Hearing loss can have a profound effect on a person’s hearing ability, and therefore significantly impact their life. Whether a person is experiencing mild to moderate hearing loss or severe hearing loss, many aspects of daily experiences can be negatively impacted. This can include making it difficult to communicate, causing relationships to suffer, work can become challenging, safety issues can arise, and much more.
In this article, you’ll learn about the specific ways a person’s life can be affected while living with hearing loss, the types of hearing loss that can occur, signs and symptoms of hearing loss, and how hearing devices (such as hearing aids) can potentially help.
How Hearing Loss Can Affect Someone’s LifeMultiple areas of life can be altered when living with hearing loss that is left untreated. These categories include (but are not limited to):
Communication with Others
Hearing loss can make it difficult to understand conversations and therefore communicate with others.
Relationships
Relationships with family and friends can become strained due to miscommunication or frustration when others must repeat themselves frequently.
Emotional Well-being
Increased stress, anxiety, and depression might occur as a result of feeling disconnected and misunderstood in social and professional settings.
Work and Career
Reduced job opportunities or limitations in specific professions that require clear communication can occur.
Safety
It could become difficult to hear important auditory cues. This can include sirens, alarms, or approaching vehicles, leading to potential accidents.
Cognitive Function
Cognitive decline could occur in older individuals with untreated hearing loss due to the increased cognitive load required to process sounds.
Education
Someone living with untreated hearing loss could experience difficulty in school, particularly children or young adults, as they might miss important information during lectures or have difficulty participating in classroom discussions.
Independence
Difficulty with tasks that rely on auditory cues, like crossing busy streets or running various errands, can limit their freedom and independence.
Quality of Life
There might be a reduced enjoyment of music, nature sounds, or other auditory experiences that contribute to their overall quality of life.
Loneliness
Increased feelings of loneliness and isolation can occur due to difficulties in maintaining meaningful social connections.
Mental Health
A person living with hearing loss might experience an increased risk of developing mental health conditions like depression and anxiety as a result of the challenges of hearing loss (when left untreated).
It’s important to address and treat hearing loss to help individuals maintain their quality of life.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Hearing Loss?Hearing loss can range from mild to moderate or severe. Below are examples of the specific signs and symptoms associated with each:
Mild To Moderate Hearing Loss: Someone might have mild to moderate hearing loss if they experience any of the below:
- Trouble hearing conversations in noisy places
- Difficulty hearing someone on the phone
- Feeling tired from listening
- Finding it difficult to follow conversations and hear people in group settings
- Needing to turn up the volume on the TV or radio, even if others say that it’s loud
Severe Hearing Loss: Someone might have severe hearing loss if they have the below symptoms. If you suspect a friend or loved one might have severe/profound hearing loss, you should schedule a consultation with a hearing specialist or primary care doctor. They can conduct a hearing test to determine the severity of the hearing loss, potential causes, and next steps for treatment:
- Difficulty hearing a loud noise, even in quiet environments
- Difficulty hearing conversations
- Reading lips as a result of your hearing loss
There are three main types of hearing loss - conductive hearing loss, sensorineural, and mixed hearing loss.
Conductive Hearing Loss: Conductive hearing loss occurs when there is a problem in the outer or middle ear that hinders the transmission of sound waves to the inner ear (cochlea). This can be caused by earwax blockage, middle ear infections, a perforated eardrum, or abnormalities in the ear's ossicles (small bones). Conductive hearing loss is often treatable.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Sensorineural hearing loss results from damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or the auditory nerve that transmits sound signals from the inner ear to the brain. This type of hearing loss is typically permanent and is the most common form of hearing impairment. Causes of sensorineural hearing loss include age-related factors, noise exposure, genetics, and certain medical conditions or medications.
Sensorineural hearing loss often leads to difficulty in hearing faint sounds, understanding speech in noisy environments, and distinguishing between different frequencies of sounds. The most common treatment for sensorineural hearing loss is the use of a hearing aid to amplify sound. In severe cases, a cochlear implant or other assistive listening devices might be recommended.
Mixed Hearing Loss: Mixed hearing loss is a combination of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. It occurs when an individual experiences issues in both the outer or middle ear and the inner ear or auditory nerve. The treatment for mixed hearing loss depends on the specific causes contributing to the condition.
It's important to consult with an audiologist or healthcare professional for a comprehensive hearing evaluation if you suspect hearing loss, especially if you believe it might be severe.
What Causes Hearing Loss?Hearing loss can occur at any stage of life and be caused by various factors, including those related to normal aging and acquired hearing loss. The specific causes can involve:
Age-related factors (presbycusis)
Noise-induced hearing loss (from headphones or working at loud jobs, such as construction)
Earwax blockage
Ear infections
Genetics
Head injury or trauma
Ototoxic medications (drugs that damage hearing)
Chronic diseases (such as diabetes or hypertension)
Meniere's disease
Tumors (acoustic neuroma)
Autoimmune diseases
Malformation of the inner ear
Viral or bacterial infections (such as meningitis)
Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke
Cardiovascular diseases
Ear injuries or perforated eardrum
Ear canal obstructions (such as foreign objects)
Radiation therapy to the head or neck
Neurological conditions (such as multiple sclerosis)
OTC Hearing Aids for Perceived Mild To Moderate Hearing Loss
OTC hearing aids can be an effective solution for improving perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. They are FDA-regulated devices and do not require a prescription, hearing exam, or doctor’s appointment.
With Nano OTC hearing aids, you simply pick the best dome size for your ears, turn them on, and put them in. Keep in mind it might take several days or weeks for your ears and brain to get used to them, which is why Nano OTC Hearing Aids come with a 45-day money-back guarantee and free 24/7 lifetime support.
