Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, June 12, 2021

Mountain View News Saturday, June 6, 2020 11 Mountain View News Saturday, June 6, 2020 11 
COPING WITH COVID EXACERBATED TINNITUS 

Dear Savvy Senior:

I’ve had mild tinnitus – ringing in my ears – for years, but 

when I got COVID in January it got worse. Are there any 

treatments you know of or can recommend that can help? 

Almost 60 

Dear Almost: 
Unfortunately, new research indicates that tinnitus, a 
common hearing problem that affects around 50 million 
Americans, may be worsened by COVID-19 or possibly 
even triggered by it. Here’s what you should know along with some tips and treatments that may help. 

What is Tinnitus? 

Tinnitus (pronounced tin-NIGHT-us or TIN-a-tus) is the sensation of hearing a ringing, buzzing, 
roaring, hissing or whistling sound in one or both ears when no external sound is present. 

The sounds, which can vary in pitch and loudness, are usually worse when background noise is low, so 
you may be more aware of it at night when you’re trying to fall asleep in a quiet room. For most people 
tinnitus is merely annoying, but for many others it can be extremely disturbing. 

Tinnitus itself is not a disease, but rather a symptom of some other underlying health condition. The 
best way to find out what’s causing your tinnitus is to see an audiologist, or an otolaryngologist – a 
doctor who specializes in ear, nose and throat diseases (commonly called an ENT). The various things 
that can cause tinnitus are: 

Hearing loss, which is the most common cause.

Middle ear obstructions usually caused by a build-up of earwax deep in the ear canal. The side effects 
of many different prescription and nonprescription medicines like aspirin, ibuprofen, certain blood 
pressure medicines and diuretics, some antidepressants, cancer medicines and antibiotics.
Various medical conditions such as high blood pressure, vascular disease, diabetes, allergies, thyroid 
problems, ear or sinus infections, Meniere’s disease, Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, otosclerosis, temporomandibular 
joint (TMJ) disorder, a tumor, an injury to the head or neck, traumatic brain injury, 
depression, stress and more. 

Treatments 

While there’s no cure for tinnitus there are many ways to treat it depending on the cause. For example, 
if your tinnitus is caused by a wax build-up in your ears or a medical condition like high blood pressure 
or a thyroid problem, treating the problem may reduce or eliminate the noise. Or, if you think a 
medication you’re taking may be causing the problem, switching to a different drug, or lowering the 
dosage may provide some relief. Or if you have hearing loss, getting a hearing aid can help mask your 
tinnitus by improving your ability to hear actual sounds.

Another good treatment option for tinnitus that can help suppress or mask the sound so it’s less 
bothersome are “sound therapies.” These can be as simple as a fan or a white noise machine, listening 
to music or podcasts, or leaving the television on.

There are also apps created by hearing aid companies, like ReSound Relief (ReSound.com) or Relax 
by Starkey (Starkey.com), which allow you to stream customize sounds directly to your hearing aids, 
or (if you don’t use hearing aids) through Bluetooth audio devices like headphones or speakers to help 
you manage your symptoms.

Cognitive behavioral therapy and psychological counseling can also be helpful. Your audiologist or 
ENT can help you figure out the best treatment options. 

There are also certain medications that may help. While currently there’s no FDA approved drugs 
specifically designed to treat tinnitus, some antianxiety drugs and antidepressants have been effective 
in relieving symptoms. 

Other things you can do to help quiet the noise is to avoid things that can aggravate the problem like 
salt, artificial sweeteners, sugar, alcohol, tonic water, tobacco and caffeine. And protect yourself from 
loud noises by wearing earplugs.
For more information on tinnitus treatments, visit the American Tinnitus Association at ATA.org. 

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. 
Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. 

FAMILY MATTERS By Marc Garlett 


VITAL ESTATE PLANNING DOCUMENTS 
FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES 

With the arrival of summer, young people across the country are about 
to reach a key milestone: high school graduation. If you have a child 
claiming their diploma, now is the time to prepare them for life after 
leaving the nest. 

Graduating high school is a significant accomplishment. However, it 

comes with serious responsibilities that your child probably isn’t thinking 

much about right now. Once your child turns 18, they become a legal 

adult, and specific areas of their lives that were once under your control 

will be solely their responsibility. 

For instance, should your child get into a severe car accident and require hospitalization, you would no 
longer have the automatic authority to make decisions about his or her medical treatment or handle 
their financial matters. In fact, without legal documentation, you wouldn’t even be able to access his 
or her medical records or bank accounts without a court order. 

To address this vulnerability and ensure your family never gets stuck in an unnecessary court process, 
before your kids move out or head off to college, have a conversation about estate planning and have 
them sign the following three documents. 

1. Medical Power of AttorneyThe first document your child needs is a medical power of attorney. A medical power of attorney is an 
advance healthcare directive that allows your child to grant you (or someone else) the immediate legal 
authority to make healthcare decisions on their behalf if they become incapacitated and are unable to 
make decisions for themselves. 
Without a medical power of attorney in place, if your child suffers a severe accident or illness that 
requires hospitalization and you need access to their medical records to make decisions about their 
treatment, you’d have to petition the court to become their legal guardian. While a parent is typically 
the court’s first choice for a guardian, the guardianship process can be slow and expensive. 

And due to HIPAA laws, once your child becomes 18, no one—not even a parent—is legally authorized 
to access his or her medical records without prior written permission. But an adequately drafted 
medical power of attorney will include a signed HIPAA authorization, so you can immediately access 
their medical records to make informed decisions about their treatment. 

2. Living WillWhile the medical power of attorney allows you to make healthcare decisions on your child’s behalf 
during their incapacity, a living will is an advance directive that provides specific guidance. These are 
specifications on how your child’s medical decisions should be made, particularly at the end of life. 
For example, a living will allows your child to advise if and when they want life support removed 
should they ever require it. In addition to documenting how your child requests their medical care be 
managed, a living will can also include instructions about nutrition, hydration, intubation, ventilators, 
and experimental medications. 

3. Durable Financial Power of AttorneyShould your child become incapacitated, you may also need the ability to access and manage their 
finances, and this requires your child to grant you durable financial power of attorney. 
Durable financial power of attorney gives you the authority to manage their financial and legal 
matters, such as paying their tuition, applying for student loans, paying their rent, negotiating (or renegotiating) 
a lease, managing their bank accounts, and collecting government benefits if necessary. 
Without this document, you’ll have to petition the court for such authority. 

Start Adulthood the Right WayBefore your kids head out into the world, make sure they’ve got the proper planning in place. By doing 
so, you are modeling good financial stewardship and setting them up right from the start. Financial and 
legal illiteracy is an epidemic that you can quickly address, starting with yourself and your own family. 


Dedicated to empowering your family, building your wealth and defining your 
legacy,

A local attorney and father, Marc Garlett is on a mission to help parents protect what 

they love most. His office is located at 55 Auburn Avenue, Sierra Madre, CA 91024.

Schedule an appointment to sit down and talk about ensuring a legacy of love and financial security

for your family by calling 626.355.4000 or visit www.GarlettLaw.com for more information. 


SENIOR ACTIVITIES IN SIERRA MADRE 

CHAIR YOGA 

Every Monday and Wednesday, 10-10:45 amChair yoga with Paul is coming back! Class be held in the Covered Pavilion in Memorial 
Park in front of the Senior Center. Please join us for some gentle stretching, yoga, balance exercise and overall 
relaxation. Classes will maintain a distance of 6 ft between participants. ALL participants must be wearing 
masks for the duration of the class. All equipment used will be sanitized after each use before it is stored. Each 
participant is responsible for providing their own water, masks and needed equipment or supplies for each class. 
Class size is limited so please call 264-8923 to reserve your spot. 

TAX ASSISTANCE 

If you are in need of assistance with your 2020 taxes please know that help is a phone call away. Don Brunner, Tax 
Saver, is not accepting in person consultations at the moment but available for a phone or email consult. Please 
call him at 626-447-8829 or email TAXSAVERD@gmail.com 

CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP 

Have you ever thought about trying your hand at writing? Do you have an idea for a book and no idea how to 
begin? This program may be for you! Katy Nishimoto, Senior Editor with Random House, has graciously volunteered 
her time to lead this incredible writers workshop for seniors. Program participants will be given a prompt, 
a 10 minute writing task and a group reading. Discussions, readings and feedback to help guide your creative 
thinking into creative writing. If you have interest in writing nonfiction, a memoir, fiction or poetry then please 
call or email today to reserve your spot. Class will be limited to 10 participants. No writing skills or experience is 
required. Call Lawren Heinz at 626-355-7394 to reserve your spot and receive class information. 

MUG CRAFT 

Tuesday, May 18 at 11:00 am Join Lawren in making a delightful, colorful and artistic nail polish marbled mug! 
All supplies will be provided for you and we will meet in the Hart Park House patio. Please wear clothes you don’t 
mind getting nail polish on. To reserve your spot or ask questions please call Lawren Heinz at (626) 355-7394 or 
send an email to lheinz@cityofsierramadre.com 

IDEAS

 Do you have any ideas for programming? Is there a class or club you would like to see in our Senior Commu


nity? Please call or email Lawren Heinz with ideas or questions. 626-355-5278 x 704 lheinz@cityofsierramadre. 

com

 City staff are monitoring email communication daily, and although employees are minimizing direct engage


ment and interfacing less with the community, please note that voice messages, emails, and social media re


sponses are being addressed in the most efficient and timely manner. If at any time additional information 

is needed, please contact City Hall Administrative Services at (626) 355-7135, Monday-Thursday from 7:30a 

– 5:30p, as they are taking messages and e-mailing the appropriate per-son. For messages that may trickle in 
otherwise, please note our team is remotely checking voicemail daily at the Community Services Department, 
(626) 355-5278 x702. 
SIERRA MADRE SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS PLAN 

The City of Sierra Madre is following these procedures to provide current communication in light of COVID-19 

and keep the Senior Community and families informed of essential information and resources. City staff are 

monitoring email communication daily, and although employees are minimizing direct engagement and practic


ing social distancing in the community, please note that voice messages, emails, and social media responses are 

being addressed in the most efficient and timely manner.

If at any moment additional information is needed, please contact City Hall Administrative Services at (626) 

355-7135, Monday-Thursday from 7:30a – 5:30p, as they are taking messages and e-mailing the appropriate 

person.

For messages that may trickle in otherwise, please note our team is remotely checking voicemail daily at the 

Community Services Department, (626) 355-5278 x702.

Community Services Department will continue email communication with Senior residents and aging com


munity members.

If you know of family members or neighbors who may benefit from accessing information electronically, and 

to receive the department’s Seniors Newsletter via email but may not otherwise have been included on an email 

group list, please send your request with email address to the following team members: Lawren Heinz Lheinz@ 

cityofsierramadre.com and Clarissa Lowe Clowe@cityofsierramadre.com.
City Social Media will continue via Facebook as well as Instagram, and information sharing will include updates 
as details becomes available. 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …June Birthdays* 

Joanne Thrane, Nellie Haynes, Dorothy McKay, Diane Hatfield, Georgette Dunlay, 
Elizabeth Shul Donna Doss, Mary Carney, Carol Handley, Marilyn McKernan, 
Pat Fujiwara, John Shier, Beth Smith-Kellock, Ann Disbrow, Joan Ellison, Anne 
Montgomery, Trini Ornelas, Martha Spriggs, Pat Starkey, Kathleen Coyne, Suzanne 
Decker, Jacque Persing, Jeanne Peterson and Grace Sanders. * To add your name to 
this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. YEAR of birth not 
required 

OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder 

WHERE DO WRINKLES COME FROM 

Several months ago, I had two 

cataracts removed from my eyes. 

How they got there, I don't know. 

As far as I can remember, they 
never asked my permission, and furthermore, they 
never paid rent for being there. 

According to the eye doctor, and doctors are never 
wrong, I now have 2020 vision. I've never had such 
vision since I was ten years old. 

All I really need now are reading glasses, and my vision 
is quite good. 

That sounds like a good thing on the surface, but every 
good thing has a little dark corner somewhere hidden. 

The good part is that I can see excellently. 

The bad part is that I can see excellently. 

I didn’t quite understand this until just recently it 
came to full view. 

Usually, when I go to the bathroom in the morning 
to prepare for the day, I don't wear my glasses. Before 
my cataract surgery, everything was blurry, and I was 
just accustomed to that. Isn't it funny how you get accustomed 
to some things and then don't notice them? 

Now my vision is so good that when I go into the 
bathroom in the morning to get ready for the day, I 
have perfect vision in the mirror. 

If that isn't scary, then you haven't looked in my mirror 
on any given morning. If I didn’t know better, I 
would think it was Frankenstein's grandson. 

What shocked me so much was that as I looked at my 
face to prepare to shave, I noticed some things I never 
noticed before. Those things were "wrinkles." 

I've noticed these things in other people, such as the 
one who lives in the same house with me. But I've never 
noticed it on me. But there they were. There they 
were in all their disgusting glory. 

Not only did I have one wrinkle, but for some reason, 
that wrinkle brought all his family with him. And, to 
make matters worse, the first wrinkle never asked permission 
to take up residence on my face. 

But there they were, and I was staring at them for the 
very first time. 

I do not know the real purpose of wrinkles or where in 
the world they come from or where I can send them. 

I do have a relative, which shall remain anonymous, 
that deals with wrinkles all the time. She has had so 
much plastic surgery that it’s hard to recognize who 
she really is. She reminds me of Joan Rivers. 

I've always played jokes on her. When I saw her, I 
would look at her face and say, "Is that a new wrinkle 
on your face?" 

I would laugh, and she would laugh, but her laugh 

wasn't as genuine as my laugh. In a few moments, she 
would disappear, and I never knew where she went 
except I suspicioned she was looking at the new wrinkle 
in the bathroom mirror. 

The next time I saw her, that wrinkle had disappeared. 

Have you ever noticed that things always come back 
on you when you try to pull them on somebody else? 
I did think about calling her and asking her opinion 
of what I should do about my wrinkles. I knew if I did, 
she could not stop laughing, so I'm not going to go in 
that direction. 

But what are wrinkles really for? What is the purpose 
of a wrinkle? And, where did they come from? And, 
do I need to wear a mask? 

Because of my confusion in this area, I thought I 
would take the chance of asking the Gracious Mistress 
of the Parsonage about my wrinkles. 

Cautiously I approached her and said, "I discovered 
I have some wrinkles on my face, and I don't know 
where they came from? Do you know what I could 
do?" 

Obviously, she thought I was joking because I couldn't 
get her to stop laughing. 

When she finally calmed down, she said, "You've had 
wrinkles for as long as I can remember." Then she began 
laughing again. 

When she quieted down again, she said, "The purpose 
of wrinkles is to keep track of your age. Every wrinkle 
represents a certain age in your life." Then she broke 
down in laughter again. Obviously, this is funny to 
her. 

The next time I was in front of the mirror, I carefully 
looked at my wrinkles and tried to count them. If 
what she says is true, I must be 397 years old. 

I exited the bathroom with a very sour grimace on 
my face, and when my wife looked at me, once again, 
she broke down into hilarious laughter. I'm glad she 
thinks it's funny! 

I'm not sure what to do with my wrinkles, but I'm not 
going to have plastic surgery. 

I need to accept things as they are and not allow 
something as silly as a wrinkle define who I am. If I 
do that, I will never come to any kind of reality about 
myself. I surely am not my wrinkle. 

Thinking about this, I was reminded of a verse in the 
Bible. “Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because 
of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my 
face” (Psalm 5:8). 

My face has more important things to do than fuss 
over wrinkles. I need to trust the Lord each day to set 
before my face the way that he wants me to go for his 
glory.