Understanding Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can sneak up on you—missing parts of conversations, asking others to repeat themselves, or turning the TV volume higher than usual. If you’ve recently been diagnosed with hearing loss, or suspect your hearing may be changing, you’re not alone. At ENT & Allergy Associates, our audiologists specialize in diagnosing and managing hearing loss for patients of all ages.
Hearing loss affects approximately 48 million Americans, making it the third most common physical condition in the United States, behind arthritis and heart disease. While many people associate hearing loss with aging, the reality is that it can affect individuals at any stage of life—from newborns to older adults.
Types of Hearing Loss
Understanding the type of hearing loss you have is an important step toward effective treatment.
Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound is blocked from reaching the inner ear. This is often caused by conditions affecting the outer or middle ear, such as earwax buildup, fluid behind the eardrum, ear infections, perforated eardrums, or structural abnormalities. In many cases, conductive hearing loss can be treated or reversed with medical or surgical care.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), also known as nerve-related hearing loss, results from damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve. This is the most common type of hearing loss, accounting for approximately 90% of all cases. SNHL is typically permanent, but hearing aids and other hearing solutions can significantly improve hearing and communication.
Mixed Hearing Loss
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, involving problems in both the middle or outer ear and the inner ear.
Common Causes of Hearing Loss
Age-Related Hearing Loss (Presbycusis)
Natural aging is one of the leading causes of hearing loss. Presbycusis develops gradually over time due to cumulative noise exposure and natural changes in the inner ear. Tiny hair cells in the cochlea become damaged and do not regenerate, often affecting high-frequency sounds first. Because the change is slow, many people are unaware of hearing loss until a family member or friend points it out. Presbycusis typically affects both ears and can range from mild to severe.
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Noise-induced hearing loss is the most common cause of hearing loss in people under the age of 65. Prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 decibels can damage inner ear structures. Common sources include concerts, sporting events, motorcycles, boats, hunting, and listening to music at high volumes through headphones or earbuds. The good news is that this type of hearing loss is often preventable by using proper hearing protection.
Ototoxic Medications
More than 200 prescription and over-the-counter medications are known to potentially affect hearing. These include certain antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), loop diuretics, and some chemotherapy medications. In some cases, adjusting or changing medications may help prevent further hearing damage.
Other Causes of Hearing Loss
Additional causes may include hereditary factors, head trauma, infections, otosclerosis, inner ear abnormalities, Meniere’s disease, benign tumors, perforated eardrums, excess earwax, or foreign objects in the ear.
Signs You Should Get Your Hearing Tested
You may benefit from a hearing evaluation if you experience:
- Frequently asking others to repeat themselves
- Difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments
- Ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Increasing the volume on TVs or devices
- Withdrawal from conversations or social situations
Early diagnosis and treatment can make a significant difference in quality of life, communication, and overall well-being.
Hearing Loss Treatment at ENT & Allergy Associates
At ENT & Allergy Associates, our audiology team offers comprehensive hearing evaluations using advanced diagnostic tools. Based on your results, we provide personalized treatment plans that may include medical care, preventive strategies, or modern hearing aid solutions tailored to your lifestyle and hearing needs.
While some types of hearing loss are permanent, today’s hearing technology allows most patients to hear more clearly and stay connected to the world around them.
Schedule Your Hearing Evaluation
Regardless of the cause, help is available for hearing loss. Taking the first step starts with a professional hearing evaluation. Contact ENT & Allergy Associates today to schedule your hearing appointment at a convenient locations in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Texas and take control of your hearing health.