View Post

Connecting People | May is Better Hearing and Speech Month!

In Communication, Hearing Health by Nikki DeGeorge Weaver, Au.D.

May is Better Hearing and Speech Month, and this year, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s theme is “Connecting People.”  If we are one of the lucky ones, we take our five senses for granted. They fundamentally ground us in our reality and we depend on them not just for our basics of safety and survival but they are also the means for life’s greatest pleasures. It’s …

View Post

How Loud is Too Loud for Kids?

In Hearing Health by Nikki DeGeorge Weaver, Au.D.

We are constantly absorbing sound throughout the day. With increasing access and integration of digital technology today, the noise exposure is even greater. This is especially true for kids who are using electronic devices now more than ever. Loud noise is one of the most common causes of hearing loss and listening to the audio on devices is a primary way people are exposed. The …

View Post

How Smoking & Drinking May Affect Hearing

In Hearing Health by Nikki DeGeorge Weaver, Au.D.

Most people are aware of the common health risks associated with smoking and drinking – increased risk of developing conditions like cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, etc. But we tend to be less aware of other health issues these behaviors can contribute to. This includes hearing loss, the third most pervasive medical condition people navigate today. Various studies show that smoking and drinking can …

View Post

Prioritize Better Hearing in the New Year!

In Hearing Health, Hearing Loss by Nikki DeGeorge Weaver, Au.D.

As January rolls in it is the start of the New Year! It’s hard to tell what this next one will mean for us as a society. There is so much changing in the world on environmental and social levels and the changes each year brings can feel monumental. With so much in constant fluctuation, it’s important to carve out some time for your own …

View Post

When Should I Update My Hearing Aids?

In Hearing Aids, Hearing Health by Nikki DeGeorge Weaver, Au.D.

If you’ve been wearing hearing aids for a few years, you may be wondering when you should update your hearing aids. On average, hearing aids should be updated every 3 to 5 years. But there’s no magic number, and the right time is different for everyone. Here are a few things to consider if you’re thinking about updating your hearing aids.  Are your Current Hearing …

View Post

Why Pretending to Hear Doesn’t Help

In Communication, Hearing Health, Hearing Loss, Hearing Loss Related Disease, Hearing Loss Treatment, Signs & Symptoms by Nikki DeGeorge Weaver, Au.D.

Imagine yourself in a conversation without the ability to hear what others have to say. What would you do? For some people, the first instinct is to call out for help, and that impulse makes it possible for many people with hearing loss to pursue assistance as soon as they realize the problem. Yet, other people have different responses to that situation. Some might try …

View Post

Addressing Hearing Loss May Improve Care for Older Adults

In Age-Related Hearing Loss, Hearing Health, Hearing Loss, Hearing Loss Treatment, News, Research by Nikki DeGeorge Weaver, Au.D.

Hearing loss is an increasingly common public health concern in the United States and globally. According to the Hearing Health Foundation, 48 million people in America and 477 million people worldwide have hearing loss. Impaired hearing typically happens gradually so it can go unnoticed or be ignored for quite some time. Identifying the symptoms and addressing hearing loss it critical. Detection and treatment can significantly …

View Post

Commit to Feeling Your Best This New Year!

In Hearing Health, Hearing Loss, Hearing Testing, Signs & Symptoms by Nikki DeGeorge Weaver, Au.D.

This time of year is exciting! What better way to start this New Year and new decade than to center your wellness? Deciding to be proactive about your health can motivate the entire year and significantly improve your life. We know that so many people set personal goals during this time of year. It can be really difficult to stay focused and committed to these …

View Post

May is Better Speech and Hearing Month!

In Communication, Hearing Aid Technology, Hearing Aids, Hearing Health, Hearing Loss, News, Research by Nikki DeGeorge Weaver, Au.D.

Each May, the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) raises awareness on the issues of hearing loss and communication disorders. This year’s theme is “Communication Across the Lifespan.” ASHA hopes to shed light on how communication is affected by hearing loss in people of all ages. Hearing loss makes it hard to comprehend speech and could end up undermining the very connections and relationships that define …

View Post

As an Invisible Disability, Hearing Loss Often Goes Ignored

In Brain Health, Dementia & Alzheimer's Disease, Health, Hearing Health, Hearing Loss, News, Research by Nikki DeGeorge Weaver, Au.D.

It’s really easy to ignore hearing loss. No one can see it, you often don’t often pain when experiencing loud sounds and the damage is often slow and gradual. This leaves individuals to continue living the life they always have in the meantime. They go to loud concerts and sit in large crowds of cheering fans. They use machinery like leaf and snow blowers without …