The Hearing Doctor, LLC

02/05/2026

Many people describe tinnitus as a high-pitched ringing, but it can also sound like buzzing, humming, rushing, or even thumping. 🔔

Some people experience pulsatile tinnitus, where the sound matches their heartbeat. ❤️‍🔥 While this can happen occasionally, persistent pulsatile tinnitus may signal an underlying health concern and shouldn’t be ignored.

A hearing test is often the first step in finding answers. If you’ve noticed rhythmic sounds in your ears, send me a message or call to schedule a hearing exam.

02/02/2026

“I can hear people… I just can’t understand them.”

Usually, it’s worst in restaurants, and it’s exhausting, because you’re missing words, not volume. I get it. That kind of listening requires a lot of effort.

So we slow it down, talk through your toughest situations, and do a comprehensive hearing evaluation. Then I explain the results, because for many people, the issue is speech clarity in noise, not just “turn it up.”

The wins are often small but powerful:

✅ less guessing

✅ less repeating

✅ less listening fatigue

✅ more confidence

If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. When you’re ready, we’re here to help!

01/30/2026

If you haven’t looked at hearing aids in a while, you might be surprised by how sleek they’ve become!

Traditional hearing aids often used tubing to deliver sound into the ear. These still work well for some people, but today, most hearing aids use a thin wire, and the speaker sits right inside your ear canal.

This style is called receiver-in-canal (RIC), and it’s become super popular for a reason:

Better sound

Smaller, more discreet

More natural listening experience

In fact, 70% of hearing aids fit in the U.S. today are RIC style! (Source: MarkeTrak 2022)

Have you seen these newer styles around town?

01/28/2026

Let’s be honest, hearing aids are tiny tech powerhouses that live in a warm, humid, waxy environment all day. So yes… they need regular cleaning!

👂 Even a little bit of earwax or moisture can block the microphone or speaker, making your hearing aids seem like they "aren’t working right."

Here’s what we recommend:

🔹 Daily: Wipe them down with a soft, dry cloth

🔹 Weekly: Check for wax buildup, clean filters or domes if needed

🔹 Every 3–6 months: Come see us for a professional clean and check

🔹 Once a year: Schedule a full hearing aid tune-up and hearing test

Studies show that 80% of hearing aid repairs are due to moisture or earwax, both preventable with regular maintenance! (Source: American Academy of Audiology)

Need help with cleaning supplies or unsure how to clean yours safely? We’re happy to show you!

01/26/2026

Curious about hearing exams?

Call the office and schedule your consultation!

01/22/2026

🌱 Let’s be honest… change is HARD, especially when it comes to something as personal as your hearing.

I hear this all the time:

“I know I need help… I just don’t know if I’m ready.”

“It feels like such a big step.”

“What if everything sounds too loud?”

And you know what? Those feelings are completely normal.

Hearing help isn’t just about a device. It's a change in routine, in confidence, in daily life. And big changes take courage.

But here’s the part I love reminding my patients of:

✨ You don’t have to do it alone. We are here to help.

✨ You get to take it one small step at a time. We schedule follow-up visits.

✨ Your brain is AMAZING at adjusting…sometimes it just needs a little practice.

Sometimes the hardest step… is also the one that changes everything.

🌟If you’re ready (or even curious), please reach out to us. We’re here to help!

01/19/2026

Over time, untreated hearing loss can cause the brain to “reassign” the parts responsible for processing sound. Those areas may start handling other senses instead, like vision.

This shift is what researchers call the Sensory Deprivation Theory.

Basically, if the brain isn’t getting sound input, it finds other things to focus on, and that may impact overall brain function.

Studies using brain imaging show decreased activity in the auditory cortex in people with untreated hearing loss. (Source: Glick & Sharma, 2020)

Keeping those sound pathways active is just one more reason to treat hearing loss early.

01/16/2026

01/14/2026

According to new research from the American Academy of Otolaryngology, 1 in 8 adolescents shows signs of hearing damage by age 18.

As an audiologist, this statistic is alarming but unfortunately not surprising…

Noise exposure from earbuds, concerts, and even everyday environments is taking a toll on young ears. Early education and hearing protection are more important than ever.

Let’s protect your kids! When was the last time the kids in your family had a full hearing exam?

01/12/2026

Just because, well, I’m an audiologist 🤓 … Here are a few hearing-healthy goals you ✨might✨ consider for 2026:

🔊Get a baseline or updated hearing test (if it’s been a while)
🦻 Clean & refresh your current hearing aids for the best performance
📱 Explore new tech if your needs or lifestyle have changed

Not sure where to start? Message us, we would LOVE to help!

01/08/2026

Ever feel totally wiped out after a long conversation, especially in a noisy place?

You’re not imagining it.

When your brain works harder to make up for hearing loss, it can use up energy meant for other tasks, like memory or focus.

This idea is called Cognitive Load Theory, and it helps explain why untreated hearing loss can affect more than just your ears.

Research from Johns Hopkins found that people with hearing loss are up to 5 times more likely to develop dementia if they don’t treat it. (Source: Lin et al., 2011)

Does listening feel exhausting? It might be time for a hearing check.

01/05/2026

One of the very first things I hear from patients with mild hearing loss isn’t usually, “I can’t hear anything.”

It’s this:

👉 “I feel like I’m missing the little things.”

Just last week, a patient shared a story that stuck with me. During a holiday family gathering, his one-year-old grandchild said “Papa!” for the VERY FIRST TIME.

Everyone heard it… except Papa. 💔

These aren’t loud moments.

But they’re big ones.

This is the reason most of our patients schedule their first hearing test.

If something feels “off,” or you’ve noticed those little misses starting to add up, we’re here, always ready to listen. 👂