How to Prevent Hearing Loss

How to Prevent Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is a partial or total loss of the ability to hear. Hearing loss may start suddenly or gradually, at any age. It may be temporary or permanent, and it may affect one or both ears.

There are two types of hearing loss. You can have just one type or both types. You may have a problem with:

  • Damage to your hearing nerves (sensorineural hearing loss). This type of hearing loss is more likely to be permanent. A hearing aid is often the best treatment.
  • Sound getting to your inner ear (conductive hearing loss). This type of hearing loss can usually be treated medically or surgically.

Hearing loss may be referred to as deafness. Symptoms that may develop along with hearing loss include ringing in your ear (tinnitus), fullness in your ear, and dizziness (vertigo). Hearing loss that is not associated with aging can often be prevented by taking certain measures to protect your ears.

How can hearing loss affect me?

Hearing loss can affect you at school, at work, and at home. It can lower your overall quality of life. You may:

  • Have trouble having conversations, especially in busy places with a lot of background noise.
  • Need to make changes at work or at school.
  • Feel depressed, isolated, or anxious. Sometimes hearing loss can make it more difficult to make friends, play sports, and have an active social life.
  • Struggle to hear the TV, radio, or sound at the movies.
  • Have trouble hearing the phone or doorbell.
  • Have trouble hearing alarms and other warning sounds.

What changes can I make to protect myself from hearing loss?

Have hearing tests (screenings) as often as directed by your health care provider. Hearing screenings can help detect hearing loss early and may help prevent hearing loss from getting worse. This may include having screenings done by:

  • An ear, nose, and throat specialist (otolaryngologist or ENT specialist).
  • A specialist in hearing problems (audiologist).

Noise damage is the most preventable cause of hearing loss. Noise damage is caused by the loudness of the noise and how long you are exposed to it. Noises that can cause temporary or permanent nerve damage include noises from:

  • Lawn mowers or chainsaws.
  • Guns (firearms).
  • Sirens.
  • Jet engines.

To avoid hearing loss from noise exposure:

  • Wear ear protection whenever you are exposed to loud noises or working in a noisy environment, such as:
    • Using a lawn mower or leaf blower.
    • Shooting firearms.
    • Woodworking with machines.
    • Being near jet engines or sirens.
  • If you are exposed to loud noise at your job, make sure that you are provided with the proper noise protection.
  • Do not sit close to speakers at concerts.
  • If you listen to music, keep the volume at a comfortable level.
  • If you wear headphones, make sure that the noise is only loud enough for you to hear. If someone else can hear it, it is too loud.

What can I do to cope with hearing loss?

  • Work with your health care providers to determine what types of treatment are best for you.
  • If you need a hearing aid, have it fitted by a specialist. Do not buy hearing aids without having a hearing aid evaluation first.
  • Use assistive hearing devices and warning devices or alarms that vibrate or use lights.
  • Face people who are talking to you and pay attention to their expressions as they speak. Ask people if they can speak more clearly or more slowly.
  • Tell friends and family about your hearing loss.
  • Avoid areas that have a lot of background noise.
  • If you are feeling isolated, anxious, or depressed, tell someone.

Where to find support

For more support:

  • Talk with your health care provider. Ask about hearing screenings and online or in-person support groups.
  • Find resources through the Hearing Loss Association of America: www.hearingloss.org  
  • Get tips for living with hearing loss from the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing: www.agbell.org  

Where to find more information

Find more information about how to prevent hearing loss from:

Contact a health care provider if you have:

  • Any change in your hearing.
  • Sudden hearing loss.
  • Other symptoms, such as:
    • Ear pain.
    • Ear pressure.
    • Tinnitus.
    • Vertigo.

Summary

  • Have your hearing screened to detect early hearing loss and to prevent further loss.
  • Hearing loss may be caused by damage to your hearing nerves, problems with sound getting to your inner ear, or both.
  • Avoiding loud noises is the best way to prevent hearing loss.
  • If your hearing changes suddenly, tell your health care provider right away.
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