Hearing Loss – Causes and Diagnosis – Best Audiologist Information
Hearing is an important sensory ability that allows people to effectively interact with others, perform numerous daily tasks and function independently. While most individuals do not ponder the benefits of hearing on a regular basis, they are made acutely aware of them if their hearing becomes impaired or lost altogether. Although the causes of hearing loss vary, the most prevalent reason of hearing impairment is the natural aging process. Among older Americans, hearing loss is the third most common health concern. In fact, about 25 to 40 percent of people aged 60 and older suffer from some degree of hearing impairment.
In most cases of age-related hearing impediment, hearing loss advances gradually. Patients might first notice difficulty hearing whispers and soft voices, the need to turn up television and radio volume and inability to pick out voices in loud environments. While hearing loss in older patients is typically irreversible, their hearing can be greatly improved with the help of special hearing devices. In many cases, simple hearing aids are all that patients need to be able to participate in conversations, listen to music and enjoy other benefits of normal hearing.
For hearing aids to provide the maximum hearing improvement, they need to be chosen and fitted very carefully. Primary care physicians usually refer hearing loss patients to audiologists, specialists with advanced training in audiology – the field of science studying hearing and treatment of hearing loss. An audiologist performs an array of tests to assess each patient's auditory capability – the ability to hear a wide spectrum of sounds at various levels. Based on the test results, an audiologist recommends the most suitable type of hearing aids. For individuals experiencing moderate to severe hearing impairment, behind-the-ear or body hearing aids might be suggested, while patients with mild to moderate hearing loss might benefit from canal or in-the-ear hearing aids. In addition, each type of hearing aids comes in several varieties depending on the level of amplification needed. These differences explain why hearing aids cost varies greatly from several hundred to several thousand dollars.
While hearing aids help millions of people hear better, they are not for everyone. Sometimes, the diagnosis of hearing loss reveals that a patient's hearing impediment is caused by inner ear problems or damaged hearing nerve. In such cases, hearing aids will not restore hearing because they can only physically amplify the sounds but cannot help transmit them to the brain. Some individuals with inner ear damage benefit from cochlear implants – sophisticated devices that help patients both perceive sounds and convert them into electrical impulses that are sent to the brain for processing.
Cochlear implants are usually recommended for younger patients and individuals who once were able to hear as these people are more successful at learning how to interpret the signals sent to the brain. While cochlear implants usually greatly improve hearing loss patients' quality of life, the initial adjustment period can be difficult as patients often lose any residual hearing they might have had and are presented with a wealth of new information. Therefore, patients considering cochlear implants should thoroughly discuss the pros and cons of these devices with their doctors and families.