Hearing Loss Explained
Hearing loss usually develops slowly over a number of years. The gradual loss can make it difficult to recognize that you are actually not hearing as well as you used to. In fact, family and friends are usually the first to point out when they suspect someone has a hearing loss.
So, now you have reached our website. It seems that you may acknowledge you have a hearing loss and may be willing to see what your options are.
The first step is to get your hearing tested. There are a few different types of hearing loss caused by different factors.
Conductive Hearing Loss involves the outer or middle ear and can sometimes be treated with surgery or medication. However, 80% of all hearing loss is caused by dysfunction of the inner ear, known as a sensorineural hearing loss. Some people can experience a combination of the two, called a mixed loss. Hearing loss can also happen in one ear only, called single-sided hearing loss.
What is a hearing loss?
Hearing loss can happen from two major causes. Noise-induced hearing loss happens when an individual is exposed to noise over a period of time. This is called sensorineural hearing loss and there is usually no cure and the best treatment is hearing aids. The other cause of hearing loss happens when there is an issue with sound transferring to the inner ear. This is called conductive hearing loss. Causes of conductive hearing loss vary but include ear infections, eardrum perforations, and a few other reasons. This type of hearing loss can usually be treated with medication or surgery. It is also possible for a person to present with both types of hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss and conductive hearing loss together is called a mixed hearing loss
Another component of hearing is your brain’s ability to discriminate, or distinguish, between different sounds. When your ears provide your brain with enough sound to transfer through your ear to your cochlea, it is then sent to the brain to be understood. Your brain is able to distinguish between the words CAT and RAT due to the brain’s ability to discriminate. When your brain does not hear the sounds correctly, discrimination scores decrease. When your brain is not able to hear sounds properly over a period of time, the brain has trouble hearing the sounds and giving you the right message. Over time, your brain will forget the sounds that it does not hear regularly. Hearing aids that are properly calibrated to your hearing loss can help restore the volume of the sound going into your ears, giving your brain a better chance to understand what is being said.
So what can be done to help?
Once you have been tested, it would be time to try a product!
We offer a number of options for trials.
From flexible options to 3 in 1 testing aids we will have something that fits with your lifestyle and budget. All of our hearing aids come with a 30-day free trial. You can take the devices home and really put them to the test before you purchase them. Most of our hearing aids also come with a 4 year warranty.