Hearing Aids and Brain Health: What the New WHO Guidelines Mean for You
Your hearing does more than keep you in the conversation. It also helps keep your brain active, and the World Health Organization (WHO) now recognizes that connection in its guidelines on dementia risk. If you or someone you love has hearing loss, that’s encouraging news, because hearing loss is treatable. Here’s what changed, what the…
Pheasant Opener: Why Custom Earplugs Belong in Your Hunting Vest
Minnesota’s pheasant season opens Saturday, October 10. If you’re heading to the field, you’ve probably checked your license, your shells, and your blaze orange. There’s one more piece of gear worth packing: hearing protection. A rooster flushing from the grass is one of the best sounds of fall. The shot that follows is loud enough…
300 Years of Combined Care: Celebrating Our Doctors of Audiology
October is National Audiology Awareness Month, and we’re celebrating the 13 Doctors of Audiology at Midwest Hearing. Together, they bring more than 300 years of experience caring for patients’ hearing. Our audiology team provides comprehensive hearing care for every age and includes five audio technicians who support our patients. One Team, 300+ Years of Experience When…
Communication Is at the Heart of Everything Â
This May, Let’s Talk About It Every meaningful moment in our lives involves communication. A conversation with a friend. Hearing your grandchild laugh. Following along at a noisy family dinner. When hearing works well, we often take it for granted. But for the millions of Americans living with hearing loss, communication takes real effort, and real support. May…
How Hearing Aids Support Healthy Relationships
Hearing loss touches nearly every part of your life. One area where you might feel its impact is in your relationships. Whether you’re reconnecting with people you love or staying present in everyday conversations, hearing aids are an excellent way to support strong connections. As Midwest Hearing audiologist Dr. Jodie Mensink, Au.D., explains, “Hearing loss…
Study Reveals Parkinson’s Connection to Hearing Loss in Veterans
According to a study published in JAMA Neurology in fall 2024, veterans with hearing loss could be at a greater risk for developing Parkinson’s disease, a nerve disorder that impacts movement.1 Approximately one million people in the U.S. have Parkinson’s, with veterans disproportionately affected by the disease.1 The Study Details Researchers from the VA Portland…
How Our Redux Dryer Improves Hearing Aid Function
Your hearing aids are technologically advanced tools that help you communicate with the world. Like many other electronic devices, the lifespan of your hearing aids can change depending on outside factors. One such factor is the relative humidity in your environment.[1] Sweat, accidental splashes or dense Midwest humidity can lead to moisture buildup inside your…
Listening Fatigue: Why Conversations Wear You Out
When you live with untreated hearing loss, it’s common to feel mentally drained after a long dinner or a day of meetings. We call that feeling listening fatigue. Why Does Listening Fatigue Happen? Processing speech with hearing loss requires a little extra effort. Think of it like solving a jigsaw puzzle. When you hear speech…
Considering Hearing Aids? Don’t Wait!
If you’ve been considering pursuing hearing treatment for years, you are not alone. In a recent study by the Hearing Industries Association[1], respondents reported that they were aware of their hearing difficulty for an average of four years before purchasing hearing aids. Though that number has decreased from previous years, patients still report wishing they’d…
Social Isolation & Depression: How Hearing Treatment Can Restore Connection
Hearing loss often develops gradually, and so does its emotional consequences. One of the most significant impacts is how hearing loss can isolate you from the people and world around you. Over time, this disconnection can lead to loneliness, anxiety and even depression. How Untreated Hearing Loss Creates Distance Hearing loss makes everyday communication more…