Center City Hearing

08/16/2026

The Loneliest Kind of Loud: Living With Someone Who Won’t Admit They Can’t Hear | Read this and more on our blog!

The television is at volume 47. You know it’s 47 because you’ve watched the number climb over the years like a slow tide. You mention it. He says the actors are mumbling. You say that everyone can’t be mumbling. He says you’re always nagging. This is the conversation, and you will have it ro...

08/12/2026

I didn't know this for YEARS.

It took me about 18 years into the hearing aid journey to learn that I hear best within six feet. When I found out, I was kind of mad. Why didn't anyone tell me this in the beginning?!

People talking from 20 feet away, without facing me, became frustrated when I needed a repeat. "Are your ears on?" Yes but I still didn't understand what they said. I felt defective, like something must be wrong with me. All ​t​hat time it wasn't me, my hearing aids had limits. If I had known that, I could have helped other people understand and developed workarounds.

Seeing is hearing and this is a little different for everyone. Some people need to be within two or three feet due to vision issues and severity of hearing loss. ​A​ few people are lucky and can understand what's being said from other rooms - but not many. The general rule of thumb is about six feet but it also depends on how much background noise there is. Background noise competes with voices. If there's a lot of it, get closer to the person with hearing loss.

The Three Golden Rules are healthy communication boundaries and guidelines: Get my attention first, face me and be within six feet. They reduce frustration for EVERYONE.

We all use lipreading to some degree so the Three Golden Rules work for lipreading also. Read more here: https://hearinglosslive.com/3-golden-rules/

​

07/16/2026

Ringing in Your Ears? Understanding Tinnitus and What You Can Do About It | Read this and more on our blog!

Imagine a sound that no one else can hear, a persistent ringing, buzzing, hissing, or clicking that follows you from the quiet of your bedroom to the hum of your morning commute. For millions of people, this isn’t imagination. It’s tinnitus, one of the most common yet least understood hearing-re...

07/15/2026

Please vote for our very own Anne Dougherty, AuD for Best Audiologist in Philly! You can vote daily through the end of August.

The Metro Philly's Best program gives you the power to choose the best businesses in Philadelphia.

06/22/2026

Give Dad the Gift of Better Hearing | Read this and more on our blog!

Father’s Day has come and gone but it’s never too late to give him something that will truly change his life. Does your dad ask you to repeat yourself more often than he used to? Does he turn the TV up louder than everyone else in the room would like? Does he seem to drift […]

05/15/2026

A Partner’s Guide: 5 Ways to Communicate Better When a Loved One Has Hearing Loss | Read this and more on our blog!

We’ve all been there: you’re in the kitchen, they’re in the living room, and you shout a simple question about dinner. What follows is a frustrated “What?” from the other room, a louder repeat from you, and eventually, a conversation that ends in a heavy sigh rather than a plan for tacos. ...

04/17/2026

The Invisible Intruder: Navigating the Surge of Seasonal Noise Pollution | Read this and more on our blog!

As the frost thaws and the days stretch longer, we often equate spring and summer with a sense of liberation. We open our windows to catch the breeze and head outdoors to reclaim our patios. However, this seasonal shift brings more than just warmth and blossoms; it ushers in a significant spike in n...

03/16/2026

Spring is the Time for New Beginnings: 10 Reasons to Get Your Hearing Checked | Read this and more on our blog!

As the frost thaws and the first crocuses peek through the soil, we often feel a surge of energy to refresh our lives. We spring-clean our homes, update our wardrobes, and perhaps start a new fitness routine. But there is one vital aspect of our health that often gets overlooked in the seasonal shuf...

02/18/2026

The Sound of Connection: Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Hearing Loss | Read this and more on our blog!

We often treat hearing loss as an inevitable, “harmless” part of aging—like grey hair or needing stronger reading glasses. We joke about “selective hearing” at the dinner table and turn the TV up a few notches without a second thought. However, modern science is revealing a much more urgen...

01/16/2026

Hearing Aid Travel Guide | Read this and more on our blog!

Traveling is about soaking in new sights, tastes, and—most importantly—sounds. Whether it’s the roar of the ocean or a guided tour through a historic cathedral, you don’t want to miss a beat. For those who wear hearing aids, a little extra preparation ensures that your technology keeps up wi...