Hearing loss definitely sounds scary and it is a condition that affects millions of people all around the world. It can happen due to many reasons, such as age, illness, or trauma. Whatever the reason may be, if you notice any difficulties, you should schedule an appointment to see an ENT (Ear Nose Throat) specialist.
If you have noticed that you are having trouble hearing other people clearly, you often misunderstand and ask them to repeat the sentence, or you turn up the volume on the TV to the maximum, it means that there are some issues with your hearing. Hearing loss usually develops slowly, over time, and these are some of the signs. However, sometimes it can happen suddenly, overnight, and then you have to see the doctor as soon as possible. You should firstly go to your GP, who will then assess your condition and send you to a specialist. You can also research ENT doctors online, and you will find numerous clinics such as hillhearbetter.com.
Source: BigStock
Let’s discuss some things that can cause hearing loss. The most common reason is advanced age. One out of three people between 65 and 74 years of age have some damage, while that number increases with people that are over 75 years old when it goes to one out of two people. Unfortunately, hearing loss is a part of aging. It is presumed that lifetime exposure to different types of noise can wear down your hearing.
The second cause is obviously noise. People who work in loud environments such as carpenters, miners, construction workers, and others are likely to suffer from this condition. Also, the musicians whose job is to create beautiful sounds run this risk. Because of this, nowadays, performers use special earplugs that allow them to hear music but that, at the same time, protect their hearing.
Furthermore, the hearing loss can be caused by numerous medication, as well as ear infections, and even ear wax that block the ear canal. If you have had any trauma such as a skull fracture or ruptured eardrum, you have to take extra care of that ear.
Source: entcolumbia
This condition can be classified as:
– Mild – a person can communicate with others without any difficulty, but has trouble hearing every word when surrounded by background noise
– Moderate – one usually has to ask the other person to repeat themselves
– Severe – communication is almost impossible without a hearing aid
– Profound – these people cannot hear others unless they are extremely loud, and cannot understand them without a cochlear implant
Source: UC Irvine Medical Center
When it comes to the treatment, it depends on the seriousness of the condition. If it is caused by an infection, a round of antibiotic should help you. On the other hand, in more extreme cases, one might need a hearing aid or an implant.
Sometimes preventing hearing loss is not possible, but if you go to the specialist as soon as you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms, you can affect the severity of the condition. You should not listen to music or TV at a loud volume, and also you should use ear protection when going to music festivals and concerts. In addition, don’t ignore signs of ear infection, and go to the doctor as soon as possible.
