Rivanna Hearing Center

11/20/2025

🥧🍗 Holiday gatherings can get loud (and not just from Uncle Bob’s football commentary). If you’ve got a loved one with hearing loss, here are some easy ways to make the table feel more welcoming:

👂 Turn down the background noise
TV off, turkey carving on. The game can wait until after pie.

👥 One at a time, please
Think “family meeting,” not “rowdy debate club.” Overlapping voices = loud chaos. (We appreciate for some families this is easier said than done 😆)

🗣️ Speak clearly (not louder)
No need to yell across the table, it’s not an auction! Face them and let your expressions help.

🍽️ Strategic seating
Put them next to the family member who is patient and includes everyone…not next to the loud cousin who dominates conversation.

♻️ Rephrase instead of repeat
If “pass the gravy” didn’t land, try “hand me that saucy stuff.” Fresh wording works better than shouting the same line again.

Little tweaks = big difference. Because holidays should be about connection, not confusion. 💛

11/19/2025

🧴‘Tis the season for dry skin!

👂Itchy ears + hearing aids = no fun! That irritation might be ear eczema: dry, flaky, and oh-so-annoying!

Quick tips:
🤪 Skip the scratch!
☁️ Ditch cotton swabs in the canal
🧼 Use gentle, fragrance-free moisturizers
👂 Ask your audiologist for help

Keep your ears happy and your hearing aids comfy! 😌

11/18/2025

👂 Let’s talk about tinnitus.

Tinnitus is the formal term for hearing sounds in your ears that aren’t actually in your environment. It can sound different for each person:

🔔 ringing
🐝 buzzing
🌊 roaring
🎵 humming
🐞 crickets

For some, it’s constant. For others, it comes and goes. Some can ignore it. But for many, it’s bothersome and impossible to tune out. Here’s the tough part: many people are discouraged when they’re told there’s no cure for tinnitus.

✨Here’s the hopeful part: there are many things CAN be done to help you cope with those pesky sounds:

🦻 Hearing aids (with or without masking noise)
🧠 Cognitive behavioral therapy
🎧 Sound therapy
🎶 Neuromodulation therapy

If tinnitus has been getting in the way of your daily life, you don’t have to just live with it. Schedule an appointment today, and we’ll work together to make it more manageable.

11/17/2025

👂 Here’s the scoop: Earwax isn’t just “gross stuff” in your ears… It’s actually your body’s natural way of protecting your ear canal from dirt, dust, and bacteria. 🛡️
It can vary in color and texture:

🟡 Light yellow & soft: normal!

🟠 Darker & sticky: your ear’s been busy trapping debris

🟤 Hard & flaky: sometimes it can build up and need professional help
No matter the type, earwax removal is safest with a professional. Don’t poke around at home, your ears will thank you! 😌

📞 Need your ears checked? We’ve got you covered.

11/16/2025

11/16/2025

📱👂 Bluetooth woes with your hearing aids? You’re not alone!

Technology is amazing… but sometimes it can be a little tricky. Here are 5 common troubleshooting tips you can try at home:

1️⃣ Reboot your devices: Sometimes a simple restart of your hearing aids, phone, or tablet fixes the issue.

2️⃣ Repair your Bluetooth connection: Not broken? Try re-pairing your hearing aids to your device.

3️⃣ Check for software updates: Keep your phone, apps, and hearing aids updated for best performance.

4️⃣ Evaluate other issues: Too many paired devices, low battery, or being too far from your device can all cause problems.

5️⃣ Seek help: If things still aren’t working, don’t stress! We’re here to help get you back up and running.

Bluetooth streaming should make your life easier, not harder. Let us help you get the most out of your hearing aids!

11/15/2025

👓 Ever grabbed a pair of “cheater” reading glasses off the rack? They might work fine for menus and quick fixes, but they’re not the same as prescription lenses tailored to your eyes.

🦻 Hearing works the same way!

📣 OTC (over-the-counter) hearing aids are like cheaters:
One-size-fits-most
Designed for mild hearing loss
Limited customization
You’re on your own for setup & troubleshooting

🦻 Prescription-fit hearing aids (what I fit as an audiologist with 30 years experience):
Customized for your exact hearing loss
Professionally programmed and verified (we make sure they work for you)
Ongoing support, adjustments, and follow-up care
Designed for long-term hearing health, not just a quick fix

✨ OTC devices can be a starting point, but for many people, they don’t go far enough. Hearing is too important to leave to guesswork! If you’ve been wondering which option is right for you, I’d be happy to walk you through it. Your ears (and the people you love hearing most) deserve clarity.

11/14/2025

🎗️ World Diabetes Day 🎗️

Most people know diabetes can affect the eyes, the heart, and the kidneys… but did you know it can also affect your ears? 👂

Research shows that people with diabetes are twice as likely to experience hearing loss. Why? Changes in blood sugar can damage the tiny blood vessels and nerves in the inner ear, making it harder to pick up sound.

🩺That’s why caring for your overall health also means caring for your hearing health. ✨

👂Today is a great reminder: if you’re living with diabetes, add a hearing check to your wellness routine. Your ears (and your loved ones) will thank you.

11/13/2025

🔔 Stress makes tinnitus worse.
🔔 Tinnitus makes stress worse.
😩 And around and around we go…

♻️ The cycle is real, but you don’t have to stay stuck in it. Sometimes, the first step of scheduling a hearing test can help you find answers to give you peace of mind. From there, we can talk about treatment strategies and relief options.

💬 If stress and tinnitus are wearing you down, contact us today, we’re here to help you break the cycle.

11/12/2025

💡 Smart homes aren’t always so “smart” for people with hearing loss.
I recently read an article about how smart home tech (things like doorbells, voice assistants, and security systems) often miss the mark for people with hearing challenges. And honestly? It’s true.

🔈So many of these devices are built around SOUND. They listen, they beep, they ding. But for people who rely more on visual or tactile cues, those alerts don’t always come through. You shouldn’t have to guess whether your doorbell rang or if Alexa actually heard you!

💬As someone who works with hearing technology every day, I believe accessibility means options: lights that flash, alerts that vibrate, captions, and systems designed to meet you where you are…not the other way around.

If you’ve been frustrated with your smart home devices or wondering what options could work better for you, please contact us. I’m happy to help you find solutions that truly fit your needs!

11/11/2025

Today, we pause to honor the brave men and women who have served our country. Your courage, sacrifices, and devotion to protecting our freedom deserve more than words. They deserve our deepest gratitude.

From all of us at Rivanna Hearing Center: thank you. ❤️🤍💙

11/09/2025

Question of the day!! “If I’m driving in my car, how will I hear with my hearing aids? Through my hearing aids or the car’s Bluetooth?”

Great question. I hear this ALL the time! The truth is, there are countless combos of hearing aids, cell phones, and car models out there… which means no two setups are exactly alike.

Here’s the general scoop:

👉 If you answer from your car’s system (steering wheel button/interface), the sound usually streams through your car speakers. Your hearing aids then amplify the sound just like they do for everyday listening. Bonus: everyone else in the car can hear too!

👉 If you want calls just in your hearing aids, answer directly from your hearing aid button or your cell phone (not while driving, of course 😉). That way, the call streams straight to your ears for the clearest sound quality.

✨ Tech can be amazing… and honestly, a little confusing sometimes! The good news? We’re here to walk through YOUR specific setup and tailor it to your needs, whether you want all the bells and whistles or just the basics. 👍