Mental Health Awareness
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Lockdowns, stay-at-home orders and social distancing make this a challenging time for all. For those with untreated hearing loss, who are at an even greater risk of developing mental health issues, raising awareness and developing a coping strategy is key. Social Isolation A report from the National Academies of Sciences,…
5 Habits that Harm Hearing
Approximately 48 million Americans suffer from hearing loss – a condition that has been associated with anxiety, depression and even cognitive decline. While not all cases of hearing loss are preventable, there are ways to reduce your risk of developing the disorder. Below are five habits to kick to promote better hearing health. Smoking Smoking…
Driving with Hearing Loss
While vision is the most important sense you rely on while driving, your hearing also plays a crucial role in helping you be aware of your surroundings while on the road. If you have a hearing impairment, be sure to follow these tips to stay safe. Wear Hearing Aids If you already have a set…
What Is a Decibel?
Decibels are important when it comes to measuring hearing ability (or lack thereof). Before you can understand the information presented on your audiogram after a hearing exam, it’s important to know what a decibel is and how it is used in an audiologist’s office. Decibels Measure Sound Intensity Sound energy travels in waves that can…
Hearing Assistance Dogs
Many have heard about seeing eye dogs, but fewer know about hearing assistance dogs. These animals are specially trained to help handlers with hearing impairment navigate through the world, and can alert the handler to warning sounds they may miss on their own. Assistance dogs are available worldwide in North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia,…
How Hearing Loss Affects Romance
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,…
What to Expect When You Decide to Treat Your Hearing Loss
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…
Why Newborn Hearing Screenings are Important
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…
Why You Should Never Bring Your Baby to the Movies
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…
Hearing Loss in Kids Can Affect Brain’s Sound Processing
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…
