Premiere Speech and Hearing

12/12/2025

Hearing healthcare is so important! Get your hearing tested today!

“Crucially, individuals with hearing loss who used hearing aids showed a lower risk of developing dementia, hinting that restoring auditory input might lessen cognitive load, preserve social engagement, and slow downstream brain changes. Because many adults are unaware of mild impairment, the study underscores the need to integrate routine hearing assessments into midlife primary care as a practical, modifiable lever for brain health.​“

📄 RESEARCH PAPER

📌 Justin S. Golub et al., “Hearing Loss, Brain Structure, Cognition, and Dementia Risk in the Framingham Heart Study,” JAMA Network Open (2025)

🧠 Your ears may be one of the earliest windows into your brain’s future.

Even slight age-related hearing loss in midlife appears to signal a substantially higher risk of later dementia, as shown in a large Framingham Heart Study analysis of 2,178 adults followed for up to 15 years. Participants with at least mild hearing loss were 71% more likely to develop dementia than peers with normal hearing, and even those with “slight” loss showed more white matter damage on MRI and smaller overall brain volume, key structural markers linked to neurodegeneration.

Cognitive testing revealed a particular decline in executive functions such as planning and attention, rather than memory alone, suggesting that hearing loss may sap higher-order processing over time.​

The risk was especially pronounced in people carrying the APOE4 gene variant, a genetic factor already known to raise Alzheimer’s susceptibility, where hearing loss more than amplified dementia vulnerability.

Crucially, individuals with hearing loss who used hearing aids showed a lower risk of developing dementia, hinting that restoring auditory input might lessen cognitive load, preserve social engagement, and slow downstream brain changes. Because many adults are unaware of mild impairment, the study underscores the need to integrate routine hearing assessments into midlife primary care as a practical, modifiable lever for brain health.​

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📄 RESEARCH PAPER

📌 Justin S. Golub et al., “Hearing Loss, Brain Structure, Cognition, and Dementia Risk in the Framingham Heart Study,” JAMA Network Open (2025)

12/12/2025

One of the amazing gifts of hearing is the ability to tell different pitches (aka frequencies 🤓) apart…something we often take for granted! 👂✨

Think about it:

🔔 The high-pitched jingle of sleigh bells vs. the deep “Ho Ho Ho” of Santa’s laugh
⛄️ The delicate chime of a snow globe vs footsteps stomping through fresh snow
🎄Tiny ornaments clinking as you hang them on the tree vs the rumble of a holiday train set around the tree

🧠 Our brains help us distinguish all these sounds, letting us fully enjoy every festive moment.
If you’ve noticed it’s harder to pick out these details (or conversations get “blurry” in noisy rooms), consider scheduling a hearing check!

12/11/2025

Myth: Louder is better.
Fact: Clarity is key.

It’s a common misconception that people with hearing loss just need others to “speak up.” But here’s the truth 👇

👂Hearing loss doesn’t just make sounds quieter…it makes speech distorted and muffled. That means even if someone shouts, the words may still sound unclear or jumbled.

So instead of raising your voice, try:
💬 Facing the person directly
👄 Speaking clearly (not exaggerated)
📺 Reducing background noise when possible

At Premiere Speech and Hearing we hope to equip you with tools to thrive this holiday season. And if you or someone you love feels like voices sound mumbly, unclear, or that everyone’s talking too fast, it might be time for a hearing check. Because communication isn’t about volume, it’s about understanding.

12/10/2025

🎶 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Fun fact: “Hark” actually means LISTEN! 👂

So when the angels are singing (or the kids are sneaking cookies before dinner 😏), make sure you’re actually hearing it ALL!

12/09/2025

🎶 “Do you hear what I hear?”

One of my favorite Christmas songs AND also one of my favorite questions! 👂

A patient once told me that they thought their spouse said, “The gift budget is $15,” …but it was actually $50 🎁…

Let’s just say someone got an underwhelming present. 😂

12/08/2025

✨ It’s the most wonderful time of the yEAR! (See what I did there?) 😉

I often mention… this season is full of sound and for those with hearing loss, all that joyful noise can sometimes feel… isolating.

When conversations blend into background chatter, it’s easy to feel left out, even in a crowded room. So keep an eye out for any loved ones who are starting to withdraw at holiday gatherings.

Let us know if you need any tips for having a conversation with someone who has hearing loss at a family gathering. We are happy to help!

12/07/2025

Be honest, 😉 have you been missing the sound of sleigh bells, doorbells, or even your oven timer lately?

If you’re thinking “Hmm… maybe,” it might be time to get your hearing checked before the holidays are in full swing!

12/06/2025

🎅 “Santa, can’t you hear me?”

If even Santa is missing the message this year, it might be time for more than milk and cookies …maybe a hearing tune-up! 😉

…because the best sounds of the season deserve to be heard loud and clear!

12/05/2025

🎶 The holiday playlist may already be on repeat at the office… and let’s just say, spirits (and speakers) are bright! 😅

How early is TOO early to play holiday music?

👂This week, we’re kicking off our “Songs of the Season” series featuring a few festive favorites that tie in with hearing!

Keep your eyes (and ears) open for some familiar lyrics, because your holiday should sound as good as it feels. ❤️

12/04/2025

The holidays are loud cooking, chatter, clinking dishes, and maybe even a few toy drums!

If you can’t quite catch the punchline at the party or keep saying “What?” more than “Wow!”, it might be time to check one more thing off your list… 👂

🎁 Because let’s be honest, the gift of hearing well? Totally priceless.

So before the season gets underway, please reach out to us to schedule your hearing check.

It’s one gift that keeps on giving (and doesn’t need a return receipt 😉).

12/02/2025

👀 Ever notice how at a bustling holiday party, you can still zero in on your friend telling a hilarious story about you across the room… while all the other chatter fades into background noise? 👂

🍸 That’s called the cocktail party effect, and it’s one of the amazing gifts of hearing! Our brains are wired to help us pick out the voices that matter most, even in a sea of sound. This season, as you mingle at office parties, family dinners, or cookie swaps, take a moment to appreciate that incredible ability!

If following conversations in noisy rooms is getting tricky, a hearing check might be the perfect gift to yourself before the holidays get loud.

12/01/2025

🎵 All I want for Christmas… is CLAAAARITY!

🎶“I don’t want a lot for Christmas
there is just one thing I need…
To hear the laughter, songs, and stories crystal clear and joyfully!” 👂

🎁 Because let’s be honest…hearing the moments that matter beats any gift under the tree.

👂 If your hearing feels a little fuzzy, it might be time to check that list (and your hearing) twice.