Category: Hearing Loss

More than 48 million Americans suffer from hearing loss, yet only one in five people who has it wears hearing aids. Even among those who do treat their hearing loss, the average person waits seven years between being diagnosed and actually purchasing devices. There are many reasons people may be hesitant to purchase hearing devices,…

The decision to treat your hearing loss may be a long time coming. This isn’t surprising, as most people wait an average of seven years to treat their hearing from the time they are first diagnosed. While the thought of becoming a hearing aid wearer may seem daunting, it should also be exciting! You’re on…

If you’ve recently had a baby in Louisville, before you left the hospital your newborn was given a hearing screening. This is crucial in detecting hearing loss early and preparing infants and their parents for intervention services that are necessary to ensure they succeed. The Importance of Early Intervention The vast majority of babies in…

Busy parents looking for a break by catching a movie in Louisville have a checklist of items to make their theater-going experience enjoyable. These might include popcorn, candy and soda. If “baby” is also on that list, you should either hire a sitter or reschedule for when they are old enough to actually enjoy the…

It has long been understood that deafness in early childhood is associated with permanent changes in the way the brain processes sound. New research shows that young kids with even mild to moderate hearing loss in Louisville will experience similar changes. Mild to Moderate Childhood Hearing Loss Researchers at the University of Cambridge conducted a…

Hearing loss is common across Kentucky, and it isn’t confined to older adults; nearly 15 percent of children aged 6-19 years old have a hearing impairment of at least 16 decibels (dB) in one or both ears in Louisville. Bilateral hearing loss (affecting both ears) of 40 dB or greater affects 1.4 out of every…

Two to three out of every 1,000 babies are born with a hearing impairment in Louisville. Now that newborn hearing screenings are routine, most of these infants are diagnosed right away—a key step in preventing delays in speech-language, academic and social development. Parents face many challenges in caring for their deaf or hard of hearing…

It’s a new school year in Louisville, and many parents are anxious to see their kids succeed. But if those first report cards are less than stellar, there may be an underlying neurological reason associated with hearing loss. How Hearing Affects Schoolwork A new study by researchers at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, published in the…

Now that school is back in session, Louisville parents are once again getting into the habit of packing lunches, helping with homework questions and making sure their kids have the right supplies. While these are all essential to the learning process, have you made sure your kids’ ears are ready for the school year? Ensuring…

Summer may be winding down, but there’s still plenty of opportunity for Louisville kids to hit the swimming pool or splash around in the backyard. Doing so could lead to a potentially harmful infection called swimmer’s ear, but with a few simple steps, your kids can enjoy the last of the hot weather without worry…

Children and adults in Louisville who experience a ruptured eardrum end up dealing with pain, dizziness, hearing loss and other symptoms. Most heal on their own eventually but skipping a visit to the doctor increases your risk of infection. Understanding what causes these ruptures can help prevent them from occurring. What are the symptoms of…

There are many sources of noise pollution in Louisville. Ordinary, everyday sounds can damage the hair cells of the inner ear, leading to irreversible hearing loss. We’re used to hearing about loud music, sporting events and recreational activities such as riding jet skis and dirt bikes. A Canadian teen wondered whether something far less obvious…

Technology can streamline and simplify life but may also be the bane of our existence. Take music, for instance. Streaming services like Spotify enable you to carry more songs in your pocket than you could fit into an airplane hangar, and earbuds let you listen to those tunes in high-quality stereo on the go. But…

Hearing loss doesn’t only affect seniors and older Americans. An estimated three million children in the U.S. struggle with hearing loss to a certain degree – a fact that poses daily challenges. For parents in Louisville with a hearing-impaired child, even simple activities that others take for granted, such as traveling, require extra planning. The…

Kids who have survived cancer in Louisville have a higher risk of hearing loss – and that can lead to poor reading skills, according to a new study from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Survivors with Hearing Loss Beating the odds and surviving a brain tumor is a celebratory occasion for anybody fortunate enough to…

Ear infections are the most common reason parents bring their kids to the doctor in Louisville. They occur when fluid builds up in the middle ear, resulting in pain and discomfort. Younger children are unable to verbalize how poorly they are feeling, leaving parents reliant on a pediatrician or ear, nose and throat specialist for…

Hearing loss may be more common in older adults, but it can affect people of all ages – even kids. Hearing-impaired children in Louisville face even more challenges than adults; not only do they struggle to communicate, but depending on their age, they can experience developmental delays, have trouble adjusting socially and suffer from academic…

Cochlear Implants Anybody familiar with the hit Broadway musical “Hamilton” knows Aaron Burr’s advice to Alexander Hamilton was to “talk less, smile more.” For children with cochlear implants in Louisville, our advice would be similar; talking is great, but kids should “sing more,” according to a new study. Doing so may improve their hearing. How…

Myth Exposed: The most common cause of hearing loss is advancing age.The truth is that it is exposure to loud noise that is the number one cause of hearing loss while only 35% of people with hearing loss are older than age 64. There are nearly six million people in the U.S. between the ages…

Middle ear fluid is the most common cause of hearing loss in children below the age of two years and, luckily, it is usually temporary. However, at this critical age, the short-term effects of a temporary hearing loss can have long-term effects on your child’s speech and language development. The primary culprit behind middle ear…

Awards season may be over, but critically-acclaimed films are available for streaming year-round. Many of your favorites might include actors and actresses who have battled hearing loss and overcome the odds to win praise – and Oscar gold! Hearing Loss Knows No Class Boundaries Approximately one out of every five people has hearing loss in…

People with hearing loss in Louisville face a number of obstacles in their everyday routines. Conversations with others often prove difficulty, and public outings can be downright tiring when struggling to hear over noisy backgrounds. Another area that can prove problematic? Navigating the streets of Louisville. And that’s got nothing to do with traffic. Navigating…

A little forgetfulness is common. Maybe we misplaced the car keys or forgot to water the ficus. But for many adults suffering from memory loss in Louisville, a hearing impairment may be to blame. Hearing and Cognition are Connected Hearing loss in Louisville is common, affecting about one out of every five adults. Not all…

Parents of children with hearing loss in Louisville often feel overwhelmed as they struggle to provide their child with the resources needed to lead a quality life. Fortunately, there’s plenty of help available – including a telephone hotline created by a mother dealing with her own child’s profound hearing loss. Julie Swaim’s Personal Experience Julie…

Many of us associate hearing loss with the elderly, but the condition can – and does – affect people of all ages. Approximately three out of every 1,000 babies are born with hearing loss in Louisville, and the number of teens and adolescents diagnosed with a hearing impairment is on the rise, thanks in large…

In just a couple of weeks children in Louisville will be eagerly unwrapping gifts beneath the Christmas tree. Let’s just hope that Santa and his elves keep in mind the dangers presented by certain toys. We’re not just talking about choking hazards, either – did you know that some toys can prove hazardous to your…

Tinnitus affects roughly 20 percent of the American population. Tinnitus is defined as the perception of sound where none is actually occurring. Its impact on our quality of life ranges from a minor nuisance to a major impediment and the perceived sound may be temporary or persistent. Many describe the sound as ringing, chirping, whooshing,…

Parents in Louisville can attest to the difficulty in raising children nowadays. It is even harder when your child experiences learning difficulties. Often the signs point to hearing loss, but in some cases, the culprit is actually a behavioral disorder known as Central Auditory Processing Disorder, or CAPD. The Symptoms of CAPD If your Louisville…

Hearing loss is difficult enough for adults to handle. It can be especially problematic in babies, who rely on their hearing from the moment they are born. Hearing plays a crucial role in a child’s social and emotional development and is necessary for their speech and language skills. Untreated hearing loss in infants can lead…

What do spoons have to do with soccer and hearing health? Read on to find out! World Cup 2018 – Spoons of Victory! The World Cup begins June 14 and will run until mid-July. The tournament is hosted by Russia and games will be played across 11 cities. While you can expect rowdy and loud…

Excessive noise can put your health and well-being in danger, according to the World Health Organization, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and even the U.S. Census Bureau. So what constitutes excessive? Noise Pollution Excessive noise, also called noise pollution, is the unwanted or disturbing sounds all around us. Typically, they are caused by construction equipment and transportation,…

This May, join Heuser Hearing Institute to celebrate Better Hearing & Speech Month. Founded by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) in 1927, the month-long event was created to raise awareness about hearing loss and speech disorders. In 1986, President Reagan issued a formal proclamation designating May as the official month to heighten public awareness about…

The flowers are in full bloom and the birds are chirping. That could only mean one thing – it is finally spring! With this season comes the required protections. Gloves protect your hands while gardening. Sneakers protect your knees while on long walks in the park. But what do you do to protect your ears?…

Tinnitus, also known as a ringing in the ear, is a common condition experienced by nearly 50 million people in Louisville and around the country. While hearing a ringing is common, many also experience a hissing, roaring, whooshing or buzzing in one or both ears. What Causes Tinnitus? Tinnitus is a symptom, rather than a…

The only way new treatments and technologies are developed is through research. Audiologists today have a much better understanding of hearing loss than they did even 10 years ago. Each year, hundreds of studies on hearing loss are conducted in laboratories around the world. Our very own group, the Heuser Hearing Research Center (HHRC), conducts,…

Looking for low key date ideas this Valentine’s Day? Why not go out for dinner and a movie? The theaters in Louisville have everything you could want: larger than life entertainment, popcorn buckets the size of your head and a comfortable chair. But what if you wear hearing aids? Assistive Listening Devices Having hearing loss…

The symptoms of hearing loss appear gradually, as it is a progressive condition. Because of this, many do not realize they are suffering from hearing loss for quite some time. Louisville audiologists agree that detecting hearing loss early leads to the best treatment outcomes. In order to catch your hearing loss early, there are signs…

Children’s birthday parties are filled with too much sugar and the occasional roughhousing injury. But what about balloons? A new study found that the sound of a popping balloon can put your child’s hearing at risk. How Loud is a Balloon? A new study by a pair of researchers at the University of Alberta found…

You have probably been told by your Louisville audiologist countless times how noise induced hearing loss can be easily prevented by the use of earplugs, specifically custom-made ones. Custom-made earplugs are created from a mold of your ear canal and concha (the outer bowl-shaped portion of your ear). They adhere perfectly to the contours of…

Fall has finally reached Louisville! As the seasons change, we urge you to consider changing some of your hearing habits as well. There are a number of autumnal activities that can cause noise-induced hearing loss if you do not wear proper protection. While prolonged exposure to leaf blowers, power tools and sporting events can cause…

We previously posted an article about hearing loss in children. Reports estimate that approximately two to three out of every 100 children are affected by a hearing loss. There are several potential causes for hearing loss in children, ranging from genetics and environmental factors to complications during birth and so on. When a child is…

Can Children Suffer From Hearing Loss? While more common in older adults, hearing loss can affect people of all ages. One of the most vulnerable groups is the pediatric population, as a delay in treatment can lead to problems with a child’s learning and development. There are three main causes of hearing loss in children….