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Monitoring Your Daily Exposure to Noise

In Blog by Christa N. Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

By far the most common cause of permanent hearing loss is based on our exposure to dangerously loud noise. Noise-related hearing loss can occur at any time in our life and its effects compound as we age. When we protect our hearing from very loud noises, we are also preventing hearing loss.  How Does Loud Noise Damage Hearing? Your hearing …

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Myths about Hearing Loss

In Blog by Christa N. Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

Hearing loss is incredibly common, and yet, misinformation about the condition abounds. From recognizing when hearing loss is occurring to understanding how hearing aids work, it pays to know the facts about hearing loss. Myth #1: Hearing loss is silent Truth: Many people are startled to learn that significant hearing loss isn’t silent. Instead, most people with hearing loss can …

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I Can Hear, but I Can’t Understand. Do I Have Hearing Loss?

In Blog, Hearing Health, Hearing Loss, Signs & Symptoms by Christa N. Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

Do any of these sound familiar to you? “The TV must be broken. The volume is up high, but I still can’t understand what they’re saying.” “I can hear just fine; I just can’t always understand what is being said.” “It is easy to hear my husband speaking, but I can’t understand when my daughter or grandchildren are talking to …

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Ringing in Ears? Tinnitus Causes and Symptoms

In Blog, Expert Information by Christa N. Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

Do you experience ringing in your ears that won’t go away? You’re not alone. The American Tinnitus Association states that 15 percent of Americans experience tinnitus. That means more than 45 million Americans hear an annoying, high-pitch tone like you do. The causes of tinnitus vary, and while there is no cure for the condition, tinnitus treatment and therapies are available to …

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Why Are My Ears Always Ringing?

In Blog, Expert Information, Tinnitus by Christa N. Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

Although an estimated 15 to 20 percent of Americans experience persistent ringing in their ears – called tinnitus – it is still vastly misunderstood. In fact, many people don’t even know it exists! What is tinnitus? Tinnitus is the term for the sensation of hearing a sound in the absence of any external sound. That is, hearing a ringing sound, when there …

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I Have Mild Hearing Loss. Now What?

In Blog, Expert Information, Hearing Loss by Christa N. Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

Having a mild hearing loss may seem, well, mild, but the name is a bit misleading. As a type of hearing loss, it can still impact your lifestyle on a daily basis. Even a mild hearing loss can lead to other medical issues and isn’t something to ignore. While this can create some challenges, it is also something that can …

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The Social Impact of Hearing Loss

In Blog, Expert Information, Hearing Loss by Christa N. Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

For many people, one of the best parts of the holiday season is the opportunity to visit with family and friends. However, for someone with an untreated hearing loss, this may not be easy. People who suffer from untreated hearing loss often find it difficult to participate in social activities, even within their own family. It is a common misconception …

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Unilateral Hearing Loss: Living with Hearing Loss in One Ear

In Blog, Expert Information, Hearing Aids, Informative by Christa N. Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

Having a hearing loss in one ear is more common than people realize. This condition is known as unilateral hearing loss or single-sided deafness (SSD), depending on the severity of hearing loss. While the degree of hearing loss can vary widely, a permanent unilateral hearing loss exists when an individual has a hearing loss across frequencies in only one ear, and …

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Hearing Aid Accessories to Make Your Life Easier

In Blog, Expert Information, Hearing Aids by Christa N. Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

Your hearing aid is designed to make your life easier. From cleaning and maintenance to technology and lifestyle, finding the right hearing aid accessories can make your hearing experience even better. Hearing Aid Cleaning & Maintenance Accessories Regular cleaning, along with routine maintenance from your audiologist will keep your hearing aids working properly for longer. There are a few common tools that …