What is Noise Induced Hearing Loss?
How Can Sounds Hurt Your Ears? Background sound is a constant in our busy lives. Normally, background noises are at safe levels that do not negatively impact our hearing. But repeated exposure to noise above 85 decibels (dB) can cause noise induced hearing loss. The louder the sound, the less amount of time it takes…
How to Handle the Holidays with Hearing Loss
We are right in the middle of the holiday season, and everyone is rushing around to get things ready. Whether that means shopping for gifts, figuring out travel plans or making a trip with family to see the Holiday Lights at Gring’s Mill there is a lot to do. While for many of us it’s…
The Hidden Cost of Cocktails: How Alcohol Can Hurt Your Hearing
While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a holiday cocktail at The Pour House, there’s no denying that too much alcohol is hazardous to your health. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you consume no more than one drink per day for women, and two drinks per day for men. Health Risks…
The Beat of Your Own Drum: Musical Hallucinations
We all know what it’s like to get a song stuck in our heads. However, some people hear music when none is playing. The song sounds as real as it would if it were playing live at Union Transfer. The condition is referred to as musical ear syndrome (MES) and it causes people to hear…
Hearing & Vision Loss Doubles Dementia Risk
It’s common to lose hearing or vision as you age, but the loss of both can have serious consequences. A new study found that hearing and vision loss put you at double the risk of developing dementia later in life. This study was published in the journal Neurology in April 2021. The study involved 6,520 people ages 58 to 101. Participants reported their vision and…
Looking for Ways to Keep Your Hearing Sharp?
Try out these apps and exercises for at-home rehabilitation. With app developers and manufacturers focusing more on health care, there is no shortage of applications for people concerned with their hearing health. Meanwhile, there are plenty of tried-and-true, free offline exercises audiologists have been encouraging patients to engage in, as well. As we continue to…
New Technology May Help Cure Hearing Loss
It seems like there is a new technological advancement written up in the Philadelphia Inquirer almost every day. Some are found in consumer products, such as refrigerators that can alert you when you’re low on milk or microwaves that can be controlled by your cellphone, while others focus on health care. New research out of…
Understanding Childhood Hearing Loss
We understand that a child being diagnosed with hearing loss is a major source of stress and anxiety for parents. If your baby was recently diagnosed, know that their audiologist is with you every step of the way to answer your questions and address your concerns. While we recommend reaching out if you have any…
The Difference Between Hearing Screenings and Evaluations
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a hearing screening and a hearing evaluation? Screenings are preliminary tests used to determine whether a patient has a hearing loss. Think of it as a pass/fail exam: If the results indicate a hearing loss, a more detailed evaluation is required. On the other hand, evaluations…
How to Communicate with Hearing Loss
Conversations require close collaboration between involved parties; it takes a lot of focus, energy and patience to work together to negotiate meaning. Hearing loss makes this even more difficult. Below, we’ve outlined some communication tips to improve your conversation ability whether you or your conversation partner has a hearing impairment. Note that these tips are…