Our family wishes yours a happy and healthy 2026! In the year ahead, we will continue sharing useful educational information to help you make well informed hearing healthcare decisions.

We appreciate everyone who reads our newsletters, and we always welcome your questions and feedback. We seek to serve, and being in the know is what you deserve.

How Hearing and Vision Support Daily Life

Clear hearing and vision help us comfortably navigate our daily surroundings. Life’s soundtrack and beautiful sights enrich our experiences and stimulate our minds. From casual conversations and dining out to favorite hobbies, the sensory benefits of healthy hearing and vision should not be taken for granted.

In these three scenarios, especially Day 3, managing daily activities could become challenging and possibly unsafe. Take a moment to consider how these difficulties might cause the brain to work harder.

Is someone in your circle of life affected by hearing loss, vision loss or both? If so, are they receiving trusted professional advice?

Hearing and Vision Loss Become More Common With Age

Tens of millions of people in North America are estimated to have some degree of hearing loss or vision loss. Both conditions become more common as we age.

Presbycusis, also known as age related hearing loss, is estimated to affect approximately two thirds of Americans age 70 or older.

Common causes of vision loss include cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.

From a public health perspective, the United States Census Bureau’s population projections show why these issues deserve attention. By 2030, an estimated 73.1 million people, or about 21 percent of the population, will be age 65 or older.

Source: Age related hearing loss information from the National Library of Medicine

Understanding Dual Sensory Loss

As the population ages, a growing number of people will experience both hearing and vision loss. This is commonly called dual sensory loss.

January’s Glaucoma Awareness Month is an ideal time to raise awareness about dual sensory loss and the value of regular hearing and vision care.

Why Glaucoma Is Called the Sneak Thief of Sight

Glaucoma is often called the sneak thief of sight because there may be no noticeable symptoms during the early stages of optic nerve damage. This incurable disease typically causes permanent visual field loss that progresses from the outside inward.

Regular eye examinations, earlier detection and personalized treatment plans can help preserve sight.

Watch this short video to see how vision with glaucoma may appear.

Hearing Loss Can Also Progress Gradually

Gradual hearing loss is often invisible. Even when it is noticed, people may dismiss it as a normal part of aging. Although age related hearing loss is common, it still deserves professional attention.

Reconnect With the Sights and Sounds of Nature

Have you heard of BirdNET, the Cornell Lab’s citizen science project that uses machine learning to recognize birds by their sounds?

This technology offers a fun way to reconnect with nature and learn which birds may be nearby. In our busy lives, the sights and sounds of birds can bring a welcome moment of enjoyment.

Good Humor, Healthy Hearing

While we take your hearing care seriously, a little laughter goes a long way.

Just as you visit an ophthalmologist or optometrist for regular vision care, it is important for you, your loved ones and your colleagues to receive regular hearing evaluations.

In 2026 and the years ahead, do not let age related hearing loss become the sneak thief of sound.

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Stilwell, Kansas 66085

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