Hearing Health FAQs
It is not unusual to experience hearing loss and dizziness together. This is largely due to the proximity of the hearing nerve and the cochlea, where our sense of balance comes from. If you have hearing loss as result of damage to the hearing nerve, then you may also experience feelings of dizziness or balance problems.
Yes, dizziness and tinnitus (ringing in the ears) can be connected. This is known as Meniere’s disease. This hearing disorder can cause you to feel like the room is spinning while also producing phantom sounds of tinnitus in your ears. If you experience vertigo, tinnitus, and other balance problems together, you should schedule an audiological evaluation.
Otoacoustic emissions testing (OAE) is a test performed to measure hair cell function in the inner ear. This determines how well your cochlea functions in response to sound stimulation. During your hearing test will perform an OAE in addition to other tests to determine your hearing ability.
If you have clogged ears due to earwax build-up, your hearing may be affected. We offer safe, ear cleaning services to our patients to help them hear clearly again. You should never try to remove earwax with a cotton swab or ear candles, as these can cause more harm than good. We offer safe and effective options to remove built-up earwax.
The average lifespan of hearing aids is 3-7 years. To get the most out of your devices it’s important to take good care of them and bring them in for regular cleanings and maintenance checks. Many patients like to upgrade their hearing aids every 3-5 years to take advantage of the newer technology, however that choice is up to you.