Frequently Asked Questions

We have provided our best online information to these most frequently asked questions. If you're in the Corpus Christi, Rio Grande Valley, or Houston TX area we will be happy to assist you in person or over the phone.

How do I know I have hearing loss?
What are the types of hearing loss?
What about noise damage?
What can you do?

How do I know I have hearing loss?

Hearing loss is usually gradual, developing over a long time.  At some point, the hearing deterioration starts to interfere with conversational speech.

If you answer “yes” to many of the following questions, you may have hearing loss.

• Do you ask others to repeat a lot?
• Do people mumble more than they used to?
• Do you need to turn the TV volume louder than people around you?
• Do you have difficulty listening in a noisy setting?
• Do your family and friends comment on your inability to hear?
• Do family members tell you that you talk loudly?

Hearing loss can develop gradually and can become quite severe before anyone realizes what’s happening.  Early recognition is important in getting treatment for the hearing impaired person before the loss interferes with their lifestyle.

There are two main types of hearing loss (Conductive and Sensorineural), with markedly different causes and treatments.

1. Conductive hearing loss is caused by physical obstructions or abnormalities, which block or inhibit the efficient entry of sound waves from getting deeper into the ear.  The result is an overall lowering of volume and an inability to hear faint sounds.
2. Sensorineural hearing loss comprises 90% of all cases and is the type most commonly treated by hearing aids.  Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when damage or trauma affects the nerve endings in the inner ear or along the nerve pathways to the brain.  Such trauma can occur from overexposure to noise, the aging process, use of certain medications, and many other causes.  The damage not only lowers the overall hearing level, but can selectively affect speech understanding, ability to hear certain frequencies, and other specific symptoms, which are unique to every individual.

Noise causes more hearing loss than age

Prolonged loud noise is a more common cause of hearing loss than age.  As future generations are exposed to ever-increasing levels of noise pollution, age will probably decrease, and environment increase, as a factor in causing hearing loss.

Noise can do more damage than you may think.  And the risk is widespread.  Every day, thousands of Americans expose themselves to noise levels that will almost inevitably lead to long-term hearing loss.

What can you do?

Hearing loss usually occurs gradually over time, making it hard to notice until it has already become advanced.  In addition, the brain develops compensation methods that make it difficult to perceive your true hearing ability in an objective way.  Our FREE Hearing Test was designed to overcome this difficulty, by enabling you to learn how you hear in controlled, yet realistic, listening situations.

For more information, please download "Is Hearing Loss Affecting Your Life?" (PDF)