Whether you’re getting older or you’re relatively young, hearing loss is something that affects millions of people around the world. Sometimes it’s difficult to notice the early signs of hearing loss, especially if it’s not something you’re expecting.
Someone else might point out that they have to repeat themselves to you. Or you may find yourself turning the volume up on the television or suddenly needing to use closed captions to catch speech. The trick is to catch these things early so that you can deal with them in the right way.
Temporary Hearing Loss
The good news is that hearing loss isn’t always permanent. You can sometimes lessen or even get rid of deafness, depending on what’s causing it. Temporary hearing loss is caused by things like ear infections or blockages.
Once the underlying issue is treated, you may find that your hearing is restored. One of the reasons to get immediate treatment is because some of these conditions can cause permanent damage if not dealt with. For example, an ear infection causes swelling that may result in temporary hearing loss. However, if the infection is allowed to continue, then it can cause further damage to the ear. Getting seen by a doctor quickly will allow you to get antibiotics and the treatment you need to get rid of the infection.
Getting a Hearing Test
However, sometimes the hearing loss is permanent. Your ears contain tiny hair cells that pick up sound vibrations and allow you to hear. If these cells are damaged or destroyed, then your hearing will suffer. Unfortunately, the cells don’t regrow, resulting in permanent loss of hearing. Old age can result in this damage, but it can also be caused by injuries or, most commonly, wear and tear due to extended exposure to loud noises. Musicians, builders, and people who listen to loud music are at high risk of this.
If the hearing loss isn’t caused by a temporary condition, then you will need a hearing test to determine the extent of your deafness. An audiologist will look into your case and help you to come up with a treatment plan.
You may be given a hearing aid, which will allow you to continue to function as normal and restore your hearing. However, your hearing will likely continue to degrade over time. This means that you will need to be seen for a hearing aid adjustment to improve the fit and effectiveness of your hearing aids.
The Psychological Impact of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can be isolating and upsetting. If you can’t keep up with conversations, then you feel left out. It can have severe mental and emotional effects, if you don’t know how to deal with it. Any chronic condition is upsetting, including something like deafness.
It’s particularly upsetting if you work in the music industry, as your ears are part of your job. If you find that you’re struggling to cope with this side of things, then don’t be afraid to ask for help and seek counseling.