Studies show that the average timespan from a person realizing they have trouble with their hearing to finally seeking help is seven years. One of the biggest reasons people wait is concern about cost. Information about hearing aids varies widely online and insurance benefits can be difficult to navigate. But taking care of your ears doesn’t need to be scary. While no two offices operate identically, the overall journey is largely the same. Hearing Exam The first step is always to obtain an … [Read more...] about Understanding the Finances of Hearing Healthcare
Audiology
The New Choice in Hearing Protection
One of the first questions I ask a new patient is whether they have a history of loud noise exposure. Some say no, some mention hunting, and most brush it off as listening to loud music in their youth. But the truth is that, especially in our modern world, everyone is exposed to unsafe levels of noise at some point in their lives. While noise pollution is a major concern, most people don’t consider it in their daily lives. However, protecting your ears from loud noise is one of the best ways to … [Read more...] about The New Choice in Hearing Protection
Phonak Offers Hearing Aids that Respond to Motion
Phonak has a new hearing aid that is able to adjust sound input based on your motion! When you are walking, your hearing needs are not the same as when you are sitting in a chair talking to a friend. Speech sound while walking the dog with someone or hiking on a trail present unique challenges, which are now finally addressed. It is all based on your motion read by a chip in the hearing aid that is able to change the noise cancellation and the microphone settings in the hearing aids without any … [Read more...] about Phonak Offers Hearing Aids that Respond to Motion
Treating Hearing Loss in Children
We all know intuitively that you need hearing to learn traditional speech and language. If a child has a hearing loss, especially one that is not detected, the world is confusing and distorted. Imagine a mom telling her young child that it is bath time. If she does not have a bath towel in her hand or is not walking or pointing toward the bathroom, the little one may not understand what is going on. Or, think about parents sitting in the living room talking about going to the park and going out … [Read more...] about Treating Hearing Loss in Children
Exploring the Lyric Hearing Aid and Tinnitus Masker
The Lyric is a hearing aid that is housed inside the ear canal for extended periods of time. No need to change a battery or put the hearing aid in a recharging device at night. All you need to do is go to your audiologist and ask to try a pair of them for free! Discreet Amplification The most amazing consequence of wearing the Lyric is that you are a “normal” person. You do not have to be careful with your hearing aids around the house so the dog or cat does not eat them when you take them … [Read more...] about Exploring the Lyric Hearing Aid and Tinnitus Masker
What is it Like to Have a Hearing Loss?
As an audiologist, I see hearing-impaired individuals every day. One of the most rewarding activities of my job is to teach the family members what it is like to have a hearing loss and how to better communicate with hearing-impaired people. What Can the Hearing-Impaired Person Hear? I think that understanding what a person really can and can’t hear is the key to successfully living with or working with a hearing-impaired person. It is crucial to understand what can change the clarity of … [Read more...] about What is it Like to Have a Hearing Loss?
Welcome to Hearing Aid Paradise
Advancements occur at a quick pace in the realm of hearing aids. Manufacturers are constantly developing new solutions to patients’ hearing needs, so that each successive model provides an even more natural sound quality. Phonak, one of the world’s largest hearing aid manufacturers, recently released its newest platform: Paradise. Paradise offers multiple innovations aimed at improving patient satisfaction. Sound Quality When surveyed, hearing aid users stated that their biggest concern … [Read more...] about Welcome to Hearing Aid Paradise
How to Love Your Hearing Aids
You have a hearing loss and the family is driving you crazy to get something done. But, you feel that one more thing added to your life will push you over the top. If this sounds familiar, I have some wonderful ideas for you! First, get your hearing tested by an audiologist. He or she will check for wax in the canals, or medical causes for your hearing difficulty. What if your hearing loss can be treated medically and you were dragging your feet for nothing? If the audiologist says nope, it … [Read more...] about How to Love Your Hearing Aids
Considering Daily Practice During COVID-19
What a crazy time it is! Some days, I feel emotionally stable, and other days, I feel a little panicked. I also realized the more I watch TV or read the news, the more stressed I become. I am now limiting the amount of TV/news exposure I get and have much less physical tension and emotional stress. We are all trying to navigate staying healthy with staying sane as we take care of our basic needs. It seems that day to day, things ebb and flow, but try to remember this has happened to society … [Read more...] about Considering Daily Practice During COVID-19
Hearing Mythbusters
With the internet being ubiquitous, information is easier to access than ever. However, that does not mean that the information is necessarily correct. This sentiment is especially relevant when it comes to health advice. One might read that carrots help improve eyesight; in actuality, this was wartime propaganda to disguise radar technology. Given the daily onslaught of information, it can be difficult to determine what is factual. Cleaning Your Ears Earwax is not innately bad. In fact, … [Read more...] about Hearing Mythbusters
