Ways to Cope with Hearing Loss & Tinnitus
When you have both hearing loss and tinnitus, it can be very difficult to go about your daily life. Things that other people take for granted are much more challenging, and the side effects can leave you feeling tired, depressed and unable to focus. But don’t despair – we have tips to help you cope….
May is Better Hearing & Speech Month
May brings warmer weather, spring flowers and a focus on one of our most important senses – hearing. It has been designated Better Hearing and Speech Month, an opportunity for doctors in Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and nationwide to educate patients about hearing and speech disorders. In 1927, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) designated setting…
How Hearing Loss Impacts Relationships
People with hearing loss often feel isolated and alone, believing they are the only ones affected by their impairment. While it’s natural to feel overwhelmed, your impairment has an impact on many others close to you. Relationships with family and friends are almost always affected – and rarely in a positive manner. Consequences of Untreated…
Which Plays a Bigger Role in Hearing: Your Ears or Your Brain?
When you think of classic duos throughout history, a few essential pairings spring immediately to mind: Lennon and McCartney. Batman and Robin. Peanut butter and jelly. It’s time to add another great combination to that list: your ears and brain. Hearing & The Brain We’re betting most people in Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota believe…
Not All Pollution is Visible
Midwesterners rarely have to deal with smoggy skylines the way residents on the east and west coasts do, but that doesn’t mean we are immune to pollution. Some types are invisible but can still cause harm. The World Health Organization (WHO) is attempting to raise awareness of noise pollution, a serious global threat that can…
The High Cost of Untreated Hearing Loss
Hearing lost is costly for those diagnosed in the Midwest. Physician visits, hearing aids and insurance costs all add up. But for those with untreated hearing loss, the price is even steeper – not just in terms of dollars and cents, but in their overall health, as well. Research Illustrates How Costly Hearing Loss Can…
The Importance of Hearing Aid Counseling
About 20 percent of people in America’s heartland experience hearing loss. The majority of patients in Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota will benefit from treatment with hearing aids, but learning to use them properly in order to get the most from these devices is a multi-step process. Choosing a Hearing Aid is the Easy Part…
Meet Paul D. Nelson, Au.D. , Doctor of Audiology
Dr. Nelson sees patients in our Fairmont, Spencer, Estherville and Sheldon clinics – he puts a lot of miles on his vehicle each year! Dr. Nelson graduated with distinction from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in both Speech and Hearing Science and Linguistics. He obtained his doctorate in audiology from…
Can Hearing Loss Cause Dementia?
If you’re one of the millions of people in Iowa, Minnesota, or South Dakota experiencing hearing loss, you’re no doubt familiar with the challenges impaired hearing presents in your day to day life. Did you know you also have an increased risk of developing cognitive impairment? The Effects of Hearing Loss on the Brain Researchers…
How Do Hearing Aids Work?
If you’re like nine out of ten people diagnosed with hearing loss in Minnesota, South Dakota, or Iowa, your audiologist is likely to recommend treatment with hearing aids. Before you try them on, it’s best to have an idea about how they work. After all, you wouldn’t slide behind the wheel of a car if…