The symptoms of hearing loss in Boston can range from mild to profound. While it does greatly affect the daily lives of those afflicted with it, that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. There are options available and effective ways to cope with hearing loss in Boston. Whichever stage you are in, it is always best to seek treatment for hearing loss in Boston as soon as possible so you can start living a better life.
Treatments and Strategies for Hearing Loss in Boston
There is help available for different types of hearing loss in Boston. Treatment depends on the severity and cause of a person’s hearing loss in Boston. The following treatments and strategies can help improve the quality of life of a person with hearing loss in Boston.
Hearing Aids
These are wearable devices that assist with a person’s hearing. It does that by amplifying the sounds that enter the ear so a person with hearing loss in Boston can hear more clearly.
There are several types of these devices available in the market today for persons with hearing loss in Boston to choose from. You need to consult an audiologist about the best one for your type of hearing loss in Boston.
Cochlear Implants
If the eardrums and middle ears of a patient with hearing loss in Boston are still functioning correctly, they can benefit from a cochlear implant. This implant for people with hearing loss in Boston is a thin electrode that is inserted into the cochlea. It is stimulated by electricity coming from a small microprocessor placed beneath the skin behind the ear.
It helps patients whose hearing loss in Boston is caused by hair cell damage in the cochlea. This device improves speech comprehension for people suffering from hearing loss in Boston. Discuss with an audiologist and an ENT physician its risks and benefits to persons with hearing loss in Boston.
Use Sign Language to Communicate Despite Hearing Loss in Boston
Sign language is a visual way of communicating for people with hearing loss in Boston that doesn’t just use hand gestures. It also involves body language and facial expressions to effectively convey what you want to say. If your hearing loss in Boston inhibits you from doing verbal communication, learning sign language is an important strategy to cope with your condition.
Learning sign language is also good for the brain of people afflicted with hearing loss in Boston, as it stimulates the cerebrum and gives it a good workout. Picking up this strategy can help keep your mind sharp and make you a better multitasker.
Learn Lip Reading to Understand Others After Hearing Loss in Boston
Lip reading, also known as speech reading, can greatly help people with hearing loss in Boston know what others who don’t use sign language are saying. This strategy requires those suffering from hearing loss in Boston to watch the speaker’s mouth and tongue movements in order to understand what they’re saying.
People who experienced hearing loss in Boston after learning to speak can pick up lip reading quickly. To start learning this strategy, you can ask your audiologist about speech reading options near you so you won’t keep missing out on conversations with the people around you.
Get Quality Treatment for Hearing Loss in Boston
New England Ear Nose & Throat is dedicated to providing patients with the best healthcare possible. We know a patient is not just a collection of symptoms but a whole person with specific needs. Your health is our first priority, and we believe that giving you a positive and comfortable experience is important to your overall well-being.
If you or someone you love is afflicted with hearing loss in Boston, our clinic is more than happy to provide tailored care and treatment to make daily life easier. Contact us today to schedule a consultation regarding your hearing loss in Boston. We look forward to helping you.
We Provide Quality Care for the Whole Patient
New England Ear Nose & Throat is a clinic that offers a wide array of health services that are aimed at addressing ear, nose, and throat concerns. To us, a patient is not just a collection of symptoms, but a whole person with specific needs. Your health and needs are of utmost importance to us and is our number one priority. That’s why, we will do everything we can to give you a positive and comfortable healthcare experience.
Our team of skilled physicians who have decades of collective experience in the field are always ready to address ENT concerns, no matter how complex they may be. With our passion for what we do, you can always count on us for quality treatment.
The New England Ear Nose & Throat Team
We only have outstanding professionals on our roster. You can rest assured that our team is skilled and highly qualified in their respective fields. They can give you the best services possible. Our current team is comprised of:
Avner Aliphas, M.D., M.S.
Jordan Glicksman, MD, MPH, FACS, FRCSC
Johanna Lam, FNP-BC
Ricole “Ricki” Haden, Au.D., CCC-A
Margaret “Peg” Toro, Au.D., CCC-A
Services
New England Ear Nose & Throat is proud to offer a broad selection of ENT services, including surgical solutions for complex otolaryngology cases. Our excellent and seasoned doctors use cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to deliver the expert care and treatment our patients need.
As medical professionals, we will do our absolute best in guiding our patients toward a better understanding of their condition and available treatment options. This is because we want them to make informed decisions about their own health. From there, we will proceed to provide them with the best care. Currently, we offer the following services:
- General Otolaryngology
- Tonsillectomy
- Adenoidectomy
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty
- Sinus/Skull Surgery
- Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
- Septoplasty
- Turbinate Reduction
- Control of nosebleeds
- Removal of nasal tumors
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak repairs
- Otologic Surgery
- Tympanoplasty
- Mastoidectomy
- Middle Ear (Ossicular Chain) Reconstruction
- Stapedectomy
- Tympanostomy
- Myringoplasty
- Endoscopic Ear Surgery
- BAHA Implants
- Head and Neck Surgery
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer
- Parotidectomy
- Submandibular Gland Excision
- Thyroidectomy
- Microlaryngeal surgery
- In-Office Procedures
- Allergy Testing
- Smell Testing
- Video Endoscopy
- Stroboscopy
- Nasal Fracture Reduction
- Diagnostic Aspiration (FNA)
- Cerumen Removal
- Ear Tubes
- Ear Lobe Repair
- Clarifix
- Hearing Services
- Comprehensive Hearing Evaluations
- Tympanometry
- Diagnostic Otoacoustic Emissions
- Acoustic Reflexes
- Chemotherapy Monitoring
Our Hospital Affiliations
We are officially affiliated with the following hospitals:
1) Newton Wellesley Hospital
A general hospital that is the home and primary surgical hospital of New England Ear Nose & Throat.
2) Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary
Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI) is a specialty hospital in Boston, MA. It is focused on diseases of the eye, ear, nose, throat, and nearby areas of the head and neck.
3) Boston Medical Center
Boston Medical Center (BMC) is the largest safety-net hospital in New England, MA. It’s also the biggest and busiest provider of trauma and emergency services in the area.
Delivering Quality and Holistic Medical Care for Everyone
New England Ear Nose & Throat is committed to giving patients with the best healthcare possible and top-notch medical solutions. We will customize the procedures according to their individual needs.
Through our services, we want to help better the quality of life of our patients. We ensure that appointments are conveniently scheduled so that there are only minimal waiting times. Also, professional staff will always be ready to address any concerns.
For inquiries, don’t hesitate to talk to our reliable and friendly team members. Call us at (617) 910-0368. You can also visit our contact page to send us a message. If you already have an appointment with us, we have posted instructions there on how to check in.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) What are the symptoms of hearing loss?
Hearing loss can manifest through various symptoms, which may vary in severity. Some common signs of hearing loss include:
- Difficulty understanding speech: Struggling to comprehend conversations, especially in noisy environments.
- Frequently asking for repetition: Frequently requesting others to repeat what they said.
- Turning up the volume: Frequently increasing the volume of the television, radio, or electronic devices.
- Social withdrawal: Avoiding social situations due to difficulties in communication.
- Tinnitus: Ringing or buzzing sensations in the ears.
- Muffled sounds: Perceiving sounds as muffled or unclear.
- Misinterpreting sounds: Misunderstanding certain words or phrases in conversations.
If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms, it’s essential to seek professional evaluation from a qualified audiologist at New England ENT.
2) Do I need a hearing aid?
Whether you need a hearing aid depends on the severity of your hearing loss and its impact on your daily life. If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above or suspect hearing loss, consulting an audiologist is crucial. They will conduct comprehensive hearing tests to assess your hearing abilities and determine if a hearing aid is necessary.
Hearing aids are recommended for individuals with hearing loss to improve their hearing abilities, enhance communication, and maintain a better quality of life. The decision to use a hearing aid will be based on the audiologist’s evaluation and your specific hearing needs.
3) What are the treatment options for hearing loss?
The treatment options for hearing loss depend on the type and severity of the condition. Here are some common treatment options:
- Hearing Aids: Hearing aids are the most common treatment for sensorineural hearing loss, where they amplify sounds to make them easier to hear.
- Cochlear Implants: For severe to profound hearing loss, cochlear implants are surgically implanted devices that directly stimulate the auditory nerve, bypassing damaged parts of the inner ear.
- Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs): ALDs, such as captioned telephones or personal amplifiers, can complement hearing aids in specific situations.
- Medications or Surgery: Conductive hearing loss caused by earwax buildup, infections, or structural issues may be treatable with medications or surgical procedures.
- Communication Strategies: Hearing loss management may involve learning communication techniques to enhance understanding during conversations.
Remember, the best treatment option for you will be determined by your audiologist based on the specific type and degree of hearing loss you have.
4) How is hearing loss diagnosed?
If you suspect hearing loss, it is essential to schedule an appointment with an audiologist for a comprehensive evaluation. The diagnostic process typically involves the following steps:
- Case History: The audiologist will begin by asking about your medical history and any symptoms you’ve been experiencing.
- Physical Examination: A thorough examination of your ears will be conducted to check for any visible issues or earwax buildup.
- Hearing Tests: Audiometric tests, like pure-tone audiometry and speech audiometry, will be performed to assess your ability to hear different tones and speech.
- Additional Tests: In some cases, additional tests like tympanometry (to check middle ear function) or otoacoustic emissions (to assess inner ear health) may be conducted.
- Interpretation of Results: The audiologist will analyze the test results and discuss the findings with you. If hearing loss is present, they will explain the type, degree, and possible causes of the impairment.
- Recommendations: Based on the evaluation, the audiologist will recommend suitable treatment options, such as hearing aids or other interventions if necessary.
Early detection and intervention are crucial in managing hearing loss effectively, so don’t hesitate to seek a professional evaluation at New England ENT if you suspect any hearing difficulties.
