Understanding Hearing Loss

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How It Affects Your Health, Communication, and Quality of Life

There are many options that can help with hearing loss to reconnect, communicate, and engage with the world around us. Even mild hearing loss can adversely affect personal relationships, mental health, and daily living. If ignored, hearing loss can lead to social disconnection and isolation, emotional distress, and in some cases, medical and physical health concerns.
Good hearing is based on the inner ear and the brain working together by using complex processes to accurately wire sound to the brain's auditory system. If any component of the hearing system has been damaged, whether the outer ear, middle ear, or inner ear, the auditory signal can be disturbed and may heighten confusion, make speech understanding more difficult, and miss significant amounts of information.
Hearing loss is categorized based on the location of the actual problem. Conductive hearing losses affect either the outer or middle ear and are often the result of a blockage or infection. Sensorineural hearing losses involve the inner ear or the ability of the brain to process sound. Sensorineural hearing losses are often described as permanent, and with regard to the interactive hearing system of the brain, can be irreversible. The other loss category is mixed hearing loss, or the loss from two different hearing loss types.
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"Denver Audiology (aka Bunny) is my hearing loss medical provider for the last 7 years. I did not know how degraded my hearing was until Bunny took the time to explain the hearing loss as well as the effects on brain function. Bunny and the staff are courteous, professional, kind, caring, and best of all knowledgeable. Very reasonable pricing for state of the art hearing aids. Your one stop for the BEST hearing loss care is Denver Audiology."

- Kevin J.

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“Bunny at Denver Audiology took great care in making sure I understood the options for dealing with my hearing loss, and selecting the best solution given my needs and lifestyle. Whenever follow-up is necessary, getting an appointment is quick and easy. Highly recommended. ”

— Adam P.

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“Denver Audiology helped me find the right solution for my hearing needs. Their follow-up care is fast and reliable. Highly recommended.”

— Adam P.

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“As a musician, I’ve trusted Denver Audiology for years. Their custom in-ear solutions are top-notch, and they genuinely care.”

— Wil S.

Why Binaural Hearing Matters

Binaural hearing is the brain's capacity to simultaneously process sound from both ears. When your brain is able to process sound from both ears, it gives you the advantage in locating where sound is coming from, listening to speech in noisy environments, and better understanding people.
If you have only one functioning ear, this is classified as unilateral hearing loss. With unilateral loss, your brain has to work harder to fill in the missing pieces. Children who have hearing loss and are in school with unilateral hearing loss will end up repeating a grade level, compared to having hearing levels in both ears that are healthy. Adults typically have to work harder in conversation in noisier environments. Listening comprehension in a noisy environment can drop off from 30% to 35% when both ears have hearing levels that are healthy, compared to a setting with one ear in a unilateral loss.

The Three Main Types of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is not the same for everyone. There are three main types, each with different causes and treatments, and understanding the difference is the first step toward proper care.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL)

This type of hearing loss occurs when the hair cells in the cochlea (inner ear) are damaged, or the pathways...

Conductive Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss happens when something is blocking sound from reaching the inner ear.

Mixed Hearing Loss

This is hearing loss that has characteristics of both sensorineural and conductive loss.

Other Types of Hearing Loss

Some types of hearing loss appear suddenly or affect only certain sounds, making them different from the three main types.

Unilateral Hearing Loss

Hearing loss in one ear only. This condition can be present at birth or develop later in life, often due to an...

Sudden Hearing Loss

This refers to a loss of hearing that occurs rapidly, either entirely or partially, within 24 hours.

High-Frequency Hearing Loss

Hearing loss that makes high-pitched sounds, like birds chirping, women's or children's voices, or some speech...

Common Symptoms of Hearing Loss

There are several signs that hearing loss is present. These are often overlooked, but if you do start to notice that you are asking people to repeat themselves often, have trouble following conversations in noisy places, or are constantly turning up the TV, and others complain, you are likely showing signs. You may also tell people they are mumbling, have a ringing or buzzing in their ears, or struggle to hear sounds with a higher pitch. These are all signs it is time to get your hearing checked.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Do Not Ignore the Signs

A professional hearing evaluation stands as the initial action when you start to believe hearing loss exists. At Denver Audiology, we provide sophisticated hearing tests together with expert diagnosis and personalized treatment plans to deliver optimal hearing throughout your entire life.
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