Hearing Loss Treatment in Beaumont, TX

When people think of hearing loss, they often believe it only affects seniors. But did you know that approximately 26 million Americans between the ages of 20 and 69 suffer from some form of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss? That number doesn’t even include those under 69 who suffer hearing loss due to other factors, some of which are listed below. Dr. Boyd Herndon is highly experienced in diagnosing and treating hearing loss. Call (409) 729-6401 to request an appointment at our ear, nose, and throat office in Port Neches, TX.

Do You Recognize Any of These Signs?

Hearing loss develops gradually so gradually that most people don’t realize how much they’re missing until a family member or close friend points it out. On average, people wait seven years from the time they first notice a change in their hearing before they seek help. That delay can quietly affect your relationships, your performance at work, and your overall quality of life.

If any of the following sound familiar, it may be time to schedule a hearing evaluation:

• You frequently ask people to repeat themselves
• You feel like others are mumbling or not speaking clearly
• You have difficulty following conversations when there is background noise in restaurants, at family gatherings, or in a car
• You turn up the volume on the TV or radio higher than others prefer
• You miss hearing the phone ring, the doorbell, or someone calling your name from another room
• You find yourself withdrawing from conversations or social situations because they feel too difficult
• You experience ringing, buzzing, or hissing in your ears (tinnitus)
• A family member or friend has mentioned concerns about your hearing

You don’t have to be certain something is wrong to come in. A hearing evaluation is quick, painless, and gives you a clear picture of where your hearing stands even if the result is that everything looks normal.

Call (409) 729-6401 or request an appointment and we’ll take it from there.

What are the Common Causes of Hearing Loss?

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)

NIHL is the most common cause of hearing loss. Depending on a combination of factors including the intensity, frequency, and duration of a noise, sound has the capability to damage our hearing.

Sudden hearing loss can occur from exposure to one very high level of sound, such as an explosion. Even though exposure may only last a brief amount of time, temporary or permanent damage is possible.

In most cases, damage will occur over time. Sounds less than 75 decibels will not cause hearing loss, but anything over 85 decibels may be harmful to our ears. Common sources of noises over 75 dB include music & live events, power tools such as chainsaws or leafblowers, or even car horns in traffic.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea doesn’t only affect your sleep, it also increases your risk of losing your hearing due to the effects of the vascular supply to the inner ear. In a recent study conducted by the American Thoracic Society, people with sleep apnea had a 31 percent increased risk of high-frequency impairment and 90 percent of people had an increased risk of low-frequency hearing impairment.

Diabetes

High blood glucose levels that are found in people with diabetes can damage vessels in the stria vascularis and nerves.If you have diabetes, it’s suggested that you set up regular hearing tests with your physician.

Smoking

Due to smoking’s effect on vascular supply to the auditory system, smoking can cause hearing loss in both smokers and people who live with smokers.

Use of Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen

Pain relievers like ibuprofen can reduce blood flow to the cochlea, which can lead to impaired hearing. They can also impact the structures that protect the cochlea.

Popping Ears

Popping your ears on an airplane or in an elevator might make your ears feel better, but the pressure can result in a torn ear drum and damaged hearing.

Types of Hearing Loss

Understanding the type of hearing loss you have is essential to choosing the right treatment.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

This is the most common type of permanent hearing loss. It occurs when the tiny hair cells inside the cochlea (inner ear) or the auditory nerve are damaged. Sensorineural hearing loss is typically caused by aging, prolonged noise exposure, certain medications, or illness. It cannot be reversed, but it can be effectively managed with hearing aids or, in more severe cases, cochlear implants.

Conductive Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound cannot pass efficiently through the outer or middle ear. Common causes include earwax buildup, fluid behind the eardrum, ear infections, a perforated eardrum, or abnormal bone growth in the middle ear (otosclerosis). This type of hearing loss is often treatable with medication or surgery.

Mixed Hearing Loss

Mixed hearing loss is a combination of both sensorineural and conductive components. Treatment will address both aspects based on the underlying causes.

How is Hearing Loss Diagnosed?

A comprehensive hearing evaluation is the starting point for any hearing loss treatment plan. At our office, our licensed audiologists conduct testing in a professional soundproof booth to ensure accurate results. Your evaluation may include:

Otoscopy A visual inspection of the ear canal and eardrum to check for wax buildup, infection, fluid, or structural abnormalities.

Tympanometry A test that measures how well your eardrum moves in response to changes in air pressure, helping to identify fluid, blockages, or eardrum issues.

Pure Tone Audiometry The core of a hearing test — you will listen to a series of tones at different frequencies and volumes to map out which sounds you can and cannot hear. Results are recorded on an audiogram.

Speech Discrimination Testing This evaluates how clearly you can understand spoken words, not just detect sound. It helps determine how well your hearing loss may respond to amplification.

Bone Conduction Testing By sending sound vibrations directly to the inner ear through the skull, this test helps distinguish between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.

Hearing Loss Treatment Options

The right treatment depends on the type, degree, and cause of your hearing loss. Our team will recommend a personalized plan based on your evaluation results and lifestyle.

Medical Treatment

If your hearing loss is caused by earwax, infection, or fluid, it may be treated with earwax removal, antibiotics, steroids, or other medications. Conductive hearing loss from structural issues may be resolved with a minor in-office procedure or surgery.

Hearing Aids

For most patients with sensorineural hearing loss, hearing aids are the most effective and practical treatment. Today’s hearing aids are far more advanced than they were even a decade ago they are small, discreet, and capable of adapting to different listening environments automatically.

Our office carries most major hearing aid brands, including completely-in-the-canal styles, with a 30-day free trial so you can experience the difference before committing. Our audiologists work with you to select the right style, technology level, and fit for your specific needs and budget.

Common hearing aid styles include:

Behind-the-Ear (BTE) — Sits discreetly behind the ear with a small tube or wire; suitable for most degrees of hearing loss
Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) — A thin wire connects the device behind the ear to a speaker in the ear canal; popular for its comfort and natural sound
In-the-Ear (ITE) — Custom-molded to fit within the outer ear; good for mild to moderate hearing loss
In-the-Canal (ITC) / Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC) — The most discreet options, fitting partially or fully inside the ear canal

Many modern hearing aids also offer Bluetooth connectivity for streaming audio directly from smartphones and other devices.

Cochlear Implants

For patients with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears who do not benefit sufficiently from hearing aids, cochlear implants may be an option. Unlike hearing aids, which amplify sound, cochlear implants bypass damaged hair cells and directly stimulate the auditory nerve. This option requires surgical implantation and is followed by a rehabilitation program.

Assistive Listening Devices

In addition to hearing aids, a range of assistive devices can help in specific situations such as amplified telephones, TV listening systems, and alerting devices that use visual or vibrating signals.

Better Hearing Is a Process. We Walk You Through Every Step.

Many people put off getting their hearing checked simply because they don’t know what to expect. At M. Boyd Herndon, DO, PA, we make the process as straightforward as possible from your first evaluation through long-term care.

Step 1: Your Hearing Evaluation

Your first visit begins with a one-on-one conversation about your hearing history, your lifestyle, and the specific situations where you’ve noticed difficulty. From there, our licensed audiologists conduct a comprehensive hearing test in our professional soundproof booth. Within a single appointment, you’ll have a clear picture of whether you have hearing loss, what type it is, and what degree of loss is present.

Step 2: Understanding Your Results

Once testing is complete, we sit down with you and go over your audiogram the detailed map of your hearing in plain language. We explain what the results mean for your day-to-day life and walk you through which treatment options make the most sense for your specific type of hearing loss, lifestyle, and budget. There’s no pressure and no rush.

Step 3: Finding the Right Solution

If hearing aids are recommended, our team helps you select the right style and technology level based on your hearing profile and how you live your life. We carry most major brands and offer a 30-day free trial on hearing aids including completely-in-the-canal styles so you can hear the difference before making a commitment. Think of it like test driving a car before you buy.

Step 4: Your Custom Fitting

Once you’ve chosen your hearing aids, we fit and program them specifically for your hearing loss and the shape of your ear canal. We also walk you through proper care, cleaning, and daily use so you feel confident from day one. Batteries and supplies are available directly from our office.

Step 5: Ongoing Care and Follow-Up

Better hearing is not a one-time event it’s an ongoing relationship. As your hearing changes over time, your hearing aids can be reprogrammed and adjusted to keep pace. We’re here for follow-up visits, fine-tuning, repairs, and any questions that come up along the way. Our goal is to be your long-term hearing partner, not just the office you visited once.