Hearing loss and impairment
Don’t put your head in the sand about hearing loss. With various causes contributing to hearing impairment and connections between hearing loss, our overall health and wellbeing, it’s time to get ahead of our hearing.
Read on for causes, signs, symptoms and tips to protect your hearing.
Causes of hearing loss
Common causes of hearing loss include:
Ageing
Frequent, excessive noise exposure
Injury
Viral infections (such as measles or mumps)
Wax build-up
Ototoxic drugs (medications that damage hearing)
Genetics
The earlier you seek help for your hearing loss, the better. Living with hearing loss can have psychological effects which can affect quality of life, such as fatigue, frustration, anxiety or loneliness.
Seek immediate help if you experience any of these symptoms:
Sudden loss of hearing
"Stuffy” feeling in the ear
Dizziness
Tinnitus or ringing in the ears
Loud popping sound in the ear followed by hearing loss
Protecting your hearing
While age-related hearing loss cannot be prevented, noise-induced hearing loss is preventable.
Several steps can be taken to protect your hearing from noise-induced hearing loss, including:
Limiting exposure to loud noises
Using hearing protection when needed
Maintaining safe listening volumes when using headphones.
Helping a loved one
Symptoms of hearing loss
Is your loved one having difficulty following conversations?
Are they turning the TV volume too high?
Do you often need to repeat yourself?
Has their behaviour changed?(For example, withdrawing from social activities)?
Is your loved one having difficulty following conversations?
Are they turning the TV volume too high?
Do you often need to repeat yourself?
Has their behaviour changed? (For example, withdrawing from social activities)?
Find a private, comfortable space
They may not be initially receptive to the conversation. Remember, the emotional effects of hearing loss are real.
Be compassionate
They may not be initially receptive to the conversation. Remember, the emotional effects of hearing loss are real.
Do your research
Managing any degree of hearing loss can have a positive influence on your loved one’s health, wellbeing and relationships.
Be supportive
Even if your friend or loved one wants to do something about their hearing loss, they may not know where to start. You can help by encouraging them to book a hearing check.
Offer to come with them to their appointment
Many people find it helpful to have someone with them when they discuss their hearing and communication needs, have their results explained and consider their options.
Hearing loss and diabetes
Did you know there may be a connection between hearing loss and diabetes? It’s possible that nerve damage caused by diabetes may affect the hearing nerves in the inner ear. Researchers also believe the prolonged high blood glucose levels may lead to hearing loss by affecting the supply of blood or oxygen to the tiny nerves and blood vessels of the inner ear.
Over time, the nerves and blood vessels become damaged, affecting the person’s ability to hear.3As a result, individuals with Type I or Type II diabetes are 2x more likely to have hearing loss than those living without the condition.
If you are living with diabetes or have any hearing concerns, book a hearing check to ensure you receive early diagnosis of any hearing loss and appropriate care.
What are the common signs of hearing loss?
One of the most common warning signs of hearing loss is difficulty following conversations (or understanding what others are saying). Trouble hearing clearly on the phone, difficulty locating the direction of sounds or turning up the TV too loud may also be signs.
How often should I test my hearing?
The impact of hearing loss can increase over time if left unaddressed. We recommend you have your hearing checked as soon as you notice any changes to your hearing, noting that these can begin as early as 50 years of age.
Regular hearing checks can help identify any changes in your hearing ability and help manage potential hearing loss.
How much do hearing aids cost?
Australian Veterans and pensioners may be eligible for free government hearing aids under the Hearing Services Program.
I have a constant ringing or buzzing sound in my ear. What is it?
Tinnitus is the perception of sound without any external stimuli, and is often reported as a hissing, buzzing or ringing sound. It is often a normal phenomenon, with many people experiencing tinnitus at some stage without any significant impact on their daily lives.
However, some people may find tinnitus bothersome and impacts their quality of life. Unmanaged, bothersome tinnitus may be distressing, with feelings of anger or isolation.
Difficulty concentrating and issues with sleep are also commonly experienced because of tinnitus.
Can hearing aids help with tinnitus?
While the presence of tinnitus cannot be removed entirely, its bothersome effects may be alleviated with hearing aids and/or behavioural strategies.
What is the impact of untreated hearing loss?
Untreated hearing loss may have a range of negative consequences on an individual's life and can lead to safety concerns, including putting them at higher risk of falls. You may also feel:
Left out of conversations
Your social life is impacted
Frustrated, lonely, anxious and isolated
Increased fatigue
Increased risk of other serious comorbidities such as accelerated cognitive decline have also been associated with hearing loss. In fact, some researchers found that older adults with hearing loss had a 24% higher risk of cognitive decline than those whose hearing was within normal limits.