Updated 09/15/22
Audiologists are medical professionals who diagnose and treat conditions related to hearing loss. They also provide services to patients with hearing aids. Audiologists work closely with physicians, nose, and throat (ENT) and other health care providers.
Hearing loss affects many people globally. According to www.who.int, about 20% of the global population has hearing loss. Left untreated, it can cause significant social isolation, depression, anxiety, stress, and other mental health issues. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent hearing loss and treat existing conditions.
Hearing loss is common because it often goes undetected until it becomes severe. Even mild hearing loss can affect daily life and communication skills. Unfortunately, hearing loss is increasing in prevalence each year. However, early detection and treatment can prevent further damage and improve quality of life. Some risk factors for hearing loss include age, genetics, lifestyle choices, and medical conditions.
If you suspect that you might have hearing loss, schedule an audiologist appointment with an audio clinic near me. Many audiologists are members of the American doctors of audiology. These doctors adhere to strict standards of ethics and professionalism. You can also see an audiologist, ENT, or a hearing loss specialist who will perform an audiology diagnosis and treat your hearing disorder. Besides, ENT specialists can perform surgery on the ears, nose, and throat.
The struggle is real.
You do a good job of faking it at times, but the fact that it is so difficult for you to hear when you are in many environments is a struggle that you need to overcome. From work situation to social outings, your hearing loss is a factor that impacts many aspects of your life. Your spouse, your children, a couple close friends, and two or three coworkers who have known you for a long time consistently help you out, but with all other people you are on your own.
Partial conversations, incomplete instructions, and missed lines on television programs are all times that you struggle. finding hearing aids that can help you capture the sound that you are missing is a major goal for you. From custom hearing protection to digital hearing aids, audiologists companies that strive to improve the quality of life for those with hearing concerns. Companies that provide comprehensive and individual hearing healthcare, also have a goal of building long-term relationships with their patients through the use of honesty, integrity, and respect.
Have You Considered Investing in Hearing Aids?
Did you know that 30% of the people over the age of 65 have some form of hearing loss? This means that one in every three people in this age group cannot participate fully, contribute completely, and interact whole heartedly. Across the entire population, unfortunately, as many as 15 million people in America with hearing loss avoid seeking help. Whether it is because of embarrassment or lack of knowledge of available options, these people miss out on the opportunity to better connect with their loved ones and their environment.
From infants to aging adults, the role of hearing in the world is immense. In a classroom, for instance, children with even a mild hearing loss who does not use hearing aids can miss out on as much as 50% of a classroom experience. Can you imagine the impact of missing out on half of what an elementary learning environment is offering. And while the classroom experience of a hearing impaired person can be particularly challenging, the difficulties for an infant born with hearing problems can be even more significant. Audiologists, their staff, and their products can have the greatest impact when hearing deficiencies are detected earlier, rather than later. One way these losses can be detected is through tinnitus hearing tests. Tinnitus, a condition that is defined as ringing in the ears, affects 50 million people in America. A test for this condition can help determine what treatment would work the best.
Consider the following statistics about hearing loss in this country:
- 25 million American adults have reported having had tinnitus for a period of five or more continuous minutes in the past year.
- 20% of adults suffers from hearing loss.
- 20% of teens suffers from hearing loss.
- 2 to 3 of every 1,000 children in america are born with a detectable level of hearing loss in one or both ears.
- 15% percent of Americans between the ages of 20 and 69 have high frequency hearing loss due to exposure to noise at work or during leisure activities, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD).
- The number of Americans with hearing loss has doubled between the years 2000and 2015.
As indicated by the above statistics, loss of hearing is sometimes congenital and is sometimes caused by our listening habits or exposure to loud noises. For instance, exposure to a noisy subway for even 15 minutes a day can, over time, cause permanent damage to hearing. The role of an audiologist then is to not only detect, measure, and treat hearing loss, but also to help people avoid loss. With products that can help clients product their ears during work or everyday noise exposure, a hearing expert can help protect one of the most valuable resources a person has.
If you or someone you love suffers from hearing loss, perhaps it is time that you see a hearing specialist and see what options may be able to help you. From digital hearing aids to active listening devices, a hearing specialist may be able to help you improve your quality of life as soon as possible.