Every year in May the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) celebrates Better Hearing & Speech Month (BHSM). The goal is to raise awareness of the issues presented to those with communication disorders and to encourage the spread of knowledge and treatment. This year, the theme is “Communication at Work,” and with Texas reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic, what better time to …
Veterans and Hearing Loss
Tinnitus and hearing loss rank as the #1 and #2 health issues among American veterans of war. In the United States, 1 out of every 5 hearing aids purchased is paid for by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), costing about $350 per unit. In 2017 alone, there were a combined 2.95 million disability dispensations for tinnitus and hearing …
Occupational Hearing Hazards
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is, we might say, uncommonly common in modern life. It’s estimated that as many as 17% of Americans have some degree of NIHL in one or both ears by the age of 19. Hopefully we can roll this number back in the coming decades, through education and widespread normalization of the use of hearing protection in …
Understanding Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a type of hearing loss that is defined by its cause: noise. As such, it is a public health concern, and it is on the rise as a result of the many kinds of loud technology we experience, from airplanes to earbuds, and often both at once! It can come on slowly over time as …
5 Tips for Traveling with Hearing Aids
Taking the time to thinking about your hearing needs throughout your travels can make all the difference! It is important to prioritize your hearing health, especially during heightened times of movement. We know that travel can often be stressful and having to spend even more time planning can seem like too much work. But remember that just a few extra …
6 Tips for Driving with Hearing Aids
Exercising caution while driving is critical to ensuring your safety and the safety of others. Road safety requires the effective use of visual and auditory senses. In addition to seeing, the sense of hearing plays a significant role in navigating driving. Hearing is a major way we take in and process information from the environment. It allows you to detect …
Adjusting to New Hearing Aids
Receiving and getting ready to use your new hearing aids is exciting! Using hearing aids and protecting your hearing health can drastically improve the quality of your life. You may experience hearing sounds you have not heard in quite some time, hear sound and speech with clarity, and be able to communicate with greater ease. Even though your hearing aids …
Preparing for a Hearing Aid Fitting
If you have never before had hearing aids, this might be your first hearing aid fitting! You may think you simply have to put the hearing aids into your ear. That’s going to be it. In reality, the fitting is a little more involved. During this process, we will fit the hearing aids while adjusting and fine-tuning them. Then, we’ll …
Things to Consider when Selecting Hearing Aids
It is an exciting moment to look if you’re in the market for new hearing aids. As major hearing aid manufacturers regularly reveal new models and features, a lot needs to be considered in the selection of hearing aids. Hearing aids are an investment, and we want you to make the best decision that fits your needs. To that end, …
What to Expect at a Hearing Test
Because hearing loss always occurs slowly, without you knowing it, it can easily creep up on you. The relatives will often be the first to comment on your loss of hearing. You may not believe them at first, but maybe you should. The effects of coping with hearing loss are far-reaching, leading to fatigue, anxiety, or even depression. Untreated hearing …