More than 48 million Americans suffer from hearing loss.1 While this condition is often viewed as an inevitable part of aging, over half of all patients are otherwise healthy adults under 65.2 Regular hearing screenings are an invaluable tool in identifying problems early. Fortunately, nearly all types of hearing loss are treatable by an audiologist. We encourage you to schedule an appointment for a hearing screening with one of our audiologists during Audiology Awareness Month in October.
Hearing loss can be caused by noise exposure, trauma, inner and middle ear diseases, ear infections, excess earwax and certain medications. It can happen so gradually that you may not be aware of a problem until it has reached an advanced stage. Signs of hearing loss include difficulty understanding others when they speak, asking speakers to frequently repeat themselves, the inability to distinguish speech from distracting background sounds, turning up the volume too loud and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
Audiologists are licensed and certified professionals with advanced degrees in the hearing and balance sciences. They evaluate, diagnose and treat hearing and balance disorders in children and adults; prescribe, fit and dispense hearing aids; and provide hearing rehabilitation training and counseling to patients and their families. They may also treat individuals of all ages with tinnitus and central auditory processing disorders and are often involved in developing hearing conservation programs and newborn hearing screenings.
Your hearing is crucial to your well-being. If you are committed to taking care of your hearing health, contact Indiana Hearing Specialists today at (765) 588-1231 to see how our trusted hearing health care providers can help you. We offer thorough audiological testing and counseling for total patient satisfaction.
1 Hearing Loss Association of America. (n.d.). Hearing Loss Facts and Statistics. https://www.hearingloss.org/wp-content/uploads/HLAA_HearingLoss_Facts_Statistics.pdf?pdf=FactStats
2 Hear Well. (n.d.). Myths and facts. https://www.hearing.org/myths-facts/