Are you over 50 and finding it harder to keep up with conversations? Do you struggle to hear clearly in noisy environments? Have loved ones or colleagues pointed out changes in your hearing?
If any of this sounds familiar, you may be experiencing sensorineural hearing loss.
Understanding Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss happens when there’s damage to the inner ear, specifically to tiny hair cells in the cochlea. These cells play a crucial role in translating sound into signals your brain can understand. Unfortunately, once they are damaged, the loss is permanent. In some cases, damage to the auditory nerve can also lead to sensorineural hearing loss.
There are several causes of inner ear damage, including long-term exposure to loud noise, certain medications, viral infections and, most commonly, the natural aging process.
Beyond having difficulty hearing in noisy environments, symptoms of sensorineural hearing loss can include:
- Voices and sounds seem muffled
- Difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds, such as children’s voices
- Dizziness
- Tinnitus (a ringing or buzzing sound in the ears)
Getting a Diagnosis
If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms, it’s crucial to schedule a hearing test as soon as possible. Leaving hearing loss untreated can negatively affect your physical health, emotional well-being and even your performance at work.
Hearing tests are quick, painless and often provide same-day results, giving you insight into the severity and type of hearing loss you’re experiencing.
A hearing test can also help rule out other causes of hearing loss, such as earwax buildup, allowing your audiologist to recommend the most appropriate treatment. In cases of sensorineural hearing loss, hearing aids are typically the go-to solution.
How Hearing Aids Can Improve Your Life
While a hearing loss diagnosis can be difficult to accept, hearing aids can significantly improve your ability to stay engaged with your family, friends, work and social activities. Early treatment is key to maintaining your hearing health and overall quality of life.
Your audiologist will guide you through the entire process, from selecting the right hearing aid model to fitting and adjusting the device to suit your needs. They’ll also provide continuous support as you adjust to hearing the world in a whole new way.
If you have questions or would like to book an appointment with a hearing aid specialist, reach out to Heuser Hearing Institute today. Early intervention can make a big difference in preserving your hearing and overall well-being.