Take this simple test:
- Are women and children's voices difficult to understand?
- Do you need to be directly facing people to understand them?
- Do people seem to mumble or slur words when they talk?
- Do you continually ask people to repeat themselves?
- Is it difficult to hear in group situations, at the movies, or at worship?
- Have others asked why you speak so loudly?
- Do you prefer TV or radio louder than others?
- Do you confuse similar sounding words: dime/time, bake/take?
If you answered "Yes" to two or more of these questions, you may have a hearing loss and should have your hearing tested to be sure. Call us to schedule an appointment for a hearing test and consultation today!
What causes hearing loss?
The majority of hearing problems are a result of aging or prolonged exposure to loud noises. However, heredity, illness, medications and head injuries may also be to blame for impaired hearing.
How does hearing loss affect individuals?
While each hearing loss is unique, most people share common results from their loss. They often feel isolated from their surroundings, incompetent or insecure. It is difficult for them to meet new people or face new situations or surroundings. In some instances, peoples’ hearing loss symptoms have been mistakenly attributed to Alzheimer's disease.
Why should I get hearing aids now if I can still hear?
It's true that when people address their hearing loss sooner instead of later, they will retain more hearing and understanding ability. When a person's ears stop picking up certain sounds as a result of deteriorated hair cells in the inner ear caused by aging, heridity or exposure to loud noise, the neural pathways which connect the inner ear and the brain lose their capability to process those sounds. When people wear hearing aids, these nerves are still stimulated and the ability to understand speech is retained longer.
Are all types of hearing losses the same?
No, a hearing loss is not the same for everyone. Part of what makes each hearing loss unique is its place of origin within the ear—either the inner, middle, or outer region of the ear. The inner ear is the most common place for a hearing loss to originate. In such cases, the tiny sensory cells that respond to sound either die off as a result of aging, or deteriorate due to excessive vibrating in the presence of loud noise. An inner ear hearing loss, referred to as a Sensorineural hearing loss, is not reversible in a medical sense—the sensory cells cannot regenerate or be replaced. However properly-adjusted hearing instruments have proven to ease associated problems.
Damage to areas of the middle ear, such as a perforation of the eardrum, infection or ostosclerosis (a calcification that limits movement of the ossicular chain) are the most common causes of hearing loss in the middle ear. This type of hearing loss, known as a Conductive hearing loss, is often treatable with medication or surgery. Hearing instruments will usually resolve the remaining hearing loss if it is not treatable.
Hearing loss that occurs in the outer ear is also considered a Conductive hearing loss and can be caused by an earwax buildup or an infection within the auditory canal. This type of loss is usually treatable with medication or surgery as well.
Another common problem is Tinnitus, which is a ringing-like sensation in the head. While this problem may occur in conjunction with a hearing loss, the cause varies and is not always evident.