Have you gotten used to feeling left out of conversations because you can’t
hear clearly? Do you struggle to understand others on the phone or often
ask people to repeat themselves? If so, you’re not alone. Hearing
loss is the 3rd most common health problem nationwide and it’s on the rise.
Who Experiences Hearing Loss?
Thousands of people have some degree of hearing loss and many don’t
even know it. People of all ages will experience gradual hearing loss
due to aging or consistent exposure to noise. A number of other culprits
can contribute to hearing loss, such as a virus or bacterial infections,
heart conditions, or the use of certain medications.
Hearing loss falls into one of two categories: conductive or sensorineural.
If you have a combination of these, it’s called mixed hearing loss.
A thorough evaluation of your hearing will be conducted by our Ogden Clinic
audiologist to determine the nature of your hearing loss.
Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss occurs because there is a problem inside the ear
canal, ear drum, or the bones in the middle of the ear. Middle ear infections
or a ruptured eardrum frequently cause this type of hearing loss. Characteristics
of conductive hearing loss include a mild or moderate degree of ear pain
and temporary or permanent hearing loss that is often treated with medication
or surgery.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Hearing loss occurs when tiny hairs in the cochlea are either damaged or
missing. Most people with sensorineural hearing loss need to be fitted
with a permanent hearing instrument. Characteristics of sensorineural
hearing loss include mild, moderate, or severe ear pain and irreversible
(permanent) hearing loss. If enough hair cells are damaged, patients must
be treated with hearing aids, middle-ear implants, or cochlear implants.
Mixed Hearing Loss
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing
loss. Patients with mixed hearing loss have irreversible hearing loss
caused by an inner ear or auditory nerve disorder and, in addition, have
a dysfunction in the middle ear mechanism.
Ogden Clinic Hearing Aid Selection
Ogden Clinic audiology offers every style of hearing aid: behind-the-ear
(BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), in-the-canal (ITC) or completely-in-canal (CIC)
including Lyric™ hearing aids. Consult your Ogden Clinic audiologist
when it’s time to choose a hearing aid. They are happy to help you
sort through your options and find the device that’s best suited for you.
Finding Your “Perfect Fit”
Ogden Clinic’s audiologists take into account each patient’s
dexterity and comfort level, social needs, and even ear canal size when
helping them choose the right hearing aid. They can also reach out to
your insurance company to find an affordable option that meets all of
your needs.
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