Hearing Aids Plus, USA

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Hearing Aids Plus, USA Hearing Aids Plus® is a full-service hearing healthcare practice that specializes in treating people with hearing loss.

Our state-of-the-art facilities are home to experienced hearing care professionals who will navigate your unique hearing challenges. Steve Douglas, President & CEO of Hearing Aids Plus+ is a long-term patient of hearing aid use. Steve was diagnosed with hearing loss in 1968 and he started wearing hearing aids in 1990. Because of his own personal experiences, Steve understands what you are going through with your hearing loss and wants to help. It is his passion to give his patients better life through better hearing.

Happy October!As we kick off a new month, at Hearing Aids Plus, we'd love to use this as a friendly reminder to all of o...
10/05/2026

Happy October!

As we kick off a new month, at Hearing Aids Plus, we'd love to use this as a friendly reminder to all of our patients and all hearing aid wearers, to change your wax guards!

It is important to change our wax guards because it protects the receiver (or speaker), from wax buildup.

Once our wax guards get full of wax, it will affect the volume and/or sound of our hearing aids, and could potentially cause damage to the receiver.

Changing our wax guards monthly is regular maintenance, to give our hearing aids a happy, healthy, long life. It is similar to getting an oil change for our car to continue running smoothly.

If you struggle with dexterity issues, or need further education on how to change your wax guards, we're always happy to help!

Do you ever wonder the science behind what actually happens when you hear something?Someone says your name.You hear it.B...
10/01/2026

Do you ever wonder the science behind what actually happens when you hear something?

Someone says your name.

You hear it.

But what actually happened inside your ears and brain in those few seconds?

It’s pretty incredible!

STEP 1: SOUND WAVES
The sound travels through the air and enters your outer ear.

STEP 2: THE EARDRUM
Those sound waves cause your eardrum to vibrate.

STEP 3: OSSICULAR CHAIN
The vibration moves through your ossicular chain which is three tiny bones in your middle ear—the malleus, incus, and stapes.

And here's a fun fact:

They're the three smallest bones in your entire body!

STEP 4: THE COCHLEA
Those vibrations reach the cochlea, a tiny, snail-shaped structure in your inner ear.

Inside the cochlea are specialized sensory hair cells that respond to the movement created by the sound.

STEP 5: THE BRAIN
The information is converted into electrical signals and travels along the auditory nerve to your brain.

And that's where the magic happens…

Your brain interprets those signals as sound.

So when you hear your grandchild laugh, your favorite song, your spouse say “I love you,”...

There's an incredible chain of events happening in a fraction of a second.

Your ears collect the sound. Your brain makes sense of it.

Pretty amazing, right?

Your ears do more than help you hear!When you think about your ears, you probably think about hearing.But did you know y...
09/29/2026

Your ears do more than help you hear!

When you think about your ears, you probably think about hearing.

But did you know your inner ear also plays an important role in helping your body maintain balance and know where you are in space?

Inside your inner ear is a system called the vestibular system.

It works with your eyes, muscles, joints, and brain to help your body understand things like:

➡️ Which way you're moving
➡️ Whether you're standing or turning
➡️ How your head is positioned
➡️ How to keep yourself balanced

That's why problems involving the inner ear can sometimes cause symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, or feeling disoriented.

Pretty amazing, right?

Your ears aren't simply about hearing sounds.

They're part of a much bigger system that helps you interact with the world around you.

The human body is pretty incredible!

If you experience issues with your balance or have any questions, please feel free to give us a call for more information!

Having Trouble Following Conversations? Try These 5 Simple Tips.Yesterday we talked about that frustrating feeling of:“I...
09/24/2026

Having Trouble Following Conversations? Try These 5 Simple Tips.

Yesterday we talked about that frustrating feeling of:

“I can hear them… I just can't understand them.”

Especially in restaurants, family gatherings, or other noisy places.

The good news? A few simple changes can make communication easier.

Get their attention first.

1. Say their name or make eye contact before you start talking. It gives them a moment to focus on what you're saying.

2. Face the person you're talking to.

Seeing someone's face and expressions can provide helpful visual cues when following a conversation.

3. Turn down the background noise.

Turn off the TV, move away from loud areas, or choose a quieter table at a restaurant. Less competing noise can make speech easier to understand.

4. Speak clearly—not louder.

Shouting doesn't necessarily make speech easier to understand. Speaking clearly at a comfortable pace can be more helpful.

5. Don't be afraid to rephrase.

If someone doesn't understand you, try saying it a different way instead of simply repeating the exact same words.

And remember…

Good communication is a two-way street. ❤️

If conversations have become noticeably harder to follow—even when you're sitting right next to someone—it may be worth finding out why.

“I Can Hear Them… I Just Can’t Understand Them.”Have you ever said this?You can hear the person across the table talking...
09/23/2026

“I Can Hear Them… I Just Can’t Understand Them.”

Have you ever said this?

You can hear the person across the table talking.
You know they're saying something.
But somehow… you just can't make out the words.

You may find yourself saying:

➡️ “What?”
➡️ “Everyone sounds like they're mumbling.”
➡️ “Can you repeat that?”
➡️ “I can hear you, but I can't understand you.”

And here's something many people don't realize:

Hearing and understanding aren't always the same thing.

When hearing is affected—particularly in certain frequencies—speech can become less clear. Background noise can make the challenge even greater, which is why restaurants, family gatherings, and other busy environments can be especially difficult.

You might actually hear the sound of someone's voice while missing important parts of the words.

That's why you shouldn't ignore those little signs.

If you're constantly asking people to repeat themselves, struggling to follow conversations in noisy places, or feeling like everyone is mumbling, a hearing evaluation can help determine what's really going on.

💙 Because it's not enough to simply hear that someone is talking.

💚You should be able to understand what they're saying.

If you or a loved one struggles and wants more answers, give us a call! We're happy to help!

"How do you tell someone you love that you think they may not be hearing as well as they used to?".. A conversation nobo...
09/17/2026

"How do you tell someone you love that you think they may not be hearing as well as they used to?"
.. A conversation nobody wants to have.

"How do I even bring this up without hurting their feelings?"

Start with compassion—not criticism.

Instead of:

❌ “You never listen to me.”

Try:

❤️ “I've noticed conversations seem to be getting harder for you lately. Have you noticed that too?”

Instead of:

❌ “You need hearing aids.”

Try:

❤️ “Would you be willing to have your hearing checked? It might help us understand what's making conversations so difficult.”

Instead of:

❌ “Everyone else can hear me just fine.”

Try:

❤️ “I want to make sure you're not missing the conversations and moments that matter to you.”

And most importantly, listen.

Your loved one may be embarrassed, frustrated, or simply unaware of how much they're missing. Hearing loss can make conversations take more effort, and that extra effort can leave someone feeling tired or frustrated.

This conversation isn't about telling someone they're getting old.

It's about letting them know:
"I care about you. I want to be able to communicate with you. And I don't want you missing out on important moments."

What Are You Missing?Sometimes hearing loss isn't about the sounds you can't hear.It's about the moments you slowly stop...
09/16/2026

What Are You Missing?

Sometimes hearing loss isn't about the sounds you can't hear.

It's about the moments you slowly stop being part of.

Maybe it's sitting around the dinner table while everyone is talking, and realizing you're only catching bits and pieces of the conversation.

Maybe it's your grandchildren telling you a story, but their little voices are difficult to understand because they "mumble".

Maybe it's sitting in a restaurant with family and spending more time trying to figure out what was said than enjoying the conversation.

Maybe you've stopped asking people to repeat themselves because you don't want to be a bother.

Maybe you've started turning down invitations because it's simply easier than struggling to follow the conversation.

And sometimes, you may not even realize how much you're missing.

Hearing loss can make everyday conversations more difficult and, over time, may cause people to withdraw from family, friends, and social activities.

But here's the important part:

It doesn't have to stay that way!

A hearing evaluation can help you understand what you're hearing and what you may be missing.

Because better hearing isn't just about hearing the television.

It's about hearing your spouse say, “I love you.”

It's about following the story your grandchild is so excited to tell you.

It's about laughing at the dinner table because you actually heard the joke.

It's about staying involved in the conversations, relationships, and moments that make life meaningful.

If you or someone you love is struggling to follow conversations, asking people to repeat themselves, turning the TV up, or feeling like everyone is mumbling, it may be time for a hearing evaluation. These are recognized signs that hearing may need to be checked.

09/04/2026

What makes dentures and stars alike?

They both come out at night!😂

Have you noticed a parent, grandparent, or loved one becoming more withdrawn during conversations? Maybe they seem frust...
09/02/2026

Have you noticed a parent, grandparent, or loved one becoming more withdrawn during conversations? Maybe they seem frustrated or irritable more often than they used to.

Families sometimes assume these changes are simply part of aging or a cognitive issue. But hearing loss can sometimes play a role.

When someone struggles to understand what’s being said, conversations can become exhausting and frustrating. They may withdraw because it's easier than constantly trying to keep up.

And sometimes, something as simple as raising your voice can be misunderstood. While you're speaking louder because you want to be heard, your loved one may interpret your tone or facial expression as anger or frustration toward them.

What looks like disinterest, frustration, or irritability may sometimes be someone struggling to hear and understand.

If you've noticed these changes in someone you love, a hearing evaluation may be a good place to start.

Because better hearing can mean better communication, stronger connections, and more meaningful moments together.💙💚

Hello September!Before the colder months arrive and we find ourselves wanting to hibernate, lets make it a priority to g...
09/01/2026

Hello September!

Before the colder months arrive and we find ourselves wanting to hibernate, lets make it a priority to get our annual checkup!

Staying proactive with your hearing health can help you stay connected to the people and moments that matter most.

The team at Hearing Aids Plus+ would love to see your smiling faces and help you stay on top of your hearing health!

Call us today and ask our staff why it's important to have an annual checkup? We'd love to hear from you!

Address

6424 East State Boulevard
Fort Wayne, IN
46815

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 1pm

Telephone

+12607491818

Website

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