3761 N. State Hwy H
Springfield, MO 65803
Welcome to
Hear 4 Life, LLC
Your Sound, Our Commitment - Empowering Lifelong Hearing Wellness
The Medical Approach to Hearing Loss
The Brain's Role in Hearing Loss
The medical approach to hearing loss factors in the ear-to-brain connection, and the auditory cortex (the part of the brain that handles sound) has reduced function. With less activity in this area, the brain has difficulty filtering background noise and it becomes harder to understand what you are hearing. A Hear 4 Life certified specialist can improve your ability to hear in noise, when multiple people are speaking, and when engaging in your favorite activities.
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a common condition that can cause you to hear a ringing, rushing, or buzzing in your ears. Tinnitus is present in approximately 75% of all people with hearing loss. While it will not cause you to lose your hearing, tinnitus is a leading indicator of hearing loss. Symptoms are different for each person and can affect your daily activities and quality of life.
Diagnosing and treating tinnitus is a complex process. While most people are told there is nothing that can be done about it, our team of hearing and tinnitus treatment specialists at Hear 4 Life can help to reduce tinnitus.
Hearing Loss & Dementia
Hearing loss does more than just interfere with your ability to have a conversation. It affects your social skills and reduces activity in the part of the brain that processes sound. Without treatment, your brain will stop interpreting input from your ears permanently.
Hearing loss and losing the ear–brain connection leads to:
-
Feelings of isolation
-
Depression or anxiety
-
Loss of interest in activities
-
Loss of independence
-
Withdrawal from friends or family
Social interaction and independence are not only necessary for happiness—they’re vital to cognitive health and brain function. Your brain needs stimulation and input from the environment to be healthy.
Without these, your quality of life decreases, and you’re at a 200-500% higher risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
Hearing & Balance
If you have hearing loss, your main concern may be that you will no longer be able to have conversations with your loved ones. However, the ears are involved in more than just hearing—they are also responsible for maintaining balance. Anything that affects hearing can also impact balance and stability while walking.
A serious fall impairs mobility, leads to loss of independence, and decreases your quality of life. By having a specialist treat your hearing loss early, you can stop its progression and decrease your risk of falling. Catching and treating hearing loss early can preserve your health and independence.
If you have symptoms of hearing loss, such as tinnitus (ringing in your ears) or asking others to speak louder, it’s critical to visit a hearing specialist for a hearing test as soon as possible.