Midwest Audiology Center, LLC

04/05/2026

🐣 Happy Easter!

We hope your holiday weekend is filled with meaningful moments, laughter, and time spent with those you love. From joyful conversations to favorite traditions, these are the sounds that make the day special.

Wishing you a wonderful Easter and a season full of connection and clarity.

Do you have a favorite Easter tradition? 🐰👇

04/04/2026

Parkinson’s disease is often thought of as a movement disorder, but it can also affect how the brain processes sound. 🧠 Many people with Parkinson’s experience difficulty understanding speech, especially in background noise, even when hearing levels seem normal.

These listening challenges may increase with age and as the disease progresses. Monitoring hearing early and considering amplification when appropriate can help reduce listening effort and support clearer communication. Protecting hearing health plays an important role in staying connected and engaged in daily life. 💬

04/03/2026

I was at dinner with my family and realized I was doing my usual “noise math,” picking the seat where conversation feels easiest. 😅

That’s the thing about hearing: it’s not just ears… It’s brain work.

Research links untreated hearing loss with higher risks of cognitive decline, falls, and depression. The ACHIEVE trial even found that hearing intervention was associated with 48% less cognitive change over 3 years in older adults!

That’s why we focus so much on brain health at Midwest Audiology and why follow-up visits matter! Small adjustments can make a big difference. ✨

What’s the hardest place for you to hear clearly?

04/02/2026

Spring flips a switch at our house, especially for our two yellow labs.

Breezy is 12 and Lulu is 5, and they’re both absolutely part of the family… which means they’re spoiled to no end. As soon as the weather warms up, they’re ready for their two walks a day (mostly thanks to my wife). Tails wagging, noses to the ground, totally in their element.

I’m also happiest when I can get outside! I try to spend as much time out there as I can once spring rolls in. Fresh air, open space, and a little quiet goes a long way.
💬 Are you more of a “long walk” person in spring, or do you prefer working in the yard?

04/01/2026

April Fools’ is all fun and games… unless you miss the joke.

Hearing well means more than just catching sounds. It means staying connected to conversations, laughter, and the moments that bring us together.

That’s no prank!

03/31/2026

⏳ Hearing aids don’t need to be replaced every year.

Most hearing aids last 3–7 years, and often longer with proper care. Consistent at-home cleaning and a few in-office tune-ups each year can help protect your investment and keep your devices working their best for years to come.

A little maintenance goes a long way. 👂💚

03/30/2026

A patient told me, “I just avoid going out now. It is too loud anyway.” 😔

Restaurants are one of the first places people realize they are working way too hard to keep up. In difficult listening situations, your brain is straining to fill in missing words; it is exhausting.

I have felt that kind of fatigue in a noisy room, too. You can hear sound everywhere, but it still feels hard to follow the conversation that matters.

So when patients come in with this particular issue, we build a plan that focuses on clarity, comfort, and realistic expectations, not just turning things up. 🙅‍♀️

The small win this particular patient reported later was huge. They stayed at dinner longer, felt more confident, and stopped doing the constant guessing and smiling!

If you have been avoiding restaurants or group gatherings because listening feels like work, you are not alone. 🍝🍹 We can help!

03/19/2026

Hi, I'm Joanne, and if you’re one of my patients, you know I love a good book. 📖
I'm an avid reader and also run my neighborhood book club. We meet every 6–8 weeks and always have lively conversations (and snacks, of course!).
My favorite genres are human interest and psychological thrillers, and one of my all-time favorite books is My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman. His mix of humor and deep emotional insight gets me every time. He just gets people.
If you're a fellow bookworm, I’d love your recommendations! What are you reading right now?

03/19/2026

03/18/2026

I came across an article this week that caught my attention. 📰 A major pharmaceutical company is investing in gene-editing research to treat certain types of hearing loss.

As an audiologist, I always keep an eye on developments like this. The science is fascinating, and any effort to better understand and potentially treat hearing loss at its root is worth watching.

Especially for genetic or congenital forms, where traditional hearing aids may not always be the full solution, research like this holds real promise.

👉 But I also carry a healthy dose of caution.

Breakthroughs in biotech often take years (sometimes decades) to go from early-stage research to real-world impact, and even then, they’re rarely a one-size-fits-all solution. Hearing isn’t just about the ear; it’s about the brain, the environment, communication, and identity. And even the most advanced treatment will still need to be paired with personalized care and support.

So while I’m hopeful and excited to see where this research leads, I also know this: right now, we do have proven, evidence-based ways to help people hear better, connect more deeply, and protect their cognitive health. 👂🧠

The future of hearing care might look different, and that’s a good thing. But today’s care still matters.
And I’m here for both!

Further reading: Fierce Biotech’s report on Eli Lilly’s $1.1B gene-editing pact for hearing loss

03/17/2026

St. Patrick’s Day is full of music, laughter, and great conversations.

However, nearly 1 in 5 adults experience some degree of hearing loss, making regular hearing care just as important as any lucky charm.

Healthy hearing helps you stay connected to it all, no magic needed, just good care for your ears. 💚

Wishing you a day filled with joy, great company, and sounds worth celebrating!

How are you celebrating St. Patrick’s Day this year? ☘️👇

03/15/2026

An appointment that measures your ear canal volume can be one of those “small steps” that make a huge difference in how hearing aids actually sound.

Let’s break it down: 👇

We start by reviewing your hearing test and your real-life goals (restaurants, TV, church, family gatherings).

Then I place a tiny probe microphone in your ear canal, and we play speech-like sounds to measure what your hearing aids are actually delivering inside your ear. 🦻 From there, I adjust the settings until they match evidence-based target levels, and we fine-tune based on what you notice.

The best part? The wins are often immediate:

✅ clearer speech without cranking volume
✅ less “sharp” or “off” sound
✅ more balanced hearing between ears
✅ more confidence that everything is set correctly

If your hearing aids don’t feel quite right, or you want a verified fit from the start, message us!