Are My Headphones Too Loud?
According to the World Health Organization, “Over 1 billion young adults are at risk of permanent, avoidable hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices,” specifically when it comes to headphones and earbuds. Below we review how to tell if your headphones are loud enough to cause noise-induced hearing loss and how to listen safely. Tests…
Is There a Connection Between High Cholesterol and Hearing Loss
Research has shown that having higher levels of cholesterol may increase your risk of hearing loss. Studies Show Cholesterol Levels Can Impact Hearing Loss Multiple studies have found a link between having higher cholesterol and an increased risk of hearing loss. A 2011 study found both that a diet high in cholesterol can negatively impact…
How to Safely Remove Water from Your Ear
Swimming may be a great way to spend the end of summer, but doing so could put you at risk of a condition known as swimmer’s ear. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t swim – it just means you should take care to remove water from your ears after you’re done. Below we review how to…
Loggers Are at a Higher Risk for Hearing Loss
Repeated exposure to loud noise is one of the leading causes of hearing loss, next to aging. Certain professions can put a person more at risk, including logging. How Loud Noise Can Damage Your Hearing Regular exposure to sounds over 85 decibels (dB) may cause noise-induced hearing loss. The louder the noise, the less time…
The Link Between Mumps & Hearing Loss
While a mumps infection usually lasts only a couple of weeks, the effects to your hearing can be lifelong. We review everything you need to know about mumps and hearing loss below. What Are Mumps? Mumps belongs to the same family of viruses that causes measles and some other common respiratory infections. It spreads easily…
What Tests Are Available for Hearing Loss?
An estimated 23% of Americans ages 12 and older have some degree of hearing loss, according to one study. If you’re one of this population, you could be missing out on important sounds everywhere, such as at Bold Bean Coffee Roasters. The first step toward getting treated for your hearing loss is to undergo a…
When is a Cochlear Implant Necessary?
Do you have trouble following conversations when you’re out at a busy restaurant like BB’s Restaurant and Bar? Have you tried using hearing aids to treat your hearing loss with no success? If so, you may be a candidate for a cochlear implant. How it Differs from Hearing Aids A cochlear implant is different from…
Balance & Hearing: What’s the Connection?
If you’ve been diagnosed with hearing loss and are having trouble with your balance, you’re not alone. The auditory and vestibular systems are closely connected, so it’s common to experience both hearing loss and a balance disorder if you have damage to the inner ear. Below we review this connection further. The Vestibular System The…
How to Host a Hearing Loss-Friendly Dinner Party
There’s no better time to gather with family and friends than during the holidays. While festive parties full of holiday music and friendly conversations can bring a lot of joy, they can also cause a lot of frustration, particularly for people with hearing loss. Given how common hearing loss is, you should be prepared to…
How Fluctuating Hearing Loss Can Affect Language Development
Fluctuating hearing loss refers to hearing loss that seems to frequently change. In addition to loss of hearing, someone with fluctuating hearing loss may experience a feeling of fullness in the ear and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). There are many conditions associated with fluctuating hearing loss. Below we review the causes of fluctuating hearing…
