The Daily Valet. - 10/24/22, Monday

✔️ Say What?

October 24, 2022

Monday, October 24th Edition

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief of Valet.

If you’ve got earbuds in right now, make sure that music isn’t turned up too loud.

Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf

Today’s edition is presented by

Today’s Big Story

Say What?

Hearing loss is on the rise, and could have serious consequences like cognitive decline and dementia as you get older

There are many good reasons to take care of your hearing—simple sounds like leaves rustling and birds chirping. The joy of your favorite music and the ability to carry on a conversation in a crowded restaurant. Or the sound of people laughing at your dumb jokes. But the best reason is to protect your brain.

Dementia is one of the biggest health obstacles to aging well. It is irreversible, but we can reduce our risk of getting it. One important, and historically underappreciated, way of preventing it is addressing hearing loss, reports the Washington Post.

Hearing loss in middle age (ages 45 to 65) is the most significant risk factor for dementia, accounting for more than 8% of all dementia cases, research suggests. A 2020 Lancet report calculated that hearing loss doubles your risk of dementia—the same as a traumatic brain injury. So it’s good that hearing aids are now available over the counter without a prescription.

And they’re going to come in handy, since hearing loss is on the rise due to our increasingly noisy world. The CDC says that hearing loss from all causes is “the third most common chronic physical condition in the United States and is twice as prevalent as diabetes or cancer,” while noise-induced hearing loss is experienced by roughly 24% of all U.S. adults, including one in five 20- to 29-year-olds.

Perhaps most shocking: Among those adults who self-reported having good or excellent hearing in a National Academies of Sciences study, nearly one in four of them actually exhibited measurable hearing loss—a sign of how adaptive the brain is to the gradual hearing loss that almost everyone experiences as they age. And a big reason why younger adults assume that hearing loss isn’t affecting them.

Want to test your hearing? I bet you do now. Recomendo turned me onto Soundly’s free 5-minute hearing test that was designed by audiologists and sound engineers. It’s for educational purposes only, but a good place to start nonetheless.

↦ FYI: The number of adults in the U.S. ages 20 or older with hearing loss is expected to nearly double, from 44 million in 2020 to 73 million in 2060.

Trump Subpoenaed

‘It will be done with a level of rigor and discipline and seriousness that it deserves’

On Friday, former President Donald Trump was issued a subpoena by the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. The committee, which voted unanimously on the move, is demanding Trump's testimony under oath next month as well as records relevant to the probe into the attack.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Sunday that she doesn't believe former President Donald Trump is “man enough” to appear in front of the panel. But a source told Fox News Digital that Trump “loves the idea of testifying,” and would use the opportunity to “talk about how corrupt the election was.” Of course, earlier this month, Trump refused to say whether he would comply with a potential subpoena in a 14-page letter.

Rep. Liz Cheney, the vice chair of the select committee, also said Sunday that the panel will not allow former President Trump to turn his testimony to the panel “into a circus.” That meant that committee members likely weren't interested in Trump testifying live before the panel in a public setting, as some past witnesses have.

“This is far too serious set of issues,” she said. “We are going to proceed in terms of the questioning of the former president under oath ... it may take multiple days and it will be done with a level of rigor and discipline and seriousness that it deserves.”

↦ Meanwhile: The Trump Organization’s trial on tax fraud and other charges begins today in Manhattan.

Partner

What is “American style”? This retailer has teamed up with a cast of all-American style innovators and fashion labels to find out.

Home Prices Are Finally Falling

Prices could fall by 20% next year amidst rising mortgage rates

After two years of stratospheric price appreciation, home prices have plunged during the second half of 2022 as demand for real estate cools off in cities across the U.S.

And prices could continue to fall by as much as 20% next year, according to a noted Wall Street economist. Ian Sheperdson, of Pantheon Macroeconomics, told CBS News that tumbling demand for homes amid sharply rising mortgage rates is weighing heavily on housing prices.

The average rate of a 30-year mortgage rose to 6.94% this week compared to 3.2% in January. And the monthly principal and interest mortgage payment on the median priced home is up $930 from a year ago, a 73% increase. Pantheon confirmed that those rising rates will apply downward pressure on housing prices.

Ultimately, how much prices fall will depend on where you live. Unlike the run-up in prices during the pandemic that caused home values in markets across the country to surge, the cooling off will be more regional, reports CNN. But it also means that buyers who are able to afford the higher mortgages should attempt to negotiate a lower purchase price before committing to a deal.

↦ FYI: Home sales fell to 4.7 million last month, down 1.5% from August, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Leica Revives Its M6 Film Camera

One of the most iconic film cameras is making a comeback

Leica was responsible for creating the first commercially available 35mm camera nearly a century ago in 1925. From 1984 to 2002, the German camera manufacturer handmade 175,000 M6 film cameras—which served as the chosen shooter for the best photographers. Two decades after discontinuing the model, the cultural icon now returns for a new generation with a few contemporary upgrades and touches.

According to Gear Patrol, film photographers loved this 35mm rangefinder for its compact size, easy controls and the stylish design of the M-body (very old school). And now that film photography is experiencing a comeback, the company feels that it's the perfect time to reissue this classic.

If you're wondering if they're changing much with the new M6, the answer is “not really.” In fact, the only differences are a brighter viewfinder and a new top plate coating to prevent patina (it's the same coating as the popular M11 digital camera).

Field Mag points out that analog oglers with a sharp eye will undoubtedly notice the iconic red dot logo reads Leitz—not Leica. When the original '84 model of the M6 hit camera shops, the brand went by Leitz Camera, after its founder Ernst Leitz, only making the change to the more recognizanble moniker in 1986 in an effort to lean into the success of the brand's own Leica series cameras.

↦ BUY: You’ll be able to purchase the Leica M6 (2022 Edition) on November 3. But it’ll cost you $5,295.

In Other News

↦ Xi Jinping Announces Third term in Power and New Top Team

↦ Young Ukrainians Volunteer to Clean Up Destroyed Homes—And Try to Make It Fun

↦ Deep Sleep Is When Your Body Clears Toxins From Your Brain—Here Are 6 Ways to Get More of It

Other Things We’re Talking About Today

The mellow vibes of tree.fm

Strangely familiar places onscreen

Social exhaustion

Partner

MR PORTER Salutes American Style

Showcasing the very best brands from across the country

The quintessential British retailer MR PORTER has just dropped their largest capsule collection to date and it's a celebration of American style and culture. The exclusive range features over 40 brands with more than 600 pieces—from clothing and footwear, to accessories and fine jewelry.

The retailer is calling it “a love letter to the U.S.A. as told from the perspective of the people and cultures within it.” Created to champion American craft and creativity, the 360° campaign will span a three-week takeover featuring an impressive cast of innovators, from downtown culture-makers to pioneers on the plains.

Look for unique items and exclusive pieces from Bode, Tom Ford, The Elder Statesman, Rhude and Ralph Lauren RRL, among others. This love letter to all-American style will also introduce a dozen new U.S. brands to the online shop, including Cherry LA, Greg Yuna, Jeff Hamilton and Collina Strada. We've pulled together a few of our favorite pieces below.

Hemp-cotton T-shirt, $150 by Polite Worldwide

Camo camp collar shirt, $420 by Les Tien

GENERAL ADMISSION Cotton-Canvas Trousers

Cotton-canvas trousers, $265 by GENERAL ADMISSION

Wine Club camp collar shirt, $620 by Rhude

Distressed flannel shirt, $360 by John Elliott

Pigment-dyed T-shirt, $75 by Camp High

↦ Check It Out: The full collection is available now, but items are limited and going fast.

What We’re Eyeing

Denim jackets are cool, but vintage denim jackets are always cooler. So we're happy to report that Lee, the legendary American jean brand, has launched a new vintage shopping vertical on their website. And one of the first products to debut in the “Lee Archives” is the iconic Storm Rider jackets ($225), likely produced in the 1960s and '70s. Defined by its signature details, including a corduroy collar, blanket lining and quintessential Lee zig-zag stitching, they hold up incredibly well judging by the inventory. And, of course, there are modern versions cut from black denim for a more contemporary look as well.

↦ Want more? 5 stylish items to buy this week

Partner

Custom Haircare Is the Key to Great Hair

New Wash Rich Kit,$80 / $72

Everyone's hair is a little different, right? What works for you might not work for me. That's why Hairstory starts you off with a personal assessment quiz to find bespoke hair care products that are uniquely formulated for your specific needs. I inputed all my info about my daily routine and follicular concerns and received a box with personalized products. What I really liked is that Hairstory introduced me to products I wouldn't normally try. A hair oil? For my short hair? But the lightweight oil, applied before styling smoothed out frizz and added a nice healthy shine while softening the hair. If you think your hair could be looking better, you might want to take the quiz and see what they suggest (and then get 10% off your first order).