Bloomington-Normal Audiology

05/11/2026

Nice weather means more people are out walking the neighborhood, enjoying the Constitution Trail, and getting back outside with family.

Our latest blog is a good reminder that hearing plays a bigger role in everyday safety than many people realize.

The sound of a car coming up behind you.
A bike approaching.
A timer on the stove.
A child calling your name.

The blog explains that hearing acts like an early-warning system, helping you stay aware of what is happening around you and react in time. It also notes that untreated hearing loss has been linked to a higher risk of falls.

With kids getting out of school soon and neighborhoods getting busier, this is a timely read for families across Central Illinois.

What is one sound that helps you feel aware and safe when you are out and about?

👉 Keep Learning at
https://www.bnaudiology.com/blog/role-hearing-plays-in-everyday-safety/

05/09/2026

“I remember coming home and saying to my wife, ‘I'm not going to get hearing aids.’”

BNA patient Dale Hoke shares why an unhelpful answer during a previous hearing test at another practice—and a less-than-positive experience with his father-in-law’s care—left him hesitant to move forward with hearing aids.

Schedule your appointment with BNA, and watch Dale’s light-hearted yet sincere full story, available now on the BNA YouTube channel or at bnaudiology.com/hearmystory

05/07/2026

That ringing 🔔 in your ears may be asking for more attention than you think.

Our latest blog explains that tinnitus is not just a sound issue. Research suggests it may also add cognitive load, affecting attention, memory, and executive thinking. It also notes that tinnitus often overlaps with hearing loss, and that connection may increase fatigue, concentration problems, and difficulty following conversations in noisy places.

We've heard some people chalk tinnitus up to stress, aging, or “just one of those things.” But the blog makes a strong case for taking it seriously early, especially if it is persistent, worsening, or affecting your focus, mood, or sleep.

What is one word you would use to describe tinnitus: annoying, distracting, exhausting, or something else?

👉 Keep Learning at

Persistent ringing might be more than a simple annoyance. New research suggests that phantom sounds could place an unexpected cognitive load on your memory and focus

05/05/2026

Sometimes you wonder if the message you’re so passionate about is getting through.

Then you get a text like Dr. Natalie McKee, Au.D. 💬

"May is Better Hearing Month—but this one hit differently for me. I expect my family to always be prepared when it comes to hearing protection. What I didn’t expect? My brother-in-law—who loves live music—personally purchasing Phonak US Serenity Choice Music plugs for himself and his friends as a gift for their recent concert outing. That’s when you realize: the message is spreading beyond the clinic. Small conversations turn into real behavior change."

Keep educating yourself, your family, and your friends. They respect you. They’re listening.

And life is a beautiful concert worth hearing.

05/04/2026

The first signs of hearing loss are easy to brush off.

Turning up the TV. 📺
Not hearing the cardinals singing back and forth outside.
Feeling worn out after dinner with friends.

Our latest blog explains why those changes matter more than many people realize. It covers early signs like people seeming to mumble, missing everyday sounds, and having a harder time following conversations in noisy places.

What is one everyday sound you would never want to miss?

👉 Keep Learning at

Are everyday sounds fading into the background? Subtle hearing loss symptoms can affect memory, focus, and connection more than you realize

05/01/2026

May is national Speech-Language-Hearing Month at BNA, and it's a great opportunity to prioritize your ears...but more importantly, it's a chance to build strong foundations through better hearing.

Contact Bloomington Normal Audiology for all your hearing needs at (309) 662-8346. We provide hearing aids, hearing testing and better hearing care in Pontiac.

04/30/2026

Gardening can do more for your health than fill your kitchen with fresh produce.

This blog highlights five plants that support hearing and balance, including blueberries for antioxidants, kale and asparagus for folate, pumpkin seeds for zinc, and tomatoes for potassium — nutrients tied to inner-ear health, circulation, and nerve function.

It also notes that gardening itself brings movement, mindfulness, and stress relief.

👉 Read the blog, then tell us in the comments: What’s your favorite thing to grow once Illinois finally starts warming up?

🔗 https://www.bnaudiology.com/blog/gardening-for-hearing/

04/28/2026

Our team took time to nurture more than hearing health—we nurtured connection, creativity, and a few beautiful blooms too!

A fun afternoon at Wendell Niepagen Greenhouses and Garden Center last week brought us closer together with potting, laughter, and a little plant therapy.

✅ Vote for your favorite in the comments!

04/25/2026

“You know when something is changing.”

BNA patient Deb Garrahy talks about the gradual nature of hearing loss, why it often takes someone else to point it out, and how simple it can be to fix once you take that first step.

Schedule your appointment with BNA, and watch Deb’s articulate and insightful full story, available now on the BNA YouTube channel or at bnaudiology.com/hearmystory

04/18/2026

“I was hiking in the Rockies, and I could hear the sounds of nature very crisply.”

BNA patient Deb Garrahy shares how hearing the wind through the trees, an eagle overhead, and even footsteps in the snow added a whole new dimension to the moments she loves most.

Schedule your appointment with BNA, and watch Deb’s articulate and insightful full story, available now on the BNA YouTube channel or at bnaudiology.com/hearmystory