Hearing is one of the most basic yet important senses that humans possess. It allows us to perceive our environment, communicate, and enjoy life’s pleasures. However, hearing loss and other hearing concerns can affect individuals of all ages, making it difficult to engage in daily activities and thus affecting quality of life.
From minor hearing challenges to complete deafness, hearing concerns can be a significant challenge for those affected and their loved ones. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the symptoms, causes, and available treatments for various hearing concerns to ensure that you or your loved ones receive the necessary treatment, care, and support.
Your Hearing Concerns are OUR Concerns
Doctors Hearing Care is independently owned and operated which gives our practice the ability to work with various hearing aid manufacturers to give our patients comprehensive access to hearing solutions that suit a variety of needs, lifestyles, and budgets.
We have served the community for more than 17 years and we continue to offer quality hearing aid services to help individuals reconnect with their families and loved ones by efficiently addressing a wide range of hearing concerns.
Hearing Loss
Based on data from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), more than 40 million Americans are affected by hearing loss. This condition can occur at any age, but it becomes more prevalent as we get older. Hearing loss can be caused by a number of things, including exposure to loud noise, infections, trauma, and certain medications. Getting diagnosed with hearing loss can make it difficult to communicate with loved ones, participate in social activities, and enjoy the things you love.
If you think you or a loved one may be experiencing hearing loss, the first step is to schedule a hearing evaluation with an audiologist. Audiologists are licensed and trained to diagnose, treat, and manage hearing loss, balance disorders, and tinnitus. During a hearing evaluation, an audiologist will take a medical history, ask about any hearing-related concerns, and conduct a variety of tests to assess hearing.
Based on the results of the hearing evaluation, the audiologist will develop a treatment plan that may include hearing aids or other assistive devices, counseling, and/or hearing rehabilitation.
Hearing Loss Prevention
There are a number of things you can do to prevent hearing loss. If you work in a noisy environment, make sure to wear hearing protection, such as earplugs or earmuffs. Avoiding loud noise when possible is also helpful. If you like to listen to music through headphones, be sure to keep the volume at a moderate level. And finally, if you think you or a loved one may be experiencing hearing loss, don’t wait to get help. Schedule a hearing evaluation with an audiologist as soon as possible.
Ear Infections
An ear infection, also called otitis media, is a common condition that affects millions of children each year. Ear infections often occur when a cold or allergy causes fluid to build up in the middle ear, which provides an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. Ear infections can cause a number of symptoms, including ear pain, fever, irritability, and difficulty hearing.
If your child is experiencing these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor or an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist. In some cases, ear infections will resolve on their own without treatment. However, if the infection does not go away or if it keeps coming back, your child may need antibiotics or other medication.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve. SNHL can be caused by exposure to loud noise, certain medical conditions, and aging. Symptoms of sensorineural hearing loss include difficulty hearing in noise, poor hearing, and ringing in the ears.
If you think you may be experiencing sensorineural hearing loss, it is important to see an audiologist or ENT specialist for a hearing evaluation. There are a number of treatment options available, including hearing aids and cochlear implants. The sooner you get help, the better.
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is the perception of sound when there is no external source of the noise. Tinnitus can be constant or intermittent noise, and it can vary in pitch from low to high. Tinnitus can be bothersome, but it is not usually a sign of a serious medical condition.
There are a number of things that can cause tinnitus, including exposure to loud noise, hearing loss, earwax buildup, and certain medications. Tinnitus can also be a symptom of more serious conditions, such as Meniere’s disease or acoustic neuroma.
If you are experiencing tinnitus, there are a number of things you can do to help manage the symptoms. Avoiding loud noise and managing stress can be helpful. You may also want to try masking the noise with a fan or other background noise. If tinnitus is affecting your quality of life, you may want to see an audiologist or ENT specialist for further evaluation and treatment.
Earwax
Earwax is a normal, healthy part of the ear that helps protect the ear from dirt, dust, and other foreign objects. Earwax is produced by the glands in the ear canal, and it gradually moves out of the ear with chewing and other jaw motions. Most people don’t need to do anything to remove earwax, as it will come out on its own.
However, some people have a buildup of earwax that can cause symptoms such as ear pain, hearing loss, and itchiness. If you have a buildup of earwax, you can try using an over-the-counter earwax removal kit. If this doesn’t work, or if you have recurrent earwax buildup, you may need to see an ENT specialist for removal.
Hearing loss is a common problem, especially as we age. There are a number of things that can cause hearing loss, including exposure to loud noise, earwax buildup, and certain medical conditions. If you think you may be experiencing hearing loss, it is important to see an audiologist or ENT specialist for a hearing evaluation. There are a number of treatment options available, and the sooner you get help, the better.
Auditory Processing Disorder
Auditory processing disorder (APD) is a hearing problem that makes it difficult to process and understand auditory information. APD can affect people of all ages, but it is more common in children. Symptoms of APD include difficulty hearing in noise, poor listening skills, and difficulty following directions.
If you think your child may have APD, it is important to see an audiologist or ENT specialist for a hearing evaluation. There is no cure for APD, but there are treatments that can help improve symptoms. These treatments may include hearing aids, speech therapy, and other interventions.
Meniere’s Disease
Meniere’s disease is a condition that can cause hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo. Meniere’s disease is thought to be caused by a problem with the fluid in the inner ear. Symptoms of Meniere’s disease can come on suddenly and can vary in severity.
If you think you may have Meniere’s disease, it is important to see an ENT specialist for a hearing evaluation. There is no cure for Meniere’s disease, but there are treatments that can help manage the symptoms. These treatments may include diuretics, hearing aids, and vestibular rehabilitation.
Professional Audiology Services in New Albany, IN
We take a patient-centered approach to care. This means that we focus on meeting your needs, whatever they may be. We will work with you to find solutions for your hearing, tinnitus, and balance problems using the latest technology and equipment. Because we focus exclusively on your unique needs, coming to our practice means that you’ll receive the best possible care. Whether you’re coming to us for a hearing evaluation, tinnitus assessment, or balance evaluation, we will take the time to get to know you and your concerns.
Contact us today to know more about our audiology services or to book an appointment!