When your hearing deteriorates or is damaged, it can affect your lifestyle and health. Different types of hearing loss exist, and learning the signs can help pinpoint the cause.
Though it is most common in people over 60, hearing loss can affect anyone regardless of age
Your ears are a complex system that receives sound waves. Your brain then turns these sound waves into electrical signals, which is how you hear.
The three types of hearing loss are:
This type of hearing loss occurs when sound cannot pass through the outer or middle ear. Causes can be earwax blockages, fluid in the middle ear, or damage to the eardrum. Conductive hearing loss can typically be reversed.
This occurs when the nerve and hair cells in the inner ear have been damaged. Causes may be from outside factors or genetics. This type of hearing loss is usually not treatable.
Damage in all parts of the ear causes this kind of hearing loss. Sometimes, you can have one type of hearing loss and develop the other down the line, leading to mixed hearing loss
Hearing loss can happen naturally as we age. However, there are other reasons why you may have hearing problems, such as:
- Exposure to loud environments
- Head injuries
- Frequent ear infections
- Diseases like hypertension
- Taking ototoxic medications
Knowing what to look for is important since some hearing loss can be gradual and go undetected. One of the leading indicators of hearing issues is tinnitus, a ringing or pulsing in the ears.
If you have any signs of hearing loss, make an appointment with an audiologist or otolaryngologist l. They can help determine how serious your hearing loss is and what is causing it. A hearing test helps protect your hearing, and early detection can help catch any auditory issues before they progress.
Once diagnosed with hearing loss, it can be hard to know how it will affect your regular lifestyle. If your hearing loss cannot be fixed with steroids, antibiotics, or surgery, it may be time to think about hearing aids. A hearing care professional can make a management plan for you. They can also help you navigate resources like insurance.
How Hearing Loss Symptoms Affect You
Since your ears help with your balance, any damage to your hearing system can increase the risk of falls or balance issues. Untreated hearing loss has also been linked to an increased chance of cardiovascular disease.
Hearing loss affects you more than just physically. It can have an effect on your mental and emotional well-being as well. People struggling with hearing issues can feel isolated from their communities, which can cause frustration or embarrassment.
This can lead to increased anxiety and depression. Researchers have also linked untreated hearing loss to an increased risk of dementia.
Navigating the world with hearing loss doesn’t have to be complicated or discouraging. You just need to find the best way to treat or manage it.
If your hearing loss cannot be reversed or treated with steroids, antibiotics, or surgical and medical procedures, it might be time to consider hearing aids. When picking a hearing aid, there are various options, from over-the-ear and in-ear models to custom-fit molds.