It is estimated that one-quarter of today’s teens may have serious hearing damage and not even know it. It, therefore, becomes necessary that we find ways to diagnose hearing loss and treat it. Until recently, one common way of informally detecting hearing loss is to check for “tinnitus” (ringing in the ears), which has been associated with the loss of “hair cells” (sensory cells that convert sound vibrations into electrical signals that are sent to the brain). Researchers have now discovered that hearing loss is not only linked with the death of hair cells (which do not regenerate), but also with cochlear nerve cells that sustain damage to their synapses. This “hidden” hearing loss is known as “cochlear synaptopathy.”
Not being able to hear well isn’t just frustrating, it also can be a safety concern when it interferes with your ability to hear warning signals, such as sirens, alarms or train whistles. To schedule an appointment, please call BETTER HEARING CENTER. Hearing aids help put people back in touch with their family and friends by letting them enjoy participating in social activities again. New Hampshire’s premier hearing care provider.
P.S. A “synapse” is a structure that permits a neuron (or nerve cell) to pass an electrical or chemical signal to another neuron.
