Upstate Hearing Aid Center

02/13/2026

Your heart health and hearing health are more connected than you might think!

Good blood flow is essential for the tiny sensory cells in your inner ear to work properly. 🩸
When your heart and blood vessels aren’t pumping well, these cells can get damaged, leading to hearing loss. That’s why conditions like high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease can increase your risk of hearing problems. Taking care of your heart means taking care of your ears too! 👂

If you’ve noticed any changes in your hearing or want to make sure your ears are in tip-top shape, send me a message or call to schedule a hearing exam.

02/12/2026

Did you know your ears are self-cleaning? 😮

Tiny hairs inside the ear canal naturally move earwax outward over time. When you use Q-tips or other objects, the wax often just gets pushed deeper instead of removed, leading to blockages, muffled hearing, or discomfort. ❌

If your ears feel full, itchy, or clogged, it’s best to have them checked by a professional rather than trying to fix it yourself. We’re here to help keep your ears safe and clear! 🦻

02/11/2026

New hearing aid research reinforces something we see in the clinic every day: there’s no one perfect hearing aid setting. Some people want a fast reaction to changes in sound. Others want a smoother, slower response. Interestingly, preference often depends on the type and degree of hearing loss!

Translation: if your hearing aids ever sound “too sharp,” “too loud suddenly,” or like speech is “clear but not comfortable,” that’s not you being picky, that’s a setting we can fine-tune!

If you’re not loving how things sound lately, schedule a quick check!!
Based on findings published in Ear & Hearing (Windle, Dillon, Heinrich).

02/10/2026

Recently there was a large European study, the Gutenberg Health Study, that has been exploring the link between hearing loss and cardiovascular health. It caught our attention because, as audiologists, we see firsthand how hearing changes can reflect broader health shifts.

Here’s the short version: the study found that people with hearing loss often had more cardiovascular risk factors, but when researchers accounted for age and other variables, most of those links faded.

Except one.
Hearing loss still showed a significant connection with diabetes, even after full adjustment. To me, that’s an important clue.

Sometimes, hearing changes show up as one of the early signs that something in the vascular or metabolic system needs a second look. Especially if you’re managing (or at risk for) diabetes.

If it’s been a while since you’ve had your hearing checked or your diabetes care plan updated, consider this your gentle reminder.

Not because anything is “wrong,” but because paying attention early can help us stay connected to the world, and to ourselves.

02/09/2026

02/09/2026

♥️ ❤️

02/09/2026

Earwax gets a bad wrap, but it actually plays an important role in keeping your ears healthy.

Earwax is produced by glands in the outer portion of the ear canal and works alongside tiny hairs (called cilia) to trap dust, dirt, and other debris before it can reach the eardrum. This helps protect the sensitive structures deeper in the ear.
The goal isn’t to remove earwax completely, it’s to keep it from building up and causing problems. Healthy ears need a little wax!

As we age, earwax doesn’t move out of the ears as efficiently, which can lead to buildup and hearing issues. But don’t worry… we're here to help with safe, professional ear wax removal if you need it!

02/06/2026

Hearing aid repairs might seem quick, but they work best when we plan for them.

A patient walked in and said, “It’ll only take a second, can you fix this right now?” 🕑

I totally understand. When something stops working, you want it fixed today! But to respect everyone’s time, we ask that you [schedule a 15-minute repair slot / call ahead / drop it off at the front desk] rather than walking in. That way, we can serve you well without bumping other patients.

You get a fast fix with less frustration. Win-win!

Need a repair? Call us and we’ll tell you the quickest option today.

02/05/2026

Hearing ringing, buzzing, humming, or rushing sounds in your ears? 👂
You’re not imagining it, and you’re definitely not alone. About 10% of U.S. adults (over 25 million people) experience tinnitus, and millions find it disruptive to daily life.
Tinnitus is commonly linked to hearing loss, but stress, anxiety, noise exposure, and head injuries can also play a role.

If the sounds in your ears are bothering you, we’re here to help you understand what’s going on. 💙

02/04/2026

💊 Did you know that over 200 medications list hearing loss or tinnitus as a possible side effect? This includes some prescriptions and even common over-the-counter meds like aspirin or acetaminophen.

But don’t panic, taking them doesn’t mean you will develop hearing issues.
If you do notice ringing or changes in hearing after starting a new medication, don’t stop taking it; talk to your prescribing doctor first. 👂🩺

We’re here to help you monitor your hearing health and work with your care team if anything changes.

02/03/2026

Anyone else remember falling asleep to the hum of one of these fans?
Turns out, that soothing sound may have been doing more than keeping you cool. It can also be a helpful tool for managing tinnitus!

Sound masking uses background noise, such as a fan, sound machine, or app, to give the brain something else to focus on besides the ringing or buzzing.
It’s especially helpful at bedtime or in quiet environments if you have trouble falling asleep.

Which one are you? Old-school or high-tech?

Have you used sound masking? Tell us what’s worked for you in the comments!

02/02/2026

“I can hear people… I just can’t understand them.”

Usually, it’s worst in restaurants, and it’s exhausting, because you’re missing words, not volume. I get it. That kind of listening requires a lot of effort.

So we slow it down, talk through your toughest situations, and do a comprehensive hearing evaluation. Then I explain the results, because for many people, the issue is speech clarity in noise, not just “turn it up.”
The wins are often small but powerful:
✅ less guessing
✅ less repeating
✅ less listening fatigue
✅ more confidence
If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. When you’re ready, we’re here to help!