Hearing Loss

Information about the causes, types and symptoms of hearing loss. If you're looking for the latest research on hearing loss and associated conditions, you can find that on our Hearing Loss Research - For Physicians section.
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Information about Hearing Loss

In the United States, hearing loss is the third most common medical condition, affecting around 20% of the population. Read on to learn more about hearing loss, with information provided by Audiologist & University Instructor Dr. Kevin Ivory.

What is hearing loss?

Hearing loss is defined as the partial or complete inability to hear. It is a condition in which the ears’ ability to detect sound and the brain’s ability to interpret sounds are impeded.

Hearing loss may affect anyone, regardless of age, though it is more common in older adults. It may be caused by any number of factors, such as exposure to noise, age, disease, or genetic inheritance.

Hearing Loss Statistics

In the United States, hearing loss is the third most common medical condition, trailing behind heart disease and diabetes. It affects 20% of the population in the US, or approximately 48 million people.

Among older Americans, it becomes more common, with one in three people over the age of 65 experiencing some degree of hearing loss. For people age 75 or older, 50% are affected by some degree of hearing loss.

In the workforce, approximately 60% of people experience some degree of hearing loss. The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration notes that occupationally-related hearing loss has been a major concern in the last 25 years.

Approximately 60% of service men and women returning from combat zones report cases of hearing loss and tinnitus, due to exposure to noise.

Hearing loss also affects children. Approximately between one to six newborns out of 1,000 have congenital hearing loss identified at birth. Researchers estimate that 15% of US children have low-frequency or high-frequency hearing loss in one or both ears.

Symptoms of Hearing Loss

Because hearing is an invisible sense, it may be difficult to identify the appearance of hearing loss.

Common signs of hearing loss include:

  • Asking people to repeat themselves.
  • Having trouble hearing in groups.
  • Thinking that others mumble during conversation.
  • Failing to hear someone if they speak to you from behind.
  • Turning up the volume on your TV or radio.
  • Having difficulty communicating on the phone.
  • Avoiding noisy parties and restaurants.
  • Cutting out activities from your schedule that you used to enjoy.

Types of Hearing Loss

There are three main types of hearing loss: conductive, sensorineural, and mixed.

1) Sensorineural

Sensorineural hearing loss interferes with the inner ear’s ability to translate sound vibrations into neural signals that are received by the brain as sound. Commonly this is due to the death of inner ear hair cells, which are responsible for this process.

Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by exposure to loud noise; aging (presbycusis); head trauma; hereditary hearing loss; Meniere’s disease; malformation of the inner ear; or tumor.

2) Conductive

Conductive hearing loss interferes with the outer and middle ear’s abilities to conduct sound.

It is caused by problems with the ear canal, ear drum, middle ear, and middle ear bones (malleus, incus, and stapes); ear infection; malformation of outer or middle ear structures; perforated eardrum; poor Eustachian tube function; tumors; or impacted earwax.

3) Mixed

Mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, affecting different parts of the ear.

The Connection Between Ringing Ears and Hearing Loss

An estimated 80% of tinnitus cases go hand in hand with hearing loss. This is due to the relationship between hearing and inner ear hair cells.

With presbycusis (age-related hearing loss) and noise-induced hearing loss, there may be degeneration to inner ear hair cells. Inner ear hair cells are responsible for translating sound vibrations into neural signals recognized by our brains as sound.

Evidence suggests that tinnitus may result from the degeneration of these hair cells, as they may send phantom signals to the brain, which is then registered as sound.

Benefits of Treating Hearing Loss

It takes an average of seven years from the time a person first recognizes signs of hearing loss until the time they decide to seek treatment.

Hearing Loss is identified with a series of simple, noninvasive hearing tests. Identifying and treating hearing loss as soon as it appears bring many benefits to overall health and well-being.

Hearing loss is most commonly treated with the prescription of hearing aids, which amplify sound, provide clear sound signals, and assist the brain in the process of recognizing sounds.

Studies have found that treating hearing loss with hearing aids supports cognitive ability (thus reducing a risk of dementia), improves safety and security, ensures higher earning power, and maintains strong relationships with friends and loved ones, thus reducing the risk of social isolation, anxiety, and depression.

Ready to Improve Your Quality of Life?

Book a consultation with Dr. Kevin Ivory to start hearing better today.

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