Hearing loss: where do you even start?
What is an Audiologist? If you feel sick you make an appointment with your primary care physicians. If you are beginning to experiencing hearing loss, what do you do? There are medical professionals for just about anything; did you know there is actually one that treats your hearing? The medical professionals in Portland, Oregon responsible…
Should You Upgrade Your Hearing Aid?
Hanging onto old things is just our nature; you never know when you might need a piece of string! You don’t want to be the chump who has to buy a whole new spool. But, what if I told you that brand new string is better and stronger than that old piece you have been…
Ready for Movie Season? Get in the Loop
Thieves broke into the local movie theater and stole $240. They took a bag of popcorn and a large drink. I kid. Who doesn’t love going to the movie theater on a dreary Portland day? While most of us would be excited for the opportunity to waste away an afternoon, if you are one of…
Better Hearing for the New Year
New year, new you. That’s at least what those cheesy new year commercials advertising weight loss treatments or gym memberships say. There is something to be said for a time of year that specifically asks you to take a look at your life and identify how you can improve it. If you are one of…
The Big Hearing Aid Misconception
There are 48 million individuals in Portland and throughout the United States who suffer from hearing loss. Of those, 80 percent don’t use a hearing aid. While we are not sure why so many people would simply turn their back on a proven hearing loss treatment, we suspect that many simply do not want to…
Concussions and Hearing Loss
Contact sports, car crashes and falls have one thing in common – they are the leading cause of concussions in Portland, Oregon. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a sudden acceleration or deceleration to the head. Symptoms involve headaches, dizziness, temporary loss of consciousness, confusion, fatigue and vomiting. One side…
Exercise Can Help Your Hearing
Hearing loss is one of the most common chronic health conditions in the United States, following only arthritis and high-blood pressure. Though manageable through the use of hearing aids, once a sensorineural hearing loss has occurred, it cannot be cured. Hearing loss has been linked to other serious health conditions, including depression, anxiety and cognitive…
Addressing Military-Related Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can affect individuals of all demographics, but there are certain risk factors that may increase your chance of developing a noise-related impairment. One notable factor is occupation. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 22 million American workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels. For combat soldiers, this phenomenon is…
Exposure to Socially Important Sounds Can Improve Your Hearing
Years of research have shown the significance that social interaction can have on our psychological and physical well-being. Without it, people are at an increased risk of depression, reduced immunity and increased risk of mortality. Social interaction also has another surprising effect: improved auditory function. Researchers at Georgia State University recently conducted a study to…
New to Hearing Loss? Here’s What You Need to Know
What Causes Hearing Loss? Most often, hearing loss is caused by regular exposure to unsafe noise levels. Over time, damage to our inner ear cells inhibits our ability to hear certain frequencies. There are a number of other potential causes of loss as well. Genetics, ototoxic medications, injury to the head, autoimmune disease, ear infections…