Questions about Hearing Loss, Audiology, and Hearing Aids
What is an audiologist? Why should I see one?
What are some of the causes of hearing loss?
How do I find out if I have if I am experiencing hearing loss?
What types of hearing aids are there?
How will I know what type of technology and style of hearing aid is best for me?
How do I prevent hearing loss?
What is an audiologist? Why should I see one?
An audiologist is a health care professional who evaluates, diagnoses, and treats hearing disorders, impairments, and conditions. Professional audiologists have been licensed by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association after they have completed a master’s or doctoral degree. Audiologists also select, fit, and dispense amplification systems such as hearing aids and related devices. They also work to prevent hearing loss by educating people about preventative measures that may cause hearing loss.
Licensed audiologists have received extensive education and experience in regards to hearing disorders and impairment. They hold master’s or doctoral degrees from accredited universities, have received special training in assessing, identifying, and treating hearing disorders, have completed a full-time internship, and passed a challenging national competency examination. Audiologists are the most qualified professionals to perform audiological services by virtue of their education, certification, and experience.
What are some of the causes of hearing loss?
Hearing loss can occur due to reasons such as:
- Genes: Some estimates place genetics as the cause for over half the known cases of hearing loss.
- Exposure to loud, sudden, or sustained noise: Hearing loss as a result of exposure to loud, sudden, or sustained noises may develop over many years. The harm noise can cause is dependent on the volume, frequency, and length of the sound. Noise from high-volume music, power tools, vehicles, lawn mowers, and even noise encountered on the job can all be harmful to you over time.
- Otosclerosis: Otosclerosis is a condition of the middle ear that degenerates hearing gradually over time. The condition causes a hardening of the bones of the middle ear. Unlike many causes of hearing loss, the hearing loss from otosclerosis is often reversible with surgery.
- Ototoxic medications: Medication used to treat other conditions and problems can cause hearing loss.
- Aging: Hearing loss as a result of aging affects some older adults to varying degrees. The most common type of degeneration is sensorineural, which occurs when the nerve cells of the inner ear naturally break down. Changes to the eardrum or the bones of the middle ear can also cause hearing loss, as can conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
- Ear or head injuries: Because the many parts of the ear are so delicate, hearing loss may result from an injury to the ear or head.
- Meniere’s disease: Meniere’s disease is a debilitating disease that causes sufferers to experience severe vertigo and imbalance, hearing loss, and tinnitus or ringing in the ear. While vertigo is the most severe symptom of Meniere’s disease, the hearing loss that is incurred can lead to severe, and permanent hearing loss.
To discuss or learn more about any of these causes of hearing loss, please contact the Los Gatos Audiology and Hearing Aid Center today.
How do I find out if I have if I am experiencing hearing loss?
Do you:
- Misunderstand conversations?
- Ask people to repeat certain words?
- Avoid social situations where you find it hard to hear?
- Turn up the TV or radio so loud that it annoys others?
- Have ringing, roaring, or buzzing in your ears?
- Think people mumble?
- Hear better in one ear than the other?
- Find women’s and children’s voices difficult to hear?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you may be experiencing hearing loss. Audiologist Ellen Mosher can perform comprehensive audiometry testing to assess your ability to hear and process sounds of different volumes and frequencies. By producing an audiogram based on your results, Ellen will be able to tell you the severity and type of hearing loss you may be experiencing.
To schedule an appointment to undergo audiometry testing, please contact the office today.
What types of hearing aids are there? How do they work?
Traditionally, patients have had the choice of digital or analog hearing aids. However, with quickly-advancing technology, all hearing aids are now digital. A digital hearing aid converts an analog signal into a digital one, allowing the aid’s signal processor to manipulate the signal in sophisticated ways and ultimately optimize the sound. Modified digital signals are converted back to analog signals and then transmitted into the ear.
The digitization of the analog signal allows the processor to analyze and filter the signal to improve speech intelligibility in noise. Speech, noise, music, and impact noises such as door slamming and silverware are processed differently in order to make speech heard especially well in the most advanced technologies. Hearing aids with the most sophisticated chipset allow for further noise reduction and speech enhancement.
There are four main types of hearing aids:
Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC): These hearing aids are the smallest variety and the most discreet. They fit deeply in the ear canal, making them virtually unnoticeable. CIC hearing aids also conduct less wind noise, more natural hearing, and telephone use without feedback.
In-the-Canal (ITC): ITC hearing aids are small enough to fit almost entirely into the ear canal and take up about one-quarter of the concha (the indented, bowl-like outer portion of the ear), making them relatively inconspicuous. In-the-canal hearing aids are very comfortable and provide for less wind noise than other, larger types.
In-the-Ear (ITE): In-the-ear hearing aids are one-piece aids that fit completely within the concha (the external ear that resembles a shell). Their ability to use powerful amplifiers and telephone switches have made them the most widely recommended style of hearing aid.
Behind-the-Ear (BTE): This particular type of hearing aid fits securely and comfortably behind the ear and is attached to an earpiece that is customized to fit perfectly in the outer ear. BTE hearing aids are used for a wide range of hearing loss and can be connected to external sound sources such as televisions, FM systems, and infrared listening systems.
CIC, ITC, and ITE hearing aids are all ideal for use during sports, exercise, and other physical activities; they also offer good directional hearing. BTE hearing aids, on the other hand, offer the flexibility to use a variety of applications to accommodate mild to severe hearing loss, provide quality directional hearing, and are very comfortable to wear.
If you would like to speak with audiologist Ellen Mosher about getting fitted for a hearing aid, please contact the Los Gatos Audiology and Hearing Aid Center today.
How will I know what type of technology and style of hearing aid is best for me?
The audiogram records the type of hearing loss you have. The type of hearing loss will determine which technology and style of hearing aid will be optimal for your hearing loss and listening environments. To meet with Ellen to discuss the possibility of wearing hearing aids, please contact her office today.
How do I prevent hearing loss?
One of the most important steps to preventing hearing loss is being aware of the noise levels around you. By avoiding loud noise levels, such as sound made by machines, power tools, loud music, and loud vehicles, you can avoid the most common cause of hearing loss. Wearing hearing protection such as earplugs, earmuffs, and protective headphones can also protect your ears from hearing loss. Avoiding head injury by not placing objects in the ear, wearing safety belts, and wearing helmets can also help prevent hearing loss. To learn more about how you can prevent hearing loss, please get in contact with the Los Gatos Audiology and Hearing Aid Center today.