Hearing Loss Causes
Are You Struggling With Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss can sneak up on you. Many times, we take our hearing ability for granted. It allows us to listen to and work with others. It also gives us a sense of connection to the world around us. Finally, it lets us relax.
According to the Hearing Loss Association of America, about 48 million Americans, or 20% of the population, are suffering from hearing loss to some extent. Furthermore, 25% of American adults say they’ve experienced tinnitus (ringing or buzzing sounds in the ears) lasting for five minutes or longer. Since hearing loss typically happens gradually, many people do not seek treatment right away.
When your hearing declines, and for most people it does, it can greatly affect you. Not only does it affect you physically, but also emotionally and socially. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the symptoms of hearing loss, so treatment can be sought and given as soon as possible.
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What Causes Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss is caused by many things, including the following:
- Advancing age (presbycusis)
- Prescription medications
- Head injury
- Heredity
- Prolonged exposure to loud noises
- Acoustic trauma
- Illnesses, such as mumps, Meniere’s disease, otosclerosis or an autoimmune disorder
- A tumor
How Hearing Loss Occurs
In an ear that functions as it should, sound waves are captured by the outer ear and sent through the ear canal to the eardrum, which makes it vibrate. These vibrations then run through the bones of the middle ear. In turn, the fluid and the hair cells in the inner ear or cochlea move, which creates electrical pulses that travel to the brain through the auditory nerves.
Loud noises damage these hairs and nerve cells, especially if they are consistent during long periods. The electrical signals become unclear or aren’t transmitted correctly, and hearing loss is the result.
Heart of Illinois Hearing is here to help. Contact us and make an appointment so you can once again hear all the sounds and conversations that are important to you in your daily life.
Which Hearing Loss Is Progressive and Associated With Aging?
Not all hearing loss is exactly alike. Treatment depends on the type of hearing loss in question.
Sensorineural hearing loss is the type most experienced. Symptoms include difficulty understanding sounds or speech at normal volume. The main causes are repeated exposure to loud noises and disease. Due to this, this type of hearing loss is often thought of with aging.
Conductive hearing loss is caused by a mechanical problem in the outer or middle ear, or an obstruction in the ear canal, such as the buildup of ear wax. This type can be either permanent or temporary.
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of the types previously mentioned.
How Hearing Loss Affects More Than Just Communication
Hearing loss can affect your entire life. The following are just some of the ways this happens.
- Conversations and other sounds seem garbled.
- You constantly ask people to repeat what they’ve said.
- You’re always turning up the volume on the TV.
- You become withdrawn because you can’t hear what anyone is saying and feel embarrassed.
- You have difficulty hearing things in noisy environments, such as restaurants, family gatherings, and group meetings.
- A sudden loss of hearing can occur in one ear.
- You may experience ringing or buzzing sounds in your ears, known as tinnitus, that keeps you up at night or makes you anxious.
- Eventually, your cognitive abilities and relationships with others are affected. Hearing loss is also linked to an increased risk of accidents, such as falling.
The Importance of Treating Hearing Loss
Luckily, most types of hearing loss are minor and can be treated. Studies have shown that treating hearing loss due to aging has many benefits, including a better ability to hear in social situations and communication. Treating hearing loss allows people to resume a normal life, interacting with others as they typically would.
The hearing aid specialists at Heart of Illinois Hearing are here to help those in Peoria, Springfield, IL, and the surrounding areas. A simple hearing test can diagnose hearing loss, including the severity and type of it. We will then go over your treatment options, and whether referral to a specialist is necessary. Contact us today to schedule a free evaluation or speak with a member of our team about the signs of hearing loss to look out for.
