Central Maine Audiology

09/25/2025

Take a listen! Dr. Cropper was in studio with Mark and Sara from Lydia’s Lunch Bunch podcast this morning answering questions about hearing loss, tinnitus, and hearing aid technology.

LYDIA'S LUNCH BUNCH - EPISODE 268: Audiologist and owner of Central Maine Audiology owner Dr. Bryce Cropper talks about common causes of hearing loss, how neglected hearing loss could increase the risk of dementia, technological advances in audiology, and much more. https://lydiamediallc.com/

08/18/2025

Now introducing: OTO Tinnitus Retraining Program!

The OTO combines sound therapy and expert support to help YOU take control of your tinnitus. Relief is possible—let’s retrain your brain together.

Call our office today at 782-1160!

08/08/2025

If only hearing aids had a timer feature 😅

Happy Friday from the CMA family!

07/23/2025

Struggling with ringing, buzzing, or whooshing sounds in your ears?

The OTO tinnitus retraining program is designed to help you manage tinnitus through guided sound therapy, relaxation techniques, and expert education. All from the comfort of your phone!

Backed by science and used by leading audiologists, OTO gives you practical tools to take control of your tinnitus. It's a flexible, self-paced program that fits into your daily life.

Ask us how to get started with OTO today! 207-782-1160

07/07/2025

We are so excited to welcome Ian Mishler, HIS to the Central Maine Audiology team!

Ian has been providing hearing aid care for over 10 years. He began his career in hearing care in his home state of California and relocated to Maine in 2021. Helping others rediscover the gift of sound and improve their quality of life has been one of the greatest blessings of his career.

Ian specializes in working with all hearing aid styles and manufacturers and is proficient in delivering best practices in hearing healthcare. He has received extensive training in Real Ear Measurements, custom ear impressions, and auditory rehabilitation. He is passionate about helping patients get the most out of their hearing aids.

Licensed as a Hearing Aid Dispenser since 2016, Ian earned his National Board Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences in 2024. His work continues to bring him great joy, and he looks forward to helping patients hear their very best.

06/29/2025

If you answered yes to any of these, it’s a great time to take the next step.

Call our office at 207-782-1160 to schedule a hearing test — we’re here to help you hear your best.

06/29/2025

If you or a loved one is struggling with hearing loss, please call our office to schedule a hearing evaluation!

Please call us at 207-782-1160!

06/12/2025

05/25/2025

This Memorial Day, Central Maine Audiology pauses to remember and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Their courage and dedication have secured the freedoms we cherish every day.

As we reflect on their legacy, we extend our deepest gratitude to all who have served and continue to serve. May this day be a solemn reminder of the cost of freedom and the valor of those who defend it.

In observance of Memorial Day, our office will be closed on Monday, May 26, 2025. We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, May 27.

05/09/2025

For most people, it's recommended to have your hearing aids professionally cleaned in the office every 3 to 6 months. However, the exact frequency depends on a few personal factors:

Earwax production: If you produce a lot of earwax, more frequent cleanings (every 2–3 months) may be necessary.

Your own maintenance: If you clean and check your hearing aids daily, you might be able to stretch the time between office visits.

In between visits, be sure to regularly:
Wipe down the aids daily
Change wax guards as needed
Keep tubing and microphone ports free from debris

04/30/2025

Here are five common times when you should take your hearing aids out to protect them and ensure proper function:

1. Before Showering, Bathing, or Swimming
Hearing aids are not waterproof. Moisture can damage the internal components, so always remove them before exposure to water.

2. When Using Hairspray or Hair Products
Sprays, gels, and powders can clog the microphones and speakers. Style your hair before putting your hearing aids in.

3. Before Sleeping
Taking them out at night helps prevent damage from pressure against pillows or tossing and turning, and allows your ears to "breathe."

4. During MRI, CT Scans, or X-rays
Strong magnetic or radiation fields can damage your hearing aids or cause discomfort, and some imaging facilities require removal for safety.

5. If You’re Experiencing Ear Pain, Drainage, or Infection
Temporarily remove your devices to avoid further irritation and consult a healthcare provider before resuming use.

04/23/2025

This is a great question. How can wearing hearing aids help to manage my tinnitus?

1. Tinnitus is often more noticeable when things are quiet. Hearing aids bring in the sounds around you (like soft environmental noises and speech), which can naturally mask or drown out the ringing/buzzing you hear.

2. They reduce the brain’s need to "fill in the silence".
When your brain isn't getting enough sound input like with hearing loss, it tends to compensate by creating its own sound (hello, tinnitus). Hearing aids restore that missing input, which can reduce the brain’s need to generate phantom sounds.

3. Many hearing aids include built-in tinnitus sound therapy.
Some models have sound generators built in like white noise, ocean waves, or soft chimes that you can customize to soothe your specific tinnitus perception. These sounds can help retrain your brain to pay less attention to the tinnitus.

4. They reduce stress and listening effort. When you’re straining to hear all day, it adds mental fatigue and stress, both of which can make tinnitus worse. Hearing aids make listening easier, which often helps people feel less overwhelmed by their tinnitus.

Bonus: Consistent use can actually *decrease* tinnitus awareness over time.

This is part of what’s known as “habituation,” where your brain starts tuning out the tinnitus completely or noticing it less and less. Hearing aids can be a big step toward getting to that point.

If you'd like to start your tinnitus management journey, make sure to call our office to make an appointment: 207-782-1160.