Understanding your Hearing Loss

Here are some of the most common symptoms of hearing loss.

1. Difficulty understanding speech, particularly in noisy environments.

2. Needing to turn up the volume of the television, radio, or other devices to hear them properly.

3. Frequently asking people to repeat themselves.

4. Feeling like people are mumbling or not speaking clearly.

5. Having trouble hearing high-pitched sounds, such as birds chirping or the beeps of a microwave.

6. Having trouble hearing sounds in the presence of background noise, such as in a restaurant or at a party.

7. Having difficulty following conversations when multiple people are speaking.

8. Avoiding social situations or conversations because of difficulty hearing or understanding.

9. Tinnitus, or ringing, buzzing, or other similar noises in the ears or head.

10. Feeling fatigued or stressed after prolonged periods of listening or straining to hear.

11. Finding clarity in loud environments

It is important to note that these symptoms can vary depending on the severity and type of hearing loss a person is experiencing, and that some people may not experience any symptoms at all. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or are concerned about your hearing, it is recommended to speak with an audiologist.

1. Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound is blocked from reaching the inner ear. This can be caused by earwax build-up, fluid in the middle ear, a perforated eardrum, or abnormal bone growth in the middle ear.

2. Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by damage to the hair cells in the inner ear or the auditory nerve. This can be caused by aging, exposure to loud noise, certain medications, or a hereditary condition.

3. Mixed hearing loss is a combination of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, meaning there is a problem in both the outer or middle ear and the inner ear.

1. Ageing: Age-related hearing loss, known as presbycusis, is a common cause of sensorineural hearing loss. As people get older, the hair cells in the inner ear that detect sound waves gradually become damaged or die, resulting in hearing loss.

2. Exposure to loud noise: Also known as noise induced hearing loss, such as at concerts, noise exposure at work such as drilling or loud machinery, or listening to music through headphones at high volumes. These exposures for extended periods of time can cause permanent damage to the hair cells in the inner ear.

3. Infections: Certain viral or bacterial infections, such as meningitis, mumps, or cytomegalovirus (CMV).

4. Genetics: Sensorineural hearing loss can be caused by genetic factors, including inherited hearing loss disorders such as Usher syndrome and otosclerosis.

5. Ototoxic drugs: Certain medications, such as some chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics, and paracetamol taken in high doses, can cause sensorineural hearing loss as a side effect.

6. Head injury: Traumatic head injuries can damage the auditory nerve or the hair cells in the inner ear, leading to hearing loss.

7. Meniere's disease: Meniere's disease is a condition that affects the inner ear and can cause vertigo, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and hearing loss.

8. Acoustic neuroma: Acoustic neuroma is a rare non-cancerous tumour that develops on the auditory nerve, which can cause hearing loss.

Age-induced hearing loss, also known as presbycusis, is the gradual loss of hearing that occurs as people age.

Presbycusis typically affects the high-frequency range of sounds first, which can make it difficult to hear speech clearly, particularly in noisy environments.

As the hearing loss progresses, it can also affect the ability to hear lower frequency sounds.

Some potential causes of age-induced hearing loss include the accumulative effects of noise exposure over time, genetics, and changes in the blood supply to the inner ear.

1. Age-related hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss in the UK, affecting approximately 70% of adults over the age of 70.

2. The prevalence of age-related hearing loss increases with age, affecting approximately one in three adults over the age of 65.

3. Men are more likely to experience age-related hearing loss than women.

4. Common causes of age-related hearing loss include genetics, exposure to loud noise over time, and changes in the blood supply to the inner ear.

5. Early intervention and treatment with hearing aids can help to mitigate the effects of age-related hearing loss.

Noise-induced hearing loss is a type of sensorineural hearing loss that occurs as a result of exposure to loud noises over an extended period of time.

This can include work environment exposure to noise (such as working in a noisy factory), recreational exposure (such as attending concerts or using headphones at high volumes), or a single exposure to an extremely loud noise (such as an explosion).

Noise-induced hearing loss typically affects the high-frequency range of sounds first, which can make it difficult to hear consonants and understand speech. It can also cause tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, and can make it difficult to hear in noisy environments.

1. Noise-induced hearing loss is the second most common type of hearing loss in the UK, affecting approximately 20% of adults.

2. The prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss is highest among people who work in noisy environments, such as construction sites or factories.

3. Exposure to loud music through headphones or at concerts and festivals can also cause noise-induced hearing loss.

4. Common symptoms of noise-induced hearing loss include difficulty understanding speech, tinnitus, and an increased sensitivity to noise.

5. Noise-induced hearing loss is preventable through the use of hearing protection, such as earplugs or earmuffs, and by limiting exposure to loud noise.

We have solutions to bring your hearing back and provide clarity in loud environments.

The best and most common treatment for hearing loss include hearing aids.

In some cases, medication or surgery may also be recommended. The best treatment option will depend on the type and severity of hearing loss which can be assessed by our audiologist.

Below FAQs are further treatment options.

Recent research has uncovered a strong correlation between hearing loss and dementia.

A study published in the Journal of the Medical Association (JAMA) found that people with moderate hearing loss are three times more likely to develop dementia than those with normal hearing.

Another study in The Lancet reported that addressing hearing loss early on could prevent up to 9% of dementia cases.

The reasons for this connection is that hearing loss can lead to changes in the brain. When hearing is impaired, the brain has to work harder to process sounds, which can lead to cognitive decline over time.

Untreated hearing loss can also lead to social isolation, which has been shown to increase the risk of developing dementia by up to 50%.

Moreover, hearing loss and dementia share many common risk factors, including age, genetics, and exposure to loud noises. Both conditions are also more prevalent among older adults.

Around 466 million people worldwide have a degree of hearing loss, with the majority of cases occurring in people over the age of 65.

Addressing hearing loss early on could have a significant impact on reducing the risk of developing dementia. Regular hearing tests and appropriate interventions, such as hearing aids, can help to maintain cognitive function and reduce the risk of social isolation, depression, and other factors that contribute to dementia.

Hearing loss can have correlations with other health problems, such as:

1. Cognitive decline and dementia: Studies have found a strong correlation between hearing loss and cognitive decline, as well as dementia. This could be because the brain has to work harder to process sounds when hearing is impaired, which can lead to cognitive decline over time. Additionally, social isolation due to hearing loss has been shown to increase the risk of developing dementia.

2. Cardiovascular disease: There is some evidence that suggests a link between hearing loss and cardiovascular disease. Research suggests that the same factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease, such as poor circulation and damage to blood vessels, can also contribute to hearing loss.

3. Diabetes: Hearing loss has been linked to diabetes, with studies showing that people with diabetes are more likely to have hearing loss than those without the condition. It's thought that high blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels in the inner ear, leading to hearing loss.

4. Depression and anxiety: Social isolation and communication difficulties due to hearing loss can lead to feelings of depression and anxiety, which can have negative impacts on mental health and well-being.

5. Falls and balance problems: Hearing loss has been associated with an increased risk of falls and balance problems, likely due to difficulties with spatial awareness and maintaining balance.

It's worth noting that while these correlations exist, they don't necessarily mean that hearing loss directly causes these health problems. Rather, they may share common risk factors or an increase risk with a hearing loss.

In some cases, hearing loss can be cured if the underlying cause is treatable, such as an ear infection or build-up of earwax.

However, in most cases, hearing loss is permanent and cannot be cured. Fortunately, there are treatment options available that can help bring your hearing back.

Hearing loss is typically diagnosed through a hearing evaluation, which includes a physical examination, hearing tests, and a review of medical history.

The audiologist may also order additional tests, such as an MRI or CT scan, to rule out any underlying medical conditions.

Hearing aids are small electronic devices designed to amplify sound for people with hearing loss.

The basic function of hearing aids is to capture sounds through a microphone, process them with a digital signal processor, and transmit them through a speaker to the ear canal. This allows people with hearing loss to hear sounds that they might not otherwise be able to detect.

Yes, it is possible to use a hearing aid if you only have one functioning ear.

A hearing aid can help improve the ability to hear in that specific ear and can also help with balance.

Some lifestyle changes to prevent hearing loss may include:

• Avoiding exposure to loud noises,

• Wearing ear/hearing protection in noisy environments

• Maintaining good ear hygiene

Hearing loss can be hereditary, meaning it can be passed down from one generation to the next.

However, other factors such as aging, noise exposure, and medical conditions can also contribute to hearing loss.

The process for getting custom ear moulds made typically takes 1-2 weeks, depending on the complexity of the mould.

Our audiologists will take impressions of your ears in the first appointment, which are then sent to a lab to be crafted into custom moulds.