Symptoms and Causes of Hearing Loss
Did you know hearing loss can gradually occur as we age? In the U.S., about one-third of people aged between 65 and 75 are experiencing some form of hearing loss. But in those aged 76 and older, one out of two people have hearing loss.
Family history and repeated exposure to loud sounds are the common contributing factors for hearing loss. Having excessive earwax can also cause temporary deafness.
The most common sign of hearing loss is muffling of sounds or speech. A person suffering from hearing loss, whether permanent or temporary, may experience difficulty comprehending words; this is especially true when there is glaring noise in the background.
Some people with hearing problems have trouble catching consonant sounds. In many cases, they may ask others to speak louder, clearer or more slowly. When watching the TV or listening to the radio, they prefer to turn up the volume.
It is not uncommon for people with hearing problems to avoid social gatherings. There are also instances in which they will opt to withdraw from conversations; all these are largely due to their inability or difficulty to hear clearly.
Damage to the inner ear is the one of the leading causes of hearing loss. This includes infection or inflammation as well as abnormal bone or tumor growths. Having a ruptured eardrum can also greatly affect one’s hearing; this can result from prolonged exposure to loud blasts of noise or abrupt changes in air pressure. Poking a hair pin or similar sharp objects to remove ear wax can also cause infection and rupture of the eardrum, causing hearing loss.
Speaking of earwax, massive buildup can block the ear canal and affect the conduction of sound through the ear canal and onto the eardrums.
Do you find it hard to understand everything said in conversations? Do you constantly crank up the volume when you watch TV or listen to the radio? You probably have hearing problems. If your hearing difficulty is interfering with your daily routine, you need to speak with a physician.
