With the availability of OTC hearing aids expected for purchase next month, it’s important to understand what they are and who they are best suited for. Below are some facts about OTC Hearing Aids: Approved for adults of the age 18 and older Designed for mild to moderate hearing loss The user is responsible for…
Read MoreAudiology sneaks its way into Disney news this month! In collaboration with a non-profit foundation, Disney has released the first adjustable children’s Mickey ear headband, “allowing children of all abilities to wear their ears with comfort and joy.” Disney showcases these inclusive Mickey ears on Luke, a young boy who wears bilateral cochlear implants. Cochlear…
Read MoreIn June 2022, Mattel, the makers of Barbie, launched new dolls as part of a effort to increase diversity and inclusion. Barbie has been around for 63 years and this is the first time a Barbie with a hearing aid is available. The company worked with an educational audiologist to accurately represent hearing aids on…
Read MoreEveryone produces earwax. It is a healthy and important part of your auditory system, designed to help shift and remove dirt, dust, and bacteria, and to keep the ear free of foreign material. However, a buildup of that same earwax can become a problem, especially for those who wear hearing aids. An earwax impaction can cause…
Read MoreBluetooth technology has been available in hearing aids for a number of years with great success especially with cell phone conversations. Another common struggle reported by many users is difficulty understanding television and their friends/family report it’s very loud. To help with this issue, hearing aid manufacturers have created accessories to connect to the TV…
Read MoreFor individuals with hearing loss, traveling by plane can be a particularly stressful experience. As the summer months approach and we begin to make travel plans to see friends and family, keep the following tips in mind for a stress-free and enjoyable traveling experience. -Sign up for e-mails from your airline in order to receive…
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At Jacksonville Hearing and Balance Institute, we are pleased to offer the newest technology in regards to hearing healthcare. Hearing technology has vastly improved over the years with advancements including rechargeability and Bluetooth compatibility. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the audiologists at JHBI have started offering remote programming for our hearing aid patients to…
Read MorePhonak recently released a new in-the-ear hearing aid called the Virto Paradise. Virto Paradise is a custom product, made for your ears only. It offers enhanced features, including: Improved sound quality over the previous generation of Phonak hearing aids (Phonak Marvel): This results in less listening effort needed to understand conversations. The Virto Paradise is…
Read MoreMost current hearing aids have the capability to connect to smartphones via Bluetooth for phone calls, streaming, and adjustments to the hearing aids via an app. The feedback from patients has been very positive about how much they enjoy the ability to stream their cell phone calls to the hearing aids and the ability to…
Read MoreProfound hearing loss in one ear with normal or near normal hearing in the other ear is referred to as Single Sided Deafness (SSD). This type of hearing loss can occur suddenly from a viral infection or it may occur gradually over time as a result of various ear disorders such as Menieres Disease. Whatever…
Read MoreLast month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed a rule permitting the sale of a new category of Over-the-Counter (OTC) hearing aids that could be sold directly to consumers without an exam. While unregulated OTC hearing aids may work as intended, there is a risk that the devices could be defective or completely…
Read MoreThe holidays are often a joyful time to reconnect with loved ones. However, for those with hearing loss, holiday get-togethers can lead to stress and anxiety due to difficulty understanding conversation. If you notice that you often mishear what people say or rely on lipreading to understand them better, you may have a hearing loss.…
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