Common Symptoms of Hearing Loss

Do you have trouble hearing? Hearing loss is a common problem that affects millions of people. The World Health Organization estimates that by 2050 one in four individuals will experience hearing loss. It can have a profound impact on your life, affecting your quality of life or even leading to cognitive decline. Understanding the signs and causes of hearing loss is key to getting the help you need and finding the appropriate intervention to help you hear better.

Key Facts

Canadian statistics show that hearing loss is second only to arthritis as the most common complaint among older adults. Only 16% of physicians screen for hearing loss on a routine basis. As hearing loss is common, especially in the older population, it’s essential to test for hearing loss and monitor for symptoms. Hearing problems become more common with age, and it’s important to address them to preserve your quality of life.

Signs of Hearing Loss

Several signs may indicate you have hearing loss. If you find yourself frequently asking people to repeat themselves or have difficulty understanding conversations in crowded places, you may be experiencing some hearing loss. At times you may find that you hear people are talking, but the words just aren’t clear.

Other signs include an increased volume when watching TV or listening to music, ringing in your ears (tinnitus), or noticing that certain sounds seem muffled or distorted. You might also find that you withdraw from conversations because of your hearing difficulty. If you experience any of these symptoms, talk to your hearing healthcare professional about scheduling an appointment for a hearing evaluation.

Causes of Hearing Loss

There are several different causes of hearing loss. The ear consists of several parts: the middle ear, the inner ear, and the outer ear. Each part of the ear is vital for hearing, and if one part of the ear is not working, it causes hearing loss.

Aging

Many different factors can cause hearing loss. Aging is one of the most common causes of sensorineural hearing loss or nerve related hearing loss; as we get older, our ability to detect high-frequency sounds decreases naturally.  Age related hearing loss affects how sound is transmitted to the inner ear and can make understanding speech difficult, especially in background noise.

Noise Induced Hearing Loss

Exposure to loud noise over a long period of time can also lead to permanent hearing damage; this is why it’s essential for people working in noisy environments like factories or construction sites to wear ear protection to prevent noise induced hearing loss. In addition, occupational safety requires hearing protection to be worn in loud environments to prevent damage to inner ear structures.

Ear Disease

In some cases, other illnesses and diseases can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss as well. For example, in one type of hearing loss, called ménière’s disease, hearing loss occurs temporarily and can be accompanied by dizziness. If you notice fluctuations in hearing and notice it sounds louder and at times can sound muffled, it is best to get your hearing tested. 

Sudden Hearing Loss

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is another type of hearing loss that can benefit from hearing treatment, such as hearing devices. For example, a sudden hearing loss is one type of hearing loss that will benefit from a special hearing device known as a CROS. In some cases, the individual may have normal hearing in one ear and profound hearing loss in the other ear. This can make it very hard to hear sounds in your environment, such as a person located nearest your bad ear.

Hearing Tests

If you’re having hearing difficulty, a hearing test is the only way to measure hearing loss and discuss appropriate hearing loss treatments. For example, treating mild hearing loss will have different options than treating severe hearing loss.

A hearing test will also determine what type of hearing loss you have. For example, conductive hearing loss and mixed hearing loss will have different considerations for treatment than inner ear hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss affects the transmission of sounds to the inner ear and may affect the hearing nerve. Treating hearing loss will be specific to your type and severity of hearing loss as well as your lifestyle. Different types of hearing loss will have different medical treatments.

Schedule an Appointment with Us

Are you looking to set up a hearing test? Contact House of Hearing to schedule an appointment with a hearing aid specialist, call House of Hearing. Our trained staff can give you detailed, personalized recommendations based on your hearing test. Call us to schedule today.

Treating Sensorineural Hearing Loss

There are different types of hearing loss: conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss, and mixed hearing loss. Hearing loss occurs for a variety of reasons. However, the most common type of hearing loss is sensorineural, which is permanent inner ear hearing loss. This type of hearing loss is usually very responsive to treatment.

Hearing Aids

The good news is that if you have hearing loss, in many cases hearing aids can help. Hearing loss that is age related often creates gradual hearing loss. A hearing aid is a medical device that helps those with hearing loss. A hearing specialist can help improve your hearing ability with the latest hearing technology.

The results of a hearing test will reveal the best options to treat your hearing loss. For those with difficulty hearing high pitched sounds, as is often the case in older adults, a hearing aid provides volume in the high frequency region that gives speech its meaning. However, certain high pitched sounds will be hard to hear, such as leaves rustling or consonants at the end of the words.

Personalized Hearing Care Options

No matter the type of hearing loss, we can offer you personalized hearing care solutions to address your hearing loss and consider your lifestyle. Our hearing aids can help improve your quality of life, reduce background noise, and keep you aware of other sounds in your environment.

With the expert care at House of Hearing, we offer the perfect combination of trained, experienced hearing care professionals and top of the line technology.

Prevention of Hearing Loss

The good news is there are steps you can take now to prevent further noise related hearing loss in the future. Avoiding loud noises whenever possible—especially extremely loud noises like fireworks—is essential for preserving your hearing health. Additionally, wearing ear protection when exposed to loud sounds, such as machinery, will help protect your ears from damage over time. You should also get regular checkups with a medical professional so they can monitor any changes in your hearing health and address them accordingly.           

How do I cope with hearing loss?

Untreated hearing loss can be challenging to cope with, especially if it affects your ability to communicate and engage in activities you enjoy. It’s important to remember that you are not alone—there are many resources available to help you adjust and regain the quality of life you had before the hearing loss.

We at House of Hearing understand the importance of providing personalized care and support as you adjust to hearing loss. We are here to help you understand your options and provide guidance along the way.

Using some of these strategies will help you to make the most of your hearing technology. Here are some tips that can help:

Hearing loss can be frustrating, but there are ways to cope with it and lead a full and fulfilling life. See us at House of Hearing to talk about how we can best help you enjoy your life to the fullest with better hearing.                                                                                                                                                                                   

Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline

Recent studies have found a link between untreated hearing loss and cognitive decline. The World Health Organization notes that untreated hearing loss is the leading modifiable risk factor in cognitive decline. The reason being that the brain’s ability to process sound and create memories of what was heard decreases with hearing loss, leading to cognitive decline over time. If you are experiencing difficulty hearing, it is important to take action immediately in order to prevent this from happening.

At House of Hearing, we’re here to help you take control of your hearing health and improve your quality of life. Our team of experienced professional are dedicated to providing the best care and treatment options for hearing loss. Come in today to learn more about how we can help you manage your hearing loss and prevent cognitive decline with hearing aids designed with your specific needs in mind.

We look forward to helping you on your journey to better hearing. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and start your personalized hearing care plan!

Conclusion

There are many common signs that can indicate hearing loss. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to consult with a hearing care professional as soon as possible. There are also steps you can take to prevent hearing loss, like avoiding loud noises and taking breaks from exposure to noise when necessary. If you’re struggling to cope with hearing loss, there are support groups and other resources are available to help you adjust. Don’t suffer in silence – get the help you need. If you’re worried about your hearing or would like to learn more about preventing hearing loss, we encourage you to visit us at House of Hearing. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have and provide expert advice on finding the best solution for your needs.