 | Jesse Hidalgo,
sales manager and Licensed Hearing Instrument Dispenser for EarCare Hearing Aid Centers, has been with EarCare since 1998. He oversees six offices including three in Wichita at: 303 S. Hydraulic (Hydraulic & Waterman) (316) 269-9311, 8404 W. 13th, Ste. 120 (13th & Tyler) (316) 721-4138 and 2020 N. Webb, Ste. 204, (21st & Webb) (316) 630-9050 |
Health & Medicine
2003-12-01 13:02:00
What are signs of hearing loss?
: What are signs and types of hearing loss? How do I know if my hearing loss is permanent?
ANSWER: While there are many signs of hearing loss, some of the most common are: Using "huh" and "what", asking people to repeat more often, playing the radio/television too loud for others, people sound as if they're mumbling, difficulty hearing conversations, hissing, roaring, or ringing in the ears (tinnitus), impatience with interruptions, avoiding groups, fatigue/irritation caused by the effort to hear, more misunderstandings and arguments, dizziness or problems with balance. There are three basic types of hearing loss:Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by deterioration of the inner ear and/or the hearing nerves. It can be caused by the degenerative process associated with aging, by noise exposure, or by illness. Persons with this type of hearing loss may have difficulty understanding speech and may also be sensitive to loud noise.Conductive Hearing Loss: Conductive hearing loss is evidenced when a person has trouble with volume as opposed to understanding ability. It stems from blockages between the inner and the outer ear. The blocks can be caused by ear infections, wax buildup or any number of problems that prevent the transmission of sound from the inner to outer ear.Mixed Hearing Loss: Mixed hearing loss is evidenced by a mixture of the symptoms of both sensorineural and conductive types of hearing loss. To establish if your hearing loss is permanent, see your doctor. Your condition may be obvious to them, or they may refer you to an ENT (a doctor trained in treating diseases of the ear, nose, and throat). Hearing loss of a sensoinueral type is usually permanent. If you are diagnosed with this, you will probably need a hearing aid. Always remember that while your quality of life is going to be much improved, a hearing aid will not restore the same hearing God gave you at birth any more than eyeglasses will restore the same vision He gave you at birth.
