Hearing loss in teens higher than in past
Dear Readers: According to the American Osteopathic Association, 1 in 5 teenagers suffers from hearing loss to some degree. That’s a rate of about 30 percent h igher than in the 1980s or ’90s and is believed to be due in part to headphones and earbuds. The volume and duration of noise are important factors in reducing the ability to hear clearly. The best way to handle that gradual loss of hearing is to limit the amount of time earbuds and headphones are used and to keep the volume low enough to hear background noises as well.—Heloise
KEEPING IT TOGETHER
Dear Heloise: When I wash and dry my bedding, I carefully fold my sheets and one pillowcase, then slip them into the second pillowcase.
This way, nothing gets lost, and it’s much easier to store in my linen closet.—Zeena T., Sitka, Alaska
EMERGENCY KIT
Dear Heloise: People who drive should have an emergency road kit with them, whether they’re going to the store down the street or to another state. Besides a spare tire, I have the following in my car:
Fire extinguisher, blanket, flashlight, flares, aerosol tire-inflation cans, jumper cables, a small pocket address book with important numbers, and an umbrella.
Some of my friends recommend a gas can and a gallon of water as well.—Doug A., Orem, Utah
THROW IT OUT!
Dear Heloise: How many of us have said, “I can’t throw that out because I might need it someday”? Well, here are some things that should be pitched out now: Broken tools. Clothing you never wear or that is older than your last adult offspring.
Empty boxes and coffee cans.
Magazines you swore you’d read but didn’t.
Near-empty cans of paint.
—Bailey S., Flagstaff, Ariz.
BEFORE YOU PACK IT AWAY
Dear Heloise: Before any of my winter things are stored away for the coming warm months, I make sure to never store dirty clothing. It’s cleaned first, then packed away. Leather and fur are stored in cloth garment bags or wrapped in a sheet, NEVER in plastic. All winter clothing is in a closet, away from sunlight, and I use cedar balls in a mesh bag to ward off moths. Boots are stuffed with crumpled newspaper or leftover Christmas wrapping paper. In the autumn, I’m always glad I took the effort to pack my clothing properly.—Connie J., Poseyville, Ind.