Understanding Hearing Loss

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Hearing loss:
Who has it and understanding the levels and causes

Roughly 48 million Americans (1 in 6 people) suffer from mild, severe or profound hearing loss. There are many different possible causes of hearing loss, but the most common are aging and noise-induced hearing damage.

There are two levels of hearing loss: mild-to-moderate and severe-to-profound.

Close up professional otolaryngologist explain and diagnose on human ear anatomy about eardrum symptom for treatment and heal concept

How the different levels affect hearing

With unaffected hearing, we hear sounds with tiny nerves located in our ears called hair cells. The inner hair cells help us hear high- and low-pitched sounds, while outer hair cells help us hear softer sounds.

Hearing loss that is considered mild-to-moderate indicates a loss of some outer hair cells, resulting in difficulty understanding softer sounds, like the voices of women and children. Severe-to-profound hearing loss is the loss of both inner and outer hair cells, making it harder to hear the softer sounds as well as distinguish between high- and low-pitched sounds.

Some people may feel embarrassed about their hearing loss, but allowing it to go untreated can have a ripple effect. The inability to hear words clearly can end up negatively affecting your family, social life and ability to work, as well as actually harm your overall health. For example, brain scans have shown a faster rate of brain atrophy in patients with untreated hearing loss, and it can negatively impact mental health due to feeling socially isolated.

Other causes of hearing loss

While prolonged exposure to noise and aging top the list of hearing loss causes, other culprits include ear infections, genetics, head injuries, certain medications, tinnitus and illnesses such as meningitis and Alzheimer’s disease. To learn more about how these illnesses can affect hearing, click the links below.

Learn more about meningitis and hearing loss

Learn more about Alzheimer’s and hearing loss

Signs of hearing loss

Everyone experiences hearing loss differently and at varying degrees. Signs of hearing loss include:

  • Difficulty hearing, understanding or following the words of others when they speak
  • Speaking softly, mumbling, slurring, dropping words or talking too quickly
  • Often asking others to repeat themselves
  • Difficulty hearing telephone or video chats clearly
  • Straining to distinguish words over the phone, often “plugging” the non-phone ear or using earbuds at a medium to high volume with the phone
  • Missing text message dings, the doorbell, a ringing phone or your name being called
  • Struggling to understand speech in noisy places, such as restaurants
  • Preferring the television volume louder than others
  • Hearing a ringing sound in one or both ears

If you or a loved one are experiencing any of the above signs of hearing loss, it’s important to find out why. Only a comprehensive hearing screening conducted by a licensed hearing care professional can provide you with all of the facts.

Audiologist fits a hearing aid on deafness mature man ear while visit a hearing clinic. Hearing solutions for older
Close up professional otolaryngologist explain and diagnose to patient by pointing on human ear anatomy about eardrum symptom for treatment and heal concept

What to do if you suspect hearing loss

The decision to check on your hearing can feel overwhelming, especially if you are concerned there may be an issue. Make an appointment at your nearest Beltone Hearing Aid Center and speak with one of our hearing care professionals during a complimentary hearing evaluation. Our practitioners will perform a comprehensive exam, assess your level of hearing loss and discuss options for a treatment that will work for you. Rest assured that you or your loved one will be treated with care and understanding as we help you navigate the challenges that come with hearing loss. Together, we work with you and your family to help not only treat hearing loss, but truly improve overall quality of life.

Hearing aids: They aren’t what they used to be

Hearing aids help enhance relationships, boost confidence, improve quality of life and can even help prevent hearing loss from getting worse. Modern hearing aids are small, refined electronic wonders that utilize the latest wireless technology like Bluetooth. Beltone offers a model and style of hearing aid for virtually every level and type of hearing loss, so your hearing care practitioner only recommends exactly what will work best for you — not a one-size-fits-some solution.

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