What Causes Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss is the reduced ability to hear sounds compared to someone with normal hearing.
A number of factors can cause hearing loss:
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Aging
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Noise exposure
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Excessive earwax
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Ear or head trauma
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Genetics
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Birth defects
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Benign growths or tumors
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Otosclerosis
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Meniere’s disease
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Reactions to drugs
Types of Hearing Loss
There are three main types of hearing loss:
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Sensorineural hearing loss is the result of damage to the inner ear nerves.
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Conductive hearing loss is the result of obstructions in the outer or middle ear.
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Mixed hearing loss is a combination of the other two types. This means that in one ear, you have an issue with the outer or middle ear and the inner ear.
Can Hearing Loss be Prevented?
Some types of hearing loss are preventable. Noise-induced hearing loss can be avoided by taking a few easy steps:
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Wear proper hearing protection when exposed to occupational or recreational noise.
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Turn down the volume on your TV, radio or personal music device.
You should also practice good ear care:
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Avoid sticking cotton swabs or other objects in your ears.
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When blowing your nose, blow your nose gently through both nostrils.
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Swallow or yawn frequently when traveling by airplane.
Hearing Loss Symptoms
There are several symptoms of hearing loss:
- Difficulty understanding what others are saying
- Asking people to repeat themselves
- Struggling to hear in crowded places with distracting background noise
- The perception that others are mumbling or not speaking clearly
- Listening to the television or radio at a higher volume than others
- Experiencing a ringing or buzzing in the ears
- Withdrawing from social situations in order to avoid conversation
Find a Hearing Loss Doctor Near Me
Hearing Test
A hearing test is an important step toward understanding your hearing health. Knowing what to expect can help you feel more comfortable and prepared. This painless test takes about 30 to 60 minutes and helps identify hearing issues. The results help your audiologist find the best solutions for your needs.
A diagnostic hearing test is a comprehensive evaluation of your hearing health. During the test, your audiologist will discuss your medical history. They will also ask you about any hearing issues you've noticed. They will ask you about your lifestyle to understand your hearing needs.
The test involves a physical examination of your ears. Your audiologist will check for blockages or infections. Your audiologist will also test your ability to hear:
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Listening to various tones through headphones to measure the softest sounds you can hear at different pitches
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Repeating back words spoken at different volumes to assess how well you understand speech
After the test, your audiologist will review your results. They will explain how well you hear different sounds, and discuss any areas of hearing loss. If needed, they will recommend treatment options such as hearing aids, and schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your hearing health.
You might already be scheduled for an appointment with an ear, nose, and throat physician, or the audiologist might refer you to one.
Hearing Loss Treatment
Your audiologist may suggest different treatment options based on your individual needs:
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Hearing aids
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Cochlear implant
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Assistive listening device
Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are instruments that amplify sounds in order to enable those with hearing loss to hear more clearly. They are small and discreet. Some models are completely invisible to others. They can come with various features like, Bluetooth, rechargeable batteries, and blending colors.
Your audiologist will work closely with you to find the right hearing aid(s) for your needs. They will take into account several factors:
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The type and severity of your hearing loss
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Your lifestyle
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The size and shape of your outer ears and inner ear canals
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Your manual dexterity
Cochlear Implants
A cochlear implant is an electronic device that bypasses damaged nerve cells and converts sound to digital signals. They help patients with moderate to severe hearing loss who can no longer benefit from hearing aids.
Assistive Listening Devices
Assistive listening devices (ALDs) are accessories to help with hearing. They may be used either alongside hearing aids and cochlear implants or on their own.
Schedule An Appointment
You can request an appointment on MyChart or call 801-587-8368 to schedule. Some insurances require referrals. Our care coordinators will let you know your insurance's requirements during the scheduling process.
Why U of U Health?
U of U Health has year-after-year exceptional rankings as offering the best health care in the nation. It's not a surprise. We believe collaboration throughout our system — from physicians, researchers, biologists, and more — leads to the most imaginative care.
Working together in a rich, diverse clinical environment means our discoveries have a direct impact on the health of our patients.U of U Health isn't satisfied with just offering health care. We want to transform it.
