Information of Hearing Loss, Treatment & Prevention

Hearing loss is the total or partial inability to hear sounds in one or both ears. It happens as a result of the aging process, noise exposure or other health conditions. A diagnostic evaluation is the best way to identify your degree of hearing loss and develop the best treatment plan.

What Exactly is Hearing Loss?

A key indicator of hearing loss is the inability to hear certain sounds or tones. Hearing loss can happen to anyone of any age and can range from mild to severe. Even though your hearing loss may be mild, it can affect your ability to properly communicate. If your family is noticing you are having trouble hearing, then you should make an appointment to have your hearing checked. Hearing loss can make sounds seem muffled or can prevent you from hearing certain tones and frequencies completely. Hearing loss can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

Genetics
Exposure to loud noise
Head or ear trauma
Earwax blockage
Ear infection
Deterioration of the hair cells in the inner ear
Age

Regardless of what caused your hearing loss, it’s important to have it evaluated by an audiologist. Hearing loss can also be a result of another underlying health condition and can lead to further complications.

Signs of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss often occurs gradually, over the course of a few years. If you have gradually lost your hearing over time, it can be hard to recognize the signs. Oftentimes, a close friend or spouse will recognize the signs of hearing loss first. If you have experienced any of the following, then it is time to have your hearing checked.

Sounds seem muffled
It’s harder to hear when there is background noise
You often ask people to repeat themselves
You listen to the TV at a volume louder than everyone else
You can hear sounds but you can’t hear what people are saying
You hear a ringing in your ears (tinnitus)