Hearing Health
Hearing loss is the third most reported condition in the U.S., behind arthritis and heart disease. An estimated 48 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss. Individuals of all ages can experience hearing difficulties, from infants to older adults. The most common causes are loud noise exposure and aging, however there are other factors that can lead to hearing loss, such as:
- Ear infections
- Genetics
- Ototoxic medications
- Earwax impaction
- Head injury
- Health conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes

Signs of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss often occurs gradually, over the course of a few years. For this reason, it can be difficult to recognize the signs as you may have become used to missing certain sounds. Below are the most common indicators of hearing loss and a sign that it is time to have your hearing checked.
- You have trouble following conversations when there is background noise
- You miss parts of the conversation
- It feels like people mumble when they speak
- You avoid social gatherings
- You turn the volume on the television or radio up
- You frequently ask people to repeat themselves
Types of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is diagnosed in degrees; mild, moderate, moderately severe, severe or profound. In addition, there are different types of hearing loss: sensorineural, conductive, and mixed.
Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss and involves a problem with the inner ear. Causes include age, genetics, ototoxic medications, loud noise exposure, or underlying health conditions. This type of hearing loss is unfortunately irreversible but can be managed with hearing aids.
Conductive hearing loss is when there is a problem with sound being conducted from the outer or middle ear to the inner ear. Causes can include earwax impaction, fluid in the middle ear, reoccurring ear infections, or ruptured eardrum. Conductive hearing loss is often correctable with surgery or medication.
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. There can be a combination of causes and treatment typically includes medication or surgery in unison with hearing aids.
Hearing Loss and Dementia
The ability to hear is a complex process and a larger part of your overall health than you may think. Over the years, research has shown there is a direct correlation between untreated hearing loss and cognition. Studies have revealed that individuals with moderate hearing loss are three times as likely to develop dementia compared to those who use hearing aids.
The connection between hearing loss and dementia is believed to be the result of increased cognitive load the brain experiences when trying to hear properly. Because hearing loss makes it difficult to hear the sounds around you, your brain works harder to hear, taxing the resources that would otherwise be available for memory and concentration. Another factor is those with hearing loss tend to isolate themselves socially because it is difficult to engage in the conversation. Over time, this can lead to depression, loneliness, and an accelerated rate of cognitive decline.
While it is clear that hearing loss and cognitive decline are connected, there are ways you can be proactive of your brain health. Wearing hearing aids to manage hearing loss have shown to decrease the chances of cognitive decline and individuals who wear hearing aids have reported to be happier and more socially engaged.
Don’t let hearing loss affect your cognition, call Evergreen Speech and Hearing Clinic today to schedule an appointment!
Single Sided Deafness
Single sided deafness (SSD), also known as unilateral hearing loss, is a condition in which an individual experiences hearing loss in only one ear but can hear normally in the other ear. SSD can be caused by a variety of factors, however, one of the most common is acoustic neuroma, a benign, slow-growing tumor that can push against the auditory nerve and affect the ability to hear properly.
Similar to sensorineural hearing loss, there is unfortunately no cure for single sided deafness but hearing aids can help. Our hearing center carries BICROS hearing aids which are specially designed for individuals with SSD.
For more information about our BICROS hearing aids, please contact us.
Communication Strategies
Effectively communicating with someone who has hearing loss can be stressful for both parties. Even with hearing aids, proper communication strategies should be used to make everyone in the conversation more comfortable. Try these tips when communicating with someone who has hearing loss.
- Maintain eye contact and face them directly. Do not attempt to hold a conversation from another room, visual cues are important.
- Make sure you have the person’s attention before beginning a conversation.
- Speak slowly and concisely. Don’t shout as this can lead to distorted speech and make it more difficult to understand.
- Do not cover your face with your hands or other objects.
- Try to find a quiet area away from background noise.
- Rephrase information instead of repeating what you said.
- Write down important information so there is no confusion.
- Pay attention to the listener; if they look confused try clarifying what you said.
Our Speech-Language Pathologist, Jessica Lasser, CCC-SLP, offers group communication coaching classes and one-on-one aural rehabilitation therapy for individuals with hearing loss regaining access to sound through hearing aids. Contact us for more information.
Locations
Bellevue Clinic
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Lester Professional Building 1800
116th Ave NE, #103
Bellevue, WA 98004
- (425) 454-1883
- (425) 454-2036
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Office Hours
Monday: 8am - 5:30pm
Tuesday - Friday: 8am - 4:30pm
Kirkland Clinic
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Evergreen Surgery & Physicians Center
12333 NE 130th Ln, #430
Kirkland, WA 98034
- (425) 899-5050
- (425) 899-5054
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Office Hours
Monday - Friday: 8am - 4:30pm
Redmond Clinic
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Redmond Medical Building 8301
161st Avenue NE, #208
Redmond, WA 98052
- (425) 882-4347
- (425) 883-0043
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Office Hours
Monday - Friday: 8am - 5pm
Saturday: 8am - 4:30pm