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Hearing

About Hearing Loss

Our Audiology Staff
HearingLoss
Alice F. Cellino, Au.D.
Ashley Clements, Au.D.
Andrea Webster, Au.D.
Sheree Bowen, Audiology Assistant

Hearing loss is when your ability to hear is reduced. A hearing loss makes it more difficult for you to hear speech and other sounds. If you carried out a hearing test on a large group of people, one-in-six would have a hearing loss of more than 25 dB. This means that around 16-17% of all adults have a hearing loss.

The most common causes of hearing loss are aging and noise. Loss of hearing is a natural consequence of getting older. Our hearing ability worsens in our 30s and 40s.  By our 60's, more than half of us suffer from significant hearing loss.

Another common reason of hearing loss is exposure .  This noise can come from our work or from voluntary exposure such as noisy motors or loud music at rock concerts, night clubs, discos and stereos - with or without the use of headphones. The increasing use of portable MP3 players is increasing the effects of hearing loss.

Treatment of hearing loss

Hearing loss can be treated, but hearing cannot be restored. In most cases, hearing loss is treated with the use of hearing aids. Some are treated with different types of implants and surgery may cure some types of conductive hearing loss.  Custom hearing protection is also recommended to preserve hearing.

A sensorineural hearing loss is normally treated with hearing aids. A conductive hearing loss can often be treated with an operation or removal of the blockage of the ear. In certain cases hearing aids or implants might be needed. A sudden hearing loss must be treated instantly and the treatment often involves the use of steroids. If you experience a sudden hearing loss you should seek medical assistance as soon as possible.

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