Hearing Impairment or Loss
This page will help you answer your question.
What is Hearing Impairment or Loss?
Hearing impairment or loss is a condition that makes it difficult or impossible to hear speech and other sounds. There are different types of hearing impairment or loss, and the severity can range from mild to severe. Some types of hearing impairment or loss are temporary, while others are permanent. In cases of severe hearing impairment or total hearing loss, it is referred to as deafness.
- There are several types of hearing impairment or loss:
- Conductive Hearing Impairment or Loss: This occurs when there is a problem in the outer or middle ear, preventing sound from passing through to the inner ear. It may result from earwax, ear infections, a perforated eardrum, fluid in the ear, or abnormal bone growth in the ear (known as otosclerosis). These conditions can be treated.
- Sensorineural Hearing Impairment or Loss: This occurs due to damage or malfunction in the auditory system, cochlea, or auditory nerve, which prevents the accurate transmission of electrical information to the brain. This condition is almost always permanent.
- Mixed Hearing Impairment or Loss: This is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing impairment or loss..
Auditory Processing Disorders: These occur when the brain is unable to process sound, making it difficult to understand speech or identify the source of sounds.
What are the Causes of Hearing Impairment or Loss?
Some causes affect certain populations or age groups, such as:
- Prenatal Stage “Fetus”:
- Geneticfactors..
Certain viral infections that affect the mother during pregnancy, such as rubella, can cause hearing issues in the child.
- Infants:
- Oxygen deprivation during birth.
- Severe jaundice (yellowing) in infants.
Low birth weight.
- Children and Teenagers:
- Chronic ear infections and fluidbuildup in the ear.
Meningitis and other infections affecting the auditory nerves.
- Adults and the Elderly:
- Smoking.
- Issues with the bones in the inner ear (otosclerosis).
- Aging.
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
- Causes Unrelated to Age That Can Occur Anytime:
- Earwax buildup.
- Head or ear injuries.
- Noise and loud sounds.
- Certain medications.
- Exposure to somechemicals at work.
- Nutritional deficiencies, such as a lack of vitamin B12.
Viral ear infections.
Almost everyone notices a decline in their hearing ability as they age. In some cases, genetics plays a significant role, and some families may experience hearing problems earlier in life compared to others.
How is Hearing Impairment or Loss Managed? Tips to Help You Address Hearing Impairment or Loss.
- There are preventive methods to avoid hearing impairment or loss:
- Avoid unnecessary frequent cleaning of earwax to prevent external ear infections or damage to the eardrum.
- Avoid prolonged use of earphones or listening to loud, disruptive sounds.
Avoid repeated exposure to loud noises.
- There are treatments available that can help improve your hearing quality, including:
- Resolving the issue causing the hearing impairment or loss, if identified, such as earwax buildup or repairing the eardrum.
- Hearing aids that improve hearing.
Cochlear implants.
When Should You See a Doctor?
For children, consult a doctor immediately within the early years of the child’s life if they do not respond to calling or do not react to certain disruptive sounds, indicating a hearing problem, and to prevent future speech issues if the child cannot hear well.
- Consult your doctor if you are concerned about your hearing and if you experience the following symptoms of hearing impairment:
- Difficulty hearing in noisy environments.
- Trouble hearing conversations and understanding what people are saying.
- Difficulty understanding people unless they speak directly to you, or you often need them to repeat themselves.
- Hearing sounds as muffled, as though people around you are mumbling.
- The need to increase the TV volume is higher than others.
- Often missing hearing your phone or doorbell.
- Experiencing continuous buzzing or ringing in your ears.
Finding loud noises more disturbing than before.
Frequently Asked Questions:
I’ve noticed that I cannot hear well recently. Does this mean my hearing will always be like this?
No, hearing impairment or loss may be caused by an issue that can be resolved with appropriate measures and treatments, if available, such as earwax buildup. Therefore, you should visit a doctor to determine the cause of the problem and find an appropriate solution.
Should I clean my ears of wax regularly?
