Communication Strategies
Communicating with a person who has a hearing loss can be stressful for both parties. Even when hearing devices are used, proper communication strategies are essential for maximizing the experience. Try the following tips when communicating with a hearing impaired individual. Maintain eye contact with the hearing impaired individual, facing them directly. Do not attempt…
Hearing Loss & Dementia
Research by Johns Hopkins University and others has confirmed what many audiologists and physicians have long feared: there is an irrefutable link between hearing loss and cognitive decline. Initial problems such as memory loss and an inability to concentrate can worsen over time. Left untreated, this may eventually lead to dementia and other forms of…
Hearing Loss Causes
Presbycusis The most common type of hearing loss is presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss. Diminished hearing is a common side effect of aging, usually coming on gradually and affecting high-pitched sounds most frequently. It occurs as a result of natural changes in the inner ear of an individual over time due to a variety of…
Hearing Loss FAQ
What are the signs of hearing loss? Symptoms of hearing loss include difficulty understanding what others are saying, asking people to repeat themselves, struggling to hear in crowded places with distracting background noise, the perception that others are mumbling or not speaking clearly, listening to the television or radio at a higher volume than others,…
Hearing Loss Prevention
Noise exposure is a leading cause of hearing loss. It usually develops gradually and may go unnoticed until it has progressed to a point where treatment options are limited. There are steps you can take now to prevent hearing loss down the road. What Are the Causes of Hearing Loss? Some types of hearing loss…
Hearing Protection
We are exposed to sound on a daily basis. Volume levels vary considerably, and can easily exceed 85 decibels (dB) – the threshold that is considered safe. Any prolonged exposure to noise exceeding this is harmful and can cause permanent, irreversible hearing loss. Excess noise exposure isn’t the only cause of hearing damage. Diseases, drugs…
Hearing Tests
Audiology evaluations consist of a series of tests used to determine whether a hearing loss exists and, if so, measure its type, degree and configuration. An audiologist will assess the results of each individual test in order to develop a treatment plan geared toward your unique hearing loss. Who Should Be Given an Audiology Evaluation?…
Single Side Deafness
Single sided deafness (SSD), sometimes referred to as unilateral hearing loss, is a condition in which an individual experiences hearing loss in only one ear but can hear normally out of the other ear. While the majority of patients with a hearing impairment suffer from bilateral (two-sided) hearing loss, SSD is diagnosed in approximately 60,000…
Surgical Procedures for Hearing
There are two main types of hearing loss: conductive and sensorineural. Conductive hearing loss is caused by problems in the middle ear and outer ear, while sensorineural hearing loss is the result of inner ear problems. The latter type is sometimes referred to as nerve deafness and is usually treatable only with hearing aids. Conductive…
Types of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss affects an estimated 48 million Americans. There are many different causes, which translate to different types of hearing loss. An understanding of the cause and type of hearing loss is essential in developing a successful treatment plan. Types of Hearing Loss There are three main types of hearing loss. They are: Conductive Hearing…
