According to Women’s Health Magazine, “Other than the showers, the weight room is probably the most sex-segregated place in any gym. The body benefits of lifting and strength training are clear, yet the gender split persists.”

It’s true – the Center for Disease Control found that only 24.4 percent of women meet the agency’s twice-weekly weight training recommendations.

Resistance moves enhance the benefits of aerobic exercise, reducing the potency of known killers – like heart disease, for example. The American Heart Association reports that cardiovascular diseases and stroke cause one-third of all women’s deaths each year, taking a life about once every 80 seconds.

According to the Cybex Research Institute, “When our muscles are stronger, there is less demand placed on the heart. This allows the lungs to process more oxygen with less effort, the heart to pump more blood with fewer beats, and the blood supply directed to your muscles to increase.”

Furthermore, lifting promotes a healthy waist-to-hip ratio – which, in turn, lowers the risk of death. The Harvard School of Public Health Obesity Prevention Source discusses a long-term study, where, “after 16 years, women who reported the highest waist sizes — 35 inches or higher – had nearly double the risk of dying from heart disease” compared to women who reported waist sizes 28 inches or less.

An article published in Spanish journal Nutrición Hospitalaria stated that strength training, combined with a reduced-calorie eating plan, reduces fat around the middle and prevents cardiovascular disease.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASLHA) explains, “Hearing is critical to speech and language development, communication, and learning.  Children with listening difficulties due to hearing loss or auditory processing problems continue to be an under-identified and under-served population.

“The earlier hearing loss occurs in a child’s life, the more serious the effects on the child’s development.  But the earlier the problem is identified and intervention begun, the less serious the ultimate impact.”

ASHA adds that when children hear poorly, their language skills are delayed, causing problems with academic achievement, socialization, and self-esteem.  Vocabulary skills, speaking, and reading develop more slowly for children struggling to hear.

Experts say that children learn how to engage with others socially by observing others and overhearing conversations, especially in school.  When children can’t hear well, social interaction suffers.

The good news, according to ASHA:  “Research indicates that children identified with a hearing loss who begin services early may be able to develop language (spoken and /or signed) on par with their hearing peers.  In fact, infants identified with hearing loss by six months of age, can be expected to attain language development equal to their hearing peers.

“The combination of early detection and early use of amplification has been shown to have a dramatically positive effect on the language abilities of a child with hearing loss.

“An audiologist, as part of an interdisciplinary team of professionals, will evaluate the child and suggest the most appropriate audiologic intervention program.”

For more information, contact Susan Rogan Hearing, (630) 969-1677 at  the Westmont office, (708) 588-0155 for LaGrange Park, or visit www.susanroganhearing.com.

           Inner ear imbalances are often linked to dizziness — that uncomfortable woozy, light-headed, spinning sensation.  Dizziness isn’t a disease, but a symptom of various problems.

           The Mayo Clinic says, “Your sense of balance depends on the combined input from the various parts of your sensory system.  These include your eyes; sensory nerves, which send messages to your brain about body movements and positions; and your inner ear, which houses sensors that help detect gravity and back-and-forth motion.

           “Vertigo is that false sense that your surroundings are spinning or moving.  With inner ear disorders, your brain receives signals from the inner ear that aren’t consistent with what your eyes and sensory nerves are receiving.  Vertigo is what results as your brain works to sort out the confusion.”

           The Mayo Clinic states that a viral infection of the ear’s vestibular nerve can cause intense, constant vertigo.  Meniere’s disease, where excessive inner ear fluid builds up, may cause sudden episodes of vertigo, lasting for several hours.  Meniere’s may also cause fluctuating hearing loss, ringing in the ears, and the feeling of a ‘plugged’ ear.

           Dramatic blood pressure drops, anxiety, sedatives, dehydration, and low iron levels may also contribute to dizziness.

           People experiencing sudden, severe dizziness should seek medical attention.  Mild cases, coupled with light-headedness, may be relieved by lying down briefly, which allows more blood to flow to your brain, recommends WebMD.  Slowly sit up, then stand.  For dizziness with a spinning sensation, don’t lie flat, but prop yourself up slightly.  Move slowly to avoid falling, and call your doctor if fainting, nausea, or vomiting develop.

For more information, contact Susan Rogan Hearing, (630) 969-1677 for the Westmont office, (708) 588-0155 for LaGrange Park, or visit www.susanroganhearing.com.