The first step on any hearing health journey is undergoing an examination. This exam provides you and the audiologist an understanding of your current state of hearing and allows for proper recommendations to be made. The findings are presented in a report called an audiogram. An audiogram contains both a written section and a graph. While the audiologist does review the audiogram during the appointment, it can sometimes be difficult to remember or fully grasp how to interpret your results. … [Read more...] about Understanding Your Hearing Exam Results
Jeff Lane
Using Virtual Reality to Manage Tinnitus
The second most frequent request I receive from patients, after improved hearing, is to make their tinnitus go away. While tinnitus is not dangerous, it can certainly diminish sufferers’ quality of life. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for tinnitus. Instead, the focus is on mitigating the impact on daily life. Studies show that amplification, sound therapy, dietary modifications and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are all effective forms of tinnitus management. But are there any new … [Read more...] about Using Virtual Reality to Manage Tinnitus
Which Hearing Aids are Right for Me?
The world of hearing aids can be intimidating. With the multiple manufacturers and models, it can feel akin to purchasing a vehicle. A minority of adults with hearing loss are actually fit with hearing aids, while the average length of time between noticing an issue and seeking treatment is seven years. Fortunately, licensed providers are available to act as guides, with guides being the key words. While providers are very knowledgeable and reliable sources, the question of which type of … [Read more...] about Which Hearing Aids are Right for Me?
Accessorize Your Hearing
Technology is constantly evolving, often at a rapid pace, with the goal of improving and simplifying the experience of the user. If you buy a new phone, you get a pair of wireless earbuds. Hearing aids are similar. While modern hearing aids can significantly improve a wearer’s quality of life, some situations could still be improved with the addition of an accessory: situations such as listening to someone behind you while hiking or catching all the information at a meeting. Fortunately, there … [Read more...] about Accessorize Your Hearing
Understanding the Finances of Hearing Healthcare
Studies show 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
Can Hearing Loss Be Fixed?
After being diagnosed with hearing loss, many patients ask, “Can it be fixed?” While the question is simple, the answer can be quite complicated. It depends on multiple factors. For the majority of patients, the answer is, unfortunately, no. However, there are certain situations when medical intervention can help. Being aware of when a hearing loss may or may not be medically treatable, and why, can help you take better care of your auditory system. Conductive Hearing Loss The ear can be … [Read more...] about Can Hearing Loss Be Fixed?
Announcing a 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, while 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 … [Read more...] about Announcing a New Choice in Hearing Protection
How to Care for a Loved One with Hearing Aids
According to the Labor of Bureau of Labor Statistics, 16% of the population provided eldercare between 2017 and 2018. Combine that with one in three people over the age of 65 having a hearing loss and there is a very good chance you are or will be caring for someone with hearing aids. Hearing care professionals will diagnose the hearing loss and fit the devices. But, once fit, a majority of the daily use and maintenance falls to the wearer, or, by extension, the caregiver. It is, therefore, … [Read more...] about How to Care for a Loved One with Hearing Aids
How to Make Sure You are Hearing the Sounds of the Holidays
A chief concern among hearing loss patients is their ability to socialize. Indeed, studies show that untreated hearing loss can have a major impact on quality of life. This is especially true around the holidays. Family and friends come together for the explicit purpose of bonding. For someone with hearing loss, this can be anxiety inducing. Luckily, there are ways to ease the burden and ensure this is truly the most wonderful time of the year. Check-Ups The simplest (and often most … [Read more...] about How to Make Sure You are Hearing the Sounds of the Holidays
What Do You Do with Hearing Loss in One Ear?
Hearing loss presents itself in a unique manner in each individual. Barring hereditary losses, each occurrence will be slightly varied. Some people will have a sensory loss, while others are conductive. Some will occur at birth, while others do not appear until late in life. One aspect that is sometimes glossed over is whether the hearing loss is bilateral or unilateral. Bilateral means the loss occurs in both ears, whereas unilateral is just one ear. Since the majority of hearing losses are … [Read more...] about What Do You Do with Hearing Loss in One Ear?
