by Kaitlin Engelke, AuD
Did you know that October is National Audiology Awareness Month? The whole month is dedicated to promoting awareness about Audiologists, the services they provide, and educating the public about healthy hearing.
What is an Audiologist?
Audiologists are health care professionals specialized in hearing and balance disorders and are able to work with people of all ages. An Audiologist aids in prevention, identification, and treatment of hearing loss and may assess and/or treat balance disorders related to the inner ear. Today, most Audiologists receive a doctoral degree in Audiology (AuD) which has a different scope of practice compared to a medical doctor. Audiologists can work in many different settings such as private practice, hospitals, schools, and in research. The doctoral degree sets Audiologists apart from Hearing Instrument Specialists, who are trained for specifically fitting patients with hearing aids. Audiologists are also able to diagnose and treat tinnitus, hyperacusis, and auditory processing disorders according to the American Academy of Audiology. It is always a good idea to see an audiologist even if you don’t feel you have hearing difficulty. A baseline hearing test is a great starting point! A baseline test can assist your Audiologist in monitoring changes in hearing over time, with or without hearing aids. You should see an Audiologist if you are having general hearing concerns, difficulty hearing conversations in noisy environments, if you have been exposed to extremely loud sounds, if you have a sudden change in hearing, or if you are experiencing ringing, buzzing, or other strange sounds in your ears.
What is the benefit of treating hearing loss?
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, one third of Americans between the ages of 65 and 74 have a hearing loss. However, on average, only 20% of those individuals will seek treatment from an Audiologist. Unfortunately, there are still many negative perceptions surrounding hearing loss and hearing aid use in society today, which is why education on audiological services is so important.
There are different types of hearing loss, including sensorineural hearing loss, conductive hearing loss, and mixed hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss can be due to aging, using ototoxic medications, noise exposure, genetics, etc. A conductive hearing loss is caused by a problem in the middle ear space, such as ear wax blockages, ear infections, a hole in the eardrum, problems with the middle ear bones, etc. A mixed hearing loss is when there is a conductive and sensorineural loss at the same time. Treating hearing loss depends on the type and degree of loss and is modified for each individual’s needs. Treatment can improve confidence in social settings, increase participation in social activities, decrease listening fatigue, and decrease the risk of falls, especially for those with age related loss.
Because the hearing organ and balance organ share a pathway to the brain, they are surprisingly related. Hearing loss and balance disorders can occur simultaneously or independently. Research studies have shown that individuals with untreated hearing loss have a higher risk of balance disorders and falling.Wearing hearing aids can help reduce the risk of falls. If you have dizziness, have recently had a fall, and/or have hearing trouble, it may be time to consult with an Audiologist.
How can you protect your hearing?
Hearing protection is important at any age. Noise can be very problematic for our hearing system, causing damage to the sensitive cells of our inner ear, which leads to noise-induced hearing loss. Wearing hearing protection and avoiding repeated noise exposure can help prevent noise-induced hearing loss. Killean Audiology and Hearing Aid Centers can provide custom made hearing protection, which provides a more secure and protective fit. Ask us about it today!
Below are some tips on protecting your hearing.
- Walk Away from the Noise
So how do you know when noise is too loud and potentially harmful? If you have to shout over the noise to have a conversation then it is likely too loud. Distance yourself and walk away from the noise source to prevent damage to the inner ear.
- Turn Down the Sound
Today many people use headphones to listen to music and probably don’t realize that
the volume may be too loud. Turn down the volume whenever possible whether you are
listening with headphones or through a car stereo. Ask a restaurant or movie theater manager to turn the volume down when possible.
- Know the Noise Level
We can measure noise in a decibel scale, which is a unit that measures the intensity of a
sound.There are apps available for measuring noise levels now on smartphones. One is called
NIOSH Sound Level Meter. Use this app to determine if levels are too loud around you. Any
sound above 85 dB HL, over extended periods of time, is considered harmful and can cause
hearing loss over time.
- Block the Sound with Hearing Protection
One of the best ways to protect your hearing is to wear hearing protection. There are
many forms of hearing protection to meet your needs, such as muffs and ear plugs. Each style
has a different attenuation ability so be sure to ask your Audiologist which would be best for you
and your lifestyle.