Hearing loss is a condition which worsens over time. Common symptoms of hearing loss
include having a difficult time following conversations, often having to turn up the volume to
hear on the television, and tinnitus (constant ringing in the ears). There are many different
factors that impact a person’s hearing. While short term conditions can contribute to hearing loss,
there are also long term conditions that impact a person’s hearing. Some of these conditions
include cerumen impaction (earwax blockages), otitis media (ear infections), eustachian tube
dysfunction (when the eustachian tubes become clogged), acutely perforated tympanic
membrane (a ruptured eardrum), and more. Putting objects inside of a person’s ears increases
the likelihood of future hearing loss along with listening to things at a high volume. When
looking at how hearing loss occurs, it is found that the stereocilia (small hair-like structures that
react to movement in the ear) in the cochlea (the spiral structure in the ear that sends nerve
impulses in response to vibrations) are damaged.
Hearing aids are devices that amplify sounds. They are especially useful for people who
are experiencing sensorineural hearing loss (hearing loss where sounds are unable to reach the
inner ear), as they are able to help amplify the sound to reach the inner ear. They are also very
helpful to people who experience Ménière’s disease (an inner ear disorder that impacts balance
and hearing), and any severity of hearing loss in general. There are several types of hearing aids,
so it is important to look into the different types. Some factors that determine which type of
hearing aid a person should get include the severity of hearing loss, the size and shape of a
person’s ear, and in some cases, how well a person can use their hands and fingers.
Contralateral routing of signals and bilateral contralateral routing of signals hearing aids
(a hearing aid where the aid is placed on the better hearing side and a microphone on the worse
hearing side) are hearing aids that are often recommended for people who have major hearing
include having a difficult time following conversations, often having to turn up the volume to
hear on the television, and tinnitus (constant ringing in the ears). There are many different
factors that impact a person’s hearing. While short term conditions can contribute to hearing loss,
there are also long term conditions that impact a person’s hearing. Some of these conditions
include cerumen impaction (earwax blockages), otitis media (ear infections), eustachian tube
dysfunction (when the eustachian tubes become clogged), acutely perforated tympanic
membrane (a ruptured eardrum), and more. Putting objects inside of a person’s ears increases
the likelihood of future hearing loss along with listening to things at a high volume. When
looking at how hearing loss occurs, it is found that the stereocilia (small hair-like structures that
react to movement in the ear) in the cochlea (the spiral structure in the ear that sends nerve
impulses in response to vibrations) are damaged.
Hearing aids are devices that amplify sounds. They are especially useful for people who
are experiencing sensorineural hearing loss (hearing loss where sounds are unable to reach the
inner ear), as they are able to help amplify the sound to reach the inner ear. They are also very
helpful to people who experience Ménière’s disease (an inner ear disorder that impacts balance
and hearing), and any severity of hearing loss in general. There are several types of hearing aids,
so it is important to look into the different types. Some factors that determine which type of
hearing aid a person should get include the severity of hearing loss, the size and shape of a
person’s ear, and in some cases, how well a person can use their hands and fingers.
Contralateral routing of signals and bilateral contralateral routing of signals hearing aids
(a hearing aid where the aid is placed on the better hearing side and a microphone on the worse
hearing side) are hearing aids that are often recommended for people who have major hearing
