Even mild hearing loss triples the risk of difficulties maintaining gait and balance, a study shows.

A link between hearing loss and falling was found by American researchers. The study indicates that having even a minor hearing impairment can increase the risk of a fall.

“People with impaired hearing have poor awareness of their overall environment, and that makes them more likely to trip and fall,” says Dr. Frank Lin, an Otologist and epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA.

Hearing loss has been around forever, but hearing aids only started to pop up in the late 1800s.  Take a look at these hearing aids and be thankful that we have evolved from using ear trumpets!

Did you know someone who used a hearing aid like these?  Tell us your story!

Thursday, Feb. 16th marked the first day of service for the new Miracle-Ear Service Center at the Sikeston Rural Health Clinic. The office, now under new management, will be staffed by National Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist Kyle R. Griffin of Cape Girardeau.

The Sikeston center brings authorized Miracle-Ear hearing aids to the local area. Miracle-Ear hearing aid users can receive free cleaning and services, annual hearing tests, free programming of Miracle-Ear Hearing Aids and free Hearing Assessments for those with questions about hearing difficulty. The Miracle-Ear franchise, owned by Lisa and Ken Swindford and Joyce Hill-Cooley, currently services offices in Cape Girardeau, Farmington, and Perryville.