Hearing Loss Overview

We’re in the midst of a cultural hearing revolution — now that the Boomer generation is aging into the demographic most affected by hearing loss, there are more resources than ever before available to people who have experienced a decline in their hearing health.

It’s natural for people first experiencing hearing loss to have an emotional response — in many cases, it can be an isolating and challenging diagnosis to receive. But thankfully, the cultural stigma around diagnosing and treating hearing loss is disappearing. This gives those who want to address their hearing issues so many more options and systems of support to tap into.

We’ve assisted patients in addressing hearing loss and advocating for their best hearing experience for more than fifteen years. It’s our mission to make sure that your hearing loss intervention is comfortable, successful and fits your lifestyle. Make an appointment today to find out more about how we can create a customized plan for you.

Types of hearing loss

Hearing loss can happen at any age. While we work with patients from all across the age spectrum, a majority of our patients walk through our doors because of a gradual decline in their hearing over time. Many patients first notice that others “mumble” or that they like the television volume louder than others. This condition is one of the most common health concerns in the country, with about 1 in 3 people between the ages of 65 and 74 diagnosed with some degree of hearing loss. That number increases exponentially for those over 75 years old, with almost half of that demographic reporting hearing loss.

Causes of hearing loss

A gradual decline in our hearing occurs naturally as part of the aging process. The important nerve cells of the inner ear, which receive and then transmit sound information to the brain, will deteriorate over time. When this happens, less sound information is received. The effect is our perception of lost hearing. While age-related hearing loss is permanent, it’s also highly treatable.

Noise-induced hearing loss occurs when someone is repeatedly over-exposed to loud noise. This can happen slowly and over time, particularly for those in noisey professions like professional musicians or military members. It can also happen in an extreme noise event, like an explosion or car accident. As with age-related hearing loss, it is unlikely that previous hearing levels will be restored, but noise-related hearing loss is also very treatable.

Signs of hearing loss

The signs of early hearing loss can be incredibly subtle. Perhaps what we expect to happen is a general ‘lowering of volume’ all around us. In fact, hearing loss most often begins with a loss of only high-frequency sounds, which can mean our ‘volume’ levels are the same as always, but we find it difficult to understand or make out words. It’s as though everyone around us is mumbling.

To make up for this, you might find yourself asking people to repeat themselves in conversation or speak up louder. Your television and radio volumes might inch up a few decibels. Because we, as humans, are such adaptable creatures, this might go on for a while before we are conscious of the underlying problem: hearing loss.

If you think that hearing loss is playing a factor in your hearing experience, schedule a hearing test with us today. We can evaluate your level of hearing loss, if any, and begin charting a course for treatment that gets you back on the path of living your fullest life.

Benefits of treating hearing loss

The moment that you are able to perceive the effect of hearing loss in your life is the moment you can begin to change it. Confronting hearing loss can be overwhelming, but it is also an opportunity to reassert control over it.

Over time, people with untreated hearing loss may find themselves quite isolated. As hearing loss inherently makes conversation more difficult, those with untreated hearing loss often begin to avoid conversation or socializing. Many people with untreated hearing loss report a breakdown in their important relationships. There is a tendency to avoid new experiences for fear of facing confusion.

We’ve worked with thousands of patients who have experienced these and other adverse effects of hearing loss. They trust us to guide them on a path to better hearing. We have years of experience in finding solutions that work for our patients so that they can return fully to the relationships and activities they love.

Schedule a Consultation

Phone: (317) 932-0099

Fax: (317) 933-1172

[email protected]

480 East Northfield Drive
Suite 600Brownsburg, IN 46112

Office Hours:
Monday: 9:00am - 6:00pm
Tuesday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Wednesday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Friday: 7:30am - 1:30pm