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How Ear Canal Shape Influences Sound Distortion

In Hearing Health by Dr. Robert Hooper Au.D.

Hearing is a complex process that depends on both the external environment and the ear’s structure. Many people assume that hearing problems come only from loud noise exposure, age, or illness. However, physical anatomy also plays a major role. One key part of this anatomy is the ear canal. Its size, shape, and angle can influence how sound enters the …

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Why Some People Hear “Phantom Sounds” That Aren’t Tinnitus

In Hearing Health by Dr. Robert Hooper Au.D.

While most people have heard about ringing in the ears, also known as tinnitus, they are often surprised to find that this isn’t the only phantom sound some experience.  A phantom sound occurs when a person perceives a sound in the absence of an actual sound.  These sounds can include clicking, rumbling, tapping, whooshing, or even faint musical notes. For …

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Hearing Health in the Elderly: Risks and Prevention

In Hearing Health by Dr. Robert Hooper Au.D.

As we age, our bodies go through changes, impacting nearly every one of our senses. This includes our hearing. While hearing loss is one of the most common health conditions affecting older adults, it often goes unnoticed and untreated for years.  Our hearing is what allows us to communicate with our family and friends, allows us to remain safe, and …

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Why Regular Hearing Checkups Should Be Part of Your Annual Health Routine

In Hearing Health by Dr. Robert Hooper Au.D.

Certainly, most people think about visiting their doctors, dentists, and eye specialists for yearly checkups. But would it surprise you to find they don’t do the same for their hearing checkups? Our hearing and ear health are just as critical to our overall well-being. When we have hearing tests performed regularly, it can detect early signs of hearing loss and …

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Understanding the Connection Between Heart Health and Hearing

In Hearing Health by Dr. Robert Hooper Au.D.

If asked, most people would answer that hearing health and heart health are completely unrelated, but they would be wrong. In fact, the two are closely linked. Your heart and its health impact every other organ in your body, including your ears. When the heart functions well and good circulation is maintained, your hearing functions at a high level. However, …

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Types of Hearing Loss and What They Mean

In Hearing Health by Dr. Robert Hooper Au.D.

Connecting us to the world in various ways, hearing is essential to our ability to communicate with it. It helps us enjoy the sounds in our lives, from birds to laughter. But that all changes when someone has hearing loss. While it might seem difficult to believe, hearing loss affects millions of people around the world. There are different types …

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How the Ear Works: Understanding the Science of Hearing

In Hearing Health by Dr. Robert Hooper Au.D.

As one of our five senses, hearing plays a big role in our ability to experience and interact with the world. Whether it’s listening to music, hearing alarms, or talking with family and friends, hearing sound helps us stay connected and safe. The ear is a complex organ that transmits sound waves into signals that the brain can understand. Here, …

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How Diet and Nutrition Affect Hearing Health

In Hearing Health by Dr. Robert Hooper Au.D.

Most times when we think of diet and nutrition, we think of them in terms of weight, heart health, and energy levels. But have you ever considered that what you eat might affect your hearing? Your ear health is dependent on those same nutrients to work properly. We will explore how diet and nutrition can help maintain your hearing health. …

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Hearing Tests: Pediatric Hearing Screenings—What Parents Should Know

In Hearing Health by Dr. Robert Hooper Au.D.

Every parent wants to do everything they can to ensure their children’s health. Their health can greatly impact their development in early childhood. One part of that development is their hearing health. Hearing is a significant factor in how our children socialize and learn. That’s why it is essential to have pediatric hearing screenings performed as part of our children’s …

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Signs of Hearing Loss Every Public Speaker Should Watch For

In Hearing Health, Hearing Loss by Dr. Robert Hooper Au.D.

Public speaking depends on many things, from body language to tone and pacing. But one part that often gets overlooked is hearing. Hearing plays a huge role in how someone connects with an audience.  When hearing begins to change, it can affect more than just what gets heard. It can shift timing, throw off pitch, or even change how questions …