Uhring's Hearing and Balance Center

04/27/2026

04/23/2026

Key Connections Between Hearing Loss and Dementia

Brain Strain: Hearing loss forces the brain to devote more resources to processing sound, leaving fewer resources for memory and thinking.
Brain Shrinkage: Studies suggest that hearing loss is linked to accelerated brain atrophy, particularly in areas responsible for processing sound.
Social Isolation: People with hearing loss often withdraw from social interactions, and reduced cognitive stimulation increases dementia risk.
Cognitive Load: The "cognitive load" needed to understand speech can lead to cognitive decline.

Risk Assessment and Treatment

Increased Risk: Mild hearing loss can double the risk of dementia, while moderate and severe cases can triple or increase the risk up to fivefold.
Hearing Aids: Wearing hearing aids is a key way to reduce the risk of cognitive decline by reducing cognitive load and helping to maintain social engagement.
Prevention: Early treatment of hearing loss with devices like hearing aids can significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia.

04/22/2026

Hearing aids need daily cleaning, just like your glasses!

Daily Care & Maintenance
Cleaning: Wipe hearing aids each morning when wax is dry. Use a soft, dry cloth; do not use water, alcohol, or solvents.
Microphone Care: Regularly brush the microphone ports to remove debris, but do not wipe directly into them.
Wax Guards: Replace filters if the hearing aid sounds weak or distorted.
Tubing: Clean thin tubes regularly to prevent moisture buildup.

04/21/2026

Headphones can cause permanent, irreversible noise-induced hearing loss when played at high volumes (over 70–85 dB) for extended periods, damaging delicate inner ear hair cells. This risk is compounded by duration, as 1.1 billion young people are estimated to be at risk. Protect your hearing by following the 60/60 rule: max 60% volume for 60 minutes, then take a break.
American Osteopathic Association | AOA

Key Risks and Symptoms
Irreversible Damage: Excessive volume damages hair cells in the cochlea, which cannot regenerate, leading to permanent, often gradual, hearing loss.
Common Symptoms: Warning signs include tinnitus (ringing/hissing in ears), difficulty understanding speech, muffled hearing, or needing high volumes to hear, according to and.
High-Intensity Output: Many devices can reach 100–110 dB, which can cause damage within minutes, notes.

Safe Listening Recommendations
60/60 Rule: Keep volume at or below 60% and limit usage to 60 minutes at a time.
Use Noise-Canceling Headphones: These allow lower listening volumes by reducing the need to drown out ambient noise.
Opt for Over-Ear Headphones: They create a better seal, reducing the need for high volume, and increase the distance between the speaker and your eardrum.
Take Breaks: Give your ears a rest for at least 10–15 minutes after 60 minutes of listening, as reported by and.
Monitor Volume: Use smartphone apps or built-in device safety features to monitor sound exposure levels.
American Osteopathic Association | AOA

04/20/2026

https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/tinnitus-associated-with-bupropion-a-case-of-importance-of-dosage-adjustment

Bupropion may cause dose-linked tinnitus; this case shows symptoms improve after dose reduction, helping manage depression without stopping treatment.

04/14/2026

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/audiologists-top-tips-for-preventing-hearing-loss-to-young-adults-tend

4 Ways To Protect Your Ears From Hearing Loss, From An Audiologist

04/13/2026

Come out and see us this Thursday!

04/10/2026

https://hearinghealthfoundation.org/blogs/the-darkness-lifted

Hearing loss doesn’t have to be the end. It can feel like it, but it doesn’t have to be. Music is still possible. Life is still possible. There are ways to regain control, ways to find your own authorship through understanding. I want people to know that.

04/08/2026

https://www.aol.com/articles/son-uses-hearing-aids-seeing-153302507.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAMNu11UthL9q2bMFW2GCDD71LQ778WsIYEdRq1555hO0pLFenVXPYa9ozx2lxfI3Hm1zEXiqTVFW7IBFvG-Wt1JciYve-fiFQmEnNMJGpE2N7Y1k0xe62-yypK4j-JXILySC9Am6UmVeauncT8jmQzExfqZ7sOHxhCt8CFCeh-nR

George Pig is said to have moderate hearing loss, and many people in the deaf community are excited about the representation.

04/06/2026

https://www.healthday.com/health-news/hearing-loss/does-closing-your-eyes-help-you-hear-better

FRIDAY, March 20, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Everybody’s done it: You’re at a noisy party and someone is telling you something in your ear. You squeeze your eyes s

03/31/2026

https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/study-identifies-negative-impacts-of-tinnitus-on-workers/

Trouble concentrating, fatigue and communication issues were among the challenges workers described.

03/31/2026

Thank you for your patience yesterday! We were affected by the Comcast outage but are back up today!