Beverly Hills Hearing Center was founded in 1983 by Bonnie Baehr. Prior to that, Dr. Baehr practiced at the House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles as a staff audiologist for seven years. She was involved with diagnostic testing, hearing aid evaluations, research and rehabilitation. Dr. Baehr did her clinical fellowship training at the Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinic in downtown Los Angeles. She is a member of the American Academy of Audiology, American Speech Language and Hearing Association, California Academy of Audiology and Academy of Doctors of Audiology.
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Hearing is a fundamental sense that plays a crucial role in our daily lives, allowing us to communicate, interact with our environment, and enjoy various forms of auditory stimuli. It allows us to be aware of approaching danger or to be comforted by a loved one calling our name.
However, the term “normal hearing” can be subjective and is often used to describe the typical functioning of the human auditory system.
The Characteristics of Normal Hearing
Normal hearing refers to the ability to perceive and process sounds within a typical range.
It encompasses various aspects, including the ability to hear and differentiate different frequencies, understand speech, and localize sound sources accurately.
Using the Megahertz (Hz) as a unit of measurement of sound, a person with normal hearing can typically hear sounds ranging from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, which covers most sounds found in everyday life, from low-pitched rumblings to the high-pitched sounds of birds.
The Measurement of Hearing
Hearing is commonly assessed using audiometric tests, which measure the faintest sounds a person can detect at different frequencies. The results of these tests are presented on an audiogram, a graph that represents a person’s hearing thresholds.
The audiogram helps identify hearing loss and classifies it into different degrees, such as mild, moderate, severe, or profound.
Hearing Loss and its Impact
Hearing loss refers to the partial or complete inability to hear sounds. It can be categorized into two types: conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound transmission is hindered through the outer or middle ear, while sensorineural hearing loss results from damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve.
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is another prevalent cause of hearing impairment. Exposure to loud noises, either from occupational settings or recreational activities, can damage the delicate structures of the inner ear, resulting in permanent hearing loss.
It is important to protect our ears from excessive noise to maintain optimal hearing health.
The impact of hearing loss can be profound, affecting an individual’s quality of life, communication, and overall well-being. It can lead to difficulties in understanding speech, participating in conversations, and perceiving important environmental sounds such as alarms or doorbells. It can also result in social isolation, increased stress, and reduced cognitive function.
Sources of Information for your benefit
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD): Website: https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health The NIDCD, a part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, provides valuable information on hearing and related disorders. Their website offers extensive resources, research updates, and educational material on various aspects of normal hearing, hearing loss, and treatment options.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): Website: https://www.asha.org/ ASHA is a professional association that represents speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and hearing scientists. Their website provides authoritative information on hearing, communication disorders, and hearing health. It includes articles, research publications, and guidelines related to normal hearing and hearing loss.
- World Health Organization (WHO): Website: https://www.who.int/ The World Health Organization is a global health organization that addresses various public health issues. Their website offers comprehensive resources on hearing health, including information on hearing loss prevention, statistics, and initiatives. It provides a global perspective on the significance of normal hearing and the impact of hearing loss on individuals and communities.
If you have any doubt that a hearing assessment is necessary, the world is currently experiencing a higher level of hearing loss impacting an expansive demographic. It affects economic productivity and the quality of life for everyone impacted.
There is an active push to integrate our hearing health by the World Health Organization into our overall health regimen. It also includes greater integration between health professionals to incorporate auditory abilities to be screened for potential damage.
Understanding the characteristics of normal hearing and the impact of hearing loss is essential for promoting hearing health, raising awareness, and facilitating appropriate interventions.
If you have any concerns or questions do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to assist in any way possible.