HEARING LOSS SYMPTOMS

Q.“W hatare the sym ptom s of hearing loss?”

A.Symptoms of hearing loss can be difficult to identify, particularly if the onset is gradual. Many times a loved one notices a problem before the person with the hearing loss does. Symptoms of hearing loss may include difficulty hear

Examples of ing in background noise. noisy environments may include social settings with several people speaking at once, such as restaurants, grocery stores, churches, movie theaters, sporting events, etc. Hearing in the car can be especially difficult due to two factors. One, is the road noise can seem as if it is drowning out the conversation, and the second factor is the inability to face the person you are speaking with. Without visual cues, you may find it difficult to hear conversational speech in the car.

All of us, even those of us with normal hearing, benefit from good communication strategies such facing the person you are speaking with. Those of us with hearing loss have an especially difficult time hearing what someone is saying when that person is not facing you. You may find that you are unable to follow conversation without face-to-face visual cues and particularly struggle when someone speaks to you from another room. Additionally, you may find that you need more volume than others to listen to the television or radio.

Another symptom of hearing loss is feeling as if You people seem to mumble. may frequently find yourself thinking “if so-and-so could just enunciate or slow down, I’d have no problem hearing.” Frequently asking for repetition is common. It’s possible you may not even hear that someone is speaking to you in the first place, or you may find that you frequently ask people repeat themselves because you weren’t able to understand what they said to you. A general difficulty following conversation can cause to listening fatigue is another symptom of hearing loss. Many people tell me they are so exhausted from filling in the blanks of what they cannot hear, that they prefer to just not even try to participate in conversation. Hearing loss can be exhausting to both the speaker and the listener. Isolation and withdrawal from social activities are quite common when a hearing impaired person finds engaging in conversation to be too difficult to keep up with.

Tinnitus, which can be described as a ringing or is buzzing sound in the ears, another symptom of hearing loss. Research indicates that hearing loss is the most common cause of tinnitus. However, it is important to note that there are a variety of other factors that cause tinnitus. If you are experiencing some or all of the above symptoms, speak with your doctor to schedule a hearing evaluation. This is the only way to know for sure if the symptoms you may be noticing are possibly related to hearing loss.

At Hear Your Life, we encourage you, if you experience any difficulty with your hearing, contact our office, we offer FREE hearing screening and demonstration of new technology. I have been helping folks with a hearing loss since

2006 in Hot Springs and surrounding communities. We are happy to join you on your journey to better hearing. Hear Your Life is committed to provide quality service, care, and products to help improve the quality of life with better hearing. Some insurances DO offer hearing aid benefits and we will verify your insurance benefits and file the claim for you. We offer hearing aids to fit all budgets and lifestyles. Call our office today for an appointment @

501-701-4388, we are located at

1217 Malvern Ave. Ste. C Hot Springs

Q.

“Irecently lostfour low er front teeth in a wreck. My dentist recommends dental implants but insurance won’ t cover them. I don’ t want to be without teeth any longerand can geta bridge fasterthan im plants,can’tI?”

A.

A vehicle collision is always made worse when personal injuries are involved. When front teeth are lost, in particular, I certainly understand the sense of urgency for replacement.

Front teeth are important for biting, speech, and overall facial appearance. Missing teeth anywhere in the mouth can also lead to issues related to bite misalignment, which can lead to a long list of problems.

When a tooth is lost and the space is left open, the gap leaves neighboring teeth unable to maintain their proper positions. It doesn’t take long for the teeth on either side to lean into the empty space or tilt out of their positions.

When teeth drift, the result can increase the risk of damage to surrounding teeth. This includes teeth that can become chipped, broken, or fractured.

Disruption in the fit of the bite can also lead to night-time clenching and grinding. Bruxism, which is a grinding motion of upper teeth against lower ones during sleep, can result in worn or broken teeth and stress or strain on the jaw joints (TMJ)

Common TMJ disorder symptoms are headaches, migraines, ear ringing, dizziness, jaw popping, sore jaw joints, difficulty opening the mouth fully, sore facial muscles, and soreness in neck and shoulder muscles.

I think it important to correct the misconception that choosing to place dental implants means that you will be without teeth for a long period of time. Although there is a “healing” time while the implant(s) integrate with the bone in which they are placed, you will have “temporary” teeth for this phase and should never be without your smile.

A dental implant is placed in the bone to serve as a tooth root replacement. This restores the same, sturdy foundation as natural teeth. Over a 3 - 6 month period, the bone grows around the implanted portion to secure it in place. Once firmly anchored, a post is inserted into the implant’s core and a final crown is attached.

During the healing phase, temporary teeth are generally provided. For teeth visible in a smile, extra care is taken to blend them with neighboring teeth so the smile appears natural.

The payoff for your patience will be worth it. There are many advantages when it comes to the appearance and function of an implant. Let me explain further:

As a periodontist, what occurs below the gumline is of particular importance to me. Although a bridge or partial can replace a missing tooth or teeth above the gum line, they do not replace the presence of a tooth root. When tooth roots are missing, the bone no longer receives the stimulation it relies on. The result is a shrinking of the bone, known as resorption. Because a Dental Implant replaces the root of a tooth, bone loss is halted.

If bone mass shrinks, the tooth roots adjacent to the area of bone loss are at risk. This can trigger a whole new set of problems. As the bone mass declines in the area where tooth roots are missing, neighboring teeth have less of a foundation for support. They become so vulnerable that, statistically, they are at higher risk of being the next teeth to be lost.

Another issue has to do with appearance. Over time, bone loss can even reveal itself in a not-so-flattering way. Unlike teeth attached to implants, front teeth replaced with crown-&-bridge combinations do not stimulate supporting bone. Thus, the shrinking bone can eventually reveal itself with a visible gap between the bridge and gums.

Continued bone loss can also place strain on the two crowned teeth that support the bridge. This can lead to yet another concern regarding your natural teeth. Crowning teeth to serve solely to support a bridge compromises the structure of otherwise healthy teeth. This means they will forever need crowns and are at risk of requiring root canals.

While dental implants may seem more expensive, the investment is designed to last. With proper care, dental implants should last your lifetime. A periodontist has advanced skills in implant dentistry, including proper selection of implant type. This enables us to often place one dental implant to support two or more replacement teeth. Since implant treatment fees are based on the number of implants placed, this can minimize expenses.

In all procedures, whether for treatment of gum disease, reshaping gum tissues, or placement of dental implants, we make patient comfort a high priority. Sedation is generally always part of surgical treatment, helping minimize or completely relieve any feeling of anxiety or stress throughout the procedure.

Obviously, the need to replace missing teeth is important. The decision of how you replace them can greatly affect future function and associated costs for upkeep. This is why so many people now opt for dental implants.

Any time an accident involves a smile, we advise measures that can protect appearance, function, and oral health. Dental implants meet all of these criteria. Begin by contacting our Hot Springs periodontal office, In a private consultation, we can answer questions and discuss implant options that would be best for your needs.