The ear can distinguish between 7,000 different pitches and enables the brain to locate and separate sound sources.

• Outer ear: The outer ear picks up sound and transmits it to the eardrum via the ear canal.
• Middle ear: Sound waves cause the eardrum to vibrate. The ossicles, called malleus, incus, and stapes, pass the vibration on to the inner ear.
• Inner ear: The cochlea converts movements of the ossicles into electrical signals. The auditory nerve transmits the signals to the brain.

Hearing Loss
Hearing loss usually sets in gradually, over years, eventually damaging your ability to understand speech and hear environmental sounds. Because of this, most people cannot tell it’s happening until the effects are very evident. Usually, family and friends are the first to notice the problem.

• Difficulty understanding phone conversations
• Difficulty understanding speech in moderate noise, like a restaurant
• Raising the volume of the TV
• Straining and feeling exhausted at gatherings due to the effort of listening
  
  These are common signs of hearing loss, but not the only ones. If you, or someone close to you suspects you have a hearing loss, it is best to pay attention and do something about it.
  
  Many people shy away from the idea of using hearing aids often due to preconceptions or the one story they heard. They ignore the many success stories all around. They put it off until the downside of not wearing hearing aids becomes overwhelming. Usually, that is waiting too long.
  
  The longer you wait to wear hearing aids, the harder it is for the brain to re-adjust to sounds, and it takes you longer to adjust to them and get the full benefit of hearing better. In most cases, it still can be done, but the sooner you do it, the better. It will be easier to embrace the full benefits of your hearing aids and, more importantly, you will be more engaged and enjoying the sounds of life around you.
  
  
  

• Trouble communicating with others
• Decreased attention
• Diminished memory
• Declining job performance
• Lack of acknowledgement by others
• Irritability and stress
• Increased risk of depression
• Withdrawal from social life, isolation
• Less willing to embrace the unknown

Hearing impairments can occur in all parts of the ear; problems of the outer or middle ear can generally be treated with medication or surgery.
However, damage to the inner ear is responsible for about 80% of all hearing impairments. The good news is that modern hearing aids can compensate for most inner ear damage.

It may take years for an individual to notice the negative effects of hearing loss. Sometimes hearing loss is only acknowledged when the effects are so detrimental they can no longer put of seeking assistance. Once they receive help, they realize how much they have been missing.

It is not just a matter of hearing
Communication problems with family, friends, and colleagues can lead to irritability, stress, isolation, and even depression.

The brain needs time
The ear is the mechanism that brings sounds to our brains. That is where we actually do the hearing. The sooner in the process of hearing loss you seek help, the easier it is for the brain to reaclimate to hearing.

Enhance quality of out of life
Communication with those around us is important for emotional and social well being.

Studies show that the large majority of hearing aid wearers are very or extremely satisfied with their hearing aids. Experienced users report that their social contacts, as well as their physical and mental well-being, have improved markedly. They feel fitter and much more ready to take on new things.

Be open to your new hearing experiences. It will improve your quality of life.