RK Audiology

The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time Celebrating six-string glory in blues, rock, metal, punk, folk, country, reggae, jazz, flamenco, bossa nova, and much more

If you haven't already gotten your tickets, consider attending this amazing event and donating to Swan Songs - Austin.

Looking forward to this year's Swan Songs Serenade!! 💜🎼🎶

We’re quickly approaching the 13th annual Swan Songs Serenade on October 29! There’s lots of fluttering happening in the Swan Pond as we get ready to take flight for this magical event. Tickets are still available but selling at a steady pace, so don’t delay and secure yours today: https://betterunite.com/swansongs-2023swansongsserenade

And if you would like to donate any items for our live and silent auctions, please complete this form by October 11: https://www.swansongs.org/auction-donation-form

How beautiful!! What a gift to give and share...

There are many talented musicians who devote their time and energy over and over again in support of our growing demand for private concerts. We’re especially honored that Darden Smith, a songwriter and artist, is partnering with us on Swan Songs Writing Sessions, a program that pairs a recipient with Darden to transform their life story into song. Together with the individual or family and friends, they collaborate to capture the recipient's story and uniqueness into the lyrics and melody of a song that can be sung and shared for years to come. If you would like to explore this option for a loved one, please email [email protected].

Dr. Tony Milesi, audiologist with RK Audiology in Austin, TX, shares information about the importance of hearing protection with KVUE.

"Whether it's foam plugs or custom-filtered plugs, it's important to use them when out in loud concert environments..."

What did you say? Austin doctor shares tips to prevent hearing damage at music festivals Whether it's foam plugs or custom-filtered plugs, it's important to use them when out in loud concert environments.

From Wirecutter...

"The world has gotten louder, and it’s ruining people’s ears. If you’re looking for hearing protection for the occasional concert, club, or sporting event, affordable universal-fit earplugs like the Loop Experience Earplugs are an improvement over foam plugs.

But if you’re a professional musician or a frequent concert-goer, we suggest that you go to an audiologist and get custom-made earplugs..."

The Best Earplugs for Concerts While custom earplugs are best for pro musicians and regular concert-goers, we like the Loop Earplugs for the occasional concert, club, or spin class.

https://austin.culturemap.com/news/entertainment/acl-2023-festival-highlights-recap

Our top 10 non-headlining moments from Weekend One of ACL Fest 2023 Hey, did you know Kendrick Lamar was late to his set? Of course you did. We were getting X (née Twitter) updates before we even saw the announcements on the big screen. The headliners are exciting, but that's not all that goes on at the annual festival.

Austin City Limits Music Festival is here! Need hearing protection? Ear cleanings? Custom in-ear monitors? Come see us! Flexible hours during ACL as needed.

The new version of the Companion app, version 1.2.2, is available for both Android™ and Apple® products. The ON app has been discontinued for iOS devices.

Oticon Companion app The new version of the Companion app, version 1.2.2, is available for both Android™ and Apple® products. The ON app has been discontinued for iOS devices. Since this change we have seen an increase in questions regarding the Oticon Companion app and its compatibility with different hearing aids. ...

From HearingTracker...

"After reviewing over 40 modern hearing aids in an acoustic lab, we're ready to reveal the top performers. Grab a pair of headphones and see if you can hear the difference..."

Best Hearing Aids for Music of 2023: OTC & Rx Options Looking for a hearing aid with decent music streaming quality? We lab tested over 40 devices and selected the top performers across three product categories.

Good morning, Austin, today is the day!! Start your morning with some amazing music and support this incredible organization that does so much. Thanks, Health Alliance for Austin Musicians - HAAM!

Check this out:

"...One of those new pursuits is World Music Encounters, a nine-part performance and interview series (so far) in partnership with the Downtown Austin Alliance and KUT/KUTX. It aims to bring local world music groups into the spotlight at the recently renovated and historical St. David's Episcopal Church, starting this September..."

Former All Things Considered journalist curates live world music series in unexpected Austin spot When John Burnett was traveling around 30 countries for National Public Radio (NPR), music probably wasn't the first thing on his mind — at least, that's what a casual listener would think.

From HearingTracker...

A review of the top hearing aids that double as step counters while monitoring wear time and social engagement, heart rate, alerting others to falls, and more—with the aim of merging hearing enhancement with holistic wellness.

Hearing Aids as Health and Fitness Trackers: Monitor Your Hearing, Steps, Body, and Mind for a Healthier Lifestyle Looking for a health- and fitness-tracking hearing aid that provides data on improving mental, physical, and social well-being? Here we review the top hearing aids that double as step counters and can monitor wear time, social engagement, heart rate, alert others to falls, and help keep you healthy.

Check this out!

Check this Action... $3 Shows presents a benefit for DAWA - Diversity Awareness and Wellness in Action at the The Far Out Lounge and Stage Sunday, August 20th! Live Music, Vendor market and Speciality cocktails!

*Music*
Outside Stage:
Como Las Movies
KVN
Midnight Navy
Suzanna Choffel
Joseph Salazar

Inside Stage:
Ben Buck Beatbox
Global Octopus
VERMIN THE VILLAIN
Pajama Sam Darien Grant

All ages and kid friendly! PROCEEDS GO DIRECTLY TO DAWA! https://www.dawaheals.org

Sponsored by Tito's Handmade Vodka, KUTX 98.9, JuiceLand, Guayakí Yerba Mate, Raw Paw, Moody Theater and Prism.FM

Community partners - West China Tea House, Sacred Ascension, Practice Yoga, Girls Rock Austin, Jeremiah Program, Austin Texas Musicians, Austin Music TV, RK Audiology, Toybrary, Rest Pit, Austin Food Forest and The SIMS Foundation!

Austin Music TV is proud to support $3 Shows – an Austin-based organization committed to connecting the local arts community with the social issues community through live fundraising events. Community + Collaboration + Cross promotion!

Check out the August happenings at the amazing Paramount Theatre!

August has entered the chat 🥵 Final month of the 49th Annual Summer Classic Film Series! And, of course, we wouldn’t be the Paramount without a perfect mix of music, comedy, drag, podcasts, and more on our stage!

🎫 https://bit.ly/3YdzuGh

Just spent 6 weeks playing and recording with my friends, New Bohemians. It was our final day recording and Brad was about to take off for a gig when I said, “Aw, come on! One more jam, Brad. You start it.” He nodded and played this great part and I started singing about him to him with the biggest smile on my face just having fun. I was celebrating his generosity to stay and play one last song with me. But I never thought it would be our final song together. Our band’s very last jam was a playful song about Brad. I loved him. He taught me a lot.

"Cycle Trader, a classifieds sites for motorcycles, named The Twisted Sisters as one of the best routes in their recent "Top Destinations for Your Next Motorcycle Road Trip" report. Located just under three hours from Austin, The Twisted Sisters spans about 130 miles along Ranch Roads 335, 336, and 337 with dozens of bends, drops, and inclines to keep drivers on their toes the entire time..." 🏍🏍

This winding Hill Country road outside Austin was voted one of the best scenic routes in the country If a long, out-of-state vacation isn't in the cards for you this summer, perhaps a short road trip could be a great compromise. There's nothing like the feeling of being on the wide open road and enjoying the grand beauty of the Texas Hill Country with the windows down, especially if you make it out...

https://antonesnightclub.com/

Check out all the anniversary happenings for Antone's 48th anniversary!

SUNDAY: Asleep at the Wheel is the rare act who has played every past location of Antone’s, and they make their debut at 305 E 5th on July 16 as part of our 48th Anniversary Celebration! Tickets are moving fast, scoop yours up online while they last.

Yes, Birding Does Change Your Brain...Gaining deep expertise in a subject area can change your mental scaffolding, literally rewiring your brain. To better grasp this process, brain and memory researchers have long turned to birders (and occasionally med students) as a go-to group of test subjects—even in foundational cognitive research....

Yes, Birding Does Change Your Brain Neuroscientists puzzling over how human memory and learning function often turn to birdwatchers to connect the dots.

At the core of Orka's mission is a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by individuals with hearing loss and a commitment to providing innovative solutions that enhance their quality of life...

Orka’s Sonic Revolution: How Xinke Liu is Changing the Future of Hearing Xinke Liu, Chief Communications Officer and co-founder of Orka, offers insights into her personal journey, the unique approach of Orka hearing aids, and her vision for the company's future role in hearing healthcare.

"You can't swing a stick (go fetch!) around the perimeter of Austin without hitting a brewery that allows dogs, so we figure you've got that covered. The focus of this list is narrowed to restaurants, work spaces, and places to unwind, all in busier neighborhoods..."

10 dog-friendly Austin bars and patios where you can bring the whole pack Dogs have great lives here in Austin, with swimming, hiking, and lots of green spaces just about everywhere in the city. Human meal time, though, can be a sad affair when man's best friend has to stay home. Thankfully, lots of Austin restaurants are more than dog-friendly — some of them can't get ...

From The New York Times:

"On a spring afternoon in Bankers Hill, San Diego, the soundscape is serene: Sea breeze rustles through the trees, and neighbors chat pleasantly across driveways.

Except for about every three minutes, when a jet blazes overhead with an ear-piercing roar.

A growing body of research shows that this kind of chronic noise — which rattles the neighborhood over 280 times a day, more than 105,000 each year — is not just annoying. It is a largely unrecognized health threat that is increasing the risk of hypertension, stroke and heart attacks worldwide, including for more than 100 million Americans..."

Noise Could Take Years Off Your Life. Here’s How. We used a professional sound meter to measure the din of daily life and talked to scientists about the health risks it can pose.

For those of you with Whisper hearing technology, please read the following update from the company; see below. As of June 8th, the company is withdrawing the Whisper Hearing System from the market.

Abram Bailey on LinkedIn: Whisper Hearing goes out of business!! Whisper Hearing goes out of business!!

From HearingTracker:

"Are you struggling to listen to dialog on your television? Or maybe you just purchased a new expensive set of hearing aids only to find they don’t help you as much as you were expecting when watching TV?

Sitting in front of the television to enjoy a movie with a loved one should be an enjoyable experience—not a struggle for who controls the volume button..."

Maximize Your TV Experience: Top-8 Advanced Technologies and Tips for People with Hearing Loss This article explains why TV listening is more difficult with flatscreen televisions and outlines eight potential solutions, particularly tailored for people who may have hearing loss or wear hearing aids.

RK Audiology team members, Venessa Rector and Dr. Tony Milesi, head to Guatemala tomorrow to be part of the Hearing The Call Guatemala Student Initiative Humanitarian Trip in Nuevo Progreso!👂🦻💜

We are so excited for all the people they will help, the new connections they will make, and the memories they will bring back.

If you need hearing help this coming week, know that Maddy and Dr. Victoria Villarreal are ready to help you in our Westlake office.

To learn more about Hearing The Call and ways to support this amazing organization, click here: https://hearingthecall.org/give/

💜💜💜

https://www.austintexas.org/austin-insider-blog/post/your-complete-austin-summer-bucket-list/

Your Complete Austin, Texas Summer Bucket List | Visit Austin, TX Check out our list of Austin summer activities that you can't miss! From kayaking and ziplining to cooling off with a scoop of ice cream, we've got it all.

RK Audiology will be closed on Monday, May 29th, in observance of Memorial Day.

Planning to be with family and friends this weekend?

If you need your hearing instruments cleaned & checked before you head into the weekend, call (512) 704-7447, and we will get you in today for a quick visit! 🦻🦻



Read more about the history of Memorial Day here: https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/memorial-day-history

Congratulations, and welcome to the neighborhood Strait Music!! For all you musicians and music lovers, check out their new location in Westlake. 🎸🎼🪕

At RK Audiology, we've got you covered. Come see us to learn more about the latest hearing tech and how to enhance device settings and features to get the most out of your experience with music. 🎹🎸🎤🎺🎷🪘

"Understanding Music Frequencies - The first step involves having a meaningful conversation with your audiologist. Not all audiologists specialize in the intricacies of music, and that's okay. But when it comes to tweaking hearing aids for music, they must grasp the basics of fundamental frequencies and harmonics..."

Optimizing Hearing Aids for Music: A Practical Guide Do the notes of a piano sound distorted? Or do songs you know intimately seem off, or does all music sound excessively tinny? Don't worry.

From HearingTracker:

Our brain prefers positive vocal sounds that come from our left.

Neuroscientists from Switzerland have shown we respond more strongly to positive human sounds, like laughter or pleasant vocalizations, when these come from the left.

https://www.newswise.com/articles/left-sounds-brain-s-preferred-positive-vocals

Love, love, love. ❤️🐾Thanks for all you do, Austin Pets Alive! and Amy Nelson!

Click here to learn more about senior dogs waiting for their new home: https://www.austinpetsalive.org/adopt/dogs/special-needs/senior-class-dogs

I'm collaborating with new friends Soundwaves Art to autograph artwork made from the sound waves of “Singing the Blues”! All profits from these limited-edition canvases go to support The SIMS Foundation and their efforts to provide mental health and substance use recovery services to musicians, music industry professionals and their families. On May 15 I'll be Hotel Van Zandt in Austin, TX to sign artworks during the project showcase event, so come out and see the entire SIMS Collection of 25+ artworks in person! To honor Mental Health Awareness Month, all artworks will remain on display in the hotel lobby throughout all of May. Get one here: https://soundwavesartfoundation.com/collections/ruthie-foster

Meet us on for a good night and a good cause — it's the 𝟭𝟭𝘁𝗵 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗡𝗶𝘁𝗲! 🙌 From 8-11:30pm, a whole host of familiar faces will be up onstage playing classic Hank & Lucinda songs benefitting the The SIMS Foundation in their mission to provide access to and financial support with mental health & addiction recovery services for music professionals and their families in Austin. ♥️

◾️ Suzanna Choffel
◾️ Graham Weber Music
◾️ Kelley Mickwee
◾️ Chris Gage & Kym Warner
◾️ Wilson Marks
◾️ Graham Wilkinson Music
◾️ Bill Kirchen Music
◾️ Giulia Millanta Music
◾️ Jeska
◾️ Jenny Reynolds

𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟓/𝟗:
◾️ David Grissom: 6-7:30pm
◾️ 11th Kinda Annual Williams Nite: A Tribute to Hank and Lucinda Williams: 8-11:30pm

𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟓/𝟏𝟎:
◾️ The Drakes: 6-7:30pm
◾️ Walt Wilkins: 8-9:30pm
◾️ David Miner: 10-11:30pm

𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟓/𝟏𝟏:
◾️ PAACK: 6-7:30pm
◾️ Patrice Pike Band: 8-9:30pm
◾️ Joanna Ramirez: 10-11:30pm

𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟓/𝟏𝟐:
◾️ TG BAD (Two Guitars, Bass & Drums): 6-7:30pm
◾️ Warren Hood: 8-9:30pm
◾️ John Fullbright: 10-11:30pm

𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟓/𝟏𝟑:
◾️ Lost Austin Band: 4-5:30pm
◾️ Amy Atchley Music: 6-7:30pm
◾️ Ginger Leigh Band: 8-9:30pm
◾️ Jesse Daniel Edwards & Landon Pigg: 10-11:30pm

𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟓/𝟏𝟒:
◾️ Ulla: 5:30-7pm
◾️ The Resentments: 7:30-10pm

https://austin.culturemap.com/news/city-life/adopt-a-pet/

Support local cats and dogs in need this weekend with 2 fun Austin Pets Alive! events While there are countless organizations working tirelessly to protect vulnerable cats and dogs in our community, Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) does a particularly fabulous job inviting the Austin community to support local animals at fun and creative events throughout the year. This weekend is no except...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ7-IAffIpQ

Thanks to Dr. Allie and Kevin with Ask An Audiologist for the overview of the amazing work that Hearing The Call does for those who otherwise could not afford or access the gift of hearing.

Thanks to the partnership in March with MrBeast, over 1000 people were provided new hearing instruments and hearing healthcare.

RK Audiology and our community work with Hearing the Call (HTC) in a number of ways. We donate financially to HTC and volunteer our time and services through humanitarian trips.

If you'd like to donate to Hearing The Call, click here: https://hearingthecall.org/give/

Ep. 19 Dr. Allie and Kevin worked with MR. BEAST! (helping fit hearing aids to over 1,000 people) Have you seen Mr. Beast's latest video? Millions of people already have! Dr. Allie and Kevin spend this special episode of Ask an Audiologist talking about h...

Check out the latest video from MrBeast. In partnership with our Audiology cooperative's humanitarian organization, Hearing The Call - the gift of hearing and connection was given to so many!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTOm65IZneg
To support: https://hearingthecall.org/give/

SIGN LANGUAGE RESOURCES

BANGLADESH https://parakerja.co.id/home/

GUATEMALA https://www.lavosi-gua.org/

INDIA https://vaani.in/

INDONESIA https://parakerja.co.id/home/

KENYA https://www.dekkenya.org/

MEXICO https://ac.ijd.org.mx/

MEXICO https://www.eeesma.com/

UNITED STATES https://www.asd-1817.org/

UNITED STATES https://deafchildren.org/

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/06/us/otc-hearing-aids-young-users.html?smid=url-share

"Ayla Wing’s middle school students don’t always know what to make of their 26-year-old teacher’s hearing aids. The most common response she hears: “Oh, my grandma has them, too.”

But grandma’s hearing aids were never like this: Bluetooth-enabled and connected to her phone, they allow Ms. Wing to toggle with one touch between custom settings. She can shut out the world during a screeching subway ride, hear her friends in noisy bars during a night out and even understand her students better by switching to “mumbly kids.”

A raft of new hearing aids have hit the market in recent years, offering greater appeal to a generation of young adults that some experts say is both developing hearing problems earlier in life and — perhaps paradoxically — becoming more comfortable with an expensive piece of technology pumping sound into their ears..."