How do I know if I’m experiencing hearing loss?
There are a few commonly experienced signs of hearing loss:
- Difficulty hearing conversations, especially in the presence of background noise
- Turning the volume of the television / radio up higher than others prefer
- Complaining that everyone mumbles
- Fatigue and irritation caused by the effort to hear
- Ear infections, dizziness, or roaring / ringing in the ears (i.e., tinnitus)
- Misunderstanding what people are saying
In many cases, it may take years to notice hearing loss because it can fade away slowly.
What causes hearing loss?
Medically, there are two major types of hearing loss:
- Conductive hearing loss involves the outer and middle ear. This type can be caused by a variety of problems including buildup of earwax, a punctured eardrum, ear infections, or birth defects. Conductive hearing loss can typically be corrected either medically or surgically.
- Sensorineural hearing loss develops when the auditory nerve or hair cells in the inner ear are damaged by aging, loud noise exposure, head trauma, viral and/or bacterial infections, toxic medications, or an inherited condition. Medical or surgical intervention cannot correct most sensorineural hearing losses. However, hearing aids may effectively help reclaim some sounds that a person is missing.
If you regularly experience any of the symptoms listed above, you may be a candidate for a hearing aid device. Our highly-trained audiologists will work with you to help determine the best fit for your particular needs. Please call us at (225) 246-4478 to schedule a hearing evaluation.
Other services provided by the Baton Rouge Clinic audiologists:
- Hearing Aid Fitting and Adjustments
- Balance Testing
- Custom Hearing Protection Devices
- Custom Swim Plugs