What Causes Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss is when sounds seem muffled or unclear and can affect one or both ears. This happens when the hair cells within the inner ear (which are responsible for hearing) deteriorate naturally (due to age) or are damaged.
Some common causes of hearing loss are:
- Age
- Loud noise exposure
- Genetics
- Ototoxic medications
- Head/ear trauma
- Underlying health conditions (heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes)
To determine what caused your hearing loss and what degree of loss you have (mild, moderate, moderately severe, severe or profound) a hearing check is needed.
Signs of Hearing Loss
Many cases of hearing loss occur gradually, over the course of a few years. For this reason, it can be difficult to recognize the signs right away. Oftentimes, it is a close friend or family member who suggests you have your hearing checked.
If you have noticed any of the following signs, we encourage you to contact us for an appointment:
- You struggle to understand what people are saying
- It’s difficult to hear when there is background noise
- You can hear but you lack clarity
- Sounds seem muffled or it seems like people mumble
- You constantly ask people to repeat themselves
- Others complain that you turn the TV up too loud
- You feel tired after conversations
- You hear a ringing in your ears
Types of Hearing Loss
Just like every person is different, so is every hearing loss. There are three main types of hearing loss: sensorineural, conductive, and mixed.
Sensorineural hearing loss occurs in the inner ear, often as a result of nerve damage. This type of hearing loss is often described as age-related and can get worse if left unmanaged. While this type of loss is irreversible, it can be helped with hearing aids or a cochlear implant.
Conductive hearing loss occurs in the outer or middle ear and is often due to an obstruction. This type of hearing loss can be corrected through surgery or antibiotics.
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of both sensorineural and conductive. Treatment may require multiple options, including hearing aids.
Benefits of
Managing Hearing Loss
There are many benefits to managing hearing loss. Not only can hearing aids help you hear better, but they can also improve communication, social relationships, earning potential, balance, and brain function. It’s best to manage hearing loss at the first signs so you don’t experience any negative effects.
Because hearing loss makes it difficult to hear spoken words and conversations, if left untreated it often leads to social isolation. When you withdraw from other people, this can lead to anxiety, depression, loneliness, and even a decline in cognitive abilities.
It’s best to manage hearing loss through the use of hearing aids to keep your overall health and mental well-being in check. If you have noticed signs of hearing loss, contact our office for an appointment.
Tinnitus
Tinnitus, also known as “ringing in the ears,” is an annoying phenomenon that affects millions of people. Tinnitus itself is not a hearing disorder, but rather a symptom of another health condition or issue. Loud noise exposure, circulatory disorders, stress, ototoxic medications, head injuries, and earwax build-up can all lead to ringing in the ears.
Unfortunately, there is no one cure for tinnitus. Management options often focus on resolving the underlying condition, this in turn will alleviate the symptoms of tinnitus. The first step in identifying ringing in the ears is to perform a full hearing evaluation along with a tinnitus test. This will allow our audiologists to recommend a management plan that is best for you.
If you struggle with bothersome tinnitus, relief is possible. Contact Dr. Campbell’s Hearing Solutions today.
