Ears & Hearing
Ears and Hearing Audiology Center
Our Audiologists provide evaluation and treatment of both common and complex auditory and balance conditions. We also provide hearing aid and cochlear implant services and fit hearing protection devices. In addition, we perform infant hearing screening and follow-up assessments as needed.
Signs and Symptoms of Hearing Loss
- Hearing loss can develop at any age and may be caused by many different factors. A hearing loss is categorized in 3 different ways:
- Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when the inner ear or the hearing nerve itself becomes damaged. The most common type of hearing loss, it can be a result of aging, exposure to loud noise, injury, disease, ototoxic drugs or an inherited condition. Most people benefit from the use of hearing aids.
- Conductive hearing loss occurs in the outer or middle ear where sound waves are not able to carry all the way through to the inner ear. Sound may be blocked by earwax or a foreign object in the ear canal, the middle ear may be impacted by fluid and infection, or the eardrum may have been injured. For some people, it may be reversed through medical or surgical intervention. Otherwise, hearing aid use may be recommended.
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss.
Signs and symptoms of hearing loss vary from person to person but can also include:
- Difficulty hearing on the phone.
- Frequently asking people to repeat themselves
- Difficulty hearing when there is noise in the background
- Difficulty following a conversation when two or more people talk at once
- Finding that most people seem to mumble or not speak clearly
- Misunderstanding what others say and responding inappropriately
- Difficulty understanding the speech of women and children
- Turning the TV volume up too loud
- Frequently hearing ringing, roaring, or hissing sounds
- Finding that some sounds seem too loud or too soft
If three or more of these apply to you, it is a good idea to have your hearing checked.
Hearing Aids
Our audiologists have the expertise and experience to find the right instruments for your hearing needs. We fit state-of-the are digital hearing aids from a variety of manufacturers and will work closely with you to ensure you are provided with the best devices and are able to use them with ease.
Cochlear Implants
When hearing loss reaches a degree where hearing aids no longer provide adequate benefit, a cochlear implant may be indicated. Our specialists can determine if you are a candidate for an implant and provide the support services required to use the implant with success.
Balance/Dizziness
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): a common condition where sense crystals become detached from their place in the inner ear balance organ and cause brief bouts of spinning sensation when certain movements are made.
- Inner ear infections: an inflammation of the balance organ of the inner ear that can cause temporary or lasting vertigo and balance problems.
- Meniere’s Disease: an inner ear disease characterized by episodes of spinning vertigo, ear fullness, fluctuating hearing loss and a roaring sound in the affected ear.
- Tumors of the auditory nerve or brainstem
- Neurologic conditions
- Circulatory conditions
- Migraines
- Medications: some medications have dizziness as a potential side effect