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How Often Should Adults Get a Hearing Exam in Kitchener

Hearing is something most of us take for granted — until it starts to fade. For many adults in Kitchener, subtle changes in hearing happen gradually, often going unnoticed until they affect daily life. Difficulty following conversations, constantly turning up the TV, or missing important sounds can all be signs that it’s time for a professional hearing exam. Regular hearing exams aren’t just about detecting hearing loss — they’re a proactive step toward protecting your overall health, maintaining connections with family and friends, and ensuring you enjoy life to the fullest. In this article, we’ll explain how often adults should get

How Long Do Hearing Aids Last?

Hearing aids are more than just devices—they are essential tools that help people stay connected to the world around them. Whether it’s enjoying conversations with family, listening to music, or staying safe in everyday life, reliable hearing aids make a real difference. A common question many people have is: how long do hearing aids actually last? Understanding their lifespan can help you plan for maintenance, replacement, and technology upgrades. Typical Lifespan of Hearing Aids On average, hearing aids last between three and seven years. This range can vary based on the type of device, how it’s used, and how well it’s

Hearing Health and New Year’s Resolutions: A Smarter Way to Start the Year

At Ear and Hearing Clinic, we encourage patients to think of hearing care as an essential part of their overall wellness plan. Making hearing health a priority at the start of the year can lead to meaningful improvements in confidence, relationships, and quality of life. Hearing affects nearly every part of our daily living. Clear hearing supports conversations with family, social interactions, workplace communication, and personal safety. When hearing issues go untreated, they can slowly begin to interfere with these areas. Many people experience frustration, fatigue, or withdrawal from activities they once enjoyed. Changes in our hearing often occur gradually, making them easy to ignore. This is why

Signs Your Child May Be Struggling With Hearing Loss

Hearing can play an important role in the way some children access language, participate in activities, and interact with those around them. Yet, hearing loss in children is more common than many parents realize. Spotting the indications early can make a significant difference in your child’s life. This article will walk you through the common signs of hearing loss, explain why early detection is so important, and outline the steps you can take if you have concerns. Why Early Detection Matters Untreated hearing loss can have a ripple effect on a child’s development. It can impact their ability to develop speech

Understanding Why Ear Infections Happen and What Helps Prevent Them

Ear infections are one of the most common health concerns for both children and adults. They can be painful, disruptive, and—if they happen frequently—can even impact long-term hearing health. By understanding why ear infections happen and what steps help prevent them, you can better protect your ears and know when it’s time to reach out to an audiologist for expert care. In this guide, we’ll break down how ear infections develop, what symptoms to look for, and simple ways to reduce the risk for your family. What Ear Infections Are and How They Develop An ear infection occurs when the middle

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HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT OPEN-FIT INSTRUMENTS?

The biggest news involving hearing instruments in recent years revolves around the introduction and widespread popular acceptance of “open-fit” hearing instruments. What makes these instruments so special is their design, which places miniature digital components completely behind the ear, which eliminates the need for a mould. From there, a small plastic tube attached to the business end of the instrument brings sound to the ear canal. Popular excitement with this type of hearing instrument stems primarily from the fact that it is so comfortable. There is no mould to insert in the ear, and the ear canal remains open, so there

PRESBYCUSIS

The term “presbycusis” refers to the slow and progressive loss of hearing that affects both ears to the same degree, usually starting around the age of 50. This age-related loss of hearing most often starts in the high-frequency range, where conversation is conducted. As a result, those suffering from presbycusis are likely to find that their ability to understand speech is hindered more than their ability to hear sounds. This is particularly true in cases where presbycusis sufferers are trying to hear a conversation in noisy environments. The term “cocktail party effect” refers to the ability to focus on a single

NOTABLE HEARING-IMPAIRED MUSICIANS

Eric Clapton recently expressed concerns that he had tinnitus and was “going deaf.” The same rang true for Ludwig van Beethoven who moved from hearing buzzing in his ears (tinnitus) at the age of 26 to progressive hearing loss and, finally, total deafness by age 44. Even so, he continued to compose music. He was able to do so by holding a pencil in his mouth and touching the other end to the soundboard of the piano as he played. Using the same principle that makes a bone-conduction hearing instrument work, Beethoven was able to conduct sound vibrations through the pencil,

REGROWING HAIR (CELLS)

The type of hearing loss known as “sensorineural” is a result of inner ear or auditory nerve dysfunction. This is due in part to damage of the tiny “hair cells” that reside within the cochlea. These sensory receptors convert sound waves into electrical signals that are transmitted through the acoustic nerve to the brain. However, once hair cells become damaged by loud noises, they are unable to regenerate themselves. As a result, hearing loss that is associated with hair cell death is permanent. While hearing aids can effectively assist in the treatment of sensorineural hearing loss, researchers continue to search for

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