Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | EKG Hearing care clinic
1. What Are My Options If I Have Hearing Loss?
If your hearing tests show that you have hearing loss, it’s essential to explore the available treatment options. These may include hearing aids, cochlear implants, assistive listening devices, or other therapeutic approaches. Be sure to ask about the advantages and disadvantages of each choice such as cost, upkeep, and how well each option suits your daily lifestyle.
2. How Can I Protect My Hearing From Further Damage?
If you already have some hearing loss, it’s very important to prevent it from getting worse. Ask your hearing care professional for specific advice on how to protect your ears in different situations such as at work, during hobbies or loud activities, and at home.
3. Is My Hearing Loss Genetic?
In certain cases, hearing loss can run in families. Determining whether your condition has a genetic cause can help you better understand potential risks for family members and make informed decisions about future health and family planning.
4. How Do Loud Noises Affect Hearing Loss?
- Sound waves travel through the outer, middle, and inner ear before being converted into electrical signals that the auditory nerve sends to the brain.
- This process relies on tiny hair cells located in the inner ear. When these delicate cells are damaged and since they cannot regenerate it can lead to permanent hearing loss.
- Regular exposure to loud sounds, such as music or environmental noise above 85 decibels, can harm these hair cells and result in noise-induced hearing loss.
5. Can Medications Affect My Hearing?
Yes. Some medications and chemicals can lead to hearing problems or even permanent hearing loss. These are known as ototoxic medications and may include certain chemotherapy drugs, strong antibiotics, and specific diuretics, among others.
6. What Other Factors Can Contribute to Hearing Loss?
Beyond genetics, exposure to loud noise, aging, and certain medications, several other conditions can also lead to hearing loss, including:
- Autoimmune inner ear disease
- Benign tumors
- Ear infections
- Fluid buildup in the middle ear
- Head injuries or trauma
- Meniere’s disease (often linked with vertigo and tinnitus)
7. Can Medications Affect My Hearing?
Yes. Some medications and chemicals can lead to hearing problems or even permanent hearing loss. These are known as ototoxic medications and may include certain chemotherapy drugs, strong antibiotics, and specific diuretics, among others.
8. What Other Factors Can Contribute to Hearing Loss?
Beyond genetics, exposure to loud noise, aging, and certain medications, several other conditions can also lead to hearing loss, including:
- Autoimmune inner ear disease
- Benign tumors
- Ear infections
- Fluid buildup in the middle ear
- Head injuries or trauma
- Meniere’s disease (often linked with vertigo and tinnitus)
9. How Can I Tell if My Hearing Is Diminished?
Hearing loss may develop gradually over time commonly with age or sometimes appear suddenly. If you notice difficulty hearing in certain situations or experience any of the following signs, it may be time to have your hearing evaluated:
- Avoiding noisy environments
- Trouble distinguishing specific consonants, such as B, F, K, S, and T
- Ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Feeling fatigued after long conversations
- A sense of “fullness” in the ears
- Difficulty hearing higher-pitched voices, like those of women and children, compared to lower-pitched voices
- Frequently asking others to repeat themselves
- Experiencing balance problems or dizziness
- Voices sounding “muffled” or unclear
- Needing to increase the volume on devices like the TV or radio
- Struggling to follow conversations in crowded or noisy settings
10. How Can Hearing Loss Affect Older Adults?
If left untreated, hearing loss can significantly affect both quality of life and overall health. Some common consequences include:
- Increased risk of falls
- Difficulty hearing important auditory alerts, such as smoke alarms or car horns, which can be dangerous
- Higher likelihood of developing depression
- Greater risk of cognitive decline or dementia
- Social withdrawal and increased feelings of isolation
11. How Do I Clean My Hearing Aids?
Hearing aids should be cleaned regularly since they sit in the ear canal, which naturally contains wax and moisture.
Daily cleaning is recommended using tools like a wax pick, cleaning brush, and soft cloth. Here are some helpful tips:
- Replace the device’s wax filters every few weeks
- Remove debris from openings using a soft brush or dry cloth
- Soak earmolds that don’t contain speakers in warm water and let them dry overnight
- Use a wire brush or loop to clean the inside of earmolds
- Pay attention to any strong odors from earmolds, which could signal an ear infection
12. Can Hearing Aids Help With Tinnitus?
Yes. Hearing aids can provide relief from tinnitus (ringing in the ears) by amplifying the sounds you want to hear, which can help mask the ringing.
It’s important to discuss tinnitus with your doctor, who can recommend additional strategies to reduce its impact and improve your overall quality of life while using hearing aids.