Hearing Loss

Understand the symptoms and causes of hearing loss and know when to seek testing or treatment.

Facts

Causes

Signs

Next Steps

Hearing loss is common

Hearing changes can happen gradually, making hearing loss difficult to self-diagnose. In fact, most people are not able to identify a 'normal' level of hearing or dectect their own level of hearing loss without the help of a hearing care professional. If you find that hearing changes are impacting your life, relationships, work, or everyday interactions, now is the time to take the first step towards better hearing.

 

Amplifon can guide and support you every step of the way.

The facts on hearing loss

Nearly 40 million Americans have hearing trouble hearing

On-average, people wait seven years to seek help for hearing loss.

About 28.8 million American adults could benefit from using hearing aids.

Signs of hearing loss

You struggle to understand others

One early sign of hearing loss that is quite common is misunderstanding people that are speaking to you.  This can lead to misinterpretations and miscommunication between you and those you communicate with. If you often find yourself mistaking what people say, hearing loss could be to blame, and it might be time for a hearing test.

Loved ones complain about volume levels

Whether you're watching TV, listening to music, or talking on the phone, you might think that the noise level is perfectly normal until someone asks you to turn it down. Obviously, some people are bound to have more sensitive hearing, but when several people tell you the same thing in a variety of situations, there's a good chance that you could be struggling to hear. So if your family, friends, and coworkers have voiced the opinion that you talk too loudly and your music and television habits follow suit, it may be time for a hearing test.

You have trouble hearing in crowds

One of the first signs that you're suffering from hearing loss is when you have difficulty following a conversation in crowds. If you often have trouble differentiating between who’s speaking to you in a noisy environment, you could be in the early stages of hearing loss.

Your ears are ringing or buzzing

In truth, tinnitus is not necessarily a symptom of hearing loss, but the two often go hand-in-hand, especially if hearing loss is related to noise damage. If you notice a ringing or buzzing in your ears, you'll want to get it checked out by a hearing care professional. You should also take the opportunity to get a hearing test, just in case you have both conditions. Studies have shown that hearing aids can both relieve your tinnitus and help you hear if you have hearing loss.

You're constantly saying "What?"

Asking others to repeat themselves constantly is not only frustrating to those trying to tell you something, but it can start to make you feel uncomfortable as well. For this reason, people suffering from hearing loss often resort to nodding and smiling when people talk, even if they're not catching a word. If this is you or someone you know, it would probably be worth getting their hearing checked.

Common causes of hearing loss

Many things can cause hearing loss. Below are three of the most common causes of hearing loss and why they put your hearing at risk.

Noise

Age

Health

Noise

Exposure to loud noises damages hearing

  • Exposure to an extremely loud noise such as an explosion
  • Continuous exposure to loud environmental or work sounds such as traffic, drills, sirens, etc. 
  • Repeatedly listening to earbuds or headphones at high volumes

Age

Hearing can deteriorate as we age

  • Aging deteriorates inner ear function
  • Tiny hair cells that help you hear die with age and do not regrow
  • Chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, can lead to hearing loss

Health

Health history plays a role in hearing

  • Certain infections such as bacterial meningitis and mumps can cause hearing loss
  • Genetics may cause full or partial hearing loss at birth
  • Family health history may indicate a pattern of hearing loss
Woman getting a hearing test

Take the next step

Think you may have hearing loss? Let our team help you take the next step in your hearing care journey. Our hearing care advocates can help you schedule an appointment for a hearing exam at a clinic near you and check your hearing benefits to see if you have coverage for hearing care and hearing aids.

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