Hearing Loss: Categories, Causes, Symptoms, Statistics & the Dangers of Not Getting Treatment

Hearing loss can occur in one ear or both ears. The scope of hearing loss can be mild to severe, or profound. There are a number of causes. Anyone, of any age, can experience it, but it is prevalent among people who are at least 60 years of age. 

Fortunately, there are a number of solutions for hearing loss, which include hearing aids. By learning more about symptoms, causes, tests, treatments and prevention of hearing loss, you can get a clearer picture of how it affects your loved ones who you interact with.

Statistics on Hearing Loss 

• On average, most people who experience hearing loss wait for 7 years until they look for treatment. 
• About 1 in 8 Americans have hearing loss.
• Out of all the infants who are born in the U.S., 2 to 3 out of 1,000 have detectable hearing loss in at least one of their ears. 
• About 25 percent of adults who are between the ages of 65 to 74 experience a disabling hearing loss, and 50 percent of adults over 75-years-old experience a disabling hearing loss.
• Only 16 percent of adults who can benefit from hearing aids have actually tried to use them. 

Uncommonly known Risks of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss not only affects the person who experiences it, but also the people who you interact with. Hearing loss that goes untreated influences your overall health and well-being. As mentioned in previous blog posts, studies have proven that those with hearing loss are more likely to suffer from cognitive decline, depression and social isolation.

Individuals with hearing loss tend to have higher medical bills for other health related problems and a greater risk of falling.

Those with hearing loss have been associated with higher rates of unemployment and lower wages earned at their jobs, due to the inability of accurately accomplishing tasks. 

Hearing Loss Symptoms

Symptoms of hearing loss are unique for everyone. It depends on the cause of hearing loss, the type of hearing loss, and the severity of the loss.

Those with presbycusis (age-related hearing loss) are more likely to experience high-frequency hearing loss. This means that sounds that are higher in pitch, like women’s or children’s voices, might be more difficult to hear. 

These are general symptoms of hearing loss:

• Struggling to comprehend daily conversations.
• Being able to hear but not understand what was said.
• Frequently turning the volume up on your entertainment devices (computer, TV, radio).
• Frequently asking people to repeat themselves.
• Social isolation.
• Auditory fatigue from listening to others.
• Struggling to hear conversations if there is too much background noise, like in a restaurant or if you’re meeting people in a public space.
• Experiencing tinnitus.

Categories of Hearing Loss

There are three primary types of hearing loss:

• Sensorineural hearing loss - this is the most prevalent type of hearing loss. This hearing loss is permanent. It can be caused by a number of factors that destroy the stereocilia (tiny hair-like cells) located inside the inner ears or the auditory nerves. The auditory nerves transfer vital information about the volume, pitch and meaning of the sounds to the brain. The majority of adults who experience hearing loss, have sensorineural hearing loss. This may be identified by problems with comprehending speech, no matter how loud a person speaks. 
• Conductive hearing loss - this is the result of a malfunction in the outer or middle ear. It could also be the result of a blockage in the ear canal, for example, earwax that obstructs sound from traveling to the eardrum. This is usually a temporary form of hearing loss that you can get treated, but it can become permanent. 
• Mixed hearing loss - this is when a person experiences both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. 

Hearing Loss Causes

There are a number of reasons why hearing loss can occur. Your hearing healthcare provider needs to determine what is causing your hearing loss in order to give you the proper treatment. 

Risks of Hearing Loss

• Being at least 60-years-old is when age-related hearing loss may occur. 
• Repeated noise exposure to loud sounds, like fireworks or gunshots. 
• Genetic factors play a role in your risk of hearing loss.

Uncommon Causes of Hearing Loss

• Side effects of certain medications, known as ototoxic drugs.
• Head trauma or injury.
• Meniere’s disease, otosclerosis, or autoimmune diseases.
• Acoustic neuroma.  

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If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aid styles and brands, for a wide range of hearing loss. 

Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs and re-fittings. We ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag.  We will come to your car to get them. If you are having any issues with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices. 

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