing loss is detected, the more options you have for treatment and the better your odds for success, ensuring that hearing loss isn’t keeping you from a scorecard you can brag about. For a hearing evaluation, call Colorado West Audiologists at 970-549-0940. ■