IT’S GONE FOREVER; WORKING WITH WHAT’S LEFT To date, modern science has not been able to restore damaged human nerves to their pre-damage function. This includes the inner ear hair cells that we use to hear. For that reason, once hair cells are damaged or worn, that hearing cannot be restored. The range from the softest sound able to be heard by the human ear to the loudest sound tolerated by the ear is called the dynamic range of human hearing. When hearing loss is present, our individual dynamic range of hearing is unique to each of us and must be measured to achieve optimal results with hearing instruments. With hearing loss, soft sounds are more difficult to hear. Ironically, with nerve hearing loss, the ear’s tolerance to loud sounds may also be reduced. This results in a narrowing of the remaining dynamic range. At Hometown Hearing & Audiology, we emphasize and counsel patients about this topic. Many patients tend to think of hearing aids similar to glasses…apply the appropriate corrective prescription to achieve “20/20” hearing. Unfortunately, this is not true with hearing aids. Once the nerves are damaged, the hearing lost is gone forever. At Hometown Hearing & Audiology, we don’t focus on the loss. Instead, we focus on your remaining hearing ability and recommend solutions that will maximize your hearing to the best of your remaining ability. This is an important distinction. The Hometown approach ensures that we select and program your hearing aids to fully utilize your remaining hearing, resulting in the best possible hearing that can be achieved for your condition. BACK TO BETTER HEARING