Hearing loss is one of the biggest health concerns in the U.S. It is the third most commonly reported physical condition, following arthritis and heart disease. It affects roughly 20 percent of the American population and can strike people of all ages.
The most common causes of hearing loss are noise exposure and aging.
What are the symptoms of hearing loss?
Hearing loss can occur suddenly or gradually. If you experience sudden hearing loss, particularly in one ear, seek immediate medical attention. Most often, hearing loss is a progressive condition that worsens over time. Symptoms can appear so gradually, you may be completely unaware of it for some time.
Knowing the signs is helpful in spurring you to take action sooner. Any of the following might indicate hearing loss:
- Frequently asking people to repeat what they have said
- Feeling like others mumble when they speak
- Having difficulty following conversations in which background noise is present
- Turning up the volume on the television or radio
- Avoiding social gatherings in noisy places
When to see a doctor
- If you have sudden hearing loss, particularly in one ear, seek immediate medical attention
- If difficulty hearing is interfering with you daily life
- For a baseline hearing evaluation se we can monitor your hearing over time
If you think you may have hearing loss, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with one of our audiologists.
How Is Hearing Loss Diagnosed?
In order to diagnose hearing loss, your audiologist will review your medical history, discuss your symptoms, perform a physical examination and complete a hearing evaluation consisting of a series of audiological tests.
Call Watauga Hearing at (423) 928-1901 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
