Health Education & Support
Hearing Loss Prevention
Sudden or prolonged exposure to loud noises can cause permanent hearing loss. You can prevent hearing loss by avoiding exposure to loud noise and using hearing protection.
Pick up a pair of free earplugs at our offices during regular business hours or ask about our custom-molded earplugs.
You know when noise levels are damaging to your hearing if noise causes you to:
- Shout to be heard from an arm’s length away
- Feel pain in your ears
- Have a ringing in your ears
- Have issues hearing for several hours after exposure
External Resources
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
The Better Hearing Institute
Hearing Loss Association of America
Michigan Association for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
National Association of the Deaf
Frequently Asked Questions
How does hearing work?
Sound travels through the air in waves resulting in a series of vibrations within the ear. This information travels to the brain and the brain then interprets those signals into meaningful sounds such as speech.
What are the signs of hearing loss in adults?
- Difficulty understanding speech especially when noise is present
- Asking others to repeat
- Difficulty hearing on the telephone
- Difficulty hearing softer voices
What are the different types of hearing loss?
Conductive Hearing Loss: The problem is in the middle or outer ear and is typically caused by other medical conditions.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss: The most common type of hearing loss. It is a result of damage to the inner ear or the pathways from the inner ear to the brain.
Mixed Hearing Loss: A combination of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
What are the signs of hearing loss in children?
- Delayed speech
- Unresponsiveness
- Preference for turning up the volume on electronic devices
- Constantly asking for repetition
- Easily distracted
Early diagnosis of hearing loss is the key to developing speech and language normally and avoiding significant delays in learning. See the hearing development chart to learn more.
We always recommend that a medical professional should clean your ears.
How do I clean my ears?
We always recommend that a medical professional should clean your ears.
Why are my ears ringing
Exposure to loud noises can cause ringing in the ear, also known as tinnitus.
It is a side effect of hearing loss that may be caused by:
- Noise exposure
- Old age
- Diseases of the ear
- Genetics
Have your hearing evaluated if your tinnitus becomes worse or changes in any way.
Hearing Loss Test
There are many self-guided hearing tests that can be found online. These tests can help you decide if you need to have your hearing tested professionally. Here are some online tests offered by various hearing aid manufacturers.
Take an Online Hearing Test
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