People experience hearing loss for a number of reasons. In most cases, hearing loss is gradual and worsens as you age. In fact, the hearing of almost half of Americans above age 65 is impaired to some degree. A gradual decline in hearing can be difficult to notice, but there are a few common signs to watch out for.
Signs of Hearing Loss
There are several symptoms associated with hearing loss. Common symptoms include hearing muffled noises when other people speak, having trouble understanding others when there’s a lot of background noise, and having trouble hearing consonants. Also, if you are frequently asking people to repeat themselves or find yourself needing to turn up the volume of your radio, phone, or television, you may have some sort of hearing impairment. Hearing loss can sometimes result in withdrawal from social settings, as it makes it more difficult to interact with others.
Since hearing loss typically occurs quite slowly, it might be hard to notice the problem at first. What you consider to be “normal” hearing may change as your hearing abilities diminish. However, at some point, you may find it difficult to engage in conversations.
If your hearing suddenly changes, there may be something else going on. In this case, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as you can.
Why Hearing Loss Occurs
Sudden hearing loss can happen because of different reasons. Some people have too much earwax blocking their ear canals, and other people may have ear infections or abnormal growths that interfere with the hearing process. Many types of physical injuries and exposure to loud noises can result in hearing loss, too.
For many people, however, hearing loss occurs in the process of aging. The tiny receptors in the ear that detect sound and the nerves that send sound signals to your brain can become damaged or wear down over time.
Next Steps
At any age, it can be important to protect your ears from loud noises. Wearing earplugs or earmuffs can be effective in loud environments. If you already have some degree of hearing loss, you can interact with others in settings where background noise is minimal, look at people when they’re speaking, and let others know about your hearing loss. Hearing aids and other devices may be able to help you as well. For more assistance or advice about next steps, schedule an appointment with your primary doctor or an ENT in your neighborhood.