Healthy Hearing - Hickory Audiology

Hearing Health is Essential to Healthy Aging

Take a moment and listen to your hearing…
what is it telling you?

Ready to make an appointment?

Your hearing health matters. Let the team at Hickory Audiology listen to your hearing needs and design a solution that is right for you.

Located at 533 S Landmark Ave, Suite B in Bloomington.

A life with better hearing is just one phone call away.

What sounds can you identify?
You may hear the hum of your air conditioner… people talking in the next room…the ping of an incoming text message… a speaker playing your favorite tune…the neighbor’s dog barking.

Sometimes we notice that we don’t hear as well as we once did.
Maybe the TV volume needs to be a little louder…the conversations are harder to follow…the people around you mumble…you miss the punchline that made everyone else laugh.

Often times changes in our hearing are gradual and hard to notice but once you and your loved ones become aware of challenges with hearing…it is time to get it checked. It is not that you can’t hear: the challenge is hearing well enough to be able to understand what is said.

You Are Not Alone

It is estimated that 48 million Americans of all ages experience hearing loss, including 1 out of every 6 baby boomers.

Hearing loss can be caused by exposure to noise, biological changes associated with diabetes, heart disease and more. But most often hearing loss is associated with aging.

While you can’t stop aging – you can treat your hearing loss.

Signs of Hearing Loss

Do any of these sound like you?

I can hear but I can’t understand.
Hearing in a busy restaurant is harder these days.
The TV volume is higher than it used to be (and my spouse isn’t happy about it).
I hear a ringing sound in my ears.
Asking people to repeat themselves is now part of my daily routine.
My hearing is better in one ear than the other.
People around me have told me that I have a hearing loss.

Call today for an appointment to schedule a hearing evaluation.

How does your ear work?

Sound waves are gathered by the outer ear and travel down the ear canal to the eardrum. The pressure of the sound waves cause the eardrum to vibrate which creates a chain reaction in a series of 3 small bones in your middle ear. The motion of these bones causes the fluid in your inner ear to move which then sends electrical impulses to your hearing nerve.

This is where your brain gets involved. Your brain immediately translates the sound into one we recognize and understand.

Types of Hearing Loss

There are 4 basic types of hearing loss.

Sensorineural:
Occurs when there is a problem in the way the inner ear or hearing nerve works. This is the most common kind of age-related hearing loss.

Mixed:
Hearing loss that is a combination of sensorineural and conductive.

Conductive:
Caused by something stopping the sound from getting through the outer and middle ear. This type of hearing loss can often be treated with medicine or surgery.

Central:
Caused by strokes or central nervous system disease. This type of hearing loss usually involves auditory rehabilitation.

Your Path to improved Hearing Health

Schedule an Appointment: If you suspect that you have hearing loss, there is no better time than today to get it checked. Knowledge is power!
Hearing Exam and Needs Assessment: A comprehensive hearing test is required to ensure that we have a full understanding of your hearing function. For those individuals who are considering hearing aids, we offer a battery of additional tests as part of a functional and communication needs assessment.
Establish Hearing Goals: In consultation with your audiologist, we will determine what you want to achieve with your hearing. Maybe it is being able to hear your grandkids on the next video call or hearing the joke on your favorite TV show. Whatever you are looking to achieve, we will work on it together.
Discuss Treatment Options: There are a variety of options available to improve your hearing performance. From simple hearing solutions to fully digital devices with Bluetooth. Together, we will design a solution that is best for your hearing and for your bank account.
Expert Hearing Aid Treatment: Hearing aids provide amazing access to technology but the expertise of the audiologist is required to make best use of this technology for your specific hearing needs. As part of your hearing aid fitting, your audiologist will perform electroacoustic verification to ensure the device is functioning optimally and conduct real-ear measures to confirm the programming is right for you!
Ongoing Support: Hearing aids require ongoing support to keep the device functioning. Also your hearing needs to be monitored. At Hickory Audiology, we can provide this support in our office or as part of our remote adjustment/telehealth program.

Your Brain is Wired for Sound

To hear is to understand. And to understand is to know the world in all its sensory splendor. We hear with our ears, but it is not until sound reaches the brain that we identify and understand.

Research studies show a link between untreated hearing loss and an increased risk of dementia and cognitive decline. Like muscles, your brain craves activity and needs sound to keep it active.

What To Expect At Your First Appointment?

Your Doctor of Audiology will work with you to gain a full understanding of your hearing challenges and hearing goals.

Case History: Establishing a complete case history is essential in determining the cause of your hearing loss and understanding how hearing is impacting your daily life.
Examination of the Ear: We look inside your ear to make sure there are no blockages or ear wax in the way.
Hearing Evaluation: Using a series of tests, we will map your hearing and determine the degree and nature of any hearing loss that may be present.
Treatment Recommendation: Your audiologist will review all the testing performed and discuss what treatment options would best meet your hearing goals. If hearing aids would be beneficial to you, your audiologists will offer a demonstration of the most current hearing aid technology.