In the world of hearing loss we refer often to the idea of normal hearing. The definition of normal is “conforming to a type, standard, or regular pattern. When referring to humans, we often like to celebrate our diversity, however the idea of normal hearing is used as a base line reference by audiologists to determine the degree and severity …
All About Occupational Hearing Hazards
Have you ever noticed your ears ring or hum at the end of a workday? Do you have to raise your voice or shout to talk to someone within 3 feet of you? Has your hearing ever faded temporarily after leaving work? These are all signs that you have been exposed to loud noises at the workplace. For most of …
Preparing for Your Hearing Test
So you’ve chosen to get your hearing tested! Maybe you were already diagnosed with hearing loss years ago but you’re not hearing like you used to with your current hearing aids. Maybe you’ve noticed that you struggle to carry on conversations in restaurants or other public places. Maybe you’ve been getting noise complaints from your neighbors about the television being …
A Link Between Migraines, Tinnitus & Hearing Loss
If you suffer from migraines, you know how excruciating they can be. Migraines are not normal headaches! They are neurological diseases that involve nerve pathways and chemicals. Changes in brain activity affect blood in the brain and surrounding tissues, and can cause a range of symptoms including severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, often on one side of the …
Study on Dreams in People with Hearing Impairments
Some people go all places while they sleep and wake up the next day with vivid memories of all the places they’ve traveled while others awake without any memory at all. For those who remember, they might not only remember the often seemingly nonsensical string of events, but emotions, feelings, sights, smells, and sounds. It’s common to hear voices, ambient …
New Studies on Hearing Loss and Dementia
Do you have hearing loss? If you have been ignoring it could be far worse than simple misunderstandings. Unaddressed hearing loss can lead to a wide range of symptoms from chronic depression, loss of self-esteem, a higher risk of accidents leading to hospitalization, and cognitive decline. If this wasn’t alarming already, several significant studies have found a strong link between …
Protect Your Hearing while Using Headphones
HEADPHONES Headphones are ubiquitous in our modern world. We use them for taking phone calls in public or listening to music on a run or during our commute. There are endless variations of styles and price ranges making them a nearly universal accessory. It is imperative, however, that we form safe habits in regards to how we use them. The …
Hearing Loss The Most Common Work-Related Injury in the US
It is estimated that each year around 22 million Americans are exposed to dangerous levels of noise at work. Another 9 million are exposed at their workplace to ototoxic chemicals, chemicals that can damage the ears. Together this makes hearing loss the most common workplace injury in the country. RISKY JOBS Consider how common jobs in these industries are …
Connecting People | May is Better Hearing and Speech Month!
Spring is here and with the return of our favorite blooms, and warmth are more occasions to connect and reach out to friends. After a long winter with less social interaction, you may find now that you are asking people to repeat themselves more often than previously remembered. If you are asking “what did you say?” more often than not, …
How Untreated Hearing Loss Interferes with Your Relationships
Do you find that you have to ask people to repeat themselves more often? It’s easy to make the mistake that your hearing loss is only affecting you, however, the effects are far-reaching, especially in your most important relationships. Multiple studies have shown that untreated hearing loss can negatively impact our relationships with family, friends, and particularly with those closest …