📍 3138 Kimball Ave, Waterloo, IA, 50702
📞 319-234-4360
🌐 www.hearingunlimited.com
In 1973, Jerry D. Smith opened the Ames Hearing Aid Center in Ames, Iowa. After successfully providing quality services to many people in the Ames area, Jerry realized the need for quality service in many other Iowa communities, both large and small. Today, Hearing Unlimited, formerly known as Ames & Black Hawk Hearing Aid Centers and affiliated offices, have many locations throughout Iowa, making Hearing Unlimited the largest and most successful hearing aid dispensing system in Iowa. What Is Hearing Impairment? Hearing Impairment can occur at any age and hearing loss develops slowly and painlessly. As a result, the person is often unaware of the loss of hearing until others begin to notice. There are three parts to the human ear; the outer, middle and inner. As a sound occurs, the sound wave vibrations are conducted through the outer and middle ear to the inner ear. In the inner ear, these vibrations are converted to nerve impulses which are then transmitted to the brain. A conductive hearing loss results from obstruction or disease of the outer or middle ear. This type of hearing loss is often temporary and can usually be treated medically. Damage to the inner ear or hearing nerves results in sensorineural hearing loss. This type of hearing loss is almost always permanent and normally caused by high fever, disease, excessive noise exposure, heredity, or the normal aging process. Sensorineural hearing loss, usually referred to as “nerve deafness,” is often treatable with the use of hearing instruments What are the Symptoms of Hearing Loss • Straining to hear conversations. • A feeling that you can hear, but cannot understand. • Thinking people are mumbling. • Asking people to repeat themselves, even in a quiet setting. • Confusing people’s words. • Finding it necessary to watch people’s faces in order to understand what they are saying. • Difficulty hearing softer sounds such as birds singing and water running. • Increasing the volume of your radio or television to the point of irritation of others. • Avoiding certain activities because it’s too difficult to hear. • Chronic ear infections, “ringing” in the ears, or dizziness. • Family history of diabetes, heart disease, thyroid problems, poor circulation or hearing loss.