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Overview of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss

Hearing Loss Basics

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<div>Hearing is one of the most important senses which allows us to perceive our surroundings, communicate, create connections, learn, and enjoy meaningful activities. Hearing loss is a prevalent condition that impacts millions of individuals worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that over 1.5 billion people – or 1 in 5 of the global population – experience it in some form. This condition is characterized by a diminished ability to hear clearly, resulting in challenges in understanding speech and engaging in conversations. The instances of hearing loss rises significantly with age, affecting 25% of individuals over the age of 60 and 50% for those over 75. If you’d like to see more statistics on the prevalence of hearing loss, you can find them here: <a href="https://journals.lww.com/ear-hearing/fulltext/2024/01000/hearing_loss_prevalence,_years_lived_with.24.aspx" data-show="new" aria-label="link">Lippincott Home</a> Ultimately, untreated hearing loss affects quality of life, often leading to isolation. It has been associated with serious conditions such as depression, anxiety, dementia, and reduced mobility. <a href="https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/quick-statistics-hearing" aria-label="link">Quick Statistics About Hearing, Balance, &amp; Dizziness | NIDCD</a><a href="https://www.who.int/teams/noncommunicable-diseases/sensory-functions-disability-and-rehabilitation/highlighting-priorities-for-ear-and-hearing-care" aria-label="link">World Report on Hearing</a>USA only: <a href="https://www.hearingloss.org/wp-content/uploads/HLAA_HearingLoss_Facts_Statistics.pdf" data-show="new" aria-label="link">HLAA HearingLoss Facts Statistics</a><a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8292986/" aria-label="link">Hearing Loss, Loneliness, and Social Isolation: A Systematic Review - PMC</a><a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/2799139#google_vignette" data-show="new" aria-label="link">JAMA Network | Home of JAMA and the Specialty Journals of the American Medical Association</a><a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sophia-Kramer-2/publication/24234922_The_Association_Between_Hearing_Status_and_Psychosocial_Health_Before_the_Age_of_70_Years_Results_From_an_Internet-Based_National_Survey_on_Hearing/links/5accc783aca272abdc65dc05/The-Association-Between-Hearing-Status-and-Psychosocial-Health-Before-the-Age-of-70-Years-Results-From-an-Internet-Based-National-Survey-on-Hearing.pdf" data-show="new" aria-label="link">The Association Between Hearing Status and Psychosocial Health Before the Age of 70 Years Results From an Internet-Based National Survey on Hearing</a><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378512217309970" aria-label="link">Association between speech and high-frequency hearing loss and depression, anxiety and stress in older adults - ScienceDirect</a><a href="https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.3766/jaaa.16044" aria-label="link">Thieme E-Journals - Journal of the American Academy of Audiology / Abstract</a><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167494319301505" aria-label="link">Hearing loss is a risk factor of disability in older adults: A systematic review - ScienceDirect</a><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35663574/" aria-label="link">Is There an Association Between Untreated Hearing Loss and Psychosocial Outcomes? - PubMed</a> </div>

Introduction to hearing loss

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<div>Hearing loss can result from various factors. What are the common causes?• Aging – The natural aging process can lead to a gradual decline in hearing sensitivity. It typically begins around age 50 and affects high frequency sounds. It manifests in difficulties understanding speech in noisy environments.• Noise exposure – Prolonged exposure to loud noises, such as loud music or machinery, can damage the structures of the ear, resulting in hearing loss.• Medical conditions – Some medical conditions like ear infections or ear-specific diseases can contribute to hearing loss.• Genetics – Genetic factors can also play a significant role in hearing loss, usually for severe or profound hearing loss.</div>

What are the causes of hearing loss?

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<div>Usually, the first signs of hearing loss are difficulties understanding speech in challenging situations, such as speaking with multiple people or in environments with a lot of background noise, like crowded restaurants. Other symptoms may be perceiving speech as mumbled or too fast, needing to ask for repetitions, and complaints from family members.People close to you will often notice your hearing loss before you do. Hearing loss may also cause listening effort – the feeling that you have to strain to understand speech and that conversations cause fatigue.Consult a health provider when you notice one or more of these symptoms. They may recommend an ENT exam to check the physical condition of the ears and get a referral for a professional diagnostic hearing test, performed by an Audiologist. <a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/hearing-and-hearing-loss/hearing-loss-common-problem-older-adults" aria-label="link">Hearing Loss: A Common Problem for Older Adults | National Institute on Aging</a><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15118025/" aria-label="link">Impact of self-assessed hearing loss on a spouse: a longitudinal analysis of couples - PubMed</a><a href="https://cdn.vanderbilt.edu/vu-my/wp-content/uploads/sites/2512/2019/11/04131010/Hornsby-2013.pdf" data-show="new" aria-label="link">Hornsby 2013</a> </div>

How do I know if I have hearing loss?

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<div>A hearing test, or audiometry, measures the softest sounds a person can hear in different tones and in speech sounds. During this test you may hear very soft pure tone sounds, ranging from low frequencies (bass) to high frequencies (treble). You may be asked to signal when you hear them. You should initially hear the sounds via air-conduction headphones to determine the threshold of hearing. Then, if hearing loss is detected, the sounds could be delivered via a bone-conduction transducer to locate the site of the damage in the auditory system. The hearing test may also incorporate speech reception tests, which indicate the softest speech sounds you can hear, and word recognition (or discrimination) tests. Here, speech may be presented at a comfortable level, and the Audiologist could measure how many sounds you can hear clearly.The outcome of the test may be an Audiogram, a visual depiction of your hearing capability. The graph specifies the hearing threshold for different frequencies for the right and left ear. An audiologist can interpret these results and determine the existence, degree, type, and shape of your hearing loss.</div>

What is a hearing test?

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<div>Many people tend to underestimate their hearing condition because they notice they can still hear some sounds, leading them to believe that their hearing is not completely lost. However, varying levels of hearing loss present differently, and medical hearing tests performed by audiologists play a crucial role in accurately determining the degree of impairment. In practical terms, hearing loss ranges in severity from mild to profound. You should always consult with a hearing health professional to get advice on your hearing condition and explore available treatment options.People with mild hearing loss usually do not have difficulties understanding speech in optimal conditions, for example facing a single speaker in a quiet room, though they may struggle in sub-optimal conditions. Typical challenges for people with mild hearing loss are difficulties understanding speech in group settings or when background noise is present, such as restaurants or crowded train stations. The over-the-counter hearing aid solution provided by Nuance Audio Glasses is specifically designed to overcome these challenges. It can help focus on the person you want to hear and enhances their voice over the background noise.People with moderate hearing loss may face difficulties even in optimal conditions and may feel that speech sounds too soft or muffled. They may ask for repetitions when talking to people and exert more effort in communication. They usually experience difficulties when they cannot see the speaker, for example when listening to the TV or radio. Nuance Audio Glasses provides amplification that may help with these issues.If you have trouble hearing conversations in quiet settings—or have trouble hearing loud sounds, such as cars or trucks, noisy appliances, or loud music—consult a hearing health professional. These are signs that you may have a more severe hearing loss. People with severe or profound hearing loss face significant challenges transforming sounds into meaningful speech without the help of very strong hearing aids or cochlear implants.</div>

Are there different levels of hearing loss?

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<div>There are three types of hearing loss, depending on the location of the damage. These types differ in their causes and treatment options.​Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common and is generally caused by damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or to the nerve pathways to the brain. Common causes include aging, exposure to loud noise, and certain medical conditions. Sensorineural hearing loss is usually permanent and cannot be medically or surgically corrected. Hearing aids can usually help with this kind of hearing loss.Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound is not conducted efficiently through the outer and middle ear. Possible causes are ear infections, earwax blockage, fluid in the middle ear, or a punctured eardrum. If you think you may have conductive hearing loss, we recommend you see a doctor, as this type of hearing loss can often be temporary or medically corrected.Mixed hearing loss is a combination of sensorineural and conductive components.</div>

Are there different types of hearing loss?

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<div>If you have any of the problems listed below, please see a doctor, preferably an ear-nose-throat doctor (ENT):• Your ear has a birth defect or an unusual shape• Your ear was injured or deformed in an accident• You saw blood, pus, or fluid coming out of your ear in the past 6 months• Your ear feels painful or uncomfortable• You have a buildup of earwax, or you think something could be in your ear• You get dizzy or you have a feeling of spinning or swaying (called vertigo)• Your hearing changed suddenly in the past 6 months• Your hearing changes: it gets worse then gets better again• You have worse hearing in one ear• You hear ringing or buzzing in only one ear.</div>

Should I see a doctor if I think I have hearing loss?

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<div>Hearing loss is not just an issue of reduced sound perception; it has profound effects on various aspects of life:• Communication:​ Hearing loss can lead to difficulties understanding speech, especially in noisy environments or when conversing with multiple people.​ People with hearing loss may feel isolated or left out of conversations, affecting their social interactions.• Psychological and Emotional Impact:​ Hearing loss can lead to feelings of frustration, embarrassment, and anxiety.​ It may contribute to a reduced sense of self-esteem and self-confidence.• Cognitive Effects:​ Research suggests a link between untreated hearing loss and cognitive decline, including a higher risk of conditions like dementia.• Reduced Quality of Life:​ Hearing loss can limit participation in social activities, hobbies, and other interests, leading to a reduced quality of life.• Occupational Challenges:​ Adults may notice an impact on performance, which could lead to professional setbacks.​Hearing aids can be a solution for some people, and can have a significant impact on all these areas. They can enhance their engagement with others, reduce their listening effort and fatigue, aid communication, and effectively improve their overall quality of life.</div>

What are the consequences of untreated hearing loss?

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Discover the basics of hearing loss, causes, and invisible solutions with Nuance Audio.

Hearing Loss Overview | Nuance Audio

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