How Hearing Aids Improve Safety at Home
Hearing is a key part of staying safe, even within the comfort of your own home. While it’s easy to think about simple tasks like hearing a knock at the door or the phone ringing, hearing aids offer far more in terms of safety benefits. These advanced devices help users stay alert to sounds that…
Navigating the Latest Hearing Aid Technologies
Hearing aids today can be sleek and discreet with advanced technology designed to make life easier and more connected. Nearly 28.8 million Americans could benefit from wearing them. Whether you’re exploring hearing aids for the first time or considering an upgrade, understanding the latest features can help you make a confident and informed decision. Smarter…
The Importance of Regular Hearing Evaluations
Good hearing helps us stay connected to our communities, friends and families but it often doesn’t get the same attention as our dental or eye care. Regular hearing checkups are an essential part of overall health, especially as we get older. About 22% of adults between ages 65 and 74 experience some disabling hearing loss….
How to Select the Right Hearing Aid for Your Needs

Choosing the right hearing aids can feel like a complex decision, especially with the variety of styles and features available today. Nearly 28.8 million Americans could benefit from using hearing aids, but many don’t acquire them. However, with the right guidance, you can find a solution that suits your hearing loss, preferences and lifestyle. Understand…
Dr. Brocato Announces Retirement

After serving Northern Alabama for many years, Dr. Brocato retired on March 31, 2025. He appreciated caring for his patients and developing relationships with families, often seeing children and grandchildren as well. In his retirement, he looks forward to having more time for family, friends, and hobbies and hopes to continue seeing his patients around town….
What Are the Causes of Conductive Hearing Loss?

There are three types of hearing loss: conductive, caused by a physical blockage that prevents soundwaves from traveling through the ear; sensorineural, caused by damage to the sensory cells within the inner ear; and mixed, which is a combination of the two. Let’s focus on conductive hearing loss and the different factors that can cause…
Could My Child with Food Allergens React to Environmental Allergens?
If your child has food allergies, you may wonder whether they are also at risk for environmental allergies. While food allergies and environmental allergies affect the immune system in different ways, some children can experience both, through a reaction called cross-reactivity. Cross-reactivity occurs when proteins in one substance are like the proteins found in another…
How to Care for Your Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are small but powerful devices that could benefit more than 28.8 million U.S. adults with hearing loss. Like any bit of tech, hearing aids require care and maintenance to keep them running their best. Let’s take a look at a few important tasks to include in your hearing aid maintenance. Clean Your Hearing…
Workplace Noise and Your Hearing: How to Protect Yourself on the Job
Many people don’t think much about the noise they deal with at work until it starts to affect their hearing. Whether it’s loud machinery, constant hammering or concerts at the Orion Amphitheater, workplace noise can have serious consequences for your hearing over time. Noise-induced hearing loss is permanent, but the good news is that it’s…
Preparing for Spring Allergies: Is Now the Time To Start Immunotherapy?
Winter is quickly coming to a close, and that means spring has started to peak its head around the corner. Longer days, spring break, tasty seasonal produce and blooming flowers make spring an exciting time. Unfortunately, if you’re among the 20% of the United States population who deals with hay fever (allergic rhinitis), you know…