FAQ
Frequently asked questions about hearing health.
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FAQs
There are many causes of hearing loss, including:
- Loud noise exposure
- Age
- Ear and viral infections
- Heredity factors
- Certain antibiotics and medications
- Chemotherapy and radiation treatments
- Head or ear trauma
- Earwax buildup
There are three main types of hearing loss.
Conductive hearing loss stems from a problem in the middle ear, outer ear, or both. The auditory nerve functions normally, but sound is prevented from reaching the inner ear.
Sensorineural hearing loss is located in the inner ear and is the result of damage to the auditory nerve or auditory hair-cells.
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
While it is possible to live with hearing loss, doing so puts your mental and physical health at greater risk. Hearing loss is linked to several life-threatening illnesses, such as heart and kidney disease, and increases the chances of developing dementia or cognitive decline.
Hearing loss also affects your quality of life by making it difficult to preserve your career and maintain relationships with family and friends. Hearing loss symptoms can cause you to feel tired, stressed, or embarrassed and can often impact your involvement in social gatherings.
Not necessarily. Because of the gradual nature of hearing loss, many people don’t realize they have it. In fact, it often takes a family member or friend to convince the individual wit hearing loss that there is a problem.
Yes. There is a common misconception that hearing aids don’t work. That belief stems from outdated technology and improper fittings. The hearing aids we offer at Audiology Services of Marin are the latest technology and we will expertly program them to address your hearing loss.
No, this is a common misconception. Hearing loss affects individuals of all ages. According to the Hearing Loss Association of America, approximately 48 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss. Even children can have hearing loss! In fact, 2-3 out of every 1000 children in the U.S. are born with hearing loss. If you have hearing loss then you should wear hearing aids in order to preserve your cognitive abilities and to hear your loved ones.
