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Author: Nancy Nelson

  • Same Ears, Different Day: Why Hearing Tests Aren’t Always Consistent

    If you have taken two hearing tests months apart, you may have noticed that the results were slightly different from one another. While hearing tests are often thought of as being completely objective measures of hearing ability, they are actually influenced by various biological factors within an individual’s body.

    Auditory fatigue is one of the reasons why people may struggle with hearing tests. Spending a morning in a noisy environment, traveling on a busy commute, working in a loud office, watching a blaring television, etc. can leave your ears “recovering” from the excessive noise. The tiny hair cells within the inner ear that are responsible for converting sound waves into electrical signals to the brain can become less responsive to sound waves following prolonged noise exposure. These small changes can have an impact upon the results of hearing tests.

    Another factor that may impact the ability of a person to hear is the body’s natural rhythm. The body naturally experiences fluctuations in blood flow and fluid levels throughout the day. These changes may influence the hearing of an individual. For instance, the hearing of a person may be different in the morning compared to the evening of the same day. For a Hearing Test Near Me, visit www.imperialhearing.com/audiologist-near-me/

    Other factors can include stress and tiredness. If someone had a restless night of sleep, they may be tired the next day and have difficulty concentrating on the test questions. Concentration is needed for catching the faintest possible beep from the scanner.

    These facts do not mean that hearing tests are unreliable.  Hearing tests are an effective way of determining hearing levels in people.  However, since hearing is a changing sense within the human body, it is not possible to measure hearing in a single number.  Therefore, the value of conducting hearing tests over time to monitor changes in an individual’s hearing abilities is much higher than the value of conducting a single hearing test.

  • How Sash Window Repairs Fix Draughty Frames

    There are typical gaps in sash windows, which can develop over the years, but are mostly easy to fix.

    Adjusting the Meeting Rail

    Draughts can also occur due to a gap forming along the meeting rail of the sashes. In order to fix this problem the meeting rail can be re-fitted or even shimmied in order to get the sashes to return to their original position.

    Replacing Worn Staff Beads

    These need to be replaced with new Staff Beads that are similar in size and profile. The new Staff Beads are then fitted into the frame and will hold the lower sash in the channel. This will stop any rattling of the sashes and prevent cold air entering through the gap.

    Adding Draught Seals

    Brush-pile or compression draught seals are fitted into the parting bead groove between the two sashes. As the sashes close, the draught seal compresses to stop cold air entering the room. The seal does not make the sash stiff to open and close.

    Repairing Decayed Frame Corners and Sills

    Rotted timber in the frame corners and sills can create the worst of gaps which can’t be effectively sealed. These areas need to be cut back and filled with a suitable repair material (e.g. epoxy or wood filler) or even a new timber splice.

    Re-puttying Around the Glass

    Re-puttying around the Glass: Old putty has cracked or fallen out allowing air to enter around the panes. The specialists will rake out the old putty and re-bed the glass with fresh linseed-oil putty. This type of putty is flexible and ‘seals’ the frame over the seasons. If you want Sash Window Repair, //www.sashwindowpreservation.co.uk/services/sash-window-repair is a good place to start.

    Tackle these five points and most draughty sash windows can be made comfortable without having to replace them.

  • Choosing a Hotel Wedding Venue

    Choosing a hotel wedding venue to hold your wedding is more than choosing a hotel where you can stay in nice rooms. There are many practical issues that you need to check before booking a hotel wedding venue. (more…)

  • How Steering Parts Affect Steering Noise

    How Steering Parts Affect Steering Noise

    Most steering noises are not random, and the sound often points to a specific component or a specific problem.

    Knocking Over Bumps

    If you hear a knocking sound as you drive over bumps in the road then it could be your track rod ends. These are small parts that connect the steering rack to the wheel hubs and have ball joints. These joints can wear over time and cause the ends to become loose. This in turn can cause problems when steering and so should be checked as soon as possible.

    Clunking on Full Lock

    Clunking on Full Lock: A worn or tired steering column universal joint, or a worn steering rack can also cause a clunking sound on full lock. A good steering specialist will be able to check for any movement in the steering column, and also check the rack for any wear. If the rack is worn it will usually need to be replaced.

    Whining That Changes With Engine Speed

    A whining sound which varies with engine speed (i.e. not road speed) could indicate that the power steering pump is failing. The power steering pump is driven by the engine and therefore its noise is typically varied with engine speed. Power steering components can deteriorate gradually and it is wise to investigate and potentially replace a component of this nature before it actually fails.

    Squealing on Full Lock

    Squealing: A squealing noise can occur when turning at full lock. This can be due to low power steering fluid or worn power steering pump components. The easiest thing to check first is the level of fluid in the power steering system. If the level is low then topping up the fluid is a simple task that can be done to rectify the problem. However, if the fluid level is OK then worn steering components could be the cause. Worn or failing steering components, even with sufficient fluid, can create a road risk. This is covered in more detail by the RAC Foundation in relation to steering and suspension faults and vehicle safety.

    Grinding When Turning

    A grinding sound whilst turning indicates that either the CV joints on your drives have worn, or that there are damaged rack ends within the steering rack. These are two parts that can fail and will need a full inspection prior to potentially expensive repair.

    Listen out for these sounds and have your car serviced before they become major problems.

  • Why Remote Workers Need a Different Approach to Computer Maintenance Than Office Workers

    If your machine goes down on a Tuesday morning, chances are you have someone to blame who isn’t you, namely the IT department. You also probably have resources available that are lacking to the remote freelancer: an easily accessible spare machine, a department full of people who are tasked with dealing with any problem that arises, and a company budget willing to absorb costs that would be prohibitive for a sole trader. Most importantly, you probably regard your machine as company property rather than something that is yours alone to deal with.

    The remote freelancer has none of these things. When a machine breaks, he or she can feel utterly alone.

    Perhaps there’s a deadline looming, and you’re due to have a video call in forty minutes. Then the computer suddenly stops working, and you realise you’ve got a major problem. For Computer Repair Gloucester, consider https://www.cotswoldcomputermedic.co.uk/

    This is the basic difference between remote and office-based computing. When one machine crashes in the office, it doesn’t bring everything else to a halt. If your laptop fails, it can be replaced within minutes and, even if that isn’t possible, there’s often little problem about continuing work from another desk. In contrast, if a remote freelancer’s computer fails, that’s his or her full business that comes crashing down until something is done. There is no fallback and no second line of defence.

    For most office workers, preventative maintenance is optional, but for the remote freelancer, there’s no alternative. Keeping all necessary software up to date, making sure that backups work and that security software has an active (not expired, 18-month-old) licence is critical, because the freelancer has to know that his or her system will always keep running.

  • Why the Office Water Cooler Is More Important Than Most Managers Realise

    It is something that rarely gets mentioned in productivity debates or team-building programmes and indeed is considered by most in the office simply as a piece of office equipment. Its value is considered to be as basic as its function: cost per litre and whether or not to replace the new bottle. Put in a corner of the kitchen near the photocopier, the office water cooler has not been properly captured, let alone costed, in any management consultant’s workplace strategy document.

    However, a water cooler does more than just dispense water.

    Hydration is intimately linked with mental performance, especially in workplace settings. People who are mildly dehydrated often report a vague sense of not being quite sharp. Concentration, error rates and overall processing tend to suffer in office work. This is not just some wellness claim: it is supported by basic physiology.

    But beyond its impact on mental performance, the conversations that take place around an office water cooler are important. It’s a space for brief and unscheduled exchanges that can be far more productive than formal meetings. Ask almost anyone who has worked in an office and they will recall conversations that took place around the water cooler: question asked in passing, problem mentioned informally, connection made that might have added real organisational value but that could not be manufactured deliberately, only facilitated, quite accidentally, by a water cooler in the right place. For Office Water Coolers Cardiff, consider https://www.waterforyou.net/bottled-office-water-coolers-wales/cardiff/

    A good water cooler in the right place does both things simultaneously.

    It keeps people hydrated. It keeps people talking.

    So if you have an office water cooler, don’t underestimate its impact.

  • Common Problems to Avoid when Doing a Loft Conversion

    A loft conversion is a great way to add some space to your home, and it can also add value – however, to make the most of this space, you need to make sure that it is something that is done correctly and is suited to you and your home it is important to be aware of the things that can cause problems beforehand so that it is easier to avoid them!

    Something that many people are unaware of is the head height in the loft. Not all lofts are the same and they don’t all make for a suitable room – it is always a good idea to go to a professional like this loft conversions Bristol based company //www.caineslofts.co.uk who specialises in loft conversions to ensure that you are going to get a space that you can actually use and to check that your loft is suitable for conversion. Sometimes there need to be some changes to the roof structure to accommodate what you want.

    Ventilation is another thing that can be problematic. If the ventilation in the loft is not well thought out and planned correctly, many issues can occur. Things like damp, overheating during the summer months and a generally stuffy atmosphere are all things that come along with poor ventilation.

    Something else that you should take into account if you live in a semi-detached or terraced home is your neighbours. When having work done especially on your loft, they may be concerned about noise levels as well as problems with shared walls, so make sure you talk to them about your plans from the start and ensure that they are aware of the things that they may want to know.

  • Unusual Museums to Visit in the UK over the Summer

    If you are looking for something a little different to do this summer and you are going to be travelling around the UK, one thing to do if you want to explore something interesting and get out of the rain (or the scorching sun!) is to go to a museum! (more…)

  • What an Audiologist Can Help With in Bristol

    Common misconception about what an Audiologist can do for you in Bristol…

    Earwax Removal and Management

    Compacted earwax can sometimes affect hearing, be uncomfortable or even affect balance. If your earwax becomes compacted an audiologist can remove it for you using a microscope and a suction device (microsuction) or by using irrigation. The audiologist can then advise on whether you are prone to build up of earwax and offer advice on how to prevent it in the future.

    Tinnitus Management Plans

    Tinnitus – persistent sounds in your ears such as ringing, buzzing or hissing that are not due to an external source. The severity of the tinnitus and the triggers can be assessed by an audiologist and management techniques, such as sound therapy and relaxation techniques, can be provided in the form of a management plan. More information on the assessment and management of tinnitus can be found on the NHS website.

    Balance Problems

    The inner ear is also responsible for our sense of balance. It is not uncommon for people to experience dizziness or vertigo and in some cases this can be as a result of a problem with the audiological part of the inner ear. The audiologist can perform specific tests for balance and if necessary refer you on to a specialist. In the meantime the audiologist can also provide you with exercises to help alleviate your symptoms.

    Hearing Aid Fitting and Aftercare

    However, the proper fitting of a hearing aid is not a one-off appointment and an audiologist will fine tune the aid to your individual audiogram, check the earpiece for correct fitting and adjust the settings of the hearing aid at subsequent appointments as needed to ensure the best possible results for your hearing loss.

    Hyperacusis

    There is also Hyperacusis, or sensitivity to normal levels of loudness that other people find no problem with at all. This can be assessed by an audiologist and treated with a very gradual sound desensitisation program.

    Noise-Damage Assessment

    If you work in a noisy environment, have recently returned from holidays or a weekend of loud entertainment and are worried that you may have damaged your hearing, an audiologist can establish the extent of any damage and advise on the best course of action to protect your remaining hearing. For Audiologist Bristol, see https://www.imperialhearing.com/audiologist-near-me/bristol/.

    So now you know what an Audiologist can do, hopefully you will have a better idea if you need to book an appointment.

  • Brise Soleil Maintenance and Cleaning Tips

    Aluminium solar shading systems are made from a robust material and will withstand the harshest of weather conditions. However, they do need some regular maintenance in order to continue to perform well and look their best.

    Inspect Fins and Fixings Twice a Year

    Spring and Autumn: Check Fixings for any Sign of Movement. Walk around the system and check all fins for any signs of bending or cracking. Check all fixings for any sign of movement. A simple push on each fin should confirm that they are solidly fixed. Over time, the thermal movement of the building can cause the fixings to work loose. Early detection of any such movement can prevent serious structural problems.

    Clean with Mild Detergent and Soft Brushes

    Use a mild detergent and water and scrub with a soft-bristle brush. Avoid using abrasive pads, wire wool or other cleaning solutions that contain solvents as these can strip the aluminium of its protective coating and cause it to corrode. After cleaning the aluminium solar shading panels rinse them thoroughly and allow them to dry before checking the surface finish.

    Check Drainage Channels for Blockages

    These small gaps collect everything from leaves and moss to grit and twigs. Make sure these are cleared of any blockages from time to time using your hands or a low-pressure hose. When using a hose always work from bottom to top to prevent any debris being washed back into the gap and forming a blockage. Moisture that is trapped by blockages in drainage channels can seep down into the masonry and cause corrosion of fixings and staining of surrounding paintwork.

    Spot Corrosion Before It Spreads

    Check for any white powdery marks or rust streaks coming from steel fixings on the surface of the aluminium. Brise Soleil systems in coastal or town centre locations may benefit from the annual application of a wax type protective coating to prevent such deterioration. A small area of deterioration is easily treated and will be cost effective in the long run as opposed to replacing a complete section.

    Keep a Maintenance Log

    Record the date of your inspection, any work you do and the products you use. This will be your evidence in the event of a claim against your warranty. Also, it will be required by local authority when submitting for approval any alterations to a building. These could be structural or external and would require approval under the building regulations as if for a new building. For Brise Soleil, see //alusystems.uk/brise-soleil-solar-shading.

    By following this simple maintenance regime, it’s rare for you to need to call in specialists to deal with problems on your Brise Soleil.