May is Better Hearing Month
May 12, 2022

It’s time to shine a spotlight on all the positive steps that can be taken to maintain healthy hearing or to address hearing loss if it has already occurred. Never before in human history have people had so much ability to control a health issue that, in the past, had to be resignedly accepted as an unfortunate fact of the aging process. Today, there is hope!


Actively protect you hearing from a young age

Life can be noisy and each sound that reaches your ears that is more than 70 decibels has the potential to damage your hearing. Very loud, single sounds, like a gun firing, or extended sounds, like 30 minutes on your lawnmower, can damage the tiny hair cells in your ear’s cochlea. These hair cells are part of the delicate infrastructure of your ear that transfers sounds to your brain for processing. And once those hair cells are damaged, there’s not going back. Granted, it can be difficult to shield yourself from all of life’s loud noises, but you certainly do yourself a huge favor by protecting and preserving your hearing whenever you possible. Make daily choices to protect your hearing—decisions like wearing ear plugs for household chores like vacuuming, weedeating, using a hair dryer, etc. If you work in a loud environment, wear ear plugs. Listen to music at a reasonable volume. Added up over a lifetime, these choices make a big difference in how well your ears “age” into hearing loss. 


Address hearing loss as soon as it is noticed

Hearing loss often takes place gradually, sometimes over the course of years. This gradual loss can make it hard to detect. Here are some ways to gauge if you are experiencing hearing loss. 


  • Are you always turning up the volume on your TV or radio?
  • Do you shy away from social situations or meeting new people because you're worried about understanding people when multiple conversations and other background noise are going on around you?
  • Do you get confused or feel overwhelmed at restaurants or dinner parties?
  • Do you ask people to repeat themselves?
  • Do you miss telephone calls — or have trouble hearing on the phone when you do pick up the receiver?
  • Are women’s or children’s voices difficult to understand or do you accuse people of talking too softly or of mumbling?
  • Have you stopped hearing some of the subtle sounds of nature like raindrops or birds singing?
  • Do you struggle during meetings at work when multiple people are talking in a conference or board room setting?


Addressing hearing loss at the earliest outset means a host of positive benefits for you. Here are some to consider.


  • When hearing loss is left unaddressed for years, your brain actually “forgets” how to hear. Getting hearing aids sooner rather than later, means your brain is not having to reconnect long-dormant pathways.
  • Relationships suffer when communication breaks down, and hearing loss can be a culprit in that breakdown. Addressing hearing loss quickly, can help preserve bonds with family and friends. 
  • Research studies in recent years reveal that the areas of your brain responsible for hearing quickly begin to atrophy when no longer stimulated by sound, putting people at greater risk for cognitive decline and dementia.
  • Those 50 and older with untreated hearing loss report depression, anxiety, anger, frustration and emotional instability at a higher rate than those with healthy hear as hearing loss can be socially isolating.


Hearing technology is highly advanced and inconspicuous 

Today’s hearing technology is highly advanced with precise programming that adjusts automatically and in microseconds to various and changing listening environments you find yourself in throughout the course of a day. Hearing aids are now rechargeable. No more fumbling with tiny batteries. They are Bluetooth ready, giving you choices for streaming your phone calls and TV shows directly into your hearing aids. And all this advancement is tucked into a tiny, inconspicuous device.


The future is bright for maintaining healthy hearing and addressing hearing loss when it happens. Commit to your own hearing health today and make choices that will help you hear well for a lifetime.

Move from the Gunbarrel Road office to a new and larger office will allow Johnson Audiology to help even more people in the Chattanooga region

By Jan Hollingsworth • 09 Jan, 2024
Johnson Audiology is pleased to announce that the practice will be moving one of its Chattanooga area offices from its current location on Gunbarrel Road to a new location at 6830 Lee Highway. The move will take place January 15. “We are extremely excited to be re-locating to a much larger space later this month,” Dr. Megan Johnson, founder and owner of the award-winning practice, says. “About a year ago, we realized that we needed more room to meet the needs of our growing patient base so we could help even more people with hearing loss. We sought a place that would allow us to stay in the East Brainerd/Hamilton Place area so that the office would still be conveniently located for patients. Our Hixson office will remain at 5617 Highway 153, Suite 203 and is also being upgraded with a second sound booth and beautiful new decor. These two strategically located offices mean that we can continue to serve patients who live east and west of the Tennessee River.” Dr. Johnson says that when she identified the building on Lee Highway, she knew it was an ideal site for this next growth leap. “Our company culture is anchored on the premise of always offering an exceptional patient experience,” she says. “Thanks to our wonderful family of Johnson Audiology patients, we have outgrown our current office and have found the perfect location for offering the best care to even more of our Chattanooga neighbors.” The new location offers many positive features that will benefit patients: The office is conveniently located off Lee Highway in the area between Shallowford Road and Hickory Valley Road, directly behind Dr. Keith B. Dressler’s orthodontic practice. It is a stand-alone office that is not shared with any other businesses. The building is more than 4,000 square feet, which is double the space of the current office on Gunbarrel Road. The added square footage will accommodate a spacious patient welcome and reception area, three sound booths for hearing testing, and a private area for patient check-out. The building has exam rooms for four full time audiologists and an audiology assistant, a large front desk area, and a sizeable lab for hearing aid maintenance and repair. The office has ample space for the practice’s growing Cochlear Implant (CI) Program with a dedicated sound booth and exam area just for CI patients. The building design allows for easy circular patient flow throughout the office. The building has a dedicated, 20-space parking lot just for Johnson Audiology patients and additional parking for Johnson Audiology staff. Dr. Johnson mentions that the building was a non-medical office previously, so updates were needed to bring it up to par for a bustling hearing health care clinic. It currently is being remodeled, and the parking lot resurfaced. “We have plans to transition to the new building by January 15 with some final touches to the office’s aesthetics continuing through the spring,” she says.  Dr. Johnson wishes to assure folks that measures are in place to alleviate disruption to the service patients receive during this time and thanks patients in advance for their continued support and understanding during the transition. “The new office is going to be incredible!” she says. Initial correspondence has been delivered to patients about the move. Dr. Johnson says, “Patients who have appointments scheduled in early January or those who need walk-in service for hearing aid maintenance and supplies from now until January 15 should continue visiting the Gunbarrel Road location.” Dr. Johnson says, “In February, we will invite our friends and neighbors in the Chattanooga community to an open house celebration, where we will do an official reveal of the new space!” Johnson Audiology has been faithfully serving the citizens of Chattanooga since the practice opened its doors on October 1, 2009. “As we prepare to celebrate our 15th anniversary this year, the new office location on Lee Highway and the upgrades to the Hixson office are evidence of our commitment to patients.” Dr. Johnson goes on to say, “Chattanoogans have named Johnson Audiology Best of the Best in the category of Favorite Audiologist and Hearing Aid Clinic for 11 years straight. And they consistently name Johnson Audiology in the top three in the category of Best Customer Service among all Chattanooga businesses. We seek to live up to those accolades daily!” Dr. Johnson concludes, “One of our patients, Mr. Van Tenpenny, recently had this to say about us: ‘My visit to Johnson Audiology has been life changing! After decades of hearing loss, I am able to hear normal conversations in any environment.’ It is our highest ideal to be here for Mr. Tenpenny and the thousands of other patients like him who prioritize their hearing for the best quality of life.” Do you want to get on the road to healthy hearing? Johnson Audiology is currently accepting new patients at all locations. Call today to schedule an appointment or book online at www.johnsonaudiology.com/schedule.

What is Tinnitus? Causes and Symptoms

15 Aug, 2023
Tinnitus, often described as a persistent ringing or buzzing sound in the ears, is a common auditory phenomenon that affects millions of people worldwide. While tinnitus is not a disease itself, it can be a symptom of an underlying issue. At Johnson Audiology, we are committed to helping you understand tinnitus and guiding you through the steps to manage this often-distressing condition. Understanding Tinnitus Tinnitus can vary in intensity and pitch, and it may present as a constant sound or come and go intermittently. It can be caused by a range of factors, including exposure to loud noise, age-related hearing loss, earwax blockage, and even certain medications. Tinnitus can impact your quality of life, leading to sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, and emotional distress. Steps to Manage Tinnitus Consult an Audiologist: If you're experiencing tinnitus, the first step is to seek professional help. A university-trained audiologist, a hearing health specialist, can conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine the underlying cause of your tinnitus and its impact on your hearing. Identify Underlying Causes: Tinnitus often has an underlying cause, such as hearing loss, a medical condition, or exposure to loud noise. An audiologist can help identify these causes and recommend appropriate treatment options. Customized Treatment Plans: Based on the evaluation, your audiologist will develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Treatment approaches may include: Hearing Aids: If hearing loss is contributing to your tinnitus, hearing aids can help by amplifying external sounds and reducing the perception of the tinnitus. More than 90% of those who have tinnitus, also, have hearing loss, even if the loss is mild. Sound Therapy: Sound therapy involves using external sounds, such as white noise or nature sounds, to mask or distract from the tinnitus noise. Counseling: Counseling and education can help you better understand tinnitus and learn coping strategies to manage its impact on your daily life. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT): TRT combines sound therapy and counseling to help you habituate to the tinnitus and reduce its perception over time. Lifestyle Modifications: Your audiologist may recommend lifestyle changes, such as managing stress, avoiding loud noise exposure, and adopting healthy sleep habits. Monitor and Adjust: Tinnitus management is an ongoing process. Regular follow-up appointments with your audiologist allow for adjustments to treatment plans based on your progress and changing needs. Seek Support: Tinnitus can be emotionally distressing. It is important to seek support from friends, family, and even support groups where you can connect with others who are experiencing similar challenges. While tinnitus can be disruptive, understanding the condition and taking proactive steps to manage it can lead to improved quality of life. At Johnson Audiology, our dedicated team of audiologists is here to guide you through the journey of tinnitus management, providing the expertise and support you need to find relief and regain control over your hearing health. Contact us today to take the first step toward a more peaceful and harmonious auditory experience.
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