Do you sometimes feel like this? When someone speaks, the words seem unclear, you need to turn up the volume on the TV, or you have to ask again because you didn't hear them when someone spoke to you... These are not just random things. This may be an early sign of gradual hearing loss. Don't dismiss it as nothing serious. Let's talk about it openly and without fear. Because if you find the cause and start treatment as soon as possible, you can continue to connect with the beautiful sounds in this world.
What are the symptoms of hearing loss?
When your hearing starts to decline, it can happen suddenly or gradually. At first, you may feel like the words aren't as clear when someone is talking. It's like when the signal on a radio gets a little distorted, and the words sound muffled. Sounds start to sound muffled and distant.
In addition to this main symptom, you may experience other things, depending on the cause.
- Pain in one or both ears.
- Feeling dizzy ( Vertigo ).
- A constant ringing sound inside the ears, like "ringing...". This is called Tinnitus in medical terms.
- A feeling of pressure or fullness inside the ears.
Often, people with hearing loss try to distance themselves from social interactions. This is because they feel embarrassed to be constantly asked by family and friends, "What did you say?". Some people also fear that they will misunderstand a conversation and give the wrong answer.
How is hearing loss measured?
To find out exactly how much your hearing loss is, your doctor will refer you to a special hearing test. This is called an audiogram . This test measures the intensity of sounds you hear. The unit of measurement for the intensity of a sound is decibels . The lowest decibel you can hear is the number of decibels you can hear.
Simply put, it's like this.
| Hearing Level | Description |
|---|---|
| Normal (0-20 dB) | The level at which we can hear even very subtle sounds, like the sound of breathing (10 dB). |
| Mild (21-40 dB) | You may not be able to hear subtle sounds, such as when speaking from a distance. |
| Moderate (41-55 dB) | It can be a little difficult to understand normal conversation. |
| Moderately Severe (56-70 dB) | You can only hear it if you speak loudly. |
| Severe (71-90 dB) | You can only understand words if you shout. But you can hear the sounds of vehicles like lorries and airplanes. |
| Very severe (Profound) (>90 dB) | The sounds of conversation are barely audible. Only very loud noises are barely audible. |
What are the main types of hearing loss?
There are three main types of hearing loss, depending on how it occurs.
Conductive Hearing Loss
This happens when there is an obstruction in the path of sound waves in our ears , that is, in the outer ear, the eardrum, or the middle ear. Think of it like a traffic jam on a road, where sound waves cannot get through properly. This can be caused by things like ear wax buildup, fluid buildup due to an ear infection , or damage to the eardrum.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
This is the most common type. It occurs due to damage to the fine hair cells in our inner ear that pick up sound. Or due to damage to the auditory nerve or parts of the brain that are involved in hearing. This condition can occur with age, exposure to loud noises, or due to certain diseases.
Mixed Hearing Loss
As the name suggests, this is a combination of the two types mentioned above. That is, there is a problem with the way sound travels (conductive), and there is a problem with the inner ear or nerves (sensorineural). It can be caused by head injuries, long-term infections, and some genetic conditions that run in families.
Causes of severe hearing loss
First, let's look at how we hear. Sound waves travel through the outer ear and cause the eardrum and small bones in the middle ear to vibrate . These vibrations travel to the cochlea , a fluid-filled part of the inner ear that is shaped like a snail's shell. As the fluid moves, thousands of tiny hair cells inside it convert these sound vibrations into nerve signals. These signals are then sent to the brain, where we recognize them as sound.
Hearing loss occurs when there is a problem somewhere in this process. Here are some of the main reasons why.
- Age : As we age, some parts of the ear lose their flexibility. Those delicate hair cells become damaged, making them less able to respond to sound waves.
- Loud Noise : Continuous exposure to loud noises, for example, from power tools, airplanes, or listening to loud music through headphones, can damage the hair cells in the inner ear.
- Ear Infections: Infections can cause the middle ear to fill with fluid. This hearing loss is usually temporary, but if left untreated, it can lead to serious long-term problems.
- Perforated Eardrum: The eardrum can become perforated due to infection, loud noises, accidents, or excessive pressure during flights or diving.
- Cholesteatoma: This is a collection of skin cells that form in the middle ear. It occurs when a lump or growth of skin cells burrows into the eardrum or through a hole in the skin. Over time, it can grow and destroy the bones of the middle ear, causing hearing loss.
- Other illnesses or infections: Hearing loss can be caused by illnesses such as measles, mumps, and meningitis.
- Meniere's disease: This is a disease of the inner ear. Symptoms include :
- Dizziness
- Hearing loss that occasionally decreases and then returns to normal
- Tinnitus
- Ear fullness
- Tumors: Cancer or benign tumors, such as acoustic neuroma or paraganglioma, can cause hearing loss. They can also cause facial numbness.
- Medications: Some antibiotics, high doses of aspirin, and chemotherapy can cause hearing loss. Sometimes the damage goes away after the medication is stopped, but most of the time, the damage is permanent. Always talk to your doctor about the medications you are taking.
- Genetic Causes: Scientists have discovered genetic factors that contribute to hearing loss.
- Autoimmune Disorders: Diseases such as Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis can also affect hearing.
Take-Home Message
- Pay attention to any changes in your hearing (such as muffled speech, increased TV volume) as soon as you notice them.
- Don't be embarrassed by this situation, see your doctor as soon as possible and seek advice.
- There can be many reasons for hearing loss. If the correct cause is found, treatment is easier.
- Protect your ears from loud noises (loud music, workplace noises).
- If you experience ear pain, a feeling of fullness in the ear, or sudden hearing loss, seek medical advice immediately. In some cases, it can be a medical emergency.
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