Are you having trouble hearing? Do you often hear ringing in your ears? If so, you should consider seeing a local audiologist. Audiologists are highly trained specialists experienced in evaluating and treating various ear issues, as well as providing guidance on how to prevent further damage. They can do a great deal to enhance your quality of life, from basic screenings to more complex evaluations. Here are six ways an audiologist can help you.

1. Check for earwax and remove blockages
2. Perform a thorough hearing test and evaluation
3. Fit and adjust hearing aids with a personalized prescription
4. Help reduce the impact and severity of tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
5. Help give you strategies for better communication
6. Help fit you with custom hearing protection

Earwax Removal: Keeping Your Ears Clean and Healthy

Maintaining healthy ears is a crucial part of your hearing health. Earwax, also known as cerumen, is an oily secretion created by glands in the ear to protect them from dust and debris. While some earwax is normal, an accumulation may cause blockages or pressure build-up that can result in difficulty hearing or pain. An audiologist will remove wax with specialized tools like suction devices, curettes and warm water irrigation. Furthermore, they can give advice on how often one should clean their ears at home and what products are safe to use while providing lifestyle changes that could help avoid wax buildup in the future. Your audiologist will evaluate your individual needs before recommending a suitable course of action for removing any excess wax; it's essential not to self-treat before getting a professional opinion - always get expert advice first! After removal has been finished, they'll assess for any signs of infection or damage caused by the earwax or previous cleaning methods; this helps guarantee optimal safety when regular maintenance visits occur later on.

Hearing Tests: Understanding Your Hearing Loss

If you're experiencing difficulties with your hearing, a hearing test is a great place to start. An audiologist can perform an extensive examination and diagnosis of your hearing needs to identify the cause of any issues. They will assess your listening ability, discuss the potential effects of not treating the condition, and provide ways to manage present or future problems. During the exam, they may ask about family history, lifestyle, and other factors that could influence your hearing abilities. Additionally, they use sophisticated equipment such as audiometers and tympanometers to measure sound levels in each ear and check for congestion within the middle ear. These results help them create treatment recommendations tailored to your specific situation, so you get optimal care.

Hearing Aids: Finding the Right Fit for You

Despite the great advances in hearing aid technology that have emerged in recent years, hearing aids do not come out of the box ready for use. Hearing aids need to be programmed and verified for patients to hear their best. Even top-of-the-line hearing aids can be rendered useless if best practice standards are not used. Each type performs somewhat differently, with a range of applications and customization options to help improve hearing impairment. All hearing aids must be carefully fitted to the individual’s ear and programmed to optimal settings. At Audiology & Hearing Services of Charlotte, we are proud to offer evidence-based best practices in our hearing aid fittings, including the use of Real Ear Measurement.

Tinnitus: Manage Symptoms and Reduce Stress

Millions of people suffer from tinnitus, a condition that causes ringing, hissing, buzzing, or roaring noises in their ears. This can have serious implications for daily life and make it hard to concentrate or even carry out normal conversations. Thankfully, audiologists are there to help manage the symptoms and decrease stress related to tinnitus.

Audiologists provide diagnostic testing and create treatment plans for patients with tinnitus which may involve hearing aids or sound generators aimed at masking the noise. In addition to sound-based strategies, they also offer counseling on how best to cope with any negative emotions caused by this affliction while suggesting lifestyle changes, like relaxation techniques, deep breathing exercises or guided imagery.

Hearing Protection: Prevent Damage to Your Ears

Protection of your hearing is essential for preserving your hearing health. As our ears can be easily damaged when exposed to hazardous noise levels, it is important that you try to avoid loud noises whenever possible. In cases where this isn't possible, appropriate hearing protection should be worn. We offer custom hearing protection for shooting, industrial use, aviation, concerts and more.

Additionally, Audiologists provide instruction on how these devices are used properly and how they aid in protecting one's hearing as well as advice on when wearing them would be necessary depending on the level of exposure - such as needing to wear them constantly if working in noisy environments or attending concerts or sports events.

Aural Rehab: Function Better with Hearing Loss

The Better Communication Classes at Audiology & Hearing Services of Charlotte are designed to provide comprehensive aural rehabilitation programs for individuals of all ages, including children and adults, as well as their families. Our classes are specifically designed to help individuals achieve long-lasting satisfaction with their hearing aids, by teaching them how to improve their communication and functioning skills. We believe that effective communication is key to a successful and fulfilling life, which is why we offer a variety of techniques and strategies to help individuals cope with hearing loss, whether it be for themselves or for their children. In addition, our classes also provide a supportive environment where individuals can connect with others who are going through similar experiences, and share their experiences, knowledge, and insights. We believe that with the right support, tools, and resources, anyone can overcome the challenges of hearing loss and achieve their full potential.

Conclusion

In conclusion, audiologists are highly-trained professionals that can assist you with any of your hearing needs. At Audiology & Hearing Services of Charlotte, we offer hearing tests, hearing aid fittings, strategies to manage tinnitus symptoms, earwax checks, and custom hearing protection to protect your ears from further damage. Call us today at 704-412-7975 to schedule your appointment.