FREE Hearing Test and a Risk-FREE Trial on Hearing Devices at Our St. Charles Missouri Southwestern Hearing Aid Center.

The Southwestern Hearing Center in St. Charles is located at the corner of Portwest and Highway 94.

There are lots of hearing aid companies -so choosing the right one can feel overwhelming sometimes. But don’t worry. We’re here to make your decision easier. Our state-of-the-art hearing aid center and dedicated staff are here to make sure you get the hearing aids you need. Call us today for a free hearing and hearing aids consultation.

HEARING LOSS

WHAT IS HEARING LOSS?

Hearing loss is when your ability to hear is greatly reduced. Living with a hearing loss makes it difficult for you to hear speech and other sounds in the world around you. Hearing loss is quite common these days but the good news is that it is treatable. The most common causes of hearing loss are loud noises and aging. In most cases, a hearing loss cannot be cured, but treated with hearing aids.

Causes of hearing loss

Hearing loss can be caused by many factors, but age and repeated exposure to loud noises are the two most common causes.

The loss of hearing is a natural consequence of getting older. Our ability to hear starts to decline in our 40s and onwards. When we reach our 80s, more than half will suffer from severe hearing loss.

Another common reason for hearing loss is exposure to loud noises. It can be from your living situation if you live in a noisy environment, your job, or the activities you love – such as attending loud rock concerts, going to night clubs or listening to the stereo too loud. In the ear headphones can also damage your hearing if the volume exceeds normal listening levels.

Hearing loss can also occur as a result of other causes:

• Some diseases

• Ear infections

• Medications and drugs

• Damages to the ears

• Injuries to the head

• Blockage of the ear

• Genetic factors

• Tumors in the head

• Alcohol and tobacco

• Solvents

• High cholesterol

TYPES OF LOSS

Hearing loss is one of the most common health issues in the world. Nearly one in five Americans age 12 and older experience hearing loss severe enough to interfere with daily communication. There are many different causes of hearing loss, but there are only 2 types of hearing loss: Conductive and Sensorineural.

Conductive hearing loss happens when sounds cannot get through the outer and middle ear. It may be hard to hear soft sounds. Louder sounds may be muffled. It usually involves some type of obstruction in the ear.

• Ear wax buildup

• Foreign object in the ear canal

• Infections in the ear canal or middle ear

• Perforation or scarring of the eardrum

• Abnormal tumors or growths

• Hearing loss risk factors

Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss. This is usually age related. This type of hearing loss occurs when there is a problem with the inner ear or the hearing nerve. It is usually permanent but can be treatable through amplifications through hearing aids. Causes of sensorineural hearing loss include:

• Aging

• Exposure to excessive or loud noise

• Ototoxic medications

• Viral infections (such as measles or mumps)

• Acoustic tumors

Hearing loss can be hereditary or just be a part of the natural aging process. It can be triggered by loud noises, infections, medications, or trauma to the head. Many people put off getting help for their hearing loss because they think it’s insignificant. Instead they just continue to ask others to repeat or turn up the volume on the TV even louder.

CAUSES

HEARING LOSS EFFECTS 36 MILLION ADULTS IN AMERICA

REASONS FOR HEARING LOSS

It can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, or status. The number of reasons for hearing loss are endless. One thing many people who suffer from hearing loss have in common is that they don’t like to admit they have a problem, so they put off getting help for many years. People wait on average about 7 years before accepting that they have a hearing loss. That is 7 years of missing certain sounds, words, and experiences coupled with a reduced quality of life. When they finally do seek help their hearing has deteriorated even further and in some cases too far for appropriate help.

People who cannot hear well often experience anxiety, insecurity, isolation, and depression. This eventually causes them to gradually withdraw from social situations altogether. With any level of hearing loss, a person is missing certain sounds which means that their hearing nerve and the part of the brain that processes sounds are not being stimulated, which can lead to a decrease in the ability to recognize speech.

The good news is hearing aids can help you! If you want to take care of your hearing, make sure to wear ear protection during potentially loud activities such as concerts or sporting events. Exposure to noise for even 10 minutes can cause permanent hearing loss. Don’t wait, call us today! Hearing instruments can improve 90-95 percent of hearing loss cases. Sadly, only one in five people who could benefit from hearing aids actually wear them. We want to change this statistic because everyone deserves to hear.

18% OF ADULTS AGE 45-64

30% OF ADULTS 65-74

47% OF ADULTS 75+

COMMON TRIGGERS:

• Natural aging – as you grow older, your inner ear changes. These changes can cause hearing loss.

• Exposure to loud noises – sounds played at a harmful volume can damage hearing permanently.

• Medications – certain medications are ototoxic and can permanently hurt your hearing.

• Infections – chronic ear infections or serious illnesses can both lead to hearing loss.

• Head or ear trauma – a traumatic injury outside the ear can affect the inside, too.

• Congenital or hereditary factors – your genes can factor into whether or not you’ll lose your hearing.

• Disease – conditions like Meniere’s Disease can cause hearing loss.

SYMPTOMS/SIGNS

SIGNS OF HEARING LOSS

You don't have to struggle in silence

So much depends on sound. Your career. Your responsibilities. Your relationships. It’s your connection to world, and losing it is devastating. The thing about hearing loss is that it’s invisible and only you can make the decision to do something about it. Read on to learn more about hearing loss, if you believe you’re experiencing these symptoms, let us help you. Call (844) 899-6085 to set up your free hearing exam.

What to expect when the noises fade

Sound is special. It has the power to thrill us, to soothe us, to captivate us. The symptoms of hearing loss often appear gradually and can be difficult to detect on your own. Family members and caregivers are usually the first to recognize a problem, but losing the ability to hear can be difficult to accept. It’s a life-changing event, one that can be hard to understand if it’s not happening to you. If someone in your life is suffering from hearing loss, be supportive and learn about his or her condition.

Signs you may have hearing loss

• Frequently asking others to repeat themselves.

• Turning up the volume on the TV and radio to levels that are uncomfortable for others.

• You don’t always hear the doorbell or telephone ring.

• You can hear people speak, but struggle to understand the words they are saying.

• It feels like others are always mumbling.

• Understanding conversation in groups or with background noise is difficult.

• You hear a buzzing or ringing noise in your ears.

Signs someone you know has hearing loss

• They frequently ask you to repeat.

• The volume they watch TV at is uncomfortable for others.

• They frequently miss the doorbell or telephone ringing.

• They blame their inability to understand you because of mumbling.

• You’ve noticed they withdraw or isolate themselves, so they don’t have to struggle to hear.

• They have stopped doing things they once loved, like going to church or the movies.

HEARING AIDS

AVAILABLE HEARING AID STYLES

Hearing aids come in many different styles, from digital hearing aids, iPhone hearing aids, and now rechargeable hearing aids. Each device looks and feels different than the next. Hearing aids are small electronic devices that you wear in or behind your ears to help you hear. It amplifies the sounds you want to hear while removing background noise. Hearing aids allow you to hear the world around you and help you to live a more fulfilled life. It allows the wearer to listen and communicate so they can participate in daily activities. Hearing aids come in a number of sizes from the Invisible-In-Canal to a Receiver-In-Canal. The hearing aid you choose will ultimately depend on your hearing loss, your ears, and your lifestyle. Our hearing instrument specialist will show you all the available options that will fit your hearing loss! There’s something for everyone.

A hearing aid has three basic parts: a microphone, amplifier, and speaker. The hearing aid receives the sound through the microphone, which converts the sound waves to electrical signals and sends them to an amplifier. The amplifier increases the power of the signal and then sends them to the ear through the speaker.

A hearing aid can help people to hear more efficiently in both quiet and noisy social situations. Unfortunately, only one out of five people who would benefit from a hearing aid actually wears one. There is ever-increasing evidence showing that treating hearing loss with hearing aids can improve or limit some serious health issues such as cognitive decline and dementia. In fact, a 2017 study revealed that treating hearing loss is the single greatest change a person can make to help lower their risk for dementia.

We want to help you find hearing aids that best fit your lifestyle, your loss, and your budget. Stop by one of our many locations and a hearing specialist will walk you through the process. Call us today for your free appointment!

Depending on your personal preferences and hearing needs, our hearing aids come in a wide variety of styles.

• Invisible In Canal – IIC

• Completely In Canal – CIC

• In The Canal – ITC

• In The Ear – ITE

• Mini Receiver In Canal – Mini RIC

• Receiver In Canal – RIC

• Behind The Ear – BTE

The best hearing aids for you will be based solely on your hearing range, determined by your hearing test. Our hearing specialist will work with you to get you into the best hearing aid for your hearing loss and your lifestyle.

BENEFITS

BENEFITS OF HEARING AIDS

Today’s hearing aids do so much more than just help you to hear better, they are a mini-computer for your ears. Circa AI is not only our best sounding hearing aid ever, it’s the world’s first hearing aid that monitors brain and body activity and provides convenient features that can help simplify your life.

Hearing aids connect you to the ever-changing world around you, allowing you to do the things you love to do with the people you love to do them with. Today’s hearing aids are called healthables and help you to live a more fulfilled life. You can enjoy the sense of freedom that you get with our hearing aids. They can detect falls and alert your loved ones, monitor your heart rate, remind you to take your medication, translate over 27 languages in real-time, and of course deliver superior sound quality.

You no longer have to worry about going out to social situations and getting frustrated because you can’t hear. You won’t have to ask others to repeat because our hearing aids will amplify the sounds you want to hear while reducing background noise. With our hearing aids, we encourage you to go to dinner with friends in noisy restaurants or go to the local bar to hear your favorite band rock out. It’s time to take charge of your hearing health!

Hearing aids have been proven to slow down cognitive decline and decrease your risk of dementia. A growing body of evidence points to a strong connection between hearing health and overall health. People who treat their hearing loss not only hear better, they lower their risk for serious health issues such as cognitive decline and dementia.

Some other benefits of hearing aids can be a more positive outlook and more satisfying relationships. You may experience a reduction in anxiety and gain more confidence in public situations. Treating your hearing loss has many benefits and will allow you to enjoy life.

Benefits of wearing hearing aids may include:

• Reduced mental fatigue

• Decreased feelings of isolation and depression

• Improved ability to do several things at once

• Improved memory, attention and focus

• Improved communication skills

PREVENTION AND EAR CARE

Your ears need special care in order to allow you to hear your best! You should have your ears checked regularly by a hearing care specialist to stay on top of your hearing health. Hearing loss is typically gradual and age-related. However, the only preventable kind of hearing loss is Noise-Induced Hearing Loss or NIHL. Although you may adjust to the loud sounds over time, unfortunately, your ears and brain will not. By the time you notice your hearing loss, it is often already too late to prevent damage to your ears. The sounds around us connect us to other people, memories, and activities we enjoy. Our hearing is a precious commodity that enhances our life and learning experiences. To enjoy all the sounds of your life, properly caring for your ears is the best way to prevent hearing loss and protect all that your hearing does for you.

Noise can be harmful if you are exposed to it for an extended period of time or if it is a very loud impact noise that is short in duration.

Firefighters, police officers, factory workers, military personnel, musicians and construction workers are most at risk for hearing loss in the workplace. Always be aware and alert to potentially noisy occupational or recreational activities.

It is important to follow some basic rules to protect your hearing and prevent hearing loss. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) can be prevented if you remember to:

• Turn it down

• Walk away

• Protect your ears

More specifically, you can:

• Limit your amount of time that you are exposed to noise

• Wear hearing protection (foam earplugs, ear muffs, custom hearing protection)

• Turn down the volume of your radio, MP3 player, television, etc.

• Avoid medications that may be harmful to your hearing

Signs that your environment may be too loud:

• You have difficulty hearing someone who is within three feet of you

• You have pain in your ears, ringing or buzzing (tinnitus), and/or difficulty understanding speech after being in a loud setting

• Remember only you can protect your hearing and prevent any kind of hearing loss!

( https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17053-hearing-loss-prevention )

Ever-increasing evidence shows treatment of hearing loss with hearing aids can improve or limit some serious health issues such as cognitive decline and dementia. In fact, a 2017 study revealed that treating hearing loss is the single greatest change a person can make to lower their risk for dementia.

Here are some simple but very effective ways to protect your ears.

Avoid harmful noise

If you are going to a concert make sure to wear ear protection. Wear proper ear protection when firing guns or near people who are.

Get your hearing checked regularly

Stay on top of your hearing health. If you notice that you aren’t hearing as well as you were, give us a call or visit any one of our Southwestern Hearing Centers locations for a free screening.

Control ear wax

Ear wax helps to keep our ears protected and moisturized. However if you produce too much wax, it can become impacted and prevent sound from entering the ear. This is one of the most common causes of conductive hearing loss. Luckily this type of hearing loss is usually temporary. If impacted ear wax is left untreated, it may lead to more permanent hearing loss.

Reduce stress

Excessive stress can cripple your mental and physical health. Make sure to keep stress levels low by practicing stress relief techniques such as meditation and relaxation. The development of hypertension can result from significant long-term stress, which is another condition linked to hearing loss and tinnitus. Hypertension has been shown to accelerate age-related hearing loss.

Watch your diet

Your diet plays a crucial role in both your health and the way you hear. Make sure to choose healthy choices over fast food or processed junk.

Nix the nicotine

Smokers have a 15% increased risk to have hearing loss than non-smokers. The chemicals found in cigarettes affect the way your ears process sound.

Minimize pain reliever use

Overuse of pain relievers can lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss. These types of medication are classified as ototoxic, which means that over time they poison your ears.

Contact Details:

Southwestern Hearing Centers

2151 Bluestone Dr. Saint Charles, MO 63303

Phone: 636-946-8111

Website: https://www.southwesternhearing.com/locations/st-charles-missouri

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