Did you know that hearing loss is the third most common health condition that people live with today? With nearly 1 in 5 people having some degree of impaired hearing, you may know someone who experiences hearing loss. Learning more about hearing loss and knowing the early signs to watch for supports early intervention, helping you protect your hearing health and wellness.
There are different types of hearing loss: sensorineural, conductive, and mixed. Conductive hearing loss occurs in the outer and middle ear as a result of obstructions that are often temporary. Whereas sensorineural hearing loss, occuring in the inner ear, is typically permanent. Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss, accounting for 90% of the hearing loss that people experience.
Causes
Sensorineural hearing loss occurs as a result of the sensory cells in the inner ear being damaged. There are thousands of these cells in the cochlea and they play a major role in how sound is processed. Sensory cells convert incoming sound waves into electrical signals which are then sent to the brain to be further processed. The brain then assigns meaning to these signals which allows us to understand what we eat. When sensory cells are impaired, their capacity to effectively process soundwaves is affected causing the brain to receive less auditory information, producing chronic hearing loss. Ways that these cells can be damaged include:
- Aging: also known as presbycusis, the risk of developing hearing loss increases with age. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD): 1 in 3 adults, ages 65-74, have some degree of hearing loss. This increases to 1 in 2 adults, ages 75 and older, who have disabling hearing loss. This can be caused by a few factors including: changes to the ears that may happen over time, the cumulative impact of noise exposure, and existing medical conditions that are linked to hearing loss which also disproportionately impact older adults.
- Noise exposure: one time consistent exposure to loud noise can cause noise induced hearing loss. Loud noise can desensitize and weaken sensory cells, reducing their ability to process sound. It is estimated that over 30 million people are exposed to hazardous noise levels regularly. Common sources of loud noise exposure include: listening to audio loudly on electronic devices, attending noisy events like concerts regularly, work environments etc.
- Medical conditions: substantial research shows that several medical conditions can increase the risk of sensorineural hearing loss. This includes: cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hypertension. These conditions can affect blood flow and blood vessels throughout the body including the inner ears, impairing sensory cells and nerves that are critical to processing sound.
Additional causes of sensorineural hearing loss include: head injuries, inner ear disorders, and ototoxic medications
Symptoms
It takes an average of 7 years for people to address their hearing loss symptoms. This delay in treatment can worsen hearing loss and the toll it often has on communication, relationships, social life, and health. Being able to recognize symptoms can better help you identify hearing loss, supporting early action. Common signs include:
- Tinnitus: a ringing or buzzing like sound that only you can hear in one or both ears.
- Sounds are slurred, muffled, or distorted.
- Struggling to keep up with conversations in places with background noise.
- Asking others to repeat what they said, speak louder, and/or slower.
- Needing to lip read to help identify individual words.
- Responding with “huh” or “what” often.
- Pretending to hear to get through a conversation.
- Increasing the volume on the TV and/or electronic devices.
These symptoms can make it tough to hear and communicate. It is common for people to avoid conversations to cope with these symptoms. Social withdrawal is another symptom of hearing loss, impacting relationships and mental health. If you recognize any of these symptoms, it is important to have your hearing assessed soon.
Treatment
Fortunately, there are effective hearing solutions resources you can access! The first step is to have your hearing health evaluated. Hearing aids are the most common way hearing loss is treated. These electronic devices provide ample support, alienating hearing loss symptoms and maximizing hearing capacity. This transforms everyday life and allows people to navigate with greater ease and safety.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a hearing consultation!