Straight talk about hearing health

Maggie B. Cibik • May 9, 2025

Choosing the right provider means prioritizing your whole health—not just your hearing. 

Hearing isn’t just about your ears—it’s closely connected to your overall well-being and deserves routine attention.

Sarah Curtis, Au.D., founder of Sounds of Life Hearing Center, sets the record straight on common misunderstandings about hearing health.


Hearing Health is Part of Your Whole Health

Hearing isn’t just about your ears—it’s closely connected to your overall well-being and deserves routine attention. Hearing loss has been identified as a potential risk factor for dementia (Lin et al., 2017), but even more significant are the links to fatigue, stress, anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal. Untreated hearing issues can also impact communication, learning, work, and safety.


Who Should Get a Hearing Evaluation?

Dr. Curtis recommends that adults 50 and older get a baseline hearing test, with follow-ups every two to three years. Those with tinnitus, dizziness, falls, sudden or one-sided hearing loss, noise exposure, chemotherapy or ototoxic medications, or a family history of hearing loss, should be evaluated more frequently

.

Why “Free” Hearing Tests Aren’t Enough

“Free” hearing tests are typically offered as a sales tool, designed to collect just enough information to select and fit a hearing aid. These screenings are not diagnostic and often skip key components like bone conduction, middle ear testing, and speech-in-noise assessment. A full diagnostic evaluation, lasting 45-90 minutes, prioritizes your health and includes case history, otoscopy, tympanometry, comprehensive hearing tests, counseling, and treatment planning.


Audiologist vs. Hearing Aid Specialist

Audiologists are non-medical doctors trained to diagnose hearing and balance disorders, recommend medical referral when needed, and provide comprehensive care. Hearing aid specialists in Ohio are only licensed to test hearing for the purpose of fitting hearing aids.


Choosing the right provider means prioritizing your whole health—not just your hearing. 


Sounds of Life Hearing Center is located at 8003 Auburn Rd., Suite 4, in Concord Township. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 440-579-4085 or visit SoundsOfLifeHC.com.

Recent Posts

Clean, Cover, Replace

By Mitch Allen • June 12, 2026
Before you experience an overflow that could cause a wet basement, let The Gutter Boys clean, cover, or replace your gutters now.

Preparing for summer parties

By Mimi Vanderhaven • June 12, 2026
From graduation parties to July Fourth get-togethers, don’t let grime, mold and mildew ruin your celebration. Here’s how Pristine Clean can make your home’s siding and brick or concrete patio look like new again.

No place like home

By Patricia Nugent • June 9, 2026
Because nobody ever said, “I want to live in a nursing home.”

All. That. Jazz!

By Mimi Vanderhaven • June 9, 2026
From legendary artists to emerging talent, The Tri-C JazzFest continues its decades-long mission of connecting music, culture and community in the heart of downtown Cleveland.

Your wish, our design magic

By Patricia Nugent • June 9, 2026
he team at Guhde Flooring America & Design Studio harnesses the power of design magic to make client wishes come true.

The future of showroom shopping is here!

By Mitch Allen • June 9, 2026
The grand opening of the Window & Bath Expo 24-hour showroom means you can shop anytime—day or night—without a salesperson present. Here’s how to enter the showroom and take the self-guided tour at your own pace, with no pressure.

Chill out

By Laura Briedis • June 9, 2026
With the phase-out of older air conditioning units, now might be a perfect time to call S&S Heating, Cooling & Sheet Metal for service or an upgrade.

Choosing Concordia at Sumner

By Mimi Vanderhaven • June 9, 2026
On June 1, former Solon resident Frank Tinus moved to Copley’s Concordia at Sumner after extensive research into Northeast Ohio retirement communities. Here’s what he learned and why he chose Concordia:

Your house called. It’s ready for a summer makeover!

By Mitch Allen • June 9, 2026
Nothing transforms a home’s exterior more than new siding. Here’s how you can enjoy enhanced curb appeal, weather protection and low maintenance—while saving 50%.

The comeback

By Patricia Nugent • June 9, 2026
Michele Pirc fought a courageous battle with Lyme disease—and won. Here’s how the trainers at MaxStrength Fitness helped orchestrate her comeback.

RELATED ARTICLES

Clean, Cover, Replace

By Mitch Allen • June 12, 2026
Before you experience an overflow that could cause a wet basement, let The Gutter Boys clean, cover, or replace your gutters now.

Preparing for summer parties

By Mimi Vanderhaven • June 12, 2026
From graduation parties to July Fourth get-togethers, don’t let grime, mold and mildew ruin your celebration. Here’s how Pristine Clean can make your home’s siding and brick or concrete patio look like new again.

No place like home

By Patricia Nugent • June 9, 2026
Because nobody ever said, “I want to live in a nursing home.”

All. That. Jazz!

By Mimi Vanderhaven • June 9, 2026
From legendary artists to emerging talent, The Tri-C JazzFest continues its decades-long mission of connecting music, culture and community in the heart of downtown Cleveland.

Your wish, our design magic

By Patricia Nugent • June 9, 2026
he team at Guhde Flooring America & Design Studio harnesses the power of design magic to make client wishes come true.

The future of showroom shopping is here!

By Mitch Allen • June 9, 2026
The grand opening of the Window & Bath Expo 24-hour showroom means you can shop anytime—day or night—without a salesperson present. Here’s how to enter the showroom and take the self-guided tour at your own pace, with no pressure.

Chill out

By Laura Briedis • June 9, 2026
With the phase-out of older air conditioning units, now might be a perfect time to call S&S Heating, Cooling & Sheet Metal for service or an upgrade.

Choosing Concordia at Sumner

By Mimi Vanderhaven • June 9, 2026
On June 1, former Solon resident Frank Tinus moved to Copley’s Concordia at Sumner after extensive research into Northeast Ohio retirement communities. Here’s what he learned and why he chose Concordia:

Your house called. It’s ready for a summer makeover!

By Mitch Allen • June 9, 2026
Nothing transforms a home’s exterior more than new siding. Here’s how you can enjoy enhanced curb appeal, weather protection and low maintenance—while saving 50%.

The comeback

By Patricia Nugent • June 9, 2026
Michele Pirc fought a courageous battle with Lyme disease—and won. Here’s how the trainers at MaxStrength Fitness helped orchestrate her comeback.
More Posts