What causes hearing loss?

Hearing loss can be caused by a problem in any part of your auditory pathway. It can be from the outer and middle ear to the inner ear and from the nerve to your brain. Some people are born with hearing loss. Other people develop hearing loss later due to a health condition. The most common causes are aging and exposure to loud noises. People who work in noisy environments are at greater risk. This includes construction workers, musicians, farmers, miners and military personnel. Listening to loud music with headphones or in clubs or clubs also puts you at risk. Most people find that their hearing deteriorates as they age. Hearing loss can also be genetic.

What types of hearing loss are there?

The type of hearing loss you have depends on which part of your auditory pathway is affected.

Conductive hearing loss

This is when there is a problem with your outer or middle ear, so sound cannot reach your inner ear. It may be caused by:

• Ear mass
• External ear infection
• Perforated eardrum
• Infection and fluid in the middle ear
• Abnormal bone growth in your middle ear (known as otosclerosis)

Conductive hearing loss is treatable.

Sensorineural hearing loss

This happens when there is a problem with the cochlea, which is the hearing organ in the inner ear, or the auditory nerve. It may be caused by:

• aging (known as presbycusis)
• Exposure to loud noise (also known as noise-induced hearing loss)
• Infections
• Meniere’s disease
• hit on head
• Some drugs and chemicals

Sensorineural hearing loss is often permanent.

Mixed hearing loss

In this type, there is both conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss.

What are the symptoms of hearing loss?

The first symptoms of hearing loss are hardly noticeable because they usually appear gradually. They may include:

• Hearing problems in noisy places
• Hearing buzzing or ringing in the ears
• They have trouble hearing people on the phone or if they are not facing you
• They often ask people to repeat themselves
• Hearing voices muffled, as if people are whispering
• The need for the TV volume to be louder than other people
• Avoiding situations because you have trouble hearing

Your child may have hearing loss if:

• He/She is not startled by loud noises or turns His/Her head towards the sound
• He/She starts talking later than other children of His/Her age
• His/Her speech is indistinct compared to other children of His/Her age
• He/She wants the TV to be loud
• Like other children of His/Her age, He/She does not understand and follow instructions
• He/She has problems at school

What if I lose hearing in only one ear?

Hearing loss in one ear is possible for various reasons. It is not due to aging which affects both ears. If you have hearing loss in one ear, it is very important to protect the hearing in the other ear. If you have normal hearing in your other ear, you can probably hear and communicate normally most of the time. It may be harder for you to hear when there is background noise. This is especially true if the person talking to you is on your “bad” side. You will probably have trouble identifying where the sound is coming from. Be careful when crossing the road, driving, or doing anything else where you need to know the direction of the sound to stay safe.

When should I seek help?

If you are concerned about your hearing and are experiencing any of the symptoms of hearing loss, see an audiologist for a hearing test. A hearing test can determine the type and severity of your hearing loss. If you’re not sure, you might want to take an online hearing test. This test is only a guide and is not as accurate as a hearing test performed by an audiologist.

What happens during a hearing test?

During the hearing test, you will listen to a series of sounds through headphones. You will frequently be asked to show when you hear them. This results in a graph of your hearing called an audiogram. Based on that audiogram, the audiologist can tell you at what frequencies and intensity you are able to hear sounds. This will ultimately determine if you have hearing loss and if so how much.

How is the degree of hearing loss defined in the chart?

Audiologists sometimes use a diagram called a “speech banana.” This diagram explains the occurrence of sounds used in everyday human speech in the audiogram. Showing the degree of hearing loss on a graph helps explain how hearing loss affects speech perception.

What treatment do I need for hearing loss?

Some types of hearing loss cannot be cured, and to compensate for the effects of hearing loss, you must use things like hearing aids or cochlear implants, etc. The choice of treatment method is different according to the amount and type of hearing loss.

What does it mean if I suddenly lose my hearing?

Sudden onset hearing loss occurs when you suddenly lose your hearing in less than 3 days. Sometimes people wake up with hearing loss. This is an emergency. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss can be caused by many reasons. These include infection, stroke, head injury, medications, or other health conditions. In most cases, no cause is found. You may also experience tinnitus, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. If you get treatment quickly, you have a better chance of recovery. If no cause is found, you may be prescribed a steroid medication that can help improve your hearing. In some people, the hearing loss will be permanent. Sudden transient hearing loss can also have many causes, such as wax, ear infection, or injury. You may also have tinnitus. See your doctor right away to make sure there is no other cause and to find out what treatment you may need.

Can I prevent hearing loss?

Most types of hearing loss are permanent, so it’s important to prevent hearing loss before it occurs. If you have hearing damage, you can still prevent it from getting worse. The best way to protect your hearing is to limit your exposure to loud noises.

To prevent hearing damage:

• Keep your music, TV and radio down – you should be able to easily understand someone speaking at a meter.
• If you are using headphones or handsfree, keep the volume down. It should not be loud enough for someone next to you to hear.
• Use earplugs or ear protection equipment in noisy workplaces and for noisy activities such as mowing the lawn.
• If you are in a noisy environment, take a sound break.
• If you can, use headphones or earphones that reduce loud background noise.
• Wear earplugs at clubs, live music events, and other loud venues. Take frequent breaks and stand away from speakers.
• The workplace has rules about noise levels. If you work in a noisy environment, you should have access to ear protection. If not, talk to your workplace health and safety officer.