Hearing loss is more common than you may think. The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) estimates that 48 million – or 20 percent – of Americans experience some degree of hearing loss, and almost 29 million of those adults would benefit from hearing aids.*
Hearing Loss
We all know someone who struggles with hearing. According to the HLAA, hearing loss is the third most common physical condition in older adults, behind arthritis and heart disease. Hearing loss can occur for several reasons, including:
- Genetics
- Age
- Excessive noise exposure
- Medical disease or pathology
- Syndromes
- Idiopathic (meaning the cause is unknown)
Many times, hearing loss is gradual over time. The St. Elizabeth Healthcare partnership with ENT & Allergy Specialists (ENTAS) offers hearing loss evaluations for all ages, from young children to elderly adults.
Hearing loss can be categorized into four degrees: mild, moderate, severe or profound. Some signs you or a loved one should have your hearing evaluated include:
- Ringing in ears
- Asking people to repeat what they’ve said
- People sounding muffled or like they’re mumbling
- Difficulty hearing when there is background noise (TV, music, other people talking)
- TV volume too loud for others
“Oftentimes, family members notice their loved one has a hearing problem before the patient does,” says Dr. Stacey Woods, a Clinical Audiologist and the manager of ENTAS and Certified Hearing Aid Consultants. “Each patient’s hearing loss journey is unique – but the important thing to remember is that we can help.”
Hearing Evaluations
The ENT & Allergy Specialists (ENTAS) office in Northern Kentucky performs hearing evaluations on-site, which consists of speech testing and pure tone testing. If the patient needs hearing aids, Dr. Woods and her specially-trained colleagues are on-hand to discuss hearing aid options.
“Hearing aid technology is constantly evolving and improving,” says Dr. Woods. “We can help find the most effective hearing aid solution for you or your loved one.”
Current hearing aids can adjust automatically to different environments, instead of having to manually adjust them like in earlier versions of the hearing aid technology. The newest generation of hearing aids also offers more flexibility for patients, as well as being rechargeable and connecting wirelessly into cell phones and TVs.
ENTAS will help you select a hearing aid that will best fit your lifestyle. The office also provides hands-on training to help familiarize you or your loved one with the hearing aid technology.
St. Elizabeth and ENTAS: We Can Help
If you or a loved one are struggling with diminished hearing, we can help. Call ENTAS at (859) 344-4440 to schedule a hearing test appointment. A referral from a physician is required for a hearing evaluation.
