Hearing loss touches the lives of one in three adults between ages 65 and 74, and nearly half of those over 75. At Glendora Hearing Aids & Audiology, we see every day how age-related hearing changes affect more than just volume—they impact family dinners, community involvement, and the simple joy of conversation. Our approach combines clinical expertise with genuine understanding of what matters most to you: staying connected to the people and places you love.

What's Really Happening With Age-Related Hearing Loss

Presbycusis develops slowly, often so gradually that you might not notice the changes at first. The inner ear's delicate structures naturally wear down over time, making it harder to catch high-pitched sounds—exactly the frequencies that help you distinguish between words like "cat" and "cap."

You might find yourself asking family members to repeat themselves during holiday gatherings, or struggling to hear your grandchildren's voices on the phone. Perhaps you've turned up the TV volume, only to have others in the room complain it's too loud. Many of our Glendora patients tell us they avoided church services, book clubs, or senior center activities because following conversations had become exhausting.

The statistics tell us people wait about seven years from first noticing these changes before getting help. We understand why—it's easy to think you're just having an off day, or that everyone mumbles nowadays. But those years matter more than you might realize.

Why Acting Now Makes a Difference

Your brain thrives on staying active, and hearing plays a bigger role in that than most people know. When sounds become muffled or unclear, your brain receives less stimulation. Research connects untreated hearing loss to faster cognitive decline, increased isolation, and higher fall risk among older adults.

Think about it: when you can't hear well at your weekly card game or during conversations at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, you start pulling back. Those social connections matter for your mental sharpness and emotional health. The good news? Treating hearing loss helps preserve those neural pathways and keeps you engaged in community life.

Starting treatment sooner means an easier adjustment period. Your brain hasn't forgotten how to process sounds—it just needs consistent input again. The longer you wait, the more challenging that relearning process becomes.

Your First Visit: A Complete Picture

Every person's hearing story is unique. During your evaluation, Dr. Kevin Ivory takes time to understand your specific situation. What activities do you enjoy? Where do you struggle most with hearing? Do you sing in the choir at Glendora Community Church, or volunteer at the Glendora Library? These details shape your treatment plan.

The evaluation includes checking your ears for any physical issues like wax buildup, then moving into hearing tests. You'll listen for tones at different pitches and repeat words at various volumes. This creates your personal hearing profile—your audiogram—which shows exactly where you need support.

Some patients worry these tests will be complicated or uncomfortable. They're not. You sit in a quiet room with headphones, raising your hand when you hear a sound. Dr. Ivory explains everything as you go, answering questions and making sure you feel comfortable throughout the process.

Finding Your Perfect Technology Match

Today's hearing aids bear little resemblance to the bulky, whistling devices you might remember. We work with Oticon, Phonak, Signia, Starkey, ReSound, and Widex—choosing based on what works best for you, not what we happen to have in stock.

Rechargeable options eliminate fumbling with tiny batteries. Just set them in the charger overnight like you do your phone. Streaming features let you hear calls from your children or grandchildren directly through your hearing aids. Advanced processing helps you follow conversations at restaurants along Route 66 or during community events at Finkbiner Park.

If arthritis makes small controls difficult, we select models with larger buttons or smartphone controls. For active seniors who walk the neighborhoods around Big Dalton Canyon, we recommend water-resistant models. Your lifestyle guides every recommendation.

The latest technology from manufacturers like Phonak Infinio and Oticon Intent uses artificial intelligence trained on millions of conversations to separate speech from background noise. These systems adapt instantly as you move from quiet spaces to busy environments, working the way your ears used to naturally.

Getting the Fit Right—Scientifically

Here's something that sets our practice apart: Dr. Ivory performs Real Ear Measurements on every fitting. This verification step ensures your hearing aids deliver exactly the right amplification for your unique ear shape and hearing loss.

During this process, a thin probe microphone sits in your ear canal next to the hearing aid. As speech plays, the system measures what you're actually hearing compared to what you should be hearing. Dr. Ivory fine-tunes your devices until they match your prescription precisely.

Why does this matter? Without Real Ear Measurements, programming hearing aids relies on averages and estimates. Your ear canal isn't average—it's yours. This scientific approach dramatically improves your chances of success and satisfaction with your hearing aids.

Building New Hearing Habits

After years of hearing loss, suddenly hearing everything again can feel strange. The refrigerator hums. Your footsteps sound loud. You notice background sounds you'd forgotten existed.

Dr. Ivory developed the ListeningBrain® Process to ease this transition. Instead of programming your hearing aids to full power immediately, we start at a comfortable level that helps you hear better without overwhelming you. Your devices gradually increase amplification over several weeks—so slowly you won't notice, but your brain will adapt naturally.

This approach works like getting back into exercise after time away. You wouldn't start with a five-mile hike up the San Gabriel Mountains. You'd build up gradually. Your auditory system needs the same patient approach.

Most of our patients wear their hearing aids 12 hours daily within the first month. That consistent use trains your brain to process sounds again, leading to better long-term results.

Staying Connected to Your Hearing Health

Your first fitting starts your hearing journey—it doesn't complete it. We schedule follow-up visits to fine-tune your devices as you adjust. Your hearing aids need regular professional cleaning to work their best. If issues arise, we're here to help troubleshoot and resolve them.

We teach you simple daily maintenance: wiping down your devices, checking for debris, storing them safely. These small habits extend the life of your hearing aids and keep them performing optimally.

For patients who find visiting our office challenging, we offer telehealth appointments. Dr. Ivory can make adjustments remotely, answer questions, and provide support from the comfort of your home. This convenience means you never have to postpone needed care.

Your Next Step Toward Better Hearing

The Glendora community offers so much—concerts at Centennial Heritage Museum, gatherings at the Senior Center, services at your place of worship, time with family at local parks. You deserve to participate fully in all of it.

Dr. Ivory and our team are committed to helping you hear your best. Our patient satisfaction rate exceeds 98% because we take time to understand your individual needs and provide proven solutions tailored to your life.

We're located at 130 West Route 66, Suite 210, making us easy to reach from anywhere in Glendora. Our office hours run Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm. Call us at (626) 963-7200 to schedule your comprehensive hearing evaluation. Let's work together to keep you connected to the conversations, relationships, and community activities that make life meaningful.