Hearing loss is one of the most common changes that comes with aging. But what exactly does it mean to lose your hearing? And how does simply perceiving sound differ from truly understanding it? In this episode, we speak with Douglas L. Beck, Au.D., F-AAA, CCC-A, Senior Director of Audiology at EssilorLuxottica Inc, to break it all down. He walks us through the most common causes of hearing loss, early warning signs and symptoms, how hearing is assessed and diagnosed, and the latest in screening tools and intervention devices. Whether you're noticing changes in your own hearing or want to better understand how it affects someone you love, this conversation offers essential insights into how we hear – and what happens when that ability begins to change.

<a href="https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/hearing-loss-causes-symptoms-treatment" data-testid="linkable-text">Hearing loss</a> is one of the most common changes that comes with aging. But what exactly does it mean to lose your hearing? And how does simply perceiving sound differ from truly understanding it? In this episode, we speak with <a href="http://www.douglaslbeck.com/home.html" data-testid="linkable-text">Douglas L. Beck, Au.D., F-AAA, CCC-A</a>, Senior Director of Audiology at EssilorLuxottica Inc, to break it all down. He walks us through the most common causes of hearing loss, early warning signs and symptoms, how hearing is assessed and diagnosed, and the latest in screening tools and intervention devices. Whether you're noticing changes in your own hearing or want to better understand how it affects someone you love, this conversation offers essential insights into how we hear &ndash; and what happens when that ability begins to change.

WebMD Chief Physician Editor Neha Pathak, MD, and Chief Medical Officer, John Whyte, MD, MPH, explore fascinating stories to find the unexpected things that help us understand our health.

Health Discovered

How to Navigate Hearing Loss: From Symptoms to Solutions

What is lifestyle medicine, and how can it apply to cancer care? In this empowering episode, we explore the transformative role of lifestyle medicine in cancer survivorship. We spoke to Amy Comander, MD, medical director of the Mass General Cancer Center-Waltham and the Breast Oncology Program at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, who explains how intentional choices around nutrition, exercise, sleep, and mental health can play a powerful role in cancer care. From diagnosis through recovery, we explore how these interventions can complement treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, helping patients regain a sense of control and improve their quality of life.

What is lifestyle medicine, and how can it apply to <a href="https://www.webmd.com/cancer/default.htm" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.webmd.com/cancer/default.htm&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1748440120320000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1BdsC9NTGNUMZLTp4H0KXU">cancer</a> care? In this empowering episode, we explore the transformative role of lifestyle medicine in cancer <a href="https://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/features/breast-cancer-survivorship" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/features/breast-cancer-survivorship&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1748440120320000&amp;usg=AOvVaw08SpvJ_8R_7o7sV2WWKimf">survivorship</a>. We spoke to <a href="https://www.massgeneral.org/doctors/18946/amy-comander" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.massgeneral.org/doctors/18946/amy-comander&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1748440120320000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0E2hmSf8KUD18-x5QOXgAF">Amy Comander, MD</a>, medical director of the Mass General Cancer Center-Waltham and the Breast Oncology Program at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, who explains how intentional choices around nutrition, exercise, sleep, and mental health can play a powerful role in cancer care. From diagnosis through recovery, we explore how these interventions can complement treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, helping patients regain a sense of control and improve their quality of life.

 Survivorship and Strength: How Lifestyle Medicine Supports Cancer Recovery

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are more common than you think – but stigma and silence often stand in the way of testing, treatment, and honest conversations. So what happens after a diagnosis? How do we navigate disclosure, dating, and self-worth? We spoke with Emily L. Depasse, MSW, MEd, a leading sex educator, to break down what sexually transmitted infections really are – how they’re spread, the difference between bacterial and viral types, and why many often go undiagnosed. We debunk myths, highlight the importance of early detection, and explore how stigma impacts both public health and personal relationships. We also dive into the emotional side – how to talk about status with partners, tips for dating with an STI, and ways to support friends and loved ones.

<a href="https://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/understanding-stds-basics" data-testid="linkable-text">Sexually transmitted infections</a> (STIs) are more common than you think &ndash; but stigma and silence often stand in the way of testing, treatment, and honest conversations. So what happens after a diagnosis? How do we navigate disclosure, dating, and self-worth? We spoke with <a href="https://www.emilydepasse.com/" data-testid="linkable-text">Emily L. Depasse, MSW, MEd</a>, a leading sex educator, to break down what sexually transmitted infections really are &ndash; how they&rsquo;re spread, the difference between bacterial and viral <a href="https://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/sexual-health-stds" data-testid="linkable-text">types</a>, and why many often go undiagnosed. We debunk myths, highlight the importance of early detection, and explore how stigma impacts both public health and personal relationships. We also dive into the emotional side &ndash; how to talk about status with partners, tips for dating with an STI, and ways to support friends and loved ones.

Let’s Talk About STIs: Insights From a Sex Educator

Microplastics – tiny plastic particles found in water, food, soil, and even dust – are an emerging health concern. These particles, along with the chemical additives in plastics, can enter our bodies through inhalation and ingestion. Research now links microplastics not only to inflammation and hormone disruption but also to specific risks in women’s health. What can we do about this growing concern? How can we minimize the presence of microplastics in our bodies? We spoke to Jane Van Dis, MD, founding member of Physician and Scientist Network Addressing Plastics and Health and founder of OBGYNs for Sustainable Future, about where microplastics are showing up in the environment, the unique health risks they pose to women, common myths about plastics and health, and what practical steps we can take to reduce our exposure.

Further reading:
https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2025/05/what-are-the-health-impacts-of-plastic/
https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2025/05/how-to-reduce-microplastic-exposure-and-protect-your-health/ 

<a href="https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/what-are-microplastics-how-to-reduce-them" data-testid="linkable-text">Microplastics</a> &ndash; tiny plastic particles found in water, food, soil, and even dust &ndash; are an emerging health concern. These particles, along with the chemical additives in plastics, can enter our bodies through inhalation and ingestion. Research now links microplastics not only to inflammation and hormone disruption but also to specific risks in women&rsquo;s health. What can we do about this growing concern? How can we minimize the presence of microplastics in our bodies? We spoke to <a href="https://linktr.ee/drjanevandis" data-testid="linkable-text">Jane Van Dis, MD</a>, founding member of Physician and Scientist Network Addressing Plastics and Health and founder of OBGYNs for Sustainable Future, about where microplastics are showing up in the environment, the unique health risks they pose to women, common myths about plastics and health, and what practical steps we can take to reduce our exposure.
Further reading: <a href="https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2025/05/what-are-the-health-impacts-of-plastic/">https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2025/05/what-are-the-health-impacts-of-plastic/</a> <a href="https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2025/05/how-to-reduce-microplastic-exposure-and-protect-your-health/">https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2025/05/how-to-reduce-microplastic-exposure-and-protect-your-health/</a>&nbsp;

How to Navigate Hearing Loss: From Symptoms to Solutions

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