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A man holding his ear, showing signs of Tinnitus pain

Understanding Tinnitus And Why It Happens

Tinnitus is often described as ringing in the ears, but it can sound different from person to person. Some people hear buzzing, humming, hissing, clicking, or even a whooshing sound, even when there is no outside noise causing it. For some, it comes and goes. For others, it can become a constant background sound. Tinnitus is also more common than many people realize. More than 40% of Canadians will experience tinnitus at some point in their lives, and for some, it can become bothersome enough to affect sleep, concentration, mood, and daily comfort. Understanding tinnitus means looking at what it is,

Elderly woman with short white hair, wearing a light blue jacket, leans forward with a hand to her ear, struggling with hearing loss.

How Do You Know If You Have Hearing Loss

Have you started asking people to repeat themselves more often? Maybe conversations in busy restaurants feel harder to follow, or you’ve noticed the television volume creeping higher than everyone else prefers. Hearing loss often develops gradually, which can make the early signs easy to dismiss. What feels like occasional mishearing or background noise frustration may actually be the beginning of a change in your hearing. Because hearing loss can happen slowly, many people do not realize how much they have been missing until someone else points it out. Recognizing the signs early can help you take action sooner, making it easier

The Hidden Impact of Headphones: Are You Listening Safely in 2026?

Headphones have become part of daily life. They’re on during commutes, at the gym, through the workday, and well into the evening. For many people, including teenagers and young adults, they’re in use for several hours a day. Yet very few people think about what prolonged listening at high volumes is doing to their hearing over time. This post explains how headphone use can affect your hearing, what the warning signs look like, and what safe listening means in practice. Can Headphones Cause Permanent Hearing Loss? Yes. Repeated exposure to loud sound through headphones can permanently damage the hair cells of

Outdated Hearing Aids? 5 Signs It’s Time for an Upgrade in 2026

Hearing aid technology continues to evolve rapidly. If your devices are more than a few years old, they may not be providing the clarity, comfort, and performance that newer models can deliver. Many patients continue wearing older hearing aids because they still function. However, there is a difference between hearing and hearing well. If you are unsure whether your devices are keeping up with your needs, here are five signs it may be time to consider a hearing aid upgrade in 2026. 1. You Feel Tired After Conversations Listening should not feel exhausting. If you notice increased listening fatigue after family

What Are the Signs I Need Hearing Aids?

Hearing loss often develops gradually, which makes it easy to overlook the early warning signs. Many people assume they are simply dealing with background noise, tiredness, or people speaking unclearly. However, difficulty hearing conversations, frequently asking people to repeat themselves, or turning the TV volume up can be signs that your hearing may be changing. If you’re wondering whether hearing aids might help, you’re not alone. Thousands of Canadians experience hearing loss every year, and many delay treatment simply because they are unsure what symptoms to watch for. In this guide, we’ll walk through the most common signs you may need

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WEIGHING HEAVILY ON THE EARS

Obesity has been linked to an array of health problems, and it seems that impaired hearing is the latest. Analysis of health data of 68,000 women participating in the Harvard Nurses’ Health Study suggests that carrying extra pounds, especially around the waist, may be linked to hearing loss. Researchers found that women who were obese (defined as having BMIs between 30 and 39) were 17 percent to 22 percent more likely to report hearing loss than women whose BMIs were less than 25. (Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a measurement of body fat based on a ratio of height and

GETTING AN EARFUL

“Canal-style” hearing instruments are designed to go almost completely unnoticed when worn. Because they fit entirely in the ear canal, these tiniest of hearing instruments also provide the additional benefit of allowing the wearer to benefit from the pinna’s (the outer part of the ear) natural resonance and localization characteristics. Of these types of hearing instruments, “completely-in-the-canal” (CIC) models are best for individuals with good dexterity. Their smaller size usually translates to fewer manual controls (such as volume controls and program buttons) and smaller batteries (which may be more difficult to insert and remove). “In-the-canal” (ITC) models may be easier to

DO YOU HAVE A MUSICAL EAR?

If you are a musician, you should know that recent research shows that musicians top the charts when it comes to hearing loss. In fact, an analysis of the insurance records of seven million people shows that professional musicians are nearly four times more likely to suffer noise-induced deafness. Moreover, the study indicated that musicians were also about 57 percent more likely to suffer from “tinnitus,” which is ringing in the ears associated with hearing loss. A symphony orchestra can hit 120-137 decibels, and a rock concert can top 150 decibels. Over time, loud music takes its toll. Musicians of all

EXPLAINING GENDER BIAS

Studies indicate that men are twice as likely to develop hearing loss as women, especially those between the ages of 20-69. One of the many possible explanations for this difference involves the “female sex hormone” estradiol, which is found in both men and women. In women, estradiol functions as a growth hormone for tissues of the reproductive organs and plays a critical role in sexual development. In men, the hormone is generated in testosterone by aromatase, a protein which is found throughout the male reproductive system. Estradiol is also known to affect other organs. Of particular interest to hearing specialists is

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