Listen Up For Advice From An Expert

October is National Audiology Awareness Month, and Dr. Ashley Brindley, Au.D. is sharing valuable hearing preservation tips. Although we may be unaware of it, prolonged exposure to everyday noises above 85 decibels (dB) may contribute to hearing loss. There are ways to enjoy activities you love without compromising your hearing.

Tips to Prevent Hearing Loss

1. Turn the volume down

Listening to music near maximum volume repeatedly over time can lead to hearing loss. Music still sounds great on a lower volume!

2. Walk away from the loud noise

Move away from the main noise sources at events to protect your hearing. You can still enjoy loudspeakers, cannons, fireworks and other sources of noise from a distance.

3. Take breaks

Your ears need to rest between exposures to noise. Try to give yourself moments of quiet time each day. One of the most effective ways to protect your hearing is to avoid loud settings.

4. Use hearing protection

If you can’t avoid noise, use adequate hearing protection. Earplugs create an airtight seal in the ear canal, and earmuffs may also shield you from hearing damage. Read more from the CDC on which kind of hearing protection is best for you.

“I always recommend earmuffs because there is less user error,” Dr. Brindley says. “You can also purchase custom hearing protection that is molded specifically to your ear. If you have concerns about the quality of your hearing protection, I can verify they are functioning appropriately.”

How Much Noise is Too Much?

If you need to shout to be heard by someone standing an arm’s length away, sound may damage your hearing over time. Prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 decibels (dB) may cause hearing loss. Take a look at a few everyday noises and how they affect your hearing:

There is no medical or surgical treatment for hearing loss caused by noise, and damaged hair cells don’t grow back. If you already have hearing loss, taking the appropriate steps to preserve your hearing is essential.

Services Offered

Audiology is the branch of medicine dedicated to treating hearing and balance issues. Although both audiologists and ENT doctors may deal with the ear canal and inner ear, audiologists have more specialized knowledge regarding hearing loss.

Dr. Brindley provides:

• Diagnostic hearing evaluations
• Hearing aid fittings
• Treatment for tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

As of fall 2022, U.S. consumers may purchase over-the-counter hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss. These products may not be suitable for those with severe hearing loss. If you’d like to take advantage of this option, visit an audiologist before shopping to tailor your hearing device to your needs.

“I think it’s important to schedule a hearing test to have a baseline. It’s easier to track hearing loss when we have something to compare,” Dr. Brindley says. “Seeing an audiologist may seem inconvenient, but your older self will thank you later.”

If you’re experiencing hearing loss or related issues, please call (254) 865-2166 to inquire about scheduling an appointment with Dr. Brindley.

About Dr. Ashley Brindley

Dr. Ashley Brindley, Au.D., earned her associate degree from Victoria College and her bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology and audiology from the University of North Texas. She received her doctorate in audiology from the University of North Texas. Dr. Brindley is certified by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association, a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and a member of the Texas Academy of Audiology.

When disaster strikes, you are the help until help arrives. Having a first aid kit available and knowing how to use it helps protect you and your loved ones in the event of an emergency.

First Aid Kit Checklist

It’s best practice to have a first aid kit handy at home and in the car. You never know when you, your loved ones or a pedestrian might need care on the go.

Consider your family members and consult your family medicine physician when customizing your first aid kit to meet your family’s unique healthcare needs.

Example 1: Equip your kits with antihistamine medicine and an epinephrine injector if someone has a severe allergy.

Example 2: Include a juice box, glucose tablets and an emergency glucagon injection kit if someone in your household lives with diabetes.

Download and print your first aid kit checklist here.

Put Your Kit to Use

A first aid kit is only as effective as the person using it. Here’s how to put your first aid kit to use in treating several common injuries:

Keep Your Kit Updated

Make sure to use and replace any supplies in your first aid kit before they expire. Set a reminder to update the supplies in your kit every six months and/or as the healthcare needs of your family change.

If you or your loved ones experience a serious emergency, call 911. For minor injuries that a first aid kit can’t fix, contact Coryell Health family medicine for personalized healthcare. Our family medicine physicians build meaningful relationships with patients, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming experience. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (254) 865-2166 today.

An Open Enrollment Educational Seminar – The ABCs of Medicare Basics

Coryell Health will host a Medicare 101 Lunch & Learn at the Gatesville Civic Center on October 3, 2023 from 11:30am – 1:00pm. Join us for the free seminar where seniors citizens and caregivers will have an opportunity to speak with both Medicare and benefits counselors and have questions answered by Central Texas area experts.

Event Key Takeaways:

• The difference between Original Medicare, Medicare Supplements, and Medicare Advantage plans.
• An Explanation of the four parts of Medicare (A-D).
• What does Medicare cost?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of Medicare Advantage Plans?

Advantage Plan Health insurers are flooding the potential Medicare Advantage market again this fall with enticing offers of plans with no monthly price tag. Sounds good—but be wary. Choosing between the two requires careful consideration of your finances and health needs. Advantage plans can carry hidden risks, especially for people with significant health issues.

“Some people in Medicare Advantage end up paying unexpectedly high costs when they become ill or find their network lacks the providers they need,” says David Byrom, CEO of Coryell Health. “Our seniors deserve access to timely, affordable care in their home communities. Making an informed choice about your health insurance coverage depends on having all the information. We encourage our Medicare-eligible residents to ask questions before selecting a Medicare Advantage plan.”

Register to attend at www.coryellhealth.org/medicare101 or call (254) 248-6380.

Take a stroll down your grocery store’s pharmaceutical aisle and you’re sure to see them. Hundreds of bottles of dietary supplements—vitamins, minerals, herbs and amino acids—line the shelves at most grocery stores, convenience stores and even online storefronts, and they’re there for good reason. Americans spent almost $50 billion on dietary supplements in 2021! For those suffering from knee aches and pains, many vitamin brands use ingredients like Glucosamine and claim their supplements improve bone or joint health and can help reduce discomfort. But before you add supplements like vitamins to your own cart for knee pain, it’s important to know if they actually reduce knee pain.

Many people claim dietary supplements can help strengthen bones, joints or muscles. A lack of strength in these parts of the body often contributes to common knee problems you might suffer from. 

According to Dr. Lance Ellis, a board certified orthopedic surgeon at Coryell Health who works with patients suffering from joint pain, the most common knee issues he sees can range from “osteoarthritis to meniscus cartilage injuries to knee sprains and more serious fractures, depending on the patient’s age and the casuse of the issue.”

Based on his experience treating patients, Dr. Ellis knows that joint health vitamins including vitamin D, C and E are popular supplements. The question is, do they actually help with common knee problems? Dr. Ellis explained that they can.

“They’re essential for maintaining strong bones and health joints, and the anti-inflammatory properties of these vitamins can help prevent joint damage,” said Dr. Ellis.

There are a couple of lesser-known vitamins that Dr. Ellis often recommends to patients with joint pain and osteoarthritis: glucosamine and chondroitin. Both supplements have been shown to reduce inflammation, promote cartilage growth and improve joint function, making them a valuable addition to any joint health regimen.

Naturally occurring vitamins help your body promote healthy bones and bone density, but supplements are not the end-all-be-all of staying healthy. If you’re looking to prevent knee problems or manage your pain at home, here’s what Dr. Ellis suggests:

“Maintain a healthy diet and engage in regular exercise to promote overall joint health and a healthy weight. Low-impact exercises such as swimming, yoga and cycling can be particularly beneficial for those looking to protect their knees from injury.” 

While surgery may be necessary in some cases, there are a few at-home remedies that might be effective in helping you manage pain, including exercises that strengthen the muscles around the knee, hot and cold therapy and over-the-counter pain relievers.

What Are Vitamins?

Vitamins are nutrients the human body needs to function healthily. Your body only needs small amounts of vitamins and minerals, and most people obtain all their vitamins from their day-to-day diet if they’re consuming balanced meals. Some people might have vitamin deficiencies or aren’t meeting their body’s needs through their regular diet. For these people,  vitamins provide convenient doses of important nutrients their bodies may be missing.

If you’re taking vitamins or looking to add them to your diet to manage knee pain, Coryell Health physicians can recommend relief beyond supplements. Give us a call at (254) 865-2166 to start on the path to overall health and wellness.

Tim Maynard, MD, retires after more than forty years of serving his patients and the Gatesville community as a family practice doctor.

Tim Maynard always knew he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps. Dr. Billy Joe Maynard, practiced in Crane for over forty-five years. So, in 1983, when Coryell Memorial’s Dr. Wendell Lowery, Dr. Bruce Watson, and Dr. Stephen Norris recruited him to join their practice in Gatesville, Dr. Maynard set out down the path toward fulfilling his dream to practice small-town medicine like his father.

Born in Crane, Texas, Tim graduated from Crane High School in 1972 and went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Tech University. He earned his Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Texas Southwestern in 1980. He completed his residency at the John Peter Smith Family Practice Program, followed by additional training at the Jefferson Davis Hospital Obstetrics High-Risk Training Program, which certified him to perform cesarean deliveries (C-sections).

During his forty years in Gatesville, Dr. Maynard provided care to old and young alike. He delivered over five hundred babies while helping adults battle chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes. As a small-town physician like his father, he saw patients with different types of illnesses and injuries, even treating fractures and assisting with surgeries.

Dr. Maynard’s tireless approach to patient care led him to leadership roles throughout his career. He served as Chief of Staff and has been a board member of Coryell Health since 1987. “During his time on the Coryell Health Board of Directors he provided direction from his role as a physician,” said Coryell Health Board President Ronnie Sullins. “He provided invaluable guidance as we have built Coryell into what it is today.”

Dr. Maynard retires as a Board Certified Family Practice physician. “Dr. Maynard’s contributions to Gatesville, his patients, and Coryell Health are too numerous to count,” said David Byrom, Coryell Health CEO. “Dr. Maynard is a compassionate person, dedicated to his faith, family, profession, and patients,” said Byrom. “He has always served his community tirelessly. Very much a team player; his knowledge and wisdom have contributed greatly to Coryell’s growth. He truly treated the whole patient, and that is the legacy he leaves.”

Sullins reflects on Dr. Maynard’s career and his relationship with the family doctor, “Tim has been a great friend to me and has been my physician since he began his practice in Gatesville. He delivered my two oldest children at Coryell Memorial Hospital and oversaw the health of our family of five for many years. He will be sorely missed.” Dr. Maynard was known for being committed to each patient- giving the individual his full attention. Dr. Maynard has been a wonderful part of our healthcare system, and he never took that responsibility lightly, adds Sullins.

Dr. Maynard’s family and plans for the future…

Tim met his wife, B.J., in Plano, Texas. They reconnected in Midland, Texas, at a movie theater by chance, and the rest is history. While he was often busy caring for patients, he made time for his wife and two boys, Casey and Cody, coaching baseball while the boys were young and attending church. He served many years as a deacon and later an elder in the East Main church of Christ. Dr. Maynard and B.J.’s sons married- Casey to Jenna and Cody to Crystal- blessing them with six grandchildren. He plans to enjoy retirement with his wife and grandkids, spending time having fun, playing sports, and especially fishing.

Join us on Saturday, June 3, 2023, for the annual Color the Shivaree Fun Run/Walk, hosted by Coryell Health!

Run/walk through Gatesville and get covered in color as you go. All entrants who register on or before May 14th will get an official Color the Shivaree shirt to show off all the color. Color the Shivaree is fun for the whole family-  the course is a comfortable 1.5 miles- children of all ages are welcome.

Race starts at 8:00am at the Gatesville Chamber of Commerce Deport in the upper left hand corner to the side of Vintage Boutique.

Find out more at https://runsignup.com/Race/Info/TX/Gatesville/ColorTheShivaree2021

National Women’s Check-Up Day was earlier this month. Have you scheduled your routine appointments yet for 2023? Dr. Frank C. Hinds is a gynecologist seeing patients at Coryell Health Medical Clinic- Gatesville. He specializes in treating women’s health issues like irregular menstruation, common reproductive health concerns for women, administers medications and specializes in minimally invasive gynecological surgery. He has over 15 years of experience caring for his patients. Dr. Hinds is accepting new patients and offering low-wait times for appointments. Find out more here: https://coryellhealth.org/frank-c-hinds.

Don’t miss your annual wellness exam with your primary care provider by calling (254) 865-2166.