CEO Brett Bachmann- Celebrating 10 Years
Across his career, Brett has been drawn to issues of social justice and equity, especially when it comes to the welfare of children or others who are marginalized. He instinctively understands the deep impact one individual can have on the life of another, for good or for ill. From the very beginning, Brett knew he…
When Should You Get a Hearing Test?
Did you know that an estimated 48 million Americans experience some degree of hearing loss? Even more surprising is that only a fraction of people with hearing loss are receiving treatment for this. Oftentimes, hearing loss comes on so gradually that people go years before realizing they have a problem. One of the issues is…
Alumni Spotlight: Riley Ennis
Riley Ennis is a junior at Sacred Heart Academy (SHA) and a proud HHLA alum from the class of 2012. Riley credits HHLA with building her a strong foundation both academically and personally. Since graduating from Heuser, Riley has grown into a bright and outgoing young woman. Throughout her academic career she has pushed hard to excel in hopes of…
What Are Common Tinnitus Triggers?
If you experience tinnitus, you know what a frustrating and disruptive condition it can be. Tinnitus has many different causes, as well as triggers that can cause symptoms to flare up. Let’s take a look at a few of the common tinnitus triggers. What is Tinnitus? Tinnitus is described as a ringing in the ears….
Can Ear Infections Cause Hearing Loss?
The most commonly associated symptom with ear infections is ear pain. However, ear infections can also cause muffled hearing or hearing loss. This hearing loss is usually temporary in nature and returns to normal once the infection clears up. Some people who experience severe, chronic ear infections may be at a higher risk of permanent…
Alumni Spotlight: Michael Shea
I attended Louisville Deaf Oral School from 1994-1996 after being diagnosed with hearing loss when I was nearly 5 years old. My parents noticed that my vocabulary was very limited in the years prior to our appointment with an audiologist. They met with a number of other specialists and received a number of misdiagnoses before…
Protect Your Hearing on July 4
As the Fourth of July nears and growing numbers of Americans are reporting hearing loss, the American Academy of Audiology and Heuser Hearing Institute are cautioning the public to protect their hearing during firework displays. Noise from fireworks can reach up to 155 decibels. To put this into perspective, this is louder than a jet…
How To Use Headphones While Wearing Hearing Aids
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, “About 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from using hearing aids.” Hearing aid technology has advanced at a rapid pace in recent years. One of the latest features is the ability for your hearing aids to act like wireless earbuds using Bluetooth® technology. However,…
Alumni Spotlight: Michai Lombardi
My name is Michai Lombardi, and I attended LDOS (Louisville Deaf Oral School) from 1995-1997. I was born deaf and raised by a single mother as the oldest of five children. I learned sign language and how to speak while a student at LDOS. I remember great times going on field trips, Halloween parties, Thanksgiving,…
Heuser Patient Sherry Martinez Credits the Institute with Giving Her Hope for Recovery
My vestibular dysfunction journey began with a vision loss event while I was at work. Though it was temporary, it was one of the scariest things I’ve ever experienced. What followed were many symptoms including dizziness, difficulty with balance, visual processing issues, motion related issues, cognitive function deficits, severe light sensitivity, multiple sensory issues, a…
Here’s How You Can Protect Your Ears While Exercising Outdoors
Nicer weather means you’ll want to spend more time outdoors, even to exercise. However, when doing so, it’s important to take measures to protect your ears and hearing. We review tips for this below. Wear Hearing Protection If you’re going to be going for a run through Levy Park on Eastside Street where they could…
Alumni Spotlight: Grant Scheynost
My name is Grant Scheynost and I graduated from the Louisville Deaf Oral School in 2000. After LDOS, I attended JCPS schools and graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology in 2016 with a degree in management information systems. I currently work as an Informaticist for Humana analyzing pharmaceutical data. During my free time, I’m either…
Vacation Packing Essentials for People with Hearing Loss
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders reports, “Approximately 15% of American adults (37.5 million) aged 18 and over report some trouble hearing.” If you’re among this population and you’re preparing to go on vacation, you may need to do a little extra preparation. Below we review your vacation packing essentials for people…
Alumni Spotlight! Abby Baker
Abby Baker graduated from HHLA in 2014. She is now 13 and a seventh grader at Christian Academy. Since leaving HHLA, Abby has done exceptionally well—she’s a great student, friend and very outgoing. One of Abby’s favorite pastimes is field hockey. She plays field hockey for her school team and is also a club player for IFHCK. However, don’t let…
How To Choose a Cell Phone When You Have Hearing Aids
Hearing aids have evolved over the years to not only improve your listening experience but connect with other technology as well, including cell phones. If you’re in the market for a new phone and want to make sure they work well with your hearing aids, let’s examine what you should look for before you head…
Tips for Planning a Cruise with Hearing Aids
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “In 2019, 7.1% of adults aged 45 and over used a hearing aid; use was higher among men than women in all age groups.” If you’re among this population who wears hearing aids and you’re planning a cruise with your family or friends, below we…
Alumni Spotlight! George Payne Sr.
George Payne Sr. was born in 1949. His mother found out about Louisville Deaf Oral School (now Heuser Hearing & Language Academy) through a newspaper article in 1952 and was then enrolled in 1953. At LDOS, he learned to speak, read and write in the carriage house behind the Woman’s Club of Louisville. The carriage…
How Do Our Brain’s Expectations Influence What We Hear?
Our ears and our brains work together to help us hear. Soundwaves from your environment are captured by the outer ear and travel down the ear canal, which leads to the eardrum. When the soundwave hits the eardrum, a vibration is created, which passes through three tiny bones within the middle ear called the malleus,…
Take Advantage of Our Conservation and Occupational Safety Program
Want to protect your resources and keep employees safe through protection, prevention and training? Heuser Hearing Institute now offers a special Conservation and Occupational Safety Program that exceed Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA)/Mining Safety and Health (MSHA) Guidelines. Our program is flexible and convenient—we provide testing at any time, day or night, to accommodate your…
Is It Safe to Sleep with Headphones or Earbuds?
Whether you live in the city and you’re trying to drown out the noises or you find listening to music or a sleepcast to be relaxing, you may be tempted to sleep with headphones or earbuds in. But is doing so safe for your hearing? We answer this question below. What the Research Shows A…
How Do Audiologists Diagnose Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a phantom ringing, roaring, hissing, whistling, humming or buzzing sound in the ears with no external source, especially in quiet environments like Louisville Free Public Library. For some, it is a mild nuisance, while for others, it is a debilitating experience. Getting diagnosed is key to improving your quality of life. However, because…
Get into the Spooky Spirit with Your Hearing Aids
Hearing loss is common. In fact, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, two to three of every 1,000 babies in the U.S. is born with a detectable level of hearing loss in one or both ears, and one in eight people ages 12 and older has hearing loss in both…
Protect Your Hearing During These Fall Activities
Undoubtedly, you’ve seen the return of pumpkin spice lattes and noticed the sun setting a little earlier each day. That can only mean that fall is upon us. As you look forward to your favorite fall activities, it’s always good to know how to care for your hearing health during this season. Popular Fall Activities…
Heuser Hearing Institute Receives $3 Million from Commonwealth of Kentucky for Approved “KY HEARS Healthcare Initiative”
LOUISVILLE, KY (August 30th, 2022): The Heuser Hearing Institute is thrilled and honored to announce the approval of the “KY HEARS Healthcare Initiative,” a program aimed at closing the education and employment gap for Kentuckians who are deaf or hard of hearing. The initiative is the result of a collaborative effort by Heuser, Kentucky lawmakers,…
Heuser Hearing Institute and Heuser Hearing & Language Academy Voted “Best” for Second Straight Year
Louisville, Ky. (Aug. 18, 2022) – Both Heuser Hearing Institute and Heuser Hearing & Language Academy were recognized for a second straight year in the Courier Journal’s 2022 “Best of the Best” Community Choice Awards ceremony. Community members vote on these lists to honor businesses, organizations and people throughout the state of Kentucky. The “Best of…
Myth vs. Reality: Hearing Loss, OTC Hearing Aids & You
On Oct. 19, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a landmark proposal intended to improve access to and reduce the cost of hearing aid technology for millions of Americans. The agency proposed a rule to establish a new category of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. When finalized, the rule will allow hearing aids…
Fighting Fires and Hearing Loss
Everyone knows that fighting fires can be a dangerous job. The men and women of the Louisville Fire Department put themselves at risk every day to keep those in our community safe. While some risks are obvious, one that may surprise you is that firefighters are at a higher risk of hearing loss. The…
August is National Make-A-Will Month
August is National Make-A-Will Month. Do you still need to make your will? Whether you’ve been too busy or simply don’t know how, here are the top ten reasons to make a will. 1. Save your loved ones time, money, and stress. Most estates go through probate to start the legal process for distributing assets upon…
Understanding Sounds: How Do Amplitudes & Frequencies Impact Hearing?
The word “sound” describes a type of energy that travels in waves. You can measure these waves in two ways: amplitude, which is reported in decibels (dB), and frequency, which is reported in Hertz (Hz). In this post, we review how amplitudes and frequencies impact your hearing. What Is Amplitude? Amplitude refers to the pressure…
What Happens at a Follow-Up Audiology Appointment?
Follow-up appointments are just as important as your initial hearing aid fitting. Let’s look at what to expect as well as things you can do to get the most out of your appointment. Why Do I Need a Follow-Up Hearing Aid Appointment? The National Institutes of Health recommend a follow-up appointment 6 to 12 weeks…
Local Northwestern Mutual Financial Advisor Awarded $30,000 Grant to Benefit Heuser Hearing & Language Academy
Funding from company’s annual Community Service Awards program will support children affected by hearing, speech and language challenges LOUISVILLE, Ky. – May 18, 2022 – Each year, Northwestern Mutual, a leading financial services company, recognizes the leadership of its financial advisors who make a difference in their own communities through exemplary volunteerism. As part of…
Researcher Recognized for VR Project Work With Heuser Hearing
Matthew Neal, a University of Louisville researcher at the School of Medicine, has been recently honored for his work and partnership with Heuser Hearing Institute on virtual reality (VR) software for listening with hearing aids in realistic environments. Read the news release here.
How to Deal with the Emotional Weight of Tinnitus
Do you suffer from hearing a phantom ringing, roaring, hissing, whistling, buzzing or humming sound, known as tinnitus? If so, you’re not alone – an estimated 50 million Americans suffer from this condition. Tinnitus can range in severity from a mild nuisance to a debilitating experience. In fact, for some, it can even cause thoughts…
Heuser Board Member Secures $30,000 Grant
Ralph Barringer, Heuser Hearing Institute Board of Directors vice president, received a $30,000 grant from Northwestern Mutual on behalf of Heuser Hearing Institute for his leadership in community volunteerism. Read the news release here.
4 Reasons to Bring Someone with You to Your Hearing Appointment
If you’re planning on scheduling an appointment to get your hearing checked out, first off congratulations on taking control of your hearing health! Secondly, we encourage you to bring a partner or other loved one to your appointment to help support you on your journey. Your Hearing Loss Affects Your Loved Ones While you may…
Thank you for supporting 2022 Butterflies in Motion!
This year’s Butterflies in Motion luncheon helped us raise more than ever toward education programs for children at Heuser Hearing & Language Academy. Thanks to your generosity, over $350,000 was raised during the in-person event at the Brown Hotel and from online donors. We couldn’t have done it without you. Congratulations to the 2022 Spirit…
How Are Animals Helping Scientists Improve Hearing Aids?
Researchers are constantly looking for ways to improve hearing technology. One surprising avenue that may offer insight is to study the way insects locate sounds. Hearing Aid Difficulties and Background Noise Hearing aids make it easier for you to process speech and sound in any environment. However, users can still struggle to understand speech in…
How Hearing Loss Can Isolate You & Make You Feel Lonely
After more than two years of staying home due to the global pandemic, most understand the toll loneliness and isolation can have on their mental health. For those with hearing loss, the impact may be even greater. Impact of Loneliness & Social Isolation According to a 2021 study, about 36% of Americans reported experiencing serious…
Tips for Traveling with Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a phantom ringing, roaring, buzzing, humming, hissing or whistling sound in your ears with no external source. When tinnitus flares up or becomes more intense, it is known as a tinnitus spike. It’s common to experience tinnitus spikes while traveling. There are many contributing factors to this, including stress, lack of sleep, barotrauma…
What to Know About Hearing Aid Repairs and How to Avoid Them
Hearing aids are an investment in your continuing quality of life. They keep you connected to those around you and give you confidence in your hearing ability as you move throughout your day. Because hearing aids play such a big role in your day-to-day life, you want to make sure they stay performing at their…
How to Maintain Hearing Health with Diabetes
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar. Untreated or poorly managed diabetes can lead to many other health complications, including heart problems, kidney failure, nerve damage, vision problems and stroke. Thankfully, there are many treatments and lifestyle changes that people can make to help manage their diabetes and…
How Hearing Aids Can Help You Better Understand Sound
Though they are similar, hearing a sound and understanding it are not the same thing. Imagine you are out to dinner at a busy restaurant. Maybe you have friends visiting from out of town and decide to take them to Jack Fry’s. It’s packed inside and there is live jazz music playing in the background….
Courier Journal Recognizes Heuser Hearing Institute and Heuser Hearing & Language Academy on their “2021 Best of the Best” Awards
Louisville, Ky. (Sept. 27, 2021) – Both Heuser Hearing Institute and Heuser Hearing & Language Academy were recognized in The Courier Journal’s 2021 “Kentuckiana’s Best of the Best” lists. Community members vote on these lists to honor businesses, organizations, and people throughout the state of Kentucky. The “Kentuckiana’s Best of the Best” program recognized winners…
Why Do Loud Sounds Startle People With Hearing Loss?
Just because a person suffers from hearing loss does not mean they lose the ability to startle at loud noises. In fact, in many cases, loud noises can be perceived as more startling and uncomfortable. If you suffer from hearing loss you may have noticed this phenomenon, referred to as recruitment, or in some cases…
Keep Life in Balance With Better Hearing
Feeling dizzy, imbalanced or confused? These are all are hallmark signs of a vestibular problem—a complex inner ear and brain system that controls your sense of balance. It’s easy to take our sense of balance for granted, at the pace at which most of us move about the world. Though when it’s compromised, you’ll know…
Teaching Children About Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
The information you pass along to children when they are young is what shapes their actions as adults. Teaching them how to safely cross the street, tie their shoes and treat their classmates are lessons they will carry forever. Hearing experts suggest adding healthy hearing habits to this list. What Is Noise-Induced Hearing Loss? For…
Can Listening to Music Improve Your Well-Being?
Music plays a large role in society by helping to celebrate important events, bringing people together and increasing overall well-being. Unfortunately, those with untreated hearing loss do not get to experience these positive effects. Hearing aids can help. Why Hearing Music Is Important As one expert explains, music is “sound that conveys emotion.” This unique…
Congratulations 2021 HHLA Graduates!
Congratulations to all the children, their families and the teachers for making it through a challenging and unconventional school year. In addition, a special congrats goes to the three students who celebrated graduation on May 25, 2021 and will be moving on to their neighborhood schools!
Tips for Preventing Hearing Loss
The most common causes of hearing loss are exposure to noise and aging. While there is nothing to be done about getting older, there are some steps you can take to help lower your risk of developing hearing loss. Below is a look at six lifestyle changes you can make that may help you prevent hearing…
The Connection Between Hearing Loss & Speech Comprehension
Speech comprehension refers to the ability to take in speech signals, understand the meaning behind them and store them as information. Speech comprehension is an especially important skill for children, as their brains are rapidly developing and learning new information. Below we review how hearing loss can affect speech comprehension, the importance of early intervention…