Hearing Loss Diagnosis Awareness
Nearly 3 in 10 people over the age of 60 experience hearing loss, while about 1 in 6 adults aged 41-59 experience some form of hearing challenge. Hearing loss is more common than you may think yet it isn’t as widely talked about compared to heart disease or diabetes.
Did you know, only 13% of physicians routinely screen for hearing loss during a physical, despite its often subtle and significant impact on overall health? To maintain your hearing health for the future it’s important to understand what hearing loss is, be able to recognize the signs, and what you should do if you begin to experience difficulty hearing.
How Does Hearing Work?
- Hearing begins when sound waves enter the outer ear and travel through the ear canal to the eardrum, causing it to vibrate.
- These vibrations are amplified by three tiny bones in the middle ear and sent to the inner ear (cochlea), where fluid movement stimulates tiny hair cells.
- The hair cells convert the vibrations into electrical signals, which travel via the auditory nerve to the brain, where they are interpreted as sound.
Types of Hearing Loss
There are three main types of hearing loss:
- Conductive Hearing Loss: Due to blockage in the outer or middle ear, often treatable with medical intervention or surgery, such as earwax removal or eardrum repair.
- Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Caused by inner ear or auditory nerve damage, often from aging, noise exposure, or genetics, it is typically permanent and treated with hearing devices or cochlear implants.
- Mixed Hearing Loss: Combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, treated with medical intervention for the conductive component and hearing devices for the sensorineural aspect.
Signs of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss often occurs gradually, making it difficult to notice right away. Here are some signs that indicate it is time to have your hearing tested:
- Sounds seem muffled
- Everyone around you mumbles
- You frequently ask people to repeat themselves
- You need the TV turned up high
- A loved one has suggested you get your hearing checked
Are You Struggling with Your Hearing?
We can help you. Our team are experts in diagnosing and managing hearing loss. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact us today to schedule your hearing evaluation!