Cancer Treatment and Hearing Loss

If you or a loved one are in the midst of cancer treatment, you are likely familiar with some of the side effects. One of the lesser-known side effects can...

ReSound Vivia: Next-Generation Hearing Aids

If you are keeping up with the latest advancements in hearing technology, you have probably heard some buzz about the new ReSound Vivia. Positioned as one of the most innovative hearing aids to date, Vivia promises to deliver clearer, more natural sound—even in noisy, complex environments. But does it live up to the hype? And more importantly, is it the right fit for you?

Do Allergies Cause Tinnitus or Hearing Loss?

Spring brings sunshine, blooming flowers — and for many, sneezing, congestion, and itchy eyes. As allergy symptoms ramp up, so do complaints about clogged ears, muffled hearing, and ringing sounds that were not there before. So, can allergies cause tinnitus or hearing loss?

When to Upgrade Hearing Aids

When and why should I consider upgrading my hearing aids?

If your hearing has changed and the hearing technology has improved to a point where you can benefit from it, you should consider upgrading.

Schedule an appointment for a hearing test to see if your hearing has changed and possibly test-drive new hearing aids to see if they can benefit you.

LACE AI Pro: The Latest in Auditory Training for Better Hearing and Brain Function

At Sound Relief, we are excited to introduce LACE AI Pro, the latest upgrade to the popular LACE (Listening and Communication Enhancement) auditory training program. Designed to help you strengthen your listening skills and cognitive function, LACE AI Pro offers easy-to-use, personalized exercises that can make a real difference in your daily life – whether you use hearing aids or not.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Aid Functionality: Truth vs. Hype

As you might expect, there’s been a lot of buzz surrounding the AirPods Pro 2 and their new features, including the hearing test through Apple’s Health App and the hearing aid-like functionalities. While we will cover the Health App’s hearing test in another review, for now, let’s focus on their potential use as hearing aids. Apple has revolutionized smartphones, tablets, and even the way we think about health with their technology – but can the AirPods Pro 2 revolutionize hearing care, too? In this blog post, we will explore their hearing aid-like features, what they do well, and how they compare to prescription hearing aids. Apple also deserves credit for raising awareness about hearing health. Their efforts to address hearing loss, hearing testing, and safe noise exposure levels are a huge step in the right direction. Making these tools and information accessible to millions of Apple users is commendable, and it’s exciting to see hearing health becoming part of everyday conversations.

Can Hearing Loss Cause Dementia? What You Need to Know and How to Protect Your Brain

Hearing loss is not just about sound; it’s about the brain and your entire well-being. The Lancet Commission offers a profound reminder: hearing health is brain health. By addressing hearing loss early, we can reduce the strain on our brains, stay socially connected, and lower the risk of dementia. It’s not just about improving your hearing—it’s about taking control of your future.

Better Communication Tips

Fall is here and holiday gatherings are right around the corner. As family gatherings, Friendsgiving and office Christmas parties commence, hearing in crowds can be challenging, anxiety-producing and downright frustrating. In addition to using hearing technology, these effective communication strategies can turn a social gathering from isolating to enjoyable by giving you as many listening advantages as possible. Share these better communication tips with your loved ones so they can help keep the conversation flowing.

Tinnitus and Hearing Discounts for our Heros

At Sound Relief Tinnitus & Hearing Center, we believe in recognizing and appreciating the heroes who selflessly serve our communities and nation. We understand that active and retired military personnel and first responders often encounter unique challenges that can lead to unresolved hearing issues such as tinnitus, sensitivity to sound, or hearing loss. These heroes put their lives on the line and devote themselves to our well-being, and we want to show our gratitude. We offer a 9.11% discount on all devices to help address their needs.

Can Hearing Aids Reduce the Risk of Dementia?

A recent study has indicated that individuals with untreated hearing loss may be more at risk of dementia when compared to those without hearing loss. The study, published in The Lancet Public Health journal on April 13, is the largest of its kind, comprising 437,704 individuals, and is the most compelling evidence to date of this connection. However, there is some hope. The findings also suggest that early detection of hearing loss and treatment with hearing aids can eliminate this increased risk to improve longevity.

A Closer Look into Hearing Loss in Dogs and Dog Hearing Tests

Dog hearing tests can help you determine whether or not your dog may be experiencing hearing loss or deafness. Just raise your paw when you hear the beep! However, hearing tests for dogs are not performed in the same way that we test hearing in most humans. This is done using Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) test. It is similar to the hearing test that is done on infants.

Ototoxic Drugs That May Cause Tinnitus or Hearing Loss

What medications can cause tinnitus or hearing loss? Quite a few. Believe it or not, but more than 600 medications can cause tinnitus, hearing loss, and/or balance problems. These ototoxic drugs include over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications.

Over-The-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids: What Does This Mean For People With Tinnitus and Hearing Loss?

On August 16th, the FDA announced rules for over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, promising sweeping changes for hearing healthcare and purportedly creating a new class of more affordable and accessible types of hearing aids. Now, retailers can sell OTC hearing aids directly to consumers with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss without seeing an audiologist.

How is Hearing Loss Tested and Measured?

Hearing loss is incredibly common and will affect nearly all people, to some extent. In fact, on average, we lose about 0.5 percent of our ability to hear per year. This means that, typically, the average person will only hear about 80 percent as well as they were able to 40 years ago.

Can Hearing Loss be Reversed?

In this article, we will discuss the most important things for you to know about hearing loss and how and when hearing loss can be reversed.

Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Among Dentists

Fortunately, there are quite a few things that dentists can do to help treat and prevent occupational hearing conditions like tinnitus. In this guide, we will discuss a few important facts dentists need to know about tinnitus and hearing loss, plus offer a few prevention tips.

Middle-Age Hearing Loss and Dementia

Approaching your golden years can be a joy, but unfortunately, it may also come with some frustrating health issues, such as hearing loss and dementia.

Celebrating Better Hearing and Speech Month in May

Did you know that May is Better Hearing and Speech Month? The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) created this special event in 1927 to raise...

Cognitive Brain Training and How It Relates to Hearing Health

After graduating from school, you might have cheerfully said goodbye to homework and tests, but we hope you haven't used that as an excuse to let your brain...

Smoking and Hearing Loss

Did you know that smokers are 70 percent more likely to develop hearing loss than nonsmokers? Yet despite this correlation and the many harmful side effects...

Hearing Loss and Heart Disease

Heart disease is one of the most common killers in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease kills...

Adventures with Hidden Hearing Loss

By Dr. Tony Kovacs, Au.D. Have you ever been to a restaurant with family or friends and noticed your guests are having an easier time understanding the...

Hearing Health Tips for Back-to-School Season

Fleets of school buses have taken to the streets. Kids are rocking new threads. The crispness of fall is beginning to creep into the air. It’s official:...

Why Do My Ears Feel Clogged?

Do your ears feel stuffy and clogged? Are you suffering from sudden hearing loss or difficulty hearing? From impacted earwax to a sinus infection, clogged...

The Link Between Migraines and Hearing Loss

For some, a migraine starts with mental and physical warning signs: tiredness, mood changes, craving sweet foods, feeling thirsty, a stiff neck, etc. For others, it begins with a visual aura or nausea. Then comes the notorious pain and pounding sensation in the head. If you’re a migraine sufferer, you’re probably familiar with your own stages of a migraine, but do you know about the link between migraines and hearing loss? Educate yourself on how migraines can permanently impact your hearing, and contact your doctor or audiologist to get treated today.

The Link Between Oral Health and Hearing Loss

Learning that your hearing health is excellent may make you smile, but did you know that your oral health can actually influence your ability to hear? Tooth decay and gum disease are caused by pathogenic bacteria, which can enter the bloodstream and threaten a person’s overall health.

The Impact of Hearing Loss and Tinnitus on Relationships

While hearing loss can make you feel alone in the world, many people understand exactly what you're going through - about 20 percent of Americans report some...

List of Ototoxic Medications That May Cause Tinnitus or Hearing Loss

There are more than 600 prescription and over-the-counter drugs that can trigger tinnitus, make existing tinnitus worse, or cause a new tinnitus sound to appear. In fact, most drug classes have tinnitus-causing drugs sprinkled throughout. For example, antibiotics, painkillers, anti-anxiety, and anti-depression drugs, antimalarial medications, anti-cancer drugs, and blood pressure-controlling medications – to name a few – can all trigger tinnitus.

Treatment Options for Single-Sided Deafness

Ears come in pairs. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that hearing conditions come in twos as well. When it comes to single-sided deafness (SSD), that’s a good thing. SSD, also referred to as “dead ear,” is a condition in which a person has lost total hearing in one ear. In the other ear, the person may have anywhere from normal hearing to severe hearing loss. Treatment options for single-sided deafness often involve using your “good” ear to help correct the “dead” ear.

Stem Cells and Hearing Loss

Stem cells have an extraordinary power: the ability to divide for indefinite periods in culture and to give rise to specialized cells. Countless research studies have focused on stem cells and the many conditions that could potentially be treated using them, which has led audiologists to wonder about the relationship between stem cells and hearing loss. Do stem cells hold the key to a cure for hearing loss or tinnitus?

The Stigma of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is completely natural, especially as we age. Unfortunately, in our society, there’s also a stigma attached to hearing loss, perpetrated by advertisers, the public, and even those with hearing loss themselves.

Sound Deprivation Leads to Irreversible Hearing Loss

Although some factors that account for hearing loss cannot be avoided, like family history, disease, and the aging process, others are directly related to a person’s choices. For example, noise exposure is one of the leading causes of hearing loss in adults. We’ve known for many years that loud environments endanger the ears, but until recently, we did not know that sound deprivation may also lead to irreversible hearing loss. So if you’ve been putting off a visit to the audiologist to discuss your hearing loss, why wait any longer? Your procrastination could have permanent consequences.

What Is an Audiologist?

An Audiologist is a medical professional dedicated to the diagnosis, management, and treatment of hearing and balance issues in patients of all ages. To become a licensed audiologist, an individual must complete their Master’s Degree or Doctoral Degree from an audiology graduate program at an accredited university or a Doctorate in Audiology (Au.D.). In some cases, states may require additional licensing or certifications on top of a degree. To better understand audiologists’ training, knowledge, services, and importance, let’s delve a little deeper into the question, “What is an audiologist?”

How Hearing Works

If you have never suffered from auditory issues like tinnitus or hearing loss, it is easy to take your hearing for granted. The hearing process is incredibly complex and relies upon numerous, minuscule parts. When your outer ear picks up a sound, an elaborate operation occurs so that the sound can be translated into information by the brain. Do you know how hearing works?

Hearing Protection Tips for Summer Concerts

Summertime is here, and many of our favorite musical artists will travel the country on big summer tours. For music lovers, there are few things more enjoyable than live music. The unfortunate irony is that attending these concerts and listening to loud music without hearing protection can cause hearing loss or tinnitus hence decreasing your ability to hear and enjoy music in the future.

Causes of Hearing Loss

If you’re having trouble hearing, don’t suffer in silence. There are many different causes of hearing loss, and some can be successfully treated with medicine, surgery, or a hearing aid. The issue could be rooted in your inner ear, your middle ear, your outer ear, or even your auditory nerve. Sometimes hearing loss is genetic and unavoidable. Other times it results from an unfortunate accident or frequent exposure to loud noise. Discuss the causes of hearing loss with your audiologist to determine the source of your problem and explore potential solutions.

State-of-the-Art Hearing Aids Connect to the Internet

Dr. Julie recently attended a product release in Orlando introducing Oticon’s groundbreaking Opn™ device. This state-of-the-art hearing aid helps people with hearing loss hear better with less effort and better recall so that users can retain more of what is said. It expertly manages multiple noise and speech sources as well, so users don’t have to work as hard to understand speech. This is especially useful in challenging listening situations like restaurants.

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