Symptoms of Hearing Loss

Symptoms of Hearing Loss

Do you struggle to hear the phone? Do you turn up the TV volume much louder than other family members do? Are you having difficulty following conversations? If you answer yes, it might be a good idea to have your hearing checked by an Audiologist

Hearing loss is defined as one of three types:

• Conductive (involves outer or middle ear) where sound waves are prevented in some way from entering the inner ear. The most common example of a conductive hearing loss would be a build-up of earwax.
• Sensorineural (involves inner ear) Noise-induced hearing loss is another common reason for hearing loss, which is prolonged exposure to harmful levels/volume of sound.
• Mixed (combination of the two) Natural aging process. Noise-induced hearing loss and age-related hearing loss are both examples of sensori-neural hearing loss, where the problem lies in the inner ear or cochlea or the hearing nerve pathway. Sensori-neural hearing loss, and specifically age-related hearing loss

Our inner ears (referred to as the cochlea) are lined with around 15,000 microscopic hair cells (divided into inner and outer hair cells) that help to transmit information contained within the sound vibrations sent from the middle ear into nerve pulses which are then sent to the brain to make sense. – As we mature, the functioning of hair cells can diminish, resulting in an ever increasing inability to hear certain sounds. The body is unable to reproduce new hair cells and therefore hearing ability can continue to decline the older the body gets. Age related hearing loss accounts for 90% of permanent hearing losses in the US said Dr. Bergmann

Common Symptoms – The decline in hearing ability usually takes time before the individual notices its effects. Often the individual’s friends and family draw the person’s attention to their reality of hearing loss, including other signs such as:

•   Asking people to repeat themselves.
•   Turning up the volume while listening to music or television
•   Difficulty hearing the telephone or doorbell.
•   Withdrawal from conversations
•   Avoidance of some social settings

Age related hearing can be managed to reduce the effect of hearing impairment on a day-by-day basis thereby enabling the person to retain their quality of life.

Dr. Bergmann suggests start by scheduling an ear examination by a licensed audiologist. The examination aims to eliminate any medical problems such as infections or blockages such as wax. The audiologist will likely give you a hearing test. The test will evaluate the sensitivity of your sense of hearing at different frequencies. Once hearing loss levels are determined, you may be presented with solutions such as hearing aids, TV aids, extra loud phones and other assistive listening devices to help you manage the condition.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Bergmann Au.D.  of Audiology he can be reached at Capital Region Hearing conveniently located in Albany (518-599-0068) and Wynantskill, NY (518-326-1742). Visit their website at www.capitalregionhearing.com