Is Your Hearing Quietly Slipping Away?

It’s almost spring. You used to love the sound of the robins singing, the wind gently whistling through the trees, and the crunch of the gravel under your feet during a walk. But gradually, those sounds have slipped away from you—not all at once. It’s been a barely perceptible change. But when someone recently commented on the birds singing, you … Read More

What Is Tinnitus and How Do I Know if I Have It?

You’ve just gone to a concert where the volume seemed over-the-top. When you returned home, you noticed a constant high-pitched hissing noise that didn’t stop. A few days later, you continued to notice the annoying hissing, especially when it’s quiet, like when you would lie down to go to sleep at night. You could live with it, but you hadn’t … Read More

How to Create Your Own Blue Zones

So maybe, after learning about blue zones, you’ve decided you’d like to live a healthier, longer life, too. But you don’t live in Ikaria, Greece or Sardinia, Italy. You live in Kansas City, a community known less for healthy lifestyles and more for barbeque. That’s no excuse though. One of Dan Buettner’s goals when he began studying the blue zones … Read More

How What You Eat may be Connected to Diabetes and Hearing Loss

When studying the five communities originally associated with the blue zones, diet quickly emerged as an important connection to a longer, healthier life. Surprisingly, diet also can play a key role for someone with hearing loss. How is it possible that what you eat is connected to how well you hear? One answer is diabetes. This is probably one of … Read More

How is Hearing Connected to Blue Zones?

Central to the blue zones concept is the fact that in each of the communities where people age so well, these individuals don’t live in isolation. Instead, they stay connected—connected to their spouse, children and extended family, friends and community. But in the United States and other industrialized countries where older adults are more isolated, depression, loneliness and even dementia … Read More

What Are Blue Zones and Why Are They Important?

Just 100 years ago, it was considered a remarkable milestone for someone to celebrate their 100th birthday. Today, thanks to advancing medical technology and better health care, there are more centenarians than ever. But what’s their secret to a long life, and even more important, how can they not just add years to their life, but life to their years? … Read More

Analyzing the AARP Article on OTCs

A little more than a year ago, over-the-counter hearing aids officially arrived in the U.S. consumer market, creating concern among hearing professionals and confusion among consumers. The original legislation that made OTCs a reality had good intentions—to make hearing aids more accessible and affordable, but the jury is still out on where things stand in that regard. In this blog, … Read More

Can a “Cup of Joe” Affect Your Hearing?

Coffee is the most commonly consumed beverage in the world, aside from water. It helps millions of people wake up first thing in the morning or stay awake during an afternoon slump. In fact, the caffeine that’s such an essential ingredient in coffee, is a natural substance that works by stimulating the brain and central nervous system, helping you stay … Read More

Plan Your Healthcare Expenses for 2024

It isn’t always possible to plan your health care expenses. After all, life happens and an emergency might cause you to shift your budget from one expense to another. But as we age, we often know there are certain health care expenses that need to be made in a calendar year. For example, you may know you have cataracts and … Read More

It’s a New Year. Is it Time for New Hearing Aids?

As we ring in 2024, after attending holiday gatherings, one of the questions you may be asking yourself is, “Am I hearing as well as I could be?” To answer that question, start with a comprehensive hearing evaluation performed by a doctoral-level audiologist. A hearing evaluation should include a thorough discussion of your symptoms, medical history, medication review and any … Read More