Hearing Loss Overview

Hearing loss can affect individuals of all ages and is more prevalent than you think. Approximately 15 percent (37.5 million) of American adults 18 years of age and older report some trouble hearing. Unfortunately, hearing aids are used by only 16 percent of Americans aged 20-69 who have hearing loss. At Wallace Center for Hearing we strive to change that last statistic for residents of the Illinois Valley area. We have the expertise to appropriately diagnose hearing disorders and the advanced technology readily available to treat hearing loss so no one has to suffer any longer. We encourage you to hear better and live better and we have the knowledge and tools to assure hearing success.

Signs of Hearing Loss

There are different stages of hearing loss, from mild to profound hearing loss. But when people start to get hearing loss, they might:

Start listening to TV or the radio at a higher volume
Have difficulty understanding speech, particularly in noisy environments
Think that others are mumbling too much
Have trouble talking to people on the phone
Often ask people to repeat themselves
Feel exhausted after attending social gatherings
Experience Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears

The loss of hearing may have adverse social and health effects on the person who has it. It is often attributed to a decline in the quality of life of the person suffering.

Those with hearing loss tend to stay away from social situations, particularly in busy places such as bars and restaurants. This results in withdrawal from socialization and isolation occurs. Recent studies have also linked hearing loss to impaired memory, depression, and even dementia over the long term.

Types of Hearing Loss

The most common form of hearing loss is known as sensorineural hearing loss. It occurs when damage is done to the parts of the inner ear responsible for auditory processing, especially the delicate hair cells in the cochlea. This prevents the correct audio signals from being sent to the brain, resulting in a loss of hearing.

In a place with background noise, the effects could be felt as muffling of sounds, ringing in the ears, and difficulties distinguishing between different sounds. Often, the sufferer can have trouble differentiating between higher-pitched consonant sounds.

This type of hearing loss comes from two primary sources: hearing loss caused by noise and hearing loss associated with age.

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is from noise exposure, which ultimately results in permanent damage. It's most likely that people get it from their job. There are several jobs (farming, construction, etc.) that are at high risk of hearing damage if there is no proper protection. Those who are exposed to noise regularly in their outdoor activities are also at risk for NIHL, including musicians, motorcyclists, and hunters.
Age-related hearing loss (Presbycusis) is a common form of hearing loss in older populations. Around 30 percent of those over the age of 65 are reported to have age-related hearing loss.

Identified as the natural aging of the auditory system, the symptoms are the same as one would get from NIHL. Separating the two is also tricky. It is typically permanent and can stabilize or get worse over time. Hearing aids are the conventional treatment and are often very beneficial.

Conductive hearing loss occurs when the pathway of sound to the inner ear and the cochlea is obstructed. The blockage can take place in the ear canal, eardrum, or middle ear. Those with conductive hearing loss find sounds too muffled. Many people experience this hearing loss as a result of an ear infection, or even due to a blockage of earwax. Most conductive hearing losses can be medically managed and do not result in permanent hearing loss.