Hearing loss is the inability to hear clearly. Approximately 48 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss, however many people wait an average of seven years before seeking treatment. It’s important to manage hearing loss right away to prevent any decrease in speech comprehension or cognitive function.
Hearing Loss and Brain Health
Hearing plays a large role in communication, social relationships, and cognitive health. We don’t actually hear with our ears, we “hear” when sound reaches the auditory cortex of the brain. In the brain is where sound is processed into information and how we make sense of the sounds we hear.
When left untreated, hearing loss can negatively affect your cognitive health. When you can’t hear due to hearing loss, your brain doesn’t receive the proper stimulation it needs to stay active and healthy. Over time this can lead to listening fatigue, forgetfulness, and even cognitive decline. It’s important to have your hearing checked if you are struggling to hear so we can help you manage hearing loss early.
Signs of Hearing Loss
Age related hearing loss, the most common type of loss, often occurs slowly. For this reason, it can be difficult to recognize the signs until it’s too late. If you have noticed any combination of the following signs, you should visit our hearing aid center for a comprehensive hearing assessment.
- Sounds seem muffled or unclear
- It’s difficult to hear when there is background noise
- You frequently ask people to repeat themselves
- It’s hard to understand phone conversations
- You can hear but you lack clarity
- You hear a ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is the perception of hearing a sound in your ears when no external noise is present. Around 50 million people in the U.S. experience tinnitus to some degree. The symptoms of tinnitus include hearing a buzzing, humming, ringing, or whistling sound in the ears. Everyone experiences tinnitus differently. A tinnitus test can be performed during your hearing evaluation to determine the best management option.
Tinnitus masking hearing aids can greatly alleviate ringing in the ears. These devices play soothing sounds in your ears, such as ocean waves, to distract your brain from the symptoms of tinnitus. Our hearing specialists are experts in fitting hearing aids and can help you experience relief from tinnitus.