Concerned about hearing loss? How do you know if you suffer from it

Hearing loss is more common than many people realize, with up to 15% of American adults having hearing difficulties. But there are many types of hearing loss and even a multitude of possible causes.

Whether you have hearing problems or have a loved one who appears to have hearing loss, it’s understandable to have questions about what exactly hearing loss is, what causes it, and what treatment options are available. dr Emily Taylor, an audiologist at the Taylor Listening Center, breaks it all down.

What exactly is hearing loss?

Basically, hearing loss is “the inability to hear,” Taylor tells Yahoo Life. You may have an idea if you or a loved one has hearing loss — or you may have no idea — but this can actually be measured by an audiologist, says Taylor.

Every third person between the ages of 65 and 74 has a hearing loss. According to the National Institute Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, half of people over the age of 75 have hearing problems.

Hearing loss can occur when any part of the ear or hearing system isn’t working as usual, including the outer ear, middle ear, inner ear, auditory nerve, and hearing system, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

There is one area of ​​hearing loss that the CDC says is generally divided this way:

• Mild hearing loss: This is when a person can hear some sounds of speech, but soft sounds are difficult to hear.

• Moderate hearing loss: Someone with a moderate hearing loss can hardly hear speech when another person speaks at a normal volume.

• deafness: With a severe hearing loss, a person does not hear speech when someone speaks at a normal volume, only some loud noises.

• Profound hearing loss: In this case, someone does not hear speech and only very loud noises.

What causes hearing loss?

There are actually many possible causes of hearing loss, says Taylor. “One of the most important ones we see clinically is age-related hearing loss called presbycusis,” she says. “It typically presents as a high frequency hearing loss and these patients typically come in and complain that it feels like people are mumbling to them.”

The story goes on

Others may develop hearing loss from exposure to noise or be born with hearing loss, she says. Genetics can also play a role. “Sometimes if your family members have had hearing loss, it’s more likely that you have it, too,” she says.

Hearing loss can usually be broken down into different types, the CDC says. These categories include:

• conductive hearing loss: This is hearing Loss caused by something blocking sound from passing through the outer or middle ear. It can often be treated with medication or surgery.

• sensorineural hearing loss. This form of hearing Loss occurs when there is a problem with the functioning of the inner ear or auditory nerve.

• Mixed hearing loss. This is a hearing loss that includes both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.

• Disorder of the spectrum of auditory neuropathy. This type of hearing loss occurs when sound enters the ear normally, but because of damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve, the sound is not organized in a way that the brain can understand.

“Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common I see in the office,” says Taylor. “There is no medication or surgery to fix this. Usually these patients are good candidates for hearing aids.”

signs of hearing loss

Not everyone with hearing loss realizes they have a hearing problem, says Taylor. “Hearing loss changes so slowly over time in most cases,” she says. As a result, people with hearing loss “rethink in their heads what they think of as normal hearing,” she says.

According to Taylor, these are some of the most common signs of hearing loss:

• You often ask other people to repeat what they said

• You feel like other people are always mumbling or not speaking clearly

• They have a lot of trouble hearing when there is background noise

• Others complain that you turn the TV up too loud

How hearing loss is diagnosed

If you or a loved one suspect you have a hearing loss, it’s a good idea to see a hearing care professional for testing. “The first thing we start with is a very detailed case history – that’s where we get all the relevant information,” says Taylor. This can include whether there is a family history of hearing loss, where you first noticed your hearing loss, and how long you’ve noticed hearing difficulties, she says.

Your doctor will then usually examine your ear canal to see if there is a buildup of earwax or signs of infection. “If everything looks good there, we go to our sound-treated booth,” says Taylor. There the doctor measures the volume in your ear canal and the pressure in your ear. Your doctor will also check how active the hair cells in your cochlea (the spiral cavity of the inner ear) are.

“After the tests, you came out of the cabin and had a very detailed discussion of all the results,” says Taylor. “And that’s a really good opportunity to make sure you get it and ask all your questions.”

Notably, according to Taylor, Medicare pays for one audiological test per year if medically necessary.

treatment of hearing loss

Treatment for hearing loss largely depends on what’s causing it. In some cases, removing a waxy buildup or treating an infection can restore hearing, Taylor says. In other cases, a hearing aid or even surgery may be needed.

Medicare does not cover hearing aids. “They’re a bit pricey, but I always tell my patients it’s an investment in your healthcare,” says Taylor. “When you go to the right audiologist and are taught how to properly care for your hearing aids, it’s an investment that will last for many years.” (Hearing aids are now available over the counter, with a wide price range.)

“For people struggling with their hearing loss, the best advice I can give you is to find an audiologist you can trust,” says Taylor. “Please investigate. Check out online reviews. …You want to make sure it’s an audiologist who’s there for you because you’re going to have a million questions and you’ll need to see them more often than you think. It really is. Find a partner on your journey to hearing.”