Hearing loss affects far more people than many of us initially suspect. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders estimates about 40 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss or experience trouble hearing. They also report that one in eight people age 12 or older has some degree of loss in both ears.
Hearing loss does become far more common as we grow older, and age-related hearing loss remains the most common form of hearing loss. It is estimated that 8.5% of adults between the ages of 55-64 years old are affected by loss of hearing, and that number escalates to 25% for men and women between 65-74 years old. Hearing loss is the third most common age-related medical condition, behind only arthritis and high blood pressure.
- Ear Infections
- Excessive build-ups of wax or fluid
- Otosclerosis (an abnormal bone growth)
- A punctured or damaged eardrum
- Aging
- Hereditary hearing loss
- Head trauma
- Illness
- Ototoxic drugs
- Exposure to excessive noises and environments
- Malformations in the inner ear
With sensorineural hearing loss, there is a problem with the cochlea and/or auditory nerve which are past your ear canal. Sounds often come through at decreased volumes and can be distorted. Different frequencies begin to register less effectively, often with high-frequency sounds and spoken word sound waves being the first to suffer.
If you are beginning to experience some of these signs or are noticing them in someone close to you, it is time to schedule a hearing screening and find out about hearing loss. Our hearing care specialists will walk you through the process and help you understand where your hearing health is currently. From there they will help determine if you are suffering from hearing loss, and if it is time to look at Beltone digital hearing aids to restore your hearing and quality of life.
Give our friendly staff a call today at (800) 900-6187, or use our online contact form to find out more about hearing health and schedule your free hearing screening.