Live Better Hearing

08/20/2025

👂✨ Everyone deserves the gift of hearing.

Our CEO, Dr. Ross Cushing, was recently featured in Forbes discussing options for seniors to access free or affordable hearing aids. As he shared:

“Hearing loss is such a common chronic condition affecting older adults, but there are still many people who simply can’t afford them. Hearing aids aren’t covered by Medicare, and so some seniors who may not have the means to purchase prescription hearing aids, think they have to go without the hearing care they need, which can seriously impact their quality of life.”

Through our Live Better Foundation, we’ve been able to provide hearing aids and hearing health care at little or no cost to those in need across Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New Jersey.

We’ll continue working toward a future where cost is never a barrier to hearing the sounds that matter most.

How To Get Free Hearing Aids For Seniors

08/05/2025

Hearing aids come in many shapes and styles — and choosing the right one can feel overwhelming.

That’s why Forbes Health turned to our CEO, Dr. Ross Cushing, for guidance in their latest article on hearing aid types, features, and how to decide what’s right for you.

Dr. Cushing shared insights on everything from Bluetooth compatibility to comfort and fit, including what really matters when it comes to improving your hearing.

We’re proud to be recognized as a trusted voice in hearing healthcare. If you're thinking about hearing aids or just starting your journey, this article is a helpful place to begin.

Types of Hearing Aids: How To Choose The Right One

07/30/2025

Hearing loss affects millions of older adults, yet so many wait years before seeking help. Our CEO, Dr. Ross Cushing, was recently featured in an article from the National Council on Aging on how to recognize the signs of hearing loss and how to approach the conversation with empathy and understanding.

Dr. Cushing reminds us: “Hearing is as important to overall health as vision or heart health, and having regular checks is part of taking care of yourself.”

Read the full article for thoughtful tips, expert insight, and next steps if you or someone you love may be experiencing hearing loss.

Talking about hearing loss can be difficult, but it’s important to ensure those you care about get the help they need. Here’s how to start the conversation.

07/27/2025

At Live Better Hearing + Balance, we deeply care about the well‑being of all communities — even those outside our service areas.

That's why we remain heartbroken about the recent Central Texas floods that have claimed the lives of at least 135 people, including many children, and caused widespread devastation across dozens of communities.

While we don’t solicit donations or run charity campaigns, we want to express our solidarity and share trusted ways you can help.

If you’d like to support relief efforts, please consider donating to these verified local organizations:

-Kerr County Flood Relief Fund, managed by the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country (central to rescue and rebuilding efforts): https://cftexashillcountry.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=4201

-Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN), serving affected families across Central Texas with essential aid and shelter: https://adrn.org/centraltexasflood/

Our thoughts are with all those affected, the first responders, and everyone helping with recovery. If you’re looking for ways to support beyond financial contributions, we encourage you to explore verified volunteer opportunities vetted by these organizations.

We care deeply, we listen, and we wish safety and healing for Central Texas.

In the aftermath of the deadly flash floods that devastated Central Texas over the July 4th weekend, ADRN is fully mobilized in the impacted counties supporting cleanup and recovery efforts alongside local churches and partners.

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