Struggling to hear the TV? Can’t filter out what one person is saying when you are in a crowded room? And, what’s that buzzing noise you’re always hearing? Well, don’t be alarmed, but all these and more may be early signs of hearing loss. In Cary, NC, Dr. Pankaj Gupta and Dr. Susan O’Brien, AuD team up to bring you the best hearing care in the area. Come see them with your hearing issues. Dr. Gupta will investigate possible medical causes, and Dr. O’Brien will test your hearing and help you with hearing aids if necessary. You can hear well again!
You and millions of others
The Hearing Loss Association of America estimates that 20 percent of Americans–a full 48 million–have some degree of hearing loss (presbycusis), and surprisingly, many people don’t even know it. However, their loved ones, friends and coworkers usually observe signs such as:
Needing to repeat words and sentences
Loud TV volume
Inability to hear soft, high-pitched voices such as those of children and young women
Difficulty understanding a conversation in a crowded room
Additionally, hearing loss sufferers may continually hear a buzzing or squealing noise. This is called tinnitus, and it may be accompanied by dizziness or vertigo.The causes of hearing loss in CaryAs with so many medical conditions, heredity plays a big role. Hearing loss seems to run in families, but also, trauma to the ear drum, continual exposure to loud noises or music (a noisy occupation or listening to your favorite rock band for years) take their toll.Further, the Better Hearing Institute states that some prescription medications, such as NSAIDS, may be ototoxic–that is, damaging to the auditory nerve. An accumulation of cerumen, or ear wax, frequently blocks the ear canal, or fluid behind the eardrum from repeated ear infections muffles sounds. Both of these physical obstructions may be treated by your primary care physician or otolaryngologist at Wake Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists.Finally, two less common causes of hearing loss include Meniere’s Disease, an autoimmune disorder that reduces hearing and precipitates vertigo. A benign tumor of the auditory nerve, called an Acoustic Neuroma, is another cause.What happens at Wake Ear, Nose and Throat SpecialistsDr. Gupta performs a medical evaluation on his hearing loss patients to pinpoint the reasons behind presbycusis. Also, patients see Dr. O’Brien for an audiogram which tests the ears’ responses to various electronic tonalities and for a tympanogram to determine the degree and kind of hearing loss. Contact the officeIf you, your loved ones or your family doctor suspect you have a hearing loss, please contact Wake Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists. The highly qualified staff will get to the source of your concerns and develop a treatment plan specific to your needs. Call today: (919) 851-5636.