You never miss your hearing until it’s gone.
Hearing loss can occur so slowly that some people don’t realize their hearing is going until it’s fully damaged. Audiologist Cari Mickelson runs down the signs and causes of hearing loss, as well as ways to prevent it.
What are the symptoms/signs of hearing loss?
The signs of hearing loss can be very subtle and people often don’t realize they are losing their hearing. Your family and friends may actually notice the problem before you do. Here are some common signs of hearing loss:
- Do people complain that you turn the TV volume up too high?
- Do you have trouble hearing and understanding conversations in a noisy environment?
- Do you find yourself asking people to repeat themselves?
- Do many people you talk to seem to mumble or not speak clearly?
- Do you have trouble understanding the speech of women and children?
- Do you have ringing or buzzing in your ears?
If you experience any of the above symptoms, it is recommended that you have your hearing evaluated by an audiologist. If a medical problem is detected, your audiologist will refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist for further evaluation and possible treatment.
What steps will help preserve hearing in children?
It is important to receive medical treatment for ear infections. Untreated middle ear infections can lead to chronic and severe ear disease. Chronic middle ear infections (otitis media), in which fluid becomes trapped in the middle ear and impairs hearing, can cause delays in speech and language development in young children if they remain untreated. Medical treatment is often necessary to restore hearing.
Limiting noise exposure, both level and length of time, is also important for the preservation of hearing. All noise that exceeds 85 decibels – loud music, machinery, power tools, lawn equipment, concerts, NASCAR races, fireworks, gunfire, motorcycles – has the ability to cause permanent damage to hearing. It’s important to be proactive and wear ear protection, such as ear plugs or noise-canceling headphones, around loud noises. See an audiologist if your hearing becomes muffled or your ears begin to ring following exposure to noise.
How can adults preserve their hearing?
Same as with children – use ear protection when exposed to excessive noise and obtain medical treatment for ear infections. Tinnitus or ear ringing is a sign of hearing loss and should be evaluated. If you experience dizziness or sudden onset of hearing loss, see a physician for medical evaluation.
You should have your hearing tested by an audiologist as soon as you notice hearing problems or loss. An audiologist is trained to diagnose hearing loss and can help improve your quality of life. He or she may recommend hearing aids, assistive listening devices or simple lifestyle changes that can protect your hearing. Once a hearing loss has been detected, annual hearing testing is recommended.
Visit the Better Hearing Institute website at www.hearingcheck.org and take the hearing check challenge.
What are the physical causes of hearing loss?
There are three types of hearing loss: conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss and mixed hearing loss.
Conductive hearing loss occurs when the ear drum or the bones in the middle ear become damaged due to infection or disease. Conductive hearing loss can usually be corrected through medical treatment or surgery. Causes of conductive hearing loss include ear infections and perforation of the eardrum, as well as impacted cerumen (ear wax buildup and blockage), Eustachian tube dysfunction (blockage of the Eustachian tube, which allows air into the middle ear), cholesteatoma (a benign tumor caused by improper healing of a perforated eardrum) and otosclerosis (abnormal bone growth in the middle ear).
Sensorineural hearing loss is caused when the hair cells in the inner ear (cochlea) or auditory nerve become damaged. Once the hair cells have been damaged, there is no way to restore their function. This damage can be caused by age, exposure to very loud noise, disease, toxic drugs or medications, and many other factors. Hearing loss can also be genetic in nature. Sensorineural hearing loss cannot be reversed and is usually permanent.
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensori-neural hearing loss. There may be damage to the outer or middle ear and in the cochlea or auditory nerve.
What does hearing aid testing look like?
Your audiologist will present a variety of hearing aids depending on the degree or severity of your hearing loss. There are two basic styles of hearing aids: the behind-the-ear hearing aid and the custom in-the-ear hearing aid. Technology options – such as noise reduction, directional microphones, receiver in the ear, telecoils and wireless connectivity – will also be discussed. Once you have been fitted with a hearing aid and it is programmed for your hearing loss, a test will be conducted to measure the benefits of the hearing aid. Your ability to understand words and tones will be evaluated. This test helps determine if additional adjustments need to be made to your hearing aid for optimal hearing.
Will habitually using a hearing aid weaken overall natural hearing?
It is a myth that using a hearing aid will weaken your overall natural hearing if you are wearing a hearing aid that has been programmed to fit your hearing loss. Over time, your brain becomes accustomed to hearing better with the hearing aid and not working so hard to hear and understand conversation. Often, once the hearing aid is removed, people complain that they cannot hear like they used to, but this is just not true.
What are some misconceptions about hearing aids and how may they be refuted?
A common misconception is that hearing aids are only for old people. Hearing loss can happen to anyone at any time during his or her life. Hearing aids are a good option for treatment of hearing loss. You do not have to suffer in social situations to hear and understand conversation. Hearing aids are beneficial at all ages, and actually, you may benefit more from hearing aid use the earlier you start the process.
Another misconception is that hearing aids have to be big and bulky to be effective. With the advances in technology and digital circuitry, hearing aids are now practically invisible. The receiver-in-the-ear technology allows the hearing aid to be much smaller and is a great cosmetic option for people who want a hearing aid that is not visible.
Cari Mickelson
Cari Mickelson is an audiologist who currently practices at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Department of Otolaryngology.
Mickelson received her bachelor of science degree in speech and language pathology and audiology in 1983 from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She received her master’s degree in audiology from the University of Virginia in 1985. She also completed a nine-month internship at the Medical College of Virginia as part of her audiology training.
This is her 30th year practicing audiology in various medical and clinical settings. She has been in her current position at OSU since 2008.
