Answers to your most asked hearing health questions.

If you have hearing loss the best way to improve your hearing ability is to mange your hearing loss with hearing aids. It is a common myth that hearing aids cause hearing loss. Hearing aids will ensure you can hear and understand speech. It’s also important to protect your ears from loud noise exposure by wearing hearing protection.

Yes, sensorineural hearing loss can be hereditary. Some genetic disorders present at birth can cause hearing loss, but in the absence of a disease, hearing loss can still have a basis in your genetics.

If you have experienced a sudden loss in your hearing, contact us immediately. Sudden hearing loss typically resolves on its own within a couple of weeks, but it might not – and could result in your hearing being permanently gone. Seeking medical attention immediately is the best way to improve your chances of recovering your hearing.

There are many causes of hearing loss, including:

• Loud noise exposure
• Age
• Ear and viral infections
• Heredity factors
• Certain antibiotics and medications
• Chemotherapy and radiation treatments
• Head or ear trauma
• Earwax buildup

Conductive hearing loss is a type of loss that affects the middle or outer ear. There are three main types of hearing loss.

Conductive hearing loss stems from a problem in the middle ear, outer ear, or both. The auditory nerve functions normally, but sound is prevented from reaching the inner ear.

Sensorineural hearing loss is located in the inner ear and is the result of damage to the auditory nerve or auditory hair-cells.

Mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.

Audiologists are healthcare professionals who evaluate, diagnose, and treat hearing loss and other auditory conditions, such as tinnitus. Audiologists also provide valuable insight and products to help you prevent hearing loss, like protective custom earplugs. Audiologists are trained to work with all ages, from newborns to the elderly. Audiologists have an advanced degree in audiology. Currently, audiologists are required to obtain a doctoral degree and must be licensed by the state in which they practice.