People testing positive for COVID-19 in the US don’t have to abide by the standard five-day isolation period as the CDC announced on Friday, according to CNN. The CDC is updating its COVID-19 guidelines to match how they handle other respiratory infections such as influenza and RSV. This is a significant shift from the previous five-day rule which health experts deemed crucial in curbing virus transmission.

Better immunity is behind this move, explains Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the CDC, adding that it means that there is a more seasonal expectation of COVID-19 infections during the warmer and colder months. Also, hospitalizations and deaths have decreased significantly since 2020 and 2021.

New guidelines advise people to stay home until they are fever-free for 24 hourswithout medication and their symptoms have improved. After meeting these conditions, they can return to their usual activities, but the CDC recommends additional precautions for the next five days, such as airing a space, wearing a mask and not to get too close to others to cut down the spread of the virus. This is particularly important for geriatrics and the immunocompromised.

The CDC emphasizes the importance of vaccines and early treatment for COVID-19 symptoms. Plans for a fall vaccine update in the US are in progress, with booster shots recommended for those 65 and older.

Hearing loss could be a sign of more serious illnesses. People not speaking clearly all of a sudden or difficulty focusing on more than one conversation in a noisy environment could be signs that you’re beginning to experience hearing loss, according to Frank Lin, director of the Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. What matters here is that this hearing loss can be linked to bigger ailments: Dementia, depression and or loss of balance that could impact your physical health further, reports the New York Times.

Do you remember the last time you tested your hearing? Neither do we. If the last time you had your ears tested was in your teens then it is time to drive up to a specialist and have your hearing checked. You can also try out an online hearing test, there are plenty available to try, but it still doesn’t replace getting your hearing evaluated by a pro.

What you can do to protect your hearing:

#1- Check noise levels. 70 dBA (decibels), which is the sound level of a working washing machine, is the maximum level of noise we should be exposed to, according to the CDC. Just to give you some perspective: The maximum level on an iPhone 14 Pro Max is 74 dBA when listening to hip hop and 74.1 dBA when listening on a Samsung S22 Ultra. Traffic is at 80-85 dBA, and rock concerts can go up to 105-110 dBA — which can begin to cause damage in as little as five minutes.

#2- Wear protective gear — and no, your headphones won’t help, but ear plugs will. You can wear them in places where the decibel level will be high. Don’t know what the decibel level is? You can use this app to check.

#3- No shame in wearing hearing aids: Like we said, you might think that you’re not there yet, but using a hearing aid can help slow cognitive decline, according to Jennifer Gonzalez, audiologist at the Mayo Clinic and quoted in the NYT. Now, the aids are more available than ever, less bulky, and compatible with bluetooth devices.

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