Know the Symptoms, Types and Treatment for Hearing Loss
Hearing loss or deafness refers to the total or partial inability to hear sounds. Signs can be mild, moderate, severe, or profound.
- A patient with mild hearing loss may have difficulty understanding speech, especially if there is a lot of noise around, while those with moderate hearing problems may need a hearing aid.
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Get A Second OpinionWhat is Hearing Loss?
- Hearing loss is the condition that occurs when part of your ear is not working as it should. It is the third most common health problem, and it can affect the quality of your life and your relationships.
- Certain conditions, including age, disease, and genetics, can play a role in hearing loss. Modern life has added a host of ear-damaging items to the list, including certain medications and many sources of loud, continuous noise. Find out more about the common causes of hearing problem.
- With so many incurable cases of hearing loss, prevention is the best way to keep hearing long-term. If you've ever lost your hearing, there are ways to stay connected and connect with friends and family.
Types of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can be categorized into three main types based on the part of the ear that is affected:
Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss occurs when there is a problem with the outer or middle ear that prevents sound from being conducted to the inner ear. Common causes include:
- Ear infections
- Fluid in the middle ear
- Blockages such as earwax or foreign objects
- Abnormal bone growths in the middle ear (otosclerosis)
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss happens when there is damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or the auditory nerve. This type of hearing problem is usually permanent and can be caused by:
- Aging (presbycusis)
- Exposure to loud noises
- Certain medications that are toxic to hearing
- Genetic factors
- Diseases such as Meniere's disease
Mixed Hearing Loss
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. This means there may be damage in the outer or middle ear as well as in the inner ear or auditory nerve. Causes can include any combination of factors that contribute to both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
Signs and Symptoms of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can manifest in various ways, and the signs and symptoms may vary depending on the type and severity of the hearing impairment. Here are some common indicators:
- Difficulty Understanding Speech:
- Struggling to hear conversations, especially in noisy environments
- Frequently asking others to repeat themselves.
- Misunderstanding what others are saying
- Increased Volume Requirements
- Turning up the volume on the TV, radio, or phone to levels higher than usual
- Needing higher volume settings in headphones
- Social Withdrawal
- Avoiding social situations due to difficulty hearing
- Feeling isolated or frustrated in group settings
- Reluctance to engage in conversations
- Tinnitus
- Hearing ringing, buzzing, or hissing sounds in the ears
- Persistent or intermittent noise that is not present in the external environment
- Difficulty with Phone Conversations
- Struggling to hear the person on the other end of the line
- Preferring text messages or emails over phone calls
- Missing Environmental Sounds
- Not hearing common sounds such as doorbells, alarms, or birds chirping.
- Being unaware of people approaching from behind
- Fatigue
- Feeling tired or stressed after straining to hear
- Experiencing mental exhaustion from constantly trying to understand speech
- Balance Issues
- Experiencing dizziness or balance problems, which can be associated with inner ear issues
- Speech Changes
- Noticing a change in your speech clarity or volume
- Speaking louder than necessary without realizing it
Causes of Hear Loss
- Hearing loss has many causes, and it is important to determine what is causing it so that the right treatment can be determined.
- Risk factors for hearing loss: Any of the following scenarios increases your risk of developing progressive hearing problem:
- Be over 60, when age-related hearing loss is more likely to occur.
- Frequent exposure to excessive noise, such as loud machinery or gunshots
- Having a close family regarding hearing loss or a family history of genetic disorders with hearing loss
- The more of these risk factors you have, the more likely you are to have hearing loss. Hearing loss is usually progressive. These are the most common risk factors, but there are some surprising risk factors as well.
- Less common causes of hearing loss During this time, hearing problem can also be caused by any of the following conditions:
- Certain drugs are sometimes called "ototoxic" drugs.
- Trauma or injury to the head
- Certain diseases, such as Meniere's disease, otosclerosis, or an autoimmune disease
- Acoustic neuroma
Diagnosis of Hearing Loss
Patients suspecting hearing issues should first see their doctor, who will inquire about the symptoms, onset, progression, and any associated pain.
- Physical Examination
Using an otoscope, the doctor can identify:
- Blockages from foreign objects or earwax
- Collapsed eardrum
- Ear infections
- Cholesteatoma (skin growth behind the eardrum)
- Fluid in the ear canal
- Eardrum perforations
- Symptom Inquiry
The doctor may ask questions like:
- Do you often ask people to repeat themselves?
- Do you struggle to understand phone conversations?
- Do you miss hearing the doorbell?
- Do you find it difficult to follow conversations in noisy environments?
- Do you hear ringing or hissing noises?
- Do you avoid group conversations?
- General Screening
A basic hearing test involves covering one ear and responding to sounds at various volumes.
Specialist Referral
- If a hearing issue is suspected, the patient may be referred to an ENT specialist or audiologist.
Tuning Fork Test (Rinne Test)
- A tuning fork is used to compare air conduction and bone conduction of sound:
- The fork is placed against the mastoid bone and then near the ear canal.
- The patient indicates when they stop hearing the sound.
Audiometer Test
- The patient wears headphones and responds to various tones and volumes.
- Words are also presented at different decibel levels to assess hearing clarity.
Bone Oscillator Test
- A bone oscillator placed against the mastoid bone checks the function of the nerve transmitting sound to the brain.
Screening for Children
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends hearing tests at:
- School entry
- Ages 6, 8, and 10
- Once in middle school and high school
Newborn Screening
- The otoacoustic emissions test (OAE) involves a probe in the outer ear to detect echo sounds. Lack of echo necessitates further testing to confirm hearing status.
Treatment for Hearing Problems
If you have hearing problems, help is available. Treatment depends on the cause and severity of your hearing loss.
The options include:
- Removal of wax blockage Blockage of earwax is a reversible cause of hearing loss. Your doctor can remove earwax using suction or a small tool with a loop on the end.
- Surgical interventions: Some types of hearing problems can be treated with surgery, including abnormalities of the eardrum or hearing bones (ossicles). If you've had repeated infections with persistent fluid, your doctor may insert small tubes that help your ears drain.
- Hearing aids: If your hearing loss is due to damage to your inner ear, a hearing aid may be helpful. An audiologist can discuss the potential benefits of a hearing aid with you and equip you with a device. Open-fit aids are currently the most popular due to the fit and functionality offered.
- Cochlear implants: If you have more severe hearing loss and get limited benefits from conventional hearing aids, a cochlear implant may be an option. Unlike a hearing aid that amplifies sound and directs it into your ear canal, a cochlear implant bypasses damaged or non-functioning parts of your inner ear and directly stimulates the auditory nerve. An audiologist, as well as a doctor who specializes in ear, nose, and throat ( ENT) disorders, can discuss the risks and benefits.
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Book an AppointmentPrevention
Not all cases of hearing loss are preventable. However, there are several steps you can take to protect your hearing:
- Use safety equipment if you work in very noisy areas, and wear earplugs when swimming and going to concerts. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders reports that 15 percent of people between the ages of 20 and 69 have experienced hearing loss due to loud noise.
- Get regular hearing tests if you work with loud noises, swim often, or attend concerts regularly.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to loud noises and music.
- Get help for ear infections. They can cause permanent damage to the ear if left untreated.
