Blog

  • How to Clean and Maintain RIC, BTE, ITE, and OTC Hearing Aids

    This article provides comprehensive guidance on maintaining and cleaning hearing aids to ensure their longevity and functionality. It emphasizes the importance of regular cleaning, proper use of wax guards, and replacing batteries as needed. The article outlines specific steps for different types of hearing aids, such as BTE (Behind-the-Ear), RIC (Receiver-In-Canal), and ITE (In-The-Ear) models, including using soft brushes to remove debris, clearing wax traps, and wiping the devices with appropr...

  • Where to Donate Used Hearing Aids Locally

    This article highlights various options and resources for individuals seeking financial assistance or free hearing aids, as well as opportunities to donate used hearing aids. It outlines national organizations like the Hearing Aid Project and Help America Hear Program, which provide support to low-income individuals with hearing loss. Additionally, it mentions manufacturer programs such as Starkey Cares and Hear the Word Foundation, which offer aid through their charitable initiatives. Local serv...

  • The Current State of Hearing Aid Telecoil and Loop Systems

    The article highlights the enduring importance of hearing loop technology, often paired with telecoils in hearing aids, as a critical assistive listening tool despite the emergence of Bluetooth's Auracast™. Hearing loops enhance speech clarity by improving the "speech-to-noise ratio," making them indispensable in public spaces like theaters, transportation hubs, and places of worship. The article provides numerous examples of recent installations in both the United States and internationally, i...

  • Hearing Aids as Health and Fitness Trackers: Monitor Your Hearing, Steps, Body, and Mind for a Health

    This article explores the integration of health and fitness-tracking features in modern hearing aids, highlighting advancements like Starkey Hearing Technologies' Thrive app, which combines body and brain activity to provide a comprehensive Wellbeing score. It also discusses the unique fall alert feature, which can notify emergency contacts if a wearer falls, as well as diagnostic tools like Self Check that allow users to assess their device's functionality. The article emphasizes the importance ...

  • Hearing Loops Make It Easier to Hear With Hearing Aids

    This article explores the transformative impact of hearing loops, a revolutionary assistive listening system (ALS) that enhances communication for individuals with hearing impairments. By utilizing an electromagnetic field generated from audio sources, hearing loops allow users to switch their hearing aids or cochlear implants to the "T" setting, enabling clear reception of speech and sound in various environments. The technology has been widely adopted in Europe and is gaining traction in the Un...

  • How Losing Your Hearing Can Supercharge Your Other Senses

    This article explores how the brain adapts to sensory loss, particularly hearing loss, by enhancing other senses through a phenomenon called sensory substitution. Drawing from historical perspectives and scientific advancements, it explains that when one sense is lost, the brain rewires itself to amplify others—such as vision, touch, and even smell—to compensate for the deficit. This process, supported by neuroplasticity, allows individuals to develop extraordinary abilities, like "hearing wi...