Hearing Loss, The Facts
About one in seven people in the UK suffer from some level of hearing loss. Hearing loss is usually a gradual process that can take many years and only become apparent when it reaches a certain level.
Hearing loss can have an affect on our ability to follow instructions and communicate properly with other people, this can have an impact on work and social life. There are some early signs that you can look out for…
The Signs of Hearing Loss
Everyday sounds are part of life’s most meaningful experiences. Are you having difficulty hearing the sound of a purring cat? Or the crisp crunch of snow under your boot on a cold winter morning? Or birds singing in your garden? Do you think people are mumbling? Do you constantly find yourself turning up the TV or Radio? Do you have problems following the conversation in noisy places?
If so, there’s a chance you have hearing loss.
A Gradual Affair
Hearing loss usually develops gradually – so gradually that you don’t notice the loss of these subtle everyday sounds. That is why many people don’t realise they have a problem, in fact more often than not it is their family and friends that realise first. Before you know it, you could start missing the important sounds in your everyday life, such as the voices of loved ones.
Of course, you may not think your hearing loss is severe enough to worry about. But however mild your hearing loss might be, you’ll find that your life will greatly improve by doing something about the problem.
There are many kinds of hearing loss, but most fall into two categories: sensorineural or conductive .
Sensorineural hearing loss
This is the most common type of hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by damage to the tiny hair cells in the ear that help transmit sound to your brain. These can bend or break due to:
- Exposure to very loud noises
- Genetic disposition
- Virus infections in the inner ear
- Certain medical treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation
- Head injury
- Age
The effects are almost always the same – it becomes harder to distinguish speech from noise, certain high-pitched sounds such as birdsong disappear altogether, people seem to be mumbling and you often have to ask them to repeat themselves.
Sensorineural hearing loss is permanent and can’t be corrected medically, but a hearing aid can almost always help.
Conductive hearing loss
This is caused by any blockage that prevents sound reaching the inner ear. This might include:
- A build-up of earwax
- Fluid in the middle ear
- Unusual bone growth in the middle ear
- Middle ear infections
- Small holes in the eardrum
Conductive hearing loss is not necessarily permanent and can often be corrected medically or surgically.
Mixed hearing loss
It is possible that you may suffer from both types of hearing loss. This condition is called mixed hearing loss . Mixed hearing loss can be helped with surgery and a hearing aid.