Hearing Care by Gina

02/18/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AUwKZcbp2/
It is recommended that all get at least a baseline hearing test.

by Terry Mactaggart, President and CEO, Summus Hearing Inc. My last post (Introducing Merlin – Making Hearing Care Accessible to All) summarized our view of the hearing health conundrum and what we at Summus Hearing (in concert with others) can do about it. While testing abounds online and via hea...

02/13/2026

Book club members with hearing loss struggling to participate? 📚💬 Here is some things you can do to help.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CJKHZcfe4/

02/10/2026

Rise above tinnitus? Can you overcome ear-problems and find inner peace? 🙏 https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BrdksnFi4/

Hearing loss and tinnitus often go hand in hand, which is why hearing aids can help some people manage their tinnitus symptoms.

While hearing aids aren’t a cure for tinnitus, and they’re not always helpful for people who have tinnitus without hearing loss, many individuals with both conditions find meaningful relief.

By restoring missing sound input to the brain, hearing aids may help calm the hyperactivity that contributes to tinnitus. They can also make background sounds easier to hear, which may reduce how noticeable ringing feels. For many, better hearing can also ease stress, which is another factor known to affect tinnitus.

Some hearing aids even include built-in sound or masking features designed to support tinnitus management.

If you have tinnitus and hearing loss, hearing aids may be one option worth exploring with a hearing care professional.

🔗 to learn more https://ow.ly/3tup50Y8iNP

02/07/2026

Weekend hours: We're closed, but you can still reach us by phone, email, or PM for insurance questions, scheduling, supplies, or referrals. We'll respond on Monday! 🙏 (Soon you will even be able to text us again.)

02/06/2026

Is a deaf or hard of hearing friend in your life? Prioritizing accessibility and clear communication is crucial, both for their safety and for fostering respectful group conversations. 🎁 Consider gifting them this essential resource: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16ZyA8Hcwo/

Anyone else shivering in the cold but thinking about spring break?
🏖️ Beach?
🏊‍♀️ Pool?
🌊 Water park?
✈️ Somewhere warm where the kids can swim all day?

Also spring break parent brain:
“Will people know how to get my kid’s attention in the water?”

That’s why this rashguard matters.

When my kid is splashing, swimming, or running off with pure vacation energy, this little message does some of the advocating for us.
Not because they need to be labeled.
Not because they owe anyone an explanation.

But because water is loud, chaotic, and fast, and a simple visual cue can mean:
• a lifeguard taps instead of yelling
• a staff member makes eye contact
• a grown-up pauses before assuming “they’re ignoring me”

It’s safety.
It’s access.
And honestly? It allows us to relax a little more.

Wherever spring break takes you — beach, pool, cruise, or backyard sprinkler — small things like this can make a big difference 💛

https://mamahuhears.com/collections/rashguards

02/05/2026

Celebrate Black History Month! 🎉 Honor the contributions & achievements of Black Americans in U.S. history. Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14aA431iXxL/

This Black History Month, we celebrate the power of listening and the importance of ensuring every voice is heard. Together, we can pave the way for a more inclusive future. ❤️💛💚

02/04/2026

It's Tinnitus Awareness Week! 🎧 Get your hearing checked if you experience ringing, roaring, or hissing sounds. Call us today! https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CZPXh42Fs/

Tinnitus (internal noise/ringing in the ears) and hyperacusis (oversensitivity to sound) affect 1 billion people worldwide—often co-existing with hearing loss. Day after day, people with these disorders may experience severe stress, disrupted sleep, inability to focus and reduced quality of life. It’s like a Groundhog Day that never ends.

New approaches and technologies are starting to offer relief. Learn more from the American Tinnitus Association during Tinnitus Awareness Week, February 2-8: ata.org/taw2026

02/04/2026

Not sure why you aren't hearing clearly or have hearing aids and are still saying "what?", get them checked. Call your provider, today!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17sffkgVZV/

Or, why did I hear 'this' and not 'that'?

Hearing loss is confusing and in the past, I have been accused of 'selective hearing'. (I wish I could turn it on and off at will.)

How well I hear, and understand, a message depends on a lot of variables. It depends a whole lot on the speaker and how they deliver the message. Background noise is a bigger issue than people realize.

-I cannot hear someone speaking when a helicopter is flying overhead so I ask to halt the conversation until it goes by.
-When I'm on a plane, I don't hear people's words over the sound of the jet engines.
-If your face is in the fridge while talking, it swallows your words.
-The word 'cat' has two sounds I cannot hear, the hard C and the T, even with my hearing aids in.
-I have to get used to how strangers talk and the words they use.

That is the nature of hearing loss. We have to learn how to manage other people's expectations by educating them. To do that, we need to educate ourselves first.

02/03/2026

Review us at this link:
https://www.doctible.com/review_requests/universal/hearing-care-by-gina-montevideo-mn

Follow the link below if you consent to receive emails or texts for reminders, updates and more. You can opt out at any time. https://intake.doctible.com/c/nLYBF5

02/03/2026

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Hearing loss is unique, just like hearing aids. What works for your cousin may not work for you.

Hearing loss isn’t one-size-fits all, and it can be a deeply personal journey. If you or a loved one would like to learn more about hearing loss, please visit https://brnw.ch/21wZmAx.

02/02/2026

Learned something new for billing with MN Medicaid. For services/items that are non-covered by Medicaid, providers can only collect for said non-covered items/services if they have an ARN, filled out and signed, for EVERY occurrence. What is an ARN? Advanced Recipient Notice, I'm guessing it has more to do with the No Surprises Act. The form is listed on the PrimeWest website for providers to print off. It's another hoop for us, but necessary if you want to continue providing these services/supplies to local members and keep the lights on. I will attach the link for PrimeWest. https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-3640-ENG

02/02/2026

Listening fatigue...yes, it's real.

It's amazing how tired my whole body is after a heavy hearing day.

After a long period of listening, or multiple meetings in one day, my brain is fried and a headache follows from the intense focus. At that point, hearing and lipreading does not work because I can't put two and two together anymore.

It sucks up more than brain power. It feels physical too. My shoulders are tense. My eyes and ears are strained. I'm exhausted and feel like I ran a marathon.

All I want to do at that point is take my hearing aids out and zone out with something that doesn't take mental effort. I tell people around me I need a hearing break. If they don't let me be, I get grumpy because I just don't have the mental capacity to breakdown conversation anymore.

I burn extra energy and body resources trying to hear, listen and understand. This is why I use hearing breaks and limit my meetings and times at noisy events.

Learn more: https://hearinglosslive.com/listening-fatigue/