Hearing Loss

We help patients understand their hearing health.

Hearing Education at Precious Hearing

Hearing loss can seem confusing and even overwhelming if you don’t have the right professional to help you. That’s why at Precious Hearing we are here to help you understand your hearing loss and your hearing health, so you can feel confident that you are receiving the best care possible.

Types of Hearing Loss

There are three types of hearing loss: conductive, sensorineural, and mixed. Each type of hearing loss affects a different section of the ear. Conductive hearing loss takes place in the outer ear and is caused by a physical blockage that prevents sound from reaching your eardrum. Some of the most common causes of conductive hearing loss are ear infection, compacted earwax, allergies, or head injuries. Some cases of conductive hearing loss are treatable by having a hearing health professional remove the blockage or having your primary care physician prescribe medication to treat an infection or manage allergies. Other cases may require a hearing aid to help improve damaged hearing. Sensorineural hearing loss accounts for 90% of all hearing losses. It’s when there is damage to the cochlea or nerves in the inner ear. Sensorineural hearing loss often makes speech sound muffled and difficult to understand. It can often be caused by exposure to loud noises, aging, viruses, or diseases. Unfortunately, sensorineural hearing loss is not reversible, but it can be successfully managed with hearing aids. Mixed hearing loss is when someone has both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. In these cases, it’s best to first treat the conductive hearing loss so that the sensorineural hearing loss can be better managed. Regardless of which form of hearing loss you may have; the first step is to come in for an appointment. Schedule a hearing evaluation today to begin your journey to better hearing.
Woman running in Temperance, MI
Woman running in Temperance, MI

Hearing and Your Health

Your hearing is an important part of your overall health and well-being. In fact, there is a direct connection between hearing and brain health. Your hearing helps your brain to stay active and healthy by sending sound signals to the brain to process into information. In fact, we don’t hear when sound enters our ears, we hear when the sound reaches the auditory cortex of the brain. When hearing loss is left untreated, your brain doesn’t receive the proper sound signals it needs to remain active. This can lead to a decline in cognitive abilities and can even cause more serious health issues such as dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Studies have proven a link between untreated hearing loss and Alzheimer’s. When you have hearing loss, you may lack the confidence to socialize with other people because you can’t hear well. This can lead to social isolation and feelings of loneliness. This can result in cognitive decline and can progress to more serious conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer’s. It’s important to take care of your hearing with hearing aids in order to keep your brain active and healthy, and to decrease your chances of developing a more serious health condition.

Select a location to Schedule an Appointment

Monroe, MI Office

Temperance, MI Office