Hearing Center: FAQ About Auditory Loss and Deafness

As common an impairment as it is, there is a great deal of misunderstanding out there about both partial auditory loss and deafness. If you visit your local hearing center, you'll notice many people walking out with a somewhat surprised look on their face. They may not have realized they were suffering from loss, but after having a screening now understand the answers to so many questions they had about their lives. No one likes to be told they have a disability, but it's better to know than to constantly wonder why everything seems to be just a bit harder. Here are some frequently asked questions about the condition. Is auditory loss different for everyone? Indeed. Even without any kind of impairment issues, no two people will perceive sounds in exactly the same way. While the human body is certainly a miracle of evolution (or creation, if you prefer to think that way), it is far from a perfect system. And in those imperfections, many differences are obvious. While every healthy ear works in the same basic way, there will be minor differences in the way everyone hears the sound around them. Impairment occurs in the same way. Some people will experience loss of volume, while others will lose their sense of pitch. A good hearing center will be prepared to address these variations. What is this ringing sound I hear? If you hear a certain ringing sound in your ears from time to time, you could be experiencing the symptoms of tinnitus. Don't get the wrong idea about the definition. The sensation of "hearing" sounds that aren't there isn't limited to a ringing sound. Some individuals describe the sounds they hear as a pulse, a whooshing sound, or even a roar. Any of these sounds when there are no external sounds present can be a sign of tinnitus. So what is tinnitus? It can be a symptom of an almost endless series of other issues. If you experience auditory loss along with those internal sounds, however, you should visit a hearing center. Does everyone experience auditory loss as they age? Not at all. Though very common, recent surveys suggest that approximately one quarter of the population will experience some loss by the age of 55. Another 25% will join this group by the age of 75. Still, that leaves half the population to retain the greater part of their auditory function. Of course, a lifetime of unsafe noise levels can certainly ensure that you find yourself in the unfortunate portion of the demographic.