Peter studied hearing aid fitting at the world headquarters of Starkey Labs. He was able to have hands on training with the company’s founder, Bill Austin. He has also undergone advanced training in the smallest, nearly invisible style hearing aids, and has expanded his education by traveling to Denmark to learn directly from European hearing aid manufacturers. He continues to attend conferences and training seminars to stay current on the rapidly evolving world of hearing aid technology.
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March 3rd is World Hearing Day! This global call to action is organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and is focused on raising awareness about hearing loss. Did you know that hearing loss is the third most common (chronic) health issue that people experience in the United States? Impacting over 48 million people, the prevalence of hearing loss is twice as common as diabetes or cancer.
Though hearing loss is common, it tends to be widely undertreated. A great way to celebrate World Hearing Day is by prioritizing your hearing health this March. You can do this with one simple step: scheduling an appointment for a hearing test!
What causes hearing loss?
There are several factors that can contribute to the development of hearing loss. A few common causes include:
- Loud noise: one time or consistent exposure to loud noise can irreparably damage the sensory cells in the inner ear. These cells play a major role in how sound is processed by converting incoming soundwaves into electrical signals. These signals get sent to the brain where they are further processed. This includes assigning meaning to them, allowing us to understand what we hear. Loud noise can desensitize and weaken sensory cells, preventing them from processing soundwaves effectively. This results in the brain receiving less auditory information, causing noise induced hearing loss.
- Aging: the risk of developing hearing loss increases with age. Age related hearing loss, also known as presbycusis, can be caused by a few factors. This includes: the cumulative impact of noise exposure, changes to the ears that may happen over time, and existing medical conditions that older adults are disproportionately impacted by and are linked to hearing loss.
- Existing medical conditions: extensive research shows that several medical conditions increase the risk of developing hearing loss. This includes heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension which are conditions that can damage blood vessels and restrict blood flow throughout the body including the ears where sound waves are processed.
Additional causes of hearing loss include inner ear disorders, chronic ear infections, head injuries, and autoimmune conditions.
How do I know if I have hearing loss?
With 1 in 5 people having some degree of hearing loss, you or someone you know may experience hearing challenges. Being able to recognize symptoms is a key way you can intervene early to address and treat these symptoms. It may be useful to ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I struggle to hear in places with background noise (like parties, restaurants)?
- Are words muffled or distorted?
- Do I hear a buzzing or ringing noise in my ears?
- Am I frequently asking others to repeat what they said, speak louder, and/or slower?
- Do I always have to turn up the volume on the TV, my phone, or other electronic devices?
- Do I ever argue with my loved ones about the volume?
- Am I lip reading to help identify individual words?
- Do I ever pretend to hear to get through a conversation?
- Do I ever feel excluded or left out of conversations?
- Do I have trouble hearing while on the phone?
- Is my hearing better in one ear compared to the other?
- Do I feel exhausted or drained after conversations and social interactions?
- Do I respond with “huh” or “what” often?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, this may indicate that you are experiencing hearing loss and that your hearing should be evaluated as soon as possible.
How is hearing loss treated?
Fortunately, there are effective ways hearing loss is treated. First, your hearing health needs to be comprehensively evaluated by a hearing healthcare specialist. Hearing tests involve a painless process that measures hearing capacities in both ears which identifies any hearing loss and the degree of impairment you are experiencing. This informs the treatment options that will best meet your hearing needs. The most common treatment for hearing loss is hearing aids which are electronic devices that absorb and process speech as well as sound. This provides tremendous support, alleviating symptoms and maximizing hearing capacity.
Celebrate World Hearing Day by Scheduling Hearing Test
Treating hearing loss offers countless life-changing benefits. This includes improving hearing and strengthening communication, relationships, social life, and overall health. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a hearing consultation.