Do Your Hearing Aids Need Adjusting?

You want your hearing aids to provide you with the best listening experience possible, whether at work or dining with friends at Bluegrass. Unfortunately, your device will occasionally develop problems that require making an appointment with your audiologist to determine if adjustments need to be made. Your Hearing Aid Feels Uncomfortable If you are new…
How is Machine Learning Helping with Speech and Background Noise Differentiation?

Machine learning is a branch of artificial intelligence and computer science that focuses on the use of data and algorithms to imitate the way that humans learn. It can be used to help people with hearing loss by improving hearing aid algorithms to provide better speech recognition in louder environments. Hearing Loss Makes It Harder…
Study of the Cochlea Could Lead to Hearing Aid Improvements

It’s a common misconception that hearing aids compensate for hearing loss the way eyeglasses compensate for poor vision. Instead, hearing aids amplify sounds to a level the wearer can easily detect. Rather than putting in your hearing aids and hearing perfectly the way you can put on glasses and see with 20/20 vision, it takes…
What is The Connection Between Neuroplasticity and Hearing Loss Treatment?

Hearing loss doesn’t just make it difficult to understand sounds. Over time, it can actually change the structure and function of your brain. What is Neuroplasticity? Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to adapt by forming new neural connections throughout life. These connections can be in response to: Receiving new information Sensory stimulation Damage or…
How Are Animals Helping Scientists Improve Hearing Aids?

Next time you shiver when you see a spider at Heller Nature Center, take comfort in the fact that they may one day make your hearing aids stronger. Spider Silk for Hearing Aids? Studies have shown that spider silk may be an ideal material to create better directional microphones in hearing aids. This could improve…
6 Active Listening Techniques for People with Hearing Loss

When you go on a hike on Heller Nature Center, you probably feel worn out afterward. For people with hearing loss, this feeling is common after a long conversation where you’re straining to hear and understand what is said. This phenomenon is known as listening fatigue. Below we review six active listening techniques to help…
VNG Testing
Videonystagmography (VNG) is a procedure that uses the latest video and infrared technology to provide an accurate diagnosis of your imbalance/dizziness. The VNG is non-invasive and typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes. Specifically, it measures whether a balance disorder can be attributed to a vestibular deficit (inner ear disease). How Does VNG Testing Work? VNG…
Balance Disorders
Medical Conditions of the Ears
Acoustic Neuromas

What Is an Acoustic Neuroma? An acoustic neuroma is a benign growth of the auditory nerve. Although it is slow-growing and non-malignant, it can be problematic because it can potentially impact hearing, balance, tinnitus, and/or facial function. These growths are rare, occurring in only 1 out of 100,000 people per year. An acoustic neuroma (also…