Hearing loss: We'll help improve your quality of life

Exposure to loud noise and having a family history of hearing problems increase your risk of hearing loss. Taking certain medications and having a personal history of health problems, including diabetes, heart disease and thyroid problems may also increase your risk.

At UW Health, our experienced audiologists and ear, nose and throat doctors work together to evaluate and treat hearing loss.

The International Hearing Society reports that you could have hearing loss if you: 

• Have a family history of hearing loss

• Have been repeatedly exposed to high noise levels

• Are inclined to believe that "everybody mumbles" or "people don't speak as clearly as they used to"

• Feel growing nervous tension, irritability or fatigue from the effort to hear

• Find yourself straining to understand conversations and watching people's faces intently when you are listening

• Frequently misunderstand or need to have things repeated

• Increase the television or radio volume to a point that others complain of the loudness

• Have diabetes, heart, thyroid or circulation problems, reoccurring ear infections, constant ringing in the ears, dizziness or exposure to ototoxic drugs or medications

If you recognize any of these symptoms in yourself, it might be beneficial to get your hearing tested. 

Sudden hearing loss can be a sign of a serious medical condition. You should see a doctor right away if you experience sudden hearing loss.

Your hearing test can tell us what type of hearing loss you have.

Experienced audiologists and ear, nose and throat specialists evaluate and treat hearing loss at UW Health. We offer the best in medical and non-medical hearing care. We help you manage hearing loss and work with you on treatment that will be most helpful.

We offer several services and information sources to help you if you have hearing loss.