What is Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss is one of the most common health issues that people live with today. With nearly 1 in 5 people having some degree of hearing loss, you or someone you know may have impaired hearing. Over 48 million people in the U.S. have hearing loss, a figure that is expected to increase. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 1 billion people globally are at high risk of developing hearing loss. Learning more about hearing loss can better help you protect your hearing health adn wellness.

Causes

Hearing loss is the third most common medical condition that people experience today. There are several factors that can cause the development of hearing loss. A few of the most common causes of hearing loss include:

Aging: the risk of experiencing age related hearing loss, also known as presbycusis, 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 changes to the ear people can experience over time, existing medical conditions that are linked to hearing loss and also impact older adults disproportionately, and the cumulative impact of loud noise exposure.
Loud noise: one time or consistent exposure to loud noise can permanently damage the sensory cells in the inner ear. These cells convert incoming soundwaves into electrical signals which get sent to the brain. The brain is then able to further process these signals which includes assigning meaning to them, allowing us to understand what we hear. Loud noise can desensitize sensory cells, reducing their capacity to process soundwaves effectively. It is estimated that over 30 million people are regularly exposed to loud noise.
Medical conditions: extensive research shows that a number of medical conditions can increase the risk of developing hearing loss. This includes cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and osteoporosis. These conditions can affect blood flow and bone health, impacting how noise is absorbed and processed.

Other causes of hearing loss include inner ear disorders, chronic ear infections, autoimmune conditions, and head injuries.

Symptoms

Hearing loss typically occurs gradually so people may not notice symptoms for quite some time. This often leads to a delay in treatment – it takes an average of 7 years for people to address their hearing loss symptoms. Being able to recognize early signs can help you identify hearing loss, supporting early intervention. Common signs include:

Tinnitus: a ringing or buzzing noise in one or both ears that only you can hear.
Sounds are muffled or distorted.
Struggling to keep up with conversations, especially in places with background noise like restaurants.
Asking others to repeat what they said, speak louder, and/or slower.
Lip reading to help identify individual words.
Pretending to hear to get through a conversation.
Hearing over the phone is especially difficult.
Turning up the volume on the TV and/or other electronic devices.
Being able to hear more clearly out of one ear compared to the other.
Moving to a quieter space to hear.
Feeling tired or drained after conversations and social interactions.

These symptoms can range from mild to more profound, depending on the degree of hearing loss present. Symptoms take a toll on hearing and communication and to cope, people often avoid conversations as much as possible. This often includes spending less time with loved ones, skipping social gatherings, and participating less in hobbies. Social withdrawal is a major effect of untreated symptoms. This impacts relationships, social life, and mental health. Untreated symptoms can also increase a number of health risks including cognitive decline. This highlights the importance of seeking treatment early.

Treatment

There are effective ways that hearing loss is treated. The first step towards treatment is getting your hearing evaluated by a hearing healthcare specialist. Once your hearing needs are known, they are able to tailor treatment to meet those needs. Hearing aids are the most common treatment for hearing loss. These devices are designed to absorb and process sound, providing the ears and brain with ample support. This alleviates symptoms and maximizes one’s hearing capacity. Treating hearing loss not only strengthens hearing and communication but it also improves relationships, social life, overall health adn wellness.