Hearing loss currently affects more than 36 million Americans today. Although hearing problems are commonly associated with the normal aging process, more than half of all hearing-impaired persons are younger than 65. With the increased use of personal music players (MP3s) and earbuds, the number of Americans experiencing hearing loss at a younger age is growing.
On average, most Americans consider hearing loss a condition that is simply associated with aging, and don’t know how to recognize the condition or who is qualified to diagnose and treat the condition. In response to this growing number of Americans suffering from hearing loss, the American Academy of Audiology in conjunction with Long Island Audiology have launched National Audiology Awareness Month this October.
An audiologist is a highly educated and clinically experienced health-care professional who specialize in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating people with hearing loss and balance disorders. Audiologists treat patients of all ages—newborns, infants, babies, toddlers, children, teens, adults, and the elderly. The first step in treatment of a hearing problem is a hearing evaluation by an audiologist.
“Hearing loss can be caused by exposure to loud noises; ear infections, trauma, or ear disease; harm to the inner ear and ear drum; illness or certain medications;
"You may have a problem with your hearing and need to see audiologist if: you have trouble hearing conversation in a noisy environment such as a restaurant, are unable to hear people talk to you without looking at them, or have a constant ringing or pain in your ears."
Lond Island Audiology audiologists in Great Neck and Rockville Centre have a variety of specialties including:
➢ Prescribing and fitting hearing aids
➢ Diagnosing balance disorders
➢ Performing ear- or hearing-related surgical monitoring
➢ Designing and implementing hearing conservation programs and newborn hearing screening programs
➢ Providing hearing rehabilitation training such as auditory training, speech reading, and
listening skills improvement
Although most hearing loss that is caused by nerve damage is permanent, an audiologist can determine the best treatment, which may include hearing aids, assistive listening devices, and hearing rehabilitation.
