Hearing loss is a common problem that often develops with age or results from repeated exposure to loud noise. Labor estimates that there are more than 10 million (about 1 in 6) people in the UK who have some degree of hearing loss or deafness.
Hearing loss can occur suddenly, but it usually develops gradually. General signs of hearing loss can include:
1. Difficulty hearing others clearly and misunderstanding what they are saying.
2. Asking people to repeat words.
3. Listening to music or watching TV at a volume higher than he needs.
Hearing loss is the result of sound signals not reaching the brain. There are two main types of hearing loss, depending on where the problem is:
1.Sensorineural hearing loss - caused by damage to sensitive hair cells within the inner ear or damage to the auditory nerve; This occurs naturally with age or as a result of injury.
2. Conductive hearing loss – when sounds are unable to pass from your outer ear to your inner ear, often due to a blockage such as earwax, glue ear, or fluid buildup from an ear infection, or due to glue or fluid buildup from an ear infection, or due to an eardrum Flukes or bone disorder of hearing It is also possible to have both types of hearing loss. This is known as mixed hearing loss.
Some people are born with hearing loss, but most cases develop with age. It's not always possible to prevent hearing loss if you have a condition that causes hearing loss.
However, there are several things you can do to reduce the risk of hearing loss resulting from long-term exposure to loud noise. This includes not playing music or TV loudly at home and using ear protection at loud music events or in noisy work environments.
You should also see your doctor if you have signs of an ear infection, such as flu-like symptoms, severe ear pain, discharge, or hearing loss.
Treatment of hearing loss
How hearing loss is treated depends on the cause and its severity. In cases of sensorineural hearing loss, there are several options that may help improve a person's ability to hear and communicate. These include:
1.Digital hearing aids – available through the NHS.
2. Bone-anchored implants - suitable for people who are unable to use hearing aids and for some levels of sensorineural hearing loss
3.Middle ear implant - suitable for some people who cannot use hearing aids.
4.Cochlear implants – for people who find that hearing aids are not powerful enough.
5. Lip-reading and/or sign language – such as British Sign Language (BSL).
6. Sometimes conductive hearing loss is temporary and can be treated with medications or a simple surgical procedure, if necessary. However, major surgery may be needed to repair the eardrum or hearing bones. If traditional hearing aids don't work, there are also some implantable devices for this type of hearing loss, such as bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHAs).
General signs of hearing loss
Early signs of hearing loss can include:
1. Difficulty hearing others clearly and misunderstanding what they are saying, especially in group situations.
2. Asking people to repeat words.
3. Listening to music or watching TV at a higher volume than others need.
4. Difficulty hearing the phone or doorbell.
5. He finds it difficult to know the direction from which the noise is coming.
6. Regularly feeling tired or stressed, due to having to concentrate while listening.
7. In some cases, you may recognize signs of hearing loss in another person before they notice it themselves. Research suggests that it takes 10 years from the time a person notices they have hearing loss, before they do anything about it.
8.If you also hear a ringing, buzzing or whistling sound in your ears, this may be a sign of tinnitus, which is often associated with hearing loss.
Read more about hearing loss Signs of hearing loss in children
Babies are routinely screened during the first few weeks of birth as part of the Newborn Hearing Screening Program (NHSP). However, there are signs you can look for which may suggest you see your GP to arrange another hearing test.
Signs of hearing loss in children
You should consider seeing a doctor if you notice that your child is experiencing these signs:
1.Do not be surprised by loud noises.
2. He does not turn towards the source of the sound when he is less than four months old.
3. He does not say single words when he reaches the age of one.
4. The child notices you when he sees you, but not when you call his name.
5. He hears some sounds but not others.
6. He is slow in learning to speak, or he is not clear when he speaks.
7. He often asks you to repeat yourself or answers a question inappropriately.
8. He often speaks very loudly.
9.The TV volume is often turned up too high.
10. He watches others copy instructions, because he did not hear.
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