Hearing Loss

Did you know that hearing loss is one of the most common health conditions people experience today? Over 48 million people have some degree of hearing loss, making it the third most pervasive medical condition people live with. Though hearing loss is widespread, it is often underdiagnosed. It takes an average of 7 years for people to address their hearing loss symptoms.

Untreated hearing loss has multifaceted effects that can take a toll on daily life in a myriad of ways. This includes straining communication, relationships, social engagement, and work performance. Being able to recognize symptoms and seeking treatment early can profoundly improve hearing health and wellness.

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What causes hearing loss?

Several factors can contribute to the development of hearing loss. A few of the most common causes include the following:

The risk of developing age-related hearing loss, also known as presbycusis, increases with age. According to the National Institute on Deafness & Other Communication Disorders:

1 in 3 adults, ages 65-74, have hearing loss
1 in 2 adults, ages 75 and older have hearing loss

Age-related hearing loss can be caused by a few factors including the cumulative impact
of exposure to noise over time, changes to the ear, and existing medical conditions that
also, impact older adults disproportionately.

One time or consistent exposure to loud noise can also result in hearing loss. Loud noise can damage the hair cells in the inner ear which are integral to how sound is absorbed and processed. These hair cells convert soundwaves into electrical signals which are then sent to the brain. Loud noise can cause these sensory cells to become desensitized, making them less effective which results in noise-induced hearing loss.

In addition to these factors, other causes of hearing loss include head injuries and inner ear disorders.

What are common hearing loss symptoms?

Hearing loss reduces a person’s capacity to hear and process sound and is a condition that typically occurs gradually. This means that people may experience symptoms that remain unnoticed for quite some time which contributes to a delay in treatment. Knowing the signs to look for can help you identify changes you are experiencing in your hearing health. Early signs include the following:

Speech and sound are muffled, distorted, or slurred.
Difficulty hearing in environments with background noise.
Asking others to speak louder, slower, or repeat something they’ve said.
Increasing the volume on electronic devices like the TV or phone.
Missing words or parts of a conversation.
Being able to hear better out of one ear compared to the other.
Needing to move to a space that is quieter to hear more clearly.
Lip reading to help identify individual words.

These symptoms can be experienced mildly to profoundly depending on the level of hearing impairment you are experiencing. Hearing loss often leads to social withdrawal because conversations become difficult to engage in. This can take a toll on relationships, social life, as well as health. Untreated hearing loss increases health risks including cognitive decline, depression, and accidental injuries.

How is hearing loss diagnosed and treated?

The first step is to have your hearing health thoroughly evaluated by a professional. Hearing tests involve a painless process that measures your hearing capacity in both ears. This identifies any impairment as well as the specific degree of hearing loss in each ear. Once your hearing health profile is established, this information shapes the best course of treatment.

Hearing aids are the most common way hearing loss is treated. These are electronic devices that provide significant support with absorbing and processing sound. Hearing aids alleviate symptoms and maximize a person’s hearing ability, making it easier to hear and communicate. This offers countless benefits including strengthening communication, improving relationships, enriching social life, and improving health as well as wellness.

Hearing loss should not prevent you from living life fully and with effective treatment, it doesn’t have to! Contact us today to schedule an appointment.