Hearing Overview
Hearing is one of our five basic senses. Hearing plays an essential part in enjoyable communication with our friends, family and associates. It also alerts us to danger. For example, think of an ambulance, chances are most people HEAR the siren before they see where the speeding vehicle is coming from. Hearing connects us with powerful emotions, beautiful music, a babbling brook, grandchildren’s laughs. In fact most medical experts agree that our sense of hearing is the last sense to leave us when we pass on. There are many reports of people awakening from comas that recall hearing their loved ones encouraging them to get better. Hearing is so fundamental to life that Helen Keller concluded,
“after a lifetime in silence and darkness that to be deaf is a greater affliction than to be blind…Hearing is the soul of knowledge and information of a high order. To be cut off from hearing is to be isolated indeed.”
For an advanced tutorial on hearing please click here
So what causes our hearing system to break down?
Hearing Loss
There are three primary types of hearing loss, ALL three should be diagnosed and treated.
- Conductive hearing loss- this is a loss that occurs because of a blockage in either the outer or middle ear. Treatments can range from simple ear wax removal to medication or surgery by a medical doctor. HearCare audiologists are specially trained to assess the hearing system and refer to a physician if neccessary.
- Mixed hearing loss- This loss of hearing occurs when a patient has both a conductive loss and a nerve loss. Accurate diagnosis is the first step to effective treatment. Diagnosis would include a complete hearing evaluation and tympanometry to assess middle ear movement.
- Sensorineural hearing loss- This is the most prevalent kind of hearing loss accounting for 90% of hearing loss cases. It is caused by damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or the nerve of hearing. Often times the person with this type of loss will feel that they can indeed hear, however they report having difficulty understanding speech, especially in the presence of background noise. The number one treatment for this type of loss is a hearing device.
For an in-depth reveiw on hearing loss, please click here
Treatments
Assisted Listening Devices – There are numerous devices that can help a person who is experiencing problems stemming from hearing loss. Some simple devices are:
- Amplified telephone. Helps people feel comfortable talking on the phone by increasing the volume. Products vary in price and features available.
- TV listening system. Listen to the TV at the volume you want without disturbing others. These systems connect directly to your TV and can be used with or without hearing instruments.
- Alarms and Alerting devices. We offer a variety of devices that keep you safe and secure. Products include weather alerting systems, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, infant devices, door signalers, and alarm clocks.
- Personal amplifiers. Pocket-sized personal amplifiers are portable for use anywhere, indoors or out. They are great for one-on-one conversations and TV listening, and can be very helpful when in a car or in situations where it is difficult to face someone who is speaking. Personal amplifiers work with a variety of earphones, headphones, neckloops and telecoil couplers.
Medical Treatment – There are numerous medical treatments that can help if the hearing loss is conductive or mixed in nature. Also, sometimes when a loss is too severe to treat with hearing aids, a cochlear implant may be a good option. HearCare professionals will direct the referral if any of these options are in the best interest of the patient.
Hearing devices
Hearing devices are the number one treatment for hearing loss. Which one is right for you? YOU decide. Your hearing levels, your ear shape/size, and your lifestlye will dictate which technology and style is best suited for you.
Click here to view styles of hearing devices
Take the first step, because you owe it to yourself. The candid truth is you CAN NEVER NOT COMMUNICATE. What message are you sending to your friends, family and acquaintances if you are missing or even misunderstanding what they are saying to you? Call today, you deserve to communicate with ease and grace, 260-485-1231
