HEARING LOSS SYMPTOMS

Watch Out for Signs of Hearing Loss

Are you having trouble following conversations? Do you turn your phone volume up all the time? Hearing loss can feel isolating and happen so slowly, you may not realize it is occurring. Hearing loss affects hundreds of millions of people around the world and is an ailment with many categories, causes and treatments. Quite frankly, it is one of the most common health issues faced by mankind.

However, hearing loss is largely preventable. The more you know about hearing loss, the better you can protect your own hearing. And at Trebil Hearing Center, our goal is to protect your hearing and your health.

Hearing Loss Symptoms That May Go Unnoticed

What Are the Causes of Hearing Loss?

Some of the most common causes of hearing loss are:

• Congenital issues: Birth defects or congenital issues are the most common causes of hearing loss in young people, including infants and children. However, they can also develop into a hearing problem later in life in some individuals as well.
• Physical obstruction: Hearing relies on the passage of air vibrations through the outer ear to the middle ear and ear canal. If there is an obstruction at any point in that pathway, it can cause hearing impairment. The removal of an obstruction can restore hearing.
• Infection: Your ears are prone to primary and secondary infections. Severe or chronic ear infections can damage your hearing, in some cases resulting in hearing loss.
• Noise damage: The most common cause of chronic hearing loss is damage to the ears due to loud noise. Sounds above a threshold of 85dB can cause slow, permanent degradation in your hearing.
• Age: Hearing loss can occur due to age but it's difficult to differentiate between age-related and noise-induced hearing loss as a cause.
• Trauma: Many types of trauma can cause hearing loss, such as trauma to the ears or a traumatic brain injury.

The Two Main Categories of Hearing Loss

• Conductive hearing loss: This is caused by the formation of an obstruction along the hearing pathway. For example, an infection, a non-cancerous growth or even compacted earwax. The obstruction blocks soundwaves from moving through the ear canal, causing hearing loss.
• Sensorineural hearing loss: Your hearing depends on the tiny hair cells in the ears called stereocilia. These hairs vibrate when exposed to soundwaves and transmit that information to the brain, which translates those vibrations into sounds you can understand. When stereocilia are damaged, usually by noise, they are unable to repair or rejuvenate themselves. This can result in permanent, long-term hearing damage.

How Do We Treat Hearing Loss?

Most types of hearing loss can be treated. In the least severe cases, treatment may merely consist of simple monitoring with regular hearing tests. On the other hand, hearing aids can help treat significant hearing loss.

Modern hearing aids feature state-of-the-art technology, such as machine learning-enabled sound balancing, designed to make sounds clearer and voices sharper. Bluetooth technology also allows hearing aids to connect to your mobile device. Hearing aids can even count steps and notify contacts in case of an emergency. Each of these innovations help maintain your quality of life.

For more information about our hearing loss treatment options and top-of-the-line, name-brand hearing aids, call Trebil Hearing Center to schedule an appointment.

Why is Treating Your Hearing Loss Important?

The benefits of hearing loss treatment include:

• Slowing the progression of hearing loss. Having hearing aids means you won't have to turn up the volume so much on your TV or phone, preventing further, accelerated hearing damage. Parts of the brain can atrophy if not used regularly to process sound so your hearing aids help to re-engage your brain.
• Wearing hearing aids can keep you socially involved. This lessens the chance of social isolation, a common occurrence among individuals suffering from hearing loss.
• Lowering your risks of developing depression, anxiety, dementia and other health conditions. Hearing loss can result in higher incidences of mental health problems.
• Hearing aids can help with tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears). Treating hearing loss can diminish some tinnitus symptoms and many hearing aids offer features to help with tinnitus.

What is the Future of Hearing Loss?

Due to increasing noise pollution and the popularity and availability of personal speaker technology, hearing loss has become a larger issue today. There's no question that hearing impairments will continue to affect millions of individuals every year, which is why we recommend having your hearing checked at Trebil Hearing Center. Call (218) 692-6072 for a FREE, in-depth hearing consultation.