Ears and Hearing Specialist
Difficulty with hearing can severely affect your quality of life.
Hearing loss is one of the most common health issues in the world. If you struggle to follow conversations or often find yourself asking people to repeat themselves, you may be struggling with hearing loss. Untreated hearing loss can lead to fatigue, depression, withdrawal from social situations, reduced job performance, and a higher risk for brain health issues, such as cognitive decline and dementia. If you or someone you love is experiencing signs of hearing loss, contact the specialists at Central Texas Sinus & Allergy to start treating your hearing loss today.
Types of Hearing Loss
There are three main types of hearing loss, each with different causes. Central Texas Sinus & Allergy doctors need to evaluate your hearing and develop the best treatment course.
The three types of hearing loss you may have include:
- Sensorineural Hearing Loss Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common form of hearing impairment. It is caused when the nerve endings in your inner ear, or along the pathway to the brain, are damaged. It may be caused by overexposure to noise, natural aging, or certain medications. The damage is unique based on every patient but may include affecting certain frequencies, reducing speech understanding, or causing symptoms such as tinnitus. For those dealing with Sensorineural hearing loss, hearing aids are often the most effective treatment.
- Conductive Hearing Loss Conductive hearing loss is caused by physical abnormalities or obstructions that prevent sound waves from reaching the inner ear, such as earwax, middle ear fluid, or damage to the eardrum or middle ear bones. It often makes sounds muted, with softer sounds more challenging to hear. Contact Central Texas Sinus & Allergy to correct your conductive hearing loss.
- Mixed Hearing Loss Mixed hearing loss is a combination of sensorineural hearing loss and conductive hearing loss. It may present itself as having a combination of symptoms and tends to be more severe than sensorineural or conductive hearing loss alone.
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Signs of Hearing Loss
You may have hearing loss if you notice:
- People accusing you of talking too loudly
- You prefer the TV or radio volume to be louder than others prefer
- You often ask people to repeat themselves, especially in groups or with background noise
- You have difficulty hearing unless you are directly facing the speaker
- Your hearing is better in one ear than the other
- You have difficulty hearing quiet or high-pitched sounds
- You strain to hear or think that people are mumbling when they speak to you
- You have more difficulty hearing women and children
- You have experienced tinnitus
Treatment
Hearing aids are the best solution in many cases of hearing loss. Central Texas Sinus & Allergy specialists will diagnose your hearing loss and help you find the hearing aid that works for you.
