Onsite Audiology, LLC

10/22/2025

🦻✨ Let’s Talk About Earwax (Yes, Really!)

Here’s a common myth: Earwax is dirty and unhygienic.

🚫 Truth: Earwax — or cerumen — isn’t “dirt” at all! It’s your body’s natural way of protecting, cleaning, and moisturizing the ear canal.

💡 Here’s what science says:

🛡️ Protects: Earwax traps dust, bacteria, and debris before they reach your eardrum.

💧 Moisturizes: It keeps your ear canal from becoming dry or itchy.

🦠 Fights infection: Research shows cerumen contains natural antibacterial and antifungal properties, helping defend your ears against harmful germs (Stone & Fulghum, Annals of Otol Rhinol Laryngol, 1984; Chai & Chai, J Otolaryngol, 1980).

👩🏽‍⚕️ When earwax builds up, it’s often from over-cleaning or using cotton swabs, which can push wax deeper and cause blockage. If you feel full, blocked, or notice hearing changes, that’s when a qualified audiologist (like us!) can safely remove it.

So, next time you see a little wax — don’t panic. It means your ears are doing exactly what they’re designed to do. 🧡

10/21/2025

🔊 Myth Buster Moment!
You may have heard someone say, “Hearing aids make everything too loud!” — but that’s simply not true when they’re prescription hearing aids expertly fitted by a qualified audiologist.

👂 Hearing loss is not one-size-fits-all — it’s as unique as you are. That’s why your hearing care should be just as personalized. At Onsite Audiology, we tailor every fitting using best practices and real-ear verification to ensure your devices match your specific hearing needs and lifestyle.

💙 We’re with you every step of the way as you acclimate to clearer, more comfortable sound — guiding, adjusting, and supporting you on your journey to better hearing.

10/20/2025

⚡ Every sound you hear begins as an invisible spark — an electrical signal that travels through the delicate architecture of your inner ear.

Inside the cochlea, thousands of tiny hair cells dance to the rhythm of vibration. When they move, they release neurotransmitters that ignite the auditory nerve — sending electrical impulses racing toward the brain.

That’s where sound becomes meaning. Vibration turns into language, emotion, and auditory memory.

It's where physics meets perception, and hearing becomes understanding. Isn't that fascinating? 🎧💡

10/19/2025

From a blind perspective having a doctor that will listen and be hands-on and making adjustments to my need are very important and Dr. Smiley checked off everything on my list for a excellent doctor. If you are looking for a excellent audiologist that you can trust, Dr. Smiley is just that person. I would recommend everyone who has any form of hearing impairment to visit Dr. Smiley!

Having a hands-on doctor who takes the time to make thoughtful adjustments and ensure your comfort isn’t just helpful — it’s life-changing. Dr. Smiley checked every box for what an excellent doctor should be: attentive, patient, and genuinely caring. 👩‍⚕️✨

10/18/2025

🧠 Your ears collect sound — but it’s your brain that truly makes sense of it.

Hearing isn’t just about the ear — it’s a team effort between your ears and your brain. This partnership is what we call Auditory Processing — the brain’s ability to organize, interpret, and make meaning from the sounds you hear.

When this system struggles, you might hear the words clearly, but still find it hard to understand speech in noisy places, follow directions, or stay focused during conversations — especially when there’s background noise.

That’s where Auditory Processing evaluations come in. These specialized tests go beyond the standard hearing check to measure how effectively your brain processes what your ears detect.

👂✨ With the right assessment and strategies, we can strengthen that vital brain–ear connection — improving listening skills, focus, and communication in daily life.

Because hearing well isn’t just about sound — it’s about understanding.

Wish to schedule an auditory processing evaluation? Give us a call 470-576-1301. Appointments available in-office and virtually for select patients. Give us a call to learn more. 470-576-1301.

10/17/2025

🎧 Are you the person who says, my hearing is "just fine", but when you get into a noisy room or with groups of people talking at the same time, things sound a bit "fuzzy" or "muffled" to you?

You’re not imagining it — this could be hidden hearing loss. Unlike typical hearing loss, where the problem shows up on an audiogram, hidden hearing loss happens when the nerve connections between your ear and brain are damaged. That means your hearing test might look “normal,” yet your brain is working overtime just to follow conversations in noise.

This type of hearing difficulty often goes unnoticed for years — especially among young adults, musicians, and people frequently exposed to loud environments.

👩‍⚕️ Audiologists can detect early signs of hidden hearing loss through advanced diagnostic tools that evaluate the various auditory pathways.

If you or someone you know constantly says, “I can hear, but I can’t understand,” it’s worth a closer look.

💡 Know your hearing status and schedule a hearing evaluation today. We have a slot waiting for you! 470-576-1301.

10/16/2025

Sound waves travel a fascinating path — starting from the moment vibrations enter the ear canal, striking the eardrum, and setting the ossicles (the three tiny bones in the middle ear) into motion. These vibrations then reach the cochlea, where thousands of microscopic hair cells translate them into electrical signals.👂✨

From there, the auditory nerve carries these signals to the brain, where they’re finally interpreted as the sounds we recognize and understand — music, laughter, or a loved one’s voice. 🎶💬

Every link in this incredible chain matters for clear and healthy hearing. When one part is damaged — whether it’s the eardrum, middle ear bones, or hair cells — the entire process is affected.

Protecting your hearing means protecting every stage of this sound journey. 💙 Regular hearing checkups, safe listening habits, and early intervention can make a world of difference in preserving this amazing system that connects us to the world of sound. 🌍👂

10/15/2025

🎧 Mid-Month Challenge Alert! 🎧
It’s time to check in with your listening habits—are your headphones turned up too loud? Many people don’t realize that unsafe volume levels can cause permanent hearing damage over time.

For the next 7 days, we’re challenging YOU to Track Your Volume. 📊
👉 Pay attention to how high you turn up your music, podcasts, or calls.
👉 Use your phone’s built-in volume tracker or a sound level app to monitor.
👉 Share your results with us at the end of the week!

Remember: if someone next to you can hear what’s coming through your headphones, it’s too loud. Protect your hearing today so you can enjoy the sounds you love for a lifetime. 💙

Check your decibel settings on Apple IOS:
https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/check-your-headphone-audio-levels-iph0596a9152/ios

Check your decibel settings on Android:
https://www.sammobile.com/news/samsung-one-ui-tip-keep-your-ears-safe-with-volume-monitor/ #:~:text=Normal%20audio%20levels%20below%2070%20dB%20are,5%20hours%20of%20listening%20time%20per%20week.

Are you in? Comment below ⬇️ and let’s start this hearing health challenge together!

10/14/2025

Did you know that today’s Bluetooth hearing aids are more than just amplifiers? They’re smart, discreet, and designed to keep you connected to the world around you. 🌍✨

With Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids, you can:
📱 Stream phone calls directly to your ears—no more missed conversations.
🎶 Enjoy your favorite music with crystal-clear sound.
📺 Watch TV without cranking up the volume (and everyone else will thank you!).

These devices are built to fit seamlessly into your lifestyle—making everyday communication and entertainment easier, clearer, and more enjoyable. 👂💙

👉 Curious how it works? Experience the difference for yourself. Schedule a demo at our office today and step into the future of hearing technology.

10/13/2025

From newborns to teens, healthy hearing plays a big role in learning, language, and social development.

At our office, we provide comprehensive evaluations for children of all ages—because early detection matters. 💙👂

👉 Parents: Be an active participant in your child's hearing healthcare to ensure adequate access to learning. Schedule their hearing check today!

10/12/2025

Check out the latest publication of The ASHA Leader! Our founder, Dr. Carla Smiley was featured in the Audiology section, as she shares her thoughts on the possibilities of mobile audiology.

"What does the next 100 years of CSD look like?"

To find out, The Leader asked 21 futurists, subject-matter experts, and thought leaders how they see their professional area developing over the next century. Our tagline for this year’s Centennial activities is, “Legacy. Impact. Possibilities.”

To learn about the legacy of the professions, journey with us through the ASHA archives. Explore the impact of and possibilities for CSD as your read these essays: https://at.asha.org/NC

10/12/2025

Myth: Hearing loss only affects seniors.
Truth: 🚫 Not true! Research shows that 1 in 5 teenagers already has measurable hearing loss—often linked to prolonged use of headphones, loud concerts, or everyday noise exposure.

Hearing loss doesn’t discriminate by age. 👂 It can impact children, teens, adults, and seniors alike. The earlier it’s detected, the better the chances of protecting long-term hearing health. 💡

That’s why regular hearing checkups are just as important as eye exams or dental visits. Preventive care today means stronger hearing for tomorrow.

👉 Don’t wait until it’s too late—schedule a hearing evaluation and protect your hearing at every stage of life.