Hearing loss is a very common and growing problem in America. It ranks third in line after arthritis and heart disease as one of the most common physical conditions in older adults. According to the Hearing Loss Association of America, one out of 10, or 28 million Americans suffer from some type of hearing loss. As baby boomers reach retirement age, this number is expected to nearly double by the year 2030.

The good news is that hearing loss is treatable, provided you seek proper medical attention. The question is, where do you go? There are plenty of places that offer free hearing tests but few that can both properly diagnose and treat all types of hearing disorders.

"It's no wonder that people are confused about hearing treatment options. Thanks to the Internet and television people are bombarded by information from hearing providers that can be overwhelming. Every time you open the paper, you see an ad from a different hearing provider promoting this treatment or device. As a result, people often self diagnose or select the wrong treatment for their hearing disorder and the results are disastrous. It's important to find out what causes your hearing loss and select the appropriate treatment. It will save you time, money and preserve your hearing," said Dr. Robert Owens, a prominent Dallas otologist.

Dr. Owens is an otologist at Owens Ear Center in Dallas. Otology pronounced (oh-tol-uh-jee) is a medical specialty that focuses on hearing and balance disorders as well as diseases of the ear. Specialized training and education make an otologist like Dr. Robert Owens the most highly qualified expert for anyone experiencing a hearing problem. While most people have heard of ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) doctors, the term otologist isn't as well known, but that is rapidly changing. As the top hearing specialists in the medical sector, otologists are constantly contacted both by other physicians and patients to treat hearing conditions that no one else can correct.

While many people may have never heard of otology, Dr. Robert Owens became familiar with the medical specialty at an early age. His father, Dr. Fred Owens is an otologist who has dedicated his entire professional life to patients with hearing and balance conditions. Dr. Fred Owens opened Owens Ear Center and founded the Dallas Foundation of Otology in the 1970s. He also founded the Hearing School of the Southwest, the only school in the local area to provide support to children with hearing impairments. Both Dr. Robert and Dr. Fred Owens completed fellowships at the prestigious House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles before entering into private practice here in Dallas. Over the years they have treated many patients who have been incorrectly diagnosed or who have purchased expensive medications or hearing aids that they did not need.

Otologists are exposed to ear problems that many other doctors have little or no experience with. Since they are concerned exclusively with ear issues, otologists keep up with the latest technological research, advancements, medications and treatment options for hearing loss.

Dr. Robert Owens has worked with several surgical prosthesis companies to develop new and improved prosthesis for hearing reconstruction. In fact, both Dr. Robert Owens and his father are lecturers and instructors at medical schools and organizations throughout the country, teaching new surgical techniques and treatments to physicians. One of the most common problems both doctors regularly encounter are people who think a hearing aid is the only cure for hearing loss.

"Hearing loss can be caused by something that's fairly benign and a hearing aid might be all that's needed. However, tumors or infections can cause hearing loss as well. By getting fitted for a hearing aid, you might be satisfied with your hearing improvement but the underlying cause of the condition would remain. A tumor could be growing, or an infection could be spreading toward your brain and because your hearing is better you think everything is all right until a more serious complication develops. Surgery or medical treatment may be called for and after that treatment you may not even need the hearing aid. If you do need a hearing aid, an otologist like myself can fit you with one," said Dr. Robert Owens.

It's important to remember that a hearing aid doesn't always treat hearing problems. Hearing aids amplify sounds which will not fix the cause of certain hearing loss problems. Hearing aid providers are not doctors; they are trained to fit people with hearing aids and can't offer you alternative treatments or diagnose a hearing problem. Many hearing problems can be corrected by surgery or medicine. Dr. Robert Owens performs over 700 ear surgeries annually and has treated thousands of patients with complex ear conditions with a variety of different methods.

The one hearing treatment that works the best is early detection. According to the Hearing Loss Association of American, it takes people seven years on average from the time they think they have a hearing loss problem to the time they seek treatment. This can be quite dangerous. When hearing loss is caused by infections or tumors, it's crucial that you seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Left untreated hearing problems will worsen over time and can jeopardize your health.

For example, cholesteatoma is an ear disease that starts with an abnormal growth of skin in the ear and later turns into a benign tumor in the middle ear. While it sounds like a minor illness, the enzymes produced by the disease can eat away at the bone in your ear and if it's not treated promptly it can lead to deafness, brain infections and permanent facial paralysis. So if you suspect you might have a hearing problem, you should seek treatment immediately. Think you might have a hearing problem? Do you or someone you know . . .

• Constantly ask people to repeat what they say?

• Avoid social settings and conversations because they can't understand what people say?

• Need to turn up the volume on the TV or radio constantly to hear?

• Have difficulty hearing on the phone?

• Have difficulty understanding words especially against background noise or in crowds?

• Experience pain, dizziness or ringing in their ears?