Hearing Loss can be overlooked by many, but is more common than you think. Most hearing loss occurs gradually over time and most do not realize how much it is affecting their lives. Our goal at the Hearing Center is early diagnosis and early intervention. Those who have been diagnosed with hearing loss do better with assistive devices when diagnosed early. Early intervention is the best intervention! Communication skills are essential in everyone's life. However, when hearing loss is present this communication becomes a challenge. There are three types of hearing loss: Conductive Hearing loss, Sensorineural Hearing loss, and Mixed Hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss comes from problems occuring with the eardrum or the bones in the middle ear. This type of hearing loss can often be treated by some type of surgical or medical intervention. There are some types of conductive losses that can be treated with hearing aid(s). The second type is Sensorineural Hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss occurs from damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or to the nerve pathways that travel from the inner ear to the brain )retrocochlear). This is somewhat different from conductive hearing loss in that this cannot be medically or surgically treated. This type of hearing loss is permanent. Mixed hearing loss as you can probably guess can be a combination of sensorineural hearing loss and conductive hearing loss. This may occur if there is damage within the outer or middle as well as the inner ear. If any of these different types of losses are occurring it is best to have them evaluated at its earliest stage. We provide the appropriate testing services so we can ensure once we have that information we can have you immediately seen by a physician. | 
