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We’re still surprised how many people have outdated ideas about what hearing aids are like. It’s common for patients to come in expecting large, uncomfortable devices that distort sounds or make everything seem tinny or artificial. In fact, one of the first things many of our patients say is, “I can’t believe how natural everything sounds!” Or they might remark on how comfortable they are to wear. We love pleasantly surprising people!

We all have certain preferences and aversions for sensory input, including sounds. Yet for some of us, those aversions can be practically debilitating. If a given sound sensitivity triggers such negative reactions that it starts limiting your or a loved one's quality of life, it may be a condition known as misophonia. Fortunately, advances in audiology have made the detection and treatment of misophonia available to the general public. Even better, treatment for misophonia is often as simple as booking an appointment and discussing your concerns with a qualified hearing professional.  What Is Misophonia? Misophonia is a condition in which aural stimuli cause usually strong, sometimes overwhelming, emotions and physical reactions. Physical symptoms of misophonia, if present, can manifest as autonomic bodily processes or reactive behaviors. Treatment for misophonia depends on the strength and extent of its symptoms, but even more severe cases can be managed effectively under the care of a trained and experienced clinician. While estimates vary, misophonia's marked decrease in sound tolerance is more common in women and may affect one in five people over their lives. Symptoms and Causes of Misophonia Misphonia symptoms often begin as certain unwanted emotions, most commonly: Anxiety Anger Fear Annoyance/irritation Frustration For those with misophonia, these emotions are often much more pronounced than for their peers, who feel the same sound/stimulus is only mildly unpleasant (or even pay it no mind). On the contrary, misophonia can become very disruptive to normal daily activity, limiting one's ability to freely engage in certain activities. Those with misophonia usually learn to avoid triggering sounds, and all that's associated with it. Left untreated, misophonia can lead to physical symptoms, ranging from reduced self-control to physical reactions, including: Sweating Goosebumps Increased heart rate or blood pressure A feeling of tightness or pressure in the chest Angry outbursts (both physical or verbal) Note that the physical symptoms of misophonia are akin to certain self-protection (aka "fight or flight") instincts the body induces when it senses danger. Just as the emotional symptoms listed above may give rise to autonomic physical processes, the latter sometimes leads to increased behavioral tendencies, ranging anywhere from aversive to violent behaviors. Diagnosis and Tests Even if the worst physical symptoms don't manifest, failure to process or prevent the main underlying factors behind misophonia can lead to chronic stress, as well as reduced immunity and life satisfaction. The first step is to receive a professional diagnosis and determine just how pronounced an individual's symptoms are. An audiologist will provide a series of tests to determine which type of sound frequencies the patient has developed a heightened sensitivity to. We will take your concerns to heart as we compare the test results with the personal background that led up to the onset of misophonia. Management and Treatment Just as the symptoms of misophonia are highly individuated, so too is the treatment. With a formal diagnosis, your audiologist can then prescribe a custom-curated list of coping skills and formal therapies to prevent misophonia from controlling your life. Doing so can help anyone take control of their reactive symptoms, whether experienced as marked annoyance and frustration on through to difficulty with felt, palpable impulse control. All the more, professional treatment can render once-debilitating sound triggers into an afterthought, with little to no effect on their psyche or body. When to Seek Help from Your Healthcare Provider If certain sound sensitivities are growing out of control, you could benefit tremendously from a short appointment at our clinic. Our audiology experts will listen to the specific causes and backstory behind your experience with misophonia and conduct a few simple tests to determine what physical and "psychoacoustic" (the psychological aspect of hearing) phenomena may be contributing to your particular symptoms. We'll then be well on our way to crafting an individualized treatment plan to help you manage overwhelming sound sensitivities in your life. Contact us to request an appointment, and stop misophonia from controlling your life. Image Source: New Africa /Shutterstock

Discover how Phonak hearing aids improve hearing, relieve tinnitus, and enhance communication. Learn how Phonak’s technology supports better hearing and quality of life.

Hearing aids can improve your quality of life tremendously, but that's if they've been properly fitted -- and if you've received a model that works well with your specific type of hearing loss and your lifestyle. When you choose your hearing aids, you'll encounter a few companies that all offer good products. These four in particular are recommended by our audiologists. ReSound First up is ReSound, which has been helping people with hearing loss since 1943. About the manufacturer ReSound focuses on making sound more natural (the company calls this "organic hearing") while using the latest broadcast technology to bring you clearer sound and more efficient controls. The company also offers accessories that work with TVs to stream sound directly to the hearing aids. Benefits of ReSound ReSound's research and development focuses on making hearing aids as easy to control and as seamlessly integrated into your life as possible. Control the hearing aids via a smartphone app, and get ready to stream TV and radio right to your hearing aids when Auracast technology becomes available. Why We Recommend ReSound ReSound is adding Auracast to its Bluetooth-enabled Nexia hearing aids, which will enable you to receive TV and radio broadcasts directly to your hearing aids. The Nexia is suitable for mild to profound hearing loss. ReSound hearing aids also use Bluetooth Low Energy Audio, which preserves battery life and provides better sound. Oticon Next is Oticon, which has been around in one form or another since 1904. The company first used the Oticon name in 1946. About the manufacturer Oticon's roots lie in one Danish man's contract with an English hearing aid company to distribute hearing aids in Denmark. Over the decades, that contract grew into a full-fledged, family-owned hearing aid manufacturer with worldwide distribution. Benefits of Oticon Oticon's focus over the past several years has been on technology that allows for better connectivity along with sound technology that works to fill in gaps, rather than just amplify. Why We Recommend Oticon Oticon's hearing aid models have had internet and mobile phone connectivity for almost a decade. One of its latest models, the Intent, has AI-driven sensors that predict your hearing assistance needs in real time, adjusting to the situation you're in instead of giving you fixed amplification levels that may not work in every situation. The Intent is suitable for mild to severe hearing loss and also works with Auracast and Bluetooth LE technology. Phonak The third company on the list is Phonak, which has been around since 1947. About the manufacturer Phonak is a Swiss company that has consistently worked to improve its hearing aids in ways you never knew you needed, such as having the first water-resistant hearing aid housing for aids for severe hearing losses. Phonak is owned by Sonova, which also makes the Sennheiser brand of audio and recording accessories. Benefits of Phonak Phonak offers a very broad range of hearing aids and also produces the Roger wireless microphone. This helps hearing aid users overcome ambient noise -- no matter what their level of hearing loss -- so that speech is clearer even in very noisy situations. Why We Recommend Phonak Phonak's Naida Lumity is not only Bluetooth-enabled, but it also uses Phonak's SmartSpeech technology to zero in on speech as ambient noise levels change. Sensors locate the dominant speech in a room and direct microphones toward the sound, and the technology enhances speech cues to provide more information about what's being said. Starkey Last, but not least, is Starkey, an established U.S. company that's been in business since 1967. About the manufacturer Starkey started off as a hearing aid repair company in Minnesota. Over the years, the company has launched innovative programs for hearing education, battery recycling, and hearing aid testing. Benefits of Starkey The company has long been a leader in customer service, starting with fixed charges for repairs and adding trial periods and warranties, which were not typical at the time Starkey started offering them. The company was the first to design in-the-canal aids with its Tympanette model. It's also designed with advanced digital and programmable lines of hearing aids. Why We Recommend Starkey Starkey recently released the Edge AI hearing aid series that offers speech enhancement, rechargeable batteries, and Bluetooth LE technology. The Edge AI series works with all levels of hearing loss. Find the Right Hearing Aid for You The sheer number of hearing aid companies, let alone the sheer number of hearing aids, can be intimidating for anyone. Dr. Allen Rohe and Amy Rohe at the Tinnitus & Hearing Center of Arizona in the Phoenix-Mesa metropolitan region can help you find hearing aids that work best for you. Contact us to arrange for a consultation to discuss testing and fitting for your needs.  Image Souce: Janeberry /Shutterstock

In addition to all of the other ways AI is revolutionizing the world these days, it is also greatly helping people with hearing loss. It can help to make conversations clearer, reduce background noise, and even learn your unique listening preferences.

Discover the benefits of hearing aids powered by Oticon, including clearer sound, tinnitus relief, and improved brain function for better daily life.

If you’ve been researching hearing aids, you may have come across the term “real ear measurements” or REM. But what does this actually mean, and why is it important for your hearing aid fitting? And is it even a necessary step in the hearing aid process?

Explore the benefits of hearing aids from Starkey, clearer sound, smart features, and support for better hearing health and quality of life. Learn more today!

Learn how Lenire tinnitus treatment uses sound and tongue stimulation to reduce symptoms. Find out how it works and if it’s right for you. Learn more today!

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) are similar, but offer different approach to treating tinnitus. Compare them here.

As the holidays approach, many of us are gearing up to gather with family and friends for festive meals and celebrations. Cooking, especially during this time, is a multi-sensory experience. From the sizzle of meat on the grill to the bubbling of gravy on the stove to the ding of an egg timer, hearing well in the kitchen is a vital part of the cooking process.

Contantly asking "what" & "huh" is far more noticeable than any hearing aid.

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to get more out of their hearing aids than others? The secret lies in a crucial step called real ear verification.

Do you ever find yourself constantly battling with the persistent ringing in your ears, known as tinnitus? If so, you are not alone. Tinnitus affects millions of people worldwide, impacting their daily lives and overall well-being.

Love is in the air, which inspired us to write a blog post about finding your perfect match… your perfect hearing aid match, that is! There’s so much information out there and so many rumors about “the best” or “the worst” hearing aids. It can be overwhelming to try to choose!

Experiencing tinnitus can have a deeply negative impact on life. As this condition can be difficult to diagnose and treat, finding relief can be overwhelming and may require a combination of medical treatments and lifestyle changes.

Most of us are looking for ways to cut costs, especially now. If this is something you’ve been thinking about —and you’re someone who will need to purchase hearing aids this year — you might be wondering if switching to an over-the-counter option is a viable option.

Here are a few tips to consider before you voice your concerns with your loved one.

Spot the signs of hearing loss early in Tempe, AZ—such as ringing ears or missed conversations—and schedule a hearing evaluation now.

The Rohe Method® of Tinnitus Treatment was created as a unique blend of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Tinnitus Retraining Therapy to facilitate retraining the brain.

Audiology is a challenging career option consistently rated as a top job choice each year.

Before we debunk the most common myths about ear function, we’ll briefly explain the anatomy of the middle ear and ear drum.

The new year is here and with it comes the hope for a better start! The time has never been a better one to treat your hearing loss in 2022!

10 Tips for Those With Hearing Loss

Read more about Severe Tinnitus

Mental Health & Hearing Loss: How to Help

If you experience ringing or buzzing in one or both ears, you may have tinnitus. In my other article, I discuss the different causes and treatment for tinnitus. The purpose of this article is to investigate research that links COVID-19 to tinnitus.

Your hearing is one of your most valuable assets. It connects you to your friends, family, and the world around you. What you may not realize, however, is the degree to which hearing takes place in your brain, not in your ears! In fact, because your brain is different from everyone else’s, you hear differently from other people around you. Our 5-star-rated hearing specialists in Tempe, AZ are happy to discuss the fascinating ways that your brain helps you to hear…and the ways that BrainHearing™ technology has brought hearing aid treatment to an entirely new level.

Ringing in your ears or Tinnitus (pronounced tin-NY-tus) is an annoyance at best. When it continues as a chronic problem, it can also disrupt your life in more ways than one. Whether you suffer from unwanted sound in your ears on rare occasions or as part of an ongoing battle, our Tempe, AZ ear doctor offers cutting-edge treatment to help quiet the ringing in your ears.

If you have been considering hearing rehabilitation for yourself but dislike the appearance of hearing aids, then we have great news for you! Thanks to the incredible advancements in hearing-assistive technology today, hearing aids are now available that can improve your sound experience with true discretion. Keep reading to learn more about our invisible hearing aid devices in Tempe, AZ.

At Tinnitus & Hearing Center of Arizona, our experienced team for hearing loss in Tempe, AZ strives to be the most compassionate expert of hearing loss. That’s why we want to emphasize the importance of protecting your hearing from loud sounds so you can avoid the difficulties that accompany noise-induced hearing damage. By opting for earplugs during a loud concert or in a noisy work environment, or by keeping the volume low when you wear headphones, you help to ensure a lifetime of better hearing. Why does noise cause such damage to our ears, however?

According to our expert audiologist, recent studies on hearing aid use have made an astounding discovery. Although hearing loss treatment technology has improved significantly during the last decade, hearing instrument user satisfaction has not increased at the same rate. If you wear hearing aids or are thinking of pursuing hearing loss rehabilitation, this may be the most important article you read all year! Keep reading to learn how to ensure a 5-star hearing aid experience for yourself with real-ear hearing aid measurements in Tempe, AZ.

(480) 831-6159

(480) 831-6159

Understand the connection between hearing loss and depression. Learn how untreated hearing issues and the psychological effects of hearing loss affect mental health in Tempe.

The latest approach involves a more enhanced and precise version of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing system. This system is better able to recognize a mutation which results in hearing loss that is progressive in an animal model called the "Beethoven mice." The tool provided researchers with a way to disable Tmc1 which is a hearing gene known as the defective-copy without affecting or disturbing the copy that is healthy.

Don’t delay treating hearing loss in Tempe. Improve communication, mental health, and improving quality of life with hearing loss through personalized care.

If you live in the metro area of Phoenix, hearing testing might come up when speaking to your doctor, and he/she may ask you to get your ears tested. This does not in any way mean that something is wrong. It is just that the doctor needs you to have a hearing test to make sure that your ears are working as they should.

Certainly hearing aids are the easiest remedy for those who suffer from loss of hearing, but sometimes cost can prohibit the purchase. Lipreading is an important skill for many people who have hearing loss. They are able to recognize the lip shapes, gestures and facial movements of someone when they speak. This helps them to communicate well. Next time you speak with someone with the loss of hearing, assist them to lipread the speaker in a variety of ways.

Presbycusis or age-related hearing loss is common in elderly people that occur because of natural neurodegenerative processes. It affects the cochlear receptor cells and brain circuits that are involved in auditory perception. Clinically, older people may have high-frequency hearing loss on both sides and reduced ability to understand speech. Using a hearing aid is the best way to deal with hearing loss at old age. However, you may wonder, if the ability to differentiate different notation of music changes too. ​ Can you enjoy music at old age?

Learn how sound sensitivity varies by age in Tempe, AZ. Whether you need a hyperacusis test or personalized adjustments, our audiologists can help you stay comfortable.

During a live performance, you are surrounded by a myriad of sounds in various frequencies like the PA system, the amplifiers, sound from different instruments and of course the crowd singing along with you. The challenge is to be able to listen to your own instrument or voice in the midst of the cacophony

(480) 831-6159

In 2016, Oticon Medical introduced its Opn™ hearing aid , which offers Multi-Speaker Access Technology (MSAT) in Oticon’s OpenSound Navigator™ (OSN).

Discover Signia Notch Therapy, a leading signia notch therapy hearing aid in Tempe, AZ. Get targeted Tinnitus Relief and improved hearing clarity today.

Flying soon? Learn how to avoid ear pain during flight and why do my ears hurt on a plane, plus pro tips to protect your ears and ease pressure.

Tempe audiologist

Our patient, Lt. Colonel Ralph "Slick" Aguirre, USAF (Retired) started his career in aviation flying Huey helicopters in Vietnam at the age of eighteen. He went on to fly F-15 fighter jets in the US Air Force. From there he transitioned into a civilian career in aviation flying for Southwest Airlines. The years he spent in aviation started to seriously affect his ears. The situation reached the point where he grounded himself from flying any longer, for fear it was no longer possible without causing further damage to his ears. Slick arrived at our clinic looking for any possible help. We're happy to report that we have Slick flying again and he couldn't be happier. Slick graciously offered Dr. Rohe the opportunity of a lifetime to fly in this plane as a way of saying thanks for treating his tinnitus and keeping him up in the air. He recently told Dr. Rohe that all the time he spent flying was the equivalent of three full years in the air. That is quite an accomplishment.