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Don’t Ignore These Signs of Hearing Loss

By gahear on June 3, 2021 in Hearing Loss

Millions of Americans struggle with some degree of hearing loss. Sadly, many people are unaware that they have a problem or may even be in denial about their hearing. If you’re worried that someone close to you has a hearing problem or if you think you might be struggling to hear, it’s important to understand the signs and symptoms of hearing loss. You should never ignore these symptoms.

Additionally, symptoms can vary depending on the type of hearing loss and its severity. For example, a person can have mild hearing loss while another may have profound hearing loss in a single ear instead of both.

What are the Symptoms of Hearing Loss?

There are many signs that can tell people that someone they love is dealing with hearing loss. They may exhibit different behaviors or practices that give it away. The following are some of the most common symptoms of hearing loss:

• Turning up the volume on the TV or stereo too loudly
• Struggling to understand speech, particularly in noisier situations such as crowded places
• Difficulty hearing people while using the phone
• Feeling as though you can hear but have difficulty comprehending what’s being said
• Being uncertain where sound is coming from, which is known as localization
• Frequently asking people to repeat themselves
• Depending on a spouse or other loved one to help you hear or understand
• Avoiding social situations
• Feeling exhausted after attending social events
• Experiencing tinnitus or ringing, hissing, or buzzing of the ear
• Feeling as though some sounds are too loud to the ear

There are also symptoms based on the type of hearing loss. They include the following:

• High-frequency hearing loss causes higher-pitched sounds to be difficult or impossible to hear
• Noise notch results in some higher-pitched sounds being difficult to hear
• Mid-range hearing loss causes mid-range pitches to be difficult to hear
• Conductive hearing loss results from damage to the middle or outer ear
• Sudden hearing loss is a type of hearing loss that occurs quickly
• Flat hearing loss causes all pitches to be difficult to hear
• Single-sided hearing loss means only one ear is affected
• Temporary noise-related hearing loss

What is Sensorineural Hearing Loss?

Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss. It’s caused by nerve damage or damage to the inner ear’s hair cells. Around 90 percent of people with hearing loss are diagnosed with this type.

With sensorineural hearing loss, the loss is gradual, meaning your hearing can slowly worsen over a long period of time. Volume and clarity of sound are both affected by this type of hearing loss. You can also experience recruitment, which causes louder noises to be uncomfortable to the ear.

This form of hearing loss can affect all ranges of hearing. Some people may have difficulty hearing higher pitches, but it’s possible to have trouble hearing lower ones as well.

What is Conductive Hearing Loss?

Conductive hearing loss is a type of hearing loss that is caused by damage to the middle or outer ear. It affects around 10 percent of people who have hearing loss. Usually, trauma causes it, but it is a faster-developing type of hearing loss compared to sensorineural.

Conductive hearing loss is sometimes reversible depending on the exact cause.

What is Single-Sided Deafness?

Single-sided deafness involves a profound hearing loss in only one ear. As a result, it’s difficult to decipher from where sound is emanating. This is known as localization. Noisy environments are particularly challenging and high-pitched sounds are usually difficult to hear.

What is Temporary Hearing Loss?

Temporary hearing loss is caused by exposure to loud noises such as a concert when the individual didn’t use earplugs for protection. It’s only temporary, meaning that while there’s a hearing loss, the hearing will return to normal after a few hours or a few days. Individuals who experience temporary hearing loss often have tinnitus along with the loss.

Schedule an Appointment

If you live in Georgia and want to be fitted for a hearing aid, contact Georgia Hearing Aid Factory Outlet to schedule a consultation.