My youngest guest ever, Dr. Josh Bowyer, 31, loves working with people of all ages as an audiologist but he says he’s always been passionate about the study of aging and especially enjoys working with people older than himself.
His patients often have age-related hearing loss but sometimes hearing loss is a “symptom” of a hidden health problem.
Dr. Josh says, “Health first. Let’s rule out anything more serious first before focusing on hearing.”
Dr. Josh explains how 1 out of 5 adults may hear ringing, buzzing, chirping, whooshing, or roaring sounds that are NOT in the external environment.
90% of tinnitus sufferers also have hearing loss. The inability to hear high-frequency tones often correlates with the arrival of tinnitus, as if the brain is trying to signal something is wrong.
Tinnitus is always a symptom of an underlying cause.
Extremely loud noise can cause temporary ringing in the ears, but hearing loss, TMJ syndrome (14:20), loss of oxygen, cardiac problems (16:20), systemic health problems, and medications can all create tinnitus and other hearing issues.
Almost everyone over the age of 55 has at least a small hearing loss so it’s important to get a baseline hearing test as soon as possible so any future loss can be tracked and helped.
At 24:30, Dr. Josh answers questions that have been posed by Aging Gracefully readers in advance.
Do you have more questions for Dr. Josh?
There’s great information coming next week in Part Two, but you can also leave comments and questions below for Dr. Josh Bowyer.
Also, Dr. Josh invites you to contact him personally. You can find contact info at Oberlin Hearing Care.
Knowing that hearing loss affects so many adults, Aging Gracefully TV offers a BIG THANK YOU to The Normandy Senior Living for being a supportive sponsor!
Would like to receive information on tinnitus.
I just listened to the presentation by dr. Josh on tinnitus. It was very enlightening and informative and dr. Josh is definitely an old and wise spirit in a young body. I just wish he was closer to where I live as I would definitely visit him for professional advice. Thanks for a great program Beyond the continued valuable information that you provide.
Hi James. Thank you so much that means the world to me. Our office has a satellite location in Elyria if that helps. I would be happy to answer questions you may have here, on our facebook page (search “Oberlin Hearing Care”), or via email (drbowyer@oberlinhearingcare.com).
It’s well past time for my hearing aids tune-up. I’m certain I’ve lost a bit more. As I was listening to you talk to a person about hearing and hearing aids, I felt that what you were saying fell on deaf ears. They weren’t listening to what you had to say. There’s more available in a hearing aid besides volume. I lost some hearing as a result of military service.
Thanks for your comment, Sam! And thank you for your service, as well. I’m sure that must be a problem for many who have served in the armed forces. I wonder if Dr. Josh sees a lot of that.
Hi Sam. A good hearing pun always sounds good. 🙂 As you are a military veteran I would encourage you to inquire with Veteran Affairs about having your hearing tested. The VA provides great benefits for Veterans with hearing loss that private insurance many times do not offer. My first question to any patient at our first visit is if they are a veteran for this reason. Feel free to ask questions!
Very informative. Thank you!
Thanks, Cindy! Glad you liked it!
Thank you! If there’s anything more you’d like to know about hearing, tinnitus, or hearing aids feel free to ask!