What are the signs of hearing loss?

Symptoms of hearing loss include difficulty understanding what others are saying, asking people to repeat themselves, struggling to hear in crowded places with distracting background noise, the perception that others are mumbling or not speaking clearly, listening to the television or radio at a higher volume than others, experiencing a ringing or buzzing in the ears. You may find yourself withdrawing from social situations in order to avoid conversation and might experience depression.

What causes hearing loss?

A number of factors can cause hearing loss. The most common include aging, noise exposure, ear infections, excessive earwax, ear or head trauma, genetics, birth defects, benign growths or tumors, otosclerosis, Meniere’s disease and reactions to drugs.

Are there different types of hearing loss?

Yes. There are three types of hearing loss: Sensorineural, conductive and mixed. Sensorineural is the result of damage to the inner ear nerves. Conductive is the result of obstructions in the outer or middle ear. Mixed hearing loss is a combination of the other two types; this means that in one ear you have an issue with the outer or middle ear and the inner ear.

Can hearing loss be prevented?

Some types of hearing loss are preventable. Noise-induced hearing loss can be avoided by wearing proper hearing protection when exposed to occupational or recreational noise and turning down the volume on your TV, radio or personal music device. To prevent other types of hearing loss, avoid sticking cotton swabs or other objects in your ears, blow your nose gently through both nostrils and swallow or yawn frequently when traveling by airplane.

Will wearing a hearing aid make me appear old or frail?

Today’s hearing aids are small and discreet, and some models are completely invisible to others. Besides, asking people to repeat themselves, responding inappropriately when others are talking and social withdrawal are more obvious indicators of hearing loss than wearing hearing aids.

Hearing Aids | Pinnacle ENT

Southeast Pennsylvania Hearing Aids Specialists

Pinnacle ENT Associates has a reputation for solving hearing problems by creating personalized treatment plans for each patient.

If you are experiencing hearing loss, odds are good that you’ll benefit from a hearing aid.

Today’s hearing aids are smaller and more feature-packed than their predecessors, offering an array of options – which may lead to some of the following questions.

How do hearing aids work?

Learn some tips for choosing the right hearing aid for yourself.
Hearing aids consist of three parts: the microphone, the amplifier and the receiver.
The microphone picks up sounds from the environment and translates those into an electrical signal; that signal is sent to the amplifier.

The amplifier increases the volume and sends this newly altered signal to the receiver.

The receiver (also known as the speaker) converts the electrical signal back into sound where it travels through the ear and is sent to the brain.

How do I know if I need a hearing aid?

Contact us at Pinnacle ENT to schedule a hearing assessment. Your audiologist will perform a number of tests to determine if a hearing aid is the correct treatment for your hearing loss.

Do I have to wear my hearing aids all the time?

The more you wear your hearing aids, the quicker you will get used to them. You should take your hearing aids out before you shower or go to bed

How long does a hearing aid battery last?

The life of a hearing aid battery depends on a lot of factors including the amount of amplification you need, how many hours a day you use the device, the temperature outside and the altitude.

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