Frequently asked questions about hearing problems

Hearing Problems:

What are the most common causes of hearing loss?

Some of the most common causes of hearing loss include occupational noise exposure, congenital factors, and aging.

Are there different types of hearing loss?

There are 3 different types of hearing loss. They are as follows:

Sensorineural Hearing Loss:

• Results from inner ear or auditory nerve dysfunction
• The reason for this type of hearing loss cannot always be determined, but include illness, genetics, aging, head trauma, and noise exposure, etc.
• It reduces the intensity of sound and may distort sound once they are loud enough to be heard
• If medically treatable conditions have been ruled out, the treatment for this type of hearing loss is through hearing instruments

Conductive Hearing Loss:

• Results from any disease or condition that blocks the flow of sound through the middle ear, to the inner ear
• Causes include fluid in the middle ear, external ear infection, holes in the ear drum, benign tumors, etc.
• Results in a reduction in loudness of sounds to the inner ear and requires an increase in volume to overcome the obstacle
• May be treated medically depending on the type of condition

Mixed Hearing Loss:

• Is a combination of sensorineural hearing loss and conductive hearing loss

Why can I hear speech but I can’t understand it?

Many people have a hearing loss configuration that causes this issue. It occurs when hearing loss in the high frequency (high pitch) sounds is present. This creates the effect of hearing the volume of someone’s voice, which is predominately low pitch, but lacking the clarity of speech the comes from the high frequency sounds.

What medications cause hearing loss?

here are a number of medications that can cause hearing loss. The most common are chemotherapeutic drugs (like cisplatin), antibiotics (like aminoglycocides), loop diuretics, and even high doses of Aspirin. This side effect is more common if you take 2 or more of these types of medication at the same time. If you are taking medications and notice a change in your hearing, report them to your doctor immediately!

Is hearing loss hereditary?

It can have a genetic component. 40-60% of hearing losses in infants and children can be attributed to genetics. However, adults can also have a genetic predisposition to presbycusis or age-related hearing loss. It is currently estimated that 35-55% of adults with presbycusis have a genetic predisposition to sensorineural hearing loss.

Can hearing loss cause other health problems?

Hearing does not necessarily cause other health problems. However, it has a strong correlation with a number of other health problems.

For instance:

• Untreated hearing loss can affect cognitive brain function especially in older people, and is associated with the early onset of dementia
• Hearing loss is tied to 3-fold higher incidence of injury-causing falls
• 21% of diabetics have hearing loss compared to 9% of non-diabetics
• Low-frequency hearing loss is associated with, and could be considered an early marker for higher risk of cardiovascular events and stroke
• Along with depression, patients with untreated hearing loss are known to experience anxiety, paranoia, relationship problems, stress, and other negative emotions

Are there operations or medications I can take for hearing loss?

That depends on the type of hearing loss. If there is a conductive hearing loss present, it may be improved or cured by medications or surgical interventions. However, if the hearing loss is sensorineural, in the vast majority of cases, it cannot be treated with medication or surgery.

Hearing Problems and Age:

Doesn't hearing loss only affect older people?

Absolutely not! Hearing loss does not discriminate. While it is common to experience hearing loss as people age, there are many other contributing factors. Our patients with hearing loss range in age from newborn to 105 years old.

Does everyone lose their hearing as they age?

No. However, it is very common due to everyday wear and tear to the ear. Hearing loss is NEVER considered “normal” at any age. It is also “normal” for diabetics to have high blood sugar - that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be treated.

Hearing Problems and Hearing Aids:

How much hearing loss requires a hearing aid?

Even a mild hearing loss requires a hearing aid. With a mild hearing loss, many patients experience difficulty hearing in background noise and have to expend more energy (even in quiet) to carry on a conversation.

How do I know if I need a hearing aid?

You may have a hearing loss that necessitates hearing aids if:

• Other people sound like they are muffled or mumbling
• You ask for frequent repetition
• You have difficulty hearing in noisy environments
• You have ringing in your ears
• You need to turn the tv or radio up to hear
• You feel stressed out from straining to hear
• You withdraw from social situations because you do not hear as well as you once did

Will a hearing aid restore my hearing to normal?

Simply put, no. The hearing aids will increase your ability to perceive sound into the normal hearing range. However, it will not cure the underlying hearing loss itself. Hearing aids are just that- an aid. We expect your hearing to be greatly improved, but it will not be like your normal hearing was years ago.

Does the use of a hearing aid slow the progression of hearing loss?

Yes and no. We expect hearing loss to progress. However, we cannot say what rate that happens at, as it varies from person to person. For the majority of people, it is a slow process. With the use of hearing aids, hearing loss tends to progress more slowly because we are stimulating the hearing nerve to keep it understanding what it hears.

Will hearing aids completely reverse hearing loss?

No. Hearing aids cannot reverse hearing loss. They can only aid you in hearing better.

Can hearing aids improve my hearing?

Absolutely! All of the hearing aids we work with now are digital and programmable. This means that they are programmed specifically to meet your needs and preferences. For the vast majority of patients, we can achieve an amplification level that is near or in the normal hearing range. Just bear in mind that although you are hearing in the normal range, it may not always sound “normal.”

Do hearing aids help my tinnitus (ringing)?

Hearing aids can help to lessen the perception of tinnitus while you are wearing hearing aids. The simple reason for this is that you are able to hear more sound. Therefore, the tinnitus is less noticeable. Hearing aids also have a capability to omit a white noise or ocean noise to aid in masking the tinnitus noise. However, when the hearing aids are removed at night to sleep, the tinnitus may still be noticeable due to the absence of sound.