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Hearing accessibility is an essential part of creating inclusive communities across Canada, and it starts with proactive hearing tests and professional hearing care. For Alberta residents, understanding how universal design applies to hearing can help improve communication, reduce barriers, and enhance quality of life. As awareness continues to grow, more individuals and organizations recognize that hearing health is not just a personal concern, but a shared responsibility

Many people in Alberta who live with tinnitus notice that the sound seems louder the moment they start paying attention to it. A quiet room, a stressful day or even reading about tinnitus can make the tone feel more intense. This reaction is normal, and understanding why it happens can make tinnitus feel less unpredictable and easier to manage. This article explains how attention and stress influence tinnitus, why the brain changes how it interprets sound and when a hearing t

When we think about pregnancy, we often focus on changes like hormonal fluctuations, weight gain, and cardiovascular adjustments. But did you know that the number of pregnancies you’ve had could influence your hearing health? Recent research has uncovered a compelling association between multiple pregnancies and an increased risk of hearing loss in women. For Alberta residents, this is an important conversation, especially if you’ve had more than one pregnancy and haven’t had

Photo by Deanne Fitzmaurice, via Penguin Random House Speakers Bureau: https://www.prhspeakers.com/speaker/huey-lewis Huey Lewis, the legendary frontman behind hits like The Power of Love and Hip to Be Square, has faced one of the toughest challenges of his life: a near-total loss of hearing caused by Ménière’s disease. This inner-ear condition, which can trigger vertigo, tinnitus, and progressive hearing impairment, forced Lewis to step away from live performances in 2018.

In the dynamic world of modern society, urban parks offer a vital escape from the stress of city life, providing individuals with the retreat they need from the chaotic environment of large metropolitan centres. However, what makes parks truly restorative? In a groundbreaking 2024 study published in the scientific journal Nature, researchers Wenbo Li and Yang Liu explored the intricate relationship between park environments and visitors' emotional well-being. The study delves

As technology evolves, treatments and solutions for those suffering from hearing loss become increasingly advanced, and groundbreaking innovations emerge more frequently each year. Recently, a group of Australian researchers developed what could be one of the most revolutionary advancements for hearing impairments: a silkworm-based prosthetic eardrum. Named ClearDrum, this implantable solution has recently received new funding, bringing the innovative technology a step closer

Have you ever experienced a random ringing in your ear and thought, “Who’s talking about me now?” While that old myth is amusing, ear noise and tinnitus is no laughing matter for many who experience this regularly. Understanding ear noises and tinnitus is essential whether you're a senior who finds quiet moments disrupted by ringing, buzzing, crackling and funny noises or a parent concerned about your child's ear health. Soundwave Hearing Care, your trusted hearing care in Ca

When it comes to treating hearing loss, patients typically rely on a wide variety of hearing aids to amplify the sound captured from the external environment to make it distinguishable for them. However, there have been numerous improvements in technology in recent years that promise to revolutionize the way we treat those with hearing disabilities. The expectation is that people suffering from hearing loss will be able to rely on more efficient treatment in just a few years

When it comes to the challenges related to hearing loss, people often think about communicational limitations and how they can affect an individual's social life. However, hearing loss can also have a significant financial impact on the professional life of young and older adults. This is what a study conducted in Norway and published by the Ear & Hearing journal reveals. How the Study Was Conducted The idea of the study was to track the earnings of individuals between 20 a

In today’s world, auditory wellness is often neglected by many people as other health concerns are generally prioritized in health discussions. Recent studies, however, have increased our understanding of auditory wellness, helping us understand why it is so important for our overall well-being. In this blog, we are exploring the concept of hearing wellness, its importance, and how it can be managed to achieve optimal quality of life. What Is Auditory Wellness Auditory wellne

Listening to music in the car is a common experience. Nearly everyone who spends time driving will put on some music in the car, whether it’s for a road trip or a daily commute. However, loud driving noises can impede your ability to hear the music. So you turn it up, but you notice that it still doesn’t quite sound right. What’s going on? Our blog will explore how increased driving noise can affect your sound preferences. How Driving Noise Impacts Sound Preference Driving is

Choosing an audiologist is a decision that directly impacts your overall well-being. Protecting your hearing health begins with finding a professional who understands your unique needs and provides continuous care. Here are seven key questions to consider when selecting an audiologist for yourself or your family. Who’ll be evaluating your hearing? Understanding who’ll be evaluating your hearing and making recommendations is essential for continuity of care. Some clinics may r

From the sound of their parent’s voice to the chirping of birds in the park, hearing plays a significant role in shaping a child’s language, communication, social interactions, and cognitive growth. Here’s an overview of why it’s vital to schedule regular hearing tests for your child, starting from infancy. It allows for effective intervention Early identification of hearing loss is crucial as it capitalizes on a baby’s innate ability to learn and adapt quickly. Introducing

Ever since 1960, when a group of dentists discovered that playing music during procedures reduced pain for patients, researchers have tried to determine how sound can alleviate pain. Now, a recent study involving mice is opening new doors for potential pain management in humans. The Mice Experiment A study published in July 2022 explains how an international team of neurobiologists conducted experiments with mice. The researchers exposed the mice for 20 minutes to three types

The study of bioacoustics is a growing field exploring the impacts of human-generated sound on the planet. We know that humans are noisy, from car engines to construction sites and even the chatter of people on crowded streets. Bioacoustics seeks to learn how the noise of human activity affects the natural world and how it’s causing natural sounds to change. Here's a brief overview of the relationship between the natural environment and your hearing. What’s the study of bioac

Noise pollution in urban environments is a growing problem worldwide. Vehicles, airplanes and construction noise can compound and create significant cacophony our everyday lives. When that noise permeates the classrooms of our schools, it can have a detrimental effect on children’s learning and memory. Here’s what the latest research shows. The study Researchers at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health wanted to study the effects of noise pollution on students in a classr

To combat the growing problem of hearing loss in young people, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released a new standard for safe listening. This international standard is intended for venues and events that play amplified music, including concert venues, nightclubs, bars and sporting events. One billion at risk The WHO estimates that more than one billion people between ages 12 and 35 risk disabling hearing loss from exposure to recreational noise and loud music. Accor

Sound is essential to fully experience the world around you. It can bring joy, yet it can also be a significant irritation. Our ability to hear also keeps us safe. Why and how does sound play an essential role in our daily lives? Here are some interesting facts about how humans process, interpret and react to sounds. What is sound? Sound alerts/informs humans and animals that something has happened far away. When something makes a sound, it creates vibrations that cause air m

Hearing screenings and diagnostic hearing evaluations are vastly different tests that deliver different results. Only one of these tests will offer a complete picture of your hearing loss, possible causes and the best treatments. Here are the differences between a hearing screening and a diagnostic hearing evaluation. Hearing screenings A hearing screening is the most basic form of hearing test. It’s the equivalent of an eye chart in an optometrist’s clinic. It’s a preliminar

After years of research, neuroscientists have discovered a new pathway that suggests auditory processing may occur in parallel in the human brain. This understanding could have a significant impact on people with auditory processing disorders. Here’s an overview of everything you should know. The traditional science For decades, scientists believed that speech processing followed a linear pathway, like an assembly line in a factory. It was widely believed that speech sounds h