Hearing Loss Overview

Hearing Loss is a medical condition that impacts over 48 million people. It is the third most common health issue. Though hearing loss is pervasive, it remains widely undertreated. Only a third of people who could benefit from treatment receive it. Untreated hearing loss has multifaceted effects that can affect everyday life. Untreated symptoms can strain communication, relationships, and social life and increase health risks.

Fortunately, there are effective ways that hearing loss is treated. Treatment offers life-changing benefits that improve hearing and enhance the quality of life. Understanding what causes hearing loss and identifying early signs can help you intervene early, which helps protect hearing health.

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What causes hearing loss?

Several factors can contribute to the development of hearing loss. A few common causes include the following:

The risk of developing hearing loss increases with age:

1 in 3 adults, ages 65-75, have hearing loss.
1 in 2 adults ages 75 and older have disabling hearing loss.

Age-related hearing loss, also known as presbycusis, can be caused by a few factors. This includes the cumulative impact of loud noise exposure on the auditory system - the sensory system for hearing, changes to the ear that may be experienced over time, and existing medical conditions that are linked to hearing loss and also impact older adults disproportionately.

One or consistent exposure to loud noise is a common cause of hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss occurs when sensory cells in the inner ear are damaged. Loud noise can desensitize and weaken these cells, causing hearing loss. Over 50 million people are exposed to hazardous noise levels regularly. It is estimated that 24% of people work in environments that are noisy enough to impact hearing.

Other causes of hearing loss include inner ear disorders, head injuries, chronic ear infections, and autoimmune conditions.

What are the common symptoms of hearing loss?

It takes an average of 7 years for people to address their hearing loss symptoms. Hearing loss typically occurs gradually, so symptoms can remain unnoticed for quite some time, leading to a delay in treatment. Recognizing the signs of hearing loss can help you intervene early. Common signs include:

Tinnitus: a buzzing or ringing noise in the ears that only you can hear.
Sounds are muffled or distorted.
Struggling to keep up with conversations, especially in places with background noise (restaurants, parties, etc.).
Lip reading to help identify individual words.
Asking others to repeat what they said, speak louder, and/or slower.
Finding yourself replying with “huh” or “what” often.
Having trouble hearing while you are on the phone.
Pretending to hear to get through a conversation.
Turning up the volume on the TV, phone, or other electronic devices.
Moving to a quieter space to be able to hear better.
Being able to hear more clearly out of one ear compared to the other.
Feeling tired or drained after conversations and social interactions.

These symptoms can be mild to more profound, affecting hearing and communication. To cope with symptoms, people often skip out on social activities and gatherings, spend less time with loved ones, and spend less time engaging in hobbies. Social withdrawal is a significant effect of untreated hearing loss. This impacts relationships and social life and can also affect mental health by contributing to the development of depressive symptoms.

How is hearing loss treated?

If you recognize any of these symptoms, it is essential to have your hearing health evaluated. There are effective hearing solutions that can transform your hearing health. The most common treatment is hearing aids, electronic devices that help absorb and process sound. This support alleviates symptoms and maximizes one’s hearing capacity.