What Hearing Loss Happens Later in Life?

Hearing loss is often a source of frustration as people age. Unfortunately, it’s also a natural part of getting older and can begin as early as 50 for many people. One of the most common types of hearing loss is presbycusis, a sensorineural type of loss that affects around one-third of people over 65. Building a strong support system that begins with understanding and incorporates guidance from reliable hearing specialists is essential when processing hearing loss concerns.

This blog will tell you more about the common forms of hearing loss, common causes, and potential treatment options. When you gain knowledge, you also gain control, allowing frustrations to decrease as you develop a plan moving forward.

What Are the Three Common Types of Hearing Loss?

The ear consists of three parts – the outer, inner, and middle ear. There are also three types of hearing loss, each affecting different parts of your ear. Continue reading to learn more about each type.

Conductive Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss impacts the inner ear. It happens when the sound gets trapped between the outer and middle ear. Some common reasons that you might have conductive hearing loss are listed below.

A build-up of earwax: Too much earwax can block the ear canal and make it hard for sound to travel.

Ear infections: Infections in the middle ear, like otitis media, can cause fluid build-up, inflammation, and partial hearing loss through the conductive pathway.

Eustachian tube dysfunction: The Eustachian tube helps balance the middle ear’s pressure. Conductive hearing loss can happen when the balance is off for some reason, such as when fluid doesn’t drain properly.

Perforated eardrum: If the eardrum has a hole or tear, it also can’t move and send sound to the middle ear.

Structural problems: Conductive hearing loss can be caused by birth defects or physical problems with the outer or middle ear.

People with conductive hearing loss might complain about muffled sounds or feel like their ear is full or blocked. They might also have a lot of ear pain. If conductive hearing loss is caused by things like ear infections or impacted earwax, the problem can often be fixed by taking medicines or cleaning the ear.

However, surgery might be needed in some cases, such as when there are structural problems, fixing a hole in the eardrum, or treating other underlying reasons. Other treatments for conductive hearing loss may include using hearing aids, receiving vibrations from bone conduction devices, or using personal amplifiers.

Conductive hearing loss can happen to people of all ages, from babies to adults, and its effects can be short-term or long-term, based on what caused them. Talking to an audiologist is important to get an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan that fits your needs.

Mixed Hearing Loss

As the name suggests, this type of hearing loss is a mix of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. This means there could be damage to two or three ear parts. If you have an issue related to conductive hearing loss, such as fluid build-up in your ear, and you work in a loud environment, you might experience mixed hearing loss. When you have mixed hearing loss, your ear has been damaged in a way that doesn’t allow you to continue hearing to your potential without some form of intervention.

Cochlear implants, surgery, and hearing aids are all possible options for the treatment of mixed hearing loss. Getting tested and talking to a knowledgeable team is important to help you find the best care and understand what is behind your hearing issues. Once your hearing has been assessed, the team can develop a treatment plan that considers your hearing issues as a whole.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss 

Alterations in the inner ear, the nerves that carry sound signals to the brain, and even the brain itself can all play a role in the development of sensorineural hearing loss or presbycusis. This type of hearing loss typically occurs gradually as people age, but it can also occur at a younger age due to illness or trauma to the head. Age-related sensorineural hearing loss, known as presbycusis, is the most common type of permanent hearing loss.

People with sensorineural hearing loss struggle to hear soft sounds, but even louder sounds might be muffled due to their environment. This might cause them to turn up the volume on the television or have difficulty hearing during a phone conversation. Typical signs of presbycusis are outlined below.

• Complaints that the speech of others or on television is distorted or garbled
• Often asking people to repeat themselves
• Becoming agitated in a crowded room due to hearing difficulty
• Complaints about ringing in the ears

There is currently no treatment that will reverse the effects of presbycusis. However, there are a number of therapeutic approaches that can improve hearing and lessen the impairments caused by the condition. Assistive technology such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other devices can all amplify sound and make it easier to hear.

Those struggling with presbycusis may want to make a few adjustments to their way of life to decrease the impact of this hearing loss on their day-to-day activities. In addition, hearing tests should be performed on a routine basis so they can manage any new developments. When coping with presbycusis, communicating with people and participating in social activities can be difficult, often causing feelings of loneliness and sadness. 

How Can You Help Someone With Hearing Loss?

Watching loved ones and friends struggle with hearing loss can be difficult. Thankfully, you can do a few things to help them cope.

• Encourage them to get their hearing checked on a regular basis by an experienced hearing specialist
• Gain an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of each treatment option
• Support them by speaking clearly, face to face, and in quieter environments
• Research assistive listening equipment for televisions and phones.

Keep in mind that suffering from hearing loss can be upsetting and isolating for many people. Treating your loved ones and family with kindness and patience is essential.

Seek Help and Education About Hearing Loss

One of the best things you can do is seek help and education about hearing loss, whether you are the one struggling or if it’s someone you know. With today’s technology, there is no reason why someone shouldn’t receive the support they need to understand their hearing issues. 

Professionals, such as the team at Eldorado Hearing, can diagnose hearing issues and create an appropriate treatment plan that works for everyone involved. Talk with a team member today to take the first step to hearing better.