Here at Colorado ENT & Allergy, we offer comprehensive audiology tests and solutions for those with impaired hearing. Our ASHA-certified audiologists and experienced staff have made it their mission to educate as many people as possible about the risks, the facts of hearing loss, and the short-term and long-lasting effects of hearing damage.
Comprehensive Hearing Care Solutions
Our Colorado Springs, CO audiologists evaluate and treat common, complex auditory and balance conditions. The cost of treatment always includes continued care for patients who need hearing aids for the entirety of their lifetime. This ensures that patients receive personalized attention from an audiologist or medical doctor and receive the best possible care for their hearing needs.
Hearing loss can occur at any stage of life and may result from various underlying causes. Signs and Symptoms of Hearing Loss:
- Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when the inner ear or the hearing nerve is damaged. It is the most common hearing loss, resulting from aging, exposure to loud noises, injury, disease, ototoxic drugs, or an inherited condition. Most people benefit from the use of hearing aids.
- Conductive hearing loss occurs in the outer or middle ear, where sound waves cannot carry through to the inner ear. Sound may be blocked by earwax or a foreign object in the ear canal, the middle ear may be impacted by fluid and infection, or the eardrum may have been injured. For some people, it may be reversed through medical or surgical intervention. Otherwise, hearing aid use may be recommended.
Additional Signs and symptoms of hearing loss may include:
- Difficulty hearing on the phone
- Frequently asking people to repeat themselves
- Difficulty hearing when there is noise in the background
- Difficulty following a conversation when two or more people talk at once
- Finding that most people seem to mumble or not speak clearly
- Misunderstanding what others say and responding inappropriately
- Difficulty understanding the speech of women and children
- Turning the TV volume up too loud
- Frequently hearing ringing, roaring, or hissing sounds
- Finding that some sounds seem too loud or too soft
If three or more of these apply to you, having your hearing checked is a good idea.
Cochlear Impants
For some patients, hearing can be improved by an advanced procedure known as a cochlear implant. With this procedure, your ENT surgically places an electronic device near your ear that bypasses the damaged parts of the ear and sends audio signals to the brain.
Common Questions About Audiology and Hearing
Why is audiology important?
Audiology is an important medical specialty that diagnoses and treats hearing loss and balance disorders. Furthermore, hearing loss is one of the most common medical conditions in the United States, and an audiologist is an important resource for anyone experiencing hearing loss.
Can audiologists diagnose?
Yes, audiologists can diagnose hearing loss and other types of ear-related diseases. Furthermore, they have the expertise and training to assess hearing levels, diagnose hearing loss, and recommend treatment options.
Are audiologists medical doctors?
No, audiologists are not medical doctors. Similarly, an audiologist is a healthcare professional specializing in identifying, diagnosing, managing, and treating hearing and balance disorders in people of all ages.
Our specialists diagnose and treat various ear and balance disorders and can assess your condition with accurate diagnostic tests. If you have ears or hearing issues and need an Audiologist in Colorado Springs, make an appointment today at one of our convenient locations.