Doctor Cliff, AuD

Expert Hearing Advice

Updated 24 February 2021

Dr. Cliff Olson grew up on a small farm outside of Morris, Illinois and enlisted in the Marine Corps two months prior to 9/11. After serving multiple combat tours in Iraq, and an honorable discharge from the military in 2006, Dr. Olson studied Audiology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Currently, Dr Cliff employs evidence-based Best Practices at Applied Hearing Solutions in Phoenix, Arizona and works diligently to educate consumers worldwide through his industry-leading YouTube channel Dr Cliff, AuD. Consumers can head to Hearingup.com to search for hearing care professionals that have been verified to follow these Best Practices.

Oticon More Detailed Review

Detailed review of the latest hearing aid from Oticon, the first Hearing Aid to use a Deep Neural Network to help you hear better. Learn more about Oticon More.

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Resound One Detailed Review

The Resound One hearing aids are the latest innovation by Resound. But what makes the One the so special? Learn more about Resound One.

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New Bluetooth Hearing Aids (Updated)

In this video, Cliff discusses the future of Bluetooth technology in hearing aids. Learn more about Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids.

New Bluetooth Hearing Aids! | Low Energy LE Audio (LC3)

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Discussion

Hugh B 30 September 2018

Dr. Cliff is my main hearing resource on YouTube. My sense is that he is unbiased, thorough in his testing to back up his evaluations, and thorough. I look forward to hearing about his new postings, and I am subscribed to his YouTube channel.

Abram Bailey, AuD 30 September 2018

Great review Hugh. I agree 100%. If you're a Dr Cliff addict like we are, please subscribe to Hearing Tracker's YouTube channel as well for other Dr Cliff exclusives. Thanks!

Hugh B 01 October 2018

Already subscribed, probably under a different identity. Thanks!

infant p 12 October 2018

hello sir,

i have left side ear hearing loss. my right side ear 16.6 dbhl and left side ear 96.6 dbhl value of pure tone audiometry(PTA). what is the percentage of hearing loss?

please clear my doubts...

Clifford O 03 August 2019

It's hard to determine the amount of hearing loss that you have based on the limited amount of information provider, however, it almost sounds like you may have a case of Single Sided Deafness.

Member 09 December 2018

Do you have any advise on using a stethoscope with hearing aids? I’m trying to decide between BTE and cic

Clifford O 03 August 2019

Either option can be used with Stethoscopes. If you go RIC style, you can use a Bluetooth compatible Stethoscope like the Thinklabs One. If you use a CIC or IIC device that is small enough, you may be able to use a traditional stethoscope.

Member 12 February 2019

Incredibly helpful videos. I have learned a lot from Dr Olsen. However, the last video on the ‘unawerable’ comparison between the rechargeable Phonak Marvel and Resound Quattro could have gone into more depth. My own view is that Resound have really cracked the voice in loud noise issue, and their app rocks. Their charging case is also better. However, Phonak seem to offer more sound comfort in daily use (you quickly forget you are wearing them) and the behind the ear devices are slightly better shaped, so even though the rechargeable model is bigger, they do not cause any discomfort. There are connectivity issues in both that waiting to be fixed via firmware upgrades. However Phonak is the only aid that offers hands-free operation - a unique feature that may determine a lot of people’s choices.

Clifford O 03 August 2019

Thanks for the feedback. I will take this into consideration in future videos.

Member 14 March 2019

I'm new to hearing aids, because of my tinnitus.

Got my resound aids from the VA. I'm not sure if helping or ??

Seems the tinnitus is getting louder? Or is it just that I'm refocused on it?

What should I be asking my provider, to help get this under control?

I almost had it relegated to the back of my mind before being advised to see an audiologist?

Clifford O 03 August 2019

The VA should have audiologists available to help you manage your Tinnitus. Request help for this the next time you go to the VA.

Chuck 03 April 2020

You have to keep after the VA Audis, while they are really good they are really really busy. The best way to handle it is to keep your feet and your Audi's feet to the fire and work hard with them to get the help you need. I am someone that has been using hearing aids for over 15 years, most of that time my aids have come from the VA. You will get out of it what you put into it. When it comes to the VA you will have to push to get the help you need, in this I mean push to get a great relationship with the Audi that is assigned to you. And if that isn't working ask for another Audi to help you. I have even had to go to other clinics to get the help I needed.

G N 30 March 2019

I have just learned that I have lost all hearing in my right ear only -- left has a minor high pitch loss. The audiologist has prescribed a Phonak Belong Aid with a CROS receiver for the bad ear. In researching the product it appears this is a three year old technology, introduced in 2016. I am reading all the excitement around the MARVEL line and want to get on that technology, but I am told CROS support is a few months out. While I could benefit today, I do not want to throw money at outdated technology. In a few months i know I will be regretting the purchase for sure. Does anyone have authoritative guidance as to when CROS support for the Marvel is scheduled to release? I am thinking this is tied to how quickly they can move the near obsolete Belong units; but Phonak is being ridiculously tight lipped about their roadmap. Any input is welcomed.

Clifford O 03 August 2019

No word yet on Marvel CROS. In the interim, Marvel can be set up as AmpCROS which could provide you with a similar amount of benefit. Then when a CROS transmitter does become available (if it does) then you could just buy the transmitter and use it with your left Marvel hearing aid.

Member 07 June 2019

I am deaf in my right ear from an accident when I was young and have moderate High Frequency Hearing Loss in my left ear. I have lost a lot due to not compensating as well as I once did and realized I needed a hearing aid. Dr Cliff and his video's we're extremely helpful. I also really 'wanted the Marvel' though the Audeo B and CROS B seemed to make sense since Marvel cannot do CROS (Although I did not know CROS existed a few months ago it made sense). I went to an audiologist and she was an angel, very compassionate and knowledgeable. I have already waited 37 years and could not see waiting any longer. She threw in the Compilot and remote mic, which, I believe I can do 'most' of what the Marvel offers with. I will be getting my fittings 7/11/2019 and can be more detailed then... I realize I won't have ALL the bells and whistles this round but after 37 years with nothing it will be a MAJOR improvment and leave more to look forward to in a few years :-)

Clifford O 03 August 2019

It's been about 3 weeks since your Hearing Aid fitting. I hope things are going as well as expected!

Member 05 August 2019

Better, it has changed my whole life!

Everything; conversations, work, relationships, music, ambient noise, even strangers interact with me differently because I do not have to yell at them and they don't have to talk loudly and repeat themselves all the time! I played music with the worship team two weeks ago and for the first time since 16 hear the whole band playing from both sides!!! I cannot even begin to count all the ways my life has changed!Thank you so much for doing what you do and for making these videos so we all can benefit!!
Oh and the ComPilot works great too!!! I love the Bluetooth for conferences!
I can concentrate on solutions not not trying to figure out what I thought I heard. People really have no idea what it's like, they can't I didn't even know until I had this comparison... It really is a Miracle! I can't convey my happiness. (Now that I can hear people probably wish I would shut up LOL -- just kidding)

Carolyn O 22 August 2019

And don't forget to watch Dr. Olson's "Most Important Video you Will ever Watch". It is on REM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHR0Oa6I-wY&t=63s

Clifford O 12 December 2019

Thanks! That is my favorite video!

Doug 16 September 2019

My Kirkland 8.0 hearing aids were recently damaged in the washing machine...

I am living overseas and will not be able to get repair or replacements for approx 3 months (shipping these units back/forth is too unreliable where I live), but I CAN buy many of the various hearing-assist devices that are available online. Just looking for something to get me through these months without spending too much. The Bose Hearphones look tempting but $500 is too much for something temporary (I've been generally happy with the Kirklands, btw)

I am a 66 year old male with moderate hearing loss (typical fall off in the higher frequencies in both ears). Any advice much appreciated!

Anna C. 10 December 2019

Hi Dr. Cliff,

My daughter is 8 years old, and she has mild hearing loss in high frequency.

My daughter's audiology suggests her Phonak Audeo M50-312 or Sky M50-M Trail with dome/tips.

This is the first time she wears the hearing aids, which one would you recommend?

So far I know the Audeo M312 is smaller and lighter than Sky M-M Trail. Audeo is RIC, and Sky is BTE. Audeo can connect to MyPhonak App, but Sky can not.

Are there other benefits that Sky is better than Audeo?

Also I notice Sky M50 has "TELECOIL", but Audio M50 doesn't. Is this important to children as a student?

Thank you very much.

Clifford O 12 December 2019

Hello Anna,

I am not a pediatric audiologist so take what I have to say with that into consideration. Your daughter is young enough that I would go with the Sky platform. I think you should definitely have a telecoil inside of hear hearing aids at this point and should only consider purchasing a hearing aid in the future without one if she finds it to be not beneficial. The Sky is built specifically for children so pediatric audiologists have more things that they can control as your child ages.