Hearing Loss Evaluation & Treatment in San Antonio, Austin, Round Rock, Plano, Boerne, Kerrville, and Fredericksburg
Our Audiologists Can Help You Prevent Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can be caused by many things. In most cases, hearing loss is not serious, but it can make your life more difficult. Realizing that you or a loved one has hearing loss is usually a gradual process. These conditions usually develop over time and become noticeable only when they reach a point where the person’s hearing is significantly impaired. Some forms of hearing loss can be treated through medication and/or surgery, but in most cases, patients will need a hearing aid to improve their hearing.
If you or a loved one is having difficulty hearing, call (210) 451-0373 to schedule an appointment with our audiologists in San Antonio and the Hill Country.
Signs Someone Is Losing Their Hearing
Identifying hearing loss in the early stages can be challenging. Knowing more about how ears process sound can help you notice signs that someone is losing their hearing. In speech, vowel sounds (a, e, i, o, u) are low-pitched and usually easy to hear. Consonant sounds, particularly “sh” and “ch,” can be more difficult to pick up. If someone is having difficulty hearing words with these kinds of sounds, it could be an indicator of early-stage hearing loss.
Other signs of hearing loss include:
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Sitting very close to the TV or listening to TV or music at high volumes
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Having difficulty hearing people speak in large crowds
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Staring very intently at someone to figure out what they’re saying through lip movements
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Frequent complains that everyone always mumbles
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Having difficulty answering simple questions
There are two primary types of hearing loss, which we discuss in more detail below.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Your inner ear contains several tiny hairs that help you hear. When these hairs are damaged, your hearing becomes permanently impaired. More than 90% of hearing loss is sensorineural. This form of hearing loss cannot be “cured” with medication or surgery, but it can be mitigated with hearing assistance devices such as hearing aids or cochlear implants.
Common causes of sensorineural hearing loss:
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Prolonged exposure to loud noises
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Natural wear and tear from aging
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Certain kinds of medication that are toxic to the inner ear
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Congenital disabilities
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Ear infections
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Side effects of diabetes (diabetes mellitus)
Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss occurs when there is a problem in the outer and middle parts of the ear, which include the ear canal and eardrum. This form of hearing loss is usually not permanent and can typically be treated with medication or surgery.
Common causes of conductive hearing loss:
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Excess earwax
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Abnormal bone growth in the ear canal
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Middle ear tumors
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Perforated eardrum
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Ear infections
Most Forms of Hearing Loss Are Treatable
Losing your hearing is a natural part of the aging process for many people. Because hearing loss is such a prevalent problem worldwide, there has been significant research and development into hearing loss solutions. The most common treatment is a hearing aid prescription. With this simple, minimally invasive device, people with hearing loss can experience significant improvement. Adjusting to a hearing aid can take time, but its functionality improves the more you get used to it.
At Associates of Audiology, our experienced audiologists in San Antonio, Boerne, Kerrville, Fredericksburg, Austin, Plano, and Round Rock can assess your hearing and help you determine the best course of treatment. Call (210) 451-0373 today to schedule an appointment at any of our clinic locations.
