Understanding hearing loss
Hearing loss is a very common medical condition. What’s also common is that it unfortunately often goes untreated due to not recognizing the signs, not taking it seriously, and not wanting to admit it’s something you might now be facing.
Understanding the causes, the signs, and the importance of seeking treatment will help you live a better everyday life. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
What exactly is hearing loss?
Simply put, hearing loss is a reduction in your ability to hear sounds. It can range in severity from mild (struggling to hear or understand speech at a normal volume level) to profound (little to no speech can be heard at normal levels and only loud sounds can be heard).
The three types of hearing loss are:
The most common, SNHL occurs when damage occurs to the inner ear nerves and hair cells, impacting the pathways from your inner ear to your brain. SNHL is permanent and generally can’t be corrected medically or surgically but CAN be treated with hearing aids.
What causes hearing loss?
Hearing loss can develop because of several reasons. Here are some of the most common:
Aging
Exposure to loud noises
Certain medications (called ototoxic drugs)
Viral infections
Acoustic tumors
Head trauma
Stroke
Eardrum damage
Signs of hearing loss
Hearing loss usually happens gradually, so catching it early can be tricky. Here are some signs to watch for that could be early indicators:
Trouble understanding conversations in noisy places
Difficulty hearing phone calls
Difficulty understanding voices, such as women’s and children’s voices
Inability to hear everyday sounds like the ding of the microwave or birds chirping
Frequently asking people to repeat themselves
Feeling like people are often mumbling
Needing the television or radio set to very high volumes
Ringing in the ears
What’s tinnitus?
Often referred to as "ringing in the ears," tinnitus has also been described as hearing hissing, roaring, whistling, buzzing, or clicking, and the sounds are only heard by the person experiencing them. It’s an underlying condition of the ear, auditory nerve, or other influencing factor and can be intermittent or constant and at fluctuating volume levels.
Why you should treat hearing loss
Hearing loss has a ripple effect that may easily impact the quality of the rest of your life — emotionally, physically, and mentally.
Impacts to emotional well-being
Not being able to hear the world around you may lead to feelings of isolation, which may lead to depression, moments of embarrassment, or trigger anxiety.
Additionally, adults with hearing loss are up to five times more likely to experience cognitive decline.
Impacts to physical health
Loss of hearing may lead to physical complications like an increased risk of falling and accidental injuries, as well as other medical complications due to not clearly hearing and understanding medical instructions.
If you know or suspect you or someone you love is suffering from hearing loss, it’s important to treat it as early as possible to avoid further negative impacts.
source: Johns Hopkins Medicine
How does hearing loss contribute to dementia?
Isolation
Hearing loss creates a level of social isolation, a known risk factor for developing dementia
Source: The Lancet Commissions
Cognitive load shift
To compensate for hearing loss, the brain steals energy needed for memory
Source: Frontiers in Psychology
Brain tissue loss
Hearing loss and its impacts on how the brain functions contributes to accelerated brain atrophy and shrinkage
Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine
Hearing loss is not uncommon
A prevalent medical issue, hearing loss affects more people than you might realize.
Addressing hearing loss may lead to a better everyday life
Hearing makes moments more memorable, keeps you engaged, and keeps you connected to the world around you. When you take the step to treat hearing loss, you may experience improvements like:
Better communication, leading to better relationships
More intimacy and warmth in family relationships
A regained sense of control over your life
An easier time participating in social settings
More emotional stability
Preventing noise-induced
hearing loss
While most causes of hearing loss are out of your control, protecting yourself from noise-induced hearing loss is not. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) can happen because of exposure to a loud sound like an explosion or continuous exposure to high noise levels. The impacts can occur immediately or gradually over time.
Here are some things you can do to protect your hearing and prevent NIHL:
Use hearing protection around loud sounds
Listen to music and watch television at moderate volume levels
Limit time spent around loud noises and take breaks
Give yourself time to recover after exposure to loud noises
When in the presence of loud noise, distance yourself from its source (i.e., don’t stand directly next to speakers)
Learn about hearing aids
Hearing aids come in a variety of shapes and sizes and with a range of features suitable to different levels of hearing loss and different lifestyle needs. A hearing professional will help determine which are best for you.
OTC hearing aids
If you believe you have mild to moderate hearing loss, we proudly offer hearing aids available over the counter that are conveniently available to buy from select hearing professionals without a prescription or appointment.