Anacortes Hearing Center

04/28/2026

A major step forward in medicine: scientists have developed a gene therapy that may help restore hearing in people born with a rare form of deafness.

The treatment targets a faulty gene that affects how sound signals reach the brain. In clinical trials, many patients saw strong improvements, and some gained near-normal hearing. This progress could open the door to new treatments for other genetic conditions.

Read more from NPR:

The treatment, developed by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, is for a very rare form of deafness. But it represents a medical milestone.

04/15/2026

New research suggests something surprisingly simple could help protect brain health 👂🧠

A large study of 363,000+ people found that certain treatable types of hearing loss are linked to nearly double the risk of dementia—but when treated that risk may drop significantly.

Even more compelling: in some cases, treatment appeared to “reset” dementia risk back to normal levels.

This adds to growing evidence that keeping the brain connected to sound is critical for cognitive health.

🔗 Read more:

Does hearing surgery prevent dementia? New research shows that treating eardrum perforations and cholesteatoma reduces the elevated risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

12/26/2025

Merry Christmas! 🎄
Wishing everyone joy, peace, and happiness this holiday season.

12/08/2025

🎄✨ Give the Gift of Being Heard ✨🎄

Hearing aids aren’t stocking stuffers! Of course, they need proper fitting and guidance, but helping a loved one explore them? That’s a gift that lasts all year! Here is how you can help:

🎁 Gently start a conversation about what they’re experiencing
🎁 Remind them that hearing difficulties happen to lots of people, and help is available to make it much easier
🎁 Focus on the benefits: better conversations, more connection, and less fatigue
🎁 Offer to set up and accompany them to a hearing screen

Better hearing = better conversations, more connection, and more holiday joy. ❤️💚❤️

11/25/2025

🦃🍁 Thanksgiving is almost here! 🍁🦃

This season is all about connections. We will be sharing stories, laughter, and those small moments that make the holiday meaningful. For anyone who finds hearing a bit harder this time of year, a few small adjustments can make conversations easier for everyone:

🍂 Face the person you’re speaking with
🍂 Speak a little slower and just slightly louder
🍂 Reduce background noise when possible
🍂 Make sure the room is well-lit so facial cues are easy to see
🍂 Check in to be sure everyone is following the conversation

Wishing you a holiday filled with warmth, good food, and conversations where everyone feels included.

11/11/2025

Honoring All Veterans Today and Every Day 🇺🇸

On this Veterans Day, we salute the brave men and women who have served our country with courage, dedication, and sacrifice. Your service has protected our freedoms and made our nation stronger. Thank you for your selflessness and for everything you’ve done to secure a better future for us all.

Today, we remember and honor you. 🙏💙

11/08/2025

: Different parts of the cochlea respond to different pitches of sound. 👂

The 20,000 nerve cells of a cochlea are arranged like a piano keyboard. Lower pitches stimulate the nerve cells towards one end (the apex) of your cochlea while higher pitches stimulate the nerve cells towards the other end (the base).

With MED-EL's full-length electrode arrays, recipients are able to access a wide range of deeper sounds including soothing ocean waves🌊 and thunder rumbling⛈️.

Learn more about how hearing works below.

https://www.medel.com/en-us/about-hearing/how-hearing-works

09/29/2025

https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/53446-Tinnitus-blood-pressure-medications-drugs

Some medications used to treat high blood pressure may trigger tinnitus (ear ringing). Find out why and what you should do about it.

09/18/2025

🏈 A deaf quarterback invented the huddle—proof that communication changes everything.

At Anacortes Hearing Center, we’re inspired by stories like this and here to help with hearing, clarity, and connection.

Paul Hubbard called for the football team at Gallaudet University to circle around him back in 1894

08/29/2025

Happy Labor Day weekend! The office will be closed on Monday, September 1st as we honor the American labor movement and recognize the social and economic achievements of American workers. 🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸

07/23/2025

✈️ Ever wonder why your ears pop on a plane? It’s not just annoying—it’s science! 🌬️👂

Check out this fascinating article from Popular Science that explains what’s happening inside your ears during takeoff and landing, and what you can do to feel more comfortable while flying:
👉 https://www.popsci.com/science/why-do-ears-pop-on-plane/

Perfect read if you're prepping for summer travel or just curious about how your body reacts to altitude changes! 🧠🌍

Tricks to fix it go beyond chewing gum.

07/21/2025

🧬 Breakthrough in Hearing Loss Treatment! 👂✨

A new gene therapy has helped 10 people between ages 1 and 24 who were born with hearing loss caused by a problem in a gene called OTOF. After getting just one injection in the ear, all of them began to hear much better—one 7-year-old girl even heard rain for the first time and can now talk with her mom. Scientists say this is just the beginning, and they hope to use gene therapy to help people with other types of genetic hearing loss in the future.

Read more:

The gene therapy regimen seems to be working wonders, including restoring nearly all hearing to a seven-year-old patient after just four months.