Over-the-Counter – OTC – Hearing Aids 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 hearing aids. Now, retailers can sell OTC hearing aids directly to consumers with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss …
What Kinds of Things Make Tinnitus Worse?
Do you ever hear a slight buzzing, ringing, roaring, or clicking in your ears that simply won’t go away? If so, you may be one of the millions of people around the world who live with tinnitus. This auditory issue, which affects roughly 15 percent of the United States population, can lead to ear pain, …
Is Tinnitus Linked to Any Medical Conditions?
Tinnitus affects almost 50 million Americans every year. Because it is such a common hearing condition, it’s not surprising to learn that it has many different potential causes. From exposure to loud noises to aging, there are many different reasons you might be experiencing tinnitus. Several medical conditions can result in tinnitus noise. In this …
Different Ways People Experience Tinnitus
Tinnitus is unique to every individual. Even though two people may describe their tinnitus similarly, such as a high-pitched ringing, they may still perceive this sound very differently. Sometimes people experience multiple sounds interchangeably. For example, they may hear a whooshing sound intertwined with a humming or roaring sound. Tinnitus can also impact people in …
The Dos and Don’ts of Living With Tinnitus
Living with tinnitus can be a daily struggle. Tinnitus can come in many forms, but it often manifests as a ringing, buzzing, or humming noise. Millions of people experience tinnitus every year. The persistent noise from tinnitus can make even simple daily tasks a challenge. Some people experiencing tinnitus report that they’re having trouble concentrating …
How do Hearing Aids Work?
Hearing aids can help people hear a wider range of sounds at a much crisper volume. They can help address a wide variety of hearing issues including age-related hearing loss, hyperacusis, tinnitus, and various others. Currently, it is estimated that hearing aids could potentially help about 1 in 5 adults. For adults above the age …
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. Individuals who …
6 Causes of Hyperacusis
Do you feel increasingly sensitive to sound? If normal sounds, like driving through traffic, loud chewing, a phone ringing, or a dog barking cause you discomfort or pain, you may be suffering from decreased sound tolerance or hyperacusis. Hyperacusis is a relatively rare hearing disorder that amplifies the everyday sounds around you. While not life-threatening, …
Preventing Age-Related Hearing Loss: 6 Healthy Strategies
On average, we lose about 0.5 percent of our hearing capacity with each passing year. This means that, statistically, we lose about 5 percent of our natural hearing ability per decade and we lose 10 percent of hearing ability every two decades. Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) can be incredibly frustrating. As our hearing begins to …
Becoming an Audiologist: Everything You Need to Know
Currently, there are about 16,000 licensed audiologists in the United States. Audiology is a growing field that is also very dynamic. Audiologists, generally speaking, are responsible for helping people with hearing issues and other conditions related to the ear. The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) predicts that over the next 30 years, …
Does Tinnitus Retraining Therapy Work?
Tinnitus is a very common hearing symptom that affects about 20 percent of the population. Left untreated, tinnitus can create an array of problems, including sleeping difficulties, interrupted thoughts, negative moods, and challenges holding a conversation. Tinnitus also overlaps with other hearing conditions, which is why a tinnitus-centric approach to hearing treatment is often among …
Coronavirus Response & Resources
Update: May 20, 2020 We want to thank everyone for your patience during this challenging and transformational time. We have been overwhelmed by your support and flexibility over the past several months. The world has changed, and so have we. For the safety of you and our staff, we have implemented the following measures which …
Coronavirus And Tinnitus
Coronavirus has caused a massive spike in anxiety worldwide. With endless closures, cancellations, travel bans and skyrocketing unemployment, life as we know it has completely changed in a matter of weeks. It is no surprise that we have seen a link between coronavirus and tinnitus while stressors – both consciously and unconsciously – have been …
Is Tinnitus Genetic?
Tinnitus is essentially described as any sound that you hear in your ears or in your head that can only be heard by you. Studies have found that upwards of 8 – 25% of the population deal with some form of tinnitus. Often, this comes in the form of a persistent ringing or buzzing noise. …
Are Hearing Aids Tax Deductible?
Currently, about 10 million Americans have hearing aids or a related hearing device. Hearing aids are remarkably useful for treating hearing loss, especially since there is no cure for sensorineural hearing loss. Only about 30 percent of people with hearing loss are receiving adequate care. Currently, there are about 25 million people who could benefit …
