Ask your audiologist these questions

While sensorineural hearing loss is a common condition among the elderly population, hearing problems are very common among both adults and children. To correctly assess their condition and level of hearing loss, it is best to undergo online hearing tests that indicates the following. 

Hearing loss degrees, in decibel, are:

• Moderate hearing loss: 41 to 55 dB. 
• Moderately severe hearing loss: 56 to 70 dB. 
• Severe hearing loss: 71 to 90 dB. 
• Profound hearing loss: 91+ dB. 

Below are a few of the primary causes for hearing loss:

• severe stress; 
• rupture of the eardrum; 
• inflammation of the middle ear; 
• presence of foreign bodies in the ear, such as earwax plugs;
• inflammation; 
• water in the ear canal; 
• infectious diseases;  
• absence or malformation of the pinna, ear canal, or middle ear;
• infection of the ear (otitis media) or ear canal (otitis externa); 
• allergies; 
• benign tumors.

While there is not single cure for hearing loss, professional hearing aids, adjusted to your degree of hearing loss and general lifestyle, can be an extremely effective treatment.

While hearing loss cannot be reverse, remember that a healthy ear is a clean ear. So, to maintain good ear care, incorporate these hearing-protective foods into your regular diet:

• vitamin b12 (found in meat, eggs, chicken, dairy products and other animal-derived foods);
• folic acid (found in spinach, asparagus, turnip greens, broccoli, beans, lentils and chickpeas);
• omega-3 (found in many fish, nuts, flaxseed);
• magnesium (included in fruits and vegetables such as bananas, artichokes, potatoes, spinach, tomatoes and broccoli);
• zinc (found in protein-rich foods such as beef, pumpkin seeds, cashews, almonds, spinach and dark chocolate);
• potassium (found in bananas, potatoes, spinach, lima beans, tomatoes, etc).

The most effective way to improve your hearing naturally is to prevent hearing loss. To do this, it is suggested that you listen to music without earphones and at a moderate volume, avoid using cotton buds for ear cleaning, take precautions in noisy environments and undergo regular hearing assesments. 

To gain a better understanding of the costs associated with hearing aids, it best to consult an ENT specialist. 

Your doctor can offer you valuable insights based on the severity of your hearing loss and the morphology of your outer ear. Only then the ENT specialist can offer tailored advice on the most suitable hearing aid options for you and their associated costs. 

First and foremost, consider your lifestyle when choosing a hearing aid. The most suitable hearing aid type varied based on your lifestyle and specific listening requirements. If you lead an active lifestyle, a hearing aid with features that accomodate movement might be preferable. However, for those who frequetly use mobile phone, compatibility and seamless connectivity are better features to keep in mind. In addition to this, the latest digital models offer convenience by eliminating the need for frequent battery replacements. That being said, the choice between digital and rechargable hearing aid models can depend on a number of personal and lifestyles preferences. 

It's important to handle your hearing aids with extreme care so that they last a long time. Since your hearing are an everyday item, here are some essential tips for hearing aid care and maintenance:

• Always keep them clean and dry; 
•  Clean them daily; 
• Store them in their designated kit;
• Remove them before going to bed, swimming or showering. 

To find out which hearing aid suits you best, take advantage of free trial periods. With Amplifon, you can choose from a wide range of hearing aids and test them out. Not to mention, you can also take advantage of the various services and financing options available.