Hearing Health Blog

Welcome to Applied Hearing Solutions of Phoenix. Home of Dr. Cliff Olson and Dr. Leslie Balderas.

Applied Hearing Solutions of Phoenix

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Background Noise Reduction in Hearing Aids

Background Noise Reduction in Hearing Aids

Modern hearing aid technology is revolutionizing the way we manage background noise.

The Oticon Real and Starkey Genesis are now available in Phoenix!

The Oticon Real and Starkey Genesis are now available in Phoenix!

Today we're thrilled to introduce two new products that have just hit the market: the Oticon Real and the Starkey Genesis. 

How to Spot the Signs You Need a Hearing Test

How to Spot the Signs You Need a Hearing Test

It's not uncommon to suffer hearing loss, especially as a person ages.

Hearing Better in Noisy Restaurants

Hearing Better in Noisy Restaurants

Let’s face it- restaurants and hearing loss do not mix well.

Diabetes and Vestibular System

Diabetes and Vestibular System

The vestibular system is located in the inner ear and is connected to our hearing organ – the cochlea.

Diabetes and Hearing Loss

Diabetes and Hearing Loss

Research regarding the link between diabetes and hearing loss is ongoing, but recent studies have reported a strong correlation between the two.

How often should I have my hearing tested?

How often should I have my hearing tested?

Regardless of age, it is never a bad idea to have a baseline audiological evaluation.

Hearing Loops & Telecoils

Hearing Loops & Telecoils

A telecoil is a small, copper wire coiled around a metal rod inside of select hearing aids.

OTCs - Who are they for?

OTCs - Who are they for?

If you’ve been watching the news recently, you may have heard about this new classification of hearing devices called Over-the-Counter or OTC hearing aids.

All About Noise Induced Hearing Loss

All About Noise Induced Hearing Loss

Today’s world is much noisier than the world of just a few hundred years ago. And while all of that industry and change may have brought about a lot of benefits, human hearing wasn't designed for all the noise. There are a number of reasons people suffer from hearing loss, and noise is one of them.

This little-known condition makes sounds painfully loud

This little-known condition makes sounds painfully loud

According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Hyperacusis is a highly unusual condition in which some noises that most people consider normal become uncomfortably or excruciatingly loud. According to the Hyperacusis Network, 1 in 50,000 people has Hyperacusis, and 1 in 1,000 people with tinnitus also has Hyperacusis.

I sent a secret shopper to Costco Hearing Services. Here's what happened.

I sent a secret shopper to Costco Hearing Services. Here's what happened.

Last year, I scheduled an appointment for my assistant, who suffers from mild to severe hearing loss, at a local Costco Hearing Center so that we could assess Costco's dispensing model and the quality of care provided. I then had my assistant write a 10-page report detailing her entire experience. This required several trips to the local Costco.

Understanding your Audiogram

Understanding your Audiogram

An audiogram is a graph that shows the results of a hearing test. It can help your healthcare provider figure out the cause of your hearing loss and the best way to treat it. The audiogram shows how well you hear sounds in different pitches or frequencies. 

The surprising drawbacks of rechargeable hearing aids

The surprising drawbacks of rechargeable hearing aids

Let's look at the history of hearing aid battery technology and a few reasons why a rechargeable hearing aid may not be suitable for you.

Review of the Hearing Aid Battery Chargers

Review of the Hearing Aid Battery Chargers

Hearing aids, like smartphones, have advanced to the point that they easily slot into our daily lifestyles. A large part of that is due to the emergence of rechargeable batteries.

Best Invisible Hearing Aids

Best Invisible Hearing Aids

Gone are the days when hearing aids were seen as a bulky, beige device that is visible in the ear and looks pretty uncomfortable. Today’s hearing aids are so small and discreet that most people will never even know you’re wearing them.

The Benefits of Custom Hearing Aids

The Benefits of Custom Hearing Aids

The most common style of hearing aid you’ll see worn by hearing aid users is the receiver-in-canal (RIC) or receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aid. But custom, in-the-ear hearing aids could be a better option for some patients.

A cure for hearing loss? They're working on it!

A cure for hearing loss? They're working on it!

FX-322 helps renew only the cochlea's very high-frequency hair cells. Because FX-345 is designed to penetrate much deeper into the cochlea, it may stimulate progenitor cells at much lower frequency ranges. As exciting as this all sounds, we'll have to wait for the results of clinical trials to discover if these medications are effective in restoring hair cell function and, in turn, enhancing hearing.

What is the Best Way to Treat Tinnitus?

What is the Best Way to Treat Tinnitus?

If you're one of the millions of individuals who suffer from tinnitus, you're well aware that it may negatively influence everything from your work to your family and social life. With so many individuals suffering from tinnitus, finding strategies to manage the condition is more crucial than ever.

About Cognitive Screening with Cognivue

About Cognitive Screening with Cognivue

Based on this evidence, it's evident that your hearing loss may be affecting your cognitive performance. Most individuals are unaware, however, that not only may hearing loss affect cognitive performance, but that cognitive function can also affect hearing.

Why "Best Hearing Aid" articles aren't always what they seem

Why "Best Hearing Aid" articles aren't always what they seem

Perhaps the most Googled term while looking for hearing aid information is 'what is the best hearing aid?' It makes sense - there are so many hearing aids available, and you need to find a means to narrow them down.

Phonak ActiveVent Technology

Phonak ActiveVent Technology

Some hearing aid receivers are not ideal for those who want higher-quality music streaming because low-frequency sounds can seep out of the open vents, preventing you from hearing them.

Smartphone Apps for Hearing Aids, A Review

Smartphone Apps for Hearing Aids, A Review

Hearing aid apps are changing the way people use their hearing aids. Recent technological advancements have led to apps that allow users to customize their hearing aids, control functionality, and more.

Nearly Invisible Hearing Aid Options for 2022

Nearly Invisible Hearing Aid Options for 2022

There has been an increase in demand for smaller hearing aids. It's easy to see why - they're perfect for those who don't want to wear hearing aids because of the potential stigma.

Redux - Hearing Aid Drying Reinvented

Redux - Hearing Aid Drying Reinvented

There have been innovations that have helped some moisture, like nano-coating around the hearing aids and sealing around the case, but moisture still eventually impacts the function of a large number of hearing aids. That is why we now use Redux commercial-grade hearing aid driers at Applied Hearing Solutions.

Tips for Managing your Tinnitus

Tips for Managing your Tinnitus

There is currently no cure for tinnitus, and however, sufferers do have options for reducing tinnitus-related stress. We've put together a list of four coping tactics that you can implement right away to help you cope with the aggravating effects of tinnitus.

The Future of Earmold Impressions

The Future of Earmold Impressions

For years, hearing care providers have been taking physical earmold impressions of ear canals for years to manufacture personalized devices like hearing aids, ear protection and more. But now, thanks to new technology, Audiologists can use Otoscan's 3D ear scanning system to create a digital image of an ear, eliminating the requirement for physical impression materials.

What to Do if You Have Earwax Buildup

What to Do if You Have Earwax Buildup

It's important to know how to deal with excessive earwax build-up in your ears. In this article, we give our top (home and professional) recommendations.

How NOT to Clean Earwax, from an Audiologist

How NOT to Clean Earwax, from an Audiologist

In this article, we discuss the ways NOT to clean your earwax and wax buildup. Some of these methods can do more harm than good and should be avoided.

Two Hearing Aids Are Better Than One

Two Hearing Aids Are Better Than One

While wearing a single hearing aid can help with hearing issues, wearing a pair of hearing aids offers far more significant benefits.

Age Related Hearing Loss Explained

Age Related Hearing Loss Explained

Information about Presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss. People with presbycusis frequently have hearing loss in both ears (bilateral hearing loss). Because it happens gradually, people are often unaware that they are losing their hearing.

Tips for Travelling with Hearing Aids

Tips for Travelling with Hearing Aids

From packing and planning transportation to dealing with crowded airports, traveling can be stressful enough. Add hearing loss to the mix, and it can get tricky very fast. 

Understanding the Degrees of Hearing Loss

Understanding the Degrees of Hearing Loss

There are four grades of hearing loss, ranging from mild to profound. Evaluating your hearing can help you figure out what treatment options are appropriate for you and what hearing aids would best match your level of hearing loss.

Applied Hearing Solutions to Start Offering Lyric Hearing Aids Soon

Applied Hearing Solutions to Start Offering Lyric Hearing Aids Soon

We are in the final stages of certification and beta testing with current patients and starting July 6th, 2021, we'll start accepting new patients for the invisible, extended-wear Lyric hearing aid.

6 Reasons to Choose Applied Hearing Solutions

6 Reasons to Choose Applied Hearing Solutions

You might be overwhelmed when it comes to your hearing healthcare options in Phoenix, AZ, but here are 6 reasons why we think you should choose Applied Hearing Solutions. 

5 Reasons Someone Might Need Remote Programming

5 Reasons Someone Might Need Remote Programming

Demand for Telehealth services like remote programming is skyrocketing as people worldwide struggle with local and state restrictions in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many hearing aid users can now get some of the same hearing treatment from an app as they can from a face-to-face consultation.

Potential Impact of Untreated Hearing Loss

Potential Impact of Untreated Hearing Loss

Untreated hearing loss can cause more problems than just communication difficulties. Learn about some of the potential impacts of hearing loss.

Modern Hearing Aid Features

Modern Hearing Aid Features

From improving speech comprehension in noisy settings to blocking out wind noise, hearing aids have come a long way from the ones your grandfather used to have, and they are still evolving as technology progresses.

Common Causes of Hearing Loss

Common Causes of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss occurs when our ability to understand the sounds around us is lost. There are many causes of hearing loss, and here we take a look at a few of the most common. Read on to find out more. 

What is more important? The hearing aid or the provider?

What is more important? The hearing aid or the provider?

The best of today's hearing aids are built to monitor body and brain health, remove feedback, and make it easier to understand conversation in noisy environments. Despite these technological advances, there is something else that is more important than the hearing aid when dealing with your hearing loss - your provider. Read on to find out why.

Applied Hearing Solutions Opens New Phoenix Clinic

Applied Hearing Solutions Opens New Phoenix Clinic

Earlier this year, Applied Hearing Solutions opened up a beautiful new clinic in North Phoenix. The new clinic is the culmination of over a year of planning, but Audiologist and clinic owner Dr. Cliff Olson is sure it was worth the effort. Read more and watch a video walkthrough of the new clinic.

Top New Hearing Aids - Updated Sept 2021

Top New Hearing Aids - Updated Sept 2021

Hearing aid manufacturers are constantly updating their products and launching new models and features. Learn about the Top New Hearing Aids of 2021, including the Paradise, More, One and others.

The difference between Audiologists & Hearing Instrument Specialists

The difference between Audiologists & Hearing Instrument Specialists

Professionals who diagnose and treat hearing loss can vary significantly in terms of training & education. Today, it is still customary for someone to get their hearing tested and a hearing aid fitted by someone and still not know their qualifications. So how do you know which professional to choose to treat your hearing loss? This is why understanding the differences between and Audiologist and Hearing Instrument Specialists are important to consider when treating your hearing loss.

What is an Audiologist?

What is an Audiologist?

You may have come across several different professional terms, including Audiologist, ENT, and Hearing Instrument Specialist, if you are in the early stages of treating your hearing loss. While all of them are interested in the ears, they have distinct differences.

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