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Why Your Ears Won’t Stop Ringing and What You Can Do About It

Some sounds don’t make you think twice about them. But a ringing sound in the ears that won’t go away is more than just a nuisance. Tinnitus is the name for that buzzing, whistling, or high-pitched squeal that won’t go away. Not only is it confusing for millions of people, but it can also make it hard to concentrate, sleep, and feel calm. What is the ringing sound, and how can I stop it? There are ways to understand it and plans that might help. What Tinnitus Really...

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How Earplugs and Earmuffs Aid Hearing Protection

Loud noise seems to follow people just about everywhere, whether it’s at work, during hobbies, or while traveling. While it might not seem like a big deal in the moment, repeated noise exposure can slowly chip away at natural hearing. That’s where earplugs and earmuffs come in. These small but powerful tools give the hearing a break when the world gets too loud. Knowing when to use them and how they work helps reduce risk and keeps things sounding clear in the long run. How Earplugs Block...

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The Role of Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids in Reducing Hearing Loss Stigma

There was a time when needing hearing help came with more than just the challenge of hearing clearly. It often came with embarrassment, hesitation, or the quiet fear of being judged. But something has shifted in recent years, and it’s not just about new technology. Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids are changing how hearing support is viewed in everyday life. These devices are breaking down the quiet wall of stigma by being more visible, affordable, and easier to get. Hearing...

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The Impact of Exercise on Hearing Health

Most people think of exercise as something that only benefits the heart, muscles, or mood, but there’s more to the story. Recent insights show that physical activity may also play a role in how well the ears function. From boosting blood flow to increasing the risk of ear damage in certain settings, movement and hearing are more connected than they appear. Whether hitting the gym, jogging in the city, or cycling through trails, the body isn’t the only thing being affected. The ears...

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Making Hearing Health More Affordable for Everyone

Hearing health is something that often gets pushed aside, not because it’s not important, but because it can feel out of reach. Many people delay care simply because they worry about how much it’s going to cost. And while there’s no denying that hearing aids and appointments can be expensive, what’s often missing from the conversation is that there are ways to make it more manageable. The good news is, hearing better doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank. With a few smart steps and the...

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What to Know About Sudden Hearing Loss in 2025

A sudden change in hearing can create a sense of unease and stress. It may leave an individual feeling confused, anxious, and unsure of what to do next. Sudden hearing loss is often mistaken for a clogged ear or a minor issue, but it can signal something more serious. Unlike gradual hearing loss, this condition develops quickly, sometimes overnight, and requires prompt medical attention. In 2025, awareness of this urgent condition is growing, along with the development of better tools to...

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Helping a Loved One Feel Comfortable About Hearing Tests

It’s not always easy to bring up hearing concerns with someone close to you. There’s a fine line between offering help and making someone feel singled out. Many people slowly adjust to hearing loss without even realizing it. Over time, they might start turning up the volume, asking others to repeat themselves, or pulling away from conversations. These changes can be subtle, but they often signal a deeper issue. Encouraging a hearing test is a kind and supportive way to help. With the...

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Beltone Southside owner Bari Grohler, makes an appearance on the Hampton Roads Show

Watch our owner, Bari Grohler, talk about how to get help with hearing loss on the Hampton Roads Show. .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }

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Party Ideas for Those with Hearing Loss

Fun for Everybody – Perfect Hearing not Required Spending time with friends and family during the holiday season is one of the best things about the holidays. For some, however, the holidays can come with anxiety and fear. Sometimes, people with hearing loss are often afraid to attend workplace parties or even family gatherings because they cannot hear properly.  They are afraid of not engaging in conversation and don’t want to annoy people by asking to repeat themselves. With this...

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How Do I Know if I Have Hearing Loss?

How Do I Know if I Have Hearing Loss? Do you find yourself straining to hear normal, everyday sounds that you used to be able to hear easily? Perhaps you haven’t been able to hear your grandkids call your name or you can’t hear the microwave beep when it’s done. You might be saying to yourself, “I need to test my hearing, but how do I do it?” If any of these scenarios sound familiar to you, then it’s time to take the next step in your hearing health. At Beltone, you have a couple options to...

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How To Talk to a Loved One About Getting Their Hearing Tested

Having the Tough Conversation You’ve noticed for a while now that your mom, grandparent, uncle, or dear friend doesn’t seem to be hearing quite as clearly as they once did. You’ve had a nagging sensation that something is wrong, but you’ve put it off, hoping it will go away. It hasn’t gone away. In fact, it seems be getting worse. One day, your loved one cups their hand to their ear and says, “What was that?” – for the third time this week. Finally, you realize it’s time to have “the talk.”...

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How Do I Know If I Have Tinnitus?

How Do I Know If I Have Tinnitus? Symptoms of Tinnitus You’ve just settled into bed after a long day at work and you find yourself trying to tune out the buzzing noise you hear in your ears. Does this sound familiar? If so, you may have subjective tinnitus. This kind of tinnitus, which accounts for 95% of tinnitus cases, is the sensation of hearing sound when no external sound is present. People with tinnitus often describe hearing the following sounds:

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Chicago Bears Owner Discusses His Hearing Problem

Chicago Bears Owner Discusses His Hearing Problem Missing the Big Game Brian McCaskey couldn’t watch a single play when the Bears lost to the Giants in an NFC divisional playoff game in 1991.  Not because the loss kept him from caring, but because he suffered from debilitating vertigo in his hotel that same morning. Doctors eventually diagnosed McCaskey, the second youngest son of Ed and Virginia McCaskey with Meniere’s disease.  Meniere’s disease is an inner ear disorder that is accompanied...

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10 Tips For Talking To People With Hearing Loss

How to Talk to People with Hearing Loss: Talking Through Hearing Loss Hearing loss is not only a challenge for those who suffer from it, but it can also be frustrating for those trying to communicate with them. Even for those using hearing aids, it is not always easy to communicate successfully in all situations. We recommend following these simple tips to improve communication with your hearing impaired friends, family and co-workers:  1. Get Their Attention Getting the listener’s attention...

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5 Reasons Why to NOT Put Off Hearing Health

5 Reasons Why to NOT Put Off Hearing Health When it comes to your health, it’s best to never procrastinate when you think there are issues. A growth on your skin shouldn’t be ignored, a pain in your joints or backs can’t be ignored, and even your own hearing, shouldn’t be taken lightly. Here are 5 reasons why you should definitely not be putting off checking on your hearing health.

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Relationship Between Winter & Hearing Loss

Relationship Between Winter & Hearing Loss When it comes to hearing loss, it can come from a variety of sources.  Some hearing losses stem from some genetic disorder, others come from improper hearing or ear care such as enduring loud noises or improperly cleanig.  Hearing loss can even come from something as simple as the aging process.  One particular source however, many do not think about; cold weather. According to new research, hearing loss can stem from extensive exposure to cold...

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Travel Tips for Individuals with Hearing Loss

Travel Tips for Individuals with Hearing Loss Spring is here and summer is fast approaching! Many of us use the summer months to take vacation time and take advantage of the weather to do some traveling. Traveling is typically a fun experience, however traveling with hearing loss and hearing aids can present challenges. For example, if you’re hard of hearing, you may miss boarding calls for flights or trains. Or if you don’t speak the language at your destination, locals’ accents can make it...

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Why pretending to hear is bad and how to break the habit

Why pretending to hear is bad and how to break the habit This may be a familiar scene to you;  you are out with a group of friends, and you start chatting with someone you haven’t met before. The conversations going on next to you are quite loud and there may be music on louder than it needs to be.  Once your conversation starts, you are comfortable as you hear the basics such as their name and where they are from, but when the speaker goes to lengthier, more detailed information, you begin...

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Everything You Need To Know About Hearing Tests

Everything You Need To Know About Hearing Tests In life, there are many tests that you must take: pop quizzes, driving tests and college entrance exams. There are also tests that you don’t need to study for, such as eyesight exams or a hearing evaluation. A hearing “test” or evaluation is recommended to those around the age of 50, unless of course you are experiencing symptoms of hearing loss sooner. A hearing screening includes several tests that measure how well you hear a variety of...

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5 Ways You’re Damaging Your Hearing

5 Ways You’re Damaging Your Hearing Your ears are more sensitive than you think.  When you are young and carefree, playing your music loudly, going to concerts, or heading out to loud bars, doesn’t seem like much of an issue.  The real fact however, is that once ears are damaged, hearing loss cannot be reversed.  Below is a list of things you need to be concerned when thinking about preserving the health of your ears. 1. Your job While work in general is not a real cause for hearing loss,...

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