A hearing center can offer a variety of services and equipment to those who are struggling with sound perception.
There are many reasons why individuals end up losing their ability to follow conversations in crowded rooms or hear someone's voice from a distance.
Specialists, tests, and devices are waiting for you at these innovative facilities.
Specialists At a hearing center, you will find specialists who can help you figure out exactly why you can't hear.
You may be given one or a group of evaluations to learn where your loss stems from and what can be done to correct it.
Every person's situation is different.
You may have been in an accident that caused your ear to be damaged.
Perhaps you've had an inner ear infection that has left scar tissue or is still going on.
The problem may be due to aging, as the ability to hear is one of the senses that commonly fades over time.
Maybe you've been working in a job with excessively loud noises without wearing protective devices.
One specialist you'll meet at these centers is an audiologist who is a doctor of audiology.
He or she is trained to perform tests and diagnose what problems.
You may also come in contact with an ENT, who is a physician specializing in ears, noses, and throats.
Tests A variety of screenings may take place depending on your situation.
Before tests are administered, patients are asked a series of questions about their loss as well as their lifestyle.
Once an audiologist or ENT receives the questionnaire results, one or more test will be given.
The most basic test is the audiogram, which involves measuring a patient's responses to various sound frequencies and pitches.
Other evaluations monitor the workings of the external and internal systems of the ear.
Devices After the severity of the loss has been determined, a hearing center specialist will prescribe some sort of adaptive device.
These aids come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors, with a selection of features.
Some devices are most adept at eliminating background noise while others are technically equipped to work with Bluetooth sound systems.
Each amplification device will have directional microphones, telecoils, and feedback minimizers.
In order to get a proper fit, practitioners make molds of patients' ears to use as templates for their devices.
A hearing center has a wealth of information and equipment to help those who have suffered a loss in their ability to perceive sound.
Reputable specialists, technologically advanced tests, and modern devices are available to those who schedule appointments.