For years, Johnson Audiology patient Kim Haney lived with a constant sound that no one else could hear. What began in her mid-30s as relentless tinnitus eventually became hearing loss that affected nearly every aspect of her daily life—from conversations with loved ones to simple interactions in restaurants. "The tinnitus was like being locked in a room with 10,000 crickets and not being able to escape," Kim recalls. "It was 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It affects your concentration. It affects your ability to hear what's going on around you without focusing in on the crickets." Her husband, Jim, witnessed the changes long before he understood what was causing them. "She would become agitated, and I didn't know what it was," he says. "After doing a little research, I realized the tinnitus was really the root of her agitation." As Kim's hearing declined, he found himself translating conversations, repeating what restaurant servers had said, and filling in the gaps she couldn't hear. "I was tired of translating," he laughs. "So I said, 'You're going to see an audiologist.'" That decision changed everything. Kim still remembers the emotions of her first appointment with Dr. Megan Johnson, founder and owner of Johnson Audiology. "When Dr. Johnson held up a notecard in front of her mouth during my hearing test appointment, I just burst into tears," she says. "When I didn’t have the visual cue of reading her lips, that's when I realized how much I had been missing." Now, after years of hearing care and advancements in technology, Kim says the difference is remarkable. "The technology has jumped in leaps and bounds," she says. "It's incredible how much it continues to evolve." One of the most meaningful moments came when Jim surprised her with new hearing aids as a Christmas gift. "I was expecting one of his paintings. He’s a wonderful artist, and I wanted a piece of his artwork for my office at work," Kim says with a smile. "Instead, I unrolled the package to find a handmade certificate he had created elling me I was getting new hearing aids. I started crying. It was such a thoughtful gift." Jim has no regrets about his unconventional present. "Instead of rings and watches," he says, "I gave her hearing aids." Kim agrees without hesitation. "I’ll take hearing aids over jewelry any day."  Today, after more than two decades together, the Haneys know that better hearing is about far more than hearing sounds. It's about understanding conversations, sharing experiences, and fully enjoying life. For Kim, seeking treatment didn't just improve her hearing—it gave her back the moments that matter most. In fact, she used her new hearing aids recently at a rock concert for the first time. “My friend and I had so much fun! It was amazing!” Kim says.
As the year comes to a close, you may have an opportunity to make the most of your health insurance benefits before they reset on January 1. By the third and fourth quarters, many people have already met their annual insurance deductible or out-of-pocket maximum. But what does that mean for your hearing healthcare? Understanding Your Benefits Your deductible is the amount you pay for covered healthcare services before your insurance begins sharing certain costs. Your out-of-pocket maximum is the most you'll pay for covered, in-network services during your plan year. Once reached, insurance generally pays 100% of covered expenses. Depending on your policy, this could mean significant savings on hearing evaluations and hearing aid technology, with some plans covering a percentage or even the full cost. We Help You Understand Your Coverage At Johnson Audiology, we have dedicated insurance specialists on staff who contact your insurance provider to verify your hearing healthcare benefits before your appointment. This means your audiologist has your coverage information available during your visit, helping you understand your options, potential costs, and available benefits so you can make an informed decision about moving forward with hearing technology. Don't Forget Your HSA and FSA Dollars! Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) can help cover eligible hearing healthcare expenses. Some FSA funds may expire at year's end, so be sure to check your balance! Your Benefits May Reset January 1. Schedule Now! The sooner you schedule, the more time you have to explore your hearing healthcare options before the year ends. Appointments fill quickly during the fourth quarter, and waiting until December could limit your options. Whether you're considering hearing aids for the first time, exploring newer technology, or simply due for a hearing evaluation, now is the time to take action. Don't let valuable insurance benefits go unused! SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT ONLINE TODAY Choose your preferred Johnson Audiology location and request an appointment before the end-of-year rush. Our team will help verify your benefits so you can make an informed decision about your hearing healthcare. Insurance coverage varies by plan. Verification of benefits does not guarantee payment or coverage.
From clearer conversations to smartphone connectivity, your hearing aids may be capable of more than you realize. Imagine sitting at a crowded dinner table, surrounded by friends and family. You can hear people talking, but following the conversation is another story. Voices overlap, background noise competes for your attention, and you find yourself smiling along even when you've missed a few words. Now imagine discovering that your hearing aids have a feature specifically designed to help in situations like this. That's exactly what happened to Johnson Audiology patient Kathy Young. During a particularly noisy dinner with friends, Kathy decided to try Edge Mode+, a specialized feature on her new hearing aids. After recently working with Dr. Hannah Dearth, she noticed an immediate difference. “I was stunned by the immediate difference,” Kathy shared. “I was able to contribute, because I could hear what was being said.” Her experience raises an important question: Are you getting everything you can out of your hearing technology? Modern hearing aids offer far more than simple amplification. Depending on the manufacturer, model, and technology level, they may include sophisticated features designed to improve speech clarity, adapt to changing environments, and make everyday listening more convenient. Here are several capabilities worth exploring. 1. Specialized Listening Programs and Speech Clarity in Noise One of the most valuable developments in hearing technology is the ability to adjust sound processing for different listening situations. Think about the difference between sitting in a quiet living room and having dinner in a crowded restaurant. The listening demands are completely different. Many modern hearing aids automatically adapt their settings based on the surrounding environment. Some also offer specialized listening programs that can be activated when additional support is needed. Depending on your devices, these features may help by: Adjusting microphone directionality to focus on speech. Managing competing background noise. Changing how certain frequencies are amplified. Providing additional processing for particularly difficult listening situations. Higher technology levels may offer more sophisticated processing for complex environments, including restaurants, group conversations, and situations with multiple speakers. Kathy's experience with Edge Mode+ is one example of how a specialized feature can make a meaningful difference. Of course, no hearing aid can eliminate every listening challenge. But understanding what your technology is designed to do can help you use it more effectively and set realistic expectations. What to ask your audiologist: “What features do my hearing aids have for noisy environments, and when should I use them?” 2. Smartphone Apps That Give You More Control Many hearing aids can connect to a smartphone app, allowing you to make adjustments without touching the devices themselves. Depending on your hearing aids, an app may allow you to adjust volume, switch listening programs, check battery levels, or make limited changes to how sound is processed. Some apps also offer features such as finding misplaced hearing aids or contacting your hearing care provider for assistance. For example, if you're struggling to understand someone in a restaurant, you may be able to select a different listening program directly from your phone. However, not every adjustment is appropriate for every situation. Your audiologist can help you understand which controls are useful and when to use them. What to ask your audiologist: “Is there an app for my hearing aids, and can you show me the features I should know about?” 3. Bluetooth Connectivity for Everyday Convenience Modern hearing aids can stream audio directly from compatible smartphones, televisions, and other devices, making everyday listening more convenient. Whether you're taking a phone call, watching television, or enjoying music and podcasts, streaming audio through your hearing aids may provide a clearer, more personalized listening experience. Connectivity varies by manufacturer and model, and some devices require additional accessories. What to ask your audiologist: “Can my hearing aids connect to my phone or television, and can you help me set that up?” 4. Personalized Adjustments and Follow-Up Care Even the most advanced hearing technology works best when it's appropriately fitted and adjusted for the person wearing it. Your hearing needs, listening environments, and personal preferences are unique. That's why hearing aid care shouldn't end when you leave your initial fitting appointment. Follow-up visits give your audiologist an opportunity to evaluate your experience, make adjustments, answer questions, and help you understand features you may not have explored. If you're struggling in a particular environment, be specific. Instead of simply saying, “I'm having trouble hearing,” explain where the difficulty happens. For example: “I can hear people at dinner, but I struggle when several people speak.” “Phone calls are still difficult to understand.” “I hear my family well at home, but restaurants are challenging.” “I'm not sure when I should change listening programs.” These details can help your audiologist identify potential solutions and determine whether adjustments, additional features, or accessories might be helpful. What to ask your audiologist: “Can we review my hearing aid settings and make sure I'm using the features that fit my lifestyle?” What If Your Hearing Aids Don't Have These Features? Hearing technology has changed significantly over the years, and not every device offers the same capabilities. If you've worn the same hearing aids for several years, newer models may offer improvements in sound processing, connectivity, and personalization that weren't available when you purchased your current devices. That doesn't automatically mean you need new hearing aids. But if you're consistently struggling in situations that matter to you, it may be worth exploring whether your current devices can be adjusted or whether newer technology could offer additional support. At Johnson Audiology, our Doctors of Audiology work with the industry's leading hearing aid manufacturers, allowing us to recommend technology based on your individual hearing needs, lifestyle, and preferences. Your Hearing Aids May Have More to Offer Kathy Young's experience is a reminder that sometimes a meaningful improvement comes from discovering a feature you didn't realize could help. Whether you've been wearing hearing aids for a few months or several years, taking the time to understand your technology can make a difference in your everyday listening experience. You don't have to figure it all out on your own. Our team at Johnson Audiology is here to help you understand your hearing aids, explore available features, and make the most of the technology you already have. Ready to get more out of your hearing aids? Schedule an appointment with Johnson Audiology to review your hearing technology, discuss your listening challenges, and explore your options.