Signs of hearing loss

Hearing loss rarely hurts! Some people have a hearing problem and don’t realize it. You should have a hearing test if you experience any of the following:

• Have trouble hearing over the telephone

• Find it hard to follow conversations when two or more people are talking

• Often ask people to repeat what they are saying

• Need to turn up the TV volume so loud that others complain

• Have a problem hearing because of background noise

• Think that others seem to mumble

• Can’t understand when women and children speak to you

Types of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss comes in many forms. It can range from a mild loss, in which a person misses certain high-pitched sounds, such as the voices of women and children, to a total loss of hearing.

There are two general categories of hearing loss:

• Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve. This type of hearing loss is usually permanent.

• Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound waves cannot reach the inner ear. The cause may be earwax buildup, fluid, or a punctured eardrum. Medical treatment or surgery can usually restore conductive hearing loss.

Early identification of hearing loss is important, make an appointment today for a free screening test at Hear4Good, local and independent.

Originally published by Mark Paton