Live Better Hearing

07/15/2025

🌀 Balance matters — and so does training.

We’re proud to invest in the next generation of audiologists by making sure they’re trained in the most advanced and evidence-based practices in the field.

This week, at our Rockville clinic, four of our incredible 4th year externs completed specialized vestibular training with the The American Institute of Balance — the leading authority in dizziness and balance disorders.

Whether it’s helping patients with vertigo, dizziness, or imbalance, our doctoral residents are gaining the knowledge and skills they need to deliver top-tier, compassionate care.

Way to go, team! 👏

07/08/2025

🎓 Meet Our 2025–2026 Audiology Doctoral Residents!

We’re proud to welcome Morgan Brenk, Lindsay Deegan, Cassidy Lewis, Kristen Nortwich, and Danielle Schopf to the Live Better Hearing + Balance team. These future doctors of audiology are already making an impact in our clinics across Maryland and New Jersey.

They bring incredible experience, dedication, and compassion to our patients—and we couldn’t be more excited to have them onboard!

07/02/2025

We’re excited to share that Dr. Ross Cushing, our founder and CEO, was recently featured in Prevention Magazine's coverage of Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 and its hearing aid functionality.

As Dr. Cushing explains in the article, these new features “can definitely help people who have mild to moderate hearing loss, especially if they’re just starting to notice some trouble and aren't ready to seek professional help.”

While AirPods can be a helpful first step, especially for those hesitant to explore hearing loss treatment, it’s still essential to seek care from a licensed audiologist. Hearing loss can have underlying causes, and a full evaluation helps ensure you're getting the right support, treatment, and long-term care.

Testers with both perfect hearing and hearing loss had differing opinions on their performance. Here are our thoughts.

06/30/2025

Exciting news: After nearly two decades in Montgomery Village — the very first clinic we opened in 2007 — we’ve officially moved into a beautiful new space in Gaithersburg, MD!

Our new office is brighter, more modern, and still staffed by the friendly, expert audiology team you know and trust — including Dr. Shelby Gillen.

🏢 New Address:
18310 Montgomery Village Avenue, Suite 520
Gaithersburg, MD 20879
(Next to the Gaithersburg Library with plenty of easy parking!)

Whether you're due for a hearing checkup, need a quick clean-and-check, or want to learn about the latest hearing aid tech, we’d love to see you in our new office!

Read our article: We’ve Moved! Our New Gaithersburg Audiology Clinic Is Now Open

06/02/2025

We loved this heartfelt review from Alyssa, who recently brought her 7-year-old to see Dr. Tara Mango at our West Long Branch clinic. 💙

It’s moments like these that remind us why personalized care matters. At Live Better Hearing + Balance, we take time to listen, explain, and treat every patient like family, because we are a family-owned practice and we believe that makes all the difference.

Thank you Dr. Mango for everything you do!

05/01/2025

Exciting news for those living with tinnitus!

We’re now offering Lenire, the first FDA-approved device for tinnitus treatment, at our Frederick and Ellicott City clinics.

Lenire is a breakthrough, non-invasive treatment that uses gentle sound and tongue stimulation to reduce the impact of tinnitus over time — all from the comfort of your home, guided by our audiology team.

If the ringing or buzzing in your ears has been affecting your sleep, focus, or peace of mind, now is the time to take action.

Learn more and schedule your consultation today 👂

Read our article: Now Offering Lenire: A Breakthrough Tinnitus Treatment at Our Frederick and Ellicott City Clinics

04/01/2025

We love a good prank — but when it comes to your hearing health, falling for myths is no joke. Don’t let outdated advice pull a fast one on your ears!

Here are a few hearing myths we’re busting today:

❌ “If I had hearing loss, I’d know it.”
👉 Fooled ya! Hearing loss is sneaky — it often happens gradually, and your brain does a great job compensating until it's too late.

❌ “Only older people wear hearing aids.”
👉 Nope! Hearing loss affects people of all ages, and modern hearing aids are sleek, smart, and many are practically invisible.

❌ “My hearing’s fine if I can hear in quiet places.”
👉 Not so fast! Many people hear well in quiet rooms but struggle in noisy settings. That’s often one of the first signs of hearing loss. Don’t let silence fool you!

❌ “If I can hear, I don’t need a test.”
👉 Don’t be tricked! Hearing tests aren’t just for when something’s wrong — they’re important check-ups for your hearing health at any age.

This April Fools Day, let’s leave the fooling to rubber chickens and whoopee cushions. Schedule a hearing test at one of our clinics near you and make sure you’re not being ear-responsible with your hearing health!

03/27/2025

We’re excited to share that Live Better Hearing + Balance has been the official sponsor of the 2024-2025 Music in the Mansion series at Strathmore, one of Maryland’s most respected nonprofit performing arts organizations.

As audiologists, we understand the profound link between hearing health and music appreciation — and our sponsorship reflects a shared mission to preserve the joy of sound for all.

Through this partnership, we’re not only supporting the arts, but also raising awareness about hearing health in our community. With clinics across the Mid-Atlantic region — including one right down the road from Strathmore in Rockville, MD — we’re committed to ensuring that music remains accessible, meaningful, and heard.

Read more about our sponsorship and community impact in our latest blog post: https://livebetterhearing.com/blog/giving-back-through-sound-why-were-proud-to-sponsor-strathmores-music-in-the-mansion-series-bethesda-rockville

02/24/2025

Feeling more tired than usual after conversations? It might not just be a long day—it could be listening fatigue, a common but overlooked symptom of hearing loss. 🧠🔊

In this AARP Hearing Solutions article, our CEO, Dr. Ross Cushing, explains how your brain works overtime to piece together sounds when hearing loss is present, leading to exhaustion. If you're feeling drained after social interactions, it may be time to check your hearing!

Read more about listening fatigue and how to prevent it.

One surprising warning sign of hearing loss is fatigue. Here’s why your brain strains to hear — and what to do about it.

02/17/2025

✈️ Ear pain on flights? Here's what an expert says ✈️

Our very own CEO Dr. Ross Cushing was recently featured in The Washington Post, weighing in on a viral TikTok trend about "ear cupping" to relieve pressure during flights. While this hack may provide a placebo effect, Dr. Cushing reminds us that it won’t actually change the pressure behind your eardrum.

So what does work? Chewing gum, swallowing, yawning, specialized earplugs, or decongestants are all proven ways to help your ears adjust mid-flight.

And before trying the latest social media health trend, remember Dr. Cushing’s advice: Don’t get your medical advice from social media.

Read more here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/tips/hot-cup-ear-hack-flying-pressure/

02/01/2025

Eighteen years ago today, Drs. Ross and Jenifer Cushing opened the doors to their very first hearing clinic in Montgomery Village, MD, with a dream of helping people live better lives with better hearing. Today, that dream has grown into one of the most trusted family-owned audiology practices in the country, with locations across Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

We couldn’t have done it without our incredible team of providers and staff, whose dedication to patient care makes every day meaningful. And most importantly, to our amazing patients—thank you for putting your trust in us. Your stories, your journeys, and your commitment to better hearing inspire us every day.

Here’s to 18 years of helping people reconnect with the sounds of life—and to many more years ahead! 🥂💙

01/03/2025

Did you know that hearing loss can lead to listening fatigue?

Our very own CEO, Dr. Ross Cushing, was recently featured in AARP's blog discussing why people with hearing loss often feel so drained.

From straining to hear conversations to struggling in noisy environments, hearing loss can make even social events exhausting. But there’s hope—hearing aids and professional care can transform your daily life.

👂 😴 Learn more about the signs of listening fatigue and how to address it.

One surprising warning sign of hearing loss is fatigue. Here’s why your brain strains to hear — and what to do about it.