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Hearing Related Testing & Services

Hearing Loss - Hearing Loss Is Common — and Treatable

Hearing loss affects nearly 48 million Americans and is one of the most common health conditions worldwide. While it can make conversations, work, and daily activities more challenging, effective treatment options are available.
Research shows that treating hearing loss can improve communication, relationships, emotional well-being, cognitive health, and overall quality of life. In fact, most hearing aid users report significant improvements in their daily lives after treatment.
Today's hearing aids are smaller, smarter, and more advanced than ever before, offering better sound quality, wireless connectivity, and personalized features designed to fit your lifestyle.
At Florida E.N.T. & Allergy, our physicians and audiologists use advanced diagnostic technology to accurately identify hearing loss and develop individualized treatment plans based on your hearing needs, lifestyle, and budget.

Causes of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can occur for many reasons, including:

  • Long-term exposure to loud noise
  • Earwax blockage
  • Genetic factors
  • Ear infections and fluid buildup
  • Foreign objects in the ear canal
  • Certain medications that affect hearing
  • Eardrum perforation
  • Damage to the tiny hearing bones of the middle ear

Types of Hearing Loss

Conductive Hearing Loss
Occurs when sound cannot travel efficiently through the outer or middle ear due to blockage, infection, fluid, or structural abnormalities.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Caused by damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve. This is the most common form of permanent hearing loss.
Mixed Hearing Loss
A combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
Hidden Hearing Loss
Individuals with hidden hearing loss may have a normal hearing test but still struggle to understand speech, especially in noisy environments. This occurs when communication between the inner ear and the auditory nerve is compromised.

Signs and Symptoms

You may be experiencing hearing loss if you notice:

  • Difficulty understanding conversations
  • Speech sounds muffled or unclear
  • Frequently asking others to repeat themselves
  • Ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus)
  • Feeling that your ears are plugged
  • Turning up the television or radio volume more than others prefer

How Hearing Loss Is Diagnosed

Our specialists perform comprehensive hearing evaluations to determine the type and severity of hearing loss.
Testing may include:

  • Physical examination of the ears
  • Comprehensive audiometric testing
  • Speech understanding assessments
  • Tympanometry and middle ear evaluation
  • Additional diagnostic testing when indicated

These evaluations help us determine the most effective treatment options for your specific hearing needs.

Hearing Loss Treatment Options

Surgical Treatment for Conductive Hearing Loss
Some forms of hearing loss result from damage or fixation of the middle ear bones. Surgical options may include:
Stapedectomy
A procedure that replaces a fixed stapes bone with a prosthetic device to restore sound transmission.
Ossiculoplasty
A procedure that repairs or reconstructs damaged middle ear bones to improve hearing.
Bone-Anchored Hearing Systems

Bone-anchored hearing devices bypass damaged portions of the ear and transmit sound directly through bone conduction to the inner ear.
These systems may be appropriate for patients with:

  • Single-sided deafness
  • Conductive hearing loss
  • Mixed hearing loss

Florida E.N.T. & Allergy offers advanced bone conduction solutions, including Cochlear™ Baha®, Cochlear™ Osia®, Oticon Medical™ Ponto™, and Oticon Medical™ Sentio™ systems.

Cochlear Implants

For individuals with moderate to profound hearing loss who receive limited benefit from traditional hearing aids, cochlear implants may provide improved access to speech and sound.

Research has shown cochlear implants can improve:

  • Speech understanding
  • Hearing in noise
  • Communication abilities
  • Quality of life
  • Cognitive health
  • Memory and verbal function

Florida E.N.T. & Allergy works with leading cochlear implant manufacturers, including Cochlear™ and Advanced Bionics™.

Learn More About Cochlear

Learn More About Advanced Bionics

Schedule a Hearing Evaluation

If you or a loved one is experiencing hearing difficulties, early diagnosis and treatment can make a significant difference. Our experienced physicians and audiologists are here to help you find the right solution and reconnect with the sounds that matter most.

Learn More about Advanced Bionics

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