Hearing loss can affect anyone at any age or stage of life. While changes in our hearing ability are common as we get older, hearing loss usually worsens over time and can lead to very disabling hearing loss. So, it’s important to know the early signs of hearing loss and to understand what action should be taken to limit further deterioration in your ability to hear well and quality of life.
What are the most common early signs of hearing loss?
Because hearing loss is usually gradual, so the first signs of any loss
often go unnoticed. It’s only when symptoms become obvious and more severe that most people realise they may have a problem. On average most people will wait 7-10 years to address their hearing loss. Here are some of the things to look out for:
· Voices sound muffled or people sound like they are mumbling when they speak
· You find it difficult to follow or keep up with conversations
· You experience a ringing, buzzing or whooshing sound in one or both ears. This is called tinnitus and can often be due to hearing loss
· It’s difficult to hear people speak clearly when you are in a noisy environment, e.g. in a pub, café or restaurant
· One or both ears feel blocked. This could be due to a build-up of earwax, which can be removed by a doctor or audiologist using micro-suction, but it may also be due to changes in your hearing
· You need to ask people to repeat what they are saying to you
· You have to increase the volume on the television or radio or on your mobile phone or tablet to be able to hear properly
· You struggle to hear high-pitched sounds such as children’s voices or birdsong
If you experience one or more of these symptoms, you should book a hearing test with a qualified audiologist to check the condition of your ears and hearing. The longer you leave a hearing loss untreated, the more severe your difficulties are likely to become and negatively affect your quality of life. Hearing loss has no cure, so the sooner it is diagnosed, the sooner it can be managed effectively.
Sudden Hearing Loss
Hearing loss usually happens gradually over a relatively long period, but occasionally a sudden hearing loss may occur. This can happen instantly or over 1-3 days. This type of sensorineural hearing loss is a serious condition, and expert medical help should be sought immediately if it occurs. If you experience sudden hearing loss for no apparent reason, make an emergency appointment to see your doctor or audiologist immediately. Some people may not regain their full hearing following an episode of sudden hearing loss, but immediate treatment may fully or partially restore your hearing.
Early signs of hearing loss in children and young people
Hearing loss can affect the very young as well as people in later life. It is particularly important to recognise the signs of hearing loss in babies and children as soon as possible because, if left untreated, hearing loss can have a big impact on a child’s mental, educational and social development.
In babies and very young children some of the key signs to look out for are:
· Not reacting or startling when there is a loud noise
· Not turning toward the source of a sound
· Not responding to their name (from 6-12 months old)
· Not ‘babbling’ or making sounds themselves
· Delayed speech development
· Behavioural problems
Some of the common signs of hearing loss in older children are:
· Talking loudly
· Limited or unclear speech
· Poor concentration and/or inattentiveness
· Delayed speech and language development at school
· Asking for things to be repeated
· Listening to the television or personal devices at high volume
· Behavioural issues
If you are concerned about your child’s hearing Kent Hearing offer comprehensive paediatric hearing services for children of all ages. For more information please visit https://kenthearing.com/childrens-hearing-paediatrics-services/
What are the most common causes of hearing loss?
Age plays a key role in many cases of hearing loss. Over time, wear and tear or damage to the thousands of tiny hairs in the cochlear, the part of the inner ear that sends signals to our brain, reduces our ability to hear. That’s why many people require hearing aids to help them hear better as they move into middle or old age.
Noise exposure can also cause damage to the cochlear and inner ear at any age. Being exposed to loud noises, even for a short period of time, is a common cause of hearing loss and in many cases can be avoided. If you know you are going to be in a noisy environment, whether at work or in social or leisure situations, it is advisable to wear hearing protection e.g. headphones, ear defenders or noise plugs.
A particularly loud sound, for example a gunshot or an aeroplane engine, can sometimes cause a perforation or rupture of the eardrum, or damage structures in the inner ear also causing a loss of hearing.
Ear infections can cause both temporary hearing loss, as well as pain and discomfort in the middle or outer ear. If you think you may have an ear infection, see your GP or audiologist as soon as you can for treatment.
Earwax build-up is also a common cause of hearing loss. While it is natural and healthy to have some earwax, it may become impacted causing a blockage of the ear canal which in turn can reduce our ability to hear. Excess or impacted earwax can be removed safely and quickly by a trained audiologist or doctor using microsuction.
Other possible but less common causes of hearing loss include:
· Meniere’s disease
· Ototoxic medications including some chemotherapy drugs and antibiotics
· Tumours including acoustic neuroma
· Abnormal bone growths in the ear
· Other medical conditions, for example circulatory problems, high blood pressure and diabetes
· Head injury or trauma
· Genetics: Hearing loss can be hereditary
What should you do if you think you might have hearing loss?
While hearing loss is not always reversable, the sooner it is diagnosed and a plan put in place to manage it, the better. Book a full hearing test or assessment with a well-qualified, experienced audiologist or doctor. They will be able to determine the type of hearing loss, its severity and its likely cause. From this information, your hearing professional should develop a full hearing management plan with the objective enabling you to hear as well as possible, both now and in the future.
At Kent Hearing we provide comprehensive hearing assessments for adults and children of all ages. For more information on these or to discuss any aspect of your or your family’s hearing, please call us on 01732 525912.