Category Archives: In the News

Have you experienced more difficulty communicating recently? Has straining to hear not only been difficult on your ears, but also on your relationships? 

Communication is an important aspect of any relationship. How we communicate comes in many shapes and forms, one of which is verbal communication – or speaking with one another. Communication can be defined as, “the transmission of information, thought, or feeling so that it is satisfactorily received or understood.” A key word in this definition is satisfactorily. Effective communication is more than just talking; rather it is about listening and understanding each other.  Communication is important for learning about each other, growing together, and working toward accomplishments.   Read Full Article

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George can’t hear worth a flying fig, so I embarked upon a program to interest him in audio enhancement. 

The first step: ask him to get an audiologist referral from his doctor. Worked beautifully. He brought the page back to me.  

Step two was a YouTube audiologist. I don’t remember how he happened into our recommended list, but the first video was short and informative. The second was friendly and informative.  The third was interesting and informative. We were learning about hearing support together. Of course. . . I was doing this for George.  Read Full Article

“Why do I need to wear ear protection if I’m only mowing my lawn?” This is a question I am asked often. I tell folks that a tractor or a sitting lawn mower can have a sound level of up to 110 dB – which is very loud and can be hazardous to hearing.  Also, some homes have large backyards and farmland which means cutting the grass could take several hours or, in some cases, all day. Research has shown that utilizing hearing aids can help stabilize speech clarity, but not if you don’t protect your hearing from further damage.  More specifically, prolonged exposure to hazardous noises can damage our ears and these noises include but are not limited to lawnmowers, tractors, power tools, and weed eaters.  Read Full Article

“I don’t wear my hearing aids when I’m just at home by myself.” 

As an audiology assistant, an important part of my job is calling to check on new hearing aid users after their initial hearing aid fitting. What I’m looking to hear during this conversation is that the hearing aids are comfortable and clear, that you’re successfully getting them into and out of your ears, and that you’re wearing your hearing aids as much as possible to adjust to all the new sounds around you. When I occasionally hear the statement “I haven’t really worn them because I’ve just been home by myself,” I put on my hearing aid educator hat and explain why that harmless act is, in fact, not harmless at all.  Read Full Article

How ‘bout now? Do you have trouble hearing in certain situations? We always say even with the best hearing aid technology there are always exceptions and circumstances beyond our control. And, of course, there will be differences from one person to another.  Some thoughts to keep in mind: Read Full Article

It’s Saturday night. We’re at a restaurant on Tybee Island. A party of nine is at the next table. Five children on one side, four adults on the other.

Three adults sitting in a row can have a conversation. Four not so much. Before long the guy on one end is looking at his phone. 

Same with the kids. The boys bookending the kids’ side are on their phones. They’re about the same age, could be joking with each other, but since they aren’t sitting together they can’t interact. The three kids in the middle are having a good time. Nine people: one-third on their screens.  Read Full Article

Tis the season! Summer festivals, pool openings, and good old-fashioned southern humidity. Your hearing aids are tiny computers that are constantly exposed to the elements. Especially during the humid months, it’s important to take care of them to help them live their best life.  Here are some recommendations on how to keep your hearing aids happy and dry:  Read Full Article

Tinnitus is defined as any noise or sound heard in the head that is not externally produced. For many, it sounds like a whistle, buzz, hum or static. Most people, in a quiet enough environment will hear tinnitus; however, for around 50 million Americans, it is a constant or frequent companion. This can cause anxiety and depression, and for almost 2 million, tinnitus is significant enough to seek treatment.

Unfortunately, tinnitus is not understood very well, which leads to misconceptions. Even worse, many people who seek treatment are told by their medical professional that there is nothing they can do about it, and they should go home and learn to live with it.

THIS IS WRONG!

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Here at ACA, we know that what you, the patient, thinks and experiences is an important part of your hearing healthcare. For that reason, we are collecting stories from patients – like you! If you’d like to share your hearing journey with our readers, please click here to send us an email. Meanwhile, please enjoy this perspective from a long-time hearing aid user.  

I’ve been wearing hearing aids for more years than I can remember. This move was prompted by family and friends getting on my case, since I was always asking them to repeat themselves or saying, “Huh?” a lot! Although the technology was nowhere near as advanced as it is today, and my first aids were bulky and noticeable, I was immediately thankful that I’d gotten over my reluctance (vanity).  Read Full Article