Hearing Health Tips

The New River Valley’s Comprehensive Audiology Service Provider

How Your Unique Outer Ear Anatomy Shapes Your Daily Hearing Experience

It is a well-documented biological fact that dogs with long, floppy ears do not capture directional sound waves as efficiently as pointed-ear breeds. It’s probably not surprising to learn that cats, dogs, and hamsters have the ability to adjust the direction of their ears to enhance their ability to pick up sounds from the front,

Is Your Automobile Damaging Your Auditory Health? Car Noise and Hearing Loss Risk

There is no denying your passion for your automobile. While you would never surrender the absolute sense of freedom experienced behind the wheel, it is vital to consider whether your car is actively degrading your hearing mechanisms. Let’s look closely at how modern transit modes provoke vehicle-related hearing loss, while introducing straightforward habits to reverse

Modern hearing aids.

Modern Hearing Aids Don’t Look (Or Feel) Like Your Grandparents’ Devices 

Many people delay getting hearing aids because they don’t think they’ll like how they look or feel. And that’s completely understandable! For years, hearing aids were large, noticeable, and often negatively associated with getting old. In some cases, people even worried that they might be left out of conversation altogether by others who assumed they wouldn’t be able to hear

Paying for hearing aids using fsa and hsa.

How to Pay for Hearing Aids: HSA, FSA, Insurance & Financing Options 

If you’ve looked into hearing aids, one of the first things you’ve probably noticed is the price. Depending on the technology and level of care involved, modern hearing aids can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. For many people, that comes as a surprise, and it can understandably feel like a stopping point.  The cost is real, but it’s not the

Older lady with medicare holding hearing aids.

Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids? Here’s the Truth 

Does Medicare cover hearing aids? The honest answer is: No.  Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids. We know that’s not what most people want to hear, and that many patients are surprised by this.  Fortunately, there’s more to the story. There are other paths (like Medicare Advantage plans, financing options, and additional benefits) that can make hearing aids more affordable than they first appear. And with

Person wearing earbuds.

Can Headphones and Earbuds Cause Hearing Loss? 

Rarely do we see a young adult in public without an earbud in their ears. Headphones are a bit more cumbersome, but teens still find them a way to escape from their surroundings. We all enjoy listening to music no matter our age, but younger people rely on music to pass the time. So, can headphones cause hearing loss since

Lady struggling to hear.

Cognitive Hearing Loss When the Brain Struggles to Process Sound

Most people think of hearing as something the ears do, which is partly true. But hearing is just as much a brain function as it is an ear function.  Cognitive hearing is your brain’s ability to interpret and make sense of the sounds your ears hear. For example, you might hear someone speaking clearly, but still struggle to

Lady using hearing aids.

How Hearing Aids Stimulate the Brain and Support Cognitive Function

Everybody knows that hearing is something your ears do. What we think less about is the role our brain plays in hearing. Your ears collect sound, but your brain interprets it, turning vibrations into words, meaning, and memories.   When hearing loss develops, the brain receives less information about sound. Over time, reduced stimulation can make listening more

Man struggling to hear.

What Is Auditory Fatigue Signs Your Ears and Brain Are Working Too Hard

Have you ever felt totally drained after a long conversation or social gathering? You may assume you’re just tired, stressed, or overwhelmed. And it’s true that for introverts or people with sensory issues, social situations can be exhausting. But in some cases, the cause is a lesser-known culprit: auditory fatigue.  Auditory fatigue happens when your brain has to work harder to process sound. When

Woman speaking with a man with hearing loss.

7 Hearing Loss Myths Separating Fact From Fiction

Hearing loss is more common than most of us might realize, but misinformation continues to prevent many people from seeking proper care. And with hearing loss, getting the right care at the right time is critical. Believing common hearing loss myths can delay diagnosis, impact communication, and reduce your overall quality of life.  If you have concerns