How Long Does it Take to Notice Your Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss can substantially affect the quality of life and self-confidence of the person dealing with the issue. For this reason, it’s essential to identify concerns as soon as possible and work toward an effective treatment plan. However, the time it takes to recognize hearing loss varies from person to person and is influenced by several factors. For some people, hearing loss might happen suddenly due to exposure to significant loud noise. For others, it can take years. Also, there is a fear attached to hearing loss which might cause you to ignore the signs. It’s understandable. The unknown can be quite scary when you’re faced with losing something you’ve historically relied on. Thankfully, technological advancements offer treatment options for many hearing loss situations.

With better awareness, and a knowledgeable team supporting you, you may be able to help yourself or your loved ones more effectively when faced with hearing loss. This article discusses tips for recognizing age-related and noise-induced hearing loss, why the loss might not be noticed immediately, and what to do when it is identified.

Age-Related Hearing Loss Is a Gradual Process

It is common for age-related hearing loss to develop slowly, making it difficult to detect the changes that are taking place in your auditory capabilities. Initially, the symptoms could be difficult to spot and easily disregarded as unimportant or blamed on external causes.

It doesn’t help that the brain can adapt and compensate for hearing loss, further complicating the recognition that there might be a problem. This slow but steady loss of hearing sensitivity can be brought on by many factors, including advancing age, heredity, prolonged exposure to loud noises, and certain medical problems. Understanding the warning signs and symptoms is crucial to early treatment. 

Early Warning Signs and Symptoms of Age-Related Hearing Loss

In the early stages of age-related hearing loss, you may encounter subtle indicators frequently missed or attributed to other sources. These signs may include difficulty hearing soft sounds or recognizing speech in noisy environments. You might find yourself or loved ones asking others to repeat themselves consistently. You might also misinterpret discussions, increase the volume on electronic devices, or have difficulties with high-frequency sounds.

Although not pleasant, one of the best early predictors of age-related hearing loss is hearing ringing or buzzing in your ears. This is known as Tinnitus. The widespread condition can also include humming, hissing, or roaring noises in one or both ears. It’s important to note that Tinnitus is a symptom of hearing loss, not a condition on its own. However, understanding it and how it affects people is important since it is often the first tangible sign of hearing loss.

Tinnitus can affect people in various ways, from slight discomfort to severe interruption of everyday life. In some situations, it can cause stress, worry, and depression by affecting emotional health, sleep patterns, and attention. If Tinnitus is bothering you or a family member, discussing the issue with an audiologist for a precise diagnosis and a customized treatment strategy is important. 

The Progression of Age-Related Hearing Loss

The symptoms of hearing loss grow more evident and have a greater influence on day-to-day life as the condition worsens. Withdrawal from social interaction, agitation, and loneliness are frequently experienced as a result. Conversations may become more difficult for you to participate in, particularly in settings with multiple people or environments with a lot of background noise.

You may even have trouble hearing vital sounds like alarms, doorbells, or the ringing of your phone, which could put your safety at risk. Although hearing loss can be scary, it’s important to talk with a medical professional who can explain what is happening and provide you with possible options.

Understanding Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Noise-induced hearing loss stems from prolonged exposure to excessive noise that damages the inner ear. Unlike age-related hearing loss typically peaks at older ages, noise-induced hearing loss can happen at any time to anyone. People who work in the carpentry or warehouse industry are particularly susceptible, as well as those who attend concerts, spend time in the military, or tend to blast their music through their headphones. According to research, over five million children and teens and 26 million adults are affected by noise-induced hearing loss.

The signs, symptoms, and progression of noise-induced hearing loss are similar to those of age-related hearing loss. The biggest difference is that noise-induced hearing loss can happen suddenly, as mentioned above. The other difference is that you may be able to prevent noise-induced hearing loss if you take a few preventative measures.

Preventing Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Understanding what type of noise affects your hearing is essential to preventing noise-induced hearing loss. The easy answer is that if it sounds too loud, it is too loud. The research-related answer is that sounds over 70 decibels are harmful. This includes sounds from rock concerts, jet engines, a jackhammer, and more. The higher the decibel, the more harmful. To help you understand a bit better, consider that the maximum volume level for your television clocks in at 105 decibels. How quickly can hearing loss occur at those levels? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that it can happen in as little as five minutes.

The key is understanding what noises put you at risk and limiting your exposure to those noises. This might be done by turning down the volume, wearing protective devices, and regularly checking your hearing to monitor for changes.

Untreated Hearing Loss: Understanding the Repercussions

Hearing loss, whether age-related or noise-induced, that is not treated can significantly negatively affect many facets of your life. Communication problems can burden relationships with family, friends, and coworkers, resulting in irritation, worry, and sadness. Some professional circumstances might be difficult, causing you to slow down at work or lose out on a promotion.

Hearing loss that is not treated has also been related to a deterioration in cognitive function as well as an increased risk of dementia. It’s important to understand that hearing loss will not go away. The sooner you work with a knowledgeable team to understand what is happening, the better it will be. 

Seek a Professional Evaluation as Soon as You Notice Hearing Loss

It is imperative to seek the advice of a hearing specialist whenever there is a suspicion of hearing loss. We can evaluate the issue using hearing tests to determine the type, degree, and underlying reasons for hearing loss. When you visit our team, we will conduct audiometric testing, review your medical history, and thoroughly examine your ears.

Our state-of-the-art equipment ensures you get a detailed picture of your hearing loss and how to proceed. A treatment plan might include hearing aids or other assistive equipment and continued assessment.

Building Awareness For Hearing Loss 

Building a culture that recognizes the importance of hearing health and prioritizes maintaining it requires a significant increase in both awareness and education of the warning signs and consequences of hearing loss. This is especially true when you realize that each person’s process of identifying hearing loss is unique.

You need to be proactive in obtaining a professional evaluation if you have concerns about your hearing or the hearing of a loved one rather than waiting to see if the condition worsens. When you get prompt intervention and treatment, you’ll better understand what to expect and how to handle your hearing loss. Knowledge truly is power and can improve your overall quality of life.