Understanding Hearing Loss

By Jane Farrell

Millions of people suffer from hearing loss, but how much do you know about this condition? Here, the experts from SeniorHealth, a division of the National Institutes of Health, explain the basics:

A common problem, hearing loss is caused by noise, aging, disease, and heredity. The hearing process is complex, involving the ear’s ability to detect sounds and the brain’s ability to interpret those sounds, including the sounds of speech.

How much can hearing loss affect your life? The SeniorHealth experts say the variables include:

the degree of the hearing loss

the pattern of hearing loss across different frequencies (pitches)

whether one or both ears is affected

the areas of the auditory system that are not working normally—such as the middle ear, inner ear, neural pathways, or brain

the ability to recognize speech sounds

the history of exposures to loud noise and environmental or drug-related toxins that are harmful to hearing

age

Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting older adults, the SeniorHealth experts say. Approximately 17 percent, or 36 million, of American adults report some degree of hearing loss. And it grows more common with age: 18 percent of American adults 45-64 years old, 30 percent of adults 65-74 years old, and 47 percent of adults 75 years old, or older, have a hearing impairment. Men are more likely to experience hearing loss than women.

Hearing loss has a number of ramifications: People with hearing loss may find it hard to have a conversation with friends and family, to understand a doctor’s advice, respond to warnings, and hearg doorbells and alarms.

Additionally, some people may not want to admit they have trouble hearing. Older people who can’t hear well may become depressed or may withdraw from others to avoid feeling frustrated or embarrassed. Sometimes older people are mistakenly thought to be confused, unresponsive, or uncooperative just because they don’t hear well.

Hearing loss comes in many forms. It can range from a mild loss in which a person misses certain high-pitched sounds, such as the voices of women and children, to a total loss of hearing. It can be hereditary or it can result from disease, trauma, certain medications, or long-term exposure to loud noises.

Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve. The SeniorHealth experts say that this type of hearing loss is usually permanent.

Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound waves cannot reach the inner ear. The cause may be earwax build-up, fluid, or a punctured eardrum. Medical treatment or surgery can usually restore conductive hearing loss.

One form of hearing loss, presbycusis, comes on gradually as a person ages. Presbycusis can occur because of changes in the inner ear, auditory nerve, middle ear, or outer ear. Some of its causes are aging, loud noise, heredity, head injury, infection, illness, certain prescription drugs, and circulation problems such as high blood pressure.

Presbycusis commonly affects people over 50, many of whom are likely to lose some hearing each year. Having presbycusis may make it hard for a person to tolerate loud sounds or to hear what others are saying.

Tinnitus: A Common Symptom

Tinnitus, also common in older people, is a ringing, roaring, clicking, hissing, or buzzing sound. It can come and go. It might be heard in one or both ears and be loud or soft.

The SeniorHealth experts stress that tinnitus is a symptom, not a disease. It can accompany any type of hearing loss. It can be a side effect of medications. Something as simple as a piece of earwax blocking the ear canal can cause tinnitus, but it can also be the result of a number of health conditions.

If you think you have tinnitus, see your primary care doctor. You may be referred to an otolaryngologist — a surgeon who specializes in ear, nose, and throat diseases — (commonly called an ear, nose, and throat doctor, or an ENT). The ENT will physically examine your head, neck, and ears and test your hearing to determine the appropriate treatment.

Hearing problems that are ignored or untreated can get worse. If you have a hearing problem, you can get help. See your doctor. Hearing aids, special training, certain medicines, and surgery are some of the choices that can help people with hearing problems.

For more information on other health issues from the SeniorHealth experts, click here.