Celebrate hearing health with us in May!

Dr. Battani with a patient at Associated Audiologists in Shawnee Mission, KS

The month of May is full of special observances: Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, graduations, and end-of-school celebrations. For Associated Audiologists, Inc., it’s also the month that we’re recognizing the 40th anniversary of our practice! We’ll have more news and updates for you on the anniversary celebrations throughout the month, but in the meantime, here’s one more special recognition to add … Read More

Tips for Tackling Tinnitus

tinnitus treatment, Associated Audiologists, Overland Park

Did you ring in the New Year…and still have that irritating ringing in your ears months later? You could be one of the 50 million Americans who experiences tinnitus, a perception of ringing, buzzing or humming sounds when there is no sound present. Any type of disruption in your body’s sound processing — such as hearing loss, a head injury, … Read More

Why Noise is Good and Bad, and How You Can Protect Your Hearing

protect your hearing Associated Audiologists Kansas City

Protect Your Hearing When Possible It’s a noisy world. Probably noisier now than at almost any time in human history. But noise has its place, for better or worse, in life and in hearing loss. From an evolutionary standpoint, noise has played an important part in the survival of the fittest. After all, it’s noise that told our ancestors a … Read More

Preventing Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Manufacturing worker operating a drilling machine while wearing protective hearing earmuffs.

We’re exposed to loud noises every day, but when those noises are extremely loud, or we’re exposed to them over and over, they can cause what’s called noise-induced hearing loss. Now a new study sheds light on the role of zinc in NIHL, and possible ways to prevent it. It’s one of the most common causes of hearing loss—exposure to … Read More

Rural Populations at Greater Risk for Hearing Loss

Two manufacturing workers giving a thumbs-up while wearing hearing protection earmuffs.

A new study has identified those who live in rural America at higher risk for hearing loss. Why? Probably because many in these areas work in industries that consistently expose them to loud noises, like agriculture, making prevention the best course of action. A study recently published in the journal Lancet Regional Health-Americas, is one of the first to estimate … Read More

Why Do I Have Itchy Ears?

Visual representation showing the correct and incorrect ways to use a Q-tip for cleaning around your ears, emphasizing safe practices and avoiding damage.

Having “itchy ears” is a common problem. There are lots of reasons why our ears might itch. Sometimes it’s as simple as dry skin or wax in our ear canals, but it can also be the result of contact dermatitis or seborrheic dermatitis; an infection; irritation from hearing aids or earbuds; or allergies. In some cases, the itching occurs in … Read More

Debunk the Gunk! How Earwax Can Literally Plug Your Ears Up

Man about to clean his ears using Q-tip cotton swab to remove wax from ear

How Earwax Buildup Can Impact Your Hearing If you’re like millions of Baby Boomers, you grew up with this staple on the bathroom counter—cotton swabs. Parents used them to clean your ears as an infant, and as you grew older, taught you that’s the best way to keep your ears clean, too. But is it? Cotton swabs may not be … Read More

Why You Should Pay Attention to That Ringing in Your Ears

tablet with the word Tinnitus on it

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Ringing in Your Ears The U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimates that nearly 15% of the general public — over 50 million Americans — experience some form of tinnitus. Roughly 20 million people struggle with burdensome chronic tinnitus, while 2 million have extreme and debilitating cases. What does tinnitus sound like and what can you do … Read More

Measuring the Impact of Hearing Loss on Life

Blond girl relaxing on wooden flooring with headphones on

Measuring the Impact of Hearing Loss on Daily Life How do you measure the impact of hearing loss on life?  According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), one way is to calculate disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). These are the number of healthy years lost due to a disease or other health condition. For a condition like … Read More

Signs and Symptoms of Skin Cancer of the Ears

Senior woman gardening on beautiful spring day

Signs and Symptoms of Skin Cancer on the Ears According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, more than 4 million Americans are diagnosed with the most common form of skin cancer each year, basal cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer. Though we don’t treat skin cancer at Associated Audiologists, because we are constantly … Read More