Hearing loss is a frustrating condition that can affect people of all ages. Understanding the causes and potential treatments upfront can help smooth the path to improved hearing and wellness.
There are treatments for hearing loss, but it’s important to know what you can do to prevent or reduce its effects on your life. Here are some tips:
Avoid Noisy Places
Loud noises, such as heavy machinery or a mosh pit at a concert, can damage your hearing. To prevent further loss of hearing from noise pollution, it’s essential to limit the time you spend in these environments and use ear protection when necessary.
Go for Preventative Hearing Evaluations
If you believe that your hearing has been deteriorating, it’s essential to have a professional evaluation. This way, you can determine if the losses in your hearing are temporary or permanent and what treatments may be necessary.
You should also go for an evaluation if something feels wrong with the sensory organ of one ear even though this could mean that you have an ear infection. During such a visit, you will answer questions about hearing evaluations to determine your case.
Hearing evaluation can come from a variety of sources, including a doctor’s visit in person or over the phone and a consultation with your audiologist (hearing specialist) at home or in-office for testing and diagnosis.
When you experience hearing loss, it’s essential to take some time away from the noise that caused your hearing loss. You should also go in for a professional evaluation to determine what type of treatment you may require.
When necessary, use ear protection while spending time around loud environments such as concerts or heavy machinery. The sooner that you notice any changes in your hearing, the better.
A doctor’s visit is recommended if you believe that your hearing has been steadily deteriorating. Still, if you notice a sudden change in how well you can hear (such as one ear going deaf), then it’s best to have an evaluation from any professional.
Auditory Training and Rehab
Many people who experience hearing loss are looking for a way to train their brains into processing sounds that they can’t hear anymore. For example, if you’re experiencing some high frequency (more than 2000 Hz) losses in your hearing due to aging or other causes, then auditory training may be the best option for you.
Auditory rehabilitation also has a lot of benefits. It can help make your brain more aware of the sounds that you can still hear and those that have been lost or distorted due to hearing loss.
Auditory rehabilitation can be done in many different ways. For example, some people find success with auditory training independently (like listening for high-frequency noises), while others may need a professional to help.
Assistive Hearing Devices
A hearing device is a type of assistive listening device that uses an external microphone to amplify sound. If you are experiencing any changes in your hearing, such as decreased sensitivity or ability for directional detection, using one of these devices may be helpful.
There are many different types and styles available on the market, so ask around until you find one that works for you!
Different Styles and Types of Hearing Devices
There is a wide range of different types and styles in hearing devices, including:
- Behind the ear (BTE) aids – these typically get held on with an adjustable headband or wire that goes across your temple. They’re often suitable for people who experience mild to moderate losses in their sense of sound but not those experiencing severe losses.
- In the ear (ITE) aids – these are tubular devices that fit in your outer ear canal and can be used for people of any age experiencing mild to moderate hearing loss. These may not work well if you’re also suffering from conductive or middle-ear problems.
- Behind the Head (BTH) aids – these typically get held on with an adjustable headband or wire that goes across your temples and the back of your head. They’re often suitable for those who experience moderate to severe losses in their sense of sound, but not mild ones.
Behind-the-ear devices have a wide variety of models available, which can work well in many different situations. Behind-the-ear aids (BTE) can be a good solution for someone who experiences mild to moderate hearing loss but not severe ones.
In-the-ear devices are suitable for those with any level of hearing loss – they’re tubular and fit inside your outer ear canal like an earplug would, providing a seal to keep out noise.
Behind-the-head devices are a good solution for moderate to severe hearing loss, but not mild ones. These have the same range of models as behind-the-ear aids and provide excellent sound quality with many options available.
In addition to these types of hearing devices which you can use in your ears, you can use some devices on other parts of the body. For example, a neck loop will pick up sound and transmit it via vibrations to your ear canal – this is sometimes helpful for those with conductive hearing loss or deafness.
Cochlear Implants
Cochlear implants are a surgical option for people who experience hearing loss from nerve damage. They work to bypass the problem in your ear and send sound directly from a microphone into your inner ear – this can be helpful but is not always successful.
If you’re experiencing any of these types or levels of hearing loss, then it may be worth your time to talk with a professional. Behind-the-ear devices, for example, come in several styles and models that can work well depending on the person’s needs or preferences.
Generally, they are held onto the ear by an adjustable headband or wire that goes across your temple and behind. These can be a good choice for people who experience mild to moderate hearing loss but not severe ones.
Behind-the-head devices are another option – these have the same range of models as behind-the-ear aids and provide excellent sound quality with many options available.
It’s so important to be proactive and address hearing loss as soon as you experience it. If left untreated, the effects can be devastating on a person’s life. Hopefully, this article has given you some tips for what to do after experiencing hearing loss that will help prevent more problems from happening in the future or improve your current situation if you already have one.
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