The Emotional Impact of Hearing Loss

Because of the nature of their work, musicians of all genres are at risk for noise-induced hearing loss. Additionally, being able to hear properly is vital to the musicians livelihood, from being able to hear the right notes and words to playing in the correct pitch and key. Without proper hearing protection, the loud sounds most musicians experience on stage and while playing their instrument can cause permanent damage to their hearing. Additionally, musicians are also at risk for developing tinnitus, or a ringing-in-the-ears sensation. Tinnitus can be present with or without hearing loss, and while not life-threatening, can seriously deteriorate the quality of life for an individual.Hearing protection for musiciansBoth custom and non-custom products are available for musicians to help prevent hearing loss. Wearing the right ear protection not only helps combat hearing loss, but can also help to prevent   tinnitus. Musician earplugs: These earplugs for made for musicians playing a variety of different types of instruments. Theyre available in several types of materials, from foam to a softer plastic, and enable the musician to still hear the music being performed. These earplugs are also beneficial for concert-goers to protect their hearing while still enjoying the music. Electronic earplugs: These earplugs are electronic and can be programmed to adjust to different pitches and sounds depending on the loudness and environment the musician is in. These adaptive earplugs allow musicians to hear the sounds that are important, while filtering out damaging noise levels. In-ear monitors: These high-tech devices are used by musicians or audio-engineer professionals and deliver sound to the ear while creating a barrier to background and damaging noise levels. In-ear monitors are available in custom or universal options. Who Can Benefit from Musician Earplugs?Musician earplugs and protection arent simply designed for individuals in a band, they can actually be beneficial to a number of different people, including: Students in the school band or orchestra Music teachers or conductors Concert or festival attendees Nightclub workers or patrons Entertainment industry staff Finding the right ear protectionFinding the right ear protection is vital for musicians to not only perform their jobs, but also prevent hearing loss. If you need additional information or assistance in purchasing musicians earplugs consider visiting a hearing professional near you. A hearing specialist will be able to evaluate your wants and ensure you find the right product for your specific needs.

Hearing loss looks different on everyone. It can come on suddenly and cause permanent damage and it can gradually occur and make it difficult to identify. It even ranges from mild to profound and may vary across different pitches and frequencies. This is why Beltone Sound conducts a series of hearing tests before prescribing a solution. Our hearing aid specialists need to understand the unique nature of your hearing loss in order to match you with the best products possible.One of the most significant answers hearing tests can provide is whether your hearing loss can be categorized as conductive, sensorineural or mixed. This helps establish a foundation for the symptoms you are experiencing and helps determine the ideal solution. Conductive Hearing LossConductive hearing loss may be characterized by sounds that are muffled or far too quiet. It occurs when theres an issue with the way that sound is taken to the inner ear and a structure called the cochlea. This type of problem can be indicative of an issue with your ear canal, middle ear or eardrum.There are several potential causes of conductive hearing loss, including: Ear infections in the outer or middle ear Severe earwax blockage Deterioration of the middle ear bones Other problems with inner ear components If you have conductive hearing loss, it may be temporary or permanent. Conducting a full hearing test with a professional is the only way to make that determination.Sensorineural Hearing LossPeople with sensorineural hearing loss may struggle to discern speech from background noises and suffer from tinnitus. This type of hearing loss is caused by a problem with the sensory receptors in the hearing system. Its often the result of an abnormality or damage to the hair cells in the cochlea, which can prevent sounds from being transmitted to the brain properly. This type of hearing loss is typically permanent.Sensorineural hearing loss can be a congenital condition in that its existed since birth. But it can also be caused by age or damage to the hair cells in the cochlea through infection, drugs, trauma or over-exposure to noise.Mixed Hearing LossFinally, its also possible for you to be experiencing mixed hearing loss. This means that you have an issue with both your inner and outer ear components. Its a diagnosis of co-occurring sensorineural and conductive hearing loss.The best way to find out what type of hearing loss you have is to schedule an appointment. Our hearing aid specialists will evaluate your hearing system through tests and let you know what your best path forward is based on the results.

Tinnitus is commonly described as a ringing, buzzing, whooshing or hissing sensation in your ears, but the sound isnt caused by an external noise. More than 50 million Americans experience tinnitus for a number of different reasons. To determine how to best treat tinnitus, its important to understand its  symptoms and causes.Symptoms of tinnitusThere are a number of different symptoms for tinnitus, but the most common include hearing the following sounds: Ringing Buzzing Whooshing Hissing Clicking These sounds are heard only by the person experiencing the tinnitus, but can sometimes be detected by a hearing professional. These sounds can be heard constantly or intermittently. Some people have problems sleeping when they have tinnitus because they feel as though their brain never shuts off.Causes of tinnitusThere are several factors that can cause tinnitus, including the following: Exposure to loud noise Medication Hearing loss Ear infection Trauma to the ear Earwax buildup Menieres disease Vascular disorders Tinnitus may be caused by one or more of these conditions and some can be resolved easily if the cause is temporary, such as an infection or a buildup of earwax.Tinnitus treatmentsDepending on the cause of your tinnitus, there are a number of different treatment methods available to help you find relief. Your hearing care provider will assess the severity of your tinnitus, symptoms, how it impedes your daily life and possible causes and recommend one of the following solutions. Address the problem: If your tinnitus is due to earwax build up, medication or infection, theyll recommend the proper course to resolve the issue. This may include removing the earwax, switching medications or antibiotics. Behavioral therapy may also be recommended to help treat the varying emotions you may experience with tinnitus, from anxiety to anger. Hearing aids: Hearing devices are incredibly helpful in treating tinnitus. Even if a hearing loss isnt present, hearing aids can be equipped with tinnitus-masking features that help cover the tinnitus and offer relief from the unwanted noise. White noise machines: If your tinnitus isnt as severe or only experienced at nighttime, a white noise machine may be ideal for helping you find relief. White noise machines produce a steady sound to help mask the tinnitus noises you hear. Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT): TRT is a form of therapy designed to help individuals with tinnitus find relief. This therapy involves retraining your mind to block out and hear certain tones, which in turn, helps to ease the symptoms caused by tinnitus. If you are suffering from tinnitus schedule an appointment with a hearing professional to be evaluated. The hearing provider will work to identify the cause behind your tinnitus and recommend the appropriate treatment.