The future of the family road trip

For families, time on the road is a part of life, whether you're going for a family vacation or traveling to visit grandparents for the holidays. While time in the car together is nothing new, the way families are spending their time in the car and the tools that help get them safely to their destinations are rapidly evolving.

Nowadays, kids are less likely to pass the time playing 20 questions than they are to watch their favorite movie on an iPad. And while you might have once reached for the atlas to find your way, GPS systems or mobile phones have long since replaced your paper maps.

Each day new car and mobile technologies are improving the way families travel. New safety features, tools to help with directions, finding amenities, and increased entertainment options are available for passengers. But what if all of these helpful tools were integrated into one easy-to-use system within the family car?

Comprehensive in-vehicle systems designed to provide drivers with useful information may soon be the norm. Technology experts at Intel are currently working with automakers on in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) systems that have the potential to make the family road trip safer and more entertaining for everyone involved.

It is estimated that automobiles will be among the top three fastest growing Internet connected devices for Internet-based content by 2014, according to technology research form Gartner. This should come as no surprise given consumer demand for access to their digital lives anytime, anywhere, since the average American driver spends 18 hours a week behind the wheel. That's over two months every year spent in the car.

So how exactly could this type of technology help traveling families? Here are a few examples of the types of travel-friendly features that experts at Intel are exploring with leaders in the automotive industry:

* Cars could have a driver's side display that would be able to offer alerts about upcoming traffic signs and relay images about blind spots from cameras placed in a car. Alerts about upcoming stop signs or exits would be especially beneficial when driving in unfamiliar territory.

* What could be worse than a flat tire while on vacation? Emergency sensors connected to the car's infotainment system could alert you immediately when a tire loses pressure, giving you time to safely pull over or make it to the next exit for help. The intelligent infotainment system could also provide directions to the nearest repair shop.

* Like to travel with other families? New connected cars will offer you the ability to connect with other cars in your caravan through GPS tracking. No need to describe your location over the phone or two-way radio.

* Have you made a habit of streaming your children's favorite shows through a subscription service like Netflix? Soon, these types of entertainment options could be standard in the car's in-vehicle infotainment system, and music and video files could be kept in one place. You could even stream different movies on each of the backseat screens to accommodate everyone in the family.

To see more of what your family road trips might look like in the future, visit www.intel.com/automotive.

New technology provides discreet hearing aid options

(BPT) - If you suffer from hearing loss, you're not alone. Nearly 20 percent of American adults suffer from hearing loss. And as you age, the possibility of hearing loss increases. Thirty percent of Americans older than 65 suffer from hearing loss and that number reaches 50 percent for people older than 75.

Despite the fact that many people have hearing loss, they often wait years to get help. Only one in five people who would benefit from a hearing aid actually wear one. Many people still think of hearing aids as the big, bulky models of the past. That couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, many of today's top hearing aids reside inside the ear and are invisible to the naked eye.

If you're experiencing symptoms of hearing loss and could benefit from wearing a hearing aid, here's an overview of some of the latest discreet technology that can greatly improve the quality of your life.

AMP. AMP from Starkey Hearing Technologies is designed specifically for first-time hearing aid users. About the size of a fingernail, AMP sits invisibly in a person's ear canal and amplifies sound.

Invisible-in-the-canal (IIC). The IIC is the most advanced invisible technology on the market today. These aids - similar in size to a jelly bean - are custom fit to your ear canal and hearing loss. An IIC is placed deep in your ear, usually making it completely invisible to anyone else. The highest quality IICs are custom, digital and fully programmable.

Mini receiver-in-canal (RIC). People who want the benefits of an invisible hearing aid but can't wear an aid that fits in their ear canal can choose a mini RIC. This aid resembles the shape of a more traditional hearing aid but it is nearly half the size. The mini RIC hides behind a person's ear, making it nearly invisible. Despite its size, this hearing aid still offers the highest performance, power and features available.

The latest advancements in hearing aid technology mean you no longer have to be self-conscious about combating your hearing loss. To read more about each of these types of hearing aids and to learn how a hearing aid can improve your quality of life, visit www.invisiblehearingaid.com.

Courtesy of BPT

JaredAnthonycox.com

Consuming More Fatty Acids May Reduce Symptoms of Dry Eye

Spring weather may bring warmer, humid air, but millions of people still experience discomfort associated with dry eye syndrome. Dry eye is a condition where tears lack sufficient moisture and lubrication, which is necessary to maintain good eye health and clear vision. Tears not only wash away dust, but also soothe the eyes, provide oxygen and nutrients to the cornea and help defend against eye infections by removing bacteria.

The frequency and severity of dry eye varies but may include irritated or gritty eyes, redness, burning, a feeling that something is in your eyes, blurred vision and even excessive watering. This condition has a multitude of causes but generally stems from the following factors:

* Age: As people age, eyes naturally become drier. Typically, people older than 65 experience some dry eye symptoms.

* Gender: Women are more likely to develop dry eye with hormonal changes during pregnancy, while using oral contraceptives and following menopause.

* Medications: Decongestants, antihistamines and antidepressants are among numerous medications that can reduce tear production.

* Medical conditions: Health issues associated with arthritis, diabetes, Sjogren's syndrome and thyroid problems can produce dry eye symptoms.

* Environment: Dry climates and exposure to wind and smoke may trigger dry eye.

* Eyewear/surgery: Contact lenses may cause dry eye or make eyes less comfortable if they are dry, and eye surgery may lead to a temporary decrease in tear production.

* Cosmetics: When the lid margin is coated with heavy makeup, it can block the openings of the oily glands, which help lubricate the eye.

Treatment for dry eye syndrome varies depending on the severity. Several new studies have confirmed the correlation between fatty acids and an improvement in dry eye syndrome. Salmon, tuna, herring, mackerel and other cold-water fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce inflammation, enhance tear production and support the eye's oily outer layer, as well as provide health benefits for your cardiovascular, immune and nervous systems.

Additionally, some people can use artificial tears or ointments that simulate the action of tears. There are also oral capsules that can maintain tear production and guard against future tear loss. Experts recommend consulting an eye doctor to diagnose the condition and discuss proper treatment. They also recommend adults have yearly eye exams.

Courtesy of BPT
jaredanthonycox.com