- Navigating the Future: What Lies Ahead in Hearing Health Research - April 15, 2024
- Enhancing Safety: Prevent Falls and Accidents with Hearing Aids - April 5, 2024
- Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Teens - March 29, 2024
Did you know that hearing loss is the third most common health condition people live with today? Be proactive about your hearing health in the New Year by scheduling an appointment for a hearing test.
Understanding Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is a chronic medical condition that reduces one’s capacity to hear and process speech as well as sound. People of all ages can experience hearing loss which is caused by several factors including: exposure to loud noise, aging, head injuries, chronic ear infections, inner ear disorders, and existing medical conditions. These factors contribute to hearing loss by damaging the sensory cells in the inner ear which play a major role in how sound is processed. These cells convert incoming sound waves into electrical signals which get sent to the brain. The brain continues processing these cells, including assigning meaning to them, allowing us to understand what we hear.
Damage to these cells reduces their capacity to process soundwaves effectively. This results in the brain receiving less auditory information, causing hearing loss. Unlike other types of cells we have, sensory cells in the inner ear do not regenerate. There are also no ways to replenish them or repair any damage which means that the damage is permanent. This produces chronic hearing loss. Hearing loss produces a range of symptoms that take a toll on hearing and communication. Strained communication affects relationships, work performance, social life, and increases health risks. Being proactive and addressing symptoms early can alleviate these effects and transform health and wellness.
Benefits of Treating Hearing Loss
Hearing loss treatment is accessible and effective, offering life changing benefits that profoundly improve quality of life. Hearing aids are the most common way hearing loss is treated. These are electronic devices that absorb and process speech as sound. Hearing aids provide the ears and brain with significant support, alleviating symptoms and maximizing hearing capacity. This provides significant benefits including:
- Strengthen communication: hearing aids increase capacity to hear and participate in conversations. People are better able to communicate with others and engage in conversations without struggling with symptoms. Hearing aids offer a range of features that minimize background noise and deliver sharp sound quality. This enables people to hear more clearly and with ease which strengthens communication.
- Improves relationships: communication is key for relationships. Studies show that untreated symptoms often leave people feeling ignored or unheard by their loved ones with hearing loss. This causes tension, frustration, and distance in relationships which can become strained over time. Treatment alleviates this by providing the critical support needed for effective communication. People are more able to fully be present and engage in conversations, spend quality time, and participate in everyday activities easily. This can be as simple as watching TV or a movie with loved ones which can be tough to do with hearing loss, leaving people arguing over the volume. Treatment supports connection and closeness which improves relationships.
- Supports staying socially connected: hearing aids are especially helpful in environments with background noise which are tougher to hear in. They provide technologies that minimize and filter through this unwanted noise and deliver the speech you want to hear more clearly. This is particularly useful in social settings which tend to be noisier and more active. People have greater capacity to navigate these environments and fully participate in social activities, encircling social connection.
- Enhances health: treating hearing loss improves health in significant ways. Studies show that hearing aids strengthen cognitive functions and improve brain health, reducing the risk of cognitive decline. Hearing aids also increase spatial awareness, allowing people to move through everyday environments with greater safety. This reduces the risk of falls and accidental injuries which are associated with untreated symptoms.
These benefits boost mental and physical health, strengthen relationships, and help people live more active and engaged lives. This enhances quality of life and happiness which supports people living in ways that are fulfilling.
Prioritize Your Hearing Health in the New Year
The new year is a great time to commit to your health and wellness. You can do this by taking one simple step: scheduling an appointment for a hearing test. This involves a noninvasive and painless process that identifies your hearing needs and allows us to tailor treatment to meet those needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a hearing consultation. We look forward to helping you prioritize your hearing health in the new year!