About Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is one of the most common chronic medical conditions that people experience today and affects over 48 million Americans. 15% of the adult population have some degree of hearing impairment and hearing loss is the third most common health issue among older adults. For many, hearing loss happens gradually over time and many of the symptoms often go unnoticed until there is significant loss. Delay in hearing treatment can actually worsen the loss for those with sensorineural hearing loss which is why early intervention is critical.
At Altamonte Family Hearing, we prioritize your hearing health by providing informed care and hearing solutions that can transform your life. There are effective ways to treat hearing loss which start by assessing and learning more about your hearing needs. The following information is useful to understand the scope of hearing loss and how you could be impacted by it.
Types of Hearing Loss
Diagnosing the type of hearing loss you could be experiencing is critical. There are three types of hearing loss: sensorineural, conductive, and mixed.
A range of factors contribute to these types of hearing loss which also have different treatment options.
Causes of Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss is most often caused by:
Conductive hearing loss can occur when there are physical obstructions in the ear, such as:
- Earwax accumulation
- Ear infections
- Scar tissue on the eardrum
- Excess skin cells formed on the eardrum
- Fluid behind the eardrum
- Abnormal bone growths
- Tumors
- Injury or damage from foreign objects in the ear
Common Hearing Loss Symptoms
Recognizing the signs of hearing loss is an important way of being able to identify changes in your hearing health. Hearing loss produces numerous symptoms that strain communication including the following:
- Tinnitus- which is the medical term that describes a buzzing or ringing like noise in one or both ears
- Having to turn up the volume on electronic devices
- Sounds are muffled or slurred, making it difficult to identify individual words
- Frequently asking others to repeat themselves, speak slowly, and/or loudly
- Feeling exhausted during and after conversations
- Difficulty hearing in places with background noise
These symptoms can be mild to severe. If untreated, hearing loss can take a significant toll on daily life and overall health.
Treatment
Fortunately, there are effective ways to treat hearing loss. Treatment is informed by the type of hearing loss you are diagnosed with. Conductive hearing loss is often treated via surgical options and/or medication.
Sensorineural hearing loss is typically treated with prescribed hearing aids. According to the Hearing Health Foundation, about 80% of hearing loss cases can be treated with hearing aids. These are electronic devices that are designed to absorb, amplify, and process sound. This provides ample support, maximizing one’s hearing capacity. Similar to most electronic devices, hearing aids have benefitted from exciting innovations. There are a wide range of options, styles, features, and technologies that enhance the user's experience. After a complete hearing evaluation we will be able to make a recommendation that will meet your hearing care needs. Our practice is committed to helping you navigate this new terrain in ways that are useful and beneficial for your daily life.