Misophonia—A Rare Sound Sensitivity Condition

According to the American Tinnitus Association, there’s a rare and selective sound sensitivity condition called misophonia. Translated, misophonia means, “hatred of sound.” The condition involves a chronic, abnormal negative emotional reaction to specific sounds. The most common triggers include those generated by the mouth (chewing gum or food, popping lips), the nose (breathing, sniffing, and blowing) or the fingers (typing, … Read More

Bill Would Improve Access to Medicare Audiology Services

The American Academy of Audiology (AAA), Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA), and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) have endorsed the Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act of 2023, bipartisan legislation introduced recently that would provide seniors with more timely and robust access to services provided by audiologists. The bill is an updated version of similar legislation introduced in previous Congresses that … Read More

Audiology Awareness Month

If you’ve noticed you’re having difficulty hearing lately, you may be looking for someone who can help you understand what’s going on with your hearing, why you’re having problems, and if there’s help available. The good news is there are many types of professionals who care for people with problems related to their ears and hearing. But an audiologist is … Read More

Don’t Wait Until End of Year to Get Hearing Checked

The clock is ticking down on 2023, and though there are still a few weeks left on the calendar, if you’re considering having your hearing checked and possibly buying prescription hearing aids soon, you should schedule that appointment now. Why? Because typically, end-of-the-year appointments are hard to come by. Many individuals wait until the last minute to schedule a variety … Read More

Can Tinnitus be an Emergency?

Tinnitus, that hissing, roaring, humming or chirping that only you can hear, is not a disease, but rather a symptom of some other type of underlying health condition. For most, tinnitus is a chronic reaction in the brain often associated with hearing loss or ear conditions. But sometimes tinnitus is literally the “canary in the coal mine,” or the first … Read More

Hearing Loss in the Workplace

Is having a disability a barrier to employment, and more specifically, what is the impact of occupational hearing loss in the workplace? According to a newly released report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals with disabilities face significant employment barriers when compared to their non-disabled counterparts. Primary barriers identified include non-inclusive hiring practices, limited training opportunities, … Read More

10 Signs of Hearing Loss You Shouldn’t Ignore

Hearing loss can happen suddenly, in one ear or both. But in most cases, it’s just the opposite. Hearing loss is so gradual that many people don’t notice it until it’s reached the point where it’s tough to ignore. In fact, statistics show the average person waits seven years before seeking help with hearing loss, but treatment can be more … Read More

Why Sudden Hearing Loss is an Emergency

In most cases, hearing loss happens gradually over a period of years. But sudden sensorineural hearing loss, sometimes called sudden deafness, is an unexplained, rapid hearing loss that may happen all at once or over a few days, and it is considered a medical emergency. According to the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), sudden hearing loss … Read More

Are Falls Inevitable for Older Adults?

Aging doesn’t have to result in a fall, but unfortunately, it often does. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control, falls among adults 65 and older caused over 36,000 deaths in 2020, making it the leading cause of injury death for that group. Falls also are responsible for at least 300,000 hip fractures each year and they are … Read More

Latest Research Ties Hearing Aids to Reduced Risk for Dementia

Research documenting the connection between hearing loss and dementia is becoming more prevalent. But the bigger question is do people who wear hearing aids have a reduced risk of developing dementia? Now, thanks to a newly released study published in the medical journal The Lancet, we’re beginning to see proof that for people with hearing loss, wearing hearing aids may … Read More