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Hearing loss is a common medical issue, much like aching joints or the fading of eyesight, that happens to many people, especially as they get older. However, younger people can suffer from it as well for a variety of reasons. If you suspect that you or a member of your family, are suffering from hearing loss, you may wonder what to do next.
Here’s what you can do to figure out what’s going on so that you can deal with it.
Get a Diagnosis
The first step is to watch out for the signs of hearing loss. If you find yourself turning up the volume and struggling to keep up with conversations because everything seems muffled, you may have an issue. For some people, they can hear okay if one person is speaking to them in an otherwise quiet environment, but find it impossible to listen when there is background noise.
If you think that you might be losing your hearing, it’s important to visit a specialist and get your hearing tested. Not only will this determine the extent of your hearing loss, but it will also allow the specialist to give you advice about your situation and your prognosis.
One of the most common causes of hearing loss is aging. Over time, the inner ear gets damaged and your hearing degrades. However, there are plenty of other causes of hearing loss that can be diagnosed by a hearing specialist.
It’s important to get a proper diagnosis so that you know how your hearing loss is likely to progress. While aging-related hearing loss is permanent and may get worse over time, other types of hearing loss are temporary or can be mitigated by proper care. Also, hearing loss could be a symptom of another condition.
The Main Types of Hearing Loss
According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, there are three basic types of hearing loss. These are:
- Conductive hearing loss
- Sensorineural hearing loss
- Mixed hearing loss
Conductive hearing loss happens when a sound can’t travel from the outer ear into the eardrum and the middle ear. It makes it hard to hear soft or muffled sounds. It isn’t always permanent and happens with people of all ages. Swimmer’s ear, ear infections, allergies, and excessive wax can all cause it, as can scarring of the ear canal or another kind of physical block.
Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by damage to the inner ear or the nerve pathways to the brain. Things sound muffled and unclear, even when they should be distinct and loud. This kind of hearing loss is permanent and can be the result of birth defects, damage to the inner ear, aging, and working around noises. Certain illnesses can also cause it, like measles or scarlet fever.
Mixed hearing loss refers to a combination of conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss. For example, an older person who has mixed hearing loss may have it as a result of aging and a build-up of ear wax. Part of their hearing loss may be cleared by removing the wax, but they will still have a measure of sensorineural hearing loss. In other cases, neither type of hearing loss is temporary.
How to Treat Hearing Loss
The treatment options for hearing loss largely depend on what kind of hearing loss you have. This is why a diagnosis is so important. In some cases, the hearing loss can be treated so that it completely goes away. In others, you should know the causes and risk factors of your hearing loss so that you can stop it from getting worse.
Conductive hearing loss may be temporary, which means that treatment might cure the problem. For example, hearing loss caused by a buildup of wax can be treated at home. Wax softeners, available over the counter, can remove the wax. You can also use a syringe to gently push warm water into your ear, dislodging it.
In other cases, you should consult a doctor. They can prescribe antibiotics if you have an infection. However, you may need surgical intervention in the form of a cochlear implant or hearing aids.
Some people might put off getting hearing aids as they’re embarrassed or are so used to their level of hearing that they think they can manage without them. However, the benefits of hearing aids far outweigh any perceived inconvenience.
Many people are shocked at the difference in their hearing, which allows them to no longer have to strain to hear a conversation or the television.
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