The Silverstein Institute Sarasota
If you have hearing loss, you are not alone. A staggering 28 million people in the U.S. have some degree of hearing loss. Thirty percent over age 65 and 70-80 percent over 75 have significant impairment.

Baby boomers are showing increased hearing loss earlier, due to repeated noise exposure from loud music & headphones, concerts, industry and more.
Hearing loss can have its greatest impact on quality of life. People with a hearing impairment often experience reductions in mobility and involvement in social activities leading to loneliness. Thanks to modern technology, however, most people can now benefit from medical treatment, surgery, or hearing devices.

Hearing disorders are divided into two basic categories, conductive and sensorineural. Conductive hearing loss is due to a blockage of sound wave conduction in the outer or middle ear. Sounds become "blocked", often by fluid behind the eardrum or wax buildup in the ear canal, and are not carried to the inner ear. Use of Q-tips should be strictly avoided because they may actually push earwax inward and damage the eardrum or middle ear structures. A second cause is a hole in the eardrum or disruption or stiffening of the middle ear bones. A third cause is inflammation of the Eustachian tube from sinus disease that causes fluid build-up in the middle ear. Normally fluid drains through the tube to the throat when it opens during swallowing, yawning and chewing - the inflammation prevents this from happening. These problems can all typically be corrected with medication, a simple office procedure, or, at worst, an outpatient surgical procedure.

Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when the hair cells in the inner ear or hearing nerve are damaged. The most common causes are aging and noise exposure. When the neural impulses that travel through the hearing nerve to the brain are impaired, it becomes difficult for the brain to interpret these signals. This makes it hard to understand what a person is saying, especially when there is background noise. The gradual onset of sensorineural hearing loss over many years is usually not medically or surgically treatable. Most people with this type of loss find that hearing aids are beneficial. However, when hearing loss occurs rapidly - over minutes to days - medical or surgical intervention is needed quickly.
The first step to better hearing is to protect your ears in noisy environments. Second, everyone should get a full ear exam and baseline hearing test. If you have a loss, research the many ways to improve hearing through a hearing device or surgical technique. However, if you have persistent ear pain or sudden hearing loss, see a doctor as soon as possible. Finally, remember what Mom told you - "Don't put anything in your ear smaller than your elbow!"
About The Author:
Seth I. Rosenberg, MD, FACS, is a specialist in hearing and balance disorders.

His M.D., surgical & otolaryngology residencies were completed at State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse. He currently practices at the Silverstein Institute in Sarasota, also serving as Vice President & Education Director of the Ear Research Foundation.

The Silverstein Institute Sarasota
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