I know this is a blog, but “can you hear me now?” Do you find yourself turning up the volume on your phone, TV, radio, phone even when you’re alone? Do you wonder about your kids’ ability to hear you when you talk? Well, that’s a trick question because we all know kids use selective hearing to tune out our endless parental blabbering. But seriously, I’ve found myself worrying about their endless use of earbud technology. I interviewed a local audiologist to find out how damaging our world is to our hearing. Patti Thigpen, Phd, gave me some sobering news and statistics about hearing loss. She also has some great tips to help us and our kids minimize the damage as well as introducing some new technology that can help. Patti Thigpen

This year is shaping up to be a pretty bad flu season. But unlike last year, there’s no hysteria about the precious H1N1 vaccine, there’s plenty to go around. This year’s vaccine will also help combat other strains. Dr. Raymond Strykas is a medical officer at the Department of Health and Human Services and he has some advice about how to stay healthy and, if you do get sick, what to do to help get well soon! He also helps disspell some myths about the vaccine. So, don’t forget to get your flu shot, they are offered everywhere this year! Dr. Raymond Strykas
So, listen up Nashville, Keep Listening (but not too loudly).