Your Benefits—Use ‘Em or Lose ‘Em!

effectively using your flexible spending account

According to healthcare.gov, if you have a health plan through your job, you can use a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for copayments, deductibles, some medications, and some other health care costs, including hearing aids. Using an FSA also can reduce your taxes. How does an FSA work? All year long via your employer’s plan, you have a designated … Read More

Apps to Help You Hear Better

smart phone hearing aid apps

If you go to the App store on your cell phone and search for hearing apps, you’ll find everything from decibel meters to hearing tests to apps that claim to improve your hearing. But how do you know if an app will help you? Here we highlight two apps that many people with hearing challenges are finding helpful. Stream Live … Read More

Challenging Listening Environments

hearing loss challenging barriers

If you have a hearing loss, you likely have more difficulty understanding speech in challenging listening environments, like noisy restaurants or at parties, even when you are wearing your hearing aids. There often are three main barriers to improved understanding for anyone with a hearing loss:         Distance from the signal of interest (speech, music, etc.)   … Read More

Is There a Connection Between Hearing Loss, Cognitive Decline and Hearing Aids?

relation between cognitive decline and hearing loss

According to the Hearing Loss Association of America, hearing loss affects 48 million Americans today. If current trends continue, the number of individuals with age-related hearing loss worldwide will swell to 580 million by 2050. Also by 2050, the number of adults with dementia is expected to grow to 131.5 million worldwide, a substantial public health challenge. A number of … Read More

What is an Audiologist and Why Do I Need One?

October is audiology month

October is Audiology Awareness Month, which promotes awareness of the work audiologists do to help diagnose and treat hearing loss, tinnitus, and dizziness and balance disorders.  What is an Audiologist? An audiologist is a degreed professional who specializes in the diagnosis and non-medical treatment of hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance disorders. Audiologists can:      Test hearing and balance    … Read More

Protect Your Hearing from Loud Noises

the importance of protecting your hearing

If you’ve been to a rock concert at the Sprint Center or to a Chiefs football game and noticed afterward that your ears were ringing, you already may be experiencing tinnitus and hearing loss. Long exposure to loud noises like this can damage the delicate structures of the ear. Often, this results in temporary ringing in the ears, which usually … Read More

Top Three Things to Consider When Shopping for Hearing Aids

What to consider when buying hearing aides

If you need hearing aids and have been shopping around, you know that the choices available can be overwhelming. But where do you turn to be certain you make the best choice? Here are the top three things we suggest you consider if you are in the market for hearing aids.  Professional Care Ninety percent of your success with hearing … Read More

Recognizing Balance Awareness Week

dizziness infographic

Balance Awareness Week is Sept. 15–21, 2019, an observance designated by the Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA) which aims to increase awareness about vestibular disorders and support patients in their journey back to balance.  The vestibular system includes the inner ear, which houses the organ of balance, and the brain. These organs work together to control/coordinate balance and eye movements. Damage … Read More

Hearing Aid Trade-Offs – Cost vs. Technology

You’ve often heard you get what you pay for. That’s definitely true when it comes to hearing aid technology. Almost all patients are concerned about the cost of hearing aids, and reasonably so. Hearing aids are a significant investment in your health. But what should you expect to pay for hearing aids in 2019? And what do you get for … Read More

The Connection Between Diabetes and Hearing Loss

older man with diabetes suffering from hearing loss

Diabetes and hearing loss are two of America’s most widespread health concerns. According to the American Diabetes Association, nearly 30 million people in the U.S. have diabetes, and an estimated 34.5 million have some type of hearing loss.  Hearing Loss Is More Common in Those with Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes In addition, a recent study found that hearing loss is twice … Read More