If voices sound muffled to you or you find yourself asking people to repeat themselves frequently, you may be experiencing hearing loss. The physicians at Lakeshore Ear, Nose & Throat Center offer expert diagnosis and treatment to help restore your hearing and allow you to interact with your friends and family with ease. Call one of their offices in St. Clair Shores, Macomb Township, Rochester, Grosse Pointe, and Sterling Heights, Michigan, or book an appointment online today to have your hearing tested.
There are three different kinds of hearing loss, categorized by the part of the ear that is damaged or malfunctioning.
Hearing loss caused by problems in your middle ear, eardrum, or ear canal is often considered conductive and may be the result of:
Also known as nerve-related hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss is related to problems in the middle ear, such as:
Mixed hearing loss is due to both conductive and sensorineural issues. It could be caused by damage to your outer, middle, or inner ear, or the auditory nerve.
Hearing loss often occurs gradually so you may not notice it immediately, and it can have both social and emotional effects.
The social impacts of hearing loss include:
Emotional signs of hearing loss include feeling:
Your Lakeshore ENT doctor conducts a physical exam and hearing tests to confirm that you have hearing loss and diagnose the type. As part of your physical exam, your doctor looks into your ears and nose to check for signs of inflammation and blockages that could disrupt your hearing.
They use a variety of tests to check for hearing loss, including audiometer tests, tuning fork tests, and general screenings to gauge your hearing loss.
Treatment depends on the type of hearing loss you’re experiencing and its cause. For example, if earwax blocks sound, your doctor may remove the wax plug. Alternatively, if you’re suffering from chronic sinusitis and congestion, or fluid buildup is affecting your hearing, your doctor treats the infection.
You might also benefit from a hearing aid. The team at Lakeshore ENT manages the Professional Hearing Aid Center, with locations in St. Clair Shores, Macomb Township, Rochester, and Sterling Heights. These centers offer a wide range of hearing aids to choose from, as well as on-site repair.
Your Lakeshore ENT doctor discusses all of your treatment options and answers your questions to help you make an informed choice about how to address your hearing loss. Call or make an appointment online today.
*Click here to visit our Professional Hearing Aid Center website
