About Hearing Loss
About 20% of Americans report some degree of hearing loss. Additionally, 60% of those Americans work in a setting where their hearing is highly important (Hearing Loss Association of America). You should treat hearing loss as soon as possible, because it can lead to larger health issues later in life.
Hearing loss can vary from mild to severe, and each degree calls for a different type of treatment and/or hearing aid. The first step is knowing when there is an issue.
Symptoms
- Needing to ask people to repeat themselves when they are talking to you
- Problems hearing in groups
- Sensitivity to sound
- Ringing or hissing sound in the ears
- Hearing speech, but not understanding
Causes
- Aging – As we age, the delicate structures in our inner ear begin to degenerate.
- Exposure to Loud Noises – This can be long-term exposure over our lifetime, or a sudden loud noise (such as an explosion or gun shot) that affects our hearing.
- Occupational and Recreational Sound – Our day-to-day life can affect our hearing over time, whether that be loud noises at your workplace from machinery, or regularly going to concerts with loud music.
- Heredity – Have your family members needed a hearing aid? If so, it’s likely that you may need one at some point, due to your genetics.
- Some Medications and Illnesses – Certain medications and conditions can cause damage to the inner ear.
Health Risks
- Increased risk of developing dementia (Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine)
- Depression and anxiety, due to social isolation
- Becoming more prone to falls and injuries, due to being less alert
- Increased fatigue, stress and tension
Why Are Hearing Aids Important?
Studies have shown that untreated hearing loss can lead to an array of problems that can affect a person in all aspects of life, including work, school, family, religious and social settings. This can lead to much bigger problems that can significantly affect a person’s overall well-being, and can ultimately result in social isolation and withdrawal. The good news is that many of those same studies have shown that hearing aids with proper management are very effective at re-mediating those problems!
We are excited to help you find the hearing aid that is right for you, that will allow you to hear clearly in all listening environments.
Schedule your free consultation today to get started.
Ernest Chambers
Licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist
1574 Coburg Rd., Box 975
Eugene, OR 97401
541-520-3033