October 6, 2026

Insights for Your Hearing Health

Get trusted tips, insights, and hearing health updates from your hearing care team.

Whether you’re exploring solutions for the first time or a long-time hearing aid user, our experts at HearCare, Inc. and Associates are here to offer advice and resources to support your journey.

Hands using a wax loop on a hearing aid dome beside an open case, for hearing aid cleaning tips from HearCare, Inc. and Associates in Sherman, TX

Simple Hearing Aid Care That Keeps Wax From Muffling Your Sound

Earwax and moisture are a normal part of wearing hearing aids, but left in place they can block openings and leave your devices sounding weak. A consistent hearing aid cleaning routine helps keep your devices working well and prevents the frustration of wax and moisture interfering with sound. At HearCare, Inc. and Associates, with offices

Young woman gently touching her ear over a full, clogged feeling, from HearCare, Inc. and Associates in Sherman and Gainesville, TX

Why Is My Clogged Ear Lingering When There’s No Wax? Relief Tips

A clogged ear can make a phone call or a conversation across the table sound muffled, and it’s puzzling when there’s no earwax to explain it. At HearCare, Inc. and Associates, with offices in Sherman and Gainesville, TX, owners Kenneth M. Sheppard, Jr., and Jill A. Sheppard, both licensed fitters and dispensers of hearing instruments,

A person inserts a white wireless earbud into their ear, with their hand holding the earbud close to the ear. The background is blurred.

Can Headphones and Earbuds Cause Hearing Loss

Rarely do we see a young adult in public without an earbud in their ears. Headphones are a bit more cumbersome, but teens still find them a way to escape from their surroundings. We all enjoy listening to music no matter our age, but younger people rely on music to pass the time. So, can headphones cause hearing loss since

A younger woman is talking with concern to an older woman who looks upset and is looking away. They are sitting on a couch in a bright living room.

Cognitive Hearing Loss When the Brain Struggles to Process Sound

Most people think of hearing as something the ears do, which is partly true. But hearing is just as much a brain function as it is an ear function.  Cognitive hearing is your brain’s ability to interpret and make sense of the sounds your ears hear. For example, you might hear someone speaking clearly, but still struggle to

A smiling older woman with gray hair is having a behind-the-ear hearing aid placed by another persons hand.

How Hearing Aids Stimulate the Brain and Support Cognitive Function

Everybody knows that hearing is something your ears do. What we think less about is the role our brain plays in hearing. Your ears collect sound, but your brain interprets it, turning vibrations into words, meaning, and memories.   When hearing loss develops, the brain receives less information about sound. Over time, reduced stimulation can make listening more

A man in a white t-shirt holds his hand to his ear and tilts his head, appearing to listen carefully or indicating he cannot hear well, against a plain light gray background.

What Is Auditory Fatigue Signs Your Ears and Brain Are Working Too Hard

Have you ever felt totally drained after a long conversation or social gathering? You may assume you’re just tired, stressed, or overwhelmed. And it’s true that for introverts or people with sensory issues, social situations can be exhausting. But in some cases, the cause is a lesser-known culprit: auditory fatigue.  Auditory fatigue happens when your brain has to work harder to process sound. When

A woman in a white blouse whispers to a man in a light blue shirt, who is cupping his ear and leaning in to hear her better. They are sitting indoors on a light-colored sofa.

7 Hearing Loss Myths Separating Fact From Fiction

Hearing loss is more common than most of us might realize, but misinformation continues to prevent many people from seeking proper care. And with hearing loss, getting the right care at the right time is critical. Believing common hearing loss myths can delay diagnosis, impact communication, and reduce your overall quality of life.  If you have concerns

A woman wearing a brown coat stands outdoors, shivering and clutching her collar for warmth, with a misty, blurred background of trees.

Seasonal Hearing Loss Symptoms Winter vs. Summer Changes

We usually associate hearing changes with aging or noise exposure, but the time of year can also affect how well we hear. If it seems that your ears often feel more blocked in the winter or more irritated during the summer, you’re probably right. Seasonal hearing loss symptoms are common and often linked to environmental factors that change throughout

An older woman with gray hair sits on a black sofa, wearing a white top and scarf, looking down as she pours pills from a brown medicine bottle into her hand. A bookcase and plant are visible in the background.

Medications That May Cause Hearing Loss: Understanding Ototoxicity

Most people know loud noise can damage your hearing, but medications are a lesser-known culprit. Medications that can impact hearing are known as ototoxic medications, meaning they have the potential to harm the inner ear.  While many ototoxic drugs are necessary (and highly effective) for treating serious medical conditions, knowing the risks can help you recognize symptoms