Latest news with #communication
Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
JANA HOCKING: The humiliating text message that made me realize we women must stop a dangerous new sex habit
I was recently taking a lovely walk in the park with my dog - basking in the sun, sipping a coffee - when my bliss was suddenly shattered by the ping of a direct message. 'Hi Jana, my name is [redacted]… Do you happen to know this man on a personal level?'
BBC News
8 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Study shows how horses use facial expressions to communicate
New research has shown how horses use their faces to communicate emotions - not only to each other but also with other species, like not the first time facial expressions in horses have been studied but researchers from the University of Portsmouth looked at horses in situations that were natural, rather than created by humans like in previous made a list of 805 different facial displays across 22 behaviours. Dr Leanne Proops from the university said the research "opens up new possibilities for understanding equine emotions and improving welfare." The study shows horses use different facials cues in different is shown by flattening the ears which face backwards, the inner brow rises, nostrils will flare and they will lower their a horse is alert or curious their ears will face forwards and slightly inwards and they will blink more they're being friendly, horses are usually neutral which means there's no obvious facial expression to show this emotion.A playful horse will show lots of facial movements including a raised chin, parted lips, open mouths and rotated flattened Proops said the research is a "game-changer for anyone working with horses". She said: "It gives us a new lens through which to view and interpret their behaviour, ultimately leading to better care and stronger human-animal relationships."
CNET
11 hours ago
- General
- CNET
On Save Your Hearing Day, Discover 7 Unexpected Things That Can Give You Hearing Loss
Today is National Save Your Hearing Day, a reminder of how important hearing is for your communication, learning and speech. That's why it's always a good idea to work on preserving your hearing and protecting your ears, and that starts with understanding that loud noises and aging aren't the only things that can cause hearing loss. In addition to different types of hearing loss, these are the unexpected factors that can affect your hearing health. Hearing loss types Before discussing the surprising sources of hearing loss, let's establish the types. There are three categories. Sensorineural hearing loss: This type involves damage to the inner ear, which is made up of the cochlea and semicircular canals. Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type, often caused by aging, head trauma or illness. This type involves damage to the inner ear, which is made up of the cochlea and semicircular canals. Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type, often caused by aging, head trauma or illness. Conductive hearing loss : The sounds can't get past the outer or middle ear with conductive hearing loss. This makes things sound muffled. Conductive hearing loss is often caused by illness that leads to fluid in the middle ear; an ear infection; or a hole in the eardrum. Medication or surgery can often solve the problem. : The sounds can't get past the outer or middle ear with conductive hearing loss. This makes things sound muffled. Conductive hearing loss is often caused by illness that leads to fluid in the middle ear; an ear infection; or a hole in the eardrum. Medication or surgery can often solve the problem. Mixed hearing loss: This type describes an instance in which sensorineural and conductive hearing loss occur together. Sensorineural hearing loss is treated with hearing aids from your doctor or over the counter. You can choose from over-the-ear, in-ear, or in-canal devices. Conductive hearing loss that isn't responding to medical intervention is treatable with specialized hearing aids: bone conduction, air conduction and bone-anchored varieties. 7 things that can causes hearing loss without you realizing it Sometimes, your hearing can degrade slowly over time. So slowly that you might not even notice it. Or, you manage well enough that you miss the signs. The signs of hearing loss are subtle, like having to turn up the volume, asking people to repeat themselves and having a hard time having conversions. Remember this list of possible causes to help your doctor find the source of your hearing loss. Infections Both viral and bacterial infections can impair your hearing. Something as simple as a cold or an ear infection can muffle your hearing, impair your balance or result in tinnitus. The good news is that this type of hearing loss is often only temporary. The sooner you seek treatment, the less likely the hearing loss will be permanent. The type of hearing loss depends on the source of the infection. Generally, virus-induced hearing loss is sensorineural, though conductive and mixed hearing loss is possible. Bacterial infections of the middle ear are generally conductive hearing loss. Our body's inflammatory response can result in fluid or mucus buildup behind the eardrum and muffle the hearing. Most cases can be resolved with medication. Head trauma When I say head trauma, I'm referring to anything that damages the structures of the ears or brain. That may be a blow to the head, a foreign object in your ear or an accident that damages your eardrum or canal. When something ruptures your eardrum (the membrane in the ear that keeps bacteria out), auditory signals that are usually transferred through vibrations are hindered from the ear to the brain. In the case of a ruptured eardrum, hearing loss is temporary. It doesn't always have to be a significant occurrence to damage your eardrum or inner ear. Even things that don't seem like a big deal can impact your hearing. If you've noticed hearing loss and remember any head trauma, bringing it up with your doctor is problems You probably wouldn't connect any dental problems to issues with your hearing. However, the two are more related than you think. Bacterial infections in the mouth -- from tooth infections or impacted wisdom teeth -- can compromise your hearing because they cause inflammation that narrows your blood vessels. Narrowed blood vessels limit blood flow to essential ear hair cells and key brain areas. Cochlear hair cells are located in the inner ear and function as the sensory cells for hearing. They turn the vibration from sound into electrical signals for the brain. They can become damaged or die if they don't get enough blood, leading to permanent hearing loss. That doesn't mean getting a tooth infection will immediately hurt your hearing. However, it does highlight the importance of dental hygiene and addressing issues quickly to avoid unforeseen side effects. Diabetes According to the American Diabetes Association, if you have diabetes, you're twice as likely to develop hearing loss. That's because the disease can damage the nerve cells in your ears. It all goes back to sugar levels. High blood sugar levels deteriorate the cells and nerves of the inner ear. In contrast, low blood sugar levels can be just as damaging over time as they can compromise signals from the ears to the brain. Essentially, if your blood flow isn't giving the nerves what they need to send signals to the brain, hearing loss occurs. Even though having diabetes increases your risk for hearing loss, it doesn't automatically mean you'll develop it. The National Institute of Diabetes and Kidney Diseases suggests following these steps to maintain your blood sugar levels and protect your hearing: Continue to monitor your glucose levels regularly. Exercise. Quit smoking. Drink water and avoid drinks high in sugar. Work with your doctor to develop a diabetes-friendly meal blood pressure We've established that blood flow is essential for healthy hearing. The ear structures are delicate and sensitive to changes in blood flow. When your blood pressure is high, your heart and blood vessels are overworked. Your heart is pumping more blood than usual, which means the ear structures are overwhelmed with blood, resulting in temporary hearing loss that goes away when your blood pressure goes back down. However, if you always have high blood pressure, it can damage the blood vessels in the ear, which is permanent. Hearing loss isn't one of the standard side effects of high blood pressure, but it can happen. Prescription medications You probably wouldn't expect a medication you get from the doctor to potentially damage your hearing, but it can occur. To be clear, it isn't all medications. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, approximately 200 medications and chemicals can hurt hearing. See a list of these medications here. A side effect of some medications is ototoxicity, which damages your inner ear. This can result in hearing loss, ringing in the ears or balance problems. The first sign generally is ringing of the ears or your ears feeling "full." Before you start taking a medication that can be ototoxic, you should have your hearing documented to have a baseline for comparison. Sleep apnea Recent research has linked sleep apnea to increased instances of hearing loss. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Otolaryngology found that sleep apnea increases the chances of hearing loss by 21%. Though there isn't a definitive reason from the medical community yet, it's likely linked to the decreased blood flow to the inner ears. Without blood flow, the cells and vessels die, which means messages won't get from the ear to the brain. Having sleep apnea doesn't necessarily mean you'll have hearing loss, but it's another reason to be certain you're seeking treatment. You should also keep updated assessments to be sure you're tracking your hearing over time. Too long; didn't read? There are more sources of hearing loss than most people think. You may have expected head trauma but not impacted wisdom teeth as a potential source. Here's the thing: Just because you have any of the things on the list doesn't mean it'll automatically translate to hearing loss. It's just something to remember if you notice your hearing is degrading. Hearing assistance is more accessible than ever before. Over-the-counter hearing aids are now available, many of which you can finance to make them more affordable. You don't have to live with hearing loss.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Your Daily Couples Horoscope for May 31, 2025
Communication is key in any relationship, but sometimes things fall through the cracks. Our daily couple horoscope can help you find what's been lost and maintain that spark! You're thinking about your hopes and dreams for the future, and you should definitely share them with your partner. It's not going to be easy to spell them all out exactly, but that's part of the fun! Your ability to really understand your partner on a deep level is stronger than ever right now, and you might find a new way to express your feeling on some subject that has long been dormant. Something small is going to affect the way your partner sees you and the relationship. It could be for better or for worse, but things will smooth out over the long run, so don't get too excited. You're feeling so good that it should be easy for you to put a smile on your partner's face too. You can have fun doing almost anything together, so try something new if you're so inclined. Your partner might overreact to something that seems small to you, but you'd be well advised to keep from pointing that out just yet. Things will get a lot better by tomorrow at the latest. Are you compatible? Reveal your Compatibility Score now! It's a slow day for the two of you, and while that might get a wee bit frustrating at first, you should try to relax and just let things go at their own pace. Your partner won't hurry for any reason. You're going to find something small that your partner does (a yawn, look, display of affection) to be undeniably charming, and you should let them know. It's the details that matter most now. Today is perfect for quiet and playful activities. If your partner is hung up on something serious, try to get them thinking about other things. Your smile will be all it takes to break down their walls. You are much more thoughtful and a little slower than usual, and that makes it a great time for deeper conversations about bigger topics. You might want to make the first move. Do something nice for your partner. You're feeling pretty good, all things considered, but the energy of the day isn't positive for everyone. Your influence can make a big difference! Your open heart will make the difference in your partner's life today. You can be incredibly giving when you see the need, and it will be obvious almost from the moment you open your eyes today. You're totally focused on your relationship right now and are feeling stronger than ever. You ought to be able to communicate with your partner on a new level, or maybe open up a new topic. What does the moon say about your emotional nature? Master your emotions with a Natal Moon Report!
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
How Leaders Can Help Gen Z Have Authentic Conversations At Work
Communicating across generations, particularly for fundraising organizations, requires a thoughtful ... More approach and a little practice. If you're managing a Gen Z professional, especially in mission-driven sectors like nonprofits, you may have noticed something: They're smart, digitally fluent, and passionate about purpose. But when it comes to live conversations, especially with people outside their generation, some feel underprepared. When the stakes are high, such as asking a 70-year-old donor for financial support, young professionals can find themselves unsure how to start, how to connect or how to end the conversation effectively. Susan Kahan, founder and principal at Sapphire Fundraising Specialists, sees this all the time. To help nonprofits solve this challenge, she created a course called Gen Z's Guide to Donor Conversations, designed to equip young professionals with tools to build stronger relationships by phone, on Zoom and at events. The communication gap isn't about ability – it's about exposure. Many Gen Z professionals grew up communicating via text and Slack. They didn't grow up chatting on the phone for hours or navigating face-to-face conversations with adults outside their families. The pandemic further limited in-person practice, making today's workplace interactions feel even more intimidating. Kahan serves up tips leaders can use to help Gen Z professionals thrive in real-time, cross-generational conversations: 'Most people are nervous in professional conversations,' Kahan said. 'They just don't talk about it.' Let your team know that nerves are normal, and you don't need all the answers on the spot. In fact, admitting what you don't know can build trust. 'Say, 'that's a great question. I don't have the answer right now, but I'll follow up,'' Kahan said. 'Then actually follow up. That's how you win the race.' Phone calls are rare for digital natives, which makes them more intimidating. But Kahan insists they're essential, especially in fundraising. Her guidance: Keep voicemails succinct, name the purpose of the call and add a little curiosity hook to encourage a callback. 'Most older donors still listen to voicemail,' she said. 'Leaving one shows respect for their time.' It helps to write notes on what you plan to say. Not a full script that can sound stilted, but bullets about your key points. Philanthropy professional Beth Lye, president of the Chicago Council on Planned Giving, says that your organization's mission is a great place to begin establishing rapport. 'If you're with an educational institution, ask where the person went to school,' Lye said. 'If your organization supports animal welfare, ask whether they grew up with pets.' The idea is to focus on questions that draw the person into your cause to identify why they might want to support your mission. Kahan takes it further by suggesting that people look for ways to connect on video calls by taking in the other person's background. 'Do they have a porch behind them? A framed picture? That's your entry point for conversation,' Kahan said. Observing and asking curious, respectful questions is a fast way to build rapport. Networking can be daunting at any age, but Kahan emphasizes that most people, even that 70-year-old major donor, might be unsure about how to start a conversation. Younger professionals might hold back, relying on senior team members to take the lead. But a mindset that all staff members are there to serve as hosts will make the event more enjoyable for everyone. 'Introduce yourself, thank them for coming and ask, 'What brought you here tonight?'' Kahan suggests. 'Being the person who starts the conversation is a leadership move.' As with those intimidating phone calls, it helps to practice in advance. Business development expert Nikki Jeffers organizes internal 'networking' happy hours for employees to give them practice at discussing her company's capabilities in casual business settings. An advance team meeting to exchange icebreaker ideas and review key messages about your organization is always a good idea. Authentic conversations are not about becoming best friends or putting on a performance. Kahan reminds her students that fundraising conversations, and professional conversations more broadly, are about authentic, respectful relationships. 'You're not their grandchild, and this isn't a social chat,' she says. 'It's a conversation between two people who care about the same mission.' The good news? These are learnable skills. 'Being uncomfortable at first is part of the process,' said Kahan. 'The great communicators are the ones willing to practice.'
