Hearing loss can be the result of numerous internal and external factors. In some cases, hearing loss is only temporary while in other cases it may be permanent.
 
Other conditions that may contribute to hearing loss are:
 
• Certain medications
• Chemical exposure
• Congenital conditions
• Coronary artery disease (heart disease)
• Diabetes
• Ear infections
• Earwax buildup
• Exposure to loud noises
• Genetics
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Ruptured eardrum
• Strokes
• Trauma from an accident or injury
• Tumors
 
If you’re experiencing hearing loss, it’s always best to consult your physician or a licensed specialist to identify and address the issue as quickly as possible. In some cases, hearing loss is only temporary and your hearing will return back to normal once the root cause is addressed. However, left untreated, hearing loss can become permanent and, in some situations, worsen over time.

Absolutely! A hearing aid is a small electronic device that you wear in or behind your ear that magnifies sound vibrations as they enter the ear canal. This makes certain sounds louder, allowing for people with hearing loss to pick up on the noises more easily. This grants them the ability to listen, communicate, and participate more fully in their day-to-day lives without being hindered by auditory issues.
 
While a hearing aid doesn’t reverse hearing loss, it is an invaluable tool for many who are looking to restore their quality of life by enhancing their ability to listen and communicate more effectively.

Consider booking in with an audiologist (a hearing specialist) if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms:
 
• Certain sounds and frequencies are hard to hear.
• Certain sounds seem muffled.
• Difficulty hearing conversations, especially in loud environments.
• Increased sensitivity to certain sounds
• Needing to put the volume up high on your TV, radio, phone, etc.
• Pain in response to certain sounds. 
• Regularly having to ask people to repeat themselves.
• Ringing in your ears. 
• Trouble hearing people when you’re speaking to them on the phone.
 
The best way to know if you need a hearing aid is to get your hearing tested by an audiologist or an otolaryngologist. Based on the results of the testing these specialists do, they will be able to provide you with more insight into whether or not a hearing aid is a right option for you.

While hearing aids are not a fix for hearing loss, they can significantly improve a patient’s ability to hear, understand speech, and locate where certain sounds are coming from. The more consistently a hearing aid is used, the easier the adjustment to wearing one becomes – and the more benefits are reaped as a result.
 
It’s important to note that there are many different kinds of hearing aids out there and the one that will work best for you will depend on finding the best fit and the severity of your hearing loss.
 
If you have hearing loss and are wondering whether a hearing aid is a right choice for you, contact us here at Southern ENT Associates. We offer safe, professional, and transparent care that you can rely on at every stage of your journey. For more information about our hearing loss services, reach out today – we’re happy to answer any of your questions or to help you get booked in for an appointment. We serve patients from Thibodaux LA, Houma LA, Raceland LA, Morgan City LA, New Iberia LA, Youngsville LA, and surrounding areas!