Amistad Audiology, PLLC

03/26/2026

The Purpose of Earwax:

Earwax is a vital part of your body's defense system and serves several key functions:

PROTECTION: It acts as a sticky barrier that traps dust, dirt, and foreign particles before they can reach and damage the eardrum.

ANTIBACTERIAL and ANTI-FUNGAL: It contains substances that help fight off infections and keep germs from growing in the warm, dark environment of the ear canal.

LUBRICATION: It moisturizes the thin, delicate skin of the ear canal, preventing it from becoming dry, itchy, or irritated.

WATERPROOFING : It helps repel water, protecting the ear canal from irritation when you swim or shower.

How to Clean Your Ears:

For most people, the ears are self-cleaning. As you talk and chew, your jaw movements gradually push old wax and trapped debris toward the ear opening, where it eventually dries and falls out.

If you feel you must clean them, follow these safety guidelines:

‼️ WASH THE OUTER EAR ONLY : Use a warm, damp washcloth to gently wipe the external part of your ear (the pinna) and the very edge of the canal opening.

‼️ AVOID COTTON SWABS (Q-tips): Never insert swabs or other small objects (like bobby pins or keys) into the ear canal. This often pushes wax deeper, causing a painful blockage known as impaction, and risks puncturing your eardrum.

‼️ Softening Drops: If you have mild buildup, you can use a few drops of mineral oil, baby oil, or hydrogen peroxide to soften the wax so it can migrate out naturally.

⚠️ Note: Do not use drops if you have a hole in your eardrum or a history of ear surgery.

‼️ Consult a Professional: If your ears feel full, itchy, or your hearing is muffled, visit a doctor or audiologist. They can safely remove excess wax using specialized tools like a curette or suction.

Our hearing health professionals are experts in cerumen removal. Call our office to set up an appointment if you feel your ears may need to be cleaned.

☎️ 830-212-6816

🏢 115 W. Cantu Rd.

🛜 www.amistadaudiology.com

03/15/2026

Come visit Amistad Audiology and speak to one of our hearing care professionals.

Call us at 830-212-6816 or visit us at 115 W Cantu Rd to schedule an appointment.

03/03/2026

Hearing loss is often called an "invisible disability" because it lacks obvious physical markers, such as a wheelchair or a cast. This invisibility frequently leads to it being misunderstood or ignored by both the public and those living with it.

Why Is It Considered "Invisible"?

No Physical Cues: Unlike many other disabilities, there is no visible signal to others that a person is struggling to hear.

Social Misinterpretations: People may misinterpret a struggle to hear as disinterest, inattentiveness, or even rudeness.

Delayed Treatment: Because the symptoms are not readily apparent, people often wait an average of 5 to 7 years before seeking help.

How Hearing Aids Help the Brain?

Hearing aids do more than just amplify sound; they actively support brain health by addressing the "use it or lose it" effect.

Reduces Cognitive Load: When hearing is impaired, the brain must work overtime to decode muffled sounds, which diverts energy from memory and problem-solving. Hearing aids restore clear sound, allowing the brain to reallocate these resources.

Prevents Brain Atrophy: Lack of auditory stimulation can cause the brain's temporal lobe (responsible for memory and hearing) to deteriorate more quickly. Constant stimulation from hearing aids helps maintain these neural networks.

Delays Cognitive Decline: Recent clinical trials found that using hearing aids can slow cognitive decline by nearly 50% in older adults at high risk for dementia.

How an Audiologist Can Help?

An audiologist is a healthcare professional specifically trained to diagnose and manage hearing and balance disorders.

Diagnostic Testing: They perform advanced evaluations like pure-tone and speech audiometry to determine the exact nature and degree of your hearing loss.

Personalized Fitting: Audiologists select and custom-program hearing aids based on your unique ear anatomy and lifestyle needs.

Call or come by Amistad Audiology and have one of our hearing professionals get you started on your journey to better hearing.

We are located at 115 W. Cantu Rd. or you can call us at 830-212-6816.

Call now to connect with business.

02/13/2026

Meet The Team:

Rolando has been in the hearing industry for 11 years. He is a licensed hearing instrument specialist and has experience working with different hearing aid manufacturers.

During his hearing care career, Rolando has earned Silver and Diamond level with hearing aid manufacturers. Rolando was also part of the elite Premier Circle of Starkey in 2023 for assisting the hard of hearing community in Del Rio, Tx.

Rolando takes pride in his work and goes above and beyond to assist his patients. He truly loves what he does and it shows through every conversation he has in our clinic.

Come see Rolando and allow him to help you begin your journey to better hearing.

Call our office to set your appointment up with Rolando at ☎️ 830-212-6816.

02/02/2026

One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is what distinguishes 'hearing aid A' from 'hearing aid B' when they appear identical? Let us break it down for you.

Beyond style and core processing, hearing aids vary in extra features, which often correlate with different technology levels (basic to premium).

Noise Reduction: Advanced hearing aids can identify and minimize background sounds like traffic or restaurant chatter, reducing listening effort and improving speech clarity.

Connectivity: Many modern devices offer Bluetooth® connectivity for streaming phone calls, music, or TV audio directly to the aids, or for controlling settings via a smartphone app.

Directional Microphones: This feature uses multiple microphones to focus on sound coming from a specific direction (usually in front of you), which greatly helps in noisy environments.

Rechargeable Batteries: Many contemporary models have rechargeable options, removing the need for frequent small battery replacements.

Automatic Adjustments: Premium hearing aids can automatically detect changes in the listening environment (e.g., entering a car or a restaurant) and adjust settings without manual input.

Considering the significant differences in hearing aids, a professional hearing test and consultation are essential to determine the best device for your specific needs and lifestyle. Our team of hearing professionals are ready to assist you on your journey to better hearing. Here are three ways to schedule your hearing evaluation:

Call 830-212-6816
Visit us online at: www.amistadaudiology.com
Or come by our office at 115 W. Cantu Rd.

Amistad Audiology offers personalized hearing care services, including hearing tests, hearing aids, and expert consultations. Our dedicated team is committed to improving your hearing health and enhancing your quality of life. Discover the best in audiological care today.

01/28/2026

❓ Did You know ❓

Q-tips are NOT supposed to be used to clean your ears? They are intended for applying and removing makeup, cleaning hard to reach areas, and arts/crafts just to name a few things.

Why Q-Tips Are Harmful to Your Ears:

The primary reason to avoid Q-tips is that they interfere with your ear's natural, self-cleaning mechanism and can cause serious injury.

Pushes Wax Deeper: Instead of removing earwax (cerumen), Q-tips typically push it further into the ear canal, compacting it against the eardrum. This can lead to a blockage or impaction that is difficult to remove and may require professional intervention.
Risk of Injury: The skin lining your ear canal is thin and delicate. Using a Q-tip can scratch or irritate the skin, creating micro-abrasions that are susceptible to infection.

Eardrum Damage: Inserting a Q-tip too far can easily puncture or tear your eardrum (tympanic membrane). This is often extremely painful and can result in significant pain, bleeding, dizziness, and even permanent hearing loss.

Disrupts Natural Process: Earwax is a protective substance that traps dirt, dust, and bacteria and is naturally moved out of the ear by jaw movements like talking and chewing. Using Q-tips disrupts this process.

Increased Infection Risk: Removing the protective wax barrier and introducing bacteria deeper into the canal can significantly increase the risk of painful ear infections.

If you feel your ears may be plugged with wax, contact our office to have your wax removed.

🏢 115 W Cantu Road

☎️ 830-212-6816

🛜 www.amistadaudiology.com

Amistad Audiology offers personalized hearing care services, including hearing tests, hearing aids, and expert consultations. Our dedicated team is committed to improving your hearing health and enhancing your quality of life. Discover the best in audiological care today.

01/21/2026

Ever attended a concert and felt that exhilarating rush of sound enveloping you? While live music is invigorating, prolonged exposure to concert noise can have significant consequences on your hearing health.

Here’s what you need to know:

Auditory Damage: Extended exposure to noise levels above 85 dB can lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss.

Tinnitus: Ringing or buzzing in the ears may occur after exposure, sometimes lasting a day or more.

Physical Discomfort: Loud sounds can lead to headaches and stress, impacting your overall enjoyment.

As a rule of thumb, limit exposure to loud concerts to no more than 1-2 hours to protect your hearing. Enjoy the show, but take care of your ears!

Our office offers custom hearing protection to enjoy a concert but also provide protection for your ears.

You can contact our office to schedule an appointment to get your custom hearing protection.

☎️ 830-212-6816
🏢 115 W. Cantu Rd.
🛜

Amistad Audiology offers personalized hearing care services, including hearing tests, hearing aids, and expert consultations. Our dedicated team is committed to improving your hearing health and enhancing your quality of life. Discover the best in audiological care today.

01/19/2026

01/12/2026

📣 Exciting news to begin 2026!!!📣

Amistad Audiology is now IN- NETWORK with BlueCross BlueShield of Texas and BlueCross BlueShield Federal Employee Program.

Call our office at 830-212-6816 or stop by 115 W. Cantu Rd to schedule your hearing exam.

01/12/2026

Happy New Year to all our wonderful patients and friends! 🎉

2026 has already been a whirlwind of excitement here at Amistad Audiology, and we are so grateful to be able to help our patients on their journey to better hearing.

At Amistad Audiology, we pride ourselves on treating each and every one of you like family, because that's exactly what you are to us. Our team of friendly and knowledgeable staff is here to support you every step of the way, whether you're struggling with hearing loss yourself or if you're seeking help for a loved one. Your hearing health is our top priority, and we are dedicated to providing you with the best care possible.

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance with their hearing, don't hesitate to reach out to us.

☎️ 830-212-6816 or visit our clinic at 115 W Cantu Road. (right behind Stripes)

Let's make 2026 the year of better hearing together! 🌟

12/31/2025

As we reflect on the past year, we at Amistad Audiology want to express our heartfelt gratitude to all our patients for entrusting us with their hearing care. Your support means everything to us and we are so grateful to have been able to help you on your journey to better hearing.

We are excited to continue serving our community in 2026 and look forward to helping even more people. We wish you and your loved ones a very Happy New Year!

Please note that our office will be closed on December 31 and January 1, but we will be back to assist you on January 2, 2026.

12/23/2025

🔔 Closure Notice 🔔
Amistad Audiology will be closed for the holidays from December 24th - 26th.

We look forward to serving you again when we reopen on December 29th.

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas.