A variety of hearing problems affect one in three people over the age of sixty. This severely limits their ability to respond to alarms, follow their doctor's advice or even hear doorbells. This also prevents them from fully participating in regular conversations and enjoying everyday life. The trouble with hearing loss is that the condition steadily worsens the longer it is left untreated. Being one of the five basic senses that we need to navigate our lives, its loss can spell dire consequences, especially for those who also suffer from various other afflictions brought about by aging.
Related Blog: How Does Hearing Loss Occur?
While hearing aids can greatly assist patients who suffer from hearing loss, many people feel self-conscious while wearing the device, believing it to be too conspicuous and noticeable. However, those with hearing loss should understand that not being able to hear is very obvious to those around them and often much more conspicuous than any aid or device.
What Causes Hearing Loss?
There can be a number of reasons for hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss is damage to the inner ear or nerve pathways and can be caused by illness, medications, hereditary or genetic issues, trauma, malformation of the inner ear, exposure to loud noise or simply aging. Conductive hearing loss can be caused by ear infections, fluid buildup, allergies, perforated eardrum, benign tumors, abnormal bone growth, or impacted earwax. Mixed hearing loss, a combination of conductive and sensorineural loss, can also occur.
Treatment Options
Hearing loss treatment needs to be administered as early as possible in order to be most effective. Depending on the cause of the hearing loss, treatments can include various medical, surgical and technological options. Our physicians and audiologists will work together to determine the most effective treatment option for you. If a technological option is the best, we offer various types of hearing devices. These can include bone anchored, cochlear or other types of implantable hearing devices as well as the most advanced behind-the-ear, in-the-ear and custom fitted digital hearing aids.
Which Hearing Device to Choose?
A variety of hearing aid devices are available that can fit different budgets and lifestyles. In order to find the right aid, you may need to try several models. Our audiologists and hearing instrument specialists will work with you to help determine the right fit for your particular medical circumstances and condition. The Silverstein Institute also offers a 30-day trial period for patients to try new devices at no charge.
Watch the video below to learn about how a Baha System can improve your hearing:
