As one of our most important senses, the ability to hear enables us to connect to the world for many important reasons. Most importantly, hearing connects us to people enabling us to communicate in a way that none of our other senses can achieve. Hearing also helps us to experience sounds around us for our personal safety.
Hearing loss can happen when any part of the ear or auditory (hearing) system is not working in the usual way. People with hearing loss may find it hard to have conversations with friends and family. They may also have trouble understanding a doctor's advice, responding to warnings and hearing doorbells and alarms.
There are 4 types of hearing loss;
1. Conductive Hearing Loss - Hearing loss caused by something that stops sounds from getting through the outer or middle ear. This can often be treated with medicine or surgery.
2. Sensoneural Hearing Loss - Hearing loss that occurs when there is a problem in the way the inner ear or hearing nerve works.
3. Mixed Hearing Loss - Hearing loss that includes both a conductive and a sensoneural hearing loss.
4. Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder - Hearing loss that occurs when sound enters the ear normally, but because of damage to the inner ear or the hearing nerve, sound is not organized in a way that the brain can understand.
The degree of hearing loss can range from mild to profound;
⦁ Mild Hearing Loss - A person with a mild hearing loss may hear some speech sounds but soft sounds are hard to hear.
⦁ Moderate Hearing Loss - This person may hear almost no speech when another person is talking at a normal level.
⦁ Severe Hearing Loss - A person with severe hearing loss will hear no speech when a person is talking at a normal level and only some loud sounds.
⦁ Profound Hearing Loss - This person will not hear any speech and only very loud sounds.
CAUSES OF HEARING LOSS
There are a lot of causes of hearing loss; some can be treated and others cannot. The following are all factors that can lead to hearing loss;
1. Loud noise- this includes noise from lawn mowers, snow blowers or loud music.
2. Earwax or fluid build-up - when this happens, it blocks the sounds that are carried from the eardrum to the inner ear.
3. Ruptured/ perforated Eardrum - The eardrum can be damaged by infection, pressure or putting objects in the ear, including cotton- tipped swabs.
4. Certain medications like ototoxic medicines.
5. Certain health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, brain injury or tumour.
6. Genetic variations for example otosclerosis.
SIGNS OF HEARING LOSS
The signs or symptoms of hearing loss may include;
1. Muffling or speech and other sounds.
2. Difficulty hearing high- pitched sounds.
3. Difficulty understanding conversations when you are in a noisy place.
4. Asking others to speak more slowly and clearly.
5. When friends or family say you turn the television or radio up too loud.
6. A feeling that you can hear but not understand.
7. Difficulty hearing people on phone.
8. Noticing ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
9. You often ask people to repeat themselves.
10. You feel exhaustion after attending social events (listening fatigue).
PREVENTION OF HEARING LOSS
There are several measures to help prevent an individual from having hearing loss. These includes;
1. Turn down the volume of the TV, radio or music.
2. Avoid loud or noisy activities/ places when possible.
3. Use hearing protection devices when you cannot avoid loud noise.
4. If you are listening to loud music, take listening breaks to reduce your exposure.
5. Move away from the loudest sound source.
6. Give your ears time to recover after being exposed to loud noises.
7. Pay attention to signs and information flyers warning of possible loud noise and the use of hearing protection.
8. Don't put anything in your ear example cotton swabs, paperclips, pen, key and bobby pins.
9. Regular exercise to ensure proper blood flow to the organs in the inner ear.
10. Get your hearing checked regularly.
HOW TO TALK WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS HEARING LOSS
1. Find a quiet place to talk to help reduce background noise especially in restaurants and at social gatherings.
2. In a group, make a point to include people with hearing loss in the conversation.
3. Stand in good lighting and use facial expressions or gestures to give clues.
4. Do not hide your mouth, eat or chew gum while speaking.
5. Face the person and speak clearly.
6. Speak a little louder than normal but do not shout.
7. Try to speak naturally and at a reasonable speed.
8. Repeat yourself if necessary, using different words.
9. Try to make sure only one person takes at a time.
10. Be patient. People with hearing loss may also be frustrated by their condition. Stay positive and relaxed.
You do not have to wait to experience signs and symptoms of hearing loss before you pay attention to your ear. Hearing tests should be added to your regular medical check-ups. Today, 3rd March, 2023 being international hearing day, use this chance to check the health status of your ear. Thank you for reading!
REFERENCES
1. How do I prevent hearing loss published by Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
2. 8 ways to prevent hearing loss published by Healthy Hearing
3. Hearing Loss Prevention published by Starkey
4. Hearing loss by National Health Service - UK
5. Hearing Loss: A common Problem for Older Adults published by National Institute on Aging
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