Hearing Loss

Educational information about hearing loss and overall health.

Hearing and Brain Health

Our hearing is connected to healthy brain function. We hear sounds when they travel through the ears up to the auditory cortex of the brain. In the brain is where sound waves are translated into information. We need our hearing to have active and healthy brains and to fully understand the sounds around us.

When left untreated, hearing loss can cause your brain to atrophy because it is not receiving the sound signals it used to receive to be healthy. Over time this can lead to feelings of fatigue, forgetfulness, and even cognitive decline. It’s important to treat hearing loss at the first signs by wearing hearing aids. Hearing aids will provide your brain with the sounds it needs to be active. If you are concerned about hearing loss affecting your brain health, contact us for an appointment today.

What Causes Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss can be caused by a number of factors, including:

Age
Genetics
Loud noise exposure
Head or ear trauma
Earwax blockage
Ear infection
Deterioration of the hair cells in the inner ear
Ototoxic medications
Health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure

Signs of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss often occurs gradually, over a few years. If you have lost your hearing over time, it can be difficult to recognize the signs because you have become accustomed to not hearing well. If you have experienced any combination of the following, then it’s time to have your hearing checked.

Voices seem muffled
It’s hard to hear when background noise is present (i.e., in a restaurant)
You often ask people to repeat themselves
You respond with “What?” or “Huh?”
You need to turn the TV volume up louder than those around you like
You can hear but you lack clarity
You hear a ringing in your ears (tinnitus)

Types of Hearing Loss

There are three main types of hearing loss: sensorineural, conductive, and mixed.

Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by damage to the cochlea in the inner ear or damage to the nerve from the pathways from the inner ear to the brain. This is the most common type of hearing loss and affects people of all ages, even children. Sensorineural hearing loss is irreversible but it can be successfully managed with hearing aids.

Conductive hearing loss is when sounds cannot be conducted from the outer and middle ear to reach the inner ear. This is often caused by perforated eardrum, earwax impaction, ear infection, or fluid in the middle ear. Conductive hearing loss will need to be treated by an ENT with either surgery, earwax removal, or antibiotics.

Mixed hearing loss is a combination of both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. First, the conductive portion will need to be treated by an ENT, which we can refer you to, and the sensorineural portion can be addressed with hearing aids.

Hearing Loss

Educational information about hearing loss and overall health.

Hearing and Brain Health

What Causes Hearing Loss?

Signs of Hearing Loss

Types of Hearing Loss

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