It can be frustrating to not be able to hear well enough to enjoy daily life experiences, like the bank teller at the drive-through, family talking around the dinner table, your minister’s message at church or a phone call from a friend. And the ears serve a very important function. If you’re struggling with hearing loss, getting help from a specialist is crucial. Let OOA treat you today.
Explore possible causes of hearing loss and learn more below.
What Is Hearing Loss?
There are two main types of hearing loss. One happens when sound waves cannot reach your inner ear due to fluid, earwax buildup or a punctured eardrum (conductive hearing loss). The other occurs when your auditory nerve, cochlea or auditory centers of the brain are damaged (sensorineural hearing loss). Oklahoma Otolaryngology Associates can provide treatments and even surgery like [cochlear implants] which can reverse some kinds of hearing loss.
How Many People Are Affected?
According to the Mayo Clinic, most hearing loss occurs gradually as a person ages. About 25% of people in the United States after the age of 55 have some degree of hearing loss. Fortunately, you don’t have to live in a world of muted sounds. The physicians at Oklahoma Otolaryngology Associates will work closely with the audiologists at Oklahoma Hearing Center to create important steps to improve what you hear.
Signs and symptoms of hearing loss may include:
Trouble hearing consonants
Difficulty understanding words, especially against background noise or in a crowd of people
Causes Of Hearing Loss
Causes of hearing loss can vary. The inability to hear can be hereditary. If your parents or grandparents experienced hearing loss, there is a good chance you will too.
If you have experienced a number of ear infections or meningitis during your life, this may affect your hearing. Trauma to your head or more especially your ear may cause damage to the ear function.
Some medicines may cause hearing loss.
Many people produce more earwax than others. The build-up of earwax can cause hearing loss.
Acoustic trauma can also cause hearing loss. Experiencing long-term exposure to loud noises can damage parts of your inner ear. A career in a noisy environment such as an airport or manufacturing plant, having a hobby like racing remote control cars, shooting guns or playing in a rock and roll band could lead to loss of hearing.
Treating Hearing Loss
Remember, untreated hearing problems can only get worse, never better. If you have trouble hearing, you can get help with one easy phone call. After testing your hearing, the audiologist will review all the possible treatments include hearing aids, cochlear implants, special training, certain medicines and possible surgery.