Audio Help Hearing Centers provides diagnosis and treatment for sensorineural hearing loss in New York. Our clinics are conveniently located in Manhattan (Chelsea Village, Columbus Circle, and Park Avenue). We also have additional offices in Scarsdale, NY (Westchester County) and Stamford, CT.
Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) – occurring with inner ear damage – is the most common type of permanent hearing loss.
The tiny hair cells in the cochlea are lost throughout our lifetimes, causing our hearing to gradually become less sharp. In addition to the natural aging process, these hair cells can become damaged by exposure to excessive noise.
Someone with SNHL may have difficulty hearing soft sounds, while even loud sounds may be muffled. Although medications or surgery cannot typically resolve SNHL, hearing aids are likely to significantly improve the person’s ability to hear.
Symptoms of Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss is a type of hearing problem that happens when the inner ear or the nerve pathways from the inner ear to the brain are damaged.
Here are some symptoms to look out for:
Trouble Hearing Speech
One of the main signs is difficulty hearing what people are saying, especially in noisy places. You might feel like people are mumbling or talking too softly, even when they aren’t.
Hard-to-Hear High-Pitched Sounds
High-pitched sounds, like birds chirping or the beeping of a microwave, may be hard to hear. This can also include certain speech sounds like “s” and “th.”
Asking for Repeats
You might find yourself frequently asking people to repeat what they said because you didn’t catch it the first time. This can be frustrating and make conversations harder.
Ringing in the Ears
A ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in your ears, called tinnitus, is another symptom. This sound isn’t coming from the outside but from inside your ears.
Difficulty Understanding on the Phone
Talking on the phone can become more challenging because it’s harder to hear the person on the other end. You may have to switch ears or turn up the volume a lot.
Needing Higher TV Volume
You might notice that you need to turn up the volume on the TV or radio louder than before to hear it clearly. Others might think it’s too loud.
Feeling Off-Balance
Sometimes, sensorineural hearing loss can also affect your balance, making you feel dizzy or unsteady on your feet.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to see an audiologist. At Audio Help Hearing Centers, our expert audiologists can help figure out what’s going on and suggest ways to improve your hearing.
Causes of Sensorineural Hearing Loss
This type of hearing loss can stem from the following:
- Diseases: Conditions such as mumps, multiple sclerosis, meningitis, and Meniere’s disease have been tied to SNHL.
- Medications: Ototoxic drugs – those that can cause hearing loss – include aspirin, quinine, cisplatin, or antibiotics such as gentamicin and streptomycin.
- Hereditary: This hearing loss can run in the family.
- Loud noises and explosions: SNHL is becoming more common, partially due to the increased listening of loud music in headphones and exposure to excessive environmental noise.
- Issues at birth: SNHL can occur when a mother had rubella (German measles) during pregnancy or if the child’s birth weight was low.
- Head damage: A blow to the head can damage the inner ear.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss Diagnosis and Treatment
The first step in diagnosing sensorineural hearing loss is taking a hearing test.
Audio Help Hearing Centers has expert audiologists providing hearing tests in Manhattan, Scarsdale, NY, and Stamford, CT.
During the test, you will wear headphones and listen to different sounds and words. This helps the audiologist see how well you can hear different pitches and volumes.
The audiologist may also look inside your ears to check for any problems like earwax buildup or infections that could affect your hearing.
You will be asked about your health history and any medications you take. Some health conditions and medicines can affect hearing.
Even though sensorineural hearing loss can’t usually be cured, there are ways to help you hear better. Here are some common treatments:
- Hearing Aids: These small devices fit in or behind your ear and make sounds louder and clearer. They are very helpful for many people with sensorineural hearing loss.
- Cochlear Implants: For more severe cases, a cochlear implant might be needed. This is a small device that a doctor puts inside your ear through surgery. It helps send sound signals to the brain.
- Assistive Listening Devices: These devices can help you hear better in specific situations, like talking on the phone or watching TV. Audio Help Hearing Centers can help you select the best assistive listening device for better hearing.
- Communication Tips: Learning to read lips, using visual cues, and asking people to speak clearly can also help.
Can you fix sensorineural hearing loss?
Sensorineural hearing loss happens when the inner ear or the nerve pathways from the inner ear to the brain are damaged. This type of hearing loss usually can’t be fixed completely, but there are ways to help people hear better.
Audiologists can use hearing aids to make sounds louder, so it’s easier to hear. Sometimes, a special device called a cochlear implant can be used if hearing aids aren’t enough. There are also therapies and exercises that can help people with sensorineural hearing loss communicate better.
While we can’t fix hearing loss, these solutions can make a big difference in helping people hear and enjoy the sounds around them.
How do you prevent further sensorineural hearing loss?
Preventing further sensorineural hearing loss is important to keep your hearing as good as possible. Here are some simple steps you can take:
- Avoid Loud Noises: Try to stay away from places with very loud sounds, like concerts, construction sites, or fireworks. If you can’t avoid them, use earplugs or earmuffs to protect your ears.
- Turn Down the Volume: When listening to music or watching TV, keep the volume at a safe level. If someone else can hear your music through your headphones, it’s too loud.
- Take Breaks: If you are in a noisy place or using headphones, take breaks to give your ears a rest. This helps prevent damage from long exposure to loud sounds.
- Use Ear Protection: Wear ear protection when you are around loud machinery or at noisy events. This includes using earplugs or noise-canceling headphones.
- Keep Your Ears Healthy: Avoid putting things like cotton swabs or fingers into your ears, which can cause damage. Keep your ears clean and dry to prevent infections.
- Visit an Audiologist: Regular check-ups with an audiologist (hearing doctor) can help catch any changes in your hearing early. They can give you advice on how to protect your ears. Audio Help Hearing Centers connect you to the best audiologists in Scarsdale, NY, Chelsea Village, NY, Park Avenue, NY, Columbus Circle, NY, and Stamford, CT.
By following these steps, you can help keep your hearing safe and prevent further sensorineural hearing loss.
Audio Help Hearing Centers: Sensorineural Hearing Loss Diagnosis and Treatment in NYC
Sensorineural hearing loss differs from the other types of hearing loss – conductive and mixed hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss, which occurs in the outer and middle ear, can often be resolved with medicine and surgery. Mixed hearing loss is damage to the outer or middle ear as well as the inner ear.
Audiologists at Audio Help Hearing Centers can help you with any type of hearing loss and other types of hearing concerns. We provide hearing aids, aural rehabilitation, and other audiology services in NYC and nearby locations.
We have three audiology clinics conveniently located in Manhattan (Chelsea Village, Columbus Circle, and Park Avenue), with additional offices in Scarsdale, NY (Westchester County), and Stamford, CT.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment!