One sign that may indicate that you are losing your hearing is to often ask to repeat some information, often referring to "what", for example.
Hearing loss is more common with aging, occurring frequently in the elderly, and in these cases, hearing loss is known as presbycusis. However, it can occur at any age, as in the case of otitis frequent or excessive noise, for example. To know other causes of deafness read: Find out what are the main causes of deafness.
In addition, hearing impairment may be mild, moderate, or severe and may affect only one ear or both, and usually the ability to hear is slowly worsening.
Symptoms of hearing loss
The main symptoms of hearing loss include:
- Difficulty talking on the phone, understanding all the words;
- Speak very loudly, being identified by family or friends;
- Ask often to repeat some information, often saying "what?";
- Have the sensation of ear clogged or hear a small hum;
- Look constantly at the lips of family and friends to better understand the lines;
- Need to increase the volume of the TV or radio to listen better.
Hearing loss in adults and children is diagnosed by a professional, such as a speech therapist or an otolaryngologist, and it is necessary to perform hearing tests, such as an audiogram, to identify the degree of hearing loss. To learn more about hearing loss, read: Learn how to identify if your baby does not listen well.
Degree of hearing loss
Hearing loss can be classified as:
- Mild: when the individual only listens from 25 decibels to 40, being difficult to understand the speech of family and friends in noisy environments, besides not being able to hear the ticking of the clock or a bird singing;
- Moderate: when the individual only listens from 41 to 55 decibels, it is difficult to hear a group conversation.
- Accentuated: the ability to listen only occurs from 56 to 70 decibels, in which case the individual can only hear loud noises like children's crying and the vacuum cleaner working and it is necessary to use an appliance or hearing aid. Learn how to take care of the device in: How and when to use the hearing aid.
- Severe: when the individual can only hear from 71 to 90 decibels and can identify the dogs barking, bass piano sounds or the phone ring at maximum volume;
- Depth: usually it is heard from the 91 decibels and it is possible to identify no sound, communicating through sign language.
Generally, individuals with mild, moderate or severe hearing loss levels are called hearing impaired, and those with profound hearing loss are known to be deaf.
Treatments for hearing loss
The treatment for hearing loss depends on its cause and is always indicated by the otorhinolaryngologist. Some of the treatments for hearing loss include, earwashing, over-waxing, taking antibiotics in the case of otitis, or putting on a hearing aid to recover part of the lost hearing, for example.
When the problem is located in the outer ear or middle ear, surgery can be done to correct the problem and the individual can hear again. However, when the problem is in the inner ear, the individual is deaf and communicates through sign language. See how treatments are done in: Learn about treatments for hearing loss.
