Signs of hearing loss

Hearing loss can occur either suddenly or gradually over a period of time.

Regardless of how your hearing loss has come about or how long you’ve been experiencing it for, there are a range of symptoms that may be indications that you’re experiencing a diminishing ability to hear clearly.

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How can I tell if I have hearing loss? There are a number of symptoms that may indicate that you’re experiencing mild to severe stages of hearing loss.

Some of these symptoms may include:

Family and friends suggest you may be having problems hearing them
You have difficulty understanding what people are saying to you
You have been exposed to loud noises regularly throughout your life
You are always asking people to repeat themselves
You have trouble understanding the direction sounds come from
You find higher pitched voices harder to hear e.g. children’s voices
Your television or radio is at full volume/high volume but you still have trouble hearing it
You find yourself lip reading in order to understand conversations
Background noise makes conversations difficult
You feel that everyone mumbles around you
You feel left out of conversations
You miss the doorbell or telephone ringing
Soft sounds are particularly difficult to hear

Why might I be experiencing hearing loss?

The causes of hearing loss are many and varied. While most cases of hearing loss aren’t entirely reversible, thanks to modern technology, there are a range of treatments available for nearly all types of hearing impairments.

It’s important to know the cause of your hearing loss to find an effective treatment for the issue. A comprehensive hearing test is the only way to confirm the type and extent of your hearing loss, which may also help to determine the cause.

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Utilising a hearing technology solution will improve your hearing health and regain your ability to hear clearly, meaning you can continue to enjoy life as usual.

There are a number of common causes of hearing loss. The top ten include:

Noise related hearing loss

Sounds become harmful to our ears when they are too loud - even if it’s only for a short time. It’s especially harmful if the sound is loud for a long period of time.

Age related hearing loss

Age related hearing loss is the most common cause of partial loss of hearing, with most people experiencing some level of hearing loss by the age of 60. This type of hearing loss is known as presbycusis.

Tinnitus

This condition results in a ringing or buzzing in your ears even when you are in a quiet place. It can be caused by a range of issues, whether that be wax against your eardrum or other disruptions along the ear canal.

Meniere’s Disease

Affecting the inner ear, Meniere’s Disease causes bouts of vertigo, problems with balance, hissing and roaring in the ears, and can create pressure in your ears, making them feel like they may burst.

Ear wax

Your ear canal produces ear wax to prevent particles and infections from reaching your middle and inner ear. If your body overproduces wax, or you push it too far into the ear when cleaning (for example, when using a cotton tip), it can cause a blockage, leading to hearing loss.

Mastoiditis

A potentially life-threatening condition, mastoiditis is caused by a middle ear infection that is left untreated and then spreads to the mastoid bone. As the mastoid bone is one of the most important structures in your inner ear, it can lead to ear pain, fever and hearing loss if left untreated.

Hyperacusis

This condition is caused by damage to your inner ear or hearing apparatus, and can be extremely debilitating. Resulting in hypersensitivity to sound, this disorder causes the sufferer to experience everyday sounds as painfully loud.

Labyrinthitis

An inner ear disorder, labyrinthitis is caused when the vestibular nerve becomes inflamed, resulting in tinnitus, problems with balance and bouts of vertigo. Labyrinthitis can have various causes including viruses and infections.

Otitis externa

This condition is an inflammation of the ear canal, often referred to as ‘swimmer’s ear’. This condition can either be temporary or ongoing, caused by anything from a bacterial infection to allergies. It can result in ear pain, hearing loss and, in severe cases, fever.

Otitis media

A middle ear infection, this condition can present as either acute otitis media (AOM) or otitis media with effusion (OME). AOM is an infection which results in severe ear pain and comes on quite quickly. OME causes a feeling of fullness in the ear caused by a non-infectious fluid in the middle ear.

In 2005, over 3.55M Australians suffered from hearing loss and nearly half of them were working age (16-64 years).

Your Hearing Technology Experts

If you’re experiencing a diminished ability to hear, or you feel you may be suffering from one of the above conditions, it’s important to have your ears checked by a qualified professional. This will prevent the issue getting worse, and will enable us to help you find an effective solution.

Bay Audio are the hearing technology experts, and can find the perfect hearing aid for you to ensure you can continue to enjoy life as normal, no matter what the cause of your hearing loss is. A comprehensive hearing test is the only way to confirm the type and extent of your hearing loss.

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