Treating Hearing Loss in 2021

Treating Hearing Loss in 2021

Listening is a key component of communication, so if you're having trouble hearing, it can impact your life in many ways. Hearing loss can hinder your enjoyment of music and movies, make conversations and comprehension more difficult, and otherwise create issues in your everyday life.

While you may think you are too young for hearing aids, or you picture them as being bulky and conspicuous, hearing aids have come a long way over the years. At the Head and Neck Center in Bethlehem, PA, we can help you find an effective and comfortable way to restore your hearing to its best so you can enjoy all the sensations life has to offer.

How do hearing aids work?

Hearing aids come in several versions but all work by using tiny microphones to detect sounds. A small amplifier transforms the sound into digital code, the most advanced technology available, and the signals are converted into sound waves. Hearing aids adjust the sound depending on your level of hearing so the sound coming through the speakers in your hearing aids is clear and neither too loud nor too quiet.

Features of the new wave of hearing aids include directional microphones, which can help your comprehension of sounds in loud environments. they have digital feedback reduction, which helps prevent disruptive "feedback". they use gain processing to increase the level of important sounds, and have digital noise reduction, which lowers the volume of background noises.

What are my options for hearing aids?

Hearing aids come in in-the-canal, over the ear, and behind the ear styles. Depending on your level of hearing loss and desire for discreetness, you may find one style preferable over another.

In-the-canal versions are the least visible, while in the ear and behind the ear versions can come in skin tone colors but are still visible. Behind the ear, styles leave the ear canal open for more natural sound.

Can I treat my hearing loss without hearing aids?

Some forms of hearing loss can be remedied using alternate methods. If your hearing loss is the result of ear infections, antibiotics or decongestants may be effective. If your ears are filled with fluid, myringotomy uses tubes for drainage to clear your ear canal and restore your hearing.

Trust the experts at Head and Neck Center in Bethlehem, PA, to find the best solution for your hearing loss. Call us today at 610-691-2552.