Common FAQs About Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is an extensive topic and there are several questions you may have that relate to it. We firmly believe that the more you know about hearing loss, the better. Keeping that in mind, here are some of the most frequently asked questions about this topic:

What are the symptoms of hearing loss?

Hearing loss symptoms vary, but there are usually a fair few common ones to look out for. More often than not, these are the signs to be wary of:

• Other peoples voices/regular sounds seem muffled
• You have to turn the sound up on all your devices to hear properly
• Difficulty pinpointing where certain sounds originate
• Problems holding conversations with people as their speech sounds too quiet
• Persistent ringing in your ears
• Accidently ignoring friends/family when they call you as you can’t hear them say your name

If you tick any of these things off the list, then it makes sense to see an audiologist to take a hearing test right away.

What causes hearing loss?

A number of different things can cause hearing loss. Aging is the most common – as we get older, the health of our ears deteriorates, which can lead to damaged nerves and hearing loss. But, exposure to loud noises also causes hearing loss in people of all ages, while infections and genetic issues can also be leading causes.

Is all hearing loss the same?

No, there are different types of hearing loss that affect various parts of your ear. Conductive hearing loss refers to hearing problems that are the result of issues with your middle ear (eardrum and ear canal). Sensorineural hearing loss relates to issues with your inner ear (cochlear and nerves). Then, there’s mixed hearing loss, which is when you have problems with both parts of your ear.

Is hearing loss permanent?

Not always! Sometimes, you can suffer from temporary hearing loss as the result of various things. For example, a build up of wax can block your ear canal and lead to common hearing loss symptoms. But, if you see your audiologist, they’ll spot this and treat it for you. This is the benefit of going in for hearing tests as you can figure out whether or not your hearing problems are permanent or reversible.

How is hearing loss treated?

All hearing loss is treated by an audiologist in their clinic. The way it’s handled will depend on the type of hearing loss you suffer from. Most of the time, hearing aids are used to help correct permanent hearing loss. In this scenario, your hearing issues can’t be reversed, so this device gives you the opportunity to hear properly again.

There is one final question that a lot of people commonly ask; what do I do if I think I have hearing loss? The answer to this is simple; book an appointment with an audiologist today. They will handle everything from the initial hearing test to the treatment after.