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
audiology
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
Tackling Tinnitus
Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of an external stimulus. The perceived sound can vary among individuals, with ringing, hissing crickets and cicadas being the most common. It can also vary in intensity, duration and rate of occurrence. Tinnitus affects approximately 15% of adults. It is a complicated condition that requires proper understanding to be appropriately addressed. What Causes Tinnitus? I frequently have patients ask how to get rid of their tinnitus during an … [Read more...] about Tackling Tinnitus
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
Hearing Versus Understanding
The most common concern of those with hearing loss is not being able to understand others. “I can hear them,” a patient will say. “I just don’t know what they said.” Considering the fact that verbal communication is how most people interact with others, being able to do so is essential. However, people can often conflate hearing and understanding. While undoubtedly interconnected, they are two distinct functions. Understanding the difference can help to improve outcomes and satisfaction with … [Read more...] about Hearing Versus Understanding
