What causes hearing loss?

The intricate structures inside the ear deteriorate as we age, causing permanent hearing loss for 25% of people over 55. Most often, damage to the inner ear or a ruptured eardrum causes hearing loss.

Damage to the inner ear

The inner ear contains little nerve cells that send sound to your brain. When those cells get damaged, they can’t transmit sound as well anymore. Damage to the inner ear happens as a normal result of aging and accumulated exposure to loud sounds.

How do I know if I need hearing aids?

You may suspect hearing loss if your family members make comments about your poor hearing or you repeatedly have to ask people to repeat themselves. If you’re having a hard time hearing, make an appointment with a specialist like Dr. Ferriera, so that she can evaluate the extent of your hearing loss.

Tests for hearing loss are painless and straightforward. As a doctor who specializes in audiology testing and hearing aid fitting, Dr. Ferriera uses an audiogram to test your hearing.

During the audiogram test, you wear a special headset while Dr. Ferriera transmits sounds through them. As soon as you hear the sound she transmits, you press a button or raise your hand.

Dr. Ferriera records the volume you can hear at different frequencies for each ear. Next, she analyzes your results and makes her recommendations.

How do hearing aids work?

A hearing aid is a small battery-powered device that improves your hearing. Hearing aids consist of a microphone to pick up sound, an amplifier to increase the volume of the sound, and a speaker to direct the amplified sound into your ear.

The tiny electronic devices come in a variety of designs you can wear inside or behind the ear. You can adjust the volume of your hearing aids to suit your preferences.

If you’re looking for a hearing aid specialist in the Phoenix, Arizona area, contact Elite ENT to set up a consultation.