About Hearing Loss

Understanding the Importance of Seeking Help for Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is the third most common chronic health condition among American adults. However, there are many misconceptions about hearing loss that leave people confused and prevent them from seeking help. Hearing loss can develop slowly over time, making it easy to ignore until the problem is severe. With a variety of hearing services and hearing aids available, it’s easy to find the perfect solution for you or your loved one.

Types of Hearing Loss

There are different types of hearing loss. The type and degree of hearing loss you have is determined by which part of your auditory system is injured. The three main types of hearing loss are:

Conductive Hearing Loss
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Mixed Hearing Loss
Learn more about hearing loss from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Assocation.

Signs You May Have Hearing Loss:

You have trouble talking on the phone and have a hard time understanding what others are saying on the phone
You have a difficult time following conversations at parties, restaurants and in other group settings
Your family and friends comment on your hearing and your ability to understand them
Visit the NIDCD to understand more signs of hearing loss.

Causes of Hearing Loss:

Only 3 in 10 people with hearing loss are over age 60.
About 26 million Americans have a form of Noise Induced Hearing Loss, which can be caused by the exposure to loud sounds at work or in other settings.
Factors such as jobs, social activities and genetics can play a role in hearing loss
Learn more about the causes of hearing loss from WebMD

Hearing Aids and Hearing Products

If you’re ready to take the next step in treating your hearing loss, hearing aids may be the right choice for you. Leading hearing aid providers have nationwide hearing centers where you can have your hearing tested and try different hearing devices to find the right solution for you. Some hearing centers even offer free hearing tests to new patients.