Frequently Asked Questions
You don’t have to give up your favorite activities simply because you can’t hear as well as you used to. Call us today and find out how Western Hearing Aid Center can improve your quality of life. View some of our frequently asked questions and as always you can reach out to us directly with your questions by calling today.
An Audiogram is a graph used to record your hearing thresholds. Your hearing is tested using headphones to determine the softest level at which you can detect sounds, ranging from low-pitched to high-pitched tones.
There is also a speech test which determines the softest level words that can be heard and how well speech is understood.
In the past, most insurances did not have coverage for hearing devices or accessories for them. As of January 2020, there are several that do have direct billing options and others that utilize a third party for hearing aid benefits. We will be happy to help you in determining if you have coverage of any kind prior to your appointment and/or purchase decision.
Western Hearing Aid Center also has financing options to meet your needs.
Conductive Hearing Loss – occurs when a condition or disease is causing insufficient conduction of sound to the inner ear (cochlea). Problems may be within the ear canal, eardrum, or middle ear space and its little bones (malleus, incus and stapes). This results in the loudness reduction of sounds. Once the sound is loud enough, the ear works in a normal way. This type of hearing loss may be medically or surgically treated, resulting in complete or partial improvements in hearing.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss – occurs with a problem in the inner ear (cochlea) or auditory nerve. There may be damage to the hair cells, a problem with the fluids in the inner ear, or dysfunction in the nerve pathway. This results in reduced intensity and distortion of sound even when the sound is loud enough. This type of hearing loss usually is not corrected medically or surgically and is considered permanent.
Mixed Hearing Loss – occurs when a combination of conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss exist. This means there may be damage to the ear canal, eardrum or middle ear AND the inner ear (cochlea) or auditory nerve. This results in hearing abilities worse than the sensorineural loss alone.
Some people have described a hissing, roaring, pulsing, chirping, whooshing, or clicking sound in their ears. The sounds can be perceived in one or both ears. This is typically experienced if you suffer from Tinnitus. Tinnitus, is defined as “the perception of sound in the head when no external sound is present.”
» Learn more about Tinnitus
Untreated hearing loss can result in cognitive impairment as certain parts of the brain deteriorate without aural stimulation and the brain overcompensates for gaps in hearing, leading to problems with concentration and fatigue.
There are also indications that untreated hearing loss can accelerate dementia.
“Brain scans show us that hearing loss may contribute to a faster rate of atrophy in the brain,” Lin says. “Hearing loss also contributes to social isolation. You may not want to be with people as much, and when you are you may not engage in conversation as much. These factors may contribute to dementia.”
As you walk, your ears pick up subtle cues that help with balance. Hearing loss mutes these important signals, Lin notes. “It also makes your brain work harder just to process sound. This subconscious multitasking may interfere with some of the mental processing needed to walk safely.”
Everyone is at risk for hearing loss. Below are some current hearing loss statistics.
- 1 in 5 people have hearing loss
- 1 in 3 people age 60+ have hearing loss
- 1 in 14 GenX (age 37-48) have hearing loss
- Half of all hearing impaired people are of working age
- 12,000 children are born with hearing loss each year
Lastly 80% of the hearing impaired population do nothing to address their disability.
There are definite warning signs you should be aware of:
- Having to shout to be heard
- Ringing or buzzing in your ears (tinnitus)
- Redness or swelling around your ears
- Loss of hearing, even temporarily after exposure to noise
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, call us now and take protective measures!
Hearing loss can affect all ages. Some of the more common things that can impact your hearing are:
- Hereditary
- Trauma
- Disease
- Noise Exposure
- Age
