Types of Hearing Loss
1. Sensorineural hearing loss refers to damage to the hearing nerve, and can be caused by aging, exposure to loud noise, ototoxic medications, underlying health conditions, or other reasons. This type of hearing loss is irreversible but can be managed with hearing aids.
2. Conductive hearing loss refers to blockage in the ear physically preventing sound from being conducted. This can be caused by earwax, illness, ear infection, or other reasons and is often treated with medical intervention.
3. Mixed hearing loss is a combination of both. Usually, individuals with mixed hearing loss first receive medical treatment for conductive hearing loss and then get hearing aids to address the sensorineural portion.
Signs of Hearing Loss
- You can hear but you lack clarity
- It’s difficult to hear when there is background noise (in a restaurant)
- You frequently ask others to repeat themselves
- It seems like everyone around you mumbles
- High pitched sounds such as women and children’s voices are harder to hear
- You feel tired after conversations
- You often respond with “What?”
- You miss parts of the conversation
- You hear a ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
Why Managing Hearing Loss is Important
When left untreated, hearing loss can do more than just affect your ability to communicate. It can have negative effects on your cognition, balance, and overall health as well. Individuals with hearing loss have a higher chance of anxiety, depression, social isolation, and cognitive decline.
There are many health benefits to managing hearing loss. Not only will you be able to hear better, but you’ll feel better as well! Hearing aids are a great option as they can provide the brain with the stimulation it needs to stay active and healthy, helping you have better cognition.
Don’t let hearing loss affect quality of life, contact Hearing Solutions for an appointment today!
Tinnitus
Have you ever heard a buzzing, humming, or ringing sound in your ears when no external noise was present? It could be tinnitus. Tinnitus is a common phenomenon experienced by millions of people. The symptoms of tinnitus can range greatly, from occasionally to debilitating persistent.
Tinnitus itself is not a hearing disorder, but rather a symptom of another underlying health condition. Sometimes individuals who have tinnitus also experience hearing loss in conjunction, although the two are not always experienced together. If you have hearing loss and have noticed a persistent ringing in the ears, then we can help you.
At Hearing Solutions, we carry special tinnitus masking hearing aids that can play soothing sounds in your ears to distract your brain from tinnitus. While hearing aids won’t stop ringing in the ears completely, they can help you experience some relief.