Posts by Dr. Alaina D. Becker, Au.D.

Ringing. Buzzing. Hissing. Whistling. For people with tinnitus, the sound can be difficult to ignore, particularly when everything else around them becomes quiet. If tinnitus occurs alongside hearing loss, hearing aids may be one part of a management approach. That surprises some people because hearing aids are usually associated with improving hearing, not tinnitus. But…

For decades, wearing hearing aids meant keeping a supply of tiny batteries nearby. In the bathroom drawer. In your purse. In your suitcase. Maybe even in the glove compartment. Today, many hearing aids work differently. Rechargeable hearing aids have become increasingly popular because instead of replacing tiny batteries every few days, you can place the…

Walk into a store or search online for hearing aids today, and you may find devices available without ever stepping inside a hearing clinic. That has left many people wondering: Why would I get prescription hearing aids if I can simply buy hearing aids over the counter? Over-the-counter hearing aids have expanded access to hearing…

Maybe you have started turning the television up a little louder. Perhaps restaurants are harder to follow than they used to be. You hear people talking, but certain words seem to disappear. Your grandchildren sound less clear. Group conversations require more concentration. Then someone says, “Well, hearing loss is just part of getting older.” Hearing…

Introduction Most adults don’t think about scheduling a hearing test until conversations become noticeably difficult. By that point, hearing changes may have been developing for years without being recognized. Like vision, blood pressure, or dental health, hearing deserves regular attention. A routine hearing evaluation can identify subtle changes long before they begin interfering with everyday…

Introduction It’s a situation that happens every day. A spouse comments that the television seems louder than it used to be. An adult child notices they’re repeating themselves more often. A close friend mentions that conversations don’t seem as easy as they once were. In many cases, family members recognize hearing loss before the person…

Introduction Have you ever come home from dinner with friends, a family gathering, or a long meeting and felt completely exhausted, even though you weren’t physically active? Many people assume they’re simply getting older or had a busy day. However, hearing loss may be playing a much bigger role than they realize. One of the…

Introduction One of the biggest frustrations for people with hearing loss isn’t hearing someone across a quiet room. It’s trying to follow one conversation when ten others are happening around you. Whether you’re enjoying brunch in Hyde Park, dining along the Tampa Riverwalk, cheering at a Lightning game, or attending a family gathering, background noise…

Introduction One of the first questions new hearing aid users ask is, “How long until this feels normal?” The answer is different for everyone, but most people adjust much faster than they expect. Like getting a new pair of prescription glasses, your brain simply needs time to adapt. The more consistently you wear your hearing…

Introduction One of the biggest reasons people delay getting hearing aids isn’t the cost or the technology. It’s the fear that everyone will notice them. The reality is quite the opposite. Around Tampa, people are far more likely to notice that you’re struggling to follow conversations than they are to notice a hearing aid. Whether…