Hearing loss may be more common in Parkinson’s disease—early evaluation can improve communication and quality of life.
The restaurant was loud. Music played in the background, conversations filled the room and Karen Marcus was seated with a group of coworkers. For much of her life, this was exactly the kind of setting that made communication difficult. But this time, something remarkable happened: Karen could understand the person sitting across the table. “That just blew my mind,” she recalled. It may sound like an ordinary conversation, but for Karen, it represented something much bigger. She was not trying to piece together fragments of sentences or repeatedly asking someone to start over. She was simply sitting at the table, following the conversation and being part of the moment. A Lifetime of Working to Hear Karen was born with hearing loss. As she grew older, her hearing continued to decline, making conversations increasingly difficult. Social situations could leave her feeling uneasy before they even began. She might have to ask “What?” again and again, misunderstand what someone said or miss the conversation completely. “It was frustrating and embarrassing, even though it shouldn’t be,” Karen said. Her family and coworkers understood her hearing loss and tried to help by facing her when they spoke so she could read their lips. That support mattered, but communication still required effort. A restaurant, meeting or group conversation could quickly become overwhelming. Karen wanted to hear more clearly, but she also wanted something deeper: the confidence to participate without constantly worrying about what she might miss. Discovering What Was Possible Karen eventually received a cochlear implant and a compatible hearing aid. Before her implant was activated, she read about the experiences of other cochlear implant recipients and joined several online support groups. She wanted to understand what the process might be like and what she could realistically expect. Once her implant was activated, those possibilities began to become real. “Seeing those expectations come to realization, it has just been an amazing journey,” she said. The change became especially clear during that evening at the restaurant. Surrounded by music and competing voices, Karen could understand someone seated across the table—one of the most challenging listening situations for many people with hearing loss. Karen is careful not to describe the result as perfect hearing. Instead, she measures it against what life sounded like before. “I’m not going to exaggerate and say that it’s perfect,” she said. “But based on what it was before and what it is now, it’s light-years ahead.” Better Hearing in Everyday Life The difference extends beyond one memorable conversation. Karen can stream cellphone calls directly into her hearing devices, making it easier to understand the person on the other end. Television audio can also stream to her devices, helping her follow programs without struggling to catch every word. For conferences, presentations and other situations when a speaker may be farther away, Karen uses a Roger assistive listening device. During one tour, the guide clipped the Roger microphone to their collar. Even from approximately 20 feet away, Karen could hear the guide without difficulty. These features are not simply conveniences. They help Karen stay involved in her work, enjoy everyday activities, and communicate with greater confidence. “My new hearing devices have really helped with my confidence because I can hear so much better,” she said. “Overall, I just feel more normal, if you will.” A Team Celebrating Every Step Technology has played an important role in Karen’s progress, but so has the care surrounding it. Karen describes Dr. Hannah Dearth and Dr. Katie Brown as encouraging, patient, and kind throughout her cochlear implant journey. As her hearing improved, they celebrated each new milestone alongside her. “When I got my cochlear implant, every time I made progress, they were cheerleading me on,” she said. She also remembers what happened after she purchased a new iPhone and could not get it working properly with her hearing devices. The Johnson Audiology team initially emailed instructions, but when Karen still had difficulty, they invited her to come into the office. Christian, a Johnson Audiology, audiology assistant, patiently reviewed the settings on her phone and made sure everything was connected correctly. “He didn’t make this Boomer feel silly that I was needing all this technical help,” Karen said. That experience reflects what Karen values most about the team: she never feels rushed or dismissed. “They always answer all of my questions and make me feel like I am their one and only patient for the entire day,” she said. More Than Hearing Better Karen’s journey has not been about achieving perfect hearing. It has been about discovering how much more may be possible with the right combination of technology, professional care and continued support. For Karen, progress sounds like a phone call streaming clearly into her hearing devices. It sounds like a tour guide speaking from 20 feet away. It sounds like music playing in a busy restaurant—and still being able to understand the person across the table. Most of all, it feels like greater confidence and a renewed ability to participate in the personal and professional moments that matter to her. “I feel so fortunate to have been connected with Johnson Audiology,” Karen said. “Everything has been so wonderful on this journey to better hearing.” Karen will soon share more of her experience in an upcoming Johnson Audiology patient testimonial video. Watch for the opportunity to hear her story in her own words.
Artificial intelligence is becoming a bigger part of hearing aid technology. Today’s hearing aids can use advanced sound processing to help identify speech, manage background noise, adapt automatically to different environments, and make listening more comfortable. That has led to a common question: Which AI hearing aid is the best? The answer is not as simple as choosing one brand or model. Different manufacturers use AI in different ways, and the technology that works best for one person may not be the best fit for someone else. What Does “AI Hearing Aid” Mean? In general, AI-powered hearing aids use advanced processing to analyze sound and decide how the hearing aid should respond. Depending on the device, that may include: Identifying speech in noisy environments Reducing unwanted background noise Prioritizing certain voices Adjusting automatically as surroundings change Improving comfort in complex listening environments Supporting clearer phone calls and streaming While many manufacturers use similar terms, the technology behind those features can work very differently. Are All AI Hearing Aids the Same? No. Different manufacturers may focus on different listening challenges. One system may emphasize helping the wearer follow speech in a crowded restaurant. Another may focus more on preserving awareness of the surrounding environment. Others may prioritize personalization, automatic adjustments, connectivity, or listening comfort. So even though two hearing aids may both be described as “AI-powered,” they may create very different listening experiences. The better question is: How well does that technology match the situations where you need the most help? What Can AI Hearing Aids Help With? AI-based hearing technology may be especially useful in situations such as: Restaurants and social gatherings Group conversations Meetings Conversations in the car Outdoor environments with wind or traffic noise Situations where several people are talking at once For many people, understanding speech in background noise is one of the biggest hearing challenges. Newer hearing aids are increasingly designed to analyze these environments and make speech easier to follow. However, the amount of benefit can vary from person to person. Why Isn’t There One “Best” AI Hearing Aid? There isn't one "best" AI hearing aid because no two people hear exactly the same way. Choosing the right hearing aid depends on more than a list of features. Your audiologist may consider: Your hearing loss. The type and degree of hearing loss can affect which devices and features are most appropriate. Your daily listening environments. Someone who spends a lot of time in restaurants, meetings, and group settings may have different priorities than someone who spends most of their time in quieter environments. Your lifestyle and technology preferences. Work, travel, hobbies, phone use, streaming, recharge-ability, device style, and ease of use can all influence which hearing aid feels like the best fit. Your hearing goals. Ultimately, the most important question is what you want your hearing aids to help you do more comfortably and confidently. Does Newer AI Automatically Mean Better Hearing? Not necessarily. New technology can offer meaningful improvements, but the newest hearing aid is not automatically the best choice for every person. A device may have impressive features but still not match your hearing loss, lifestyle, or preferences. That is why professional selection and fitting remain so important. The technology itself is only one part of the process. How a hearing aid is programmed, verified, adjusted, and supported over time can have a major impact on how well it works for you. How Can an Audiologist Help Me Compare AI Hearing Aids? A Doctor of Audiology can help turn technical features into a much more useful question: What will this actually mean for the way I hear every day? At Johnson Audiology, we work with multiple leading hearing aid manufacturers. That allows our audiologists to consider different technologies based on the patient rather than beginning with one predetermined brand. Your audiologist can look at your hearing test, the situations where you struggle most, your lifestyle, your technology preferences, and your goals before recommending a solution. So, Which AI Hearing Aid Is Right for Me? The best AI hearing aid is not necessarily the one with the longest feature list or the newest technology. It is the one that best matches: Your hearing loss Your listening environments Your lifestyle Your technology preferences Your comfort needs Your hearing goals As hearing aid technology continues to advance, patients will have more options than ever. That makes personalized guidance even more important. Curious About AI Hearing Aid Technology? If you are wondering whether newer AI-powered hearing aids could help you hear better in the situations that matter most, Johnson Audiology can help you compare your options. Our Doctors of Audiology at Johnson Audiollogy can evaluate your hearing, discuss your listening challenges, and help determine which technology is the best fit for you.