What’s the Difference Between Being Hard of Hearing and Being Deaf?
You’ve likely heard the terms “deaf” and “hard of hearing” used to describe people with hearing loss, but not everyone knows the distinction. Below we cover the levels of hearing loss, the distinction between “deafness” and “being hard of hearing,” and the treatment options available. Levels of Hearing Loss The difference between being deaf and…
How Hearing Aids Can Increase Quality of Life
Hearing loss affects an estimated 48 million Americans, but despite its prevalence, only one in five people who could benefit from hearing aids actually wears them. Many cite cost and stigma of “looking old” as reasons for putting off wearing hearing devices, but these people are likely unaware of all the benefits hearing aids offer,…
October is Audiology Awareness Month
Hearing loss can be a confusing experience that leaves you feeling discouraged, frustrated and isolated. October is Audiology Awareness Month, which means now is a great time to learn about life changes that can help make for a better tomorrow. Audiologists, including the experts at The Hearing & Balance Center, can help identify hearing problems…
How to Properly Clean Your Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are a significant investment in time and money. Under ideal circumstances, your hearing aids should last you about five years – but only if you commit to taking care of them. A major part of making sure your hearing aids are well cared for is ensuring they are properly cleaned. Follow our tips…
How Hearing Loss Affects School Performance
If your child is inattentive at school, getting bad grades or is behaving poorly, your first assumption may be that they have a learning disability. However, hearing loss can cause the same issues and is much more common in children than many realize. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 15 percent…
Waiting to Get Hearing Aids Can Cause Health Problems
Over 48 million Americans suffer from hearing loss. Despite its prevalence, only one in five people who could benefit from hearing aids actually wears them, and those who do wait an average of seven years from when they are first diagnosed to be treated. If you delay treatment for hearing loss, not only are you…
Is Hearing Loss Making You Tired?
Many people across the country are beginning to return to work as coronavirus lockdown restrictions ease. Increasing your daily interactions can be very draining, especially if you have hearing loss. Hearing loss is associated with a condition known as listening fatigue, which can make you feel worn out after socializing. Cognitive Load and Listening Fatigue…
Hearing and Vision Loss Linked to Increased Risk of Dementia
Many studies over the years by Johns Hopkins and others have confirmed that untreated hearing loss is associated with an increased risk of dementia. Other studies have found the same for vision impairment. However, new research by the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Washington has uncovered that people with both hearing and vision…
Creative Ways to Communicate While Wearing Masks
In most public spaces, face masks are required to stop the spread of COVID-19. Most of us are aware that masks make communication difficult because they muffle voices. No one is more aware of these difficulties than the hearing loss community, who have had to come up with creative solutions to improve communication while staying…
Hidden Hearing Loss
Do you feel that you have difficulty hearing and following conversations, even if you’ve passed a hearing test? It’s possible you have hidden hearing loss – a condition that is not well-known or well-researched. Hidden hearing loss is difficult to diagnose because it cannot be detected by traditional hearing tests. No one is exactly sure…