Hearing Aids Specialist in Youngsville LA

The majority of symptoms that commonly indicate hearing loss are dependent on many daily experiences from the patient in how they are able to hear other people and sounds that occur around them. While an audiologist or otolaryngologist will be able to confirm a diagnosis for hearing loss through a test to determine the patient’s ability to hear specific volumes and pitches, below are some common experiences in those who are suffering from hearing loss:

• Frequently having to ask people to repeat themselves;
• Increased difficulty keeping up with conversations, particularly in noisy environments;
• Difficulty hearing people through the phone; and
• Increasing the volume when listening to music or the television than what others need.
• Hearing loss can develop quite gradually, making it difficult for many patients to determine whether it has worsened or become a concern yet, but chances are, if those around you are complaining about your hearing or mentioning concern regarding your ability to hear, it is worth having it assessed by a specialist.

While it is fairly common to experience hearing loss as we age, there are several different causes for hearing loss in patients of all ages. One of the most common causes for hearing loss includes exposure to loud noises, either one very loud noise that caused damage or trauma to the inner ear, or frequently being exposed to loud noises (common for musicians, construction workers, those who work in very loud environments for years, etc.). Damage caused by loud noises can lead to both short-term and long-term damage to hearing. Other common causes or factors that will increase the risks of hearing loss include:

• Strokes, high blood pressure, and heart disease complications
• Diabetes
• Exposure to hazardous chemicals
• Family history of hearing loss
• Congenital conditions (occur genetically prenatally)
• Trauma or damage caused by an accident or injury
• Ear infections, a significant build-up of wax, or a ruptured eardrum -Acoustic neuroma (a tumor that affects a nerve connecting the inner ear to the brain)

There are several different types of hearing devices, the most popular options including hearing aids and hearing amplifiers, which work similarly but amplifiers are the over-the-counter, less customized version. As the technology for hearing devices continues to develop, they become more intuitive and easier to use. Hearing aids that are recommended by specialists today are very advanced and make using them as easy on the wearer as possible. The trickiest part of using a hearing device will be the adjustment period that is often associated, particularly with first-time users in order to get used to all of the new noises and increased volumes that are being experienced. The audiologist that provides you with your hearing aid or device will ensure that you know all necessary information to making using it as easy as possible, including any tips that may be beneficial to speed up the adjustment period.

Hearing aids can provide life-changing benefits to many people, with those who have incurred sensorineural hearing loss often experiencing the most significant benefits. Sensorineural hearing loss develops as a result to damage being done onto the inner ear or auditory nerve and can be caused by aging, loud noises, disease, infection, and some medications. This is the most common type of hearing loss as around one third of the aging population develops age-related hearing loss and this percentage just increases as they continue to age, making the number of people that would benefit from hearing aids increase on a daily basis. The benefits provided from hearing aids can be experienced both by the wearers as well as their loved ones as communicating and engaging in quality conversations is much easier when everyone involved can hear everything that is being said.

Whether you are experiencing discomfort or have concerns about your ear, nose, or throat health, an ENT doctor will help you identify the cause of your problem and provide the appropriate treatment to help you feel better. We serve patients from Youngsville LA, Capitan LA, Milton LA, Pilette LA, Cade LA, Woodlawn LA, Broussard LA, and surrounding areas.