From restless.co.uk
By Francesca Williams
Hearing loss is more common than we think. According to statistics, it affects one in six UK adults by the time they reach 60 – including over 55% of people aged 75 and above – making it the third most common health condition among adults.
Hearing loss can be difficult to live with, but it can be reassuring to know that there are ways to make it easier to manage.
What can cause hearing loss?
Our ears naturally change and deteriorate as we get older, making age the greatest risk for hearing loss. However, it can also be caused by other factors, including ear infections, injury, a build-up of earwax, and long-term damage from loud noise. Genetics can also play a role in the risk.
There are two types of hearing loss: sensorineural and conductive. It’s also possible to experience both types, which experts call mixed hearing loss.
Sensorineural hearing loss
Sensorineural hearing loss occurs because of damage to the auditory nerve (which sends sound signals to the brain) or the sensitive hair cells that line the inner ear. This can be caused by injury, long-term exposure to loud noises, age, and some medications.
Conductive hearing loss
Conductive hearing loss occurs when sounds can’t pass from the outer ear to the inner ear due to a blockage – for example, earwax, a perforated eardrum, a hearing bone disorder, or fluid build-up caused by an ear infection. Most cases of conductive hearing loss can be corrected with treatment like antibiotics or ear drops.
5 signs of hearing loss
Depending on the cause, symptoms of hearing loss can vary.
For example, experiencing itchiness and hearing loss in one ear could be a sign of an ear infection that can be treated with medication, while gradual hearing loss may indicate damage caused by frequent exposure to loud noise.
When it comes to age-related hearing loss, it’s fairly common for people around you to notice problems with your hearing before you do.
We’ll cover some of the most common signs of hearing loss below. You might also like to take this free online hearing test from The Hearing Care Partnership.
1. Difficulty following conversations
This may be particularly true when there’s background noise, during group conversations when multiple people are talking at once, or over the phone when you can’t see people’s facial expressions and lip movements.
2. Struggling to locate where sound is coming from
Hearing loss can sometimes make it tricky to determine where a sound is coming from, particularly in noisy environments. This is especially common in people with hearing loss in only one ear.
3. Turning the television up to a high volume
Friends and family may say you have the TV volume too loud, but it doesn’t sound loud to you at all.
4. Feeling stressed or tired
Hearing loss can affect more than just your ability to hear. Due to the extra effort put into trying to listen, many people with hearing loss experience feelings of stress, anxiety, and fatigue.
Research also suggests that, if left untreated, hearing loss may affect memory, mental sharpness, sociability, and dementia risk.
5. Experiencing symptoms of tinnitus
Research has identified a strong link between tinnitus and damaged hearing. While tinnitus itself doesn’t cause hearing loss, it’s common for the two conditions to occur together.
This may be because tinnitus is often caused by damage to the inner ear, such as long-term exposure to loud noises.
The Hearing Care Partnership has more information about signs and symptoms of hearing loss on their website.
How is hearing loss treated?
Treatment for hearing loss will depend on its cause.
For example, hearing loss caused by an ear infection or buildup of earwax can often be treated with antibiotics or ear drops. More permanent hearing loss, caused by ageing or long-term noise exposure, may be treated with hearing aids or implants. We’ll explore these below.
Hearing aids
While hearing aids won’t fully restore your hearing, they can make sounds louder and clearer – allowing you to hear better.
There are various types of hearing aids available. The right ones for you will depend on your personal needs and preferences. For example, some hearing aids are placed behind the ear, while others are designed to be invisible and in-the-ear.
If you’d like guidance on this, you might find The Hearing Care Partnership’s guide to how to choose the best hearing aid useful. You’ll find information on the different types of hearing aids available, as well as information on how to enjoy daily life with hearing aids.
Tips for coping with hearing loss and protecting your ears
Hearing loss can be difficult to live with, particularly if it’s not something you’ve struggled with before. However, there are ways to make life easier and protect your ears daily.
For example, it can help to…
Protect your ears in loud environments
To prevent further damage to your hearing, it’s important to protect your ears. This includes limiting exposure to loud sounds where possible or wearing high-quality earplugs or ear defenders in loud environments, such as music concerts.
Wear your hearing aids
Many people find it difficult to accept treatment for their hearing loss – particularly if their symptoms are due to age. This can be especially true if they’ve been advised to wear hearing aids, which many people fear will be a visible sign of hearing loss.
This study found that around 20% of UK adults don’t use their hearing aids at all, and another 30% only use them occasionally.
If you struggle with this, reminding yourself of the many benefits of accepting treatment for hearing loss – such as joining conversations with ease and taking care of your health long-term – can be helpful. Take this study, which found that hearing aids reduced listening-related fatigue and increased social activity.
The Hearing Care Partnership has several hearing aid guides on their website, covering everything from keeping your hearing aids clean to using them during sports.
Let people know if you’re struggling
It’s common for people with hearing loss not to tell others they’re struggling, due to embarrassment. In some cases, this can lead to people feeling socially isolated or even depressed.
It’s important to remember that the people around you will be able to support you better if they’re aware that you’re struggling – for example, by taking steps to communicate more clearly. Very often, having a strong support network can help ease embarrassment or anxiety caused by hearing loss.
Final thoughts…
Hearing loss is one of the most common health conditions among adults in the UK. It can be tricky and frustrating to live with, often impacting confidence, self-esteem, and quality of life.
If you’re currently struggling, it’s important to remember you’re not alone, and help is available. Many people find that simply reaching out, seeking treatment, and gaining a better understanding of their condition makes all the difference.
No comments:
Post a Comment