Hearing Aids - What You Should Know...
Those who benefit from the use of a hearing device can tell you, you will enjoy a "new life" with your hearing aid. Understanding how your hearing works, and knowing your options for hearing improvement are essential to making the right choice.
Hearing is a complicated and intricate process. As sound passes through each ear, it sets off a chain reaction. Sound wave vibrations are collected in the outer ear and funneled through the ear canal. The vibrations then strike the eardrum. The eardrum vibrates the delicate bones of the middle ear, which conduct the vibrations to the fluid in the inner ear. Tiny nerve endings in the cochlea, called hair cells, transform the vibrations into electro-chemical impulses. These impulses travel to the brain where they are understood as sounds such as speech, music or noise.
There are a number of conditions that cause a disruption in the hearing process and can lead to hearing loss. The two most common types of hearing loss are sensorineural and conductive.
Sensorineural, or "nerve" hearing loss, occurs from damage to the hair cells, nerve fibers or both in the inner ear. This type of damage causes the electro-chemical impulses from being transmitted to the brain effectively. Sensorineural is the most common type of hearing loss and generally affects both ears equally. This type of deficit is often caused by aging or prolonged exposure to noise, but can also be caused by high fever, birth defects and certain drugs.
This condition cannot be reversed or treated medically, but can be effectively treated with hearing instruments. Hearing instruments are able to stimulate the nerve cells with amplified sound waves, augmenting whatever hearing remains.
Conductive hearing loss usually involves an obstruction in the outer or middle ear which reduces transmission of sound vibrations through air, bone or tissue to the inner ear.
Many conductive hearing losses can be successfully treated by medial or surgical procedures. Hearing instruments can also treat conductive hearing loss.
Signs of Hearing Loss
Persons with both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss are commonly referred to as having mixed hearing loss. Most of these cases can be helped by either a hearing instrument or surgery. Hearing loss can be so gradual it is hardly noticed - in fact, many times it is family, friends or a hearing test that identifies the loss.
Common signs of hearing loss -
- Exposure to high noise levels such as tractors, machinery in factories, firearms or power tools without adequate ear protection.
- Growing nervous tension, irritability or fatigue from the effort to hear.
- Thinking that "everybody mumbles" or "people don't speak as clearly as they used to."
- If you find you are straining to understand conversations in social settings or at work.
- Frequently need to have things repeated.
- Find yourself watching people's faces intently when you are listening.
- Need to increase the television or radio volume that causes others to complain.
- Have a family history of hearing loss.
- Have diabetes, heart, thyroid or circulation problems.
- Been exposed to ototoxic drugs or medications.
- Reoccurring ear infections, constant ringing in the ears or dizziness.
Seeking a Qualified Hearing Health Professional
If you suspect a hearing loss, your first step should be a hearing evaluation by a qualified professional. These professionals will help identify the nature of your hearing loss and provide options to correct the hearing loss. The proper selection, fit, support and instruction to learn to use the hearing instrument is essential to your success.
This article was provided by, One Senior Place Resident Business -
Personal Hearing Solutions
One Senior Place
8085 Spyglass Hill Road
Viera, FL 32940
321-253-6310
For more information, call Sandra or Lindsey at 321-253-6310
Sandra Wagner, BC-HIS
Lindsey Wagner