Earwax: When to Leave It Alone and When to Seek Help
Earwax often gets a bad reputation, but did you know that it plays a crucial role in protecting your ears? Despite common misconceptions, you don’t typically need to remove earwax. However, in some cases, excessive buildup can lead to muffled hearing or discomfort. When that happens, it’s essential to consult a specialist before attempting any…
How Are Shingles and Hearing Loss Connected?
Shingles, a viral infection causing red, painful blisters on the skin, affects one million people each year. The most recognizable symptoms of shingles include blisters, fever, chills, headache, fatigue, light sensitivity and upset stomach. While less common, shingles may also result in auditory damage. Understanding the connection between shingles and your ears can help you…
What To Do if You Lose Your Hearing Aids
Losing a hearing aid can feel like a major crisis. Suddenly, you’re thinking about all the clear communication you’re missing out on and worrying that your devices are gone for good. But don’t worry—if your hearing aids go missing, there are four steps you can take to track them down. Step 1: Pause and Search…
How Can Hearing Aids Improve My Thanksgiving Shopping Experience?
During the Thanksgiving season, you’ll probably hear many conflicting opinions about which side dishes are better—sweet potatoes or mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts or corn, etc.—but just about everyone can agree that Thanksgiving grocery shopping is a hectic experience. Unfortunately, for the more than 10% of people in the United States living with hearing loss, holiday…
Protect Your Hearing This Audiology Awareness Month
October is Audiology Awareness Month, and there’s no better way to celebrate than to think about your own hearing health. Many people think of hearing loss as an unavoidable byproduct of aging, but that isn’t the case. While age-related hearing loss is common, it isn’t the only cause. Factors like genetics, illness, physical trauma and…
What Is Elderspeak and How Can Hearing Aids Help Prevent It?
Elderspeak, also called greyspeak, is a communication style employed by younger people when speaking to older adults. It often involves overly simplified language, slower speech and an exaggerated tone, similar to the methods adults use when talking to young children. Though it may not seem so to the speaker, elderspeak can come across as condescending…
How Does Hearing Loss Affect Your Mental Health?
Hearing loss is a prevalent condition that’s estimated to impact 2.5 billion people worldwide by 2050. While its physical impacts are well-documented, its effects on mental health are often overlooked. Understanding how hearing loss can influence mental is helpful for supporting the person with hearing loss. The Emotional Impact of Hearing Loss Hearing loss can…
Tips for Talking On the Phone With Hearing Loss
Communicating on the phone can be challenging for individuals with hearing loss. It’s a relevant topic, as more than one in 10 individuals in the U.S. report some form of hearing loss. However, with the right strategies and tools, phone conversations with hearing loss can be quite manageable. Read along for some helpful tips for…
How Can AI Improve Your Hearing Aid Experience?
AI, or artificial intelligence, refers to the ability of machines to learn from experience and adjust to new input. You likely relate AI to virtual assistants, self-driving cars and online chess games. While these examples are the most talked about, AI is also making leaps and bounds in hearing aid technology. How Does AI Improve…
Identifying and Managing Single-Sided Hearing Loss
Living with single-sided hearing loss, also known as unilateral hearing loss (UHL), presents unique challenges that can significantly impact daily life. However, recognizing the signs and implementing effective management strategies can help you navigate these challenges and improve your quality of life. Understanding Single-Sided Hearing Loss UHL occurs when a person experiences hearing loss in…