What is Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss usually affects people during old age. Though the ear is designed to receive sound, it grows acute with age. Children’s voices or birds singing and other high frequency sound become difficult to hear, and communication becomes difficult. There is also difficulty in discriminating speech sounds and people seem to mumble.

Symptoms of Hearing Loss

1. There is progressive loss in hearing with age.
2. In noisy crowded circumstances it becomes difficult to distinguish words, during conversations.
3. A need to turn up volume-controls on radios, television and other sound equipment.
4. Hearing high-frequency sounds become difficult.
5. Hearing over the telephone also becomes difficult.

What causes Hearing Loss

1. Excessive noise, certain medications and medical conditions can damage sound sensing structures and specialized hair cells in the ear.
2. An infection in the inner ear, or when fluid or earwax builds up in the ear canal, also interferes with the functioning of the ear and hearing is impaired.

Simple Remedies for Hearing Loss

1. Station yourself near books, curtains or upholstered seating (sound-absorbent surfaces) and stay away from expanses of plaster and glass and echoing in noisy places.
2. If you don’t understand ask people to repeat or slow down.
3. During conversation switch off T.V. or radio.

Prevention of Hearing Loss

1. Use a pair of earplugs if you are frequently in noisy environment. They will prevent the ears from being damaged by the decibels.
2. If you are wearing your headphones and are unable to hear any sounds around you, signifies that the volume is too high, reduce it. Remember when you wear headphones, music shouldn’t drown out other noise.
3. Avoid going to noisiest places. If you are exposed to high noise during commuting or working, give your ear a break during leisure time.