Hear it Here

Spring Fever… in Your Ears?

Spring has sprung! Along with ushering in warmer weather andbeautiful blossoms, the season, unfortunately, increases pollenproduction and allergy symptoms. Although airborne allergens existthroughout the year, we see a dramatic increase in patients who sufferfrom allergy-related hearing loss and tinnitus in springtime. This maylead you to wonder: Do allergies cause hearing loss or tinnitus? Yes, infact, allergies can impact hearing and exacerbate tinnitus.

How Allergies Affect Hearing

Allergic rhinitis, more commonly referred to as “hay fever,” can cause a variety of symptoms, including itchy eyes, sneezing, a runny nose, a feeling of pressure in the ear, and the sensation that the ear is clogged. For some patients, the inflammation and/or excess fluid diminishes the person’s ability to hear or creates tinnitus symptoms (ringing in the ears). Those already suffering from tinnitus may hear louder ringing or experience worsening tinnitus symptoms.

The immune system responds to allergies by producing antibodies that release the compound histamine. Histamine causes itchy eyes, sneezing, and a runny nose – essentially, hay fever. This excess mucus production can obstruct the Eustachian tube, which is the drainage passage for the middle ear. The middle ear amplifies and transfers sound from the outer ear to the inner ear. Therefore, any inflammation or blockage in this area can interfere with your sense of hearing and/or cause an ear infection.

Dr. Julie Prutsman, the owner and founder of Sound Relief Hearing Center, describes the relationship between allergies and hearing loss in the following way: “Oftentimes allergic patients complain of a slight hearing.

Struggling to Hear in Noisy Places?

Hearing aids are incredible devices that amplify sound and make conversations clearer, but hearing is about more than just volume. Even with hearing aids, some people struggle to follow conversations in noisy restaurants, keep up with fast talkers, or understand speech in group settings. Why? Because hearing involves not just your ears but also your brain. Your brain must process the sounds it receives, separating speech from background noise, filling in gaps when words are unclear, and making sense of what you’re hearing. If your auditory processing abilities are weakened due to age, hearing loss, or other factors simply amplifying sound isn’t enough. That’s where LACE AI Pro comes in.

Introducing LACE AI Pro

LACE AI Pro is like a workout for your brain, designed to improve how it processes sound and speech. It trains your brain to:

• Better distinguish speech from noise.

• Follow fast conversations more easily.

• Strengthen auditory memory and focus.

Just as physical therapy helps rebuild strength after an injury, LACE helps “retrain” your brain to listen more effectively, whether you’re using hearing aids or not. It bridges the gap between what your ears hear and what your brain understands, helping you feel more confident and capable in everyday situations. With just 15 minutes a day, LACE AI Pro provides personalized, engaging exercises you can do at home to enhance your hearing and communication skills. If you’ve ever felt like hearing aids weren’t enough, or you simply want to improve how you hear and process sound, LACE AI Pro could be the perfect solution for you. Best of all, it’s affordable, convenient, and can be done right from home. Whether you use hearing aids or not, LACE AI Pro is designed to make a real difference in your daily life.

Just as physical therapy helps rebuild strength after an injury. LACE helps “retrain” your brain to listen more effectively, whether you’re using hear- ing aids or not. It bridges the gap between what your ears hear and what your brain understands, helping you feel more confident and capable in everyday situations. With just 15 minutes a day, LACE AI Pro provides personalized, engaging exercises you can do at home to enhance your hearing and communication skills. If you’ve ever felt like hearing aids weren’t enough, or you simply want to improve how you hear and process sound, LACE AI Pro could be the perfect solution for you. Best of all, it’s affordable, convenient, and can be done right from home. Whether you use hearing aids or not, LACE AI Pro is designed to make a real difference in your daily life.

Myth #1

Only Older Adults Experience Hearing Loss

Fact

Hearing loss can affect people of all ages, including children and young adults. Loud noise exposure, genetics, and certain medical conditions can contribute to early hearing issues.

Myth #2

Hearing Aids Restore Hearing to Normal

Fact

Hearing aids improve hearing and communication but cannot repair areas of total hair cell loss. They do, however, make a huge difference in quality of life for people who seek treatment before the hearing loss is severe to profound.

Myth #3

If You Can Hear Some Sounds, Your Hearing is Fine

Fact

Hearing loss often happens gradually, and many people don’t realize they’re missing certain frequencies. Regular hearing checks help catch issues early, which is key in maximum success with devices.

Myth #4

Hearing Loss Isn’t a Big Deal

Fact

Untreated hearing loss can lead to social isolation, depression, cognitive decline, and communication difficulties. Addressing it early improves overall well-being and treatment success.

If you or a loved one have concerns about hearing loss, consider scheduling a hearing evaluation to stay on top of your hearing health.

1. What’s something most people don’t know about you?

“I absolutely love flowers and learning about their meanings (Floriography). One of my hobbies is making bouquets for gifts, events, or just for fun! I even named my dogs after a few of my favorite flowers, Poppy and Daisy. ”

2. What made you decide to become an audiologist?

“I was first introduced to Audiology through my dad. He earned a BA degree in Audiology and Speech-Language Sciences at UNC Greeley and planned to continue on to graduate school. However, he decided to go a completely different direction. He moved to Oregon and joined a rock band instead! Growing up he often shared his regret about not pursuing a career as an audiologist and encouraged me to explore it for myself. I took some intro courses in college and I loved it!”

3. What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

“Helping people to make meaningful changes in their lives through better hearing. Whether it’s reconnecting with loved ones, discovering new sounds, or finding relief from tinnitus, each experience is unique and impactful.”

4. What’s your perfect weekend?

“A perfect weekend for me would be spent in Yosemite National Park with my husband, son, and two dogs. As a Colorado native, I am happiest outdoors.”

5. If you could instantly master any skill (not work-related), what would it be?

“The ability to understand and communicate in any language.”

6. What’s your favorite meal to cook or a recipe you’ve perfected?

“I come from a big Italian family. Growing up, my mom used to make my Nonnie’s spaghetti sauce every Sunday. It is now my favorite meal to make for my family as well.”