Patient Resources
There are benefits to buying hearing aids without a prescription: they will be priced lower, and patients will be able to advocate for themselves and won’t have to submit to an audiological exam or worry about insurance reimbursements. However, many audiologists believe the bad outweighs the good.
Over-the-counter hearing aids are designed for individuals with very mild hearing loss, but without undergoing a comprehensive hearing evaluation from a professional audiologist, there is no way to know the degree of hearing loss. Those with severe hearing loss won’t receive the proper levels of amplification and might end up causing more harm in the long run.
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Which is better: Earbuds or Headphones?
Earbuds sit inside your ear and are very close to the ear canal, and they typically increase the volume by around 9 decibels. Headphones, however, sit outside the ear, so there is less natural amplification.
Headphones also block a lot of background noises. But with earbuds, distracting sounds aren’t dulled, and wearers often turn the volume control up to near dangerous levels. Not to mention that it is easy to find cheaply made earbuds at any convenience store or shopping center. Because of their poor quality, those earbuds only distort sounds which makes wearers turn up the volume even more.
If you believe your hearing has been affected by use of headphones or earbuds, call us for an appointment.
Summertime Hearing Protection
Summer is perhaps the noisiest season, full of outdoor concerts, festivals/parades, and sporting events. After more than a year of limited to no such activities, these events are returning in force. Noise pollution is also a more common complaint as the pandemic spurred people to invest in their homes, making renovations, landscaping upgrades, and other improvements to their house and yard.
For the more than 20,000 Deaf students who attend post-secondary educational institutions in the United States each year, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensures they have access to this powerful weapon. — READ MORE —
For many families, splashing in the backyard or community pool or heading to the nearest beach to cool off in the water is a major part of summer fun. For kids with certain ear problems, swim earplugs are often recommended, but how do you know if your child needs them—and what types are the best?
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Hearing loss that occurs gradually as you age (presbycusis) is common. About one-third of people in the United States between the ages of 65 and 75 have some degree of hearing loss. For those older than 75, that number is approximately 1 in 2. — READ MORE —
Popping your ears is generally safe. It usually requires little more than moving your mouth muscles. Regardless of the technique you try, be gentle. If your symptoms worsen, stop trying to pop your ears and consult your doctor. — READ MORE —
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), five of every six children will have at least one ear infection by their third birthday. — READ MORE —
Hearing loss that occurs gradually as you age (presbycusis) is common. About one-third of people in the United States between the ages of 65 and 75 have some degree of hearing loss. For those older than 75, that number is approximately 1 in 2. — READ MORE —
What makes humans so different from other primates? Though our brains are similar, it seems that they react differently to various stimuli. New evidence suggests that human brains “listen” for musical pitch, a preference that scientists have not detected in monkeys. — READ MORE —
