At Golden Ears Audiology, every patient's journey toward better hearing begins with a professional evaluation. We don't sell hearing aids over the counter. Instead, each device is prescribed and fitted based on a comprehensive diagnostic process led by Dr. Sonia Penaroza, Au.D. Through advanced hearing evaluations, real-world simulations, and personalized fittings, our goal is to help patients regain clarity and confidence.
To begin your journey, schedule a Hearing Test with Hearing Aid Consultation today.
What is Hearing?
Hearing is probably one of mother nature's great feats of engineering. Your ear funnels the sound around you into the outer ear (ear canal) and which vibrates the ear drum. The bones in the middle ear then faithfully transmit that sound to the fluid in your inner ear (cochlea), stimulating only the hair cells that correspond to the frequencies around you. Just let any complex system, the more pieces, the more points of vulnerability for something to go wrong. When something does go wrong, it results in a lessened perception of sound, or hearing loss.
Conductive vs. Sensorineural Hearing Loss
There are two types of hearing loss - conductive and sensorineural. Conductive hearing loss means that the outer ear or the middle ear is responsible for your hearing loss. Examples can include wax in the ear canal, fluid behind the eardrum, a hole in the eardrum or a problem with the bones in your middle ear. Typically, this type of hearing loss can be treated and reversed through medical intervention. For example, getting the wax removed from your ear canal will restore your hearing. Patching up the hole in the eardrum will restore your hearing (the degree can vary depending).
Sensorineural hearing loss, refers to hearing loss in the inner ear. The cause can either be the hair cells and auditory nerve, hence the name. This type of hearing loss is permanent and cannot be restored. A sensorineural hearing loss can be sudden following a viral infection or more commonly, occurs gradually. A gradual sensorineural hearing loss is a result of wear and tear of the cochlea from environmental toxins and noise exposure. Typically, a patient will start to notice this type of hearing loss as early as 50 years of age. Everyone will eventually develop hearing loss with age but the onset of age-related hearing loss is dictated by several factors - genetics, noise exposure (loud noise, power tools, fire arms, etc), secondary health conditions (diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea), and environmental toxins (chronic use of nicotine and/or alcohol, medications that are known to damage the hair cells such as cancer treatment).
Treatments for sensorineural hearing loss
Hearing doesn't stop at the cochlea. It continues through the auditory nerve and into the brain, where sound is interpreted and given meaning. In cases of sensorineural hearing loss, the tiny hair cells within the inner ear become damaged or less responsive. These weakened cells struggle to detect soft or high-frequency sounds, even though the brain remains capable of processing them once the signal is strong enough.
Here's how treatment works:
- The damaged hair cells in the cochlea fail to pick up quiet sounds.
- The auditory nerve and brain can still interpret sound accurately when it's amplified.
- Hearing aids amplify sound waves so that these weakened cells can detect them.
- Once detected, the brain processes the sound naturally to restore function.
Professionally programmed hearing aids bridge the gap between the damaged inner ear and the brain's ability to perceive sound. The result is an improvement in speech comprehension and making communication in background noise easier. It's also a great tool for managing moderate hearing loss. A personalized hearing evaluation and fitting are vital to selecting the right hearing aid for each patient.
What are hearing aids?
Hearing aids are FDA-approved devices that help compensate for your hearing loss. Hearing aids will only amplify at the specific frequencies you have hearing loss in order to provide the auditory nerve with the information needed to send to the brain for interpretation. Hearing aids additionally are able to suppress background noise to help the brain more easily understand and interpret what we want to hear - speech. Recent research has shown that using hearing aids may help reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
Why Choose Golden Ears Audiology for Hearing Aids
When it comes to hearing aids in Lakeway, TX, patients trust the team here at Golden Ears Audiology for our doctor-led care and long-term support. Every patient is personally evaluated and fitted by Dr. Sonia Penaroza, Au.D. With us, treatment decisions are medically guided, not sales-driven.
We offer:
- Transparent hearing aid pricing.
- Flexible hearing aid financing.
- Ongoing maintenance and hearing aid repair services.
- Personalized hearing aid fittings.
When should you consider hearing aids?
- You have difficulty understanding dialogues in movies and TV shows.
- You have trouble following conversations in group settings and noisy environments.
- Speech does not sound as clear as it used to be.
- You hear ringing in your eyes that sounds like a high-pitched tone, buzzing, or humming.
Addressing hearing loss early improves treatment outcomes and overall well-being. Reach out today to learn more about our tinnitus treatment options.
What to Expect During Your Hearing Aid Evaluation
Your hearing aid evaluation at Golden Ears Audiology is led personally by Dr. Sonia Penaroza, Au.D., and includes a comprehensive, three-part hearing test designed to assess how every part of your hearing system functions.
The process covers:
- Tone Testing: Measures sensitivity across frequencies to identify mild, moderate, or severe hearing loss.
- Speech Testing: Evaluates how clearly speech is understood in quiet and in background noise.
- Real-World Simulation: Tests how your brain processes sound in noisy situations to determine which hearing technology will best support your daily communication.
Dr. Penaroza also uses questionnaires to objectively measure your hearing experience and assess lifestyle impact and communication disorders. Once she has a full picture of your hearing abilities, she provides personalized recommendations that may include hearing aids, auditory training, or assistive listening devices.
After your initial fitting, you'll have a 30-day trial period to adjust to your new hearing aids, with two to three follow-up appointments to fine-tune performance. Following that, Dr. Penaroza typically meets with you every six months for maintenance and continued care, including cleanings, adjustments, and ongoing education about hearing health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is sensorineural hearing loss permanent?
Unlike other species, humans cannot regenerate damaged hair cells or auditory nerve fibers in the inner ear. Once these structures are impaired, they cannot recover naturally. However, advanced hearing aids can help restore comprehension by strengthening the connection between sound and the brain.
How do I know if I need hearing aids?
A professional hearing test is the most reliable way to determine need. An audiologist assesses both hearing thresholds and speech understanding to identify the type and extent of hearing loss. Early detection supports better outcomes and access to choosing the right hearing aids.
Can I buy hearing aids online or do I need an audiologist?
While online options exist, working with an audiologist provides a safer and more precise fit. Professionally fitted hearing aids are customized to your specific hearing needs, offering better comfort, sound quality, and long-term results than generic online devices.
Schedule Your Hearing Aid Evaluation in Lakeway
Take the first step toward hearing life's moments with greater clarity and confidence. Serving patients across Lakeway, Bee Cave, and the greater Austin area, our team provides compassionate care, precise testing, and long-term hearing support.
Appointments include a complete diagnostic evaluation, personalized recommendations, and guidance. Book your Hearing Test with Hearing Aid Consultation today to experience better hearing.
