Hearing Loss and Quality of Life
Effects
of Hearing Loss
Types of Hearing
Loss
Progression
of Hearing Loss
Since hearing loss typically occurs gradually, many people do not
realize the damaging effects that occur with hearing changes. As America
ages and with Baby Boomers expected to live longer than any previous
generation, hearing impairment will reach new levels in coming decades.
Currently, only about one in five people with hearing loss seek
appropriate treatment which is particularly alarming since untreated
hearing loss can lead to an increase in depression, feelings of anxiety
and isolation from family and friends.
Effects of Hearing Loss
Nearly 36 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss due to
genetics, the environment in which they surround themselves, or simply
as a result of the aging process. With hearing loss, it is often
difficult to understand speech. What is not sufficiently appreciated is
that the individual’s emotional and mental state may also be affected by
the erratic and disrupted communication patterns caused by hearing
loss. A person with hearing loss is four times as likely to manifest
psychological disturbances than a person with normal hearing. There is
also evidence that hearing loss can exacerbate the behavioral picture of
patients with Alzheimer's and other cognitive disorders, affecting
memory, alertness, and general ability to cope, beyond the expected
limiting factors of the disorder without the presence of hearing loss.
Types of Hearing Loss
There are three types of hearing loss:
Sensorineural hearing loss occurs in the inner ear
and is the most common type of hearing loss caused by damage to the
inner ear and/or auditory nerve due to one episode or more of prolonged
exposure to loud noise, certain medications or simply the process of
aging. Once damaged, the inner ear cannot be repaired. Sensorineural
hearing decreases the ability to differentiate consonant sounds (thus
the fine distinctions in words such as hat versus cat). Most
sensorineural hearing losses can be treated effectively with hearing
aids.
Conductive hearing loss occurs in the outer and
middle ear. The most common causes are wax build-up in the ear canal,
middle ear infection, a hole in the tympanic membrane or damaged
ossicles.
In most cases, conductive hearing loss affects the lower frequencies
or pitches and makes it difficult to hear vowel sounds. Since vowels
contain the "power of speech," the individual with conductive hearing
loss perceives speech and other sounds as being much "quieter" than
normal. The condition can often be medically treated.
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of a conductive
and a sensorineural hearing loss.
Tinnitus
Another condition that affects as many as 37 million people is called
tinnitus - roaring, buzzing, clicking, whistling, hissing, or high
pitched ringing in the ears or inside the head. Tinnitus may be constant
or occur intermittently in one or both ears and varies greatly among
individuals ranging from a mild occasional sound to an ever present
chronic condition. Some people report their tinnitus is so bothersome
that it interferes with their quality of life.
Many people with hearing loss also experience tinnitus although it is
possible to have normal hearing and still have tinnitus. If tinnitus is
suspected, a medical evaluation and a hearing test by licensed
professionals should be conducted. It is important to have a medical
examination to determine if there is an underlying condition causing the
tinnitus.
Since tinnitus is a symptom associated with various disorders, there
is no single treatment that will help everyone. The most effective
treatment is the removal or prevention of the cause. Unfortunately, the
cause of tinnitus usually cannot be identified or corrected. Therefore,
tinnitus itself may need to be treated. There are a number of treatment
options available including the use of amplification (hearing aid),
which allows the wearer to hear background sounds in the environment,
which takes away the focus on the tinnitus.
The Progression of Hearing Loss
The progression of hearing loss in most cases is subtle from a small
amount of hearing loss to greater and greater loss. The implications
vary depending on the degree of hearing loss.
Borderline / Normal Hearing:
- May have problems in difficult listening situations such as in
groups or in noise.
- May need visual cues (to watch the speaker's face and especially
lips) to understand some conversations and certain speakers.
- May need to sit close to the speaker to understand the
conversation.
If the problem is affecting the patient's ability to function
normally in everyday life, they should probably consider amplification
(hearing aid) if the hearing loss is not medically treatable.
Moderate Hearing Loss:
- Having difficulty understanding conversations on the telephone.
- Having difficulty understanding one-on-one conversations.
- People have to speak up for person to understand what is said.
The problem is affecting the patient's ability to function normally
in everyday life and they should consider amplification if the hearing
loss is not medically treatable.
Severe Hearing Loss:
- Impossible to function in difficult listening situations such as
in groups or in noise.
- Impossible to understand conversations on the telephone.
- Having difficulty understanding one-on-one conversations.
- People have to speak up for person to understand even part of
what is said.
- Needs to sit close to the speaker to understand even part of the
conversation.
- Need visual cues (to watch the speaker's face and especially
lips) to understand even part of any conversation and any speaker.
- May have difficulty identifying loud environmental sounds
(sirens, telephone ring, car horn, etc.) making safety a concern.
The problem is affecting the patient's ability to function normally
in everyday life and they should consider amplification (hearing aid).
If the hearing loss is medically treatable, it is most likely a mixed
hearing loss and may require amplification post-medical treatment.
Profound Hearing Loss:
With Profound Hearing Loss, it is impossible to understand one-on-one
conversations and the quality of the patient's speech is affected. The problem affects the
ability to function normally in everday life. If the hearing loss is
medically treatable, it must be a mixed hearing loss, and will likely
require amplification (hearing aid) post medical treatment to detect
speech.
Take our Instant Hearing Evaluation to test your level of hearing loss.
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