Skip to main content

Blog Archive

Patient Testimonial Jan 3rd, 2023

& J. are an adorable mother and son duo that were fit together this month at Professional Hearing Center. I was blessed and overjoyed to have been able to work with them as they both got started with their first set of hearing aids together! It has been such an...

PHC Patient Care Coordinators: Jamey Langston Jan 6th, 2022

Where did you grow up? Contra Costa County, California and Lee’s Summit, Missouri What do you enjoy most about working with Professional Hearing Center? Talking to all of the patients and helping them with their needs. It’s a very rewarding and fulfilling job! At what office(s) do you work? Belton...

PHC Patient Care Coordinators: Tera Diepenbrock Jan 5th, 2022

Where did you grow up? I grew up in sunny San Diego. What do you enjoy most about working at Professional Hearing Center? I love my co-workers and getting to know and help our patients. At what office(s) do you work? I have worked at our Belton location for 8...

PHC Patient Care Coordinator: Kim Clark Dec 16th, 2021

Where did you grow up? Springfield, MO What do you enjoy most about working at Professional Hearing Center? Helping patients and working with our amazing staff At what office(s) do you work? Lakewood What’s your favorite television show? Seinfeld If you could bring back any fashion trend, what would it...

PHC Patient Care Coordinators: Alycia Breeding Dec 11th, 2021

Where did you grow up? I grew up in a small town called Wellsville, KS. What do you enjoy most about working at Professional Hearing Center? I enjoy working with the audiologists and learning about their individual specialties. Ex. Auditory processing, cochlear implants. At what office(s) do you work? I...

Patient Care Coordinator: Jeanne Hull Dec 2nd, 2021

Where did you grow up? I am a Midwestern gal and have been in Liberty, MO longer than anywhere else. What do you most enjoy about working at Professional Hearing Center? Hands down our patients! After working here over a decade, our patients are like family to me. It makes...

Audiology Administrator: Pam Evans Nov 11th, 2021

Where did you grow up? Oopsie - was I supposed to do this???? Grow up, WHAT???? I lived in Hutchinson, Dodge City, and Topeka prior to moving to the KC area. What do you enjoy most about working at Professional Hearing Center? The Peeps of course - no question about...

PHC Audiologist: Lindyn Robinson, Au.D. Nov 5th, 2021

Where did you grow up? Growing up my family moved every three years, so I have lived in Ohio, Georgia, Kansas, England, and California. Where did you go to school? I attended Blue Valley West for a year and three years at Amador Valley High school in California. I went...

PHC Audiologist: Aly Lerman, Au.D. Oct 21st, 2021

Where did you grow up? I grew up in Naperville, Illinois, a large Chicago suburb. Where did you go to school? I am a Midwest girl through and through. I grew up in the Chicagoland area and went to Naperville Central High School. For undergrad, I became a Cornhusker at...

PHC Audiologist: Abi Michels, Au.D. Oct 7th, 2021

Where did you grow up? I was born and raised in Baldwin City, Kansas. The small community is located about 45 minutes southwest of Kansas City and is home to the Maple Leaf festival and Baker University. Where did you go to school? I graduated from Baldwin City High School....

PHC Audiologist: Maddy Braun, Au.D. Sep 30th, 2021

Where did you grow up? I grew up in Olathe, KS. Where did you go to school? I went to Kansas State University for my bachelors degree, and I got my doctorate of audiology from University of Kansas Medical Center. Why did you want to become an audiologist? I became...

PHC Audiologist: Sandra Brown, M.A. Sep 23rd, 2021

Where did you grow up? I grew up on a family farm outside of Holton, Kansas. My Dad and Grandmother had grown up on the same farm. Where did you go to school? I attended Holton High School and completed my undergraduate and graduate degrees at Kansas State University. Through...

PHC Audiologist: Lorann Brown, Au.D. Sep 16th, 2021

Where did you grow up? I grew up in Memphis, Tennessee. Where did you go to school? I went to the University of Tennessee for undergrad and graduate school. Go Vols! Why did you want to become an audiologist? I wanted to help a population that I felt tended to...

PHC Audiologist: Erika Ward, Au.D. Sep 9th, 2021

Where did you grow up? I grew up in Overland Park, KS. Where did you go to school? I graduated from Shawnee Mission West High School. I then attended University of Kansas for both my bachelors in Communication Disorders and my masters in Audiology. I received my Doctorate in Audiology...

PHC Audiologist: Abigail Dinkel, Au.D. Sep 2nd, 2021

Where did you grow up? I was born and raised in the Kansas City area.   Where did you go to school? I went to St. James Academy in Lenexa for high school, Kansas State University for undergrad, and KU Med for graduate school.   Why did you want to...

PHC Audiologist: Julie Teefey, Au.D. Aug 13th, 2021

Where did you grow up? I grew up in Jefferson City, Missouri. Where did you go to school? I went to Jefferson City High School. I went on to Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri for my Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders and minors in Psychology and Disability Studies....

PHC Audiologist: Lynsey Ralston, Au.D. Aug 12th, 2021

Where did you grow up? I grew up in O'Fallon, MO near St. Louis. Where did you go to school? I attended Timberland High School in Wentzville, MO, Rockhurst University for my Bachelors in Science majoring in Communication Sciences & Disorders and Psychology. I graduated from the University of Kansas...

PHC Audiologist: Jennifer Schumacher, Au.D. Aug 11th, 2021

Where did you grow up? Louisiana, Arkansas, and Missouri Where did you go to school? High School - Sedalia Smith-Cotton Undergrad/Grad - CMSU in Warrensburg - still have a hard time calling it UCM! Doctorate - Salus University in Philadelphia Why did you want to become an audiologist? I started...

PHC Audiologist: Danielle Barton, Au.D. Jul 8th, 2021

Where did you grow up? I grew up outside of St. Louis, Missouri. Where did you go to school? I graduated from Francis Howell North High School in St. Charles, MO in 2007 and headed to Truman State University where I obtained a double major in Communication Disorders & Psychology...

PHC Audiologist: Sara Gabriel, Au.D. Jun 24th, 2021

Where did you grow up? I grew up in Sioux City, Iowa.   Where did you go to school? I went to East High in Sioux City, then moved to Lincoln, NE for undergrad and received a BS in Speech/Language Pathology and Audiology. Graduate school brought me to the Kansas...

PHC Audiologist: Jessica Dwyer, M.A. Jun 17th, 2021

Where did you grow up? I grew up on a dairy farm south of Wichita, Kansas.   Where did you go to school? I went to high school at Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic School. Upon graduation I went to KU for a year and then transferred to Wichita State University...

PHC Audiologist: Kim Bramlett, Au.D. Jun 10th, 2021

Where did you grow up? ​​ Born and raised in Overland Park, Kansas Where did you go to school? High school ~ Shawnee Mission West; Undergrad and Grad School ~ University of Kansas; Doctorate ~ Salus University Why did you want to become an audiologist? ​ I always knew I...

PHC Audiologist: Kelly Spiller, Au.D. Jun 4th, 2021

Where did you grow up? I was born and raised in Belton, MO. Where did you go to school? I went to O’Hara High School in Kansas City. I received my undergraduate degree in Speech Pathology and Masters in Audiology from University of Central Missouri (UCM - formerly CMSU). I...

Unilateral versus Bilateral Amplification Jun 2nd, 2021

A majority of the population with hearing loss have the presence of hearing loss in both ears. Hearing loss is most commonly symmetrical. Therefore, a majority of patients treat both ears with the purchase of bilateral amplification. Typically, patients have better performance with two hearing aids versus one hearing aid....

Over the Counter (OTC) Hearing Devices May 22nd, 2021

In recent years, consumers have increasingly taken charge of their health and options for medical treatment, which includes bypassing traditional routes of care. We now have the ability to purchase glasses, contacts, invisalign-type braces, even colonoscopy screenings, online. Sound devices are no exception. Although not true hearing aids, to date...

Types of Dizziness May 8th, 2021

There are four main types of dizziness: vertigo, disequilibrium, presyncope, and lightheadedness.   Vertigo: An illusion of movement, classically described as “spinning”. Vertigo reflects dysfunction at some level of the vestibular system.   Disequilibrium: A disturbance in balance or coordination. Observation of a patient's gait and careful neurologic examination is...

Ototoxicity May 7th, 2021

Ototoxicity refers to the meaning that something is toxic to the ear. More specifically, something being toxic to the cochlea (the inner ear) and the auditory nerve. Sometimes, ototoxicity can even affect the vestibular (balance) portion of the auditory nerve as well. Being exposed to an ototoxic agent can cause...

Captioned Phones May 6th, 2021

For people who are living with hearing loss, captioned phones can be an excellent tool to aid in communication with friends, family members, and professional contacts. Telephone conversations are often difficult for people with hearing loss, as they are not able to rely on lip reading and contextual cues to...

What's Okay to Put in My Ears? Apr 15th, 2021

Did your mother ever tell you to never put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear? Well, turns out she was right. As an audiologist, I often see patients with the above question, or more specifically a variation of the question “Are Q-tips safe?, Are cotton swabs okay to...

Ear "Fitness" Apr 7th, 2021

Fitness is essential to overall well-being and health. When we think of fitness, we almost always assume physical fitness. Fitness can refer to other areas of health as well as ear fitness. Ear fitness involves keeping the ears stimulated at a safe level to ensure strong auditory processing.   When...

Can Diet Affect Hearing? Feb 20th, 2021

We all know that a healthy diet is good for our overall health, but did you know that research also indicates that it’s also good for your hearing? A study conducted in 2019 from Brigham and Women’s Hospital reported women who had healthier diets had lower rates of hearing loss...

Earwax - Is It Bad? Feb 17th, 2021

Cerumen, commonly known as earwax, is the protective yellow waxy substance secreted in the passage of the outer ear, i.e. ear canal. Cerumen has three main functions: 1. To protect the tympanic membrane or eardrum; 2. Moisturize and lubricate the ear canal; 3. Help fight against infection. So earwax helps...

Audiologists, Otolaryngologists & Otologists Jan 20th, 2021

Audiologists,  Otolaryngologists & Otologists When you come to any of our offices, you may in fact encounter a few different types of professionals depending on the type of appointment or evaluation you are having that day. When you arrive at your appointment for check-in, you will be greeted by one...

Hearing Aid Upkeep, Use, and Maintenance Jan 12th, 2021

https://www.healthyhearing.com/help/hearing-aids/cleaning   Hearing aids are a great communication tool to improve relationships and overall quality of life. Sometimes, it can feel like extra work to wear them and take care of them if you are not aware of the most effective care methods.   The most important part of maintaining...

PHC: A Year in Review Dec 16th, 2020

If you follow Professional Hearing Center, you know that we are always growing and working to improve our services for our patients. Despite all of the changes and challenges in this past year due to the global pandemic, PHC has continued to grow and expand our services. I am going...

What to Expect at a Hearing Aid Consultation Dec 10th, 2020

A hearing aid consultation is an appointment with one of our audiologists where you will discuss the different amplification options available to you. At this consultation, the audiologist will discuss your hearing loss and how amplification can benefit you. There are many options available for amplification these days, and many...

Intraoperative Monitoring in Audiology Nov 30th, 2020

During surgery, intraoperative monitoring is used to assess a patient’s hearing system by testing the nervous system. This is done by using evoked potentials to monitor the integrity of the auditory nerve. Auditory evoked potentials are electrical responses recorded from the auditory nerve and brain following the presentation of a...

Tips for Hearing Better on Virtual Meetings Nov 19th, 2020

In a time where most communication has switched to an online or virtual setting, it is important to consider some strategies that can help you or others on the call hear better.    Tips for hearing better on Zoom: Limit background noise and have others on the call also limit background...

Telehealth in Audiology Nov 12th, 2020

With the spread of the Covid-19 Pandemic, our offices as well as many others have had to take a look into diversifying our typical ways of serving our patients in the safest way possible. We’ve done this throughout our locations in several ways, including teaching patients how to provide some...

What is the difference between analog and digital hearing aids? Nov 8th, 2020

An analog hearing aid is a device that is designed to amplify all sounds the same way: continuous sound waves are made louder. That means that speech and noise are amplified in the same manner. A volume control wheel allows the user to increase or decrease volume as needed; however,...

Ototoxicity Monitoring Nov 5th, 2020

 “Ototoxicity is the pharmacological adverse reaction affecting the inner ear or auditory nerve, characterized by cochlear or vestibular function.” There are a variety of medications used for therapeutic purposes in fighting cancer and life-threatening infectious diseases that lead to inner ear damage.  The symptoms of ototoxicity can include tinnitus, dizziness,...

Online Hearing Tests Oct 24th, 2020

     There is no shortage of information regarding your hearing health and hearing aids on the internet. You may even see advertisements for online hearing tests. Online hearing tests should be considered a screening tool used to determine if more follow up is needed. There are a number of...

9 Tips to Protect Your Child's Hearing Oct 6th, 2020

1. Use hearing protection on infants and young children in noisy environments. Ear muffs are a great way to protect your child's hearing when he or she is exposed to noise as a very young child. Whether it is a sporting event, concert, or the movie theater, loud sounds can...

Hearing Aids vs. Amplifiers Oct 1st, 2020

Although hearing aids and hearing amplifiers serve similar purposes, they are very different devices.    Amplifiers, sometimes known as personal sound amplifying products, or PSAPs, are designed to increase all environmental sounds for people with hearing loss. PSAPs are not capable of distinguishing between what sounds they amplify. PSAPs are...

The Effects of Untreated Hearing Loss in Adults Sep 24th, 2020

Did you know that hearing loss affects around 36 million Americans?  The incidence of hearing loss increases drastically as the population ages.  Around one third of the population aged 65-74 are affected by hearing loss and the number increases to half of the population of those aged 75+.  Surprisingly, only...

Are my hearing aids water resistant? Aug 26th, 2020

Particularly during the summer, patients wonder about the water resistancy of their hearing aids. It is a great question! Today we will discuss how much moisture hearing aids can handle and some tips and tricks to protect your hearing aids from too much moisture. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) tests...

Tips & Tricks for Hearing in Noisy Restaurants Aug 19th, 2020

Restaurants are loud these days! Having a conversation in a noisy restaurant can be difficult, even for individuals with normal hearing. The challenges are greater for those with hearing loss. Here are some tips and tricks for dining out! Choose your restaurant based on more than just the food that...

Communication Strategies Jul 29th, 2020

People who have hearing loss usually exhibit one of the following strategies when communicating with others: Passive – Most people with hearing loss exhibit this communication style. Passive communicators tend to avoid social interactions or withdraw from conversations due to fear of not being able to communicate well or from embarrassment...

Sound Apps to Help with Tinnitus Jul 22nd, 2020

If you suffer from tinnitus, one of the best things you can do to help cope with the annoyance of the sound in your ears is to keep your ears and brain busy with a different sound.  There are several sound apps available to help you.  An audiologist at the...

Animal Audiology Jul 16th, 2020

People of all ages wear hearing aids. But, have you ever thought about your favorite furry friend having their hearing tested? The field of animal audiology is still very young; however, the hearing health of our favorite companions can be just as important! Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, is one of the...

Noise Cancelling Headphones Jul 8th, 2020

Noise cancelling headphones are often used to eliminate ambient noise while listening to any other audio. They are a safe and effective way to get high quality sound from headphones at adequate volume. They are most often used for travel but are quickly becoming more popular for any headphone use....

Newborn Hearing Screening Jun 29th, 2020

Newborn Hearing Screenings were developed to assist in quickly and effectively diagnosing hearing loss present at birth. Catching hearing loss at an early age and enrolling a child in early intervention maximizes communication, literacy, and social-emotional development. The Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH) set forth guidelines for early hearing...

Sound Level Measurements Jun 24th, 2020

In the world of Audiology, it is great to see our patients, family, and friends beginning to pay attention to hearing health and protecting their ears for the future. With technology getting more and more advanced, when it comes to measuring sound levels around us “there’s an app for that!” There...

Hearing Loss and Cognition Jun 17th, 2020

It is estimated that 40–50% of adults over the age of 65 have a measurable hearing impairment. This rises to approximately 83% of individuals over the age of 70. Hearing loss is the third most prevalent chronic medical condition among older adults, after arthritis and hypertension. Besides hearing and communication...

How to Wear Masks with Hearing Aids Jun 15th, 2020

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) A guide on how to wear masks with hearing aids for adult and pediatric patients Phonak (one of our hearing aid manufacturers) has put together this great information on how to successfully wear a mask with your hearing aids. Included are tips for adults and pediatric patients!...

More Prevalent Hearing Loss During Covid-19 Jun 10th, 2020

Have you noticed an increased prevalence of hearing loss during this time of Covid-19? I sure have! This has caused me to stop and reflect on these changes. It is not necessarily that more hearing loss is being caused during this time. For the most part we are staying home...

Nutrition and Hearing May 27th, 2020

Nutrition is fundamental to health. And nutrition is also connected to hearing health; however, this connection is often overlooked. No particular food will cause or prevent hearing loss. And hearing cannot be restored by changing diet. However, recent research has shown that nutrition may increase or decrease the risk of...

Otitis Media and PE Tubes May 20th, 2020

Middle Ear infections (Otitis Media) Infections can occur in the three different parts of the ear: external, middle, and inner. Otitis media, sometimes known as a middle ear infection, is an inflammation or infection in the space behind the eardrum known as the middle ear.    Otitis media occurs most often...

Otosclerosis May 13th, 2020

Otosclerosis is a hearing disorder that is caused by an abnormal amount of bone growth in the middle ear ossicular chain.  Our middle ear system is comprised of the tympanic membrane (more commonly known as the eardrum) and three little bones that make up the ossicular chain.  The malleus, incus,...

Meniere's Disease May 6th, 2020

Ménière’s disease is an inner ear disorder that leads to aural fullness, tinnitus, fluctuating hearing loss, and dizziness. Ménière’s disease produces a recurring set of symptoms as a result of abnormally large amounts of a fluid called endolymph collecting in the inner ear. Ménière’s disease can develop at any age,...

Hearing Aid Connectivity Resources May 1st, 2020

Connectivity Resources Resound:  With the most recent firmware updates, iPhone and Android users can utilize both the Resound Smart App as well as directly stream music and phone calls from the hearing aids to their cell phones.  Is my phone compatible with my hearing aids?https://www.resound.com/en-us/help/compatibility Connectivity manual:https://ww1.resound.com/~/media/REFRESH/US/00-DOWNLOADS/Guides/400694000_GU_ConnectivityGuide.ashx  Phonak: With the...

An Important Notice from Your Audiologists at PHC Apr 30th, 2020

As you may know, precautions are being put into place nationwide to decrease the transmission and spread of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus). We are deeply concerned about your overall health and want you to know that during these times, we are still open, available, and Coronavirus ready to help manage your...

Android Pairing Instructions for Hearing Aid Streaming Apr 29th, 2020

Turn off hearing aid(s) by either: Opening the battery door(s) Placing on the charger Go to the Android phone’s home screen Tap on “Settings” Ensure Bluetooth if turned ON In the settings menu, tap on the Bluetooth icon Tap on the slider button to turn Bluetooth on Turn on Hearing...

Apple iPhone Pairing Instructions for Hearing Aids Apr 27th, 2020

Turn off hearing aid(s) by either: Opening the battery door(s) Placing on the charger Click on Settings Ensure Bluetooth is turned “ON” If “OFF”, click on Bluetooth and slide to on position Click on Accessibility Click on Hearing Devices Turn on hearing aids by closing battery door(s) or removing from...

At-Home Hearing Aid Troubleshooting Apr 26th, 2020

Troubleshooting Tips 101 My hearing aid sounds weak:  At home checks: -Clean the hearing aid (microphone covers)                             -Replace wax filter (if applicable) When to come in: If the above steps didn’t fix the problem.  My hearing...

Well-Hearing is Well-Being Apr 23rd, 2020

We are all experiencing some type of isolation at this time.  It is difficult not to socialize and to distance ourselves from others.    We as humans are social beings and want to be among others.  I’ve never been so excited to see what’s in my mailbox when I hear the mail carrier! ...

How to Manage the Summer Sweats with Hearing Aids Apr 22nd, 2020

Summer is coming! And with summer comes hotter weather and sweating! Moisture is one of the biggest contributors to hearing aids needing repair. Most hearing aid manufacturers have great protection against moisture built into their designs; however, moisture can still be a problem for hearing aids. It is recommended that if...

Diabetes and Audiology Hearing Healthcare Apr 15th, 2020

Over the past 20-25 years, the percentage of Americans with type 2 diabetes has nearly doubled to over 9% of the nation’s population. Diabetes is defined as high blood glucose levels as a result of underproduction - or no production - of insulin, which is needed to break down glucose...

What to Expect at a Vestibular (Balance) Evaluation Mar 25th, 2020

When people are dizzy, they are often sent to a vestibular audiologist for a vestibular evaluation. The vestibular system is the balance part of the inner ear. A comprehensive vestibular evaluation is used to determine where the balance issue is occurring. The first thing you will realize when scheduling for...

Health Literacy: Obtaining the Best in Healthcare Mar 18th, 2020

Health literacy is a growing concept in the healthcare and public health field. According to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, health literacy is “the degree to which an individual has the capacity to obtain, communicate, process, and understand basic health information and services to make appropriate...

Mild and Unilateral Hearing Loss in Children Mar 4th, 2020

What is mild hearing loss? Hearing loss is determined by the softest sound a person can hear in decibels. In adults, mild hearing loss occurs when the softest sounds a person can hear on average fall between 26 and 40 decibels. In children, mild hearing loss occurs between 16 and...

What is New with Custom Hearing Aids? Feb 28th, 2020

So what is new with custom hearing aids? Custom hearing aids are amplification devices that are made using an earmold impression of the patient’s ear.  They are programmed for the patient’s individual hearing loss by an audiologist.  The entire hearing aid, which includes the battery, the amplifier, the digital chip,...

What is a Cochlear Implant? Feb 19th, 2020

What is a cochlear implant? A cochlear implant is an electronic device that electrically stimulates the cochlear nerve which is the nerve for hearing. A cochlear implant is comprised of surgically placed internal components as well as external components that sit behind the ear similar to a hearing aid. The external parts collect and...

How Assistive Devices can Supplement your Listening Experience Feb 13th, 2020

Hearing loss is the third most common health problem in the United States. For many people with hearing loss, hearing aids are an essential part of their journey toward better hearing. But what happens when hearing aids are just not enough?  Some situations, such as busy restaurants, sporting events, and...

Genetics and Hearing Loss Jan 28th, 2020

Genes contain instructions that tell cells how to grow and work. Many genes are involved with hearing. Genetic hearing loss can be either syndromic or nonsyndromic. Syndromic hearing loss can come from malformations of the ear or other systems. Nonsyndromic hearing loss has no visible abnormalities of the ear or...

Types of Pediatric Hearing Tests Jan 22nd, 2020

There are several tests that may be completed during your child’s appointment with an audiologist based on their age and the reason for their visit. At their appointment, the audiologist will perform tests that assess the health of your child’s outer, middle, and inner ear. The outer ear includes their...

Central Vestibular Disorders Jan 14th, 2020

Dizziness or vertigo is grouped into 2 main categories: peripheral vestibular disorders and central vestibular disorders. This week I will discuss central vestibular disorders. See previous post for details about peripheral vestibular disorders. Central balance disorders are caused by dysfunction at the level of the brain. If the vestibular system...

Peripheral Vestibular Disorders Jan 8th, 2020

Dizziness or vertigo is grouped into 2 main categories: peripheral vestibular disorders and central vestibular disorders. This week I will explain peripheral vestibular disorders. Stay tuned for next week's post about central vestibular disorders. Peripheral vestibular disorders are caused by a dysfunction in the vestibular system in the inner ear...

Hearing Conservation Dec 31st, 2019

Work Noise, or unwanted sound, is one of the most prevalent occupational health problems.  Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is permanent damage to the tiny hair cells in your ears, which are responsible for sending sounds to the brain. Hair cells are not replaceable and once damaged they are unable to...

Vestibular Migraines Dec 24th, 2019

Vestibular migraine (VM) or migraine associated vertigo (MAV) is defined as a migraine variant presenting with additional vestibular symptoms in addition to typical migraine symptoms. It is estimated that around 40% of migraineurs have a vestibular component to their symptoms. VM is the second most common cause of vertigo and...

BPPV Dec 18th, 2019

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, otherwise known as BPPV, is the most common cause of vertigo. Vertigo is the sudden sensation that you are spinning or that the room is spinning. BPPV is characterized by brief episodes of mild to intense dizziness, which can be caused or provoked by specific changes...

Get the Most Out of Your Hearing & Hearing Aids with Auditory Training! Dec 10th, 2019

Hearing aids are immensely helpful devices for individuals who have hearing loss. They provide many benefits for speech clarity and listening in the presence of background noise. However, hearing aids do not repair hearing or give you normal hearing again. It is still important to accompany your use of hearing...

How to Properly Clean Hearing Aids Dec 3rd, 2019

It is imperative that hearing aid users clean their hearing aids daily in order to keep them in good working order.  Parts of the hearing aid can often get clogged with earwax, dry skin, hair spray, or other cosmetics.  We want your hearing aids to last a long time and...

How to Hear Your Best for the Holidays Nov 27th, 2019

The holidays are an exciting time to spend with friends and family. If you have hearing loss, it can be very difficult to follow conversations with those around you. Here at Professional Hearing Center, we are committed to keeping you involved with the people you love and activities you enjoy. ...

Can Hearing Aids Damage Your Ears? Nov 20th, 2019

A very common question we often get when working with hearing aids is “Will wearing the hearing aids cause further hearing loss?” The quick answer to this is generally no. The overall goal of hearing aids is to make soft speech audible, normal conversation level comfortable, and loud sounds loud...

Classroom Acoustics Nov 13th, 2019

Modern classrooms are loud! This blog will define components of classroom acoustics and give tips to reduce background noise and reverberation in order to benefit learning environments. Acoustics describes how sound travels in a room. Background noise and reverberation can cause poor acoustics in classrooms (1). Background noise is any sound that...

Hearing Loss and Comorbidities Oct 30th, 2019

The connection of hearing loss to other health conditions has been a hot topic lately. In the past few years, there has been an increase in society’s focus on wellness and hearing health. As baby boomers age, there is more availability of “big data” and epidemiological data analysis (1). This...

Rechargeable Hearing Aids Oct 23rd, 2019

One exciting new advancement in hearing aid technology that is improving patient satisfaction for ease of use is the availability of rechargeable hearing aids. These rechargeable hearing aids eliminate the need for patients to change disposable batteries at home and instead place their devices on a docking station every night...

How to Help Your Child with Hearing Loss Oct 18th, 2019

When a child receives any diagnosis, it can be accompanied by feelings of fear, frustration, and confusion for a parent. When a child is diagnosed with hearing loss, parents are often stepping into uncharted territory in parenting that many of their friends and family have not navigated. Often the first...

Tinnitus Oct 9th, 2019

At Professional Hearing Center we find it very important to share our knowledge about ear-related topics with our community. Today I would like to discuss tinnitus. Tinnitus is the sound that an individual may hear that is within their head that most commonly no one else can hear. This is...

Bone Conduction Headphones Oct 2nd, 2019

Bone conduction headphones are another way, besides traditional earbuds or headphones to listen to a device (music, videos, phone calls, etc.) without others hearing. If you have ever had your hearing tested by an audiologist, they typically test how well you can hear both through regular headphones and through bone...

Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline Sep 25th, 2019

Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline A recent study investigating the association between hearing loss, hearing aid use, and cognitive decline was published in the Journal of American Geriatric Society. More than 3,500 individuals over 65 participated, and results found that self‐reported hearing loss was associated with accelerated cognitive decline in...

Pulsatile Tinnitus (Hearing Heartbeat) Sep 18th, 2019

Tinnitus is most commonly referred to as the conscious perception of a noise or sound in a person’s ear. Some individuals state that their tinnitus sounds like a ringing, buzzing, humming, hissing, roaring, or even a pulsating sound that resembles a heartbeat. Tinnitus affects anywhere from 15-20% of people. Interestingly...

How Do You Get a Family Member to Consider Hearing Aids? Sep 11th, 2019

It all starts with the million-dollar question: How do I get my family member to consider hearing aids? For me, the journey began with my mom complaining that my dad was deliberately ignoring her. She did not understand that he was at a terrible disadvantage when she would talk to...

Pediatric Hearing Aids Sep 3rd, 2019

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Hearing Screening and Follow-up Survey, about 2 out of every 1,000 infants screened at birth show some degree of hearing loss. Additionally, children may develop hearing loss later in childhood due to infection, medication, or a genetic condition. Therefore, early identification...

What is Misophonia? Aug 28th, 2019

What is Misophonia?  (more commonly known as  “please stop chewing/breathing/grinding your teeth/etc so loud it’s driving me CRAZY”) Misophonia - or “hatred of sounds” -  is a disorder in which certain sounds cause a negative emotional or psychological response ranging from slight annoyance to anger, panic and the need to...

Hyperacusis Aug 20th, 2019

If you have difficulty tolerating everyday sounds, you may suffer from hyperacusis.  Hyperacusis is a hearing disorder that causes sounds which would otherwise seem normal to most people to sound unbearably loud.  This condition is characterized as an increased sensitivity to normal environmental sounds; however, it is not discomfort around...

Hearing Aid Accessories Aug 14th, 2019

Hearing aids are becoming more and more advanced each year. Manufacturers spend countless hours and dollars conducting research about what people with hearing loss need assistance with the most, and which situations tend to create the most difficult listening environments. Many times the use of hearing aids in general is...

Get to Know Your PHC Audiologists - Lorann Brown, Au.D. Aug 9th, 2019

Where did you grow up?  I grew up in Memphis, TN but moved around a lot as a kid since my dad was a Master Chief in the Navy. Where did you go to school? I went to high school in Memphis, then to the University of Tennessee for my...

PE Tubes in Children Aug 7th, 2019

Pressure equalization (PE) tubes are commonly used in infants and children to treat recurrent middle ear infections. PE tubes are small, hollow cylinders made of plastic or metal that are surgically inserted into the eardrum. This surgery is performed by an otolaryngologist. The surgery requires a tiny incision in the...

Get to Know Your PHC Audiologists - Maddy Larson, B.S. Aug 5th, 2019

Where did you grow up?  I have lived in Kansas City all my life and love it here! Where did you go to school? I went to Olathe South High School, Kansas State University for undergrad (Go Cats!), and the University of Kansas Medical Center for grad school.  Why did...

Cerumen (Earwax) Management Jul 30th, 2019

Cerumen is the medical term for earwax. Earwax comes in many different forms. It can be dry and flaky or thick and sticky depending on the physical characteristics of your skin and oils. Cerumen is natural and actually quite beneficial. It only becomes an issue if it builds up and...

Get to Know Your PHC Audiologists - Abigail Hartzell, BA Jul 29th, 2019

Where did you grow up? I grew up in Baldwin City, Kansas - home of the Maple Leaf Festival! Where did you go to school? I went to Baldwin High School, Johnson County Community College and the University of Kansas for undergraduate classes, and the University of Kansas Medical Center...

Pediatric Hearing Testing Jul 24th, 2019

Hearing is a crucial part of any child’s development, especially in the first few years of life. Even a mild or partial hearing loss can affect a child’s proper speech and language development. Fortunately, many hearing issues in children can be overcome if hearing loss is caught early and monitored...

Get to Know Your PHC Audiologists - Abigail Kaplan, Au.D. Jul 21st, 2019

Where did you grow up?  I was born and raised in Kansas City. My parents have lived in the same house in Old Leawood since I was three years old! Where did you go to school?  I attended St. James Academy in Lenexa for high school, K-State for undergrad, and...

Real Ear Measurements Jul 17th, 2019

Real ear or probe-microphone measurements are a method audiologists use to verify the amount of amplification hearing instruments provide at the patient’s eardrum. This method takes into account the device, hearing loss, and ear canal acoustics to objectively fit hearing instruments to a patient’s ear. Verification is considered best-practice for hearing aid...

Get to Know Your PHC Audiologists - Rachel Murphy, Au.D. Jul 15th, 2019

Where did you grow up? I grew up in west central Illinois in a little town called Macomb. Where did you go to school?  Our only high school in town was Macomb Jr/Sr High School, so that's where I went. I then went on to attend Western Illinois University, again...

Lyric Hearing Aids Jul 10th, 2019

Professional Hearing Center is excited to announce that we now offer Lyric! What is Lyric, and what is unique about it? Lyric hearing aids are completely invisible and can be worn for up to 12 weeks without removal.  This type of hearing aid is hassle-free and can be worn 24/7! ...

Get to Know Your PHC Audiologists - Lynsey Ralston, Au.D. Jul 8th, 2019

Where did you grow up? I grew up in O'Fallon, MO which is a suburb outside of St. Louis. Go Cards! Where did you go to school? I went to high school at Timberland High School. Then I moved to Kansas City to attend Rockhurst University. Then I attended the...

Get to Know Your PHC Audiologists - Erika Ward, Au.D. Jul 1st, 2019

Where did you grow up? Overland Park, KS Where did you go to school?  High School: Shawnee Mission West, Undergrad and Master's Program: KU, Doctorate: Salus University Why did you want to become an audiologist? I knew I always wanted to do something in healthcare, but not until I lucked...

Top Bluetooth Hearing Aids Jun 26th, 2019

At this point in the hearing aid world, Bluetooth capability inside of hearing aids is standard. In this blog post I will discuss what Bluetooth technology, in my opinion, is the best.  In 2014 we began seeing hearing aids that were direct to iPhone. 2017 brought Bluetooth connectivity with non-iPhone...

Get to Know Your PHC Audiologists - Julie Otto, Au.D. Jun 24th, 2019

Where did you grow up? I grew up in Overland Park, Kansas. Where did you go to school?  High school: Blue Valley Northwest Undergrad:  K-State Grad school: KU Med Why did you want to become an audiologist? I knew that I wanted a career that was a helping profession and...

Why don’t insurance companies cover hearing aids? Jun 19th, 2019

This is a question that we as audiologists hear every day, and as approximately 37 million people suffer some form of hearing loss, insurance coverage - or the lack of - is something that has a tremendous impact on the communication ability of so many.   We know that hearing...

Get to Know Your PHC Audiologists - Jennifer Schumacher, Au.D. Jun 17th, 2019

Where did you grow up? Not any one place!  I started in Macomb, IL, then moved to Monroe, LA, Hammond LA, North Little Rock, AR (where I lived the longest), then to Sedalia, MO. Where did you go to school?  Sedalia Smith-Cotton High School, CMSU in Warrensburg for my bachelor's and...

Get to Know Your PHC Audiologists - Julie Bangert, Au.D. Jun 10th, 2019

Where did you grow up? I grew up in Jefferson City, Missouri. Where did you go to school?  I went to high school at Jefferson City High School. Then I attended Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri, for my undergraduate education where I received a Bachelor of Science degree in...

Get to Know Your PHC Audiologists - Allison Peter, Au.D. Jun 2nd, 2019

Where did you grow up? Wichita, KS Where did you go to school?  Bishop Carroll Catholic High school, Undergrad - Kansas State University, Graduate - University of Kansas Medical Center Why did you want to become an audiologist? Growing up I always knew I wanted to be in a helping...

Better Speech and Hearing Month! May 29th, 2019

May is Better Speech and Hearing Month! In honor of that, this month we want to recognize our interprofessional collaboration with our own speech-language pathologist, Teri Burns. Let’s get to know her! Teri, put bluntly, what do you do? I am a Speech-Language Pathologist (sometimes called a SLP or a...

Get to Know Your PHC Audiologists - Hannah Prather, Au.D. May 26th, 2019

Where did you grow up? I was born in Oklahoma City and lived in Oklahoma until I was ten years old. I moved to Overland Park, Kansas and lived there until I got married. Where did you go to school?   I attended Blue Valley North High School, Kansas State...

Muscle Tension Dysphonia May 23rd, 2019

Continuing Better Speech and Hearing month, this week our speech-language pathologist Teri Burns shares some information with us on Muscle Tension Dysphonia, which is a common condition she treats. You can reach our office at 816-478-4200 if you or a loved one is in need of a voice evaluation. What...

Get to Know Your PHC Audiologists - Danielle Barton, Au.D. May 19th, 2019

Where did you grow up? I grew up outside of St. Louis, MO.  Where did you go to school? I graduated from Francis Howell North High School in St. Charles, MO in 2007. From there, I moved to Kirksville, MO to attend Truman State University where I majored in Communication...

Dysphagia: A Swallowing Disorder May 16th, 2019

For Better Speech and Hearing Month, last week we had the chance to learn about our speech-language pathologist, Teri Burns. This week we would like to share some information on one of the common disorders that she treats: dysphagia. Teri is excellent and has many years of experience working with...

Get to Know Your PHC Audiologists - Anna Grashoff, Au.D. May 12th, 2019

Where did you grow up? I’ve grown up all over! I was born in Oklahoma, lived in Maine for 7 years, then moved in Monroe, Louisiana where my family still lives.   Where did you go to school?  I moved to Norman, Oklahoma to attend the University of Oklahoma (OU)....

Get to Know Your PHC Audiologists - Sara Gabriel, Au.D. May 6th, 2019

Where did you grow up?   Iowa!  I grew up in Sioux City.  Where did you go to school?  East High ('01), University of Nebraska - Lincoln ('05), University of Kansas ('09) Why did you want to become an audiologist? As a speech language pathology major, I took an Intro to...

Get to Know Your PHC Audiologists - Jessica Dwyer, M.S. Apr 29th, 2019

Where did you grow up? Wichita, Kansas Where did you go to school? Kapaun Mt. CarmelKUWichita State University Why did you want to become an audiologist? I love working with older adults and wanted to be in a helping profession. Who is someone that has had an influence on you...

Get to Know Your PHC Audiologists - Kim Bramlett, Au.D. Apr 22nd, 2019

Where did you grow up?   Born and raised in Overland Park, Kansas Where did you go to school?   High School - Shawnee Mission West   Undergrad and Grad - KU   Doctorate - Salus University Why did you want to become an audiologist?  I always knew I wanted to work...

Get to Know Your PHC Audiologists - Kelly Spiller, Au.D. Apr 14th, 2019

Professional Hearing Center wants to offer you a chance to get to know the audiologists a little better! We are starting a series where each week you will get to learn a little bit more about one of our audiologists. This week we are starting with our fearless leader, Kelly...

Cochlear Implants vs. Bone Anchored Systems - An Interview with Dr. Anna Grashoff Apr 1st, 2019

One of the many things we do at Professional Hearing Center is evaluations for cochlear implants (CI) and bone anchored systems (BAS).  Dr. Anna Grashoff is our go-to audiologist for most of these evaluations, so we’ll discuss a few things with her in today’s blog. 1. Hi there!  To start...

Custom Earplugs and Hearing Protection Mar 18th, 2019

Professional Hearing Center is pleased to offer patients custom earplugs and hearing protection. We offer a wide selection to fit a variety of different needs. All custom plugs require an appointment to have impressions taken of your ears. An impression is a silicone cast of your ear that the manufacturer...

Comorbidities: Hearing Loss and Diabetes Mar 11th, 2019

Hearing loss is common for individuals with diabetes. According to a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health, hearing loss is twice as common in an individual with diabetes compared to individuals without diabetes. It was also discovered that individuals who are pre-diabetic are 30% more likely to have...

Welcome to PHC at the Legends! Mar 4th, 2019

Professional Hearing Center has 14 locations around the greater Kansas City area to serve all of your audiology-related needs! This video highlights our Legends location! Get a glimpse of what you can expect when you schedule an appointment with us at this office. To schedule, call 913-745-6910.

What's The Problem With A Little Noise? Feb 25th, 2019

Noise exposure is a common cause for hearing loss. Noise exposure can be the result of recreational noise or occupational noise. It is estimated that 22 million workers are exposed to potentially damaging noise levels every year. It is important if you are subjected to high noise levels to wear...

How Do I Communicate with Someone with Hearing Loss? Feb 18th, 2019

Listening skills and communication strategies involve more than auditory access.  Oftentimes, changes in the environment or the communication partner’s behavior yield huge improvements in understanding. Communication Strategies for an Individual with a Hearing Loss  Once you have taken the step towards better hearing and have been fit with hearing aids...

Welcome to PHC at the Lee's Summit Medical Center! Feb 11th, 2019

Professional Hearing Center has 14 locations around the greater Kansas City area to serve all of your audiology-related needs! This video highlights our Lee's Summit Medical Center location. Get a glimpse of what you can expect when you schedule an appointment with us at this office. To schedule, call 816-478-3008.

Audiology in Our Schools Feb 4th, 2019

From the American Academy of Audiology Schools are required to provide hearing screenings to all children. American Academy of Audiology (2011) Screening guidelines suggest children have a hearing screening: When enrolling in school for the first time. In grades 1, 3, 5, and either 7 or 9. If the student...

Bone-Anchored Hearing Device Jan 28th, 2019

From the American Academy of Audiology Bone-Anchored Implants Bone-anchored implants are surgically implantable systems used to treat specific types of hearing loss. Sounds are sent to the inner ear through bone vibrations (conduction), bypassing the outer ear and middle ear. How Does a Bone-Anchored Implant Work? Bone-anchored implants have three...

How Do We Test Kids’ Hearing? Jan 21st, 2019

From the American Academy of Audiology 2-3 in 1000 children are born with a significant hearing loss.[1] Children of any age can be evaluated for hearing loss. Hearing loss can lead to significant difficulties with understanding speech and language, academic performance, and emotional challenges.  Early identification of hearing loss can reduce...

Making Room for Better Hearing Jan 14th, 2019

From the American Academy of Audiology Listeners with hearing loss have greater difficulties understanding speech in challenging listening environments (e.g. noisy environments) even when wearing assistive devices, such as hearing aids or cochlear implants. Oftentimes, there are three main barriers to improved understanding for anyone with a hearing loss: Distance...

Congential CMV Infection Jan 6th, 2019

From the American Academy of Audiology 1 in every 200 babies are born with congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection.[1] 1 in 5 of these babies will have long-term health problems.1 What is Cytomegalovirus (CMV)? CMV is a common virus that can infect people of all ages.  It is a member of...

Presbycusis: Say What?! Dec 30th, 2018

From the American Academy of Audiology One in three people older than age 60 have hearing loss; one in two people older than age 85 have hearing loss.[1] Hearing loss related to age is called presbycusis. It is a combination of changes to the Structures of the inner ear Blood...

Meet some of our wonderful PCCs! Dec 23rd, 2018

When you make an appointment at Professional Hearing Center, your first point of contact is one of our Patient Care Coordinators. This group of wonderful ladies takes care of everything from phone calls to appointments to fixing hearing aids and keeping us audiologists in line.  I thought we’d do an interview...

What Should My Baby Be Hearing? Dec 16th, 2018

From the American Academy of Audiology Approximately three of every 1,000 babies have a significant hearing problem at birth.[i] More than 5,000 babies are born with hearing loss each year.[ii] Babies are not able to tell you they have hearing loss, and the first year of life is critical to...

An Interview with Danielle Barton, AuD, CH-TM , CCC/A, FAAA Dec 10th, 2018

Today I’d like to introduce you to Dr. Danielle Barton, one of our audiologists at Professional Hearing Center.  She has recently completed a program in tinnitus management, and we’ll talk about that today. 1. Hello!  You have a lot of letters after your name. I know you’re a doctor of...

Receiver-in-the-Ear Hearing Aids: What are they, and how are they worn? Dec 3rd, 2018

During this video you will learn about receiver-in-the-ear hearing aids and learn how to put one in your ear!

Why do people put off wearing hearing aids? Nov 26th, 2018

Why do people put off wearing hearing aids? This is a question we, as audiologists, ask ourselves almost daily.  We see people all day long with hearing loss, many of them untreated, and when the subject of amplification comes up we are often met with some form of a resounding...

How to Change a Hearing Aid Wax Trap Nov 19th, 2018

Does your hearing aid sound weak or muffled? Does your hearing aid seem dead even after changing the battery? Have you not had your hearing aids professionally cleaned in over six months? These are all signs that you may need to change your wax trap (or wax filter) on the...

Genetic Hearing Loss Nov 11th, 2018

From the American Academy of Audiology      It is estimated that half of children born with hearing loss have a genetic cause.1 Genes make up DNA-units of heredity that are passed from parents to children.  If a gene does not form normally, it is called a mutation. Some of these...

Hidden Hearing Loss Nov 5th, 2018

From the American Academy of Audiology What is hidden hearing loss?      Hidden hearing loss a relatively new term. It describes hearing loss that cannot be measured by standard hearing tests, even though patients report difficulty hearing, especially in background noise. How is hidden hearing loss measured?    ...

Sudden Hearing Loss! Say What? Oct 29th, 2018

From the American Academy of Audiology      It is estimated that the annual incidence of sudden sensorineural hearing loss is 1 in 5000 people or about 4000 new cases per year in the US. 1      Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is defined as a rapid onset of hearing loss...

Hearing Loss and Comorbidities Oct 22nd, 2018

A “comorbidity” is defined as the simultaneous presence of two or more chronic diseases or conditions in a patient.  Examples of this include anxiety/depression, obesity/high blood pressure, COPD/pneumonia, and diabetes/neuropathy. Likewise, there are several conditions that have been linked to hearing loss.  These comorbidities have been found to affect people...

What Hearing Protection Do I Need? Oct 15th, 2018

Foam Earplugs-  Visitors to factories or construction sites are often given such ear protection. The advantage is that they are very easy to use and cut out a sufficient amount of noise if inserted correctly. The disadvantage of these is that they can irritate the ear and can be difficult...

October is national Protect Your Hearing month! Oct 8th, 2018

October is national Protect Your Hearing month! Facts about hearing loss in the United States: Approximately 37 million people over age 18 report some degree of hearing loss, and twice as many men as women between ages 20-69 have hearing loss.  About 25 million Americans also report tinnitus, or ringing...

Listening Effort and Fatigue Oct 1st, 2018

What is Listening Fatigue? Hearing loss leads to communication difficulties.  To maintain optimal understanding, listeners with hearing loss must allocate more cognitive resources, or brain power, to listening than do listeners without hearing loss. This increase in cognitive resources required to listen to speech has been referred to as an...

Hearing Loss and Feelings of Depression Sep 24th, 2018

Adults with untreated hearing loss are less likely to participate in organized social activities, leading to feelings of depression. Nearly 33% of adults 70 years and older have a hearing loss that impacts daily communication. Less than 25% of adults with significant hearing loss use hearing aids. On average, it...

Diabetes & Hearing Loss Sep 18th, 2018

According to the CDC, over 9 percent of the U.S. population has diabetes and the prevalence of diabetes increases with age1. Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes mellitus is a disorder where the body has high blood sugar due to abnormal insulin. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. Without the...

Hearing Loss & Cognitive Decline Sep 10th, 2018

More than 5 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s disease.1 Hearing loss is a sudden or gradual change in how well you can hear. Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions in older adults.2 As we get older, we are also more at risk for dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, compounding...

10 questions and answers about hearing aids Sep 3rd, 2018

1. How do I know if I need a hearing aid? The first step is to have your hearing tested by an audiologist, who will then explain the results to you and offer recommendations. If your hearing isn’t surgically or medically correctable, then hearing aids will be recommended. We’ll go...

Swimmer's ear can lead to temporary hearing loss Aug 27th, 2018

Contributed by Lisa Packer, staff writer, Healthy Hearing June 7, 2018 Summer is here and it’s time for fun in the sun. For many of us, summer fun includes splashing in the nearest body of water. But what happens when our desire to cool off in the water leads to...

Care and Maintenance of Hearing Aids Aug 20th, 2018

Daily: Remove your hearing aids when applying cosmetics, hair spray, suntan lotion, perfume, and aftershave as they may get into the hearing aid and cause damage. Clean your hearing aids using a soft cloth, tissue or proper cleaning tools to remove earwax, grease or moisture. Do not use water or...

The Link Between Diabetes and Hearing Loss Aug 13th, 2018

By Allison Tsai  May 2018 You go to routine doctor visits for all kinds of preventive care: eye exams, A1C tests, blood pressure checks, and more. But when was the last time you had a hearing test? If you can’t remember, it’s likely been too long. “Anyone with diabetes should...

Not Missing A Moment: A Hearing Aid Patient’s Testimonial Aug 6th, 2018

Consumers have many different experiences when they look into treating their hearing difficulties. One major difference in success with hearing treatment is whether you look to over-the-counter amplifiers or true hearing aid technology and fitting from an audiologist. This week’s blog is a testimonial from our lovely patient, Jerry, who...

The Side Effect of Hearing Loss You Didn’t Know Jul 30th, 2018

By Bel Marra Health, www.belmarrahealth.comApril 13, 2018 7:00 am Last Updated: April 13, 2018 7:10 am Hearing loss can affect your ability to follow conversations, enjoy your favorite song or movie, and take part in daily activities. Yes, these are all detrimental effects of hearing loss, but there are some...

Summer Hearing Aid Maintenance Jul 24th, 2018

Daily: Remove your hearing aids when applying cosmetics, hair spray, suntan lotion, perfume, and aftershave as they may get into the hearing aid and cause damage. Clean your hearing aids using a soft cloth, tissue or proper cleaning tools to remove earwax, grease or moisture. Do not use water or...

What You Need to Know About Summer Hearing Aid Care Jul 17th, 2018

Contributed by Lisa Packer, staff writer, Healthy Hearing July 14, 2016 After a long cold winter, we might welcome the warm temperatures but for hearing aids, summer is no picnic. The arrival of warm weather brings special concerns that require changes in how you care for your hearing aids. Enjoy...

En Route to Better Hearing Jul 10th, 2018

PROTECT YOUR EARS!! In a study of 112 airport employees exposed to some noise while at work, 42% had a moderate high frequency hearing loss.  Airport ground crews are listed as one of the noisiest professions! Prolonged exposure to noise levels above 80 decibels can damage your hearing. Airport ground...

Noise Exposure Jul 2nd, 2018

July 4th is around the corner! This means good food, family time, and LOUD noises (specifically fireworks). There are multiple ways to protect your ears from these loud sounds. One of these, the most popular, is generic foam earplugs. In order to assure the earplugs are working properly is making sure they are...

Auditory Processing: What We Do With What We Hear Jun 4th, 2018

“My hearing is normal, but I am constantly asking people to repeat what they said. “If it’s quiet, I can hear, but if lots of kids start talking in my classroom, I have a really hard time hearing my teacher.” “When my mom talks really fast, I can’t keep up...

Aural Rehabilitation May 29th, 2018

The human body is intricately designed to execute the most basic to complex functions.  Many of these functions occur involuntarily to enrich our quality of life. The ear works in the same way. Our ears rapidly work to transmit and optimize the sounds in our environment for the purpose of...

Hearing Aid Accessories & Gadgets May 21st, 2018

Most of the time, hearing aids will help you hear and understand better in almost any situation.  However, hearing is very subjective, and no two people will hear speech and environmental sounds the same way, even if their hearing loss is identical.  I always tell my patients that I can...

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) May 14th, 2018

What causes BPPV? BPPV occurs when some of the calcium carbonate crystals (or otoconia) that are normally embedded in the utricle become dislodged and migrate into one or more of the three fluid-filled semicircular canals, where they are not supposed to be. These particles can interfere with the normal fluid...

Cochlear Implants May 6th, 2018

What is a cochlear implant? A cochlear implant is an electronic medical device designed to help people with very significant hearing loss who no longer receive benefit from hearing aids. Unlike hearing aids, which amplify sounds, cochlear implants do the work of the damaged parts of the inner ear to...

Hearing is our Forte: From Trumpets to Miniature Computers May 1st, 2018

Hearing aids have improved dramatically in a short period of time; they are no longer the bulky whistling devices of before and a far cry from the ear-trumpets pictured on the left. It is not very difficult to imagine why ear trumpets were never en vogue.  Research and development have...

Hearing Aids: An Introduction Apr 22nd, 2018

What are the different types of hearing aids? Hearing aids are available in many different styles and technology. They can be very small and sit deep inside the ear canal (IIC) to the larger, more powerful behind the ear (BTE) style. The degree of your hearing loss helps determine which...

Hearing Aid Batteries Apr 15th, 2018

Hearing aid batteries While there are rechargeable batteries available on the market, the most common type is still the zinc-air button disposable battery. Because zinc-air batteries are air-activated, a factory-sealed sticker allows them to remain inactive until it is removed. Once peeled from the back of the battery, oxygen will...

What is an ENT? Apr 8th, 2018

ENT is an acronym for a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of Ear, Nose, and Throat disorders. The true name for this specialty physician is otorhinolaryngologist. According to the American Academy of Otorhinolaryngology, otorhinolaryngology is the oldest medical specialty in the United States. These physicians have completed...

Audiology: Qualifications & Specialties Apr 2nd, 2018

Audiologists are healthcare professionals who are skilled in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of hearing and balance disorders. As audiologists, we take pride in combining our enthusiasm for serving others with evidence-based practice to improve the lives of inpiduals in our communities. Becoming a credentialed hearing healthcare provider is a...

Professional Hearing Center: Who are we? Mar 26th, 2018

Professional Hearing Center is an ever-growing private practice of state licensed and nationally credentialed audiologists in the greater Kansas City area. The practice was started by Dr. Kelly Spiller in 2008 in Belton, Missouri. As the practice grew, Dr. Spiller opened a second location in Liberty, Missouri. In 2015, Dr....