Hearing Loss

 

Hearing loss is a common condition, caused by a number of factors, although the two most common are noise and age. In the UK, 1 in 6 adults are affected by hearing loss (approximately 11 million).

 

Symptoms of Hearing Loss

Hearing can slowly fade, and is often unnoticeable to begin with.  You may think your sound is fine if you can still hear things, but you may become more cut off from the world of speech and sound if it is not treated.  Typical symptoms include:

 

  • Struggling to understand speech, especially in noisy environments
  • Turning up the volume on the TV or radio and others thinking it is too loud
  • Difficulty hearing people on the phone
  • A feeling that you can hear but not understand
  • Tinnitus or ringing in the ears
  • Exhaustion after attending social events
  • Asking people to repeat themselves

 


Cause of Hearing Loss

There are three basic types of hearing loss, with each having different underlying factors. The three most common causes of decreased hearing are:

 

Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL)

This is the most common type of hearing loss, and is usually permanent.  It occurs when there is damage to either the tiny hair-like cells of the inner ear of the auditory nerve itself.  This can prevent or weaken the transfer of nerve signals to the brain that carry information about the loudness and clarity of sounds.  SNHL makes even normal, distinct and loud sounds seem muffled or unclear. It is caused by:

 

  • Aging
  • Trauma to the head or skull
  • Birth defects
  • Loud workplace noises
  • Benign tumours such as Acoustic Neuroma
  • Meniere’s disease (a disorder of the inner ear that affects hearing and balance)
  • Infections such as measles, meningitis, mumps and scarlet fever
  • Certain medications, particularly those treating cancer or heart disease

 

There is no medical or surgical treatment to cure SNHL; however, it can be treated with hearing aids depending on the severity of the loss.  Assistive listening devices such as vibrating alarm clocks, hearing loops or captioned phones can also help.

 

Conductive Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss is less common and occurs when there is an obstruction or damage to the outer or middle ear, preventing sound from being conducted to the inner ear. It is often the result of:

 

  • Allergies
  • Ear infections resulting in scarring of the ear canal
  • A build-up of wax in the ear
  • Swimmer’s ear
  • An obstruction (foreign body) in the ear
  • Benign tumours

 

Conductive hearing loss can be temporary or permanent, depending on the cause.  If the loss is temporary, it can be treated with antibiotics or surgical procedures.

 

Mixed Hearing Loss

Mixed hearing loss involves both of the above, and usually occurs when the ear sustains some form of trauma; however, it can happen over a period of time when one compounds the other.

 

Treatment for mixed hearing loss depends on whether SNHL or conductive loss is more prominent. Surgical and medical procedures will likely be more effective for conductive loss, whereas hearing aids or devices may be the best option for SNHL.

 


Effects of Hearing Loss

The consequences of hearing loss can profoundly affect people’s quality of life and their mental state.  Many people with a hearing impairment can suffer from depression, anxiety, and social, psychological and physical problems.

 

Treatment for hearing loss may significantly improve an individual’s life, restoring self-confidence, whilst at the same time improving the ability to communicate with other people.

 


Preventing Hearing Loss

It is possible to do certain things to avoid noise-induced hearing loss, which in turn will keep age related loss from getting worse. These include:

 

Avoid Excessive Noise

Loud noise is a major cause of loss of hearing.  Sounds such as car speakers, power tools and earphones are loud enough to affect your hearing.  If you find yourself having to shout over the noise, then it is too loud.

 

Although it is impossible to avoid all loud noises, try to limit the amount you are around them as long periods of loudness can result in hearing loss.

 

Protective Headwear

If you cannot avoid loud noises, try wearing protective headwear such as earmuffs.  These fit completely over the ears and reduce sounds by 15 – 30 decibels.  Ensure they fit tightly over both ears to block sound and prevent hearing loss.
Earplugs can also reduce noise by 15 – 30 decibels.  They are usually made of foam or rubber and can be either custom-made or bought off the shelf in a number of shops.

 

Stop Smoking

Studies have shown that continuous exposure to tobacco, whether directly or passive, can have a significant impact on your hearing health.

 

This does not just apply to older smokers; young people are also at risk.  Teens exposed to cigarette smoke are 2 – 3 times as likely to develop loss of hearing compared to those with little or no exposure.

 

Smoking is also strongly linked to dizziness, tinnitus and vertigo.

 

Removal of Earwax

Your ear canal produces a waxy oil called cerumen, commonly known as earwax.  If left to build-up, it can cause a temporary loss of hearing.  Earwax protects the ear from dust, foreign particles and microorganisms, and the ear canal skin from irritation due to water.  Earwax usually finds its way out of the canal and into the ear opening, but when your glands make more earwax and necessary, it may become hard and block the ear.

 

It is important to clean your ears regularly, although you can accidentally push the wax deeper.  Do not use cotton buds, but an at-home irrigation kit to soften the wax and gently wash it out.  If a blockage does occur, visit your GP who can quickly and painlessly remove it and restore your hearing.

 

Hearing Tests

It is important to have a hearing test if:

 

  • You are having trouble hearing conversations
  • You are regularly exposed to loud noises
  • You experience ringing in your ears
  • You have close relatives with a hearing impairment

 

If you have a sudden, unexplained change in your hearing, make an appointment to visit your GP as soon as possible as it could be the symptom of a serious medical condition.

 


Hearing Loss in Children

There are an estimated 50,000 children with a hearing impairment, with 1 – 2 babies born with permanent hearing loss. This may result from complications at birth, certain infectious diseases including measles, mumps, meningitis and rubella, or through genetic causes.  Of the children living with a hearing impairment, approximately halve have developed the condition during childhood.

 

Early diagnosis and intervention in newborn babies is essential for the development of speech, language and communication skills.  Parents are offered hearing screening for their babies at 4 – 5 weeks of birth to detect any problems at an early stage.  If any signs of hearing loss are detected, they are referred to a specialist for assessment, diagnosis and treatment or management of their condition.

 

If left untreated, a hearing impairment can negatively impact children’s communication and literacy development, affecting education and future work prospects.  It is therefore important to seek medical advice if you feel your child may have hearing loss.

 


Outlook

No matter what type of hearing impairment you have, or if you think it is not that serious, it is important you receive treatment for it as left untreated, it will have a significant negative impact on your life.

 


Need Help?

If you are concerned you may be experiencing hearing loss, you can be seen by a Consultant ENT specialist at One Ashford Hospital, usually within 48 hours. 

 

One Ashford Hospital is well placed to see patients requiring treatment for hearing loss from Ashford, Maidstone, Canterbury, Folkestone, Dover and all surrounding villages.  To book an appointment, call the hospital direct on 01233 364 022 or email here