Dealing With Hearing Loss

Hearing plays an important part in our lives—it helps keep us vigilant to our surroundings and contributes to our ability to enjoy activities, such as listening to music and watching movies. Unfortunately, hearing loss currently affects about 48 million Americans according to the Hearing Loss Association of America. If you are struggling with this issue, an ENT here at Wake Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists in Cary, NC, can help develop a treatment plan just right for your situation. Read on to learn more!

What Causes Hearing Loss?
If you’ve ever put on a pair of headphones and tried to turn up the volume on your device, you may have received a warning message about the importance of protecting your hearing—and for good reason! Many people have reduced hearing from continued exposure to loud sounds and music, two common causes of tinnitus. In other cases, hearing quality is reduced by an ear infection, obstruction, or the presence of water in the inner part of the ear. Hearing loss is prevalent in children because their ears are in the early stages of development, making them more susceptible to damage. Additionally, some patients are born with partial or complete hearing loss.

Hearing Loss TreatmentsSigns that you may be experiencing hearing loss include muffled sounds, inadvertently turning the radio or TV up to excessively high volumes, and constantly requesting that others repeat themselves. Treatments for hearing loss here at Wake Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists in Cary, NC, include:

– An audiometry test to evaluate hearing.- Hearing aids (a number of different modern devices are available).- Cleaning or clearing the ear of foreign matter that could be causing hearing problems.- Antibiotic therapy to clear up an ear infection.

Dealing with Hearing LossThough hearing treatments provided by your ENT doctors can help improve your ability to process sounds, you may still have to deal with some level of hearing loss. Here are some tips on how to deal with this issue:

– Wear your hearing aid whenever you plan to be in social settings, or when out in public for safety reasons.- Avoid exposure to loud sounds in order to avoid more advanced hearing problems.- Feel comfortable letting others know that you have some hearing challenges to ensure optimal communication.

An ENT Can Help
Get ahead of a hearing loss problem by seeing an ENT at Wake Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists in Cary, NC. Call (919) 851-5636 today to schedule a visit with either Dr. Pankaj Gupta or Dr. Casey Polcari, two doctors who have a passion for helping patients preserve their hearing health.