Simple Steps for Better Hearing in 2025

As we begin 2025, many of us are setting goals to improve our health. While exercise and nutrition often top the list, hearing health deserves equal attention. Good hearing connects us to our loved ones, keeps us safe, and supports our overall well being.

Research shows that hearing health plays a key role in cognitive function, social engagement, and mental wellbeing. When we struggle to hear, we often withdraw from social situations, which can lead to isolation and reduced quality of life. By making hearing health a priority, you're investing in your ability to stay active, engaged, and connected with those around you.

Think of hearing care as preventive medicine. Just like regular exercise helps maintain physical fitness, proactive hearing care helps maintain your ability to communicate effectively. This includes protecting your hearing from damage, addressing any existing hearing loss, and staying current with hearing technology that can help you hear your best in challenging situations.

Schedule Regular Hearing Checkups

Just as you visit your doctor for annual physicals, regular hearing evaluations are essential for monitoring your hearing health. Many people wait until they notice significant hearing difficulties before seeking help, but early detection allows for more effective treatment options.

Watch for these common signs that may indicate hearing loss:

• Frequently asking others to repeat themselves
• Turning up the TV or radio louder than others prefer
• Difficulty following conversations in restaurants or group settings
• Feeling that people are mumbling or not speaking clearly
• Finding phone conversations challenging
• Missing doorbells or other common household sounds
• Feeling mentally tired after social gatherings

Don't wait for these signs to become obvious before getting your hearing checked. Studies show that people typically wait 7-10 years after first noticing hearing difficulties before seeking help. During this time, the brain gradually loses its ability to process certain sounds, making eventual treatment more challenging.

Our comprehensive hearing evaluations at Applied Hearing Solutions include:

• A detailed discussion of your medical history and lifestyle
• Physical examination of your ears
• Advanced audiometric testing in a sound-proof booth
• Speech recognition testing
• Speech-in-noise testing to measure how well you understand conversation in background noise

For adults with normal hearing, we recommend testing every two years. If you have existing hearing loss, annual checkups help ensure your hearing stays on track. Those exposed to loud noise through work or hobbies may benefit from more frequent monitoring.

Maintain Your Hearing Aids Properly

If you wear hearing aids, proper maintenance helps them perform their best and extends their lifespan. Think of your hearing aids like any other sophisticated electronic device - they need regular care to function optimally. A well-maintained hearing aid not only lasts longer but also provides better sound quality and performance.

Daily Maintenance

Daily cleaning should include:

• Wiping the devices with a soft, dry cloth
• Checking for and removing any earwax buildup
• Inspecting the microphone ports for debris
• Making sure the battery contacts are clean
• Storing in a dry, safe place overnight
• For rechargeable devices, placing them in their charger
• Checking that your domes or custom molds are clear of wax

Common maintenance mistakes to avoid:

• Using water or cleaning solutions not specifically designed for hearing aids
• Leaving devices in bathrooms where shower steam can cause moisture damage
• Storing hearing aids in direct sunlight or hot cars
• Wearing devices while using hairspray or other aerosol products
• Forgetting to change wax guards regularly

During Phoenix's hot summers, moisture can damage hearing aids even if you're careful. High humidity and perspiration can work their way into the internal components, causing static, distortion, or complete device failure. Our clinic offers professional cleaning services and Redux dehydration treatment to remove harmful moisture.

We recommend professional cleaning every 4-6 months, even if your devices seem to work fine. During these appointments, we:

• Perform electroacoustic analysis to verify proper function
• Replace worn components like tubing and domes
• Clean microphone ports and receivers
• Check battery performance
• Update programming if needed
• Verify your devices are meeting your hearing needs

Protect Your Hearing in Loud Environments

Noise-induced hearing loss is permanent but preventable. Any sound above 85 decibels can potentially damage hearing over time. Common sources include:

• Lawn equipment
• Power tools
• Concerts and sporting events
• Firearms
• Industrial machinery

Custom hearing protection offers the best defense against noise damage. Unlike generic earplugs, custom-molded options provide a perfect seal while maintaining speech clarity. We use advanced 3D ear scanning technology called Otoscan to create perfectly fitting custom earplugs tailored to your specific needs.

Know When to Update Your Hearing Technology

Hearing aids typically last 5-7 years with proper care. However, technology advances rapidly, and newer devices often provide better performance. Modern hearing aids from manufacturers like Oticon Intent, Resound Nexia, Starkey Edge AI, and Widex Moment represent significant advancements in hearing technology.

Signs it might be time to update your technology:

• Your current devices no longer meet your hearing needs, even after adjustments
• You're having trouble hearing in specific situations that used to be manageable
• Your lifestyle or hearing has changed significantly
• Your devices require frequent repairs or are out of warranty
• You find yourself avoiding certain situations due to hearing difficulties
• Your devices don't connect to your smartphone or other modern technology
• You're experiencing more fatigue from trying to hear in challenging situations
• Your hearing aids are more than 5 years old and you're curious about new technology

The Critical Role of Real Ear Measurements

When getting new hearing aids, proper programming makes all the difference in your success. Real Ear Measurement (REM) is a scientific method that verifies your hearing aids are providing exactly the right amount of amplification for your unique hearing loss.

Here's how REM works and why it matters:

• A tiny microphone is placed in your ear canal while wearing your hearing aids
• This measures the exact sound levels reaching your eardrum
• We play different sounds and speech signals to test various frequencies
• Your hearing aids are adjusted until they match your precise prescription targets
• The process is repeated for both ears and different listening programs

Without REM verification, you might:

• Receive too much amplification in some frequencies, causing discomfort
• Get too little amplification in other frequencies, missing important speech sounds
• Experience poor sound quality or feedback issues
• Have difficulty hearing in background noise
• Feel frustrated with your hearing aid performance

Schedule Your Better Hearing Journey Today

Starting your journey to better hearing begins with a single step. Our experienced audiologists at Applied Hearing Solutions are ready to help you achieve your hearing health goals for 2025. Whether you need a baseline hearing test, are considering new hearing aids, or want custom hearing protection, we provide comprehensive care following best practices.

Contact our Phoenix office at 602-877-0000 to schedule your consultation. Our extensive experience, commitment to best practices, and focus on measurable results through Real Ear Measurements ensure you'll receive the highest standard of hearing care.