It’s often mistaken for a dimple or piercing hole, but preauricular pits are usually benign malformations that appear above or in front of the ear canal. “In most cases, children with a preauricular pit are perfectly healthy and can live a typical life,” said Audiology & Hearing Services of Charlotte audiologist Melissa Karp. What is a Preauricular Pit? The auricle is the outer portion of your ear, and preauricular refers to the front of the auricle. Preauricular pits form in the sinus tracts underneath the skin around your ears and are only noticeable as a tiny opening. A pit can be sho ..read more

Regularly cleaning your hearing aids will improve their performance and longevity, so you can get the most out of your investment. Check out our step-by-step guide to proper hearing aid care. Hearing Aid Cleaning Prep Here are some tips to help you prepare for a thorough daily cleaning. Wash your hands with soap and water before handling your devices to avoid spreading germs and bacteria. Remove your hearing aids over a towel or other soft surface to prevent damage if you drop them. Remove batteries, wipe contact points and leave the battery compartment open to dry. Allow your hearing aids ..read more

Menopause can cause many physical changes. You may be surprised to know it can even affect your hearing. Your Hearing Changes with Age Presbycusis is the natural process that occurs as your ear structures gradually degenerate with age. You may find you have trouble hearing high-pitched sounds, like children’s voices. It’s also common to experience a change in blood flow and circulation with age, and the onset of menopause may further exacerbate those conditions. A change in blood flow harms the sensitive hair-like structures in your inner ear that send sound signals to your brain for interpr ..read more

Festive gatherings and parties are a time to relax, catch up with family and friends and have fun. Your hearing loss shouldn’t interrupt a moment of holiday magic, which is why it’s important to get your hearing aids ready for the sounds of the season. Preparing Hearing Aids for Festivities Even if your hearing devices are functioning well, it’s not a bad idea to visit your audiologist for a checkup and adjustment. They can make the necessary changes to your devices, so they’re prepped to filter holiday background noise. It’s also a good time to get your hearing aids cleaned. Ask your audiol ..read more

Artificial intelligence is more common than you may realize. Have you ever binged a Netflix series and noticed the “what to watch next” prompt at the end of your episode? That’s artificial intelligence. Maybe there’s a list of recommended products on your Amazon account after you’ve done some online shopping. That’s also AI. It’s a growing technological trend that’s making its way into the world of hearing technology, which can provide you with a thorough interpretation of your listening environment. How Do Hearing Aids Use Artificial Intelligence? Hearing aids that use AI automatically resp ..read more

Transitioning to end-of-life care is a hard decision. It’s emotionally taxing for the patient and their loved ones. For the one in four hospice patients with hearing loss, difficulty communicating with doctors and family makes the process even more challenging. Managing Medical Care Hospice addresses medical care, emotional support and financial and legal matters. Those issues often take precedence over their hearing loss, but failing to address your senior’s condition can have serious emotional implications. For many, hospice focuses heavily on pain management. If your loved one can’t hear ..read more

It’s a bit of a misnomer to refer to hearing aids as “waterproof.” Regardless of their technological advancements, hearing devices are not designed to be submerged in water for an extended period. However, modern hearing technology has improved to the point that exposure to moisture will not instantly ruin your hearing aids. Defining “Waterproof” Hearing Aids There is no such thing as a perfectly waterproof hearing aid. Some specially designed hearing devices are water-resistant, but that doesn’t mean you should go swimming with them in your ears. Water-resistant hearing aids have features t ..read more

The prospect of living with hearing loss can certainly be anxiety-inducing. It’s not unusual to feel anxious about the prospect of wearing hearing aids, either. If left untreated, those conditions can negatively impact your quality of life. Is Anxiety a Cause or an Effect of Hearing Loss? Technically, it’s both. Hearing loss can make you feel anxious because of the obstacles it creates in your daily life. You may feel anxious about attending social gatherings because you’re embarrassed about asking others to repeat themselves or fear missing the punchline of a joke. You may also worry about ..read more

Your son has returned to school, but you notice he’s struggling with certain assignments because he doesn’t remember what his teacher told him. Or maybe your daughter’s teacher told you she fails to follow directions frequently and doesn’t seem to pay attention during conversations. In fact, she doesn’t seem to listen to spoken instructions at home, either. If your child has exhibited any of those symptoms, they may have auditory processing disorder (APD). What is Auditory Processing Disorder? APD is a hearing condition in which the ears and brain cannot coordinate sound perception correctly ..read more

Yes, you can. Depending on the size and style of your hearing aids, you can sport different kinds of headphones and earbuds. Your hearing needs, the shape of your hearing devices and your comfort will determine which set is right for you. Finding the Best Fit You have three options when it comes to headsets: Earbuds: Small devices that sit snuggly inside your ear canal On-ear headphones: Headsets that rest on top of the head with the speakers placed directly on the ears Over-ear headphones: Like on-ear devices, these headsets rest around the ear but are better at eliminating ambient noise S ..read more