What To Do If You Have Hearing Loss

Is Your Hearing Loss Temporary Or Permanent

Contributed by Joy Victory, managing editor, Healthy HearingLast updated June 16, 20202020-06-16T00:00:00-05:00

Have you noticed you’re not hearing as well as you normally do? There are many causes of hearing loss, from age-related hearing loss to viral infections like mumps.

Depending on the cause, your hearing loss may be temporary or permanent.

Hearing And Cognitive Health

Studies have shown that older adults with hearing loss have a greater risk of developing dementia than older adults with normal hearing. Cognitive abilities decline faster in older adults with hearing loss than in older adults with normal hearing. Treating hearing problems may be important for cognitive health. See Whats the Connection Between Hearing and Cognitive Health?

Talk To Others With Hearing Loss

This can be difficult if you dont know other people with hearing loss, but your doctor or audiologist may have a patient or two that would be willing to talk to you. You can also look online for local chapters of hearing loss organizations like Hearing Loss Association of America . I avoided reaching out to others with hearing loss for years, but talking with others in the same situation can be incredibly helpful. Finally, there is someone who understands what you are experiencing. Dont assume, like I did, that everyone with hearing loss is cut from the same cloth. Hearing loss impacts people of all ages and stages and walks of life.

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Causes Of Conductive Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss is usually caused by a blockage, such as having too much ear wax, a build-up of fluid in the ear , or an ear infection.

Conductive hearing loss can also be caused by:

• a perforated eardrum where the eardrum is torn or has a hole in it
• otosclerosis an abnormal growth of bone in the middle ear that causes the inner hearing bone to be less mobile and less effective at transmitting sound
• damage to the hearing bones from injury, a collapsed ear drum or conditions such as cholesteatoma
• swelling around the eustachian tube caused by jaw surgery or radiotherapy for nasal and sinus cancer
• malformation of the ear
• Eustachian tube dysfunction
• something becoming trapped in the ear

Conductive hearing loss is usually temporary and can often be treated with medication or minor surgery.

Read more about treating hearing loss

Signs And Symptoms Of Hearing Loss

It’s not always easy to tell if you’re losing your hearing.

Common signs include:

• difficulty hearing other people clearly, and misunderstanding what they say, especially in noisy places
• asking people to repeat themselves
• listening to music or watching television loudly
• having to concentrate hard to hear what other people are saying, which can be tiring or stressful

The signs can be slightly different if you only have hearing loss in 1 ear or if a young child has hearing loss.

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Hearing Aids For Mild Hearing Loss

Mostly, people with mild hearing loss and high perceived handicaps are highly recommended to use a hearing aid. It also helps to reduce your problem and gives you a better quality of sound.

Hearing aid wearers with mild hearing loss have more choices of hearing aid types and styles available for them as compared with someone whose hearing loss has progressed to severe. Theyll be able to wear smaller hearing aids their hearing aids dont need to put out as much sound, they will require less frequent battery changes compared to others who need powerful devices.

In case you do not have a hearing device, then it is necessary to know the level of degree of deafness in your ear. To monitor the degree of hearing loss, firstly consult a specialist for a hearing test and know the type of hearing impairment you have. Then, depending on your hearing type, your audiologist will recommend you a hearing device.

You can purchase the latest hearing aids at a fair price through HearingSol, If you need more information or you have a query about Hearing Aid or Hearing Loss, just give us a call on +91-9899437202. We are always here to help you.

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What To Do About Hearing Loss

Noticing that your hearing is changing can be very disturbing. For most people, hearing changes very slowly and the early stages often go unnoticed. It is often the case that others begin to notice that a person is not hearing as well as they used to but sometimes feel uncomfortable mentioning it.

Whether youve noticed it yourself and family or friends are making comments about your hearing, its extremely important not to delay having your hearing checked. There is overwhelming evidence that its a big mistake to ignore the signs that hearing is changing and affecting your ability to communicate as youve always done before.

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Referral To A Specialist

Your GP may refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist or an audiologist . The specialist will carry out further hearing tests to help determine what’s causing your hearing loss and recommend the best course of treatment.

Some of the hearing tests you may have include a:

• tuning fork test
• pure tone audiometry

These tests are described below.

How Can You Decide Which Noises Are Too Loud

The following signs should be a red flag that the noise around you is too loud:

• If you have to shout to be heard above the noise.
• If you cant understand someone who is speaking to you from less than 2 feet away.
• If a person standing near you can hear sounds from your stereo headset while it is on your head.

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What Are The Right Steps To Take Medically Emotionally Practically

Posted May 3, 2017

Do you know someone who is new to hearing loss? Maybe they havent yet accepted that they have a hearing loss, or maybe they are just starting to acknowledge it, but dont know what to do first, or second. I know some people like that, myself included, at one point. I wish someone had shared a road map with me as I started off on my hearing loss journey. What are the right steps to take medically? emotionally? practically? Here are my tips.

Bone Conduction Hearing Aids

Bone conduction hearing aids are recommended for people with conductive or mixed hearing loss who can’t wear a more conventional type of hearing aid. Bone conduction hearing aids vibrate in response to the sounds going into the microphone.

They can also sometimes help people with no hearing in one ear and normal or mild hearing loss in the other ear.

The part of the hearing aid that vibrates is held against the bone behind the ear by a headband. The vibrations pass through the mastoid bone to the cochlea and are converted into sound in the usual way. They can be very effective, but can be uncomfortable to wear for long periods.

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Be Open About Your Hearing Loss

This one can sting for some people, if they are not ready for it. I know, because it took me 10 years to come out of my hearing loss closet, but the sooner you come clean, the easier life will become. Being open will help you accept your hearing loss. It will allow you to ask for the help you need and improve your interactions with those that you love. Without all the pressure to hear everything perfectly, you will begin to enjoy social gatherings more and maybe even learn to laugh a little when a misunderstanding occurs.

Get started on your journey today.

Copyright: Shari Eberts/LivingWithHearingLoss.com. Reprinted with permission.

Can I Prevent Age

At this time, scientists don’t know how to prevent age-related hearing loss. However, you can protect yourself from noise-induced hearing loss by protecting your ears from sounds that are too loud and last too long. It’s important to be aware of potential sources of damaging noises, such as loud music, firearms, snowmobiles, lawn mowers, and leaf blowers. Avoiding loud noises, reducing the amount of time you’re exposed to loud noise, and protecting your ears with ear plugs or ear muffs are easy things you can do to protect your hearing and limit the amount of hearing you might lose as you get older.

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How Can You Find Out If Hearing Aids Could Help You

If your doctor or audiologist suspects or diagnoses hearing loss, he or she may have you see an ear, nose, and throat specialist . The specialist can check for other problems and find out the cause of your hearing loss. The doctor can also recommend possible treatments.

If the specialist finds that hearing aids will help, the audiologist can help you choose the type of hearing aids that will work best for you. He or she can help you learn how to get the most benefit from your hearing aids.

What Is Hearing Loss

Hearing loss makes it difficult or impossible to hear speech and other sounds. There are different types of hearing loss, and they can range from mild to severe. Some types of hearing loss are temporary, and some are permanent.

There are several types of hearing loss:

• Auditory processing disorders: These occur when the brain cannot process sound. This makes it hard to understand speech or to work out where sounds are coming from.
• Conductive hearing loss: There is when there is a problem with the outer or middle ear, so sound cannot pass through to the inner ear. It may be caused by ear wax, an ear infection, a punctured ear drum, fluid in the ear or abnormal bone growth in the ear . These conditions can usually be treated.
• Sensorineural hearing Loss: This occurs when the hearing organ, the cochlea, and/or the auditory nerve are damaged or malfunction so they are unable to accurately send electrical information to the brain. Sensorineural hearing loss is almost always permanent.
• Mixed hearing loss: With this type, there is both conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss.

1 in 6 Australians experience hearing loss. You can have trouble with your hearing at any age, but help is available and there are ways to stop hearing loss from getting worse.

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I Heard That Hearing Aids Are Difficult To Use

There is a breaking-in period as youand your central auditory system and brainadjust to life with hearing aids. Thats why most doctors and hearing centers include a trial period, so you can be sure the type youve chosenwhether its a miniature behind-the-ear model or one that fits into your earis right for you.

How Can You Prevent Hearing Loss

• Avoid loud noise, such as noise from machines at your work, power tools, very loud music, and very loud motorcycles.
• Turn down the volume on anything that you listen to through ear buds or headphones, such as MP3 players.
• Wear hearing protection, such as earplugs or earmuffs.
• Avoid putting objects in your ear.

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What If I Already Have Hearing Loss

Protect your hearing from getting worse and learn ways to help you hear better and adapt to your hearing loss.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ensures that children who have hearing loss receive special education during ages 3 to 21 years. For more information, visit CDCs Hearing Loss in Children webpage.

Take Steps to Keep It from Getting Worse

There is no medical or surgical treatment for hearing loss caused by noise. Damaged hair cells do not grow back. As much as possible, you should try to protect your hearing. If you do have hearing loss, you should take steps to keep it from getting worse.

• Avoid noisy places whenever possible.
• Use earplugs, protective ear muffs, or noise-canceling headphones when around loud noises.
• Keep the volume down when listening through earbuds or headphones.
• Ask your doctor for a hearing checkup if you suspect you have hearing loss.

If you develop a sudden hearing loss, contact your doctor immediately. Some treatments may help minimize the damage and reduce the severity of the hearing loss.

Many people with hearing loss can still hear some sounds. If you already have a hearing loss, there are ways to help you make the most out of the hearing you have. Read about the methods and devices below that can help.

Things You Can Do to Help Compensate for Your Hearing Loss

Consider Using a Device to Help You Hear

If you already have a hearing loss, hearing devices can help you make the most out of the hearing you have.

What Sounds Would You Miss With Hearing Loss

There are varying degrees of hearing loss, but with each comes increased difficulty or loss of certain sounds. Audiologists define levels of hearing loss as normal, mild, moderate, severe and profound. Often missing these sounds can make people feel excluded, frustrated and sad. Our goal is to provide better hearing for better living, so we asked you what sounds you would miss most if you had hearing loss or didnt have your hearing aids.

Here is some of what you said:

• The jokes my grandchildren tell me! Teri H.
• That sound of a fish flopping on the dock. Tow M.
• My sons voice. I already have difficulty hearing with mine broken. But at least I can hear his voice still till further notice. That is all that matters. To be there for him and still hear a whisper in my ears of his voice.Melishia K.
• I would miss being included. People treat you like you are not there because you cant participate.Lana H.
• I miss talking on the phone with clarity other than that Im good not to be able to hear everything I always said out of all the sense I would rather lose my hearing than my sight.Bee H.
• I would miss the voices of my husband, family, friends, my animals, and music. Too much to list just one thing.Michelle J.
• Ocean waves crashing on the beachI love the sounds of water moving.Tabatha L.
• Music!

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How To Improve Hearing Loss Due To Nerve Damage

Once your nerve got damaged or weakened, it difficult to recover. Hearing impairment caused by the damage to the nerve that takes the signals to your brain.

Hearing devices not restore the deafness and also not heal the progress of hearing impairment. It will only help people to communicate with others. People have to motivate the patient of hearing loss. Encourage the patient to always wearing hearing aids and also tell them its not the end of their hearing.

You can purchase the latest hearing aids at a fair price through HearingSol, If you need more information or you have a query about Nerve Damage or Hearing Loss, just give us a call on +91-9899437202. We are always here to help you.

Tips: How To Talk With Someone With Hearing Loss

Here are some tips you can use when talking with someone who has a hearing problem:

• In a group, include people with hearing loss in the conversation.
• Find a quiet place to talk to help reduce background noise, especially in restaurants and at social gatherings.
• Stand in good lighting and use facial expressions or gestures to give clues.
• Face the person and speak clearly. Maintain eye contact.
• Speak a little more loudly than normal, but dont shout. Try to speak slowly, but naturally.
• Speak at a reasonable speed.
• Do not hide your mouth, eat, or chew gum while speaking.
• Repeat yourself if necessary, using different words.
• Try to make sure only one person talks at a time.
• Be patient. Stay positive and relaxed.
• Ask how you can help.

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Can I Prevent Hearing Impairment

Many cases of hearing loss or deafness are not preventable however, hearing loss caused by loud noise can be prevented, and prevention efforts can start at any age . There are steps you can take to reduce your risk of this type of hearing loss.

The intensity of sound is measured in units called , and any sounds over 80 decibels are considered hazardous with prolonged exposure. These include things like loud music, sirens and engines, and power tools such as jackhammers and leaf blowers.

To reduce the risk of permanent hearing damage, you can:

• Turn down the volume on your stereo, TV, and especially the headset on your music player.
• Wear earplugs if you’re going to a loud concert or other event . Special protective earmuffs are a good idea if you operate a lawn mower or leaf or snow blower, or at a particularly loud event, like a car race. If you feel your hearing is different after being at an event with a lot of noise , it means you’re probably experiencing a temporary hearing loss due to noise. Don’t worry, it will go away , but it means that next time you want to participate in the same event, you should wear protection for your ears to avoid a permanent hearing loss.
• See your doctor right away if you suspect any problems with your hearing, and get your hearing tested on a regular basis.

Treatments For Hearing Loss

Hearing loss sometimes gets better on its own, or may be treated with medicine or a simple procedure. For example, earwax can be sucked out, or softened with eardrops.

But other types such as gradual hearing loss, which often happens as you get older may be permanent. In these cases, treatment can help make the most of the remaining hearing. This may involve using:

• hearing aids several different types are available on the NHS or privately
• implants devices that are attached to your skull or placed deep inside your ear, if hearing aids are not suitable
• different ways of communicating such as sign language or lip reading

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