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Hearing health touches every aspect of a person’s life, from communicating with friends and family to listening to the radio. Healthy hearing provides a higher quality of life.
Unfortunately, hundreds of millions of people worldwide suffer from hearing loss. And the World Health Organization estimates that by 2050, over 900 million people will have some form of hearing loss.
For more information on how you can identify and aid hearing loss, visit the below resources:
What is Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss specifically refers to when a person’s hearing threshold is less than 25 decibels (dB) or better in both ears. Hearing loss can range from mild to profound, and a person is forced to adjust their daily habits depending on how significant their hearing loss is. Someone with mild hearing loss might have difficulty carrying a conversation in a noisy environment, while someone with more severe hearing loss might develop more reclusive behaviors.
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There are three common types of hearing loss:
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Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss and is usually permanent. This form of hearing loss comes from damage to the inner ear’s nerves and hair cells. Common causes that result in this type of hearing loss are aging and prolonged noise damage.
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Conductive hearing loss often results from fluid or earwax buildup, or an ear infection. This type of hearing loss is caused by an obstruction in the outer or middle ear, but it can be treated with medicine or surgery. Conductive hearing loss is often temporary.
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Mixed hearing loss is a mix of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss.
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There are numerous online hearing tests that can assist you in determining if you should visit a hearing healthcare professional. However, only an audiologist can diagnose hearing loss.