Susan began her full time career with Welsch Hearing Aid Company in December, 1984 as the Office Manager. On March 5, 1985, she became a State Licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist. In 1994, she passed her National Board for Certification Examination.
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Hearing loss is one of the most pervasive health conditions people experience today. Impacting over 48 million people, hearing loss is the third most common medical condition people live with. Though it is common, affecting nearly 1 in 6 people, it is often undertreated. It takes an average of 7 years for people to seek treatment for their symptoms. This delay can worsen hearing loss and take a toll on overall health and wellness by increasing the risk of developing further health issues. Being able to identify signs and symptoms of hearing loss can help you recognize changes you may be experiencing in your hearing health.
Common Hearing Loss Symptoms
Hearing loss is a condition that is characterized by a reduced capacity to perceive and process sound. This produces various symptoms including the following:
- Tinnitus: one of the most common symptoms of hearing loss, often referred to as ringing in the ears. Tinnitus is a ringing or buzzing-like noise that is heard in one or both ears.
- Sounds are slurred or muffled, making it challenging to identify individual words.
- Increasing the volume on electronic devices like the television or phone.
- Needing to move to a quieter room to be able to hear better.
- Missing parts of a conversation, feeling confused or lost during a conversation.
- Lip-reading helps distinguish words that can blur together.
- Being able to hear more clearly out of one ear compared to the other.
These symptoms can be mild to severe, depending on the degree of hearing loss present in each or one ear. This strains communication, making it difficult to navigate conversations.
Additional Signs of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss typically occurs gradually, over a longer period of time so symptoms can fly under the radar for quite some time. This contributes to a delay in treatment which can worsen symptoms, impairment, and the impact it has on your health. If you think you may have hearing loss, a few helpful questions to think about include:
- Do you find yourself saying “huh” or “what” in response to others during a conversation?
- Do you struggle to keep up with what others are saying?
- Is it especially difficult to hear in noisier settings like a restaurant or at a party?
- Do you feel left out of conversations or isolated during social gatherings?
- Are you feeling disconnected from loved ones?
- Are you exhausted or fatigued after social interactions?
- Do you try to keep conversations short to avoid dealing with hearing loss symptoms?
- Have loved ones shared that they feel like you are ignoring what they are saying?
- Do you ever pretend to hear during a conversation?
If you respond yes to any of these questions, contact us for a hearing test! A hearing test can help determine whether you are experiencing hearing loss.
Why You Should Treat Hearing Loss
Extensive research shows that treating hearing loss can reduce the risk for certain health issues such as Alzheimer’s, depression, and falls and accidents. Treating hearing loss not only improves hearing but also reduces these health risks. Fortunately, the process of treating hearing loss is fairly simple and painless. The first step is having your hearing assessed which involves measuring your hearing capacity in both ears. This identifies any hearing loss and the degree of impairment you are experiencing. Once your hearing needs are diagnosed, your hearing healthcare provider can develop a treatment plan that will effectively meet those needs.
The most common treatment for hearing loss is hearing aids. These are innovative devices that are designed to help process speech as well as sound. Providing ample support to the ears and brain, hearing aids make it easier to hear. These instruments alleviate hearing loss symptoms and maximize hearing capacity. This allows people to engage in conversations with greater ease, presence, and comfort. Hearing aids offer countless life-changing benefits including strengthening communication, improving relationships, enriching social life, and enhancing your overall health. Greater capacity to hear and easily move through daily environments also boosts confidence, happiness, and wellness.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a hearing consultation. Our practice is invested in supporting you on your hearing health journey!